A few months ago, I talked about implementing a tag system to allow people to group topics according to their interests. (I think the original conversation was about separate sections for EQ and for longarm quilters.)

I thought about it for a while, but I couldn't think of a good way to implement it. Every approach I came up with seemed to be too awkward and not useful at all.

So I'm thinking about giving up on the idea of implementing a tag system.

Instead, I want to try a concept of virtual sections.

Just like the forum has "real" sections like Main, Pictures, Swaps, etc.

We would also have user-defined sections.

So when a person makes a new topic, they would still do it in one of the sections on the board, but at the same time, they would be able to include the newly created topic into one of the virtual sections.

And others would be able to browse those virtual sections to see a listing of any new topics in virtual sections they deem to be of interest.

The board would still work as it does now, and all topics would be visible under their respective "real" sections. But at the same time it would be possible to form "collections" of related topics for quick navigation.

What do you think?

say what? or maybe, huh?

That went over my head but than I'm not a "techie"! Maybe some others will understand!

BTW: you do a great job on here, keeping all us on the "straight and narrow" and organized. It has got to be a tough job! Thanks :-D

So, being able to look up topics by other types - an Applique type, a Long Arm type, etc? Just another way to categorize and search more efficiently? I think this is a great idea...

love the idea!!
Rose Hall

as i don't understand it, what you're saying is that virtually .....

Well, let me explain what I mean.

Over time, I was asked to add more sections to the board.
And it looks like there is simply an unlimited way for people to group discussions according to narrow, specific interests.

It could be something specific to longarm machines, or something specific to electric quilt software, or something specific to some local area, or some event, etc.

Creating sections for each and every common topic of interest isn't possible.

With virtual sections, it might be possible to achieve what some people wanted without fragmenting the board.

Let's take longarm machines for example.

Someone posts a question about a specific model of a longarm machine (whatever brand). That topic would be created in the Main section of the board. At the same time, the author would be able to add the topic to the virtual section "longarm machines".

Later, someone else posts pictures of her newsly ordered longarm machine. That topic would go into the Pictures section. But at the same time, she could add it to the "longarm machines" virtual section too.


After that, yet another person who has interest in longarm machines, would be able to browse that virtual section and quickly find both the topic with a question and the topic with the pictures.

That's basically the core idea.

Does this example explain it better?

yes it does and I think it is a GREAT IDEA! That way you don't have to seach for a topic if someone put it on main and there like your example the longarm. WOW!!! YOU ARE GOOD!!
BillsBonBon

OK, now I understand! Sounds like a nifty and time saving idea. -D :-D

I think it's a wonderful idea!