I'm looking for a different hierarchical structure

[djwick]

Forum URL: (private)

I'm not sure how to ask this question, so please bear with me.

My main page consists of boards with different topics under the main general board. Pretty much the usual forum layout.

Members must choose the board matching the topic they are interested in so that they can click in and view and post in threads under that board.

However, I'm looking to create a different hierarchical structure where everybody's new post begins on the first page and shows at the top of the hierarchy of threads, with a flag or badge indicating which board that post is "stored" in. (I told you I'm not sure how to ask the question )

Then, if members are interested in viewing other threads in that board they can click in and go to the board.

The reason I am wanting to do this is because virtually all my new members are coming from NextDoor and they just don't seem to be comfortable with the current format, so not many are posting.

A good example of what I am looking for is the forum at talk.roofing.com/

I'm more than willing to try to explain further because I realize I probably didn't do it this time.

Is this possible to accomplish with my current theme?

[Kami]

Unfortunately this is not possible with ProBoards; PB is a traditional message board system as opposed to a news aggregator / listed style system as the previous host. While PB is incredibly customisable as a traditional message board, it has hierarchal restrictions such as thread list information only being available on their respective boards/sub boards.

The only alternative I could suggest that would be remotely similar would be to make the "recent threads" page your forum home page. It wouldn't change how the threads are structured, and you would still have to navigate to the individual board to start a new topic.

Sorry it's not more favourable news

[djwick]

Jan 10, 2021 20:32:06 GMT -8 Kami said:

Unfortunately this is not possible with ProBoards; PB is a traditional message board system as opposed to a news aggregator / listed style system as the previous host. While PB is incredibly customisable as a traditional message board, it has hierarchal restrictions such as thread list information only being available on their respective boards/sub boards.

The only alternative I could suggest that would be remotely similar would be to make the "recent threads" page your forum home page. It wouldn't change how the threads are structured, and you would still have to navigate to the individual board to start a new topic.

Sorry it's not more favourable news

I really appreciate that you made it through my muddled question and understood what I was shooting for. I believe you did understand, and your answer was right on point.

Your answer did give me some ideas, and I'll think about how to experiment with it.

BTW, I stand in awe of the features and customizability of the free ProBoards forum software. I honestly had expectations way below what I have seen and continue to see here. So, kudos for that. I'm sure once my forum grows to the point where I have a critical mass to make it worthwhile I'll be signing up for the paid version.

Thanks.

[Kami]

Jan 10, 2021 20:57:37 GMT -8 djwick said:

Jan 10, 2021 20:32:06 GMT -8 Kami said:

Unfortunately this is not possible with ProBoards; PB is a traditional message board system as opposed to a news aggregator / listed style system as the previous host. While PB is incredibly customisable as a traditional message board, it has hierarchal restrictions such as thread list information only being available on their respective boards/sub boards.

The only alternative I could suggest that would be remotely similar would be to make the "recent threads" page your forum home page. It wouldn't change how the threads are structured, and you would still have to navigate to the individual board to start a new topic.

Sorry it's not more favourable news

I really appreciate that you made it through my muddled question and understood what I was shooting for. I believe you did understand, and your answer was right on point.

Your answer did give me some ideas, and I'll think about how to experiment with it.

BTW, I stand in awe of the features and customizability of the free ProBoards forum software. I honestly had expectations way below what I have seen and continue to see here. So, kudos for that. I'm sure once my forum grows to the point where I have a critical mass to make it worthwhile I'll be signing up for the paid version.

Thanks.

i would note early that you cannot transfer between the free version and the paid forums.net sister service — you may want to try out a lower tier of service and upgrade as you grow. Alternatively, you can instead opt to remain on the free service as far as hosting goes and pay for some power-ups like ad free, custom domains, etc. The downside would be lack of white label options (it will always show as a PB forum), single sign on, etc.

[Former Member]

Jan 10, 2021 17:11:58 GMT -8 djwick said:

I'm looking to create a different hierarchical structure where everybody's new post begins on the first page and shows at the top of the hierarchy of threads, with a flag or badge indicating which board that post is "stored" in.

djwick, if I understand correctly, this should work:

1. Put the code from this post into your Global Header to add a "Recent Threads" button to the top of your forum: support.proboards.com/post/5512068/thread

2. Install Chris's "Show Boards" plugin from this post: support.proboards.com/post/7261256/thread

(The link to download it is in the spoiler, under the screen shots.)

[djwick]

Jan 10, 2021 23:24:29 GMT -8 jcarter said:

Jan 10, 2021 17:11:58 GMT -8 djwick said:

I'm looking to create a different hierarchical structure where everybody's new post begins on the first page and shows at the top of the hierarchy of threads, with a flag or badge indicating which board that post is "stored" in.

djwick , if I understand correctly, this should work:

1. Put the code from this post into your Global Header to add a "Recent Threads" button to the top of your forum: support.proboards.com/post/5512068/thread

2. Install Chris 's "Show Boards" plugin from this post: support.proboards.com/post/7261256/thread

(The link to download it is in the spoiler, under the screen shots.)

