de61
Member 
Posts: 262
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Post by de61 on Dec 4, 2022 20:48:20 GMT
One of the aspects of visiting the TSF website that frustrates me is how often I miss seeing posts because the threads on the Home/Main Topics page frequently change or revert to a thread that appears daily. Like many casual visitors to the site, I view the threads on the Home Page and, if I see no new or “bumped-up” threads, I move on. It is not until I spend time to look through the individual threads in the topics and sub-topics that I realize what I have missed and am able to catch up on the posts. For this reason, I am proposing the TSF site implement an old rule that was previously employed on “Bulletin Board” systems. This rule required a new or re-opened thread to remain on the Home Page for at least 24 hours. The forum is a successor to the bulletin board systems that existed long before Windows was created. One of the rules established for bulletin boards was that a thread should remain on the Home Page for at least 24 hours before another thread replaced it. This gave participants the opportunity to view the thread and reply to, or add to, the thread. Any post that changed the thread on the Home Page was considered poor etiquette and was referred to as “stepping on” the thread. The exception to the rule was the posting of an item of such importance that it required immediate viewing and response by participants. Perhaps this etiquette rule should be instituted for the TSF website. The establishment of such a rule is not intended to dissuade members who frequently post on the site. It is intended to encourage members to craft their posts in a manner which combines related elements into a single post. If members combine the elements of their presentations into single posts that appear periodically rather than daily, it will allow for a greater variety of threads to appear on the Home Page. This may increase interest among members and induce new visitors to the TSF site. As examples of well-crafted posts, I cite those of daniel , stamphinger , JeffS , and Londonbus1 . Their posts are interesting, informative, and add to the knowledge-base of the thread in which their posts appear. Each of their posts also combines various elements of a single idea within the individual post. Of course, there are many other well-crafted posts within TSF, but it is these members’ posts that I regularly view. Their examples should provide a guide to postings that appear on the site. I am interested in viewing your opinions on instituting the 24-hour etiquette rule for threads on the Home Page. Let me know what you think. Don |
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,716 
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Dec 4, 2022 22:03:22 GMT
I can only say "good luck" de61We have been invaded  and I think it is too late now........René |
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Post by PostmasterGS on Dec 4, 2022 22:14:03 GMT
I set my TSF bookmark to the Recent Threads page instead of the Home Page. Can't recall the last time I even visited the Home Page. |
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,643
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
Member is Online
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Post by stainlessb on Dec 4, 2022 22:14:20 GMT
whenever I check the forum I click on Recent Threads it shows me every post I have not read. I can bookmark those I am interested in and I get a notification whenever a new post is made. Those threads which are of no interest tome I can mark as read for -now/today/a month/to never again-! (though they will still be on recent threads, just not in bold.
No thread is ever really replaced (though it may be mo0ved or merged by admin)
We have had a big influx of new members of late and there have been more threads to look through and perhaps I miss some things because the title doesn't in a keyword, but the search function also works quite well if I can't remember how something was listed.
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,716
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Dec 4, 2022 22:31:28 GMT
I can only say "good luck" de61 We have been invaded and I think it is too late now........René Sorry to be so blunt ! - We do have excellent contributors to TSF and I would not name "members" as most of us contribute "our way" - We may not write long texts, blogs, expertise stuff.......but we contribute - As for others (I will never name), I believe the new generation is all going to be pics and rapid questions - We cannot stop that except ignoring them. When I open the computer in the a.m. (each of us has a a.m.) I screen the repeated subjects of no interest and choose - it has to be done <1hour or else......I have a life to live LOL !! Enjoy whatever you wish to read and discriminate "silently" !! René |
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de61
Member
Posts: 262
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Post by de61 on Dec 4, 2022 23:25:24 GMT
I like the idea of going to the Recent Threads link and do that regularly. The only difficulty is sometimes there are so many updated threads I don't have time to pick through them all. Perhaps that points to a weakness in my proposal. There are too many threads being updated on a daily basis to make the proposal feasible. Still, I would like to see a greater variety of threads being shown within the categories on the Home Page. As to the contents of a post - not all posts need to be in-depth discussions of the topic. I recently made several posts to the USA - Christmas Cards, Postcards & Covers topic that were simple listings, but I saved up my scans and posted them all at the same time so the thread would only appear once on the Home Page. Don |
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darkormex
Member
Swinging through Switzerland and getting tied up in Thailand
Posts: 2,145
What I collect: The World...just printing and mounting as I go...call me crazy!
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Post by darkormex on Dec 4, 2022 23:41:58 GMT
Even though I know the Recent Threads link is the best place to go when I come to the site, I still have a habit of going to recent posts and then scrolling down from there. Like others have mentioned, bookmarking threads is the way to go, especially, if something interests you specifically or you want to keep following the discussion.
That said though, and I know that our admin and moderators have pointed out before that too many of our members, when they post, either start new threads/discussions that have already been previously started or they post in the catch-all "Whatcha been stamping?'" thread about a subject that would be better suited in a topic specific or country specific thread.
