South African Forum changes

[dysan1]

Hi there guys.

Our forum is getting busier and more full by the day, which is obviously a good thing. However with this comes a bit of confusion and i know how difficult it is at times to find things we are looking for. I am therefore proposing two options for a new forum. You may not agree with these options and feedback on your thoughts is most appreciated. I have submitted both of the suggested options to Jan for approval.

The last few months we have noticed that the south african forum is becoming a bit congested, particularily the main page and the projects sub forum. Would it be better for us to have a greater number of sub-forums?

The proposed make up of the forum will be one of 2 options:

Option 1: Create Individual projects sub-forums for Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, as often we are running onto page two for new posts and have over 550 threads at present in this sub-forum so finding particular ones is rather difficult.

In addition could a gallery subforum be created for all the masses of picture galleries that we have, so that they dont get in the way of the transport and economic discussions (A Gallery and Transport sub-forums would be the ideal though)

Option 2: This would entail creating sub-forums for each city (Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg) and all projects, discussion and the like related to each city would go into the sub-forum. Other cities developments could go into a Other Cities section.

I would like to hear feedback on the possibility of these changes, as our numbers are growing quickly and the forum is becoming a bit chaotic at times.

Regards

Dysan1

SA forum moderator

[Durbsboi]

option 1 sounds good, each major city getting its own Sub project forum,
eg:

Durban Projects
Cape Town Projects
Joburg Projects

& Have a single Gallery sub forum for opening picture threads on relevant city's.

& the Shabeen can stay as it is, with the main South Africa page just having the discussions.

[Inertia]

Agreed, option one sounds good

[waltjie]

Agreed, #1.

[dysan1]

^^ thanx guys that was my preferred one too. lets hope it can happen

[SA BOY]

#1 is the best Mike

[Mo Rush]

2010 Subforum grouping threads for each world cup stadium match venue/training venue and all discussion related to 2010, these thread developments should not float around the project section

[Mosi-oa-Tunya]

Option #1. Also agreed with Mo about putting the Stadiums in their own project subforum instead of the three subforums for Cape Town, Joburg and Durban.

[Umhlanga]

I'm with Mosi. Irregular visitors will probably only increase as 2010 approaches, and having an easy-to-find stadium subforum would probably help eliminate some of the confusion. (i.e., when new visitors use the Jo'burg forum to ask about 2010 stadium construction.) Also, if there were an easy-to-find stadium sub-forum, with each stadium having a clearly marked thread, then it would be necessary to post duplicate information in the generic 2010 WC thread.

[Pule]

i got for Option 1.

[dysan1]

I'm with Mosi. Irregular visitors will probably only increase as 2010 approaches, and having an easy-to-find stadium subforum would probably help eliminate some of the confusion. (i.e., when new visitors use the Jo'burg forum to ask about 2010 stadium construction.) Also, if there were an easy-to-find stadium sub-forum, with each stadium having a clearly marked thread, then it would be necessary to post duplicate information in the generic 2010 WC thread.

unfortunately they wont allow that

[Mo Rush]

unfortunately they wont allow that

well then sticky them somewhere

[Lydon]

I've been reading the forum for some time, only decided to register last night. I would definitely choose option 1. Some more organisation is in need and I'm glad it's on the horizon :)

[^Anton^]

I think option 1 is the best too... I swear I thought so even before reading the following posts :)

[dysan1]

Well guys i have had a chat with Jan and it seems we will actually option 1 on steriods. The new forum will consist of subforums for:

Projects and Local Discussion

Cape Town
Durban
Johannesburg
Rest of South Africa
Completed Developments

The Economy - Powering the Nation

Transportation and Infrastructure - Planes, Trains and everything else

Photo Galleries - Our land in full colour

The Shebeen - Discussion about the world around us

The Sports Bar - For the sports mad among us

The Road to 2010 - Build up to South Africa's biggest event

How do you all feel? anything missing? Its going to be a BIG change for us, but one in the best direction possible

[Lydon]

Ooooh that sounds cool!

[bion]

Option 1 Dysan. Your posting @ 5:52 PM today SA time sounds great.

[C.M.]

What happens to the threads that are closed when they become too big? Would an Archive thread be needed.

[C.M.]

I like Dysan1 post @ 5:52 PM. I would split the Projects and Discussion sub forums as follows.


Projects and Construction

Cape Town
Durban
Johannesburg
Rest of South Africa
Completed Developments

City Discussion

Cape Town
Durban
Johannesburg
Other Cities

[^Anton^]

dysan1, your last proposal sounds just perfect.

