G2G Category Breakdown

Question

Has there been a lot of discussion in the past about additional categories for G2G discussions? For the most part, The Tree House appears to be a catch all even for questions that could go under other categories. Just a curious, I'm sure this has come up before.

Answer 1

I refer to them as Rooms. They are similar to chat rooms. A lot of things that are posted in what you believe are the incorrect category for them, are usually posted by newer members. They are not yet accustomed to the set up of G2G and can be unsure where to post.

Some members do not use G2G a lot so they are not familiar with it. The ones that use it more usually do post in the room for the topic. Sometimes it is a question and you may not be really sure where it goes. That is why the Tree House is a catch-all and a lot of things are posted there.

Answer 2

hi Joshua

The ''categorization'' in G2G has nothing to do with Categorization within profiles.  Tree house is often just a social place for things outside specific research items.  That some people put their questions there instead of elsewhere is not a big thing, the item which draws attention to the question from the right people are the tags affixed to the question.

Comments

Danielle, Not sure what you mean by "categorization of profiles?" I'm only referring to the discussion categories inside G2G. If the catergories really don't mean anything then why not just have a regular BB style system? In theory, a category helps someone narrow down the topic they are looking for to search for their answer among the discussion boards among "similar" topics. It would appear that there really isn't much of a true breakdown here and as you said, its far more important for someone to appropriately "tag" their post with upto 6 tags in order to get the attention they want or maybe need. This is more of a BB format, which is fine. I was just curious if there had been discussion about further categorizing the G2G, especially for new people, to more quickly get to an area in the boards they want to be in. Just and example, Introductions, Style and Formating, Sourcing, Genealogical Research Assistance, etc

Just my thoughts

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sorry, should have been clearer, you tagged Categorization, which pertains to profile categorization, not G2G categories.

I'm not aware of recent discussions on splitting G2G categories into more specific subjects, personally I would like to see it being searchable by specific topics, right now it isn't.

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Lol sorry for the confussion. I was just trying to think of tags to draw attention to the conversation.

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the appropriate tag would be ''improvements''

Answer 3

There used to be fewer categories, several years ago. I think the Appreciation category and the WikiTree Help were introduced then. Something more may have had its name tweaked.

I think a lot of questions end up in a category that fits them less well, because there are many members who have questions but are not all that used to the system.

Comments

Thanks Eva. I don't think this is a bad discussion to have. I figured it had to have taken place at least once before. There is just so much in "The Tree House" that you have to search tags. It would be nice to have a few other categories I think that would catch some of the common topics in tree house.

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Do you have any ideas for what you would like to break out of The Tree House? I'm so used to it the way it ist that I cannot think of anything.

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Just what I mentioined above. I think it would be good to have an area that is specific to Introductions, Style could be moved out of policy and in a category of style and formating, Sourcing, Policy and Guidelines, Research Assistance could be broken into subcategories 1900-current (non-living), 1800-1899, 1700-1799, 1600-199, pre-1600, Military Research, Etc.

I just thinking having a broader choice of catergory selection, puts me in the right neighborhood and focuses the help I'm looking for or the type of help I'm prepared to assist with.

Again, just my thoughts. Thanks

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Pretty good ideas, Joshua.

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Thanks! I don't know if this is just talk or if there is a broader audience that joins the convo. I'm just enjoying open communication. I really have no clue how the website is "run." Who governs it? How decisions are made? Etc.Seems more or less led by a group of active, long standing members but then this is one weeks perspective. LOL

Answer 4

I hear where you are coming from. The Categories at the top right  column could perhaps be expanded a little, but having said that there is a pretty good Search G2G function, which should help you arrive at pertinent discussions.  Perhaps you could recommend an improvement.   I think change of the word "Categories" for a start, since is does confuse slightly with the profile category concept.  Perhaps "Subject Area" would be more appropriate.  Same thing as categories I guess, but different.

Comments

Or discussion area, or Boards, stay with the tree theme, Roots... LOL. I don't know. I'm a big car guy and am part of a few really good car groups, not to mention my military groups and this board has the least navigability of all of them. It more or less relies solely on the G2G search and 6 Key Tags.