Couple of re-organisation proposals

Following the 2008 Users Survey, we promised we would have a think about how YC is organised. Below are a couple of basic proposals I came up with. I'd be interested to hear any reaction to them.

1. Hide the shoutbox for guests. Not only does it detract from the actual constructive forum content, being right at the top of the page, it occasionally contains things I would rather guests didn't see, e.g. arguments (or "heated discussions").
   
2. Move the Board category to the bottom of the forum index, underneath Community. I've seen this done on other forums, although I agree it may strike some people as a little strange (it's supposed to place more emphasis on the actual content of the forum as opposed to the forum itself). The only issue would, of course, be the Wiki forum, which I suppose could be moved to another category - Discussion, perhaps.
   

I think that implementing these two changes would help immerse newcomers in the musical aspect of our community much faster.

Any comments?

I agree wholeheartedly with both proposals, and extend that perhaps in the latest forum threads bit on the homepage maybe threads from the Annoucements forum could be ommited, as they don't look as exciting to potential new members? If this would be to difficult/time consuming to code it doesn't matter, just thought I'd suggest it :happy:

perhaps in the latest forum threads bit on the homepage maybe threads from the Annoucements forum could be ommited

Done. I already had a hack for this which prevented the inclusion of threads from Off Topic, so it didn't take long. :)

Discussion of this has reminded me, I should go and update the competitions bit on the homepage...

I agree with 1, and am apathetic towards 2. I fear change.

I agree #2 is a slightly odd proposal, and a radical departure from the current state of affairs, but I do think implementing it will yield positive results.

Trial period it. Post a poll after a month. It shouldn't pose to be a problem, and I am interested in seeing how it'll work.

OK, the trial period begins. I wonder if anyone will notice this thread anymore. :whistling:

I kept thinking that something was missing! :D

Then I found it. I do think that this showcases the music above all to the non-member viewers. The first thing you can see is the major-works.

I scrolled all the way down to off topic and I didn't see it so I was like, am I logged in? Lol, then I was like OHHH THAT TRIAL PERIOD.

The first time it threw me off a bit. It's taken all of 30 seconds to adjust though. I'll be voting to keep it this way simply so I don't have to re-adjust. :P

Well, it's fine but I think there should be one forum in between the shoutbox and the forum.

Like an FAQ section.

We have our guest welcome message there, if that counts for anything:

Welcome to the Young Composers Music Forum. You are currently browsing as a guest - join today to post messages, upload music, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

I doubt guests would be inclined to peruse an entire FAQ. Keeping it short and snappy is the name of the game.

Yea I had the FAQ thing in mind because I was thinking of all those little post where people ask, "where can I upload my mp3"

Up your donkey...that's where.

I mean...wait a few months!

Threw me off for a few minutes. Change on the internet scares me :sweat:

Ah well... I guess more are to come.

Nice avatar, bro. Haven't seen you use that one in a few years :P