[joburg]

Option 1 sounds good Mikey.

[Inertia]

I like Dysan1 post @ 5:52 PM. I would split the Projects and Discussion sub forums as follows.


Projects and Construction

Cape Town
Durban
Johannesburg
Rest of South Africa
Completed Developments

City Discussion

Cape Town
Durban
Johannesburg
Other Cities

This sounds good too

[dysan1]

We dont need an entire forum for Durban, CT and Jozi discussion, just the threads we have at present should suffice. Having an entire forum may disperse the discussion and lead to millions of threads for useless news articles like the general african forum.

I will send the suggestion to Jan and hopefully we will have the new forum up within days.

[kulani]

i am all for option 1 and putting a 2010 related sub-forum on the high-level hierarchy to avoid confusion when visitors are looking for info on SA 2010. Good thoughts there Dysan

[Mosi-oa-Tunya]

I like Dysan1 post @ 5:52 PM. I would split the Projects and Discussion sub forums as follows.


Projects and Construction

Cape Town
Durban
Johannesburg
Rest of South Africa
Completed Developments

City Discussion

Cape Town
Durban
Johannesburg
Other Cities

I think discussion and projects should be separate like CM's proposal

[dysan1]

^^ we dont have enough posts to justify it. Even large forums like holland and australia dont have a distinction between the projects and local discussion areas

[dysan1]

just waiting for the changes to take place now. they are having problems at the moment, once those are resolved they will alter our forum

[annman]

Dysan... We have new webcams for some additional stadiums. Could you grab them and place them under our 2010 Webcam Sticky thread? THANKS! :)

[Lydon]

I've been wandering lately as to whether we can open a separate Photo Gallery section? Quite a few photo threads have been popping up lately and organising them all into one section would make finding them a whole lot easier.

[Durbsboi]

Mike, just check the link on my sig, & copy & paste it on my first post in the webcam link thread.

[dysan1]

^^ will do...bit bumming that these changes have still not happened...will follow up hey

[Mo Rush]

Please rename Cape Town Film City Studios thread. It should be

#Cape Town Film Studios, Faure, Cape Town

[Lydon]

^^ will do...bit bumming that these changes have still not happened...will follow up hey

Is there anyone we can PM to show that we really do want these changes to happen? I've been noticing the need for some structure lately. Sorry to nag - I know there's not much you can do, but my OCD metre is screaming at me :cry:

[Mo Rush]

there are webcams that needed to be added to the webcam thread. additional ones for cape town.

[Mo Rush]

Rename:

#Ajax CT stadium - Phillipi - 10,000 seats

TO

#Philippi stadium - 5,000 seats - Cape Town


Please rename Cape Town Film City Studios thread. It should be

#Cape Town Film Studios, Faure, Cape Town

[Lydon]

*whistles* No word yet from them admins about our forum changes? Eagerly anticipating...

[Mo Rush]

2010 FIFA World Cup Section Proposal

2010 FIFA World Cup Projects

1. Soccer City Stadium JHB
2. Ellis Park Stadium JHB
3. Green Point Stadium CPT
4. Moses Mabhida Stadium DUR
5. Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium PE
6. Free State Stadium BLM
7. Royal Bafokeng Stadium RST
8. Peter Mokaba Stadium PLK
9. Mbombela Stadium NEL
10. Loftus Versfeld PTA

10. IBC and MPC Projects: Nasrec Precinct (Station, IBC, MPC, Hotel etc.)

11. Training Venues (All Training Venues consolidated into this thread)

12. Transport

suggestions?

[Lydon]

If it's taking so long to get a darn photo gallery, don't hold your breath :(

[dysan1]

^^ guys i am trying. lets re-organise how we wnat the forum and i will send this new proposal through. How different from what we suggested earlier in this thread?

[Lydon]

^^ guys i am trying. lets re-organise how we wnat the forum and i will send this new proposal through. How different from what we suggested earlier in this thread?

Don't worry, I know it's not your fault.

My proposal:


* Individual projects subforums for Cape Town, Durban and Joburg
* Gallery section
* 2010 FIFA World Cup section as suggested by Mo above
* Shebeen stays as it is

[dysan1]

i think that works

[Die Kapenaar]

Don't worry, I know it's not your fault.

My proposal:


* Individual projects subforums for Cape Town, Durban and Joburg
* Gallery section
* 2010 FIFA World Cup section as suggested by Mo above
* Shebeen stays as it is

Lydon I like your proposal for individual subforums for Cape Town, Durban and Joburg but I would want to add a fourth one for other cities while including Pretoria with the Joburg subforum.

