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Topic: Topic Headlines-Please! (Read 699 times) previous topic - next topic

Topic Headlines-Please!

It is helpful if you be more specific in creating your headline for a new topic.  This issue has been brought up before; however, there are quite a few new members that may not have read that very old topic. "I don't Understand" is not a good topic headline as an example. "I wish I could" is also an example that does not describe something tangible.  The reason for being for being more descriptive about the topic headline is that it makes it easier to search for specific topics. "FOT is non-responsive to emails and voice mails" is much more to the point.

If I am being a PITA, please express your opinion...
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Topic Headlines-Please!

Reply #1 –
Peter, agreed. It makes it so much eaiser to search.

We followed subject line protocols. This may be more than the group does but, monkey see monkey do. In other words if longer term forum members had some kind of method it would be a good example for us all.  BEST FOR TECHNICAL ISSUES

Yr, model, issue

94 u280, furnace won't start  94, u280, generator wont start

My intent here is not directive just dialogue ^.^d
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Topic Headlines-Please!

Reply #2 –
Good point. I wonder if a system of "Tags" could work? Wise people could make a suggested list of Tags to choose from?
Search function probably not set up for that.
Does the Search find terms in the body of a post or just in the Subject?
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: Topic Headlines-Please!

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Dick S –
Good point. I wonder if a system of "Tags" could work? Wise people could make a suggested list of Tags to choose from?
Search function probably not set up for that.
Does the Search find terms in the body of a post or just in the Subject?
It is much more than for searches. Most of us have a limited amount of time to scroll thru new Forum topics. If the subject is not descriptive it may not be opened and an answer might not come. Most people don't look at every thread and only open topics that are relevant to them or they can help someone with. Without a descriptive topic it usually means it is not important. Give them a good reason to open it. 8)
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Topic Headlines-Please!

Reply #4 –
I am, no doubt, guilty of this. Coming at one time from the world of broadcast journalism, I am used to writing teasers designed to get the viewer to stick around for the story, much in the same way some newspaper headlines work.

At the same time, occasionally I am not really sure what the subject is. I start out with one question, and before I know it I have asked a few others.

I do wonder, however, whether the reverse might also be true. A reader actually going into a thread because he or she wasn't quite sure what it was, reading a bit of it, and deciding to make a comment when they might well have passed by the thread if the subject was specific. Sometimes that leads to the thread moving into a different direction. Several of my threads have done this, usually resulting in a much more interesting (to me, at least) discussion.

Having said all of that, I will certainly try to do better.
Walt Huntsman
Boise, Idaho
no Foretravel (yet)
2007 Alpenlite Voyager 31RE
2006 Ford F-350 DRW

Re: Topic Headlines-Please!

Reply #5 –
If it's within a week or so of posting, I think the original poster can edit their post and change the topic title (similarly, if you forget something in a post you can go back and edit the post).

Past that a moderator can edit the title.  We do try to keep up with them but sometimes there's a delay.

Similarly we can split topics if a second, unrelated discussion develops in a thread.  One of the software upgrades we will get (if I understand correctly) will be the ability to quote a post in one thread but start a new topic using that quote.  That will be a huge help to us moderators ^.^d
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Topic Headlines-Please!

Reply #6 –
Also every 'signature' should note first name, coach model, year, length & engine model. This allows one to reply with appropriate answer.

Searching Foreforums previously posted topics may offer a complete detailed answer to the current question. Use 'Advanced Search' option to better pinpoint the problem. I see questions that have been answered recently. And a search on FORETRAVEL Motorhomes service and Repair Information often yields wonderful detailed photo supported results.

Re: Topic Headlines-Please!

Reply #7 –
One forum I belong to has a headline " SEARCH OLDER POSTS FIRST ", makes sense, it is old enough forum that most solutions have already been found.
Gary B