XF 2.3 How to make it clearer for members that they need to select a thread type?

[Alpha1]

About half of the new threads posted in my site are Questions. But no one selects the Question Thread Type on post new thread page and everyone posts a Discussion Type. Members say its unclear to them.
This means that we need to manually edit all new questions and change thread type.
Is there any way make it clearer for members that they need to select a thread type?

Most forum nodes are mixed thread types. As we already have hundreds of nodes, it doesn't make sense to add hundreds more for questions.

 

[M@rc]

This is what I've been using:

[OzzModz] Thread & Quick Reply Placeholders & Templates

Dec 6, 2020

Easily manage thread and post templates

• Painbaker
• Add-ons [2.x]

Together with the Thread prompts core XF feature (Admin Panel -> Forums -> Thread properties -> Thread prompts).

 

[beerForo]

Is there any way make it clearer for members that they need to select a thread type?

I gave up on that. On one of my forums where people mostly ask questions, I have just made them all question forums in that section. If it is not a question, like someone posts some related news, the fact the upvote is there doesn't take away from anything, and some people still use it, like reddit.

 

[philmckrackon]

I make the question tab the default (by prefix) in some forums and in others I use custom prompts and edits.

[XB] Thread Prefix Forces Thread Type

Nov 15, 2021

Forces the discussion type for new threads with the selected prefixes

• Painbaker
• Add-ons [2.x]

 

[Rene_V]

Is there any way make it clearer for members that they need to select a thread type?

The only way to do that imo would be to make the selection the Question Thread Type mandatory.

 

[Mr Lucky]

I have a big explanation notice that shows on the thread create template. Not sure it does much good though. A big issue is users who choose the question thread, but then ask a question that can only have purely subjective answers, ie no right, wrong or best.

 

[Alpha1]

The only way to do that imo would be to make the selection the Question Thread Type mandatory.

That would require a select interface that has no selection by default. Like a radio button select. i.e.
What do you want to post?

• Discussion
• Question
• Poll
• Article

That would require an addon.

A big issue is users who choose the question thread, but then ask a question that can only have purely subjective answers, ie no right, wrong or best.

Yes, I noticed this as well. We get a lot of threads asking what is your experience with X,Y,Z? Or threads with 6 non-related questions.

I think @Bob 's Knowledge Base addon is really great for educating your members on how to post. It can help to explain what a true question is.

 

[Grump1!]

I don't bother with the prefix thing.

 

[Rene_V]

That would require a select interface that has no selection by default. Like a radio button select. i.e.
What do you want to post?

• Discussion
• Question
• Poll
• Article

That would require an addon.

That is correct. An add on is the only way to achieve that imo.