Ideas and Suggestions for Forum Structure and Forum Software (Currently XenForo)

[Audionaut]

Dear members,

First, a small request: this thread is intended exclusively for discussions about the forum structure and the forum software itself. Discussions about audio, measurements, loudspeakers, electronics, or other technical topics should continue in the appropriate sections of the forum. Likewise, discussions about moderation, individual moderation decisions, or moderation styles are not the purpose of this thread.

I would also like to encourage everyone to keep the forum's netiquette in mind. Our moderators and administrators already invest a significant amount of time and effort into maintaining, moderating, and developing the forum. They have more than enough on their plates, so it would be greatly appreciated if suggestions and criticism could be presented in a constructive, respectful, and solution-oriented manner.

The goal of this thread is to collect ideas regarding the forum structure, user experience, and the forum software currently in use (XenForo). Are there areas that could be organized more effectively? Are there aspects of navigation, search, usability, or presentation that could be improved? Are there features, add-ons, or workflow improvements that you believe would benefit the community?

Perhaps this discussion will generate ideas that help both the members and the forum team and contribute to making ASR an even better place in the future.

Thank you in advance for your constructive contributions.

 

[Audionaut]

I have two relatively small suggestions to start with, both of which I have found very useful on another forum that also runs on XenForo.

First, page navigation at the top of the screen when using the mobile view. On longer threads, having quick access to page navigation without scrolling all the way to the bottom makes browsing considerably more convenient.

Second, the ability to embed existing attachments. As far as I know, XenForo supports selecting images that have already been uploaded to the forum and inserting them into a post without having to upload the same file multiple times. This would not only make posting easier for users, but could also help reduce redundant file storage on ASR.

Both are relatively minor features, but they would improve usability, first one especially for members who spend a lot of time browsing and posting from mobile devices.

 

[Redacted]

Is there a way to remove the list of notification with 1-click? On the mobile app and browser view, when I select the 'bell' icon, a get fairly long list which I have to scroll up and down to find 'unread' items to go and look at. Maybe there's a filter I have missed - sometimes I only want to see unread items for posts to threads of interest. I'm probably not explaining well...

 

[Keith_W]

The "Audio Calculators" subforum should be expanded. It should include:

- Frequency-wavelength converter (c = f * lambda)
- Speed of sound time-distance calculator (d = ct)
- Phase to time formula (t = theta/360f)
- Metric to imperial conversion

 

[-Matt-]

the ability to embed existing attachments. As far as I know, XenForo supports selecting images that have already been uploaded to the forum and inserting them into a post without having to upload the same file multiple times. This would not only make posting easier for users, but could also help reduce redundant file storage on ASR.

You can insert images as web links to existing ASR content.

On android you can find the web link of an existing image by long pressing on it. Use the copy link or copy image location option.

Edit: It seems you may already know you can do this for images, and you are suggesting that the same should be possible for other types of file upload.

 

[LTig]

The "Audio Calculators" subforum should be expanded. It should include:

- Frequency-wavelength converter (c = f * lambda)
- Speed of sound time-distance calculator (d = ct)
- Phase to time formula (t = theta/360f)
- Metric to imperial conversion

.. or maybe just a link to the Sengpiel audio homepage:

Audio calculations in English acoustics calculator convert audio formulas sound dB audio system microphone electro engineering electronics formula sound recording studio useful stuff free audio calculator recording studio acoustic audio engineering s

Calculator calculation conversion of acoustic formulas sound calculations audio system studio electro engineering electronics sound recording useful stuff microphone formula English audio formulas electronics audio engineering physics free thd site map online education sound calcs calculations...

sengpielaudio.com

 

[Audionaut]

On android you can find the web link of an existing image by long pressing on it. Use the copy link or copy image location option.

Thanks for your input and your effort—but that's not quite what I meant.
I'll try to illustrate it.

Clicking on the paperclip opens the tab

Embedding Attachments in German "Anhänge einbetten"

You can then sort them by date and name, and it contains all the pictures you've ever uploaded to this forum

This message appears when you've added the right image but haven't published the post yet.

Personally, I find this incredibly convenient because, for example, people sometimes ask me on this forum about specific watches, cars, or foods—and then I just have to look for them in my attachments instead of having to search all over the forum or through my external image folders.

 

[Svend P]

If it was possible to click on "open all new posts in new separate windows" in my browser I would find that a very convenient feature.

 

[Multicore]

page navigation at the top of the screen when using the mobile view

+1 pager at top on mobile.

It's not just that you have to scroll to the bottom, you have to scroll back up a bit because of the "Similar threads" section.

Also, disable the "Similar threads" section. I never found it useful.

 

[staticV3]

My two biggest pet peeves right now:

These check boxes:

That black and dark gray text color is even an option:

 

[EERecordist]

Is the forum owner asking for this?? I'm not in favor of making more work, and ASR works well for me as-is.

When I am posting in beautiful speakers or beautiful turntables, I will usually do a text search for the maker in the search box, then post if I did not find it already posted. In a quick test, glad for others to verify, if I do a google reverse image search, not sure it is finding that or similar images on ASR.

Is there value or penalty in having Google index images on ASR? Do we care about duplicate images? I'm not sure I would want to spend a lot of time image searching before posting, but are there other use cases? Do images create copyright issues?

I think an important improvement is sorting by multiple columns in the review index. For instance, I may sort electronics>DACS by SINAD first, then price.

In the review index, I'm not sure all of our Device-Types are consistent.

Finally, being able to generate Amir's current ordered bar charts on demand has value. Today I look at the most recent review to find one. Is there an easier way.

I'm guessing the review index and the bar chart are custom code.

I'm on desktop, so no suggestions for mobile.

 

[Osvaldo de Garay]

My humble sugestion, is to create a specific place to discuss about "speaker cables" and "the sound of coupling capacitors".

I was member of DIYAudio and those boring discussions arise periodically and generaly are obvious, tedious, boring, annoying and repetitive. Several got close by mods because of strong sterile discussions.

This way me (and other guys) know where not to go to read.

Cheers.

 

[whazzup]

Moderate all you want, but I need those Like reaction emojis.... especially the laughing ones. Can I have them please?

 

[voodooless]

First, page navigation at the top of the screen when using the mobile view. On longer threads, having quick access to page navigation without scrolling all the way to the bottom makes browsing considerably more convenient.

This was there at some point in time, then it got removed. Has been like this for a long while now.

Especially because the mobile view has a button to go to the top, it would be useful to have the navigation there as well.

 

[pma]

My humble sugestion, is to create a specific place to discuss about "speaker cables" and "the sound of coupling capacitors".

And what kind of discussion do you expect it would result in? I think it is better that ASR is not oriented in such topics.

 

[voodooless]

And what kind of discussion do you expect it would result in? I think it is better that ASR is not oriented in such topics.

I think he means to construct a “garbage bin” subforum

 

[Osvaldo de Garay]

Exactly. Sooner or latter, those foolery appears.

 

[mhardy6647]

Exactly. Sooner or latter, those foolery appears.

I resemble this remark!

 

[Osvaldo de Garay]

Not always, but some times I need to check I am not a bot:

Is it regular? Does it happen to any one more?

 

[whazzup]

Not always, but some times I need to check I am not a bot:
View attachment 548786

Is it regular? Does it happen to any one more?

I do get it, more often on my mobile phone, typically outside.