Forum Feedback Which online conversation format do you prefer?

[Renegade]

The way we have conversations on forums has not changed a lot on the forum software since the inception of forums. vBulletin tried something different with a major redesign, several years ago, but the software itself was so flawed that the concept itself did not take off. So I am at the stage where I need to take this decision and I thought of checking what is the general opinion. Hope to get unbiased and thought through answers.

So lets look at the various options:

Option 1 - Conversation with only one level of nesting for each post if there is a reply/quote
Examples - StackOverFlow, Facebook, Youtube
Pro - keeps the main conversation in context and any off topic discussions can happen in the branch
Cons - Can't think of any as of now, so personally leaning towards this model

Thread
- post 1
-- reply 1
-- reply 2
-- reply 3
- post 2
- post 3
-- reply 1
-- reply 2



Option 2 - Conversations with deeply nested replies for each post
Examples - Reddit, Quora
Pro - Conversations are deeply nested and the context is followed down the nested tree
Cons - Can become a nightmare to navigate with multiple levels of nesting

Thread
- post 1
-- reply 1
--- reply 2
---- reply 3
----- reply 4
------ reply 5
- post 2
- post 3
-- reply 1
--- reply 2




Option 3 - Single flowing thread with quote/multiquote replies and posts
Example - TechEnclave or any forum software out there
Pro - Old school style which has been in use for over 20 years
Cons - A thread can get derailed with multiple off topic conversations happening simultaneously OR users completely avoid small talk so as not to derail the thread

Thread
- post 1
- reply 1
- reply 2
- reply 3
- reply 4
- reply 5
- post 2
- post 3
- reply 6
- reply 7

No screenshot needed

 

[logistopath]

Option 2 is the worst of the lot. Both options 1 and 3 are good enough, although my personal preference would be option 1.

 

[puns]

Option 1 is the better. The fact we can participate in comments that we want to, also considering number of likes and dislikes plays a role.
The only problem I see is multiple good comments having their own bubble of discussions so there is no singular flow and it kind of creates silos based on individual discussion area.

Option 2 works for reddit but not as a forum alternate. large discussions get lost and UI/UX is just not worth for discussions.

Option 3 though outdated works because it keeps the flow going as long as people dont derail like you said. For an active forum, needs lot of time to moderate or keep things in check. 2nd best option after Option 1.

 

[john1911]

Option 1 would be the best IMO. Can the replies be quoted in Option 1?

 

[rdst_1]

I am guessing Option 1,despite being probably the best, is not going to be supported by Tapatalk. So I would like to stick with the current method.
My participation in forums decreases if they aren't available on Tapatalk. For example, I was regularly reading and replying on TeamBHP till their app was somehow supported. But since the app stopped working, I haven't visited in months. The ability to view forums the way Tapatalk does, is extremely important for me.

 

[Renegade]

Option 1 would be the best IMO. Can the replies be quoted in Option 1?

It can be done technically. I don’t think it’s needed though coz the replies will always be in context of the post to which they belong.

I am guessing Option 1,despite being probably the best, is not going to be supported by Tapatalk.

Whichever option we go with, will not be supported by Tapatalk. Its only works for standard forum software. Not on custom platforms.

 

[rdst_1]

Whichever option we go with, will not be supported by Tapatalk. Its only works for standard forum software. Not on custom platforms.

Is there any way that this aspect of Tapatalk can be implemented in either the current version or the future version where the 'New Posts' page, also shows a preview of the last post made in that thread instead of just listing the thread that it does right now. Our mobile version of the site is extremely usable and I only use Tapatalk because of that preview because it allows me to decide whether to open the thread or not. I guess even Facebook shows a preview of such replies.

 

[kuduku]

option 1

 

[SunnyBoi]

I like the way things are i.e., Option 3. With Option 1, someone bringing up new comments gets buried down below and will almost never be visible, while only the most popular comment thread stays afloat

 

[Renegade]

A new comment will always bring up the thread. A new reply may have the problem that you mentioned. But the reply will be for a comment and the participants will get notified of the reply.

 

[SunnyBoi]

A new comment will always bring up the thread. A new reply may have the problem that you mentioned. But the reply will be for a comment and the participants will get notified of the reply.

As long as such parameters can be configured, I wouldnt mind experimenting and see which setting and if Option 1 would work out well

 

[Renegade]

Yeah so I was thinking in the morning that we can keep both option 1 and 3 and let users select between them at any time. Only compromise would be that there won’t be a capability to do multiquote and double post merge. Each reply will have to be distinct. Don’t think that should be a problem as I feel that multiquote is a clunky user experience and not used much. Blr_p wont be happy though.

 

[Santa Maria!]

It would be an interesting graph plot... As the userbase tends towards 'massive', option 2 starts to make sense with so many voices needing dedicated chains of sub-conversations. But for these little (or even big) forums, option 1/3 suffice.

 

[Kaleen Bhaiya]

Option 1.
Imo, Option 2 looks the worst and it becomes really messy and difficult to follow which reply corresponds to which. Also a reason why I don't use reddit.

 

[JMak]

Option 1

 

[vyral_143]

Option 1 and/or 3

 

[kartikoli]

Option 1 and 3, Definitely not Option 2