Too many subforums?

[wtjbatman]

Is it just me or are there too many subforums?? I feel like there's not enough time to read it all. I'm afraid I'll miss something!

Mods, can you delete a couple of them to put my mind at ease?

[Russ]

heh

[Heckler]

Meh. Just don't read em.

[arebelspy]

The "Welcome and General Discussion" seems particularly cluttered.  That's on the list for removal.

[pzxc]

Just use the 'Show unread posts since last visit' link at the top of any page

It shows new posts from all forums -- if you keep checking this you will never miss anything!  :)

[dragoncar]

I really want a way to ignore subforums and then individual posts.  That way my unread list will be more manageable.  I used to be able to skim the unread list pretty quickly each day, but it seems like post volume has exploded.  I'm missing good stuff wading through the... no so good stuff. 

[sheepstache]

Could we have a subforum just for good stuff?

[Emilyngh]

Could we have a subforum just for good stuff?

Stop being such a snob.   Some of us like to read bad stuff; I mean, how do we even know good stuff if we don't have to wade through bad stuff to see it?   I, personally, make sure to do my part in countering any good stuff I contribute with an equal amount of bad stuff.

[dragoncar]

Could we have a subforum just for good stuff?

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/good-stuff-only

[arebelspy]

Could we have a subforum just for good stuff?

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/good-stuff-only

I think you pasted in the wrong link; all I saw was spam the moderators somehow missed.

Makes my job for tomorrow easy though!

[innerscorecard]

I do think there are too many. People don't realize that addition can be subtractive of value.

[Cheddar Stacker]

Could we have a subforum just for good stuff?

Stop being such a snob.   Some of us like to read bad stuff; I mean, how do we even know good stuff if we don't have to wade through bad stuff to see it?   I, personally, make sure to do my part in countering any good stuff I contribute with an equal amount of bad stuff.

I laughed my ass off at most of this thread, but this one was great.

I don't think there are too many sub-forums, I think there are too many threads. Hard to control that I think. Maybe 2 more sub-forums?? :) 1 just for newbie threads called stubble, and 1 just for senior mustachians called "good stuff". Too discriminatory I think, but it's sort of like opening up new levels in a video game right?

[lifejoy]

Isn't there a post about going on an information diet? ;)

[Hotstreak]

I really want a way to ignore subforums and then individual posts.  That way my unread list will be more manageable.  I used to be able to skim the unread list pretty quickly each day, but it seems like post volume has exploded.  I'm missing good stuff wading through the... no so good stuff.

Click on the forum you want to ignore (in my case, "Journals"), click "Mark All Read" in the top right, then view all posts since last visit and none of those will show up.

[Brawndo TQ]

I really want a way to ignore subforums and then individual posts.

I'd give my left nut to be able to put people on an ignore list (including mods... esp mods). Maybe I can whip up some clever css rules.

Agreed that there are too many subs. Bad for building community. Causes fragmentation.

[dragoncar]

I really want a way to ignore subforums and then individual posts.  That way my unread list will be more manageable.  I used to be able to skim the unread list pretty quickly each day, but it seems like post volume has exploded.  I'm missing good stuff wading through the... no so good stuff.

Click on the forum you want to ignore (in my case, "Journals"), click "Mark All Read" in the top right, then view all posts since last visit and none of those will show up.

I just started doing that.  I usually avoid:
journals
mustachian marketplace
reader recommendations
real estate & landlording
mini money mustaches
book club
singles
meetups

not that those never have good stuff, just that it's too many posts to wage through

You can ignore individual users actually... but I just want to ignore threads that may have a vague title and once I've taken a look I don't want it popping up anymore

Could we have a subforum just for good stuff?

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/good-stuff-only

I think you pasted in the wrong link; all I saw was spam the moderators somehow missed.

Makes my job for tomorrow easy though!

Totally agree with this.  I've come to the conclusion that posting on this forum is not the best use of my time.  I will delete my account after this post and remove the forum from my bookmarks.  I guess my posts will show up as "guest" posts - don't know for sure, doesn't really matter.  I'll continue following MMM's blog in my RSS reader and commenting there if the spirit moves me.  Best wishes everyone.

[marty998]

Could we have a subforum just for good stuff?

Stop being such a snob.   Some of us like to read bad stuff; I mean, how do we even know good stuff if we don't have to wade through bad stuff to see it?   I, personally, make sure to do my part in countering any good stuff I contribute with an equal amount of bad stuff.

I laughed my ass off at most of this thread, but this one was great.

