IMPORTANT POLL: New Forum Categories / Reorg - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 12:14:08 pm
content: Ok, it's almost new years.Another year of growth for the forum. Over 80,000,000 views a month, and over 20,000 new posts per month.I think it's time to revisit the forum organisation.It hasn't really changed much since it's inception, just a PCB/EDA section, and the odd new category created.But looking at the main page with all the categories, I have to admit it does look rather haphazard.The EEVblog Section has Jobs, General Chat, and Buy/Sell/Wanted.Electronics has Crowd Funded Project & Products & Test Gear etc.It looks pretty disorganised.I know there have been polls in the past on creating new categories for stuff, and it's generally "leave it be" or maybe 50/50 in which case I haven't done anything.But I now do think it needs at least a good reorg.PerhapsElectronics: Beginners,Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff, Repair, Microcontrollers & FPGAs, Open Source Hardware. Ripe for some new ones?Products: Test Equipment, Other Equipment & Products + ripe for some new ones and/or splits (thermal cameras was suggested)General: General Chat, Crowd Funded Projects, Buy/Sell/Wanted, Work Wanted, JobsEEVblog: EEVBlog Specific, Supporter Lounge, Other Blog Specific, EEVblab, The AmpHour Radio Show, ContestsPCB: Remains the same. Maybe not child boards?I really think that countless child sub categories for everything would suck, but half a dozen more wouldn't hurt?The SMF forum software is of course excellent in doing this and not breaking links and doing redirects etc.What say you all?

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 12:16:45 pm
content: A reorg would be nice, but only small number of new sub-categories.Alexander.

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 12:17:03 pm
content: Quote from: firewalker on December 26, 2015, 12:16:45 pm+1

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 12:36:57 pm
content: Maybe "Repair" could disappear and be covered by test equipment/other equipment?"contests" maybe extend to cover events, seminars,courses and other time-sensitive thingsMaybe merge Amp Hour into Other blogs?As PCB design section only has one entry maybe move it to the main electronics sectionCan we get more "recent posts" at the bottom of the mian page - this his how I tend to randomly browse.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 12:57:40 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on December 26, 2015, 12:36:57 pmNot with 23,000 posts it won't disappear.BTW, that would be a huge amount of work figuring out where all those posts go, and it would have to be done manually.Any new categories also have to be populated manually with moving posts from other sections. But search helps with this. Not nearly as bad as removing a category.IIRC, Repair was a category that was asked for and added later. It's popular.QuoteYep.QuoteDon't know about that. I've gotta have one perk of running the forumQuoteIt's only one main category, but it's actually 6 sub categories. I was going to ask if these child categories should be expanded.But yeah, could be moved to electronics perhaps and keep the child categories compacted.QuoteI think that's a setting that can be changed.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 01:22:28 pm
content: Your reorganization ideas sound reasonable.

author: mk_
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 01:25:59 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 26, 2015, 12:14:08 pmWell... this disorganisation is well known and at least is works fine for me.. same chaotic set of unkonwn rules like usenet, I like it.What would be fine is a much longer threadview so maybe also 100/200/inedefinitly posts per page could be realised (even 50 are not enough for me) . Threads like the LTZ1000, Rigol 1054 or E4 would be easier for reading (I do have enough bandwith for this and scrolling is easier then reloading a new page with only 50 comments.What also would be fine: a better concept for finding to whom the answer in a thread goes... its disturbing if there is an answer and you dont`know what was ansered because the person didn`t quote....anyway, thanks for this fourm, even if you don`t reorganize it - it`s greatregadsmichael

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 01:40:03 pm
content: I always use the "show unread posts" link at the top of the page to see what's new - so I don't see (or care) what categories threads have been posted in.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 01:44:57 pm
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on December 26, 2015, 01:40:03 pmSeveral advantages of categories:1) People who like to use them to browse instead of "Show unread"2) Newbies who see the forum for the first time and need to decide if there is a category that interests them and hence stick around3) Allows people to block categories they have no interest in4) People who only visit the forum for that category, and have no interest in anything else.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 02:01:56 pm
content: BeginnerDesign- Projects, PCB, KiCad/gEDA, DIPtrace, Eagle, Altium Designer, DesignSparkHardware- Open source, Crowd Funding, Micros & FPGA, Manufacturing & AssemblyEquipment- Oscilloscopes, Multimeters, Soldering, Other (open more if required)RepairBuy/Sell/WantedEEVblog- EEVBlab, Amphour, News, Suggestions, ContestsGeneral Chat- Supporters, Blogs, Jobs, Work WantedNot a radical change just tidy up the child forums move some and shorten the length of the front page (descriptions for each forum could be shortened).

author: Chipguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 02:35:09 pm
content: I never know where to put teardown pics from test&measurement equipment.They would fit into "Repair" but also in "Equipment"

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 02:37:09 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on December 26, 2015, 02:01:56 pmgEDA and KiCad only have one thing in common: Both are Open Source.Different workflows, different communities. Please make them first class citizens, they deserve it.I would all subcategories related to: retrocomputing and retrogaming hardware projects, hackable devices,a more explicit and orgnized open hardware section.Wiki integration would be very nice. Volunteer people could summarize interesting posts and those would be checked with a link to the relevant wiki. When people ask very common questions (what oscilloscope/soldering station/DMM to get? What EDA software to use? How to do PCB etching? Where to get my PCB manufactured? Etc) they can get the relevant wiki page insteadThis would make information less repeated and more organized, so new posts would be more interesting and less boring to read.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 03:30:43 pm
content: The ability to either see an entire thread ( like the 500 page Flir one) on one page, or a print view that shows images and links as clickable, or has a base that will expand them into full URL format as an appendix.As to organisation, some more granularity would be nice, and perhaps a little more main page explanation as to the major sections. The FAQ would also need updating.Perhaps a duplication of all sticky topics into a Sticky topics section of its own, so that they all show up together. They tend to be sticky for a good reason.A search bar that does not use the SMF search, but which simply opens a new page with the search terms and site:eevblog into a search engine like Google or Duckduckgo. I prefer DDG these days, just because it actually will run with no javascript on the client side, and has a pretty good index on EEVblog.Yes I know Gnif will be screaming...........

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 04:00:12 pm
content: How about just adding a tag system to posts? Under every post you could add tags what they concern. Then you could search by tags - say, 'teardown' 'microwave' 'hp'.

author: magetoo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 04:03:30 pm
content: Right now I'm seeing Cloudflare's timeout error message every other time I'm opening a thread, so "infinite posts on one page" might not be the best idea if it is the forum software that's timing out.The suggestion for new categories looks reasonable. (I usually open subforums in separate tabs so reorganizing them in different categories wouldn't really make much of a difference.)Quote from: daqq on December 26, 2015, 04:00:12 pmI like this idea in principle, but the tags are only as good as the people who use them. In my experience, most people just don't care.

