Feedback on New Community Layout

[RyanWithWiim]

In the previous feedback thread we talked about consolidating some boards and I'd like to get your feedback on what we've come up with. Our goal is to make the board more new user friendly, easier to find information, and to eliminate questions on where to post threads, as we see a lot of things posted in the wrong board. The "General Thoughts for WiiM" board tends to be a catch all, and we'd like to make it more obvious what to post where.

Here's the general process breakdown:

1. Consolidate Troubleshooting boards: Create a category called "Ask the Community" with a new "Getting Set Up" board. We'll then implement tagging threads by product or issue and merge all troubleshooting forums into a single "Troubleshooting" board.
2. Streamline Product Discussion: Create a new "Product Discussion" category, merging product-specific forums into:
   • WiiM Devices
   • WiiM Features
   • WiiM Home App
   • Feature Requests
   • Music Services
   • Smart Home Integration
3. Remove Redundant Categories: Delete empty product categories.
4. Simplify Music Services: Merge music service boards together and implement tags or prefixes for services.
5. Remove WiiM Remote Category: Move threads to relevant forums with Tags or into the Remote subform in WiiM Devices.

In a simplified form, here's what this all means for the overall layout. Keep in mind, we'll be using Tags and Prefixes to help organize larger boards. The order of boards and subforums is up for moving around, as is the order of categories, so please share feedback on that too.

What we need from you?
1. Do you think anything is missing from the new structure?
2. Does this look more straightforward?
3. Any feedback you want to share?

Category	Forum	Sub forums
WiiM Updates & News
	General WiiM Announcements
	WiiM App & Firmware Updates
		WiiM Amp Firmware Updates
		WiiM Amp Pro Firmware Updates
		WiiM Edition Audio Pro Firmware Updates
		WiiM Home App Updates
		WiiM Mini Firmware Updates
		WiiM Pro Firmware Updates
		WiiM Pro Plus Firmware Updates
		WiiM Ultra Firmware Updates
Ask the Community
	Getting Set Up
	Troubleshooting
Product Discussion
	WiiM Devices	Amps Streamers Speakers Remote
	WiiM Features
	WiiM Home App
	Feature Requests
	Music Services
	Smart Home Integration
Beta Testing
	Beta Testing New Features
Community Lounge
	Introduce Yourself/Your WiiM Setup
	Community Spotlight
	Forum Feedback & Suggestions
	Let's Talk Music
	Off-Topic

 

[Wiimer]

In the previous feedback thread we talked about consolidating some boards and I'd like to get your feedback on what we've come up with. Our goal is to make the board more new user friendly, easier to find information, and to eliminate questions on where to post threads, as we see a lot of things posted in the wrong board. The "General Thoughts for WiiM" board tends to be a catch all, and we'd like to make it more obvious what to post where.

Here's the general process breakdown:

1. Consolidate Troubleshooting boards: Create a category called "Ask the Community" with a new "Getting Set Up" board. We'll then implement tagging threads by product or issue and merge all troubleshooting forums into a single "Troubleshooting" board.
2. Streamline Product Discussion: Create a new "Product Discussion" category, merging product-specific forums into:
   • WiiM Devices
   • WiiM Features
   • WiiM Home App
   • Feature Requests
   • Music Services
   • Smart Home Integration
3. Remove Redundant Categories: Delete empty product categories.
4. Simplify Music Services: Merge music service boards together and implement tags or prefixes for services.
5. Remove WiiM Remote Category: Move threads to relevant forums with Tags or into the Remote subform in WiiM Devices.

In a simplified form, here's what this all means for the overall layout. Keep in mind, we'll be using Tags and Prefixes to help organize larger boards. The order of boards and subforums is up for moving around, as is the order of categories, so please share feedback on that too.

What we need from you?
1. Do you think anything is missing from the new structure?
2. Does this look more straightforward?
3. Any feedback you want to share?

