This might be a good moment to have a look at the current forum structure, and see if some improvements could be made.
A few things that come to mind looking at the main forum boards on the start page:
"Latest Version"
It is a bit ambiguous. Is it a download link? Is it information on the most recent version only? Beta or Final?
"Customisations"
It currently envelopes both visual customisations, and functional (and functioning ;-) add-ons. It might be good to split those.
"General"
That's very general indeed, and it also resides under the identical named higher level "General"
"Rubbish bin"
That one doesn't really deserve a place on the main screen
Secondly we might need some new topic boards.
1.
I saw AvikB has created options for polls. That could be very interesting, and might be a useful and fun feature.
For developers to get input (votes) so to help on deciding on specific features or changes, and for mortal users for the sake of curiosity and maybe even add some fun.
2.
I have been noticing lately that there seems to be an increase in posts asking for help, which are difficult to understand because the poster seems to have some problems with the English language. Maybe even throwing their question from their native language though google translate...
For foreign languages users it might be very helpful to have the option to post in a support board for their own language.
For the sake of 'sharing knowledge' between all users it shouldn't be promoted, but it would probably be a blessing for some foreign language users, frustrated with explaining and understanding some more complicated issues.
Considering the above, I created a quick draft of what could be changed to provide for the above issues.
Currently we have:
GENERAL
Latest Version -The latest version including fixes and new features
Customisations -Child Boards: Icons, Localisation, Plugins, Skins, Screenshots, TheaterMode, Visualisers
General -Got a question or comment?
MusicBee Wishlist -What would you like to see in the next version?
Beyond MusicBee -Talk about things not related to MusicBee
SUPPORT
Bug Reports -To get bugs fixed, please report them here. Child Boards: Portable Devices
Tips and Tricks -Provide advice and tips to others - no questions please!
Developers -Child Boards: MusicBee API, Skins, TheaterMode
OTHER
Rubbish Bin
This is a proposed change in structure accommodating for the above observations:
GENERAL
Version Info Child boards: Release version, Testing versions
Tips and Tricks
Customisations Child boards: Icons, Localisation, Skins, TheaterMode, Visualisers
Plugins
MusicBee Wishlist
General Board Child boards: General discussions, Beyond MusicBee, Screenshot gallery, Rubbish Bin
Polls Child boards: Developers polls, General polls
SUPPORT
Questions Child boards: Questions on MusicBee, Support in non-English languages only
Tips and Tricks
Developers Child boards: MusicBee API, Skins, TheaterMode
Bug Reports
The current descriptions for the specific boards will need some adjustments too. We can work that out later if these suggestions get some support, but some ideas:
Current:
- Latest Version "The latest version including fixes and new features"
Proposal:
- Version info "Information on MusicBee versions"
Child boards:
- release version "notifications and announcements on the latest official release"
- development versions "notifications and announcements on alpha and beta releases"
Current:
- Customisations this one currently has no description
Proposal:
- Customisations "Customizing visuals and languages"
- Plugins "Plugins for enhancing MusicBee's functionality"
Ideas?
(i am sure at least some wordings I suggest here could be improved on)
edit:
I changed some board descriptions, and corrected myself mixing the terminologies 'topic' and 'board' in this proposal.