Lack of Front page content.

player911 · 07-03-06, 04:20 PM

Is there any way to continually have the front page updated. I know there are so many threads being created, and having to sift through them to find if any one is worth while could be complicated.

I am subscribed to the Aximsite RSS that I like to read while on the road. Yet the main page has been lacking content the last week or so. There is firmware update to the x51v (A12) all day today, and nothing posted on the main page.

I do not know of a solution. Maybe setup some kinda of reply ratio. So that if a thread has lots of replies in a short amount of time... like the new firmware... it will put it automatically up on the main page. Less work for whoever does the front page.

Threads could still be tagged for Frontpage like they are now, manually incase something is important and the webmaster wants to skip the ratio tagging.

Ultimately I love Aximsite and I would like to be able to sync up the RSS feeds and be able to have fresh content daily. That would be ideal.

With all the talent here on Aximsite, I'm sure this is a possiblity. Anyone agree?

netsyd · 07-03-06, 04:35 PM

But ... with 1200 posts in a day, wouldn't that get a little overwhelming?

I guess my question is, is it that hard to open IE, come to the main page and hit the "new posts" button? It all works out to the same thing, except you may not be able to take it with you on a train or whatever.

RSS is a nice thing to have, but I think using it to catch up on all the days travels around here would be a nightmare ... every tool should have use, but I wonder if that's the best use for RSS?

Sorry ... I got a bit off track. I know you were looking for something to agregate a "hot topics" kind of thing. I agree if they could come up with a way to keep onto something like that it would be really cool and fairly handy to have...

HERE'S A THOUGHT! --- instead of software making the choice, how about a polling system? Sort of like craigslist does with their flagging system. after like 5+ flags with a 12 hour period it gets front paged automagically?

player911 · 07-03-06, 04:49 PM

Yea I know your point. But whats the point in having an RSS feed for the site, if its never updated hardly?

I'm just trying to offer suggestions to aximsite. Its an awesome site with lots of great people. I just think that lots of people have very busy lives. I agree that it isn't hard to open up "IE" or Firefox and go to the page. But I'm only able to sit down with internet access a few times a day.

1. In the morning at work for a few minutes
2. Maybe before I leave for a few minutes
3. At home if I'm lucky

But having RSS feeds is suppose to fix just this issue. The ability to sync up in the morning and have enough reading material to last for a while.

Sync up in the morning and read throughout the day... Sync up before I leave work and read through out the evening... and maybe get on at night for some replies.

This is a perfect example of why RSS feeds are so popular. There is no reason to sync it up if it doesn't change in 3 weeks.

I guess my point is that the author of Aximsite had an idea when he allows the front page to be accessed through RSS feeds. The front page content changes very little. And having a few people do this could become a chore. Which is why maybe thinking outside the box, and maybe writing some code to allow the front page to be updated automatically via some sort of method. Kinda like a Reply/Time ratio. If a thread meets a specific reply count/time ratio (ie 25 replies an hour) then it would be marked as a "Hot Topic" and displayed on the front page.

It is possible. Is there a reason why the site doesn't do this already. I'm just offering suggestions. Opinions please.

player911 · 07-03-06, 04:54 PM

Not to bump this or anything, but not every topic would be displayed on the front page. Only those Threads marked as "Hot Topics" would be displayed given they meet the Reply Count/Time Ratio marker. This would at least give the front page some new content.

Widcomm stack
Waterfountain threads
Firmware updates
etc.

Most threads won't meet the criteria to make the ratio deadline, so they wouldn't be displayed on the front page. The ratio could be adjustable of course in the event that too many threads were being flagged as "Hot Topics"

netsyd · 07-03-06, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by player911

Not to bump this or anything, but not every topic would be displayed on the front page. Only those Threads marked as "Hot Topics" would be displayed given they meet the Reply Count/Time Ratio marker. This would at least give the front page some new content.

Widcomm stack
Waterfountain threads
Firmware updates
etc.

Which is why I recommended a flagging system - the users would determine (via x flags in y minutes) what should and should not make it to the front page.

Each user only gets to flag a topic once / thereby removing the possiblity of a single user forcing a front page posting & once it makes the front page it gets tagged that way and cannot be front paged a second time.

player911 · 07-03-06, 09:28 PM

Sounds like a plan. The flagging system is kinda what i'm talking about... except it would happen behind the scenes.

I'm thinking about it... but what if there is a thread with 3 posts, and all the people flagged it. Thats 100% flagged.

I just thought of a flaw in my system... based on post count/time ratio... someone could just keep bumping their thread making a large ratio in little time.

Maybe a combination of these ideas. Yours is really good.

I'm just trying to being open minded and hopefully this takes shape eventually. If the administrators of the site know there is a request for such a service, then it might become a reality.

MeSue · 07-03-06, 10:34 PM

Or... they can do what so many other forums already do and offer an RSS feed for each folder. Then users can subscribe to the areas they want to read.

**Frenchy** · 07-03-06, 10:48 PM

I post news for the front page of Aximiste and often there is no good news to post. I would like to find a way to get all the PocketPC developpers to think of drawing me a line when a new is launch or a major update is out. I have to spend many hours trying to put my hands on news for the front page. Everyone is busy and I lack time to fully research leads. Your point is well taken and I will try other methods to improve news update. Remember guys that if you come across something interesting I will investigate and post.

Frenchy

AKAJohnDoe · 07-04-06, 12:34 AM

I agree. RSS feeds, please. SBSH can do it, why not Aximsite?

aximbigfan · 07-04-06, 12:50 AM

why not have an "inside member"that just posts happenings on aximsite? like say psionsandys wife has her baby, there would be a front page thing that reads somethign liek "congrats to psionandy" or somethign liek that... maybe the aximsite tabloyd..

chris