[ikops]

So what happened with the proposals? They did not get approved? At least let there be a gallery section, there are enough threads to justify this:

- Johannesburg *Gallery*
- Sandton *Discussion and Gallery*
- Port Elizabeth *Discussion and Gallery*
- Cape Town *Gallery*
- Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre *Discussion & Gallery* ‎
- Pretoria *Discussion & Gallery*
- East London *Discussion & Gallery*
- Durban *Gallery*
- Strand *Discussion & Gallery* ‎
- Bloemfontein *Discussion & Gallery*
- Pietermaritzburg *Discussion & Gallery*

And probably more...

[Lydon]

The problem is that admin apparently take quite some time before they implement changes to forums...sadly.

I think we're desperately needing the new subsections as things are getting a little disorganised here.

[Gulivar]

What about Forum structure based on province for example:
The cities within could have the structure of: City Developments, City Gallery.

Western Cape --> Cape Town, Paarl, Strand etc
Gauteng --> Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria etc
KwaZulu-Natal --> Durban, Umhlanga, Pietermaritzburg
Eastern Cape --> Port Elizabeth, East London
Free State --> Bloemfontein
Northern Cape --> Kimberley, Upington etc.
Mpumalanga --> Nelspruit
NorthWest --> Rustenburg, Mafikeng etc.

Or, in addition, less significant provinces (eg provinces featuring a single city's developments etc) can be put together under an 'Other Provinces' forum?

[Mo Rush]

We get mentioned!!

http://www.thezashow.com/

Show #151

[Mo Rush]

2010 FIFA World Cup Section Proposal

2010 FIFA World Cup Projects

1. Soccer City Stadium JHB
2. Ellis Park Stadium JHB
3. Green Point Stadium CPT
4. Moses Mabhida Stadium DUR
5. Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium PE
6. Free State Stadium BLM
7. Royal Bafokeng Stadium RST
8. Peter Mokaba Stadium PLK
9. Mbombela Stadium NEL
10. Loftus Versfeld PTA

10. IBC and MPC Projects: Nasrec Precinct (Station, IBC, MPC, Hotel etc.)

11. Training Venues (All Training Venues consolidated into this thread)

12. Transport

suggestions?

any news?

[Gulivar]

Why does it take so long for the site to implement these changes?

[Muttie]

Ask Redalinho how he managed to restructure the Moroccan section that quick. I think he did a compleet make-over in 1 week or something.

[dysan1]

Guys this is the request i have made, hopefully we will see changes soon!!! hold thumbs

Sub forums for:


1) Cape Town
- City discussion
- Projects

2)Durban
- City Discussion
- Projects

3)Johannesburg
- City Discussion
- Projects

4) Other cities and towns Projects and Discussion

5) Transportation

6) Galleries
- General Photography
- Cities (Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Other towns and Cities)

7) 2010 FIFA World Cup development

8) Other discussions
- The Shebeen - SA news
- Sport
- The Economy
- News from outside the Republic

[Lydon]

Awesome! Holding thumbs...

[Lydon]

Man are these admins slow :P

[Durbsboi]

I got Jan's pvt email address, maybe we should drop him a mail :P

[dysan1]

No one has even responded to any of my messages or posts. Its really frustrating

[Lydon]

Is there no one we can spam with PMs/emails in order to get a response? :P

[Die Kapenaar]

I like the idea of having separate subforums for both projects and galleries by regions of the country.

We should have a fifth category of projects subforums after Cape Town/Western Cape, Johannesburg/Pretoria, Durban/KwaZulu-Natal, and Other Cities and Towns called Projects Never Built so we can separate them out as they are now making the Projects subforum look depressing although we have to face the fact that in SA right now we are in a recession (that is undoubtedly now the deepest since the 1989-1993 recession that was considered deeper than even the 1930's Great Depression) that has plunged SA into it's worst economic crisis since the end of apartheid.

[Lydon]

I ask again...is there somewhere we can create a thread or something to get the attention of the admin's to show them exactly how badly we want and need these changes implemented?

[Mo Rush]

I ask again...is there somewhere we can create a thread or something to get the attention of the admin's to show them exactly how badly we want and need these changes implemented?

create threads all over SSC demanding change~!

[Lydon]

Haha, I created one in the About the Forum section earlier but surprise surprise - no reply. Yet the admins are responding to people requesting name changes...

[Gulivar]

Indeed, definitely something needs to be done. The threads are becoming rather convoluted being mainly in a single sub-forum alone.

[ikops]

Are admins the only ones who have the authority to change the subforums? Or is it also possible for a mod?

[Jasonhouse]

Just Administrators. :)

Sorry things seem to have dragged out for so long... This is not my part of the forum, but I will help out. I've done the layout for a lot of the site.

[Jasonhouse]

Guys this is the request i have made, hopefully we will see changes soon!!! hold thumbs

Sub forums for:


1) Cape Town
- City discussion
- Projects

2)Durban
- City Discussion
- Projects

3)Johannesburg
- City Discussion
- Projects

4) Other cities and towns Projects and Discussion

5) Transportation

6) Galleries
- General Photography
- Cities (Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Other towns and Cities)

7) 2010 FIFA World Cup development

8) Other discussions
- The Shebeen - SA news
- Sport
- The Economy
- News from outside the Republic

So, are you folks asking to go from 3 forums to 8 forums... or 3 forums to 20? This layout is a bit confusing and seems to be waaay to strung out for the amount of traffic the forum gets.

All I would say for now is that looking at the traffic and posting volume of this forum area, going from 3 to 8 forums would seem to be the limit... Going from 3 to 20 isn't even a viable option.

[ikops]

Hi Jason, thanks for your reaction. Am curious though to know which administrator is responsible for this part of the forum. I am sure Dysan will answer your questions any time soon.

[Jasonhouse]

We all are responsible for the site's operation. At least that's the way I look at it.

[dysan1]

Hi Jason

Thanx for getting involved, it is most appreciated.

I think the key areas we need in terms of the breakdown would be the 8 - the others are merely a preferred breakdown but not critical as you say based on current traffic levels.

As such would it be possible to break it down based on the following (forums needed in bold):

A) Individual city Subforums for:

1)Cape Town
2)Durban
3)Johannesburg
4)Other cities and towns

This section will include projects per region, and regional specific information and discussion

B) Transportation

This will include roads, rail, ports, airports, airlines and the like

C)Galleries

D)2010 world cup

Everything related to the 2010 World cup show piece event

E) The Shebeen

This will be for all sports, and general SA discussion points.


Once again i appreciate your involvement in helping us finally realise a far more structured forum that will help us to grow well into the future.

Thanx
Dysan1 aka Michael

[Lydon]

Just Administrators. :)

Sorry things seem to have dragged out for so long... This is not my part of the forum, but I will help out. I've done the layout for a lot of the site.

Thank you so much :)

[Jasonhouse]

It seems that most development discussions here are naturally centric to a few localities (mainly the biggest cities), with much less discussion that encompasses the nation as a whole. Is this correct?

Also, it seems that there are considerable transport discussions, and a lot of photos... right?

edit: Been researching more tonight... Getting a good grasp on what's needed here and will probably post something tomorrow for folks to look at, with regards to what I'm likely to do to upgrade this forum's capacity to host the sorts of discussions people are most interested in.

[Die Kapenaar]

Hi Jason

Thanx for getting involved, it is most appreciated.

I think the key areas we need in terms of the breakdown would be the 8 - the others are merely a preferred breakdown but not critical as you say based on current traffic levels.

As such would it be possible to break it down based on the following (forums needed in bold):

A) Individual city Subforums for:

1)Cape Town
2)Durban
3)Johannesburg
4)Other cities and towns

This section will include projects per region, and regional specific information and discussion

B) Transportation

This will include roads, rail, ports, airports, airlines and the like

C)Galleries

D)2010 world cup

Everything related to the 2010 World cup show piece event

E) The Shebeen

This will be for all sports, and general SA discussion points.


Once again i appreciate your involvement in helping us finally realise a far more structured forum that will help us to grow well into the future.

Thanx
Dysan1 aka Michael

This is a practical plan to increase from 3 to 8 subforums and make the SA forum more like the Morocco and Tunisia subforums which I observed have a much smaller traffic flow than the SA forum has. Even Angola has five subforums while the SA one lags behind with three. This has got to change.

[Jasonhouse]

I might go with 7, or 9... We'll see what I come up with and what you folks think.

Just remember, I've been doing this for a long, long time. I KNOW what works best, and what doesn't.

In any case, I'm out of time today. I've got things to go do in real life. :)

[Lydon]

It seems that most development discussions here are naturally centric to a few localities (mainly the biggest cities), with much less discussion that encompasses the nation as a whole. Is this correct?

Also, it seems that there are considerable transport discussions, and a lot of photos... right?

edit: Been researching more tonight... Getting a good grasp on what's needed here and will probably post something tomorrow for folks to look at, with regards to what I'm likely to do to upgrade this forum's capacity to host the sorts of discussions people are most interested in.

Yeah definitely. The three main cities are Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. The other cities get a fair share of info over time too, therefore I think a sub-forum dedicated to the rest of the cities will be viable.

There are indeed many transport discussions and these will continue to increase over time, and we do love our photo threads.

Thanks again

[dysan1]

i have always been confused as to why some of the new african country forums have so many sub-forums when their traffic is so small...

Thanx Jason, we look forward to seeing

[Durbsboi]

In any case, I'm out of time today. I've got things to go do in real life. :)

Real life? whats that :?

only joking mate, thanks again :okay:

[dysan1]

i'm still fighting the good fight on this one....its just dragging....

[Lydon]

What happened? I thought Jasonhouse was going to organise iets?

[ikops]

Just have some patience. Jason keeps his promises.

[Lydon]

Any new developments yet? :) Hate to nag, but it's been almost half a year haha.

[dysan1]

^^ i know. I have chatted to Jan and HOPEFULLY things will be back on track.

[Lydon]

Awesome news!

[dysan1]

changes should be in place within the next week

[Mo Rush]

changes looking good.
ct-dbn-jhb-general rsa

[Lydon]

Those involved have done a great service to the OCD.

[Lydon]

EDIT: Never mind :P

[ToxicBunny]

You is legendary man.... I figure you deserve a beer or six for your patience :D

and now they've vanished?!... hmmmm

[Lydon]

That answers my question xD YAY!

Good luck with moving all the threads Dysan :) Wish I could help with all the free time I have, but alas it looks like it's going to be left to you.

[ToxicBunny]

Ok back again.. however temporarily.. :)

[waltjie]

Where's the projects and stuff gone to? This SUCKS!

[Lydon]

I can see them perfectly fine...they're in the General sub-forum until they're moved.

[dysan1]

Ok guys :) so things have finally been changed. Much thanks must be given to Jan. There is going to be alot of confusion in the coming days but please bear with me on this. Please do not create duplicate threads. Please use the current threads for projects. I will move these across to their respective treads. Please do that to make my life a little easier. Please :) here's to a much better sa forum!

[annman]

Ok guys :) so things have finally been changed. Much thanks must be given to Jan. There is going to be alot of confusion in the coming days but please bear with me on this. Please do not create duplicate threads. Please use the current threads for projects. I will move these across to their respective treads. Please do that to make my life a little easier. Please :) here's to a much better sa forum!
Shit!!! just read this now... I'll stop... was trying to do some organisation myself... ARGH! :nuts: Was getting overly excited.

Well, only a couple were created, mostly for ones that are majorly overloaded already, so maybe you just want to make those new ones: [Part 4] or something like that (or just delete them).

Good luck with all the moving! :)

[Lydon]

True...Greenpoint definitely needs a new thread me thinks. The current one is huge.

[dysan1]

Yup i will. But please do not duplicate any other threads as it will just make things harder to keep track of. Please!

[Lydon]

And while you're at it, a chicken sandwich would be lovely :)

I jest, I jest!

[harsh1802]

Cool. Good that you folks are organizing.

How did you folks go about dividing the sections? We at the Indian section has a rigorous discussions for recent mega expansion. :)

[Mo Rush]

change is a coming.

[passionate saffer]

man its confusing. anyhow well done

[romanSA]

Will take some getting used to but I think the site makes a lot more sense structured this way. Thanks for your time and hard work moving everything to their relevant sections, Mike.

[ikops]

Hi Dysan, wishing you all the best with moving all the threads (there must literally be thousands of them) to the right sections. That must really be a lot of work.

[SA BOY]

ahhhhh change

[Lydon]

Mike, is it possible for the main city galleries to be stickied in the Photo Forum by any chance?

Thanks

[dysan1]

Will get around to it. But i personally think we need to relook how we run certain things

[Die Kapenaar]

I like the new subforums. The SA forum was behind the other countries for too long as we really needed these changes to organize the threads. Good going Dysan.

[Lydon]

Will get around to it. But i personally think we need to relook how we run certain things

Certain things being? :)

[ikops]

It seems there is still a lot of cleaning up to do. Let me know if you guys need some suggestions.

[dysan1]

ok we seem to be getting somewhere at last! Most threads have been moved. Its just the main section i need to work on then done!

[Mo Rush]

Please move to the Transportation Section:

#Cape Town Station Redevelopment (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=441508)

[Durbsboi]

uh ........wheres the toilets gone?

[dysan1]

^^ huh?

[Lydon]

o_O

[Mo Rush]

Please move to Transportation:

#ExecuJet Private Airport - Cape Town (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=705690)