Grand Rapids Forum

[GRDadof3]

Because of the smashing success of the UrbanPlanet - Grand Rapids section (we are one of the top viewed regional forums), I was wondering if there is anything more you guys would like to see? Because of my constant barrage of requests of the mods, they have asked if I would mind having mod status. With that in mind, I'm asking if you would like to see more subforums within the GR region, like Charlotte's?:

http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php?showforum=131

I don't know if we have enough participants to keep something like that exciting? I was thinking of adding a few mega-threads to the top, like:

A Welcome/Introduce Yourself thread. Maybe move the Demographics thread up there?

A mega-thread or subforum regarding transportation/transit/traffic issues?

A mega-thread for restaurants, entertainment, etc..

A subforum for political discussions related to our region?

Metro and suburban area developments, or just stick to downtown GR, Holland and Muskegon?

BTW: The last thing I would want to see though is a bunch of subforums that only get updated once a week or even only a couple of days a week.

The GR Photos thread will be deleted soon (with permission from the forumers who have posted there) because I am switching photo hosting sites, and don't want to leave a bunch of blank holes.

Also, if you have ideas about drawing more people here, bring it up. Tell a friend!!

Sorry for the long rant. Great job GrandRapidanians!! I'm really energized by the attitude, and amazed by the depth of knowledge and experience, of the participants here.

Thanks

-Jeff

(Ward Cleaver)

P.S. My interests are mainly construction and development, but I don't want to alienate people who are into other things

[allbusiness]

Jeff:

I'm already at the point where I don't check those threads at the top (watering hole, telephone pole, etc). I try to keep up with the regular postings, but even that's a lot to read on a busy day. So, if we're voting, less is more, in my opinion.

Thanks for taking on the responsibility!

[GRDadof3]

Thanks allbusiness. That's why I ended the ideas with question marks. Maybe it's fine as it is??

[snoogit]

I'd personally get rid of the stickys and start one subforum for general discussion, Photo threads, and event postings various things like that. Maybe sticky threads in the subforum like the pic of the day thread and what not. That way we only have one obstrusive forum and the main forum can be devoted to development.

[twoshort]

My vote is to leave it as it is. Subforums are just another barrier to new comers as well as to myself. I'm definately against any subforums at this time, I don't think we have the traffic to support it. What am am for is GRDad for moderator. Personally, I think we all see you as somewhat of a leader of this board, so I'd like to see you be able to make your own changed/decisions w/o the permission of the global mods. I say this knowing you wouldn't make any decisions w/o asking the rest of us.

Vote GRDad in 2005/2006!

[joeDowntown]

I'm not fond of the subforums either. I read everything in the main forum, but honestly, even as a moderator I forget to jump into all of the threads stuck at the top. They kind of remind me of Google Ads. You know they are there, but they didn't get there just because they are active. I like reading what is new, top to bottom. Easier on my brain especially with all of the posts in this section.

Joe

[zenstyle]

I find I agree (!) with allbusiness. I, too, rarely check into the top general threads, but more regularly read the more specific ones. Of course, I'm a sucker for polls, too.

It would be fine with me if you wore the informal "mod" hat for this board, GRDadof3. You've been doing a mighty fine job so far. Can't be easy, what with playing the heavy to Wally and the Beav, in addition to three little girls. You must be one-a them thar, whachacallums, multi-taskers, yeah that's it.

[ironchapman]

First of all, I hope I don't sound to alien here. I just have a habit of reading any thread that mentions "_forum".

_{Because of the smashing success of the UrbanPlanet - Grand Rapids section (we are one of the top viewed regional forums), I was wondering if there is anything more you guys would like to see? Because of my constant barrage of requests of the mods, they have asked if I would mind having mod status. With that in mind, I'm asking if you would like to see more subforums within the GR region, like Charlotte's?:}

_{First of all, it looks like you got your wish--Congrats on your promotion.}

_{I don't know if we have enough participants to keep something like that exciting? I was thinking of adding a few mega-threads to the top, like:}

_{A Welcome/Introduce Yourself thread. Maybe move the Demographics thread up there?}

_{A mega-thread or subforum regarding transportation/transit/traffic issues?}

_{A mega-thread for restaurants, entertainment, etc..}

_{A subforum for political discussions related to our region?}

_{Metro and suburban area developments, or just stick to downtown GR, Holland and Muskegon?}

_{BTW: The last thing I would want to see though is a bunch of subforums that only get updated once a week or even only a couple of days a week.}

_{The GR Photos thread will be deleted soon (with permission from the forumers who have posted there) because I am switching photo hosting sites, and don't want to leave a bunch of blank holes.}

_{Also, if you have ideas about drawing more people here, bring it up. Tell a friend!!}

_{Sorry for the long rant. Great job GrandRapidanians!! I'm really energized by the attitude, and amazed by the depth of knowledge and experience, of the participants here.}

_Thanks

_-Jeff

_{(Ward Cleaver)}

_{P.S. My interests are mainly construction and development, but I don't want to alienate people who are into other things}

_{As far as subforums go. You might want to decide on one or two specific areas to start with for a subforum (a coffee house, a developments forum, retail & restaurants, and so on).}

_{A Coffee House seems fitting here from my observations. You could probably let a forum on local politics and/or Retail/restaurants grow out of that. On Transit and Development ones, you might want to pick the one that gets more attention and give it a suforum and let the other one grow some in the home forum.}

_{Hope I didn't sound too odd. Those mega threads sound like a good idea, though.}

[GRDadof3]

Thanks ironchapman! Actually I wasn't requesting to be a mod, but to add/delete/change/move posts for us I don't plan to change anything I've been doing all along

[ironchapman]

Thanks ironchapman! Actually I wasn't requesting to be a mod, but to add/delete/change/move posts for us I don't plan to change anything I've been doing all along

You're welcome!

I may seem like a bit of an outsider here, but I enjoy reading the Michigan section. I read it more often than any other state aside from Georgia and Florida. I've always been a bit more of a lurker in these forums though, but I try to weigh in when I can. Always happy to help.

[GRDadof3]

It sounds like the veterans want to keep it simple. Simple it is! Why fix what ain't broken

Oh, sorry ironchapman. You're always welcome to lurk or contribute

[Prankster]

Congrats, GRDad, you are a natural for this task. We'll have to have another meet up soon, so I can buy you a congradulatory round.

As far as changes, I would leave it as is. Everything seems to flow well, and it is a great place for anyone who is interested in Grand Rapids to get updated info.

[torgo]

Congrats, GRDad, you are a natural for this task. We'll have to have another meet up soon, so I can buy you a congradulatory round.

As far as changes, I would leave it as is. Everything seems to flow well, and it is a great place for anyone who is interested in Grand Rapids to get updated info.

I also vote to leave it as is. While agree that it is sometimes hard to keep up with all the threads, I think that is more a function of us being a bunch of chatterboxes instead of poor organization. I would also add that we need to work on staying on-topic and we need to make sure we are giving descriptive names for new topics, that way if it sounds boring, we can just skip it. But I am as guilty as everyone else when it comes to rambling...

I don't want sub-forums because I like having all the updated topics right on the main page. And one extra click into a subforum sounds like too much work.

Way to go GRDad!

[GRDadof3]

You could almost call subforums "Topic Sprawl" Thanks everyone.