Woft proposed a new forum dedicated to comparing actual kits. I will run this by Doug ( in between his many scheduled talks, fighting off lawyers sequestered between laundromats and pizza parlours and writing articles.) If there are any other dedicted forum ideas please mention them. It can get messy for new members to wade through our voluminous posts to locate answers. Not that I post that often <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. Please, no 'Shinto knife enthusiasts, Bill and Hillary conspiracy rumours or My survival expert can beat up yours' type forums. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> There has been an obvious desire of our many overseas members ( overseas being everywhere people happen to be <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> ) to acquire some equippment that isn't exported; sparklites being one example. Perhaps we can arrange something, sending a batch to one member in G.B. to further post on for example. Piet in the Netherlands ( known on many forums as Bagheera) is a very good source of many items.

Hey Chris,

What about having a rating system for most helpful posts so a person can sort on posts that have the most stars and read the information most people have felt beneficial?

Another option is to set up a FAQ forum where the senior, most experienced people can write FAQs that deal with most commonly asked questions. Sometimes its not what one considers to be the best brand of an item (which tends to run into heated debates), but more of what the varieties are, what the options available are, or even a completed pros and cons on a certain subject, thinking logic, or item.

Lastly, having a forum that people can list latest news or latest sales, group buys, etc. Sometimes a member may know of a sale on an item many would like to obtain. Timeliness would help, so one forum dedicated to this would be cool.

Just some thoughts...

Bounty-Hunter <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I think a outdoor project forum that pertains to survival or a survival marksman (and woman <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) using shotguns, bows etc would really be cool. Oh, I know, how about a questions/comments/suggestions forum. As long as it's not too inconvienent for Mr. Ritter.

Not sure that more forums would really help me. I find that just keeping track of two is time consuming enough and there is quite a bit of overlap between the two that we already have. I like the suggestion that there be more information on the posts that could help in the search. If there were just a couple of checkboxes added to the posting form that would allow the poster to signify what the post contains.

Suggest:
Equipment or equipment list
Equipment sourcing
Scenario related
Skill or experience related
Perhaps a drop-down list containing the ten essentials so that they poster could specify which of the ten essentials he is addressing (this list would need to contain an "all of the above" and a "none of the above" option)

Also the idea of allowing the readers of the post to rate it for usefulness, entertainment value, inspirational value... I think allowing the readers of the posts (limited to members) to rate the posts would reduce the noise to signal ratio because many replies would be replaced by simple ratings. Replies like "I like that idea" might not be posted but the reply would be simply a count in the rating of the original post.

p.s. I am a web developer and in the past I have offered my skills (volunteer = free) to implement other ideas that haven't been adopted - The offer still stands and should be considered extended to include these ideas.

After Looking at some other sites with forums, I have to agree with miniMe.

It is extremely frustrating seeing up to 20 different forums. The check-box idea seems far more convinient.

I DO like the idea of an international-equipment forum. the only problem I can forsee though is dishonesty. I am NOT pointing fingers at ANYBODY presently on this forum, I can just see a POSSIBLE problem. But I think it is worth looking into.

Ok, well, maybe 1 or 2 more forums... <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I am not sure that this is a good idea. With two forums, which I both follow, you can be sure of getting all the info presented by posters - much of which you will not necessarily need - that is what the delete and back keys are for.

At most, I have spent perhaps 45 minutes a day on ETS - time very well spent. I like the free flow if information as things now stand. Don't get over elaborate.

I agree with you. I think a good classification with the possibility to use multiple classes is better than more forums.
I´d not use a dropdown for the essentials though. There might more than one, all or none. I know you can do multiple selections but our users had so much difficulties with it that we stopped using it. Checkboxes seem to be easier to understand.

I do like the ideas of international equipment forum and kit review forum. However like many others I fear that it could get cluttered with loads of forums like the lightweigh backpacking forum and knifeforums is. However a disaster preparedness forum could be an idea to remove the clutter of TEOTWAYKI posts and other posts on terrorist attacks, earhquakes and such like. I personally have no interest in these topics as they do not effect me. This is probably just selfishness on my part, but it would be interesting to see what other people think.

Ahh comon guys, just a few more! Oh all right, I'm surounded. I recant my previous post. Wouldn't want to pull an Aaron Ralston now would I. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />