Why so many forums?

[BrewsterPilot]

Hi,
I'm a bit dazzled as to why there should be so many different forums, it seems like I never know where I've been and not. Couldn't some of them be merged together to make browsing easier?
For example, what about this suggestion to reducing the number of forums?
Please tell me what you think, and remember, this is just an idea...


"Equipment Talk" section
Before:
Small Compact Digitals by Canon (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=15)
Canon G-series digital cameras (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=17)
Canon EOS digital cameras (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9)
Canon EF and EF-S lenses (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=33)
Small Flash and Studio Lighting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35)
Accessories & Storage (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=34)
Rumors (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=86)
-Camera Rumors and Predictions
-Lens Rumors and Predictions
-Other Rumors and Predictions

After:
Canon Point and Shoot Cameras (merge of the Small Compact Digitals by Canon (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=15) and Canon G-series digital cameras (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=17) forums)
Canon EOS Digital Cameras (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9) (no change)
Canon EF and EF-S Lenses (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=33) (no change)
Canon Camera Accessories (merge of the Small Flash and Studio Lighting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35) and Accessories & Storage (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=34) forums)
Rumors (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=86) (no change)
-Camera Rumors and Predictions
-Lens Rumors and Predictions
-Other Rumors and Predictions



"Photo Sharing" section
Before:
People (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=26)
Performing Arts (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=81)
Glamour & Nude (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=36)
Sports (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=30)
Motorsports (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=90)
Birds (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=91)
Nature & Animals (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=29)
Macro (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=38)
Transportation (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=37)
Urban Life (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=27)
Travel & Landscapes (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=28)
Still Life, B/W & Experimental (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=31)
Competitions (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=39)
Galleries (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=11)

After:
People (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=26) (no change)
Performing Arts (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=81) (no change)
Glamour & Nude (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=36) (no change)
Sports (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=30) (no change)
Motorsports & Transportation (merge of the Motorsports (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=90) and Transportation (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=37) forums)
Birds (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=91) (no change)
Nature & Animals (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=29) (no change)
Macro (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=38) (no change)
Architecture, Travel & Landscapes (merge of the Urban Life (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=27) and Travel & Landscapes (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=28) forums)
Still Life, B/W & Experimental (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=31) (no change)
Competitions (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=39) (no change)



"Sharing Knowhow" section
Before:
The Business of Photography (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=23)
Wedding Photography (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=78)
Talk About Photography (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13)
RAW, Post processing and printing (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18)
Critique Corner (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=12)
POTN Member Activities (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=80)
General chat (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=21)

After:
Professional Photography (merge of The Business of Photography (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=23) and Wedding Photography (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=78) forums)
Talk About Photography (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13) (no change)
RAW, Post processing and printing (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18) (no change)
Webpages, Internet Galleries & Publishing (Galleries (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=11) forum moved and renamed)
Critique Corner (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=12) (no change)
POTN Member Activities (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=80) (no change)
General chat (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=21) (no change)

[condyk]

If there were fewer then on many sub f's the traffic would be such that threads would quickly disappear off the page and so be missed.

[belmondo]

Thanks for the suggestions. The forum lineup is constantly evolving as the wants and needs of the membership change. There is no doubt it will change again someday, although there are no immediate plans to do so now.

When the time comes, I'm sure we eill look very closely at your recommendations.

[Az2Africa]

Hey, I see you live near Pekka. Stop by and tell him in person.;)
Seriously though, I've made similar suggestions and found that not everyone has the same thoughts and needs as I do. I think the Mods are doing their best to satisfy the majority.

[Radtech1]

Hi, I'm a bit dazzled as to why there should be ...Couldn't some of them be merged together to make browsing easier?

Actually, "so many different forums" is a step forward from where we have been. Take a look at this screenshot from 2001. Share Photos was only one forum!

The big difference is then we had several hundred members, now almost 100 thousand. Without splitting the forums, posts would be pushed off the first page within 30 minutes. This way, they last a little longer, with more chance of being seen.

Rad

[EOSAddict]

I agree that for the size of membership this number of forums works. Using new posts or subscriptions works for me in keeping track across the forums.

[PAFC2004]

Sorry Brewster, but I think Flash/Lighting needs its own board.

[cdifoto]

I think each member should get his or her own dedicated section.








Oh wait, that's what personal websites are for. ;)

[liza]

Oh dear God. Moppie will have a stroke when he sees that you've called compact cameras "point and shoots." :lol: