is it time to give the gh2 a separate forum ?

I'm with mike, especially since all the hack stuff wouldn't apply if the GH2 can't be hacked. For a lot of people like myself, the GH1 had a few limitations that now have been corrected... espeically since so many of us are going to get a AF100 and use this GH2 as a B camera.
 
Actually, this is a tough decision for Jason. I have personal experience with this kind of issue because I'm one of the Admins on another forum (which has nothing to do with photography or videography). Here are some factors to consider based on my semi-professional Admin experience:

  • Obviously, technology and forum members' interests are changing.

  • Lots of sub-forums seem rational, but they make navigation difficult.

  • With lots of sub-forums it becomes difficult to choose into which subforum to post. E.g. "Which is better? Hacked GH1 or new GH2?" GH1 forum? GH2 forum? General forum?

  • Stale topics tend to fade as they move back into sub-forum history anyway. I.e., as a topic becomes less interesting to members, it just fades to bottom of the thread stack. For example, GH1-related posts will start fading and GH2 posts will increase as the GH2 comes online.

  • From personal experience, an Admin's "Crap-Level" is pretty high. Adding constantly changing forums as interests change simply adds to Jason's crap-level. (Not a good thing.)
Taking off my Admin hat and putting on my amateur Photographer/Videographer hat, my personal opinion is...

Regarding non-GH1/2 Panasonic cameras, I think the volume of video-related posts for non-GH1/2 Panasonic cameras will be very low. While it's probably reasonable to discuss any Panasonic camera in the Panasonic sub-forums, I suspect that the volume will be VERY low. And the questions may be in the form, "How would you compare a GF1 to a GH2 for video?" Where do you put that question? Is it reasonable to increase the forum complexity and Admin workload simply to make the posts a bit more structured. IMO, the answer is no.

Regarding GH1, GH13, and GH2 questions, it looks like there are some significant differences that may require sub-forums for each. BUT... Many, if not most, of the questions about "which is better" may involve all three - which means a common forum for all three.

OTOH, I perceive that the "Workflow", "Hardware, Lenses, etc.", and "Still and Motion Gallery" are common to all three cameras most of the time - which means modifying the current "Workflow", "Hardware, Lenses, etc.", and "Still and Motion Gallery" to be common to the GH1 and GH2 instead of just the GH1. Also, I think that most who search on "GH13" will also search on GH1, so the GH13 is covered.

But then... We have to consider SEO - "Search Engine Optimization". For a website, this is critical. And one important technique is to use "Keywords" in your forum titles. SO... "GH1 / GH2 Workflow" is broader than "GH1 Workflow" and is much better than just "Workflow" from an SEO perspective.

Having fun yet? Any students nodding off?!? :)

Given the SEO impact and in the interests of improving navigation and structure, I'd suggest:

Forum: Panasonic GH1 / GH2 / GH13
Sub-Forums:

  • GH13 Footy/Grabs
  • GH1 Firmware Hack
  • GH13 Development/Testing
  • GH1 / GH2 Workflow
  • GH1 / GH2 Hardware, Lenses, etc.
  • GH1 / GH2 Still and Motion Gallery
The sub-titles of the forum and sub-forums can be enhanced to help direct questions and posts, and cover other cameras like the GF1. If it reads better, the "/" could be replaced by "&".

IMO, this structure will improve SEO, help navigation, and keep the thread count high in each forum and sub-forum.

Regards,

Dan.
 
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