TheSkySearchers

Out of interest, how do you use the forum?
Do you start at the Main Index?
Do you look at specific forums that relate to your kit?
Or, do you (like me) start with the 'new posts' list?

Or something else?

I check out new post. Then active post, then any topic that looks interesting.
Best regards.

As one of the administrators, I start out with notifications then over to the board index and work my way down.

Cheers,
JT

I star with new posts. Then astrophotography.

Steve

I start with unread posts. It shows all new posts and also updates on older posts which I have not read yet. If I do it on daily basis it covers all new content. If I was away for a few days, I check the sections of interest after checking unread posts.

New post, pretty much to help anyone with a new thread post quickly or to go on with an ongoing one.

Would be great if it's an astro image somone posted to show a thumb nail, miss the little things. I think the forum index could be a little different, I'll have another look through it

yobbo89 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2019 8:02 pm
Would be great if it's an astro image somone posted to show a thumb nail, miss the little things.

Ditto, those thumb nails were nice to have.

Steve

I always start on the main index page, and look at the forums that have new posts indicated.

smp

I start with the notifications list looking for "replies".

I a start with the Board Index, check my notifications all the time by refreshing the page. As an admin, there is usually something to do, approve posts, authenticate users, and so forth.

New post

Active Posts

Unread posts, for the same reason as Bigzmey And yeah, a little thumbnail in the AP section would be cool...

I check notifications first looking for new members that need activating and new posts approved. I also look for any replies or mentions that may need a response.

After that, I utilize the Unread Posts list to start reading. I start at the bottom (oldest) and work my way to the latest.

With TSS, I only need two tabs open. One for the main forum browsing and the other for admin purposes.

With AF, I had one tab for forum browsing, one tab for post approvals and ban hammer, one tab for an IP verification service, another for spammer blacklists, another for watching new signups as a quick way to hammer spammers, another for my PM inbox. During the height of the last bot war, I could have up to 30 or 40 browser tabs going during a systematic hammering from a list of spammers. Wack-a-mole!

Depends how much time I have.......

I always start with notifications to see if there is anything I need to respond to in threads in which I have made contributions.

Next I usually scan photos, astronomy reports and beginners.

Then I might check the index glance down active posts & check into DIY corner.

I don't look at telescope forums much mainly because I have a strange collection of equipment - two ATM reflectors, a Vixen Cass and a Takahashi EQ mount and don't have experience with the more common equipment that people often ask about.

Joe

Thanks all for your responses.

Of course, I'm aware that this won't be seen by people who predominantly stick to their favourite forums (I doubt there are many who go first to the 'Forum Tips' threads).
It's as comprehensive a way of finding how readers use the forum as Kepler and Tess are at finding exoplanets!

But thanks.

I start by going through the Welcome section then work my way down the board.
Must have a look at the New Posts.

I always start with the new posts.

I start with "New Posts" and then check any notifications that have shown up. If I'm feeling really ambitious, I will then go to the "unread posts" but that doesn't happen to often.

Bob

New posts. Then searches if I am looking for something specific.