Don't get me wrong, I like the Whatcha been Stamping? thread, I post there myself, and I like to read about what other members are up to currently but whenever I am working on something or want to talk about something specific, before I start a new thread I always search to see if the topic already exists and post in that topic/country rather than start something new. This might cut back on the number of new topic threads started every week and help fill in specific threads/countries/topics, etc... with pertinent information that is more interesting to all of us.
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eggdog
Member
I want a new Harley!
Posts: 464
What I collect: It's complicated....
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Post by eggdog on Dec 5, 2022 0:04:05 GMT
too many of our members, when they post, either start new threads/discussions that have already been previously started or they post in the catch-all "Whatcha been stamping?'" thread Darrin darkormex points out a paradox in online etiquette (which I realize is often nonexistent, kind of like helium-based life forms, but it lives here). The mods here tend to prefer reviving threads over starting new ones; on many forums, it's considered bad form to revive a couple-years-old thread. So people who land here probably aren't sure about what to do. Don de61 , I can understand your frustration. It's true, this forum is attracting several new members almost every day - and I'm glad to see that you're participating in some other threads already - but that does mean that the "recent threads" system is more volatile than it used to be. The best answer I can think of is to go through the first two pages of new threads for a while and bookmark those that interest you. There are options within the bookmarking function so you can make it as annoying as you want to be. Also, there's a little "participated" button right above the masthead - I'm not questioning your awareness, I'm just saying because it took me like a year to notice that it was there - so you can efficiently find threads that you posted in if they have dropped out of sight. |
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,657
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
Member is Online
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Dec 5, 2022 0:11:14 GMT
As to the contents of a post - not all posts need to be in-depth discussions of the topic. I recently made several posts to the USA - Christmas Cards, Postcards & Covers topic that were simple listings, but I saved up my scans and posted them all at the same time so the thread would only appear once on the Home Page. Sorry, Don, but perhaps I am missing something here. What do you mean that the thread would only appear once on the Home Page instead of three times? Are you talking about viewing the Forum through "Recent Posts"? I have to imagine that you must be, because the "Home" screen, which is an overview of the entire Forum and its structure, can only show a thread once. It is starting to sound to me like the answer to your question may lie in how you choose to view the Forum. If you are finding it frustrating because there are too many individual posts, then I would advise to switch to the "Recent Threads" view instead. That's the one that I use most often if I want to see what's going on in general. Otherwise, I go to the "Home" screen and then seek out specific areas of interest. |
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,408
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Dec 5, 2022 1:16:26 GMT
Has anyone ever heard the expression “herding cats”? Keeping posts in appropriate threads is perpetually challenging.
As to multiple posts - could this be referring to the fact that every time you add to a thread it gets bumped up, so multiple postings keep it on the top? By combining and posting once an individual doesn’t impact a thread’s placement in the queue as much. Not sure why this is critical?
I would caution against placing too much emphasis on “well crafted posts”. This is not a scholarly journal for academics, this is a hobby site where folks come to enthuse about their past time. Applauding erudite submissions is admirable, but they only represent one segment of stamp collecting. We’re here to have FUN, too. We should avoid appearing to be so highbrow that we scare away beginners and casual collectors. The trick is to achieve a happy balance where everyone feels welcome to contribute and can find posts that they enjoy. The best threads are often those that everyone can participate in.
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de61
Member
Posts: 262
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Post by de61 on Dec 5, 2022 6:22:30 GMT
As to the contents of a post - not all posts need to be in-depth discussions of the topic. I recently made several posts to the USA - Christmas Cards, Postcards & Covers topic that were simple listings, but I saved up my scans and posted them all at the same time so the thread would only appear once on the Home Page. Sorry, Don, but perhaps I am missing something here. What do you mean that the thread would only appear once on the Home Page instead of three times? Are you talking about viewing the Forum through "Recent Posts"? I have to imagine that you must be, because the "Home" screen, which is an overview of the entire Forum and its structure, can only show a thread once. It is starting to sound to me like the answer to your question may lie in how you choose to view the Forum. If you are finding it frustrating because there are too many individual posts, then I would advise to switch to the "Recent Threads" view instead. That's the one that I use most often if I want to see what's going on in general. Otherwise, I go to the "Home" screen and then seek out specific areas of interest.
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,355
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Dec 5, 2022 11:12:50 GMT
I only view TSF using the "Recent Threads". Now, when I open a thread it rarely jumps to the last threads I have read. I rely on topic to decide to open..
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Post by daniel on Dec 5, 2022 14:05:55 GMT
I view the forum from Recent Posts, that way I don't miss anything and it isn't that onerous. de61 you can always follow your favourite members but thanks for the compliment. I only hope that I don't scare off too many visitors 😁 Daniel |
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jdtrue66
Member
Posts: 287
What I collect: US&US FDC, Keys & Locks, NUDES, Rubber Ducks, USS NJ covers
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Post by jdtrue66 on Dec 5, 2022 14:28:56 GMT
Seems just like the hobby we all use the forum in our own way. Me I go to the home page check out notifications first then the participated button then recent threads (I avoid the recent posts)
The fact that bumping real old threads is prefered here is something you must get into I will admit not the norm on forums but how else would all the bird stamps be in one place? and I do like that.