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 04:16:28 pm
content: I'd have to think there is a place for solar. Isn't that the future? RE sites have very sketchy sections for electronics. Though, I have seen very little interest here in solar.

author: Christe4nM
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 04:48:13 pm
content: I voted for minor changed only: the forum as it is could do with a few minor changes, but in general it is structured fine.The main change I’d suggest is to put the PCB/EDA board in the ‘Electronics’ Section, below Projects, Designs and Technical Stuff. At the least since it is a better fit in the Electronics Section.Main sectionsThe current main sections ‘Electronics’ and ‘EEVblog’ are great. One is dedicated to everything electronics, and the other to more as a community section with the boards directly related to the EEVblog, electronics and the community.To me the PCB/EDA Design section and board always has been a bit strange, like the black sheep on the bottom of the page. Yet I encounter many topics in the ‘beginners’ and ‘Projects, design and technical stuff’ –boards that are a good fit in this section/board/sub-category.Deciding on boards/sub-boardsI think the main reason to have sub-categories is when the main category turns out to be too generic. So when deciding on splitting boards into sub-categories, that should be the main deciding factor.The reverse is true as well. If a board has a too specific topic, it might be better to merge it with a similar board. That way the topics should get more views and stay alive.I remember that a while ago, the ‘Microcontroller & FPGAs’ section was decided not to be split into sub-sections for this reason. Since then I’ve never thought that I should’ve.Suggestions• Currently the ‘Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff’ board is “This is the big catch-all thread for anything electronic.” This board in particular could do with a few sub-boards. I’d suggest at least one for projects/logs. I think those topics in particular are important as the discussion takes you through a lot of design decisions. I’ve found that there is a wealth of information in those threads and putting them into a separate category could help distinguish them from the shorter, more ‘single-question’ related topics.• From time to time there are threads asking fellow members to review a design, mostly a PCB layout. I think those topics fit into a board within what is currently the PCB/EDA board. I’d suggest renaming it into Schematic & PCB design & Manufacturing i.e. everything related into getting your design actually made. The current EDA software specific boards can stay, those really help to get to your specific package quickly. Or vice versa to easily locate and answer question on the software you are familiar with. I suggest to put this board and its sub-boards directly below the ‘projects, designs, and technical stuff’ board for visibility.• The ‘Test equipment’ board is one important section of the forum. Since it’s so big it might help to put a few sub-boards in on the most encountered types of gear: oscilloscopes and multimeters• I’d be against merging the ‘Test equipment’, ‘other equipment & products‘ and/or ‘repair’ boards. The current division between them really helps to keep the topics apart.• It might be helpful to create a ‘soldering equipment’ or ‘soldering’ sub-board in ‘other equipment & products’• I don’t really know how much the ‘Open Source Hardware’ and ‘Crowd Funded Projects’ need a separate main-board. It might be an idea to put them both as sub-boards under a ‘new’ (merged) main-board.• I really like the suggestion posted above to change the “Contest” board into a board on events, seminars, webinars, exhibitions, promotions, contests etc. Please do that.So in summary:Electronics {BeginnersProjects, Designs, & Technical StuffProject Logs, <important sub-category 1>, <important sub-category 2>Schematic, PCB design & manufacturingPCB Design, Manufacturing & Assembly, KiCad/gEDA, DIPtrace, Eagle, Altium Designer, DesignSparkTest EquipmentOscilloscopes, Multimeters, Power Supplies (?)Other Equipment & ProductsSoldering ToolsRepairMicrocontrollers & FPGAs<new name>Open Source Hardware, CrowdFunded Projects}EEVblog {<Everything the same except:>Events, promotions & contests(instead of 'Contests')}

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 04:59:30 pm
content: Quote from: magetoo on December 26, 2015, 04:03:30 pmOff topic from this thread, but this might explain your cloudflare issues.....Really interesting video here, and really a scary thought.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 05:24:50 pm
content: I vote for more sections:Test gear -> Reference devices and calibration (voltnuts, ohmnuts, timenuts, all those nuts will move their stuff in there).It's not uncommon to have these folks now posting everywhere instead...Having bit more separation and subforums isn't any bad than having stuff buried in pages in one single section.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 07:38:43 pm
content: Absolutely!While I start threads infrequently, I've always looked for the best section to post them in, and almost invariably it's just generically "projects and stuff". More categories should be used, maybe along the lines of:- Embedded (already have -- good!)- Arduino/RPi maybe?- Analog/Audio- Analog/Radio- Components- Theory, analysis- Informative, Historical- DSPStuff like that?As for existing contents, if you organize it by category and leave a "general" in each, that would be the natural place to leave it. Or the next closest subject, if no general section is used.Tim

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 08:10:04 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on December 26, 2015, 12:36:57 pmI vote for this one

author: Tomorokoshi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 08:25:11 pm
content: A few comments:1. Add a "Techniques" category. Perhaps as part of Repair?2. How about a "Research" or "Discoveries" category? Something that might not fall under the Projects category. Maybe move "Technical Stuff" out of it?and even though this is an electronics blog venue...3. A Software Engineering category?

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 09:02:17 pm
content: If you were going to do anything I would suggest adding an Amateur Radio forum.We have enough posts scattered out through the various forums to justify an Amateur Radio forum. You certianly have enough hams here who know which end of the soldering iron gets hot to justify one.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 09:04:04 pm
content: Quote from: Chipguy on December 26, 2015, 02:35:09 pmI'm not sure a teardown category would work well on it's own?If there are sufficient product sections then they should go into those.Repairs should actually talk about repairs and repair techniques.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 09:06:28 pm
content: Quote from: timofonic on December 26, 2015, 02:37:09 pmgEDA could be dropped really, hardly anyone uses it.Different workflows, different communities. Please make them first class citizens, they deserve it.QuoteCould do.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 09:08:58 pm
content: Quote from: Seekonk on December 26, 2015, 04:16:28 pmInteresting Idea.Perhaps a catch-all Renewable Energy section?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 09:14:16 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on December 26, 2015, 02:01:56 pm+1I wouldn't change too much though. People are used to the way it is now.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 09:17:48 pm
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on December 26, 2015, 01:40:03 pmSame here, including Tapatalk. The categories don't matter.

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 09:36:07 pm
content: I'm new here, so I don't really have a horse in the race. If things stayed the same, it would be fine with me, but the proposed changes at the top of the thread make perfectly logical sense. I'm on enough different fora, each with their own quirks, that I guess I never even noticed one of the biggest ones here - that the "General Chat" subsection is under the EEVBlog main heading.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2015, 11:33:16 pm
content: While you're tweaking the forum will you be able to fix the inconsistent capitalization of "EEVblog" and "EEVBlog"? Just something that sticks out to me every time I'm on the forum.I do see that "FPGA's" became "FPGAs" a little while back.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 03:48:26 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on December 27, 2015, 02:41:33 amProbably the majority would do it like that.QuoteThere are benefits in appearance to beginners, less confusion over having a suitable category, ability to follow and block etc.Quite worthwhile.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 10:02:25 am
content: There's quite a bit of reorg youcoulddo Dave, there's been several great ideas, a regrouping of the sub-boards to a more logical flow does hold some merit.Shock pretty much nailed it IMO.Forum work/browsing flow will be affected depending on just how one uses the forum. Many it seems look at unreads's and yet some go for new replies so neither should be affected. General browsing on the other hand will be impacted and some wise thought should minimise any short term hardship.The Repair board has been a great success and if any changes are to made I'd suggest it be further enhanced withTE repairand sayconsumer goods repair.Techniques has been suggested, but shortly after the Repair board was established a few members, myself included, thought it might be an idea to draft up some trouble shooting documents. It's a massive task to draft a "fit all" that anybody could follow and it be safe advice. Much has already been included in all manner of threads but to have a general guide IMO is fraught with danger. Hence private discussions came to nought.Is it best Techniques stay thread context specific and also guided by your many vids?Further direction for newbies might be an idea so their threads be placed in the appropriate board. Shit, we all make mistakes and the switched on ones quickly realise what they've done and often ask for threads to be shifted or start new ones in the correct board and ask for deletion.You've done a great job thus far Dave, carry on.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 10:18:00 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 26, 2015, 12:57:40 pm"Manually moving" implies the URL of individual topics and posts would change.That would be a great shame since bookmarks and external links (and possibly internal links) would be broken. And, as we all know, broken links are one of the curses of the web!

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 10:31:18 am
content: Having too many categories brings just as many problems as too few categories.The major issue is that many posts span several categories, in which case it is difficult to decide where to put a post.A trivialexample: if I, as an RF beginner, think there might be something wrong with my spectrum analyser, should I post a question in "RF/Ham", "test equipment", "repair", "beginner". All that categories do is enable you to know where somethingisn't, e.g. Jobs or PCB etc.

author: Karel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 10:45:09 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on December 27, 2015, 10:18:00 am+1

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 10:47:58 am
content: Personally i would like custom control in the show unread posts system over changes to categories. And i imagine others who use it would probably agree.Like-The ability to disable entire forum categories so they're not included in it.-Only shows threads by users with more than x posts.-Easily remove a thread if i decide i'm not interested in it.But it would probably require significant coding.I'm not too fussed really, it would just be a nice feature.

author: ion
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 12:24:34 pm
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on December 26, 2015, 08:10:04 pmSame here, I do this far more often than browsing in categories.Also, is it possible to add a way to bookmark a specific post? Sometimes I come across a post I'd like to keep for future reference, and the closest option I've found is topic notifications which isn't ideal for the longer threads.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 12:31:03 pm
content: Quote from: ion on December 27, 2015, 12:24:34 pmClick on the subject line of an individual post, save that URL.If you meant, from within the forum (a list of user favorites or bookmarks?), I've seen some that do that, but I don't think it's available (or at least enabled) here.Tim

author: Radio Tech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 12:38:15 pm
content: I always use the new post link as soon as I get on the board. Then I select the topics that I am interested in. The problem after that is going back to find them again. Never where you think they should be. Specially RF related stuff.

author: ion
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 02:37:44 pm
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on December 27, 2015, 12:31:03 pmYes, I meant from within the forum. It would be nice to have the bookmarks linked to the account rather than the browser, but I guess that depends on the forum software.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 03:12:15 pm
content: Could I throw in a vote for a new "RF related" sub category?

author: C
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 03:43:11 pm
content: I do not like the idea of Dave or someone else having to move things around and in the process breaking links and other things that could point to the site.Does not look good when you follow a link from some site for a GREAT ____ and get a busted link. A lot of sites do not add the simple database redirect for links to old content.Tags:Some will use these and some will not.What if a category became a tag or set of tags?If site op's were to add a tag(s) to everything on site of "Before 2016" & a second tag of it's current category. This should not break any links.The new categories could then be a selected group of tags.Using this idea, you could then have an area where you could browse using older categories.With some thought this should make future changes easer.A sub category could then be set to show or not in the higher category.Some sets of tags could then show in a second place.When the number of posts increases to a level then it might not show in many places.Quote from: cdev on December 27, 2015, 03:12:15 pm+1Dave & Site op'sThank you for the Site!C

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 05:27:31 pm
content: Quote from: C on December 27, 2015, 03:43:11 pm+1, as I asked above. Don't want this point overlookedQuote+1 for an RF section; it is sufficiently different to the existing sections, and a sufficiently different engineering topic.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 27, 2015, 05:47:57 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on December 27, 2015, 05:27:31 pm+1 for an RF section also....

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 05:01:40 am
content: Definitely need a Computer related section as it's one of the more popular topics. As is vintage computing/electronics.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 05:34:29 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on December 27, 2015, 10:18:00 amNo, no links get broken when things are moved around in SMF, it's very very good at that. Old linked are still valid and get redirected etc.The problem comes in efficiency of moving things around.It's fairly easy to create a new category and then search for stuff that belongs there using keywords and then move them. You don't even have to do it all at once.It's much more difficult however to actually remove a category and then figure out where every single thread has to go. It would be incredibly tedious.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 05:35:56 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on December 27, 2015, 10:31:18 amThe answer is there is no no answer, it's impossible to cater for every scenario.What seems to be the consensus is that a few more categories would be helpful, as would a reorg.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 07:10:19 am
content: It is almost like yesterday when I first join this forum, but in less than two month, it will be my fourth year. While hard to claim being a new visitor, but I do recall the most problem I had as a new visitor to this forum:It was not the organization. I manage to find the categories just fine. The biggest trouble I got was some threads were so long it appears a daunting tasks to read just the thread - just one thread.(Since I use a UT61E, I am more familiar with that thread and hence that as an example)I can understand why there is the UT61E tear down thread that if printed would probably circle the earth. Everyone has something to say about it and the thread just grow and grow.Put yourself in the shoes of the new visitor. Ok, I got a new DingDongPeterPan DMM Meter, I come here and see 300 replies (just using a random high number as example, and just using random topic names as example). I want to ask a question, but it is probably in one of those replies. Half of the 300 post is about enhancing the silly dial which I am not interested in, another third is why the display blinks...Same for other popular equipment such as the Owen scope, Rigol scope... Those threads are in the same shoes: Long, orbital length magnitude long.What would improve the new visitors' visiting experience, and encourage new visitors' re-visit would probably be an ability to have sub-threads. Under the UT61E thread, there may be a sub-thread on back-light mod, another sub-thread on the UT61E calibration, another sub-thread on external voltage reference...For the Rigol model 1234, a sub-thread on the "hacking", one on USB connectivity...Any forum member who visits the the Rigol model 1234 thread may, upon no seeing the topic, create a new topic (subthread) applicable to that specific main thread.The ability of forum-members fine-gaining a main topic will allow new visitors to find relevant post without reading all 300 some odd replies. Frankly, without that, I think most new visitors probably would just say "ah, forget it, I am not reading 300 some replies with topic switching every 1/2 page... I will just ask" and that makes reading a thread into something repetitive and less interesting.That was my newbie experience.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 08:55:30 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on December 28, 2015, 07:08:17 amNo, nothing gets broken. Post or threads etc.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 08:58:04 am
content: Quote from: Rick Law on December 28, 2015, 07:10:19 amNot possible with this forum software.And it would be a dog to maintain, and people would have to vigilant about sticking to it. That won't ever happen.Forums are not wikipedia information resourses, they are as their name suggests, forum where people discus stuff.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 11:04:34 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 28, 2015, 05:35:56 amJust so, and that's what I voted for.Where categorisation/filing systems are concerned, my experience matches that of RW Jones, the head of British Scientific Intelligence during the war. He tried several methods of organising all the info that came across his desk and that he had to assess and present to Churchill. He just had a large number of box files in a few categories, and when he needed to go back to something he quickly searched throught them. Too many "categories" meant there were too many places where the infomightbe.BTW Jones' book "Most Secret War" is still fascinating. When it was first published, eminent historians accurately said it "rewrote" the history of WW2.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 08:51:57 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 28, 2015, 08:58:04 amYou have a point, but too bad. I think that will attract more newbies.It must have taken me the first few months to "stick with it" and finish those extra-long threads. The rigol thread, the owon scope thread, the UT61E thread... I think a lot of newbies may not "stick with it" as long. It would be their lost.Then again, may be I am under-estimating their level of interest and their tenaciousness.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 09:33:07 pm
content: Quote from: Rick Law on December 28, 2015, 08:51:57 pmYes, but then it's no longer a forum, and people would stop using it as such.You can't have a discussion forumanda wiki like information repository in the same place, it's just not possible.

author: Syntax_Error
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 09:53:16 pm
content: I could take or leave a big reorg, but some new forums or subforums would be nice. I strongly agree with the notion for an RF forum. Originally, I was going to suggest a (likely to be shot down) idea of a amateur radio related forum, but the much wider scope of RF in general is far superior, as the only reason I was suggesting the ham room was for *technical* discussion, not operating discussion.Also, currently the PCB forums are all software-package related, which makes sense, but what about general discussions of design rules, practices, board manufacturing details such as material, clearances, impedance issues, etc? These things are not software specific, and a lot of the threads to date about these things are scattered throughout beginners, projects, and other forums.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 10:31:14 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 28, 2015, 09:33:07 pmDave, no argument about forum vs expository. Suggestion: perhaps you should consider starting a knowledge repository also. With the reputation of EEVBLOG, people can use the knowledge with more confidence!It is like selling coffee with the donut. It is a natural. People come here to yap about EE stuff, and to find solutions.(I think with this, I've said all I should. Otherwise, it seems to argumentative.)

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 11:40:21 pm
content: Quote from: Rick Law on December 28, 2015, 10:31:14 pmThere already is an EEVblog Wiki, but few bothered to edit it.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 11:51:11 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 28, 2015, 11:40:21 pmIt would be great to have a running summary/ranking of test gear that have been reviewed/torn-down.Top 10 lists forMeters (Premium/Midrange/Budget)Osciloscopes (Premium/Midrange/Budget)Bench Power SuppliesSignal Generatorsetc...I would be satisfied by keeping it simple with Dave's subjective rankingvs. some sort of comprehensive, statistically-complex rating system.

author: MT
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2015, 02:15:56 am
content: Quote from: Rick Law on December 28, 2015, 07:10:19 amAs an old timer on the net (fairly) and newbie to various forums long threads is the worst. Some forums i frequent haveover 1000 responses in a thread, it's impossible to read those threads to try find single info that's relevant, other forumswith similar lengthy threads the forum owners have a length limit and when reached starts "part 2" of the discussion ina new thread and so on. still the same discussion just chopped up in parts but way easier to read and follow.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 29, 2015, 02:25:12 am
content: Quote from: MT on December 29, 2015, 02:15:56 amI fail to see how it's easier to read 1000 post in 1 thread, or 100 posts in 10 different threads.Splitting them does not magically categorise them, you still might have to look through all 1000 posts to find what you want.Having said that can we please keep this thread to suggestion for new categories and organisation. No new add-on or custom code requests etc.

author: MT
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2015, 02:41:32 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 29, 2015, 02:25:12 amDidn't say anything about any kind of magically categorizing, it's about visibility and saving time/efforts.When you read Horowitz Hill do you read the entire book over and over or frequent parts over and overto look for info, relevant info tend to span several posts but not entire threads of 1000 posts.Well, it was just a suggestion.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2015, 05:30:52 am
content: How about a completely irreverent, but serious thread to discussridiculous overkill projects...e.g. a repurposed PDP-11 to blink Christmas lights etc.Maybe some extensive solution to notify when the kitty litter gets a workout...The good old days when your Arduino tweeted every sheet rolled of the toilet paper...

author: obiwanjacobi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2015, 06:58:11 am
content: Does it matter? No really. I see posts in the wrong place all the time. I also see member veer off topic as if there is no tomorrow. So if there is no admin/moderator to keep the members from making a mess, it does not matter at all what you call the categories or how many you have.Instead I would opt for a better search function. At least then we're better able to find stuff again.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 29, 2015, 07:41:11 am
content: Quote from: MT on December 29, 2015, 02:41:32 amBut that's the thing, this is adiscussion forumnot a book where things are discussed in order. Multiple different conversions along different tangents between dozens of people can be going on at once and interleaved all in the one thread. That's just the nature of discussion forums.Occasionally we'll split out threads to a new topic if they warrant it and it makes sense to do so, but it's not often.Bottom line is you can't take a 1000 post thread and chop it up, it ads absolutely no value in doing so, unless you sort and categorise the posts and split them out in meaningful ways.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 29, 2015, 08:00:32 am
content: ... and then you have posts that straddle two or more ideas/discussions that only make sense in the original context.

author: MT
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2015, 08:27:13 am
content: QuoteYou seams a little bit annoyed this issue was brought up!The book was "analogy" in terms of searching "INFO" not a s a definitive structure as such, i'm glad books is not made in the formof certain forum formats.But again i didn't say anything about the "nature of discussions forums", there are many forms, i'm well aware of how topic threadsturns all non/topic ways and back, i.e i was once moderated for not following your here proposed "natural way of forum discussions"!What about that!Bottom line is Dave, what do we use forums for? Well exchange of INFO i imagine, what else?QuoteSee, you do it so maybe you should do it more often? Btw i'm NOT talking about split long threads into "new topic's", read againwhat i said. I'm also not talking about sub categories as suggested by Rick law.QuoteEvidence are on the net multi-fold, whether you like it or not it do work fine and has a value. But that was not what i said, i said "threadlength limits" your against a post actions i'm talking about a pre actions. You are 30 years old or something im 89 well go figure if i havetime to wade trough you 1000 post threads for info that's in 5 or 6 posts! Maybe you have to get into my age until you understand fully!I also have parkinsson, it's hell to solder anything smaller then 0402 but i'm one hell of improvised jazz drummer!QuoteDoing that you will destroy the topic entirely. Dont see the point.Yet you do run into having too many categories brings just as many problems as too few categories.And another bigproblem are when many posts span several categories, in which case it is difficult to decide where to put a post.But its your forum i cant tell you what to do!Only suggest!

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 04:54:49 am
content: +1 for the RF section.Name it "RF Voodoo".

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 04:58:54 am
content: Dave, don't do anything too rash like the plonkers here did over the last couple of days:http://forum.accurateshooter.com/That forum was down for 24+ hrs and still not right.They had a perfectly good SMF forum much like yours and nuked it for the POS they have now.Avatars gone, User names reverted to actual names, post #'s gone, a lottery if you quote a post if it comes out right....A right proper mess.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 06:06:30 am
content: Quote from: tautech on December 30, 2015, 04:58:54 amHmm, you a bench rest aficionado?I did work on this simulationhttp://www.amazon.com/Xtreme-Accuracy-Shooting-PC/dp/B0002LDGKSPretty bad reviews from gaming sites, but it was never intended to be a gameIt does cover all the aspects about the sport. Was done with Hall of Famer Speedy Gonzalezhttp://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=12950/guntechdetail/Benchrest_Shootingand Hall of Famer Tony Boyerhttp://www.rifleaccuracybook.com/Alas apparently it doesn't work on Windows 7 or higher although I'm pretty sure I did run it on Windows 7, hmm. But it's pretty old and dated but we did pretty good among that small community.Did also a high power rifle simulation.Research was fun

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 06:16:47 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on December 30, 2015, 06:06:30 amNot really are you?Homerange is my login there, check out my introduction postShooting sports in general have been part of my life for 40+ years, much less game these days now mainly paper punching or clay targets.Reloading is a strong interest.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 07:30:05 am
content: Quote from: tautech on December 30, 2015, 06:16:47 amNot anymore, I did dable when I was doing those simulations, I actually got pretty good groupings all connected at 200 Yards on windy days.On reloading, the most important thing is to do your ammo at the same time. The differences in weather while reloading makes your ammo behave differently.I'll try to upload the manual somewhere because it's bigger than the 1MB limit. (5MB total)I did upload the manual to a website I have, although I did put it on the seek thermal camera folder I created for Mike a while back.http://www.miguelvp.com/ForMike/XAS/Manual/Manual.htmHopefully this is helpful for reloading, I don't take credit for the manual I just did the full game engine but we had an engineer (works for NASA) that did all the physics and math behind it all.So it's terse but definitely accurate.I might find the High Power Rifle manual too, but for reloading it's about the same thing.Edit: the Installation and setup links seem to be broken, the rest seems to be complete.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 08:17:09 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on December 30, 2015, 07:30:05 amThanks for that, it'll be good reference material to share with shooting buddies.Got plenty of good docs on reloading, ballistic programs etc and cloverleaf all our hunting rifles @100yds.I won't hijack Dave's thread anymore but you and others feel free to PM me on this stuff if you wish.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 07:16:54 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on December 30, 2015, 04:58:54 amJust a heads up Dave:From their Forum Boss today:Overall, regarding change we wish everything could be seamless with no problems.But the situation was that the existing software, SMF, was no longer supported. We looked at all the major Forum software offerings -- all were less than perfect. We picked the one that was the fastest, had the highest security, and the most flexibility.Is this fact or BS?

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 07:28:04 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on December 30, 2015, 07:16:54 pmThere is nothing on the SFM website that would suggest anything but continued support.See for yourself:http://www.simplemachines.org/I would ask them to cite their source of information on that one.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 07:39:09 pm
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on December 30, 2015, 07:28:04 pmYes Richard that has crossed my mind.I don't really want to rock their boat, they've got enough shite going down ATM and the administrators seem to be an anal bunch, not at all like here on EEVblog.I see Dave is using version 2, I have no recollection of the version they were using and maybe their upgrade costs made them move away from SMF.No doubt it's like any forum......a perpetual work in progress.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 09:09:57 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on December 26, 2015, 09:14:16 pmOverall, I REALLY like this layout but something bothers me. It feels clean and organized, much better than the way things feel right now. Really, things like Projects and RF would belong under the same category because they are usually about building hardware or hardware analysis but then THAT category becomes a bit daunting with all of the PCB Software. On the flipside, maybe it is just me, but OpenSource and Crowd Funding tend to be not all that heavily used and end up being a bit more advertising/spammy in feel. The Crowd-Funding is seldom about hardware at all and usually just an ad for someones upcoming crowd funded project. Open Source seems to be 90% ideas for designs without implementation and 9% check-out this cool half-done open source project and 1% someone working on open source stuff. That being said, it keeps these kinds of threads out of the main forums so there is that.

author: Electric flower
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 09:29:19 pm
content: I think that adding minor sub-categories would be good so it's easier to navigate more precisely because this forum is pretty big, and there are tons of topics about different things and when searching something there is too much things to scroll and check before making your own thread, so in addition to sub-categories I think that it would be nice to be able to search topics in just one category, and not just whole forum.I would like to see design and projects divided into separate categories and each having subcategories for power electronics, RF, HI-FI stuff, high voltage, maybe something about mechanical stuff...Still if there is no change to this forum, this forum is still great, one of the best regards to electronics.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2015, 09:43:33 pm
content: Quote from: Electric flower on December 30, 2015, 09:29:19 pmToo many categories brings problems such as, for example, where to put a HV power electronics question: in HV or in power electronics.There aresomenatural non-overlapping boundaries, e.g. which button to press in Altium/KiCad/Eagle/DesignSpark, but even then some PCB/schematic questions span all of those, e.g. gerber output funnies, or manufacturing tolerances etc.QuoteYes. For something successful, change is best done slowly - and it looks like Dave is well aware of that!

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 31, 2015, 02:33:40 am
content: Quote from: tautech on December 30, 2015, 07:39:09 pmSMF version 1 used a number of deprecated elements which were kept functional until the release of PHP 5.5. When servers were updated with this new version of PHP, the wheels fell off, resulting in dysfunctional software and panicking administrators. SMF version 2 is OK.

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2015, 08:12:14 am
content: Quote from: MT on December 29, 2015, 08:27:13 amThat's why I gave my idea of integrating a wiki in the forum, in order to summarize forum posts and get a proper knowledge base.But this world require an army of OCD nuts, of course.You have Mr. Parkinson, I have Mr. Distracted (ADHD). So I have somehow reverse Parkinson, with still awful psychomotor skills and others that are slowly improving work usage. Fortunately, I also look younger than I am.Forums are nice, but information finally gets too messy. The same questions get asked a zillion times and we sometimes are to lazy to find properly or afraid of necroposting.So people do the same question again, someone consider certain information should be organized and collected. Here the wiki goes to the rescue and chaos gets reduced!Here's my proposal, feel free to participate!https://www.eevblog.com/forum/suggestions/suggestion-wiki-structure-improvement/Anyway, my idea isn't going to be taken seriously. I'm a n00b, after all.

author: grifftech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2015, 10:06:58 pm
content: how about mains voltage

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 11:16:51 pm
content: Back on topic, the plans on design or integration advice are an amusing read. If only you knew how much work changing a few pages is, integrating or migrating technologies is what Dave would have nightmares over.The most important aspects in a forum is that it looks good, is fast, accessible and user friendly.The only thing I see being an issue with my suggestion in theprevious postis the layout of the main forum landing page does not emphasize the child forums so they are easy to miss, and as it stands the whole page when viewed with default browser settings is rather long. So in my opinion there are design issues in the menu layout to overcome in order to get the best out of navigation.The emphasis on menu usage was mention previously, I can tell you it's vital for easy navigation of the forum and non logged in visitors, and instrumental in attracting new members or repeat visitors based on their navigation experience. The "show unread posts" should not be seen as an excuse to ignore the menu system as that feature is used in very specific circumstances for certain members, the navigation menu however is used by the majority of all visitors.Quote from: grifftech on December 31, 2015, 10:06:58 pmIf you want mains voltage you can normally find it distributed around your house.

author: alho
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 01:39:50 am
content: Projects, Designs, and Technical StuffProjectsCrowd Funded ProjectsElectronics EquipmentTest Equipment- Oscilloscopes, Multimeters ...Tools- Soldering irons, Microscopes ...Products & Repair

author: Poe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 01:57:15 am
content: I tend to prefer just enough sub categories that today's earliest post is not more than one or two pages back.Although here on the EEVblog.. if the search function can't improve, more sub categories might help finding things.

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 06:27:39 am
content: <html><head><title></title></head><body><ul><li>Beginner</li><li>Primer material (organized by themes)</li><li>Questions<ul><li>Homework: For those of us unable to pay a private tutor and having a hard time understanding things or limited concentration span but want to learn a lot.</li></ul></li><li><p>Check my design, please</p></li><li>Fixing: For those wanting to fix their non-TE devices like a TV, phone, etc.<ul><li>Service manuals.</li></ul></li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>PCB Design (general)</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li><strong>Projects</strong>(it only makes sense to make them open hardware)<ul><li><strong>Modifications:</strong> Convert the device into something else different, improve features, unlock stuff, etc.</li><li><strong>Planning:</strong> It could provide advices about how to start the project, better approachs, interesting information sources, etc.<ul><li>Retrocomputing/retrogramming.</li><li>Automation.</li><li>Equipment</li><li>Etc</li></ul></li><li><strong>In-progress:</strong> It can be used as a diary of the project, plus others could provide assistance and watch what&rsquo;s happening.<ul><li>Retrocomputing/retrogramming.</li><li>Automation.</li><li>Equipment</li><li>Etc</li></ul></li><li><strong>Finished:</strong> Initial page with proper summary<ul><li>Retrocomputing/retrogramming.</li><li>Automation.</li><li>Equipment</li><li>Etc.</li></ul></li></ul></li><li><strong>Contests:</strong> Contests like those for making computers using 74xx chips, but more useful.<ul><li>Retrocomputing/retrogramming.</li><li>Automation.</li><li>Equipment.</li><li>Etc.</li></ul></li><li>Electronics software<ul><li>EDA<ul><li>KiCad.</li><li>gEDA.</li><li>DIPtrace.</li><li>Eagle.</li><li>Proteus.</li><li>Altium Designer.</li><li>DesignSpark.</li><li>MultiSim.</li><li>Allegro/OrCAD</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul><p> </p><ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Simulators:<ul><li>LTSpice.</li><li>QUCS.</li><li>PSPice.</li><li>etc.</li></ul></li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>RF<ul><li>Radio and Communication</li><li>Blabla</li></ul></li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Components<ul><li>Documentation & Datasheets</li><li>Part finding</li></ul></li><li><p>Analog</p><ul><li><p>TBD</p></li></ul></li><li>Binary zone</li><li>ICs.<ul><li>Jelly Beans:555, 74xx, 40xx..</li></ul></li><li>Programming languages</li><li><p>Embedded & MCUs</p><ul><li><p><strong>Atmel</strong></p><ul><li><p>Arduino.</p></li><li><p>TTninox or whatever.</p></li><li><p>Others.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Microchip</p></li><li><p>TI</p></li><li><p>MSP430.</p><ul><li><p>MSPwhatever</p></li></ul></li><li><p>STM.</p></li><li><p>Renesas</p></li><li><p>ARM</p><ul><li><p>Raspberry Pi, Beaglebone, Cubieboard, etc.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Programmable Logic Devices:</p><ul><li><p>CPLD</p></li><li><p>FPGA, etc.</p></li><li><p>DSPs</p></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Computing and Networks<ul><li><p>Operating Systems</p><ul><li><p>Windows</p></li><li><p>Linux</p></li><li><p>Mac</p></li><li><p>Other</p></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul><p> </p><ul><li><p>Trading, exchange & group buy</p></li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Manufacturing & Assembly<ul><li>PCBs</li><li>Pick & Place</li><li>PCB manufacturing services: Sincere reviews, no astroturfing.</li></ul></li><li><p>Mechanical constructions/Hardware</p></li><li><p style="margin-left: 40px;">CNC</p></li><li><p style="margin-left: 40px;">Bricolage: Enclosure design & manufacturing, woodworking, etc</p></li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Equipment<ul><li>Oscilloscopes</li><li>DMMs</li><li>Soldering/Desoldering</li><li>Other (open more if needed)</li><li>Repair</li></ul></li><li><p>Buy/Sell/Wanted</p></li><li>Blogs<ul><li>EEVblog<ul><li>News</li><li><strong>Suggestions </strong></li><li>EEVBlab</li><li>Amphour</li></ul></li><li>Others</li></ul></li></ul><ul><li>Contests</li></ul><ul><li>Employment<ul><li>Job requests<ul><li>Freelancers</li></ul></li></ul></li><li><p>Work wanted</p></li><li><p>General chatting</p></li></ul></body></html>Inspiration sources:http://electronics-lab.com/community/http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/http://dangerousprototypes.com/forum/Quote from: EEVblog on December 28, 2015, 08:58:04 amQuote from: EEVblog on December 28, 2015, 09:33:07 pmSorry, Dave. But i disagree very strongly about your ideas, I hope it doesn't annoy you. I hope we can understand each other about this, I'm not alone about the idea.I really hope it doesn't become a Wikipedia information resource, but a more seriously and troll/moron-proof maintained one.I'm sure there are quite experienced people here in this community in order to do something useful and maintain or even improve the quality of the site.What's wrong about not becoming a forum nor a wiki if it becomes something that surpasses both ideas? I don't think mixing would make it worse, just it needs the correct formula for it.My personal example:GeekHack was a mixed wiki+forum approach and the quality was SuperB. It was funny and amusing to read these geeks talking about keyboards, mices, trackballs and how to hack them.* These days it's an awful mess of morons, "artisans" that sell painted or 3D printed keyboard keycaps for over 200 EUR and other shit.* It's impossible to navigate the forums without feeling totally dumb, seeing a retarded hipstery movement everywhere.We can ask people like:* The one from Talking Electronics to submit content to the wiki: He has nice information that needs to be spread better. Some graphics improvements and formatting would make it shine, too.* Other frequent visitors that are quite skilled, too. I don't remember their names right now=> The main issue: Provide motivation, good feedback.Look at AllAboutCircuitsSections, they are very well done:http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/education/http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/giveaways/http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/industry-articles/(I'm tired, I had insomn and got unable to sleep despite hardcore hypnotics. I'll improve this reply later)Quote from: obiwanjacobi on December 29, 2015, 06:58:11 amA lot better search function with Boolean operators is urgently needed, I agree.(I'm extremely tired, pills take effect after tons of hours!)See you.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 07:12:13 am
content: I'm sorry but that's a ton of extra categories and sub-categories, and the organization of those is way different than what we have now.A few more that Dave finds pertinent it's OK, for extra categories or sub-categories, I think the bringing them up as warranted or needed and Dave deciding if to add it based on the community feedback has been working just fine.The strength of this forum is the members and how much they are engaged compared to other forums. Why are more engaged here than other places? Maybe, just Maybe, it's because the current structure works for most of us.Of course that's just my opinion and observation.Edit: look at the poll, only the minority wants a lot of subcategories, the majority only wants a couple added.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 08:20:44 am
content: I think Dave will appreciate all ideas offered. What gets implemented, though, will be tempered with practicality.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 12:32:22 pm
content: FYI, I'm playing around with stuff now and it will show up live.Don't worry, nothing will get broken. Moving categories around and creating new categories has zero risk to existing content and URL's.Unless you frequent the main page, you won't notice anything different.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 12:37:03 pm
content: ... and some people getting lost while it happens.Think I'll be better off cleaning up my workbench tonight.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 12:54:37 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 10, 2016, 12:32:22 pmTher's a newRF and Microwavesection; thank you.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 01:21:52 pm
content: Yes it needs a re-org, but you probably have enough ideas already on what to add / remove.One thing I would suggest is to change the description ofRepairCurrently it's this -RepairTrying to repair something? Ask in here.But, many people like to show offhowto repair / restore something (like me), notaskingfor help, so I would change it to this -RepairAsk for repair help or describe how to repair equipmentThank you

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 02:05:00 pm
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on December 26, 2015, 08:10:04 pmUpped from 20 to 50.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 02:54:19 pm
content: Quote from: timofonic on January 05, 2016, 06:27:39 amAnd how is this done?What software is available does this?There is:a) No way we are moving away from the SMF forum software, that would be suicide.b) No mod for SMF that does anything remotely like what you want.Wiki's and BBS style forums exist for a reason, because they do specific job and do them well.Trying to create some jack-all-trades forum/wiki/resource system is a bad idea and would be a massive amount of endless work. It's not going to happen.QuoteColin spentdecadesmaking all that information available. It's a full time job for years for someone to re-do it all.QuoteSure, it's great, and how many years did he spend writing all that stuff?Do you notice a trend with the two examples you have mentioned? Both were done byone very dedicated person.Look, I'd love to have a curated knowledge repository like that, but aside from a Wiki (which we already have) and massive community participation, I don't see it happening.And without a massive custom coding effort, it's not going to be integrated with the forum. Even AllAboutCircuits realises that. Horses for courses.

author: DavidMenting
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 03:06:29 pm
content: I'm missing a very important option in the poll: fewer subcategories.Using the topic title to figure out what's interesting. I'm interested in pretty much everything that's going on here, and having to open up different tabs with different categories is a needless hassle. Usually, I just press 'Show all unread' and filter through there. I can't imagine I'm the only one.

author: Karel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 03:52:09 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 10, 2016, 02:05:00 pm+1 Thanks.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 04:15:09 pm
content: I like the new structure. Glad that the Thermal Imaging stuff finally got its own sub-sectionJust one thing: can I suggest to change the name of the "Products" section to something like "Tools & Accessories" instead, which I believe is more appropriate? Unless of course you plan to add other sub-categories like "Dog food", "Furniture" "Female hygiene" or "Lingerie"

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 04:23:44 pm
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on December 28, 2015, 11:51:11 pmI don't think that is really possible, at least not with complex instruments like oscilloscopes. Simply because the "best" instrument can't just be identified by looking at specs and price (or at Dave's review), it also very much depends on what the user actually intends to achieve (i.e. what the measurement problem is).Just have a look at the test instrument section, which is full of threads where people search for a suitable instrument that does a particular job, and most of them come with specific individual requirements.In addition, such a list would need to be maintained/updated for new gear (including instruments Dave didn't get for testing) and retired products would need to be taken off. It also would leave out the big alternative to buying new kit which is the 2nd hand market, which for many situations is a viable (and often more economical) option.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 04:48:48 pm
content: Quote from: mk_ on December 26, 2015, 01:25:59 pm+1I can't agree more! It's so annoying that I can only display 50 comments per pageThis makes reading through longer threads so much more painful.There's also no real sane reason I can think of why the 50 message limit needs to be there in the first place. SMF 2.0 certainly doesn't need it (it can handle a virtually unlimited number of post) so seriously, why is it there?Please Dave, either get rid of the limit (set it to "0" which is unlimited), or at least set it to something reasonable, say 1000 or so.Quote from: obiwanjacobi on December 29, 2015, 06:58:11 amI do, too. I think there needs to be a bigger push to make people post into the right category, not just by admins but also by other members.

author: onlooker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 05:21:41 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 10, 2016, 02:05:00 pmI would prefer 2 changes:1). change "recent posts" to "recent updated topics/threads", so the list would show one item per topic, instead of, one item per post.2). Let the list show 20 items on the start (as before) and add a "more" button to have the option to show 20 more and further 20 more if desired.

author: Syntax_Error
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 07:48:20 pm
content: Excellent reorg, Dave. I like it a lot.Think of the calls for a wiki as a compliment. People here are very pleased with the quality of your forum and your blogging, and it is natural to want *you* to produce other products they have want for, such as a wiki. I understand that you don't have the time to do it all, but the call to action is definitely a compliment to you and your work, and a vote of confidence that you would produce a good one if you chose to.In any case, I dig the new format. Different in critical ways, but not unrecognizable from its former incarnation. Perfect.

