How about a topic randomizer?

[XrosOver 613]

I have noticed that once a topic slows down, it fades into a point of disuse. Maybe to bring some of the old topics back we could have a topic randomizer.

 

What I am suggesting is that we replace the section of the homepage where the random 18 user avatars are placed and put a section that uploads links to 5 random topics.

 

These topics would change every time you go to the homepage so there is something different every time you check a status update or blog.

 

This could bring back old topics and spark a lot more activity in the forums. How the tech portion of this might work, I haven't the slightest but that's what Feld0 and Scootacool are here for!

[---------------------- 1,645]

I like this idea very much, but it would have to be implemented right, there are so many topics, that I think it should be made so it leverges more towards the older topics with lots of posts

[NavelColt 22,882]

That's a very nifty idea. Proactive topic necromancy is not something most people tend to do, so having something that shows old topics for people would be the next best thing.

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,528]

I really, really like this idea.

 

I actually think this may be a lot easier for us to implement than some of the other feature requests we tend to get. There is some functionality built into IP.Content that facilitates this kind of thing. There's a slight problem in that I can only set one criterion for pulling topics together at a time... I can't do, for example, something like "random old topics" - it has to be "old topics" or "random topics".

 

Scoots and I will take a closer look at this to see what our options for circumventing this, however, are.

[Champion RD92 8,658]

The only problem I see with this is that the newer threads will get pushed back by all the old threads that get revived.

[NavelColt 22,882]

The only problem I see with this is that the newer threads will get pushed back by all the old threads that get revived.

Not really a problem, though. Just because the feature is there doesn't mean every single old topic that comes up will suddenly be posted in. Realistically only some will. The purpose of this is to get the old topics some exposure, that's all :3

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

When it comes to weighting the random topics by potential appearance, Doctor XFizzle topics should get a 10% boost

[NavelColt 22,882]

I'm going to revive this thread because, this is still a great idea. Clearly, everyone thus far in this topic has, through posts or brohooves, expressed some valid interest in such a feature. It's one of those old suggestions everyone loved, but no one ever had the time to implement. I think we should try and get something along these lines. IMO, we should exercise and encourage our somewhat unique and free-form policy of reviving old threads no matter what their age is, as long as you're adding worthwhile thoughts.

 

There is an ocean of perfectly-still-discussable topics that simply don't get noticed because they're not on page 1 or 2. The randomizer could focus on Show Discussion and Sugarcube, as they're the biggest sections for discussion, they're the core focus of discussion on our site, and that's where it would obviously have the most impact. Especially considering that season 4 is coming up.

[Shanks 10,816]

I like this idea, it will encourage some perfectly good discussions and reduce the amount of duplicate topics and clutter.

[Starlight Sky 374]

Stumbled across this year old post at a good time. Looks like some support is surfacing! 

 

This sounds like a fun and useful feature to add to the forums. There's already a section for topics you've participated in and recently discussed topics, so designating some space for a topic randomizer/reviver will complete the set. 

 

Just as Chaotic said, plenty of great topics are overlooked since they're stuck at the back. Giving them the means to appear on the front page will re-ignite old topics and spark further discussion.