Saved threads, etc.
 

This isn't really going to be useful now, but I think a "saved threads" section, or something similar would be nice to have down the road. I have a feeling that there will be some topics that are worth saving so they don't simply get rehashed repeatedly.

Also, if you haven't already, check out the Miata.net forum (www.miataforum.com). It's the best online forum I've ever seen. It's very well laid out, which I would imagine would make it easier to moderate in addition to making it easy to find information. In particular, the following sections from that forum are ones I would consider adding:

Car Talk - For general automotive related topics, particularly those that are not RX-8 related.
Performance street Driving and Autocross - after the car is out, perhaps
Best Drives/Road Trips
Saved Threads - after some good, archive quality threads show up. These are a HUGE benefit to everyone on Miata.net.
Performance & Tuning - After the aftermarket gets geared up

I'd also like to see a fourth gen. RX-7 section. I think that there are a lot of people that are interested in the RX-7 making a return to the world outside of Japan. Many, including myself, frequent this forum for any potential news/rumors about the 7. I try to refrain from discussing the RX-7 unless it's relevent to the RX-8 related thread, but it would be nice to have a particular place to go for that stuff.

Thanks!

Those are good ideas. I guess another version or name for the saved thread section would be FAQ. (Frequently Asked Questions) They have that on i-club and newbies can save themselves a lot of flames if they take the time to read them.

I also like the idea of having a section on the next RX-7. I won't be in the market for one personally, but I wouldn't mind following it's development. It would also boost our membership a bit I imagine.

just on the flip side to that...

Who would decide which threads to keep there? What would constitute "saving" a thread?

I doubt people will look there, anything...noone searches on boards. That's why they have the "old schoolers" like us to yell at them to do a search! :)

I don't know, I can ask the Miata forum people how they do it. I suspect that the Moderator of a particular section would be the best one to pick the best threads, and find the threads that deal with the most popular newbie questions.

Take a look at how the Miata Forum does it. In particular, the FAQ section is great. Every car has its quirks, and that's a proven way to reduce the number of times the regulars have to deal with them.

This has the potential to reduce the number of times the "old schoolers" have to yell at them, and can bring the newbies up to speed pretty quickly. Also, sometimes it's difficult to find the best thread out of the half dozen times something has been discussed. If the best ones were saved, it makes things easier for everyone.

Anyway, that's an idea (like most of the others that I suggested)that probably won't be too useful until this place gets much busier.

ya, and have everyone let the mods know which ones are good not only by hits, but by RATING them... i saw that on a 7 forum...

Don't they keep everything on the 7 forum?

yes on www.rx7forum.com they do keep everything...its all archived...and searchable

You need to make an faq section and save worthwhile informative threads. Someone might have to edit replies that don't have anything to contribute to the subject at hand.

I agree; a few members here gets annoyed when newbies raise questions that might have been discussed. It's a good idea to start a FAQ while the forum is still reletively new. Then the verterans can refer us newbies to the particular thread instead of making us feel unwelcomed.