I don't think there are too many sub-forums, I think there are too many threads. Hard to control that I think. Maybe 2 more sub-forums?? :) 1 just for newbie threads called stubble, and 1 just for senior mustachians called "good stuff". Too discriminatory I think, but it's sort of like opening up new levels in a video game right?

Yes please! +1 Noob thread for all the posters who pollute the General section exclaiming "This is my very first post and I just want to say_________"

Well duh my friend - your post count says 1, and MDM* is about to welcome you to the forum, tablefy your random numbers and tell you to go read the how-to-write-a-case-study sticky.

* MDM you have the patience of a saint!

[arebelspy]

I've come to the conclusion that posting on this forum is not the best use of my time.  I will delete my account after this post and remove the forum from my bookmarks.  I guess my posts will show up as "guest" posts - don't know for sure, doesn't really matter.  I'll continue following MMM's blog in my RSS reader and commenting there if the spirit moves me.  Best wishes everyone.

We'd be heartbroken if we thought you were serious.

[brooklynguy]

Yes please! +1 Noob thread for all the posters who pollute the General section exclaiming "This is my very first post and I just want to say_________"

Well duh my friend - your post count says 1, and MDM* is about to welcome you to the forum, tablefy your random numbers and tell you to go read the how-to-write-a-case-study sticky.

Yeah, because the ranking system based solely on quantity of posts does a superb job of filtering out the riffraff.

[I'm a red panda]

I feel like there's not enough time to read it all. I'm afraid I'll miss something!

Having fewer subforums won't change the amount of content. There will still be too much to read, it will just be cluttered in one place.

[LadyStache]

I really want a way to ignore subforums and then individual posts.  That way my unread list will be more manageable.  I used to be able to skim the unread list pretty quickly each day, but it seems like post volume has exploded.  I'm missing good stuff wading through the... no so good stuff.

Click on the forum you want to ignore (in my case, "Journals"), click "Mark All Read" in the top right, then view all posts since last visit and none of those will show up.

Thanks!! I didn't know that was an option.

[dragoncar]

I've come to the conclusion that posting on this forum is not the best use of my time.  I will delete my account after this post and remove the forum from my bookmarks.  I guess my posts will show up as "guest" posts - don't know for sure, doesn't really matter.  I'll continue following MMM's blog in my RSS reader and commenting there if the spirit moves me.  Best wishes everyone.

We'd be heartbroken if we thought you were serious.

I wanted to quote that one guy who asked YOU to delete all his posts for him, but couldn't find it.  I guess you obliged.  This was the second best pouty rant I could find

[wtjbatman]

dragoncar aka westchester NY

[dragoncar]

dragoncar aka westchester NY

I only use the westchesterNY username over at DC Urban Moms.

[brooklynguy]

I have a solution to these problems with the forum.  To deal with the overabundance of content, let's limit the number of posts permitted per person per week.  And to deal with the inconsistency in the quality of posts, let's restrict the ability to post to a predetermined set of high-quality posters.  Ideally, we could even restrict it to a single poster of proven mustachian bona fides and writing ability, who would post a new article on a different mustachian topic, say, every week or so.  Maybe even MMM himself can do it!  Oh, wait...

[EscapeVelocity2020]

Although Brooklynguy's humor helps soften the blow of the reality of it, what I struggle with is knowing 'why' I should listen to a new poster until I've read enough of their stuff to get a picture of their situation.  Sometimes they show their age and location, but even that isn't a given.  I believe that people are always trying to be helpful, but a college student situation is different from a young single professional and different from a middle-age family and different from empty-nesters on social security...  And living in NYC is different from small-town Indiana.

Is there any way to make age and location mandatory (which of course can be faked or generalized, but at least gives the message that these are important details)?

[Rural]

Although Brooklynguy's humor helps soften the blow of the reality of it, what I struggle with is knowing 'why' I should listen to a new poster until I've read enough of their stuff to get a picture of their situation.  Sometimes they show their age and location, but even that isn't a given.  I believe that people are always trying to be helpful, but a college student situation is different from a young single professional and different from a middle-age family and different from empty-nesters on social security...  And living in NYC is different from small-town Indiana.

Is there any way to make age and location mandatory (which of course can be faked or generalized, but at least gives the message that these are important details)?

I wouldn't have been here in the first place if they had been when I joined.

[dragoncar]

Although Brooklynguy's humor helps soften the blow of the reality of it, what I struggle with is knowing 'why' I should listen to a new poster until I've read enough of their stuff to get a picture of their situation.  Sometimes they show their age and location, but even that isn't a given.  I believe that people are always trying to be helpful, but a college student situation is different from a young single professional and different from a middle-age family and different from empty-nesters on social security...  And living in NYC is different from small-town Indiana.

