forum realignment (crazy idea)

[Fish-or-man?]

Hello,

No one has requested a new forum section lately, so to make up for that I feel I should put a really ridiculous idea out there.

Okay, here's my crazy high-time consuming (for Mike and Aaron) idea:

1. Change the name of the "technical support" forum to "Non-Fishing Discussions". That would make the three forum titles be: Forum Discussions, Fishing Discussions, and Non-Fishing Discussions.

2. Move "off-topic" from Forum Discussions to Non-Fishing Discussions (so now "Bugs & Problems" and "off-topic" would be the two sections under "Non-Fishing Discussions")

3. Create a shellfish and hunting section and put them under "Non-Fishing Discussions" (so now Non-Fishing Discussions would be comprised of a Bugs & Problems, off-topic, shellfishing, and hunting section).


Okay, let me try to explain why I feel hopefully most forum members would approve and hopefully this would help WashingtonLakes.com. I got the itch to post this because fall is upon us. Many anglers out there will soon be putting away their rods and picking up their guns (whether they be the regular or clam sucking variety). I realize when a shellfshing forum has been brought up in the past it hasn't garnered great support (although I've never read any nays). However, currently in the freshwater section "the fresh-water lobsterette - crawfish lakes" has almost sixty posts under it, while in the saltwater section topics about shrimp, squid and crab come up from time to time.

I proposed a hunting section because much like many types of shellfishing its peak time (correct me if I'm wrong hunters) is when the standard fishing season is wrapping up. Hunting also springs up from time-to-time in the forums. I know there's been threads about deer, elk, seal (ha ha), and duck hunting. Not being a hunter myself I suppose I don't know if there'd be enough interest to support a forum about it. However, there are a few die-hard hunters on here so I assume there would be enough material from bragging about successful hunts alone!

Anyway, here's why I think adding these two sections and placing them alongside "bugs & Problems" and "off-topic" at the bottom of the forum page would be a boon to WL.com:

1. Providing a place to post about shellfishing and hunting under the umbrella of "Non-Fishing Discussions" would help preserve the fishing section for fishing-only discussion-- thus cementing the identity of Washintonlakes.com.

2. Although it probably wouldn't be a big increase I theorize that the shellfishing and hunting sections would generate more interest in the subjects. This would in turn keep more people coming back to the site through fall, and to a lesser extent, winter, when activities like razor clamming, squiding, and duck, deer and elk hunting are at their peak.

3. Putting off-topic, hunting, and shellfishing at the bottom of the page under "Non-Fishing Discussions" would draw more attention to the under-used Bugs & Problems section (uh, this last one is suppose to be a joke).


Well, thanks for reading this long-winded crazy idea. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Let me ponder this one a bit after my working weekend is over. On the surface it seems reasonable and I think it should be easy to do.

[Rosann G]

Bill says you have too much time on your hands but he thinks it would work......

[A9]

No offense to your suggestions, but I'd keep the forums the way they are now and when the next big update occurs for WL.com, then you couold rework the forums...

[Mike Carey]

It may be as simple as a 5 minute fix to move these around. Aaron's the one spending his evenings doing the "under the hood" coding of the new site. Just picture him sitting in front of a computer monitor (three, actually), slaving away hour after hour to make the best fishing website in the Northwest.

[shawn]

It may be as simple as a 5 minute fix to move these around. Aaron's the one spending his evenings doing the "under the hood" coding of the new site. Just picture him sitting in front of a computer monitor (three, actually), slaving away hour after hour to make the best fishing website in the Northwest.

Thanks Aaron much appreciated. :thumright :thumleft:

[Fish-or-man?]

No offense to your suggestions, but I'd keep the forums the way they are now and when the next big update occurs for WL.com, then you couold rework the forums...

None taken! Just thought I'd throw this out there. Logically to me it makes sense, but the fact that no one's thought that this was a slam dunk of a good idea tells me it's probably only a good idea in my head. I can definintly see the "everything is running perfectly, don't fix what ain't broken" arguement here. And participation may not drop in the off-season like in previous years because the forums are already so amazing now.

Aaron is the man! Thanks Aaron!

[Mike Carey]

The Forums are amazing because of the amazing people posting. :chef:

[Marc Martyn]

It may be as simple as a 5 minute fix to move these around. Aaron's the one spending his evenings doing the "under the hood" coding of the new site. Just picture him sitting in front of a computer monitor (three, actually), slaving away hour after hour to make the best fishing website in the Northwest.

Come on Mike! Just the Northwest??

Minnesota is called "The Land of 10,000 Lakes". Well, I Googled 'Minnesota Lakes' and the top hit was pretty boring:-s
http://www.minnesotalakes.net/

This is the best fishing/lake/river and more website on the entire internet!! Why do you think that people are dropping in on the forum from all over the United States! A fish on the west coast is the same as a fish on the east coast.

Mike, you have to give yourself more credit.:thumright

[cavdad45]

You got it Marc, this is the best fishing forum site out there. And like Mike says, it's because of the people.

[Mike Carey]

The changes have been made. I only hope Ted Nugent discovers our new Hunting Forum and becomes a member. :-)

[fishnislife]

The changes have been made. I only hope Ted Nugent discovers our new Hunting Forum and becomes a member. :-)

You could ask him. :thumright


fishnislife

[iPodrodder]

I got a crazy idea. Maybe we could make this nationwide except for Minnesota. Because it would take quite a while to make a report category for every lake in Minnesota. We could divide this forum into national segments. I'd hop over to the Southern section, then click on bass. We could hear people discussing 5 ounce spinnerbaits while we are working with 1/4 up here. Just kidding, but it would be pretty sweet to see a USAlakes.com

[Jake Dogfish]

I don't get why the squidding post was moved to a "non fishing discussion heading" when it is fishing. Also, I don't think we need another forum for this as saltwater would cover it. There are already few posts there and I don't think you need a forum for every species. What is going to direct a squid fishermen to the non fishing section? Just my two...