Finding updates on recent club news is not easy on Redcafe.

[S.A.N.F]

Hello, I wanted to say that I've been finding it more and more difficult to find news on this forum despite the fact that it's the biggest United forum around and probably the most active and better moderated one.

For example, I heard a commentator during a game saying something about Moyes sending a letter to some fan representatives or season ticket holders promising a better campaign next time around. I wanted to see what the Caf members have to say about this. Where do I look? There are a billion Moyes threads, and another for the "Race to [Whatever's relevant] place" thread. Probably both will have some about what I'm after, but I'll miss the others, and that is after looking manually for each page to find the relevant bits.

Another example is the Nike deal. It's just speculation for now but again - nothing. I have to find the "Club finances and Glazer stuff" thread, and look into it.

This system works very well for very active members who have more or less a decent memory of where each thread is heading and what were the latest posts etc.. But when I visit each thread has 20 new pages and it's a big chore to find what I want.

In the summer the thread titles were being renamed with latest headlines with page number, I really liked that and it did work very well.

Anyway, as a result I'm finding myself visiting this forum less and less recently with me being busy generally, and the system not helping me catch up.

I just wanted to share this with the mod and admins who do a very good job and I'm sure want the best experience for everyone.

 

[Brwned]

I agree. It used to be essentially my only football news source on top of being a discussion forum but with the way threads are organised (i.e. the megathreads) makes the former aspect redundant now. I do think megathreads keeps things tidier but there's a balance there that hasn't quite been struck in recent times. Though I think that has more to do with the members than the moderators. As far as I'm aware the modmins have encouraged people to create more new threads but it's just not really happened.

 

[Randall Flagg]

I also didn't find out about the Moyes letter for About a day afterwards.

Good point, OP.

Sometimes mega threads work. But certainly not always

 

[Jev]

Is that the point of the site, though? It's not a news site, it's a message board.

Although I agree that the obsession with mega threads and the fact that starting new threads is usually frowned upon is killing good discussions. There's a point in having different discussions in different places. If it's all crammed into one big mega thread, different discussions will be weaved into each other and won't flow naturally because noone has any overview. Separate threads are much better suited for focused, in-depth discussions.

 

[MikeUpNorth]

Yep, you're right. One of the mods probably needs to create a thread for each of the major news stories each day if no one else is going to do it.

 

[gasmanc]

What about stickies at the top of the site home page, links to latest news and hot topics, I miss all manner of hot gossip.
My uptime on internet is limited to a faff about through the day and reading a few threads here in the evenings.

 

[Bross]

I feel the same way. In the past it was possible to go on the United forum and get all the latest interesting things about the club. Now everything is hidden in the mega threads. I really dislike the mega threads, they are impossible to keep track of unless you post and read them several times a day.

 

[SilentWitness]

If there is a mega thread, then in the OP it should state the pages where new things are added.

For Example in the Moyes so far thread, the OP could be something as follows...

Summer transfer window - Page 12
January window reaction -page 200
Olympiakos reaction - page 543
Letter to fans - 612

and so forth...

Could easily be updated by a mod whenever a new story arises in the thread.

 

[Count Orduck]

Yep, you're right. One of the mods probably needs to create a thread for each of the major news stories each day if no one else is going to do it.

This is actually a great idea, and well volunteered, Mike!

 

[Damien]

Though I think that has more to do with the members than the moderators. As far as I'm aware the modmins have encouraged people to create more new threads but it's just not really happened.

I agree. We've encouraged more threads to be made, but if anything I see more and more 'old' threads bumped when it isn't really necessary.

Newbies seem to be better at making more threads, though sometimes they go overboard.

 

[Solius]

I agree. We've encouraged more threads to be made, but if anything I see more and more 'old' threads bumped when it isn't really necessary.

Newbies seem to be better at making more threads, though sometimes they go overboard.

Yeah the newbies do it too much and the mains don't do it enough. We always encourage new threads to be made and if it's not worthy of one it doesn't take much for us to merge it anyway. We don't frown upon new threads, far from it.

 

[gasmanc]

Is it a massive workload to update the homepage ? I mean if there's an injury reported to RVP, it's big news and I will go read up, my first port of call is the cafs front page and a look down the timeline, perhaps it being infested with Moyes threads most of this football year hasn't helped.

 

[Coxy]

If there is a mega thread, then in the OP it should state the pages where new things are added.

For Example in the Moyes so far thread, the OP could be something as follows...

Summer transfer window - Page 12
January window reaction -page 200
Olympiakos reaction - page 543
Letter to fans - 612

and so forth...

Could easily be updated by a mod whenever a new story arises in the thread.

I agree with the OP. hard to find where stuff is discussed. I like the changes suggested in this post

 

[alastair]

If there is a mega thread, then in the OP it should state the pages where new things are added.

For Example in the Moyes so far thread, the OP could be something as follows...

Summer transfer window - Page 12
January window reaction -page 200
Olympiakos reaction - page 543
Letter to fans - 612

and so forth...

Could easily be updated by a mod whenever a new story arises in the thread.

I get what you're saying but as far as I'm concerned, it's just easier to break the thread off and discuss the individual subject in a separate thread.

I've long since been convinced that the principle reason we have mega threads is so posters can bump their comments from ages back to prove some point in the present.

 

[Twisted_Woody]

Let's be honest. The megamoyes thread was to contain the whinging. Can we have a whingathon thread and then separate threads for separate stories.

 

[SilentWitness]

I get what you're saying but as far as I'm concerned, it's just easier to break the thread off and discuss the individual subject in a separate thread.

I've long since been convinced that the principle reason we have mega threads is so posters can bump their comments from ages back to prove some point in the present.

I would rather new threads were made too, but there's always uncertainty over what constitutes a new thread and what doesn't. In cases where it isn't a major issue but it could be of interest to some people i think it would be a good idea to have the idea of linking it to the relevant page from the OP. When it is a major issue, a new thread would be warranted.

 

[Sassy Colin]

I can only echo the OP. When I first came on here, you could find out the latest news stories almost before the main news sites. I can remember loads of occasions when my colleagues at work would say "X said this about that..." only for me to reply that I'd already read about that on Redcafe or for me to check on here & find a 2 page thread on the subject.

I don't see anywhere near as much stuff like that these days, for some reason.

 

[moses]

We need younger more enthusiastic mods. The bunch running this place are a weary bunch of old codgers. Except for MUM and Dwayne.

 

[alastair]

We need younger more enthusiastic mods. The bunch running this place are a weary bunch of old codgers. Except for MUM and Dwayne.

Christ, do I have to send my application via post?

 

[rcoobc]

Anderson is still at united according to the caf threads

 

[moses]

Christ, do I have to send my application via post?

Yes the address is

Up Your Own Hole
London
B45T4RD TW4T

 

[moses]

Anderson is still at united according to the caf threads

Good, I think he'll prove himself this year.

 

[Sultan]

Christ, do I have to send my application via post?

A job type application via a PM will do fine, Al.

 

[Brwned]

I would rather new threads were made too, but there's always uncertainty over what constitutes a new thread and what doesn't. In cases where it isn't a major issue but it could be of interest to some people i think it would be a good idea to have the idea of linking it to the relevant page from the OP. When it is a major issue, a new thread would be warranted.

New threads shouldn't be reserved for major issues though. I don't even think such a thing exists in football discussion. It's completely baffling to me why there's so much reluctance to post a new thread. It's not difficult and the only way it can somehow go wrong is if people don't reply and it drifts away into the background. Getting the mods to do extra work isn't really a solution in my book. I know people will say it's only a little thing that can be done in a couple of seconds but it's the little things that all add up. Changing the title just because people are unwilling to create a new thread is like sticking a bunch of plasters on a broken leg. It's not solving the problem.

 

[Eboue]

I can remember loads of occasions when my colleagues at work would say "X said this about that..." only for me to reply that I'd already read about that on Redcafe

You sound like a real people person. Anyway, how hard is it to set up an RSS feed? I realize that's a separate issue from the need to create new threads more often (which is important) but I think it's kind of silly to ask mods to edit thread titles for people who can't be bothered to set up a reader.

 

[Theon]

You sound like a real people person.

 

[gasmanc]

Can the mods set up a thread on how to set up a reader

Can a rss reader be incorporated into the site, any breaking news being on the feed, then us away from internet get updates the minute we hit this place and know what's new and what's hot.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

I feel a sad bastard that I'm always up to date with news on here.

 

[Sassy Colin]

You sound like a real people person. Anyway, how hard is it to set up an RSS feed? I realize that's a separate issue from the need to create new threads more often (which is important) but I think it's kind of silly to ask mods to edit thread titles for people who can't be bothered to set up a reader.

If it's something about United, they would tell me because I might be interested but I wouldn't tell them as they wouldn't be.

 

[rcoobc]

This might not be the place for it, but I want (game style) achievements.

You've gained the achievement: "Somebody cares" (Made a thread with over 1000 responses).

Thinking about it maybe there are already achievements and I've not gained any. Regardless I'm starting this rumour.

 

[SilentWitness]

New threads shouldn't be reserved for major issues though. I don't even think such a thing exists in football discussion. It's completely baffling to me why there's so much reluctance to post a new thread. It's not difficult and the only way it can somehow go wrong is if people don't reply and it drifts away into the background. Getting the mods to do extra work isn't really a solution in my book. I know people will say it's only a little thing that can be done in a couple of seconds but it's the little things that all add up. Changing the title just because people are unwilling to create a new thread is like sticking a bunch of plasters on a broken leg. It's not solving the problem.

Sometimes i wouldn't say it's people unwilling to do it, it's a reluctance possibly due to confusion. Sometimes people are advised to make a new thread, sometimes we are told to stick it in 'mega threads'. If the advice from the mods is to just start a new thread as it can easily be merged into a bigger thread if it isn't deemed important enough to warrant a new thread then that's fine.

 

[Niall]

A lot of interesting points made in here, many of which I agree with regarding less megathreads in favour of having more focused, smaller threads. I've taken this to the mods for further discussion.

Keep the ideas coming people

 

[Crackers]

Possibly have a team of 5 or 6 dedicated posters, who collect/scour news updates from different leagues, which are added to a sticky(with different threads for each league), like others have suggested. These 5/6 posters have their own team of 4/5 people who help them research. Information through organisation so to speak.

 

[Brwned]

Sometimes i wouldn't say it's people unwilling to do it, it's a reluctance possibly due to confusion. Sometimes people are advised to make a new thread, sometimes we are told to stick it in 'mega threads'. If the advice from the mods is to just start a new thread as it can easily be merged into a bigger thread if it isn't deemed important enough to warrant a new thread then that's fine.

I understand that but I can guarantee that has been said by the mods at least a couple of times every year in this very forum. Sometimes the megathread will be more appropriate and people are expected to use good judgement and common sense but it's about changing the default thinking for a new thought to be "I'm going to stick this in a thread with a really broad, general topic unless there's absolutely nothing I can stick it under" to "I'm going to create a new specific thread for this unless I know it's been said hundreds of times before in one of those megathreads (and thus is only going to add clutter to the forum)".

 

[Niall]

I understand that but I can guarantee that has been said by the mods at least a couple of times every year in this very forum. Sometimes the megathread will be more appropriate and people are expected to use good judgement and common sense but it's about changing the default thinking for a new thought to be "I'm going to stick this in a thread with a really broad, general topic unless there's absolutely nothing I can stick it under" to "I'm going to create a new specific thread for this unless I know it's been said hundreds of times before in one of those megathreads (and thus is only going to add clutter to the forum)".

Yeah, that's it really, changing the default mindset, which will take some time but this wouldn't have to happen overnight. It'll be a gradual thing. The megathreads will gradually become less active as the smaller, more focussed threads become the norm.

Possibly have a team of 5 or 6 dedicated posters, who collect/scour news updates from different leagues, which are added to a sticky(with different threads for each league), like others have suggested. These 5/6 posters have their own team of 4/5 people who help them research. Information through organisation so to speak.

I don't like stickies. I for one have sticky blindness. I skip right past them when browsing the forums

I think letting discussions come about naturally is the best approach. No need for people scouring the internet for news. If it's interesting and worth discussing, somebody will post a thread about it.

 

[Twisted_Woody]

A lot of interesting points made in here, many of which I agree with regarding less megathreads in favour of having more focused, smaller threads. I've taken this to the mods for further discussion.

Keep the ideas coming people

Make me a mod, good things will happen.

 

[Twisted_Woody]

Possibly have a team of 5 or 6 dedicated posters, who collect/scour news updates from different leagues, which are added to a sticky(with different threads for each league), like others have suggested. These 5/6 posters have their own team of 4/5 people who help them research. Information through organisation so to speak.

Almost like a daily topics section?

Is it possible to have a subforum* which only contains the days new headlines and at the end of the day the thread will be shunted to the main Manchester United Forum for continued discussion?

*doesn't necessarily have to be a subforum but it is what came to mind.

 

[SilentWitness]

I understand that but I can guarantee that has been said by the mods at least a couple of times every year in this very forum. Sometimes the megathread will be more appropriate and people are expected to use good judgement and common sense but it's about changing the default thinking for a new thought to be "I'm going to stick this in a thread with a really broad, general topic unless there's absolutely nothing I can stick it under" to "I'm going to create a new specific thread for this unless I know it's been said hundreds of times before in one of those megathreads (and thus is only going to add clutter to the forum)".

That's fair enough. I would be a fan of having smaller threads rather than bigger. It would just be a solution to people who are struggling to find news in the huge threads that we do have on here, but i guess having that would make people become comfortable with that ideal and even less reluctant to start threads.

Possibly have a team of 5 or 6 dedicated posters, who collect/scour news updates from different leagues, which are added to a sticky(with different threads for each league), like others have suggested. These 5/6 posters have their own team of 4/5 people who help them research. Information through organisation so to speak.

Alternatively, you could just have a News Thread which is like the 'Tweets Only' thread. Anyone can post in it but no discussions for people who just want to read news, and then whoever posts the news can post a thread on it if they want to discuss it and people can comment on it there.

 

[Niall]

Almost like a daily topics section?

Is it possible to have a subforum* which only contains the days new headlines and at the end of the day the thread will be shunted to the main Manchester United Forum for continued discussion?

*doesn't necessarily have to be a subforum but it is what came to mind.

I don't think there's actually enough new daily discussions topics to warrant that kind of structure, be it a subforum or specific thread. Let the threads come about naturally. If a topic is worth discussing, someone will create it. If it's interesting, people will post in it, if it's not, it will drift down the thread list and disappear.

 

[Twisted_Woody]

I don't think there's actually enough new daily discussions topics to warrant that kind of structure, be it a subforum or specific thread. Let the threads come about naturally. If a topic is worth discussing, someone will create it. If it's interesting, people will post in it, if it's not, it will drift down the thread list and disappear.

Fair point - i just read the idea of an RSS feed which might be useful and is getting more at what I had in mind.