I am on a bunch of boards both stamp and other things I even own one not stamps (I never go to). Of the stamp ones I like this one the best first for the people but a close second is the navigation.
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,269
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Dec 5, 2022 14:46:13 GMT
Bumping old threads is both useful and desirable in my opinion where it ties articles on one topic together instead of a number of short fragmented threads which really ought to be connected…
I know mods can and often do merge threads where appropriate , However Coming as a self imposed exile from Stampboards. ( to which I will never return) the one excellent difference there, which I find harder here, is the continuity of threads making it easier to find and connect to an earlier topic without starting a new thread .
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,657
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Dec 5, 2022 15:37:00 GMT
Thanks, Don ( de61), for your explanation. Now I understand what you are saying, but I think that to achieve it would come down to the discipline of the members to put it into practice. I don't think that there is a way to do anything within the Proboards functionality to affect this. Alex ( vikingeck), thanks for your comments. As I have only ever been a lurker on Stampboards, I am not very familiar with how that site works. Can you elaborate on what you mean by the following comment: How is the "continuity of threads" different on Stampboards compared to TSF? I am not sure if there will be anything we can do about this, but I would like to understand how the two platforms are different in this area. Many thanks! |
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,269
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Dec 5, 2022 16:03:17 GMT
Lo siento mucho mi amigo @chris ……….how’s California?
Forgive me but as it is 3 years since I Quit that other forum and I cannot expand on my comment without checking back in there. I am unable to be specific, it is just how I felt when I moved here. The TSF whilst much friendlier than my experience elsewhere was somewhat harder to move around and just not as coherent. There seem to be too many little unconnected short threads being created here which pop up then expire. Members here have a tendency to create new threads ad lib without researching ( or knowing how to find) similar topics . It seemed to me that Stampboards was somewhat slicker, it is actually a very well structured forum.
Conversely SB allowed silly competitions and numbers games which were designed to allow members run up thousands of posts at a time , not stamp related but allowed astronomical posting credits , and helps to puff the Owner’s ego and boast he has the biggest stamp forum…
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hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,608
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
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Post by hdm1950 on Dec 5, 2022 17:16:13 GMT
For me this is the only stamp site I have ever joined. It has been a learning process. The first few months it seemed I was probably creating too many new threads. Now I often spend as much time searching to see if there already is a thread that my new post fits into than I do actually creating the post. The ease of creating a new thread rather than searching for an existing one can become problematic if the forum membership should expand rapidly. The volume of new posts is not too heavy for me so I always start my visit on Recent Posts. I generally only go to threads when I am looking for information on a stamp, country or topic. I agree with the original poster that we should try to combine posts if they are truly connected, mind you they can become quite long and take up almost as much space on the Recent Posts page as individual posts. I too find the forum a very friendly and welcoming group. Like anyone I get a bit frustrated with some posts or posters. I try very hard to just scroll by rather than enter the fray on out of control discussions. Sometimes I weaken.  Thanks again to the moderators for all their efforts. |
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Dec 5, 2022 18:21:48 GMT
I log in to the HOME page to see who else is online and if anything new is in the SHOUTBOX. I then I check if there are any PROFILE>LIKES and if I have any MESSAGES. Then, I check the RECENT THREADS link and see what's new. Works well enough for me.
I increased the size of the pointer just before I logged in. The default pointer is just too small. But I didn't realize the sizing is system wide. The text cursor is now huge. Time to find a better way...I log in to the HOME page to see who else is online and if anything new is in the SHOUTBOX. I then I check if there are any PROFILE>LIKES and if I have any MESSAGES. Then, I check the RECENT THREADS link and see what's new. Works well enough for me.
I increased the size of the pointer just before I logged in. The default pointer is just too small. But I didn't realize the sizing is system wide. The text cursor is now huge. Time to find a better way...
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de61
Member
Posts: 262
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Post by de61 on Dec 6, 2022 13:26:33 GMT
Well, this was worthwhile - I learned a lot. I guess much of it comes down to how a person views the site. I was genuinely surprised as to how many members work off the Recent Threads tab rather than from the Home Page. I will probably start from the Home Page and then move on to the Recent Threads tab from now on.
Thank you all for your comments.
Don
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,269
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Dec 6, 2022 16:16:58 GMT
We are at the mercy of Proboards with regard to the functioning of the forum software. For each board depicted on the home page, only the last post made in that board will be shown, regardless of the number of sub-boards and threads contained therein. While the "recent threads" function provides the best view of active threads, I find that viewing the "recent posts" allows me to catch up more quickly and with far fewer clicks.
When I view the Forum, I begin on the home page to review the info & statistics and the shoutbox, then I select the recent posts function and skim until I reach the posts that I reviewed the previous visit.
When a post peaks my interest, or is suggestive of a potential problem, I'll open that thread to review in greater detail.
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Dec 6, 2022 16:50:04 GMT
I guess I am a page hog with the way that I look at the site!
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and I think it is too late now........René