Category	Forum	Sub forums
WiiM Updates & News
	General WiiM Announcements
	WiiM App & Firmware Updates
		WiiM Amp Firmware Updates
		WiiM Amp Pro Firmware Updates
		WiiM Edition Audio Pro Firmware Updates
		WiiM Home App Updates
		WiiM Mini Firmware Updates
		WiiM Pro Firmware Updates
		WiiM Pro Plus Firmware Updates
		WiiM Ultra Firmware Updates
Ask the Community
	Getting Set Up
	Troubleshooting
Product Discussion
	WiiM Devices	Amps Streamers Speakers Remote
	WiiM Features
	WiiM Home App
	Feature Requests
	Music Services
	Smart Home Integration
Beta Testing
	Beta Testing New Features
Community Lounge
	Introduce Yourself/Your WiiM Setup
	Community Spotlight
	Forum Feedback & Suggestions
	Let's Talk Music
	Off-Topic

Hi,

I assume the category [Ask the Community] integrates all device questions, if a device selection form could be added on top of the text form, it would make it clearer which device question is being asked.
(Not sure if such a modification is possible...)

 

[RyanWithWiim]

Hi,

I assume the category [Ask the Community] integrates all device questions, if a device selection form could be added on top of the text form, it would make it clearer which device question is being asked.
(Not sure if such a modification is possible...)

We have two options there, prefixes and tags. Either one of them can be mandated. Prefixes show up at the beginning of a thread and are very visible, they're also selected from a dropdown menu when creating a post. Tags are less visible and have to be typed in, no dropdown, and therefore a bit of guesswork to find the correct tag for new users.

Tags are a little less intuitive, but cleaner.
Prefixes are more clear, but might be better used for other things than the product name. For example, prefixes could be:

• Device: Prefixes for WiiM devices (e.g., WiiM Amp, WiiM Ultra)
• Topic: Prefixes for broad topics (e.g., Troubleshooting, Feature Requests)
• Status: Prefixes for thread status (e.g., Solved, In Progress, Feedback Wanted)

 

[Wiimer]

We have two options there, prefixes and tags. Either one of them can be mandated. Prefixes show up at the beginning of a thread and are very visible, they're also selected from a dropdown menu when creating a post. Tags are less visible and have to be typed in, no dropdown, and therefore a bit of guesswork to find the correct tag for new users.

Tags are a little less intuitive, but cleaner.
Prefixes are more clear, but might be better used for other things than the product name. For example, prefixes could be:

• Device: Prefixes for WiiM devices (e.g., WiiM Amp, WiiM Ultra)
• Topic: Prefixes for broad topics (e.g., Troubleshooting, Feature Requests)
• Status: Prefixes for thread status (e.g., Solved, In Progress, Feedback Wanted)

I think it would be reasonable to add a drop-down menu with a "device name" prefix and make it a required field if all device issue questions are to be consolidated into the troubleshooting forum.

Unless I am mistaken in my perception, I believe this is the same format as the WHA feedback form. However, I feel that the "Choose type" of feedback has too many options and makes it difficult to find the appropriate one.

Edit:
Sorry, I may not understand how prefixes are displayed on the forum...

 

[RyanWithWiim]

I think it would be reasonable to add a drop-down menu with a "device name" prefix and make it a required field if all device issue questions are to be consolidated into the troubleshooting forum.

Unless I am mistaken in my perception, I believe this is the same format as the WHA feedback form. However, I feel that the "Choose type" of feedback has too many options and makes it difficult to find the appropriate one.

Edit:
Sorry, I may not understand how prefixes are displayed on the forum...

That's what the "new thread" window it would look like with some sample prefixes.

 

[QuarryHunslet]

I am quite familiar with thread prefixes, and they could be very useful to identify particular WiiM devices. Would the different colours be used to help identify a device, rather than just looking at the text description?

I don't know anything about tags, but would they be visible in the thread title, and who would decide which tags were appropriate for a particular thread?

Another identifier used on other forums would be to put the product in [ ] at the start of the thread title.

[Amp] [Amp Pro] [Mini] [Pro] [Pro Plus] [Ultra]

This would leave prefixes available for other uses.

I still feel that the individual threads should be placed in appropriate sub forums, rather than all being jumbled together, it makes it so much easier to find relevant information on a particular device.

