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Why

Tony_W
Grafter
Posts: 745
Registered: ‎11-08-2007

Why

Why is there nothing in the forum rules to ensure topics have a title that explains what the topic is about?
Recent examples (on the current) page are :
Nonsense  - started by geewizz
best for me  - started by stathe
A bouquet and a brickbat  - by Stan.S.
Something Strange? - by Longy
and of course this one...
The attact lots of views becaause forum users don't know what the content might be about or whether it might inerest them until the open it.
61 REPLIES 61
ChemicalBrother
Grafter
Posts: 1,887
Thanks: 5
Registered: ‎05-04-2007

Re: Why

Because this is a open forum for all customers, and to restrict what they put as a subject title would seem a little harsh, don't you think?
Tony_W
Grafter
Posts: 745
Registered: ‎11-08-2007

Re: Why

You rightfully restrict what is acceptible in the content.
Why not have a rule which requires that subjects reflect the content on the topic?
jelv
Seasoned Hero
Posts: 26,785
Thanks: 971
Fixes: 10
Registered: ‎10-04-2007

Re: Why

I suspect many visitors may only look at topics where the subject interests them - so by using useless subjects some people may be inadvertently reducing the audience their topic reaches.
I part agree with Tony in that there should be something in the rules to encourage (but not enforce) relevant topic titles.
jelv (a.k.a Spoon Whittler)
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James
Grafter
Posts: 21,036
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Registered: ‎04-04-2007

Re: Why

I agree with Tony too.
There should be something to suggest that the thread does actually follow the topic.
ChemicalBrother
Grafter
Posts: 1,887
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Registered: ‎05-04-2007

Re: Why

I'll highlight this thread to the moderator team and see if we can't put some thought into this.
Upon reflection, it's actually a pretty good idea Wink
Tony_W
Grafter
Posts: 745
Registered: ‎11-08-2007

Re: Why

This topic has only been going for half an hour and has already attracted 32 views and 5   6 replies.
Obviously a cryptic title means that forum users view it 'just in case'.
I am heartened for the support that this is generating - I hope that the rules are changed.
Is it possible for forum moderators to change a topic's title?
If so, they could amend them in the same way that they currently edit the content to keep it within the rules. The original poster could argue it out later.
geewizz
Grafter
Posts: 1,125
Registered: ‎01-08-2007

Re: Why

There aren't enough character spaces in a title.
Alex
Community Veteran
Posts: 5,500
Thanks: 921
Fixes: 13
Registered: ‎05-04-2007

Re: Why

Quote from: Tony
Is it possible for forum moderators to change a topic's title?

Yep I think you've raised a good point, I would assume it is possible for the mods to change the title for SMF. I've only administered phpBB forums (which the old PlusNet forums were based on) and I know you can there.
I think it would be a good idea to have some guidelines within the forum rules to say that titles should be relevant, concise and as unambiguous as possible.
However that's all it should be I think, just guidelines with the point that moderators may edit a title where they think it doesn't quite suit the thread. However this is by no means black and white and I don't think is something which can be rigorously enforced.
But a couple of extra lines stating this would be good I think.
jelv
Seasoned Hero
Posts: 26,785
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Registered: ‎10-04-2007

Re: Why

I'd suggest that the rules should make it clear that the moderators have the right to amend the title if it is misleading (they do already if the damned swear filter is avoided).
jelv (a.k.a Spoon Whittler)
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Alex
Community Veteran
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Registered: ‎05-04-2007

Re: Why

What bloody swear filter, ahhhh that one Grin
Yep that would be sufficient I think, something brief next to the rules about all caps titles, etc.
jelv
Seasoned Hero
Posts: 26,785
Thanks: 971
Fixes: 10
Registered: ‎10-04-2007

Re: Why

The one you can bypass if you put....
...
Gaaahhhh
....
Aaaarrgggghh

...
Stop strangling me!
jelv (a.k.a Spoon Whittler)
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Longy
Dabbler
Posts: 17
Registered: ‎11-12-2007

Re: Why

My apologies if my thread annoyed you - wasn't my intent Smiley
I'll be more descriptive in future Smiley
Tony_W
Grafter
Posts: 745
Registered: ‎11-08-2007

Re: Why

Don't take it personally Longy - I'm now as guilty as anyone.
geewizz - changing your title to "A thread dealing with a number of issues but mainly for pointing out the inapprr" is longer (much), but sadly no better. Wink
jelv
Seasoned Hero
Posts: 26,785
Thanks: 971
Fixes: 10
Registered: ‎10-04-2007

Re: Why

It wasn't you. Perhaps if you had seen that all the other topic titles were descriptive you might have been more inclined to think about the title of yours. But when you see topics such as "Can someone please help" (with what?), "help", "web help" (in the webspace help forum!)...
jelv (a.k.a Spoon Whittler)
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