Ambiguous forum titles

[Abnegation]

I noticed a change today whereby "Community Support & Feedback" as well as "The Welcome Lounge" were changed to non-descriptive titles. This leaves PC with 6 forums where the actual forum title doesn't tell the user what kind of content is posted in the section: Main Street, City Hall, The Treehouse, The Underground, The Playground and The Round Table.

If you're a persistent user and are familiar with the layout these changes are primarily aesthetic and probably wont cause too much hassle. Admittedly I would personally rather PC used a consistent naming convention and descriptive forum titles that distinguish boards properly. However for new users this is a pain and makes getting used to the layout a lot more difficult. Instead of being able to automatically distinguish by eye what each forum is, a new user now has 5 paragraphs of text to read across 5 ambiguously titled forums, and needs to distinguish those by memory. Whereas for (almost) every other forum section there is a forum title that does the work for them. A section shouldn't rely solely on its forum description for a user to understand what it's used for.

I get the idea of giving sections naming themes since it gives the forum character, I also understand that this is a fun, cute thing to do and doesn't bother the majority of current users. That said the problem is that it diminishes a chunk of navigation usability and creates inconsistency among naming conventions. This can really deter a new user from easily getting to know the forum better or even posting a new welcome thread.

tl;dr these naming conventions are

'ing confusing man, especially for new users.

 

[Nah]

I'm fine with the names for the most part, but I do think that something as important as Community Feedback & Support should be Community Feedback & Support and not City Hall or some such name. It's one thing if people aren't immediately aware that the Round Table is our discussion/debate section, but it's another if they're not immediately aware of which section is the one they go to to ask questions necessary to their forum experience and offer valuable suggestions/feedback.

Kind of would like TWL to stay TWL but it seems that they're expanding the purpose of that section so....

 

[Abnegation]

Ah yes, I'd like to make it abundantly clear that the purpose of my feedback is to target the changes made in the "Community Square".

Kind of would like TWL to stay TWL but it seems that they're expanding the purpose of that section so....

I reckon that anywhere where a user can provide feedback should be self-explanatory in terms of its naming for obvious reasons, while the same should be said for the location in which new users introduce themselves.

As for what TWL is becoming, it's still not descriptive even if there is going to be " events, get togethers, member spotlights, and other cool stuff". Furthermore it's quite unorganised (and once again, confusing) to change a forum's name and say that it will be going through changes over time. To me it would have made much more sense to roll out the forum's new ethos, name, stickies and so forth all at once so it was all encompassed in one change rather than a grouping of staggered ones. It becomes harder for a user to get to grips with what exactly is happening. There's a name change and the explanation that there's further change but...now the forum is in limbo and new users won't automatically know where to post welcome threads.

I'd give the forum a quick flick back to The Welcome Lounge until it's actually ready to roll out the new changes, while discussing giving the forum a more clear name so that new users aren't stuck fumbling around trying to see where they can post introduction threads.

$0.02

I think you're underestimating the human memory haha;

I think you're underestimating the centuries of history there is in UX design. User experience is like a joke, if you have to explain it, it's not that good.

 

[Logan]

I completely disagree. If you're a new user you would just check the description of each section before you post, you would read the rules and make sure you don't break them. (All of this would happen in a perfect world)

I think you're wrong there I'm afraid. 99% of users will not read the rules when they first join and that is a fact. People do not check the description before they post, this is evidenced pretty obviously when you go to CQ+F and there's a ROM Hacking thread in there. In fact, I have never read any of the forum descriptions. Whenever I do anything at work we always say you should plan for worst case scenario. After all it is not a perfect world.

I can understand the ambiguous names of the off-topic discussions forums but it doesn't really make much sense elsewhere in my opinion.

 

[Abnegation]

That's what I meant by (This would happen in a perfect world)

Most of those users who don't give a shit about descriptions or breaking the rules, do not stay in the forums. A new user that is planning to stay in the forums, will read the rules and will try not to break them.