 

[RyanWithWiim]

I am quite familiar with thread prefixes, and they could be very useful to identify particular WiiM devices. Would the different colours be used to help identify a device, rather than just looking at the text description?

I don't know anything about tags, but would they be visible in the thread title, and who would decide which tags were appropriate for a particular thread?

Another identifier used on other forums would be to put the product in [ ] at the start of the thread title.

[Amp] [Amp Pro] [Mini] [Pro] [Pro Plus] [Ultra]

This would leave prefixes available for other uses.

I still feel that the individual threads should be placed in appropriate sub forums, rather than all being jumbled together, it makes it so much easier to find relevant information on a particular device.

That sort of identifier might be good, but it's hard to get new users to follow, so it'd take some more heavy handed moderation. Though we could always encourage it and hopefully it gets picked up with time. I've added a tag to this thread so you can see what it looks like.

 

[Mr Ee]

I like that the Getting Set Up forum isn't called Getting Setup.
How is this different from Troubleshooting? Is it just initial troubleshooting when someone first gets a device?

Where would the questions from people asking which product(s) is most suitable for their situation go? I'd have though Ask The Community, but it seems constrained to solving issues, not asking general, non device specific questions.
Have I misunderstood what Getting Set Up is for?

 

[RyanWithWiim]

I like that the Getting Set Up forum isn't called Getting Setup.
How is this different from Troubleshooting? Is it just initial troubleshooting when someone first gets a device?

Where would the questions from people asking which product(s) is most suitable for their situation go? I'd have though Ask The Community, but it seems constrained to solving issues, not asking general, non device specific questions.
Have I misunderstood what Getting Set Up is for?

I've seen a lot of "What should I get" or "I have this receiver/system what do I need" type questions, along with first time configuration. That was my intent with that board. Kind of a catch all early question board for people who need a little extra help. I'm definitely open to renaming things though, so if you think there's any names that aren't self-explanatory, let me know!

 

[Mr Ee]

names that aren't self-explanatory, let me know

Getting Set Up

To me, this reads as asking for advice when setiting up a new wiim device, not so much asking about how a wiim might be integrated into an existing setup.
Good luck coming up with a short yet descriptive title!!

 

[Smartplug]

I've seen a lot of "What should I get" or "I have this receiver/system what do I need" type questions, along with first time configuration. That was my intent with that board. Kind of a catch all early question board for people who need a little extra help. I'm definitely open to renaming things though, so if you think there's any names that aren't self-explanatory, let me know!

On each user name you will see on bottom major contributor and others lower than that. I think it would be good idea to categorize them based how long they been wiim members. Many users just started then in couple of week because they keep posting they become a major contributors. For many of us being here since the forum started years ago should get us to legend.

 

[RyanWithWiim]

On each user name you will see on bottom major contributor and others lower than that. I think it would be good idea to categorize them based how long they been wiim members. Many users just started then in couple of week because they keep posting they become a major contributors. For many of us being here since the forum started years ago should get us to legend.

Agreed! There's definitely some work to do on the leveling system.

 

[harkpabst]

Another identifier used on other forums would be to put the product in [ ] at the start of the thread title.

[Amp] [Amp Pro] [Mini] [Pro] [Pro Plus] [Ultra]

This would leave prefixes available for other uses.

I think the prefix feature of XenForo actually developed from these square bracket identifiers. They make me feel very 2000, to be honest.

Prefixes can be enforced (if desired), which makes them more powerful from my point of view.

I still feel that the individual threads should be placed in appropriate sub forums, rather than all being jumbled together, it makes it so much easier to find relevant information on a particular device.

Personally, I'm rather with you, but experience shows that users don't pay much attention anyway. And as the number of sub-forums increases, so does the number of posts created in the "wrong" sub-forum.

At least for troubleshooting and feature request threads I'd probably like to see a mandatory prefix. I guess they could be used for advanced search or maybe even filtering. And no, that won't keep anybody from asking for help in "Let's Talk Music", I know.

I've seen a lot of "What should I get" or "I have this receiver/system what do I need" type questions, along with first time configuration. That was my intent with that board.

Just like @Mr Ee I didn't catch that intention prior to your explanation (which does make sense to me).

Agreed! There's definitely some work to do on the leveling system.

Not the most important thing to address if you're asking me, but the current steps from "New Member" to "Major Contributor" are a bit fast, indeed. The forum has surely grown sufficiently to justify a reconfiguration.

However, just the amount of time elapsed since registration is probably not the best metric one could think of. Some kind of "activity index" or the ratio of positive reactions to the number of postings could possibly make a better foundation.

I'm aware that the latter is not something everyone likes to see in a "social media environment" and right now there's no such thing as positive reactions (but just reactions). I'm just thinking out loud.

 

[Smartplug]

@RyanWithWiim maybe similar to this https://emotivalounge.proboards.com/

 

[Wiimer]

I've seen a lot of "What should I get" or "I have this receiver/system what do I need" type questions, along with first time configuration. That was my intent with that board. Kind of a catch all early question board for people who need a little extra help. I'm definitely open to renaming things though, so if you think there's any names that aren't self-explanatory, let me know!

.... My idea.

--------------------------------
Category

• Ask the Community

Forum​

• Ask before buy
• Ask set up
• Ask device issues
• Other Questions
• Troubleshooting (Solved)

--------------------------------

You will roughly divide the question category into about four forums. You could introduce a different prefix for each forum.

The Troubleshooting forum should be an area where general users cannot post. Only users with editing privileges will use here. Threads that have been resolved in the other 4 forums can be moved (or copied) here and edited as needed.

But the moderator will be busy..

 

[Smartplug]

.... My idea.

--------------------------------
Category

• Ask the Community

Forum​

• Ask before buy
• Ask set up
• Ask device issues
• Ask others
• Troubleshooting (Solved)

--------------------------------

You will roughly divide the question category into about four forums. You could introduce a different prefix for each forum.

The Troubleshooting forum should be an area where general users cannot post. Only users with editing privileges will use here. Threads that have been resolved in the other 4 forums can be moved (or copied) here and edited as needed.

But the moderator will be busy..

Category:

Mini
Pro
Pro plus
Amp
Ultra

Updates:
Firmware
App

I will make each category as folder with corresponding name. At the very top there’s a highlight new then click the user name it will take you there. This will make it organize.

 

[Wiimer]

Category:

Mini
Pro
Pro plus
Amp
Ultra

That is not much different from the current categorization, and I believe that every time there are more devices, there will be a need for more categories.

 

[Smartplug]

That is not much different from the current categorization, and I believe that every time there are more devices, there will be a need for more categories.

The current form when you open wiim forum they are all over the place. Having their own dedicated category will make it neat. So if new user has question on ultra this user can click ultra and begin posting there.

 

[RyanWithWiim]

The current form when you open wiim forum they are all over the place. Having their own dedicated category will make it neat. So if new user has question on ultra this user can click ultra and begin posting there.

I'm with Wiimer about not loving the idea of adding more categories every time we add a new product. The Audio Pro WiiM Editions are out now, I'm hesitant to give them each a category, or merge them into one.

We're also seeing cases where someone has a question but they don't know what product to ask it about? This also is the case for multiple WiiM devices, or where the device itself isn't all that pertinent to the question being asked.

They breakdown of subforums for discussion of Amps, Streamers, Speakers, and Remote give us sections for discussion without needing to over complicate the forums with new boards.

 

[Wiimer]

If I am not mistaken, the primary purpose of this thread is to make it easier for new members, WiiM beginners, and audio beginners to participate without getting lost in the forum. As a result, it will also be user-friendly for the members who answer questions on a daily basis.

Therefore, it is desirable to keep the "entrance" as simple and fixed as possible, so that those who ask questions do not have to think about unnecessary things and do not have to do unnecessary work.

Also, questions from beginners often lack necessary information, requiring the respondent to ask the question repeatedly. This makes threads unnecessarily long. It would be better if some solution could be found to prevent this.

Don't worry about it. That was my morning soliloquy.