Topics

[ttfn]

Would it be a good idea to have the Topics permanently opened?

I am sure that not all ABers (especially new ones) realise that by clicking on Topics will open all sub divisions.

Such a move should assist more people in choosing the right category to post their questions.

[factor-fiction]

That would help in some ways- for example in showing that there is a Crossword category. But for those headings which have subtopics the main heading would become redundant- for example within Jobs and Education we have a Jobs subtopic and an Education subtopic. And in Q&P we'd need a new subtopic of Quizzes

[rowanwitch]

or the + /- symbols as that is a fairly well known way of indicating there are hidden parts of a menu

[vivandorron]

ttfn...I feel you have submitted a good idea and both factor30 and rowanwitch have put forward suggestions which could make it work.

It was a long time before I realised that clicking 'Topics' would reveal the full list.

Wonder what the Ed has to say on the matter.?

Ron.

[rowanwitch]

I didn'y know that either... I was just clicking on the subheadings

[marval]

I have learnt something new, I didn't know you could do that. It is very useful.

[Psybbo]

Thank you ttfn, I didn't know that

[vivandorron]

This thread is becoming very 'topical'. !!

I do hope the Ed says something.

Ron.

[TheOtherHalf]

I always click on topics first to be able to find geneology section

[Canary42]

I agree.

[shooty]

i was thinking along the same lines. this is how i found this thread. would it be possible to put a box above the search bar. stating what category the user is in now. as i find myself scrolling backwards and forwards to see if i am posting in the correct place.

[boxtops]

This was suggested before, ttfn, but I cant remember the outcome (obviously not favourable) but I think it's a really good idea.

[shooty]

this is an oldish blog boxtops. but i thought i would add to it. like yourself and others, i think it would be a good idea

[jno]

shooty, the topic you are in is highlighted in dark grey... ok, lowlighted might be a better word... but it's nto hard to see.

Yes, maybe at the very least it should say "Topics - Click here for full list" or something like that.

[Robinia]

In ye olde dayes gone bye clicking Topics showed all and stayed that way until you clicked it again. Closing automatically is a nuisance sometimes.

[ttfn]

But if one is not aware of this 'facility' how would one know to click on 'Topics' in the first place?

I guess Ed doesn't care for the suggestion then, boxy. I didn't realise I was repeating something.

I shall have an early night, in that case.

[shooty]

jno, i am aware of the listings. just thought it might be an idea for ease of use. i've got quite addicted to AB in the short time i've been using it, so i am now semi familliar with it. but as a newby, i did find navigation a little (and i do mean little) bit hard. i also saw other newbies being told by the peers that they're posting in the wrong place and have you searched before you post. so on and so on. this could be a little off putting for newbies when peer pressure comes into play. so ease of navigation is my suggestion for the day. anyway, it was just a thought.

[sunny-dave]

Not keen on Topics - more of a Snickers sort of chap ...

[shooty]

you want to watch it sunny D. you'lll end up with a bounty on your head

[jno]

as I recall the objection to showing them all was that there were too many of them, so the initial list is reduced to what you can fit on an average screen.

Maybe the number could be reduced? Do we still need a separate section for horse brasses?

[ttfn]

Compare that answer with the placement of the 'Contact Us' link and the objection hardly holds water. As my average screen shows currently the Topics list goes to Insurance. No big deal then.