Being completely honest with you, not even I have read the entirety of the rules and I was staff here for 5 years. So I don't think memorising paragraphs of text is an indication that a user is here to stay.

 

[gimmepie]

I mean, I don't think it's really as big a deal as you make it out to be. Every forum has a short and sweet description of what it actually is below its title that is easily noticed and viewed on the main index.

 

[Abnegation]

I mean, I don't think it's really as big a deal as you make it out to be. Every forum has a short and sweet description of what it actually is below its title that is easily noticed and viewed on the main index.

I don't believe I ever intended to make this seem like I considered it a big deal, I've actually made about 3 or 4 lame jokes in this thread to make it seem quite the opposite.

But User Experience is a legitimately important thing on the web and this naming convention goes against it quite significantly. Which is the point I made in the main post. If a forum title just holds a quirky name why have it at all? May as well replace the forum titles with pretty pictures and just leave descriptions.

 

[donavannj]

I can see the rationale behind the City Hall name (I mean, if you wanted something resolved in most cities I've been to, that's one of the places you would want to go to at least inquire about it), but that tells you nothing about what the forum is about, especially if you don't know what a city hall is or what purpose it serves.

 

[gimmepie]

I don't believe I ever intended to make this seem like I considered it a big deal, I've actually made about 3 or 4 lame jokes in this thread to make it seem quite the opposite.

But User Experience is a legitimately important thing on the web and this naming convention goes against it quite significantly. Which is the point I made in the main post. If a forum title just holds a quirky name why have it at all? May as well replace the forum titles with pretty pictures and just leave descriptions.

I didn't really mean to imply you personally set out to make a mountain out of a mole hill. I was more talking about how this is already turning into a big debate and it doesn't really need to. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[El Héroe Oscuro]

To me, the change from "The Welcome Lounge" to "Main Street" seems like a step backwards in terms of clearly defining what that particular forum is about. The good thing about the previous title was that it clearly dictated or referenced within the actual title what the forum would be about, and sequentially give users - especially new ones - an idea as to where to go to introduce themselves

Unfortunately, again in my opinion, I believe there is a lot of ambiguity centering around that name, which ultimately if that's the first forum that new users are going to shouldn't have any. I don't really care about whether or not themes are in place - City Hall actually makes sense to me - but Main Street seems like a forced name to fit in with the overall theme you are going with those and creates ambiguity as a result, which is why I think it's a step backwards in terms of branding. I don't have any alternatives to the name at this time I'm typing this message, but I'd like to suggest possibly mulling over a different name of you are sticking to this theme.

Just my two cents.

 

[Alex]

Yes, I think there's a bit more of a learning curve regarding these ambiguously titled forums. But, after a quick look around inside, you get the general idea behind the forum and its title. I don't think it's enough of an issue where we'll deter users from visiting PC. I think, in fact, these titles have a little more personality, and may, in the long run, keep users coming back.

Take for example the off-topic discussions. The Treehouse is a very fitting name, although a little confusing at first. Obviously, it's not a real treehouse. But, the discussions hosted in that forum are very well mirrored in what kids might do in a treehouse. They talk about nothing and everything. With that perspective, it's actually a very endearing name and is likely to have users visit often.

So, with that idea in mind, Main Street and City Hall are great names. There's a lot of personality there, and after taking a quick look around, you get the idea. It's not a huge puzzle. I think you're blowing the naming conventions out of proportion.

 

[Abnegation]

think, in fact, these titles have a little more personality, and may, in the long run, keep users coming back.

They talk about nothing and everything. With that perspective, it's actually a very endearing name and is likely to have users visit often.

I think you're blowing the naming conventions out of proportion.

I get what you're saying for the most part, and in terms of The Treehouse and the like the aesthetic is more relatable/forgiving. But for official forums like this I think they should be more clear, that's about it. It's a name, I don't think I'm blowing anything out of proportion for offering that feedback. It's important to cater for the lowest common denominator and for new users I don't think there should be a learning curve for introducing themselves or asking questions.

