Forum Layout Feedback

[HeadHodge]

Hi,

I posted this to see if anyone was interested in a discussion about this Forum's Layout. I wasn't sure if would be more appropriate to PM Kapm or create a post. But since the thoughts I have are not any form of negative criticism, I would be interested if hearing if anyone else is having the same experience as me.

I'm running low on my Instant Kava. I normally use Shaman from N@K , but am looking for something else to try.

So I've been focusing on trying to find our more about HG's instants he has currently for sale. After stumbling around a little I found the Vendor section of the forum and went to HG's section to try and find some info or reviews about his Instants.

I couldn't really find much there (maybe because it's a new sales item for him). Then I started looking at some of the other vendors there and couldn't really find much either. Also I found it pretty tedious going from vendor to vendor searching for something that I didn't know if they sell or not.

I was getting kind of discouraged but the I saw the "Other Vendor". I decided to give that a look see too and much to my surprise there are a lot of cool reviews there to look at. And the posts were named in a way that I could instantly (pun intended) see reviews for instants and saw a great review for GO Instant Waka.

From that I thought I may have finally found something I want to try, but it took me quite awhile to get there.

So I got to thinking that if there was a section for just reviews that was ordered by the various Kava Types, by doing that would have really facilitated what I was looking for. These reviews contain the vendor name as part of the review, so if I found something I like I could "then" do further research by going to that vendors section (if the vendor is participating on the forum) or go directly to the vendors website instead (especially if there was a hotlink to the vendors site in the review itself).

Also if it was done something like what I'm trying to describe, I could also subscribe to that section and get email notifications for all new reviews no matter who the vendor is.

Don't know if I conveying my thought properly, so hopefully you'll understand what I mean.

Bottom line I think it would be good to organize the reviews in a way that places more focus on the type of Kava reviewed and not make them quite so much vendor centric reviews. It would make it easier to find what I'm looking for and then if I see a review I really like then jump to the vendors site (in the forum and to the vendors own website) for further research. I think that would be a beneficial improvement to me the Kava user looking for Kava and would be beneficial to vendor too.

Regards
Bob

 

[infraredz]

We used to have all the reviews in one section, but due to the large increase in reviews (which came with vendor giveaways...) so it became overwhelming and we decided to split up the reviews by vendor.

You can always use the search function from the front page using the search function, then go to "more/advanced search" and then select all the review sections (if using a Mac, hold command and click each review section) like this:

If it is possible to have an "alias" review for each one submitted, then we could have a section that is divided into "Instant", "Root", "Extract/other" or something similar, but that would require another field in the review form and the ability to query that field with a subsequent sorting process. I don't know what features Kapm has access to but it wouldn't hurt to have another subforum with just a big list of reviews that you could then search. Until then, you could just go through the review forums by selecting each one and searching for a given keyword like ^

 

[HeadHodge]

...If it is possible to have an "alias" review for each one submitted, then we could have a section that is divided into "Instant", "Root", "Extract/other" or something similar...

Thanks for the reply and the search tips. The alias thing sounds good if doable.

The problem with the search is that it is one time only. It would be nice if there was a way (and there may already me one I don't about) to subscribe to alerts and emails when new reviews are created.

I guess I might be able to go to each vendors review section and put a watch on it. But I would miss reviews for any new vendors, unless I was diligent to keep a lookout for a new vendor and put a watch on them as I find them.

 

[The Kap'n]

Thanks for bringing this up. I'll see if there's a way of bringing up reviews based on type. It may take me a little bit, but I promise I will look into it. There are quite a few exciting things going on behind the front page.

 

[HeadHodge]

Thanks for bringing this up. I'll see if there's a way of bringing up reviews based on type. It may take me a little bit, but I promise I will look into it. There are quite a few exciting things going on behind the front page.

 

[HeadHodge]

@infraredz I tried the search you suggested with the search term "Instant".

It did find the two reviews I was looking at earlier, but it also picked up a lot other non-review posts too and was difficult to tell which ones were discussion posts and reviews.

Not a big problem though, not complaining, just providing some feedback of my experience.

 

[The Kap'n]

I'll give a hint about what's up and coming. Wouldn't it be nice if a new vendor could set up their own store right here in kavaforums, and sell directly to the members? Wouldn't it be nice if a well established vendor could offer special discounts and exclusive products without having to modify their website? Wouldn't it be nice if a vendor could set aside a certain number of products for their most loyal buyers? If yes is the answer to any of the question, then stay tuned. You may already have noticed the new "E-Shop" tab.

 

[KavaGurl]

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