[Dunhamzzz]

Ok, so I don't come here often, but this section REALLY needs some organising. We could also do with some moderators for this section!

I hope we can come up with some sort of forum structure that works.

Currently we have one big forum, mixed with topics for the mini 9 and the mini 1011. A Snow Leopard subforum, FAQ section and link to the guides section

This is going to start getting really messy once new technology starts cropping up (ION chipsets, CULV, etc)

My Idea for the Mac OSX Section:

- Mini 9 Subforum
- Mini 10v Subforum
- Snow Leopard Forum (for speculation and specific discussion)
- Guides and FAQs (link to the guides section, FAQs moved to the guides in a category)

Let me know your thoughts, and at the end of the week me and a team of moderators will sort the MyDellMini Mac OSX section out.

[bmcclure937]

I agree wholeheartedly and actually expressed my concerns earlier today

I think your initial layout seems reasonable and moderators would be extremely helpful. There seem to be many threads that can be merged (or removed) because they are repeats. I know that the policy around MyDellMini is to be helpful and not discourage new members who may ask questions that have already been answered... but a moderating team would be useful in keeping the boards orderly and organized (because the OSX section is rapidly developing with new methods and it is difficult to keep track of it all among the clutter).

Also, I feel that a "Rules" section / FAQ section may be helpful in regulating the posts. For example, there would be much less clutter if simple questions could all be answered in a FAQ with links to relevant guides/threads. The "Rules" could also be guidelines for users when posting new information. There are so many different methods and guides floating around that it easy for new members (along with seasoned members) to get confused.

I think the sections you have designated will be adequate to begin with. Separating the Mini 9 / A90 from the Mini 10v sounds like a good move because there are many minor differences. Until there is a "universal" solution for both of them, this seems like the best route... and will probably be the best plan even if there is a "universal install method" in the future. Obviously, the guides section is handy and will be where most people can find relevant information and approved methods for installing OSX.

Thanks!!

[mechdrew]

I think a general Mac fourm (basically what we have here) should be kept so that general questions can be found (like software questions and such.) I like the idea of subforums for each netbook as well. Perhaps a driver development subforum would be helpful to keep those things separate from the general mass of topics, but that might not be necessary if we have the netbook-specific forums.

Also, moderators would be great. I don't see much moderating around here lately...

bmcclure937's note about a rules section would be nice, especially with newcomers asking about torrented copies and stuff. If that was known upfront, we wouldn't have all of these topics started about how to use them.

[bmcclure937]

After doing a little more thinking (and reading Mechdrew's post) I have come up with an idea for "sub-forums" for the Mac OSX section of MyDellMini.

1. Development
   
   This would be useful for those working with the bleeding edge releases (not necessarily the most stable because they are being developed and worked on). Obviously, once development stages have been completed, official guides can be updated. This would clear up confusion on which methods are most current and up-to-date, yet fully functional.
   
   This could be where kexts, bootmakers, vanilla methods, etc are discussed and developed.
   
   
2. Dell Mini 9 / Vostro A90
   
   [self explanatory] dedicated section for OSX on Mini 9 / A90
   
   
3. Dell Mini 10v
   
   [self explanatory] dedicated section for OSX on Mini 10v (good because there are some differences from Mini 9, such as sound... etc etc)
   
   
4. General Mac Discussion
   
   Just general Mac questions and discussion. (applications, Time Machine, how does 'x' work)
   
   
5. Guides/How-Tos
   
   Official Guides for installation, dual-booting, updating BIOS, RAM, creating bootable flash drive... etc etc
   
   
6. FAQ
   
   Frequently Asked Questions and links to their answers (guides, threads about certain topics).
   
   This would not be a discussion area... rather a locked topic that moderators are in charge of and can compile frequent questions into one place. This would be a nice reference for new members and would greatly reduce repeated topics and would help control clutter on the board.
   

[mechdrew]

I like bmcclure937's pattern a lot!

[jetkins]

Originally Posted by mechdrew

I like bmcclure937's pattern a lot!

+1

I particularly like the idea of a single, non-platform-specific "bleeding edge" subforum. Issues that affect multiple platforms, such as the 10.5.8 battery indicator, need to be discussed in a single place and can then be moved into a FAQ or How-To once a solution has been found, with pointers from the various affected plaftorm subforums as needed.

The one thing I'm not 100% sold on is the need for a whole separate FAQ subforum. I wonder if selective use - and regular maintenance - of sticky threads might serve that purpose instead. Just a thought for discussion.

[bsoplinger1]

My initial thoughts were the need for a general Mac section after reading the first post. I've been using hackintoshes (my first hackinstosh was an Atari ST with a Mac plus ROM in the game slot) and Macintoshes for more than 15 years so I'm familiar with how the Mac works but for many folks its their first time with the OS and obvious things like dragging a disc to the trash to dismount it aren't obvious

And a place to deal with other general issues like screen size, etc. Things that are mostly just Mac questions although there might be a flavor of the mini9/10v also, like my aforementioned screen size issue.

[tnolen]

I like this set of sub-forum categories:

1. Development
2. Dell Mini 9 / Vostro A90
3. Dell Mini 10v
4. General Mac Discussion
5. Guides/How-Tos
6. FAQ

In particular, the FAQ sub-forum would be helpful for Newbies.
As new hardware is adapted, a sub-forum could be added, even as some sub-forums might be consolidated.

A little structure can't hurt.

[bmcclure937]

Originally Posted by jetkins

+1

I particularly like the idea of a single, non-platform-specific "bleeding edge" subforum. Issues that affect multiple platforms, such as the 10.5.8 battery indicator, need to be discussed in a single place and can then be moved into a FAQ or How-To once a solution has been found, with pointers from the various affected plaftorm subforums as needed.

The one thing I'm not 100% sold on is the need for a whole separate FAQ subforum. I wonder if selective use - and regular maintenance - of sticky threads might serve that purpose instead. Just a thought for discussion.

The only reason I would argue for a dedicated compilation of FAQs is because having them all in one place is generally easier to navigate. If you take into consideration the potential for the FAQ page, then you could easily see that there are many many things that could be answered... once these add up it would be inefficient to have them all stickied (I personally hate it when forums have a huge block of stickies at the top and you have to scroll and scroll until you get to the other topics).

Having a link to the FAQ's related forum thread (from within the FAQ page) would be ideal because some of the topics are not necessarily worthy to be stickied... they are just common questions.

[jcoll81]

Originally Posted by bmcclure937

The only reason I would argue for a dedicated compilation of FAQs is because having them all in one place is generally easier to navigate. If you take into consideration the potential for the FAQ page, then you could easily see that there are many many things that could be answered... once these add up it would be inefficient to have them all stickied (I personally hate it when forums have a huge block of stickies at the top and you have to scroll and scroll until you get to the other topics).

Having a link to the FAQ's related forum thread (from within the FAQ page) would be ideal because some of the topics are not necessarily worthy to be stickied... they are just common questions.

Agreed. I think your proposed layout would work very well.