That would probably be a good compromise, yes (and Hedgecore would like it :-).

I didn't mention it initially because I don't know if it's easily doable with standard forum software ; all the boards where I've seen it done were all-or-nothing. vBulletin does have a rich add-on ecosystem, so maybe there's a plugin of sorts that does this.

Increased membership = increased moderation

Reg has done a good job setting up the forums however redundant threads, cross posting, and incorrect forum posts will always need to be moved, merged, closed, or deleted.

The first thing that can be added is a "report post" button that allows a member to cite a reason... this helps moderators a good deal.

Also, with moderation there needs to be rules. Rules need consequences (temp bans, etc.). Mods need procedures. (or it could turn into Abu Ghraib or the Stanford experiment ).

This is not a small undertaking and could lead to even more useless posts (complaints) and loss of charter members before it gets better.

The report post button already exists. On the theme I'm using, it's in the upper right corner, indicated by an exclamation mark.

The Nokia server debacle, coupled with the huge influx of redundant threads lately, highlights to me that the tablets are finally taking off. They may very well be at or near the sort of "tipping point" that can cause all hell to break loose. I agree with fpp's idea as well as adding a few moderators. We're gonna need 'em.

The vBulletin I set up some time ago had a per-forum setting of permissions based on the users post count - probably even without needing a hack, as I did not install any hack, and the software seemed to be in a almost virgin state when I took over.

I consider myself a "newbie" here. Next to HardOCP this is my favorite forum. However in all the forums I've actively participated in this one seems to have a very high noise to signal ratio at the moment.
It's not as bad as the PS3 forums though

I think that could be due to:
Relatively "new" technology
New peeps think they bought a phone, not a Linux computer
To many youngsters or wannabe geeks that scream for help because obviously we exist to serve them.

Was it this bad when the 800 came out? I'd expect the signal to noise ratio to improve

When I first saw technut's rant I could feel his pain. I do think that it might be good to limit newbies (like me) to thread creation only in the newbie forum and hot deals.

Also if anyone that has made it to what is considered a "knowledgable member" (decided by the community) there should be a button to lock the thread and tell the thread creator to search.

And to Hedgecore - The prices for tablets especially is fleeting - I was going to buy an 800 for my son for Christmas when the price dropped to $179, but I waited till lunch and the price was gone

This is a great forum,

/edit - someone stuck "senior member" under my name! I'm not 65 for a while yet!

That's good - then I say it should be implemented right away.

However, I believe post count is not enough to base the delay on : if people catch on they will just post as many nonsensical messages as required in the first twenty minutes and then proceed as before... I think a time-based delay is also necessary.

Some time ago I signed up on a very specialized board, essentially in search of an answer to a very specific question about obsolete laptop hardware. Not only is signing up itself moderated by the board owner, but new users there are made to wait *ONE WEEK* before they can create their own thread.

I can tell you this dramatically encourages you to sift through existing topics in search of one you can append your question to :-)

Agreed. I bet it focuses ones mind wonderfully.

i read the forum at arstechnica.com quite often. they have classifications for topics something like this board. they also have a dedicated group of volunteer mods that patrol their assigned topic classification.

they also have a lock function that is commonly used. the mod will post a link to the thread showing the discussion has been covered elsewhere, and lock the thread so no new posts can be made to the dup. they also use this to quell the mutinies when the plebians sling fodder.

they even monetize certain thread groups as in you have to pay a subscription fee to post to that group. it is readable by any registered user, but posting is by subscription only. most of the other thread groups are readable by anonymous users.

the lock function in tandem with more even-handed moderation and topic centric sticky threads seems like a step in the right direction

Actually, despite my complaints, I'm for a bit of socialism, mixed with a dash of anarchy, garnished with chaos.

I don't believe in limiting people. I know this is just a forum but I hate class systems on all levels because it just promotes ego and favouritism. (Hell, I think our post counts / "status" (like "senior member") should be hidden.)

I also don't like the idea of moderators. Many people here are geeks, and geeks with power (something they haven't had in real life) turn into online tyrants. (I'm pointing to absolutely nobody in particular, I swear.)

So what to do? I'd move all the question related threads into troubleshooting and continue to do so. (Again, this is a lot of work to put on poor Reggie...) Then I'd do something that would annoy everyone like having a screen of forum rules/suggestions before every post (ie you hit reply, the screen pops up, and you have to hit continue before you're allowed to post). Then I'd aggressively move posts over to troubleshooting until people 'get' it. To be honest, if you see a hundred questions in the N810 forum, you're going to post yours there as it seems like the norm.

What I wouldn't do? Not have moderators, not chew out new people asking questions regardless of whether they see us as their servants or not, and not drop the friendly attitude to newcomers for a second.

This is like the immigration thing in the US all over again. (Can any of ya "natural" americans tell me where your family was living in the 1400s? Oh.)

The ITT fora are useful. However if the wikis were more up to date, they would become the authority. While I agree that some change in the ITT is necessary for its continued usefulness, I think that it is more important for all of us to work on the wikis. I find these a more trustworthy source of information than the chaotic ramblings of the fora. For example, Milhouse has made extraordinary wiki-like postings here. But better a Milhouse in a wiki than in a forum. (My reading of history points to many that died in the forum but to none in a wiki.)