Anyway I'm satisfied that I've illustrated my point and I respect whatever the staff wish to do with the feedback.

 

[Alex]

yes

I think we just have very different opinions on how forums should be named. I don't think it's all that important to appeal to the lowest common denominator when it comes to forum titles.

 

[Klippy]

We are trying something new and we will learn from it regardless of what happens. We can't always be stagnant and we are going to adapt from how these new ideas do, successful or not.

Appreciate the feedback.

 

[Arylett Charnoa]

I'll just add my two cents on this.

I agree 150% with you, Abnegation, and found this to be a problem before the Welcome section was even changed. I'm not even a new member, but when I started trying to use the roleplay section, I've found myself constantly confusing the difference between "Casting" and "Stage." Perhaps this makes me kind of stupid or low in memory, but I've needed to think about some sections for a few more seconds before clicking on them. At a quick glance, without thinking, one should be able to tell what a section is. And now I'm just imagining what it would be like for a new member who might have the same problem... I think that when one creates a website, usability and clarity are the most important things that should be focused on. They are what make a more friendly and easy to navigate environment, rather than making one that is frustrating and confusing. Something like the Welcoming place really does need to have a clear name that says: "This is where you post your welcomes" without having to read a description.

Of course, I'd like to let people know that I don't really think this is a big deal. I would prefer they change, but I can live with it.

 

[Ahri]

I haven't been on PC for months due to life being busy and I must admit, I was VERY confused looking at the forum. I no longer knew which was which and couldn't tell anything apart anymore. I found it frustrating having to really look around to find something I needed.


So I agree with Gav 200%.

 

[Ahri]

Out of curiosity, what did you need? Were you looking for something in particular inside of one of those forums?

We're going to be doing some major work on our member onboarding process, help/support documentation, and other resources soon and I'd like to be able to include what you were missing.

I wasn't looking for anything in particular I simply came on thinking "Oh, I haven't been on PC in a while, let's see what goes on" and the first thing I saw were all those section name changes and I actually thought they were maybe new features and started reading the descriptions.

Spoiler:

Oh yeah and I can't find the "Celebrations" forum anywhere but that's probably because I'm blind -.-

 

[Dedenne1]

K well id like to just voice my little opinion here.

As being a member from only 2013 and not like a veteran i didnt see the thunder dome or other theme named areas just simple names like general chat which was exactly that general chat, the welcome lounge where you could relax and welcome new users. Although the new names are aesthetically pleasing and the theme is cool its 100% confusing for new members. I mean if i joined here id look at main street go into the forum and probably be confused for a long time till I read the rules and such but then again to all new members read rules? Of coarse they do everyone does (not). However idk if you guys are bringing up the point that each sub forum has its own little undertitle where it clearly states atleast for the most part what that forum is. For example ill Highlight Mainstreet's:

Welcome to Main Street! Come on in and introduce yourself to the community, read about fellow members, join in on community events, and discover all of the cool things you can do around PokéCommunity

I mean honestly this explains alot more than the title of The Welcome Lounge and therefore its still completely understandable to people unless of coarse this is to be gone one day in which well the entire forum would be atleast 75% more confusing.

Anyways my point is yes the new names are alittle confusing and they will be all the more confusing in the eyes of new members but seriously put yourself in the shoes of yourself when you first joined PC if you saw main street and then read its little subtitle would you understand it? Too me its simple enough to understand where as the title can stay but if the answer is no its too confusing then its obvious the names are more confusing than they are worth.

 

[Nick]

I'm kind of surprised this happened. From my experience, higher staff in particular have always been completely opposed to non descriptive, easy to distinguish names for the forums.

I don't really have an opinion for or against it too much. I just found it really surprising and I was a bit confused.

 

[Livewire]

To be fair, yes, they can be kind of convoluted and a little too thematic, but at the same time, the forum description itself is right there next to the forum name in the King's english. I'm ok with making people read a bit more to find where to post. I get the aesthetic thing though, if only a few forums out of like, 40 are named that way.

EDIT: AWWWW YEAH DAWG 14,000