View source

==Summary==
The titles of forum threads on the [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum Hotrodders Bulletin Board] can, in some cases, be significantly improved upon. Many of them are vague, boilerplate, and occasionally, completely useless.

A high-quality thread title serves various purposes:
*Cues the potential thread-answerer as to the nature of the question, and provides him/her with a basic summary of the details.
*Provides superior indexing in the forum search engine.
*Provides superior indexing in Google and other external search engines.
*Gives additional details to those who may be researching their automotive questions via the site search engine.

The purpose of this wiki entry is to summarize the problem, suggest solutions, and act upon them.

==Examples of low-quality forum thread titles==

===Zero metadata===
*"Need help"
*"Have a question"

===Minimal metadata===
*"Engine problem"
*"Problem with GTO"

===Begging===
*"Please, please help me right now"

==High-quality thread titles==
A high-quality title effectively summarizes the thread, and gives the reader a solid hint as to what it will contain. With automotive threads, this will typically include:

*A very brief description of the problem/issue.
*Details on the relevant part or vehicle, including year, make, and model.

It's often wasteful to include the text "problem", "question", "help", "issue" etc., as these are generally implied anyway.

==Proposed solutions==
===Nagging/reminding===
*A bold, red-text reminder in the vicinity of the box into which the user types the thread title.
*A "nag screen". When the user goes to make a new post, he will instead see a special screen reminding him to properly title his thread. This screen could optionally be removed for those with > X posts.
*Mass PM to all users.
*Reminder via the site newsletter.
*Sticky posts.
*Use of admin/moderator signatures to reinforce the message.
*Sending a boilerplate PM to those who post low-quality thread titles.

If the above options are pursued, it's important to properly incentivize the user. Users should know that a proper thread title will increase the chances of their thread being read, and thus increase the chances of receiving a solid answer.

===More active moderator thread title editing===
If mods see a low-quality title, they can alter it.

==Criticism==
*This is a non-issue.
*It's not worth the effort required.
*People won't change, so why waste time trying to change them?

==Miscellaneous==
*Humorous and relevant video on proper posting is [http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting here].

==References==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_economy Attention economy]

[[Category:Hotrodders.com]]