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 08:19:14 pm
content: Since you asked .....A place for for "whining about better search facility/wiki". Yeah!And another one for all the "What XYX should I buy?" / "Best XYZ to buy".Presales/Prepurchase advice with sections on the usual suspectsProbesDMMOscilloscopePower SuppliesSoldering EquipmentSourcing components (because there is no such thing as "ebay resistors" or "Amazon resistors").

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 10:52:18 pm
content: Quote from: DavidMenting on January 10, 2016, 03:06:29 pmIt's not an option for very good reasons that have been discussed.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 10:56:20 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on January 10, 2016, 04:48:48 pmBecause it's sensible. Not everyone has the bandwidth to open a page that contains 1000 posts that may contain images etc.It would also tax the server more that has to do the page rendering for every user at every instance.QuoteIf you see a post in the wrong place, you can report it.

author: station240
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 12:30:49 am
content: Someone's been busy moving some existing threads into the new subforums.At one point do we report threads that should be moved ?I don't wish to interrupt if it's all still being worked on.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 12:55:14 am
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on January 10, 2016, 04:23:44 pmI quite agree. The 'best' of anything has several parameters affecting the outcome and any efforts to evaluate and organise a range of products would not be insignificant - and the ongoing maintenance could easily become a full time job. Even then, there is no guarantee that such a database would achieve the intent, especially as we have a global and diverse membership.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 01:06:49 am
content: Quote from: station240 on January 11, 2016, 12:30:49 amEventually, yes, report threads that needs moving. I haven't done much searching and moving yet, so many still to go.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 01:15:43 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 10, 2016, 10:56:20 pmWould you and the Mods really want that bother?

author: station240
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 01:31:56 am
content: For one thing, we could end up with two threads on the same topic, as no one would look in the 'other equipment' forum.Dave, you'll want to move this one, for some reason I cannot report your postshttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/tesla-powerwall-in-australia/

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 01:55:21 am
content: Hi All, I like the new layout , looks good to me!

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 02:23:12 am
content: Love new metrology cave, thanks!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 03:03:42 am
content: I think it looks much more organised now.The obvious two for me that need more thought are:a) Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff which is still the big "catch all" thread for general electronics design, which doesn't really make sense now we have more specific categories for other things.andb) Test Equipment. The obvious question being should this category be split up into different products. Part of me says obviously yes, but the other part says that a lot of people just like test gear and want to have it all in one place. Perhaps, as the description says, it might be better to have separate sections for user reviews and user teardowns? instead of individual product categories? I'm erring more towards that thinking now.

author: Radio Tech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 03:19:20 am
content: So far so good. I like it Dave

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 04:14:40 am
content: Quote from: Radio Tech on January 11, 2016, 03:19:20 am+1Quote from: EEVblog on January 11, 2016, 03:03:42 amCan further be done with sticky threads or will it be too messy?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 07:53:29 am
content: Quote from: tautech on January 11, 2016, 04:14:40 amYou can't have more than maybe half a dozen stickies before they just get in the way of normal threads.

author: dom0
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 03:48:22 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 10, 2016, 10:56:20 pmI think Würstchenhund wants you to increase the limit, not the default. This is a user setting, the default is20 (I think?)15 and one can currently select 50 as the maximum (Profile -> Look and Layout -> Messages to display per page).In terms of server load it should be more efficient to have fewer requests with more content (posts per page) than the other way around, since this is a PHP forum with PHP's large per-request overheads. But then again few people stray from the default user settings when looking at the whole user base.Still, it'd be nice to have at least a 100 or 200 posts / page option.---By the way, can we have Unicode support for the forum? Doesn't work: ?(Interestingly it's displayed correctly in the Preview page, so I guess it is an issue with the database. The forum probably uses Unicode and the database columns are set for latin1)

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 11:19:05 pm
content: Quote from: dom0 on January 11, 2016, 03:48:22 pmI didn't know that, but just changed it.Yes it's a user option, but no, it does not seem to be a maximum global setting (at least I can't find it), it seems to be the default setting I can change.I just changed it to 100 and sure enough, my own account showed 100 posts per page even though my profile default value was 15 (now changed to 100).It's now set to 25.QuoteI have no idea what that means.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 11:22:55 pm
content: I just increased the number of topics displayed on the index page to 40, that seems to make sense.

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 12:02:50 am
content: Looks good. Might take a day or two to get used to, but on first pass the new category organization looks reasonable.Unicode allows adding characters used in languages other than English, such as those umlauted letters (the 2 dots on top) that you love so well on Mailbag, and accented characters and others. It's a standard, as far as what codes represent what characters, although forum software support may not be consistent from one software vendor to another.Oversimplification, but that's the primary reason you'd want Unicode on a forum that caters to an international audience.

author: dom0
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 12:08:06 am
content: Currently any Unicode one enters e.g. ? (<- actually an unicode ohm symbol) gets mangled to ? (<- actually a question mark) as soon as the post is submitted. This is a common pattern when the application thinks it's working with Unicode, but the database stores text as latin1 or some other obsolete encoding and removes all the unicode.Actually Umlauts (öäüß) work fine, probably because they are part of latin1. The same goes for e.g. ±, ®, ©, ™, ¹, ², ³, ¼, ½, ?There should (should - the SMF docs are ... not good...) be a couple options related to page size:- Topic Settings / Maximum messages to display in a topic page <- I guess this is the one we are looking for- Topic Settings / Number of posts per page in a topic page <- And this is probably what changed the default for everyone- Topic Settings / Max number of replies in a topic to show "All" posts <- "Set this to the maximum number of posts a topic can have to show the all link. Setting this lower than "Maximum messages to display in a topic page" will simply mean it never gets shown, and setting it too high could slow down your forum." ... I guess setting this high enough enables a view where the entire topic is on one page or something like that.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 12:55:36 am
content: Quote from: rrinker on January 12, 2016, 12:02:50 amYea, there's a gazillion way to organize it, but really, it needed a few more boards, and what I see is prolly a good enough expansion for the next few years.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 08:06:50 am
content: Quote from: dom0 on January 11, 2016, 03:48:22 pmCorrect!I never suggested that everyoneneedsto have all messages thrown on a single page. But the option should be there to allow it if the user wants to.This way the impact on the server should be negligible, provided the hardware is at least somewhat adequate for a server for the amount of users and traffic this forum has.Quote from: EEVblog on January 11, 2016, 11:19:05 pmIf I remember right it's inAdmin > Edit Features and Options > Layout and Options > Maximum messages to display in a topic pageIt doesn't need to be set to unlimited ('0'), though, set it to 5000 or 10000.Also, there'sAdmin > Edit Features and Options > Layout and Options > Max topic size to show "All" postswhich should be set to the same number (i.e. 5000)If you can't see any of these settings then maybe the account you're logging in with doesn't have full administrative rights.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 10:43:49 am
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on January 12, 2016, 08:06:50 amNo such options.And yep, I'm an Admin with the power of god.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 10:49:13 am
content: Quote from: dom0 on January 12, 2016, 12:08:06 amNo such option.QuoteCorrect, I changed that to 25.QuoteThis option is there, and it sounds like it works like that.I set it to both 20 and 50 (above and below my default) and it did nothing.I set it to 500 and I got the All button on this thread with 6 pages, but not on another huge thread like the Batteriser.And curiously, when you hit all, it still keep the pages numbers there, although it does seem to display them all.So a strange option, it only works on threads that are not too big and not too small, but I guess that makes sense because you don't want one person hitting All on the Batteriser thread and killing the server.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 11:09:24 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 12, 2016, 10:49:13 amI think that actually makes sense, that is the way to go back to paged mode. All is just another page with all posts, and it still shows on what page you are with the [ ]1 2 3 4 5 6

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 11:15:22 am
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on January 12, 2016, 11:09:24 amYep, makes sense I guess. The All is highlighted to show you are in that mode.But once a thread gets too big, you get no option at all.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 11:26:22 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 12, 2016, 11:15:22 amWhich is actually what you want (don't 'All' the batteriser thread) and what you did set here:Quote