Is there any way to make age and location mandatory (which of course can be faked or generalized, but at least gives the message that these are important details)?

I wouldn't have been here in the first place if they had been when I joined.

Maybe not mandatory, but put it in a sticky that it's highly encouraged and likely to garner better responses

[Nords]

The "Welcome and General Discussion" seems particularly cluttered.  That's on the list for removal.

I've never seen a "Welcome and General Discussion" forum that was particularly clean and orderly.  In fact, "general discussion" seems to be begging posters to clutter it up.

As for the rest of you complaining about forum layout, organization, and clarity:  feel free to start your own forum anywhere else.  Then let us know the URL so we can visit and complain that you're not doing it right. 

[EscapeVelocity2020]

I wouldn't have been here in the first place if they had been when I joined.

Yikes!  I guess 'mandatory' was the wrong word.  I mean, people can still fill in 'Rural' for location  ... and -999 for age.  It just annoys me that it's blank more often than not with newer posters, because it does take a while for people to realize that it's pretty harmless from a 'privacy' standpoint and super duper helpful from a 'posting to a forum' standpoint.

I'd love to know what you're up to now Rural, I'll have to search your posts and try to piece it all together :)

[Herbert Derp]

I don't think any of you need to know where I live.

[arebelspy]

It won't happen, so don't sweat it.

Grant took shit for being only 19 when he joined, and he's one of my favorite posters.  Age, and location, don't seem particularly relevant to me when judging someone's ideas.

[matchewed]

I wouldn't have been here in the first place if they had been when I joined.

Yikes!  I guess 'mandatory' was the wrong word.  I mean, people can still fill in 'Rural' for location  ... and -999 for age.  It just annoys me that it's blank more often than not with newer posters, because it does take a while for people to realize that it's pretty harmless from a 'privacy' standpoint and super duper helpful from a 'posting to a forum' standpoint.

I'd love to know what you're up to now Rural, I'll have to search your posts and try to piece it all together :)

Not sure how useful it is, the information a person is communicating should be irrelevant to their location and age. Dragging those things into it just brings about so many useless biases.

But on topic...

Too many? I want one specially dedicated to the "Is it Mustachian if I do X?" question. A reverse psychology section that is titled "If your post is unique, post it in this subforum."

Make it so...

[MDM]

Well duh my friend - your post count says 1, and MDM* is about to welcome you to the forum, tablefy your random numbers and tell you to go read the how-to-write-a-case-study sticky.

* MDM you have the patience of a saint!

LOL! 

Yes, some posts are a bit formulaic for repeat readers.  To the first-timers who haven't figured out
  - ignoring how one gets from "gross" to "take home" pay means ignoring some huge opportunities for improvement
  - a "mortgage" payment includes only principal and interest.  P&I goes away after the mortgage is paid.  Taxes, insurance, HOA, etc. remain.
  - etc.
helping them with structure on which to organize their situation seems worthwhile.

As for patience, well, "one never learns as well as when one attempts to teach" has been applicable here.

[Daisy]

The "Welcome and General Discussion" seems particularly cluttered.  That's on the list for removal.

I've never seen a "Welcome and General Discussion" forum that was particularly clean and orderly.  In fact, "general discussion" seems to be begging posters to clutter it up.

As for the rest of you complaining about forum layout, organization, and clarity:  feel free to start your own forum anywhere else.  Then let us know the URL so we can visit and complain that you're not doing it right.

+1

I find that in real life, usually the complainers about a certain event or something are usually the ones that never actually put up the work to do or organize anything. So I've learned to ignore the complainers. They are always in the background giving their opinion on everything without actually doing something. It becomes very easy to filter out the noise when you do this. ;-)

I'm always happy when someone steps up and takes charge and makes things go smoothly for everyone. Their efforts are usually ignored by the complainers who don't realize there would be nothing to complain about if the doers did not do something to begin with. And the good job the doers do is usually not noticed because the little and big things required for something to go well...well just go well so no one notices all of the behind the scenes work.

Thanks to the moderators for keeping this all seem so seamless!

