I like the idea of a combination "deals" and "buy/sale/trade" forum. Also, maybe have an EDC forum where you talk about EDC gear, knives, flashlights, basically anything that you would EDC.

I agree a separate forum on First Aid/Emergency Medicine would be a useful addition.

I think a separate forum on guns and knives would only be of use if Chris K. promised not to lock all the threads every time they started to get "interesting". <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

(Seriously, IMO such a forum should come with a disclaimer that the opinions are likely to be controversial and if you're easily offended, you should stay out here where it's safe and let the kiddies work out their frustrations in peace - er, whatever.)

Just some thoughts...

Fire
Food/Water
Medical
Knives
Shelter
Communication/Signaling

Its a tough one.
I tend to agree with Mr Ayers, if you sub divide too much I for one would miss half the forum. One of the attractions of this forum is its diversity. I end up reading on subjects that I otherwise wouldn't bother with. The way the system works now allows a non-specialist to comment and add questions, and get answers in a way that he/she would find it hard or awkward to do in a more singular forum subject
As one signature put it - "specialization is for insects" Add more sections, but lets be sure we don't alienate any newbies. Its a broad and diverse subject matter for a forum, with its fair share of eccentric and knowledgable participants. I think it even has its own little "atmosphere" - lets try and maintain that.
Maybe we should just increase the font size of the search button <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
In general I agree with the sugestions already made, but I think the final solution will come with a trail and error approach.

First, let it be said, that this forum is my favorite, just as it is, and the only one I visit on any regular basis (daily when I'm able). Here, I've found many "like minds" and a few not-so-like minds that I enjoy very much learning from (I've said it before, you don't learn much from somebody who agrees with everything you say), and it's great to know that there are more of us out there than I ever would have thought before finding this site. With that said, Doug, you gave birth to this baby, if you think it's time for change, well... you and Chris have done a fantastic job so far, just please don't get rid of the "past 24 hours, past 48 hours, and past 7 days" features, because I like to check out ALL the entries, even if I don't religously follow all of the threads, and it's seldom that I find a subject or topic by starting out under one of the section headings. Other than that, I'll look forward to seeing where this fine bastion of knowledge and commoradory goes next. By the way, did I say what a great job I think you've done so far?
Thanks for a great site.

Troy

I have no disagreements with any of the ideas presented so far, with Medical being my favorite and splitting Wilderness and Urban being my second favorite.

Having said that, I find this forum the easiest to read of the few I follow regularly because there aren't four dozen 'main' sections. So I guess my main suggestion would be to keep any changes simple.

You and Chris have done a great job with this site and I'm looking forward to whatever you come up with. Good luck!

FWIW,

Chris.

I sometimes wish there were more sections, especially when I'm looking for some past threads.
BUT .... as some noticed, too many sections and I guess I would not read ALL the threads, as I do, up to now. The main interest of this forum is its diversity : every day, I discover something of interest.

For instance : as I am in Europe, I don't visit the "books exchange" section. But it looks like it's is a good idea.

Maybe a separate GEAR section.... ?.... if there must be another section.

For my two cents worth what we have here works and works well. Didn't someone say "if it isn't broke don't fix it". If due to bandwidth and all that other computer gargon there is a need for additional sections, then, following the sentiments expressed by others, a section on equipment ( EDC, flashlights, guns etc) and medical (FAK, medications and so on). Would be general enough to cover most of THIS forums needs.

I'm also a member of CPF which has several sections ( way too many IMO) and I spend to much time hunting through various threads.

Seeing as there are people on both sides of the fence, maybe you could make the new categories available for searching rather than making it the only way to view the site altogether. This would mean that as you entered the forum you would be given the choice of viewing 'categorically' or 'singularly'. Personally I would rarely use the different categories, as I like the way it is, but If I was trying to find a specific thread then it would be useful now and again.
Thanks for the site.

Ian

I would like to see a few different catagories, but I am worried about diluting this one down too much. I would however, love to see a buy/sell/trade forum and the medical forum would be great as well. With as many EMT/MD we have here, I could learn alot more through that than by sifting through the Survival Forum. So in the end, I would have to say:
Buy/Sell/Trade
Medical
EDC (I thought this was a good suggestion as well)
Survival
Around the Campfire

Just my suggestions

Garrett