Thank you. I'll give it a shot, and let you know how it works.

[djwick]

Jan 11, 2021 6:22:29 GMT -8 djwick said:

Jan 10, 2021 23:24:29 GMT -8 jcarter said:

djwick , if I understand correctly, this should work:

1. Put the code from this post into your Global Header to add a "Recent Threads" button to the top of your forum: support.proboards.com/post/5512068/thread

2. Install Chris 's "Show Boards" plugin from this post: support.proboards.com/post/7261256/thread

(The link to download it is in the spoiler, under the screen shots.)

Thank you. I'll give it a shot, and let you know how it works.

It worked like a charm. Thanks for guiding me through it.

I'll just let everyone know about this new feature in the Welcome message I send to new members, and I'll make an announcement to let existing members know about it.

[Retread]

Jan 11, 2021 7:56:19 GMT -8 djwick said:

Jan 11, 2021 6:22:29 GMT -8 djwick said:

Thank you. I'll give it a shot, and let you know how it works.

It worked like a charm. Thanks for guiding me through it.

I'll just let everyone know about this new feature in the Welcome message I send to new members, and I'll make an announcement to let existing members know about it.

Hi djwick

Be aware that plugins don't work on the mobile version of ProBoards, so only desktop users will be able to see the Board links on each thread listing.

[Kami]

in addition to what retread posted, this is still the same method i described in my initial post, just with a script to make things a bit more accessible visually — you would still need to go to the individual boards in order to create a new thread.

[djwick]

Jan 10, 2021 21:14:21 GMT -8 Kami said:

i would note early that you cannot transfer between the free version and the paid forums.net sister service — you may want to try out a lower tier of service and upgrade as you grow. Alternatively, you can instead opt to remain on the free service as far as hosting goes and pay for some power-ups like ad free, custom domains, etc. The downside would be lack of white label options (it will always show as a PB forum), single sign on, etc.

It's probably not a coincidence but my pages all started getting the popup ad at the top offering members an ad-free experience for $2.99 a month.

My members have specifically expressed they do not want to have to pay for a subscription, and they will definitely see this as being that.

So, what do I have to do to get ads removed? What is the next-level power-up for me?

[Scott]

djwick, we give new forums 14 days of ad-free. If you are seeing a banner ad, then the initial ad-free period has expired.

1) Now the $2.99 banner ad you are seeing only shows if you using an ad-blocker. Just a reminder that per our terms of service users agree not to use an ad-blocker with our service as having ads displayed is what pays for the forums and keeps them free.

2) We do offer the option of Personal Ad-Free (ProBoards+) or forum Ad-Free.

Personal Ad-Free is where any single user can purchase the subscription for $2.99/month that removes ads, meaning while they are logged into a forum the ads will not show for that user.

Forum Ad-Free is where the forum itself has an Ad-Free subscription and ads are removed for all users of that particular forum. (Note, there is the option to customize this so the Ad-Free is only for members and guests will still see the ads.)

Forum Ad-Free can be purchased by going to Admin > Upgrades > Ad-Free. There are different plans available.

I would recommend reading through our Help Guide article Understanding and Managing Ad-Free

[djwick]

Jan 11, 2021 10:33:53 GMT -8 Scott said:

djwick , we give new forums 14 days of ad-free. If you are seeing a banner ad, then the initial ad-free period has expired.

1) Now the $2.99 banner ad you are seeing only shows if you using an ad-blocker. Just a reminder that per our terms of service users agree not to use an ad-blocker with our service as having ads displayed is what pays for the forums and keeps them free.

2) We do offer the option of Personal Ad-Free (ProBoards+) or forum Ad-Free.

Personal Ad-Free is where any single user can purchase the subscription for $2.99/month that removes ads, meaning while they are logged into a forum the ads will not show for that user.

Forum Ad-Free is where the forum itself has an Ad-Free subscription and ads are removed for all users of that particular forum. (Note, there is the option to customize this so the Ad-Free is only for members and guests will still see the ads.)

Forum Ad-Free can be purchased by going to Admin > Upgrades > Ad-Free. There are different plans available.

I would recommend reading through our Help Guide article Understanding and Managing Ad-Free

Thanks for that information.

If I understand, you are saying I'm seeing the $2.99 banner ad because I have an ad-blocker installed. But others who aren't using an ad-blocker see an actual advertisement?

I'm discussing with my Global Moderator which direction we want to go in. In the meantime, I'll read the Help Guide article you recommended.

I do appreciate your prompt reply to my questions. Thanks.

[Scott]

Jan 11, 2021 10:39:30 GMT -8 djwick said:

If I understand, you are saying I'm seeing the $2.99 banner ad because I have an ad-blocker installed. But others who aren't using an ad-blocker see an actual advertisement?

This is correct.