b Rating:
>1 = crucial, from the beginning
>2 = wanted, can be added later
>3 = wished, added pleasure
b WANTED, EITHER AS DEFAULT OR PREFERENCE(S), NOT REQUIRING CLICKING SOMETHING REPEATEDLY:
b IN THE THREADS:
b 1a)
A minimum waste of space on anything but name of poster and time of posting, in other words a minimalist format with as much actual posting as possible, preferably one liner headings;
b 1b)
The ability to view all posts in minimalist format;
b 1c)
The ability to archive the whole thread in minimalist format.
b 2)
Easy linking to images, both on external sites and within the forum structure.
b 3a)
The option of a request to keep the thread afloat/turn it into a FAQ;
b 3b)
The option of reporting spam and other things.
b IN THE FORUM TOPIC LIST:
b 1a)
A minimum waste of space on anything but title of thread and flagging, in other words a minimalist format, preferably one liners without unnecessary leading, increased leading preferably being a preference option;
b 1b)
Flagging of new thread/posts;
b 1c)
General instructions placed at the top of all forum lists, standing out as a signpost: WELCOME, READ THIS FIRST linking to a page including (links to) subjects such as:
>How To Get Help Quickly;
>How to format messages;
>How to post images;
>How to quote context;
>How to search;
>& other subjects relevant to newbies, and sometimes to oldies.
b 2)
Discernible colouring of threads already read.
b 3)
Flagging of threads with own contributions.
b IN GENERAL
(just stating (some of) the obvious):
b 1a)
A long term archive;
b 1b)
A working search function, following the poster back in time, rather than the threads, applicable to the thread, the forum, and the whole site, with the forum as default as now;
b 1c)
An easy formatting, with instructions, preferably in the WELCOME part.
b NOT WANTED:
Irrelevant/doubtful non minimalist information, including:
b 1a)
Forum status: others have used derogatory, and fully justified, words about this;
b 1b)
Total number of post in all forums: if anything, let it be total number of posts in the forum in question which is the only way to possibly hint anything about usefulness (corresponding to the present option of searching the name within the same forum);
b 1c)
Marking of answers to OP: sometimes there are different relevant and correct answers, sometimes there are partial/conditional answers, sometimes there are answers to follow up questions by the OP/others, all of which may escape the target group of the marking, often new readers;
b 1d)
Extensive self presentation/promotion: the greatest possible amount of information should be placed within the user profile, clickable from any post;
b 1e)
Extensive whodunnit information about threads in the forum list: the subject is what matters.