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 12:23:53 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 12, 2016, 10:49:13 amStrange, but then I'm not very familiar with the current versions of SMF, so I guess they got rid of it (since it was somewhat redundant anyways, see 'Max number of replies in a topic to show "All" posts')Quote25 is a good as a default.QuoteNot at all. It allows the admin to limit the max number of messages shown on one page, which is pretty much what the first parameter did (which seems to be gone now). It's sensible that "All" is not displayed if the message count is below a certain value (there's no point offering "All" on a thread with three messages). it's also sensible to show the page numbers, as it allows the user to go back to the default (25 in this case) easily.A setting of 500 however is still low, but it's a first improvement so for the moment I'll stop complainingQuoteSeriously, if one person hitting "All" on that thread kills your server then you have some other, more pressing problems in your infrastructure.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 12:55:04 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on January 12, 2016, 12:23:53 pmI was being a bit melodramatic. The point being that it could really affect things.The forum database gets 114 requestsper second, 6837 per minute, 410239 per hour, 24/7/365

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 01:02:53 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on January 12, 2016, 11:26:22 amThe point is that once a thread gets too big, you go from being able to see 500 at once, to the maximum user setting value of 50 per page.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 01:27:07 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 11, 2016, 11:22:55 pmThanks Dave, Looks Great

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 01:34:06 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 12, 2016, 01:02:53 pmI see what you mean, but as long as the "Maximum messages to display in a topic page" keeps hiding from you there is not much you can do.If you find the setting you could add a 100 and 500 option so anyone could decide for themselves to always have the 'superpage' turned on.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 10:12:18 pm
content: Slightly off topic, I wondered if there was any particular reason why some people feel the need to change the thread title on the fly, it shows up in the recent posts list as the amended title, what am I missing, I don't get it.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 10:23:53 pm
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on January 12, 2016, 10:12:18 pmIf you hit 'reply' it kind of encourages you to do that, it is the first editable field and it looks like an email subject. I wonder why it is possible to change the title at all, I don't think there is a valid reason to do so apart from the op.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 04:39:00 am
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on January 12, 2016, 10:12:18 pmI have seen a great many really valuable threads here and in other forums that were crippled right out of the chute by inane, inept, or incorrect titles. Sometimes the OP is a newbie who doesn't even understand what question they need to ask. Sometimes they ask about something irrelevant, but discussion discovers the Real issue and changing the thread subject/title is very valuable to aid in alerting people who can help, as well as identifying the real subject so that people who come later can find valuable information. And making accurate, searchable archives is at least half the whole purpose of forums like this.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 04:40:54 am
content: +1

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 08:17:06 am
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on January 13, 2016, 04:39:00 amThat's why I said "apart from OP." I don't see a need for someone else to change the title halfway in the thread, it will not reflect into the first post anyway so the thread title stays the same.

author: AlxDroidDev
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 02:35:07 am
content: I'd like to suggest an area on circuit simulators: TINA, LTSpice, Multisim and others.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 05:44:17 am
content: The forum changes look fine on Chrome in Windows, but do not like the changes to the mobile site on Chrome for android. For some reason the PCB/EDA section is fully expanded by default and I have to scroll up and down to try to find other things. It just really gets in the way of the other stuff I'd be more likely to use.

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 05:56:54 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on January 13, 2016, 03:21:59 amI think any thread that lacks a noun (proper) should be rejected. Is just click bait titles, and hopeless for searching. Although a full text search might lead to some pearls inside.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 03:24:45 pm
content: @Dave: I really think the Ham Radio aspect should be removed from 'RF, Microwave, HAM Radio' in the 'Electronics' section.The reason is that this is a new group intended to be a place for discussing RF related topics and projects but it is already spawning more and more off-topic HAM Radio related discussions which have nothing to do with RF (i.e. UK callsigns, Aucklangs callsigns), and there's a real danger that over time the group will end up being over-run by off-topic threads which takes away from it's original purpose.Also, I'm not sure why HAM Radio needs (or even deserves) to be mentioned specifically as it's just one of many fields related to RF.My suggestion is to change the group name to 'RF & Microwave' and move the off-topic threads into another area (i.e. 'General Chat') which is more appropriate for these topics.

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 03:35:50 pm
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on January 12, 2016, 10:12:18 pmThis is supposed to be your post's own title/subject. It doesn't change the thread title, it just defaults to "Re: Thread Title" because that's most likely what your answer will be about.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 07:31:21 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on January 18, 2016, 03:24:45 pmI think this is a really good point. If there is a "ham radio" specific forum here, it should be separate from the RF/microwave forum.

author: Syntax_Error
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2016, 01:47:23 am
content: I don't have an opinion either way on this, but I would comment that it would be nice to see more RF topics in that forum, since that's what it is for. If technical discussion activity picked up some, perhaps the first five threads wouldn't be all ham related. If those ham threads weren't there, there would be about....zero activity at all.Note that I do support your position to safeguard the technical aspect of RF in that forum. I agree that ham-related idle chit chat belongs in General Chat. I think technical discussion, ham related or not, belongs in the RF forum. The issue is appropriate topics, not "hams go over there, away from me."

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2016, 10:46:46 am
content: Quote from: Syntax_Error on January 20, 2016, 01:47:23 amI disagree. There's no problem with a new sub-forum seeing very little activity for a while, and the lack of genuine on-topic posts is certainly no excuse to spam it with off-topic stuff. And even if the traffic is low then that's fine, because there's no reason a sub-forum would need a lot of posts to be viable.On the other side, tolerating the off-topic stuff will only lead to even less genuine RF-related posts.QuoteBut ham-related discussions around RF would still fit into the forum, even when "Ham Radio" wasn't explicitly mentioned in its name.The issue is that "Ham Radio" in the title actually suggests that everything ham radio related is on-topic, even the chit chat.That's why I'm suggesting to remove "Ham Radio" from title and description of the RF sub-forum.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2016, 01:49:18 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on January 22, 2016, 10:46:46 amI agree. It makes the scope of the topic much more clear.Ham radio topics related to technical RF issues are clearly in-scope, while social chit-chat should go elsewhere.

author: AlxDroidDev
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2016, 05:58:25 pm
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on January 22, 2016, 01:49:18 pm+1 Just add a "Ham radio lounge" sub-forum so the non-technical posts can go in there

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2016, 10:06:52 pm
content: I'm a bit late to this party, but two things:1) How about a restoration forum? I know a lot of us are interested in that.2) I have created some of the HAM noise in the RF sub-forum. When I started those threads I chose that forum because I figured people interested in HAM would be looking there. A 'HAM lounge' is an excellent idea. It's not too late to change.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2016, 04:51:58 am
content: Quote from: apelly on January 30, 2016, 10:06:52 pmThere's a sticky thread in the Repair board:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/vintageclassic-renovation-techniques/

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2016, 02:30:32 pm
content: Like the added forums and added length to the what's new.Any thoughts to adding a forum for mechanical designs? As an electronic hobbyist, most of my projects have a mechanical side to them. This can be simple things like bending a custom metal enclosure, strain relief, mounting parts to welding, machining and even attempting to use FEA.Some sub-topics could be recommend tools and construction techniques. As a hobbyist, we may not have the room to hold a full machine shop and look for things like small bench lathes and mills.Maybe something to consider.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2016, 10:08:52 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on December 30, 2015, 04:58:54 amThese guys ^^^ have long sorted out their forum changeover mess and there is much I like about the accurateshooter forum and the software they use.https://xenforo.com/You get automatic notifications of replies as "alerts" in a drop down box where you can select the reply you wish to read. If following a thread but not posting in it a click on the title takes you to your first unread post.Hovering over a thread title creates a popup displaying the content of the OP and if it's not of interest you just move on.I guess it's hosted in the US but I haven't pinged it to check latency against this forum however it's faster to load and browse than EEVblog for me on my piss poor DSL connection.It maybe more has to do with our "pipes", we have a fairly new fibre connection to the US via Hawaii but that makes you wonder as the distance from NZ to Aus is probably 1/4 of that to the US.