[About XDA developers] FreakyFerret:
Forum Collapse and Redesign?

Just like to say I love this. I was coming to this fora specifically to post this request.

Other than just collapse, would it be possible to remove a particular one (with a "Reset Removed Forum" button at bottom)? If not, please allow us to collapse super-groups as well. For instance you have General Discussion, Windows Phone 7 series, Windows Mobile Development, Android Development, Chef Central, then the individual phones. The super-groups could use some rework too. Here's a suggested layout:

XDA Developers (Specific to the site and people involved)

.About

.General

.For Sale (Marketplace confusing with WinMo MP and Android Market)

.Off-Topic

Devices (avoid term Phone for future products similar to Zune or iTouch)

.Nonspecific (or maybe called "All")

..Q&A

..Accessories

..Networking

.Windows Phone 7

..Windows Phone 7 General

..Windows Phone 7 Customization & Tweaks

..Windows Phone 7 Apps & Games

.Windows Mobile

..Windows Mobile General

..Windows Mobile Customization & Tweaks

..Windows Mobile Apps & Games

.Android

..Android General

..Android Customization & Tweaks

..Android Apps & Games

General Development

.Tools & Tutorials (formerly Upgrading, Modifying, and Unlocking)

.Windows Phone 7

..Windows Phone 7 Hacking & ROMs

..Windows Phone 7 Software Development

.Windows Mobile

..Windows Mobile Hacking & ROMs

..Windows Mobile Software Development

.Android

..Android Hacking & ROMs

..Android Software Development

.Chef Central

..Windows Devices

..Android Devices

Devices (The various forum specifically for each device)

.Device Name

..Device Name General

..Device Name Customization & Tweaks

..Device Name Apps & Games

..Device Name Accessories & Hardware Mods

..Device Name Hacking & ROMs

..Device Name Software Development

..Device Name Specific Differences / Models

(example)

.HTC HD2

..HTC HD2 General

..HTC HD2 Customization & Tweaks

..HTC HD2 Apps & Games

..HTC HD2 Accessories & Hardware Mods

..HTC HD2 Hacking & ROMs

..HTC HD2 Software Development

..HTC HD2 T-Mobile in U.S. Differences

..HTC HD2 512 vs 1024 Differences

* * *

General would be used for news, upcoming events and official releases, etc.

Customization & Tweaks would be themes, wallpapers, sounds, icon changes, UI changes, etc. All have to available as an installable and removable CAB. Would also include instructions on changing the Registry to improve performance or reveal hidden features and settings

Apps & Games would list/announce software available to the public for use (free and commercial). Possibly breaking it down even further into Games, Productivity, Media Players, and Phone Utilities. Such as:

.Windows Mobile

..Windows Mobile General

..Windows Mobile Customization & Tweaks

..Windows Mobile Apps & Games

...Windows Mobile Productivity Software

...Windows Mobile Media Players

...Windows Mobile Phone Utilities

Accessories & Hardware Mods would list various hardware to use with your device (cases, cables, attachments) as well as tutorials on how to mod those accessories and the device itself.

Hacking and ROMs would be for development of ROMs specific to the device or platform depending on where it's located. This is where people should post and discuss their ROMs and Radios and so on.

Software Development is where people could get help writing applications from in general to a specific platform or device depending on where the forum is. They could also announce their releases there.

Specific Differences would be a place to post warnings and alerts about how there are 2 or more phones sharing the same name (such as the HTC HD2 in Europe and the one released by T-Mobile in the U.S. Even the Europe T-Mobile HTC HD2 is different from the U.S. T-Mobile one.)

The super-group "Devices" could also be sub-divided by manufacturer as well since there's current talk of expanding to non-HTC devices. If it's possible for a user to "remove" or completely hide (not just minimize) a forum, then there may not be a need for this.

* * *

Using this type of layout and sticking to a designated structure, you can make your forum more accessible to the casual user. This will generate more interest for phone development, your website, and the power of the devices versus other more restricted ones. It would also help contributors in knowing where they should be placing their contributions and where to look for help. You'd be able to help the developers who don't want to be chefs but are willing to help out focus on just cooking forum. Or the techie who wants to help out on tweaking but not cooking.

I hope I explained my concept clearly and it's something the XDA think about! Thanks for your time.