Now to my complaint...why not get rid of ALL of the sub-forums and actually the forum in general. Its existence really puts a damper on the productivity in the rest of my life. Having to read all of these posts is just too time consuming and distracting. Maybe the forum posts should be restricted to the boring and irrelevant posters so that I won't be tempted to check in all of the time. ;-)

[wtjbatman]

Maybe the forum posts should be restricted to the boring and irrelevant posters so that I won't be tempted to check in all of the time. ;-)

Someone already did this joke, otherwise I would totally link to "recent posts by wtjbatman"

[firewalker]

I think it's a matter of posting in the wrong categories. For example, I thought Reader Recommendations was where you could  find recommendations for furthur reading. Instead, it has become a place where readers of the forum can ask for recommendations from other readers of the forum.

[EscapeVelocity2020]

Looks to me like the Forum is forever going to remain the Anarchy ideal that I hoped for in High School (when 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' and Megadeath were popular -'why can't we teenagers govern ourselves?'  The 'I Wanna Rock' videos look pretty silly nowadays.  But so it goes, nowadays you can get porn 24/7 online and 'bathsalts' at the convenience store.  Not giving an inch sometimes means that you are giving a mile (and alienating normal people, in the sense of not posting as often here as other places with a more 'stable' user base). 

[firewalker]

Reminds me of the Simpsons episode where  Bart is running for office and both he and his opponent have the same campaign slogan: "A vote for Bart is a vote for anarchy!"

[Daisy]

Looks to me like the Forum is forever going to remain the Anarchy ideal that I hoped for in High School (when 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' and Megadeath were popular -'why can't we teenagers govern ourselves?'  The 'I Wanna Rock' videos look pretty silly nowadays.  But so it goes, nowadays you can get porn 24/7 online and 'bathsalts' at the convenience store.  Not giving an inch sometimes means that you are giving a mile (and alienating normal people, in the sense of not posting as often here as other places with a more 'stable' user base).

It's called "living in a free society". I love the variety of people we have here.

And how can it be alienating people, if this whole thread is to complain about too many posts?!?!

[Russ]

Any objective truth to information given unreferenced in a pseudonymous society (see: internet forums) is purely in your head. My username could just as easily be Jeremy Wright (see: names "typical of" [believable to?] middle class Americans) as it is Russ, which makes neither more likely than the other to be my actual name. It is nothing more than a placeholder.

Not sure how old people don't understand this. A different forum I read also had this idea come up, although in that case administration (see: bunch of geezers) followed through with the "real name" requirement, losing a significant # of knowledgeable posters in the process.

This all being independent of anarchism, which the structure of this forum has and will have nothing to do with

[EscapeVelocity2020]

Any objective truth to information given unreferenced in a pseudonymous society (see: internet forums) is purely in your head. My username could just as easily be Jeremy Wright (see: names "typical of" [believable to?] middle class Americans) as it is Russ, which makes neither more likely than the other to be my actual name. It is nothing more than a placeholder.

Not sure how old people don't understand this. A different forum I read also had this idea come up, although in that case administration (see: bunch of geezers) followed through with the "real name" requirement, losing a significant # of knowledgeable posters in the process.

This all being independent of anarchism, which the structure of this forum has and will have nothing to do with

To which I, as an individual respond - what is so terrible about admitting our individualism?

[Russ]

Nothing

But that's not how the internet works

[wtjbatman]

So is your real name Russ or not

[dragoncar]

So is your real name Russ or not

Either way, I'm still operating under the assumption that you are, in fact, Batman.

[wtjbatman]

Either way, I'm still operating under the assumption that you are, in fact, Batman.

Which might hurt my chances at actually being Batman. I love my morning coffee.

[EscapeVelocity2020]

... Off topic (it's like Fight Club!)  ...

The first rule about Fight Club, is that you don't go online and post about Fight Club, so you're out :)  So now it's just me and Dude (who I can only assume is actually Edward Norton).

[Eric]

Reminds me of the Simpsons episode where  Bart is running for office and both he and his opponent have the same campaign slogan: "A vote for Bart is a vote for anarchy!"

Hahaha!  Yes!  Great reference!


And just for the sake of the rest of you, yes, I am posting this while riding my bike.

[Rural]

I wouldn't have been here in the first place if they had been when I joined.

Yikes!  I guess 'mandatory' was the wrong word.  I mean, people can still fill in 'Rural' for location  ... and -999 for age.  It just annoys me that it's blank more often than not with newer posters, because it does take a while for people to realize that it's pretty harmless from a 'privacy' standpoint and super duper helpful from a 'posting to a forum' standpoint.

I'd love to know what you're up to now Rural, I'll have to search your posts and try to piece it all together :)

Go ahead; it's all fiction, anyway. :-) Except the badass parts, of course.