jackofalltrades - 8:57 am on Aug 23, 2002 (gmt 0)

How about encorporating basic information into articles? Any info that is continuly repeated in threads (such as the basics of SEO, etc) could be set as an article.

Having a few articles on the main subject areas would make the information easier to access for newbies (cos to be honest there are tonnes of related therads on the main areas and it can be difficlut to find what you are looking for -its easier just ask someone). The articles can also link to related threads.

From here, set the forum as members only (read and write) and allow members who have X amount of posts the facility submit articles on thier specialist areas.

Benefits -

<<<<plenty of information in article format for newcomers and lurkers and plenty of keyword rich text for the SE´s.

<<<<the goldmine that is the forum is restricted to members only.

<<<<information becomes more manageable - articles can be reviewed before posting (not much time and effort involved in that) and can be easily indexed (easier for newbies to find the info). No content monitoring issues as people wont be able to reply to the articles.

<<<<the public section could contain advertising to generate revenue if necessary, but the members only section remains clean.

As someone suggested in this thead, you could have a test based on the info in the articles for membership of the forum - ensuring that there is minimum level of knowledge to be able to post threads. This should kill off repeat threads as the issues would be addressed in the articles section.

Scott