RecTeqForum Re-Organization - Feedback appreciated!

Mike

Mike

Kind of good admin
Community Leader
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2,026
Location
Lexington, KY
Grill(s) owned
  1. Bull
Hey guys and gals,

This forum has been around for a bit, back in the days before Rec Teq was called Rec Teq and the number of different models of grills were much smaller. Fast forward to today and Rec Teq has more than a dozen active models on their site and several other models that are discontinued.

Our current layout under the "REC TEQ GRILLS" forum is more model specific and outdated at that as many of the current models aren't even listed.

While this worked well when the number of models were fewer, it's harder to keep up as new models roll out and is there really a massive fundamental difference between RT-700 and a Flagship 1100 or even the Beast? Sure they are smaller or larger but overall the principals are the same and in many cases re-use similar parts - most notably the controllers in many cases.

That said I'd like to propose re-organizing the forum into a layout like so:

- New Owners Q&A
- Rec Teq Lounge
- Accessories & Pellets
- Modifications & Custom Projects
- Grill Comparisons & Recommendations
- Show off your cooks

This would move away from the more model specific sub-forums and more into a user experience sub-forums. The adding and removing of new models would no longer be impactful to the forum layout.

I would also propose we use more thread prefixes (like we do in the classifieds forum [For sale, WTB, etc]) for the various different models. This would allow users to attach a model prefix to their threads which would better allow others to know what model that thread might be more geared towards and also allow for better sorting and searching of threads.

I'm open to suggestions, opinions, and thoughts on the above or if you have something better you'd like to propose!
 
I like the concept and it might help sort out areas of interest better. Quite honestly, I didn’t think I would be back posting on this forum, but after our PM exchange and seeing your proposed reorganization, here I am.

I have a suggestion for one additional sub-forum; “Recipes and Techniques.” This could be a place to post informative material that would appeal to those new to grilling and smoking, along with those more experienced folks who value continuing their learning experience.

There are probably a bunch of folks on the forum who make up their own rubs, sauces or marinades, or who have experimented with different cooking techniques who would be willing to share their experience. Just a thought.

(y)
 
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I like the idea of a reorganization. For me there are several model specific sections I have never even looked at.
@Jim6820 suggestion is a great idea and would certainly become a much visited sub-forum.
 
I like the concept, also agree with @Jim6820 since I look in the existing forums for various ides, runs etc. Appreciate what you do!
 
I have noticed that a number of regulars have slowed or stopped their posts on what they are cooking and I think that’s an area of concern. While the forum is loosely organized around Recteq grills, it is the cooking we do on them that should be one of the main focuses.

I’m sure those folks have not stopped cooking, so we need to re-engage with them and create an environment conducive to their participation. Certainly, there should be sub-forums where the mechanical and technological aspects of RT grills can be discussed as well, but without an actual cooking use discussion, we lose focus on the desired end result.

This thread is an opportunity for all to be heard on the future direction of the forum. I encourage folks to take this opportunity to have their thoughts heard.
 
I am not one who easily shares what I do, nor do I think the world is waiting for me to opine publicly on any issue. My decades long career as a federal agent no doubt influences that, not to mention the applause so many of us received returning from Nam.
For @Mike , I appreciate what you have done for the years I have been here. I think the reorg you propose would be beneficial. The suggestion posed by @Jim6820 seems to have merit. I have started paying more attention to the various sectors of the forum in the past week and will continue that as needed. Thanks again. It's time to revitalize our forum and passion for it!
 
Mike,
Let me start by complementing you and the team for the hard work, sweat, and tears, you put into this site and keeping us informed. I also like your idea of re-engineering the site to be more fluid and future proofed. The revised organization will allow for easier searches and at the end of the day, there are so many similarities between the different RT offerings that the common denominator is the fuel source (i.e., pellets) and as you have aptly identified the peripherals that help us “get the job done”. To double-down on that angle, most that visit the sight know how to identify a specific issue, concern or observation and “tag” the name of the unit that they want to address so I agree on the future state layout for the forum, using generic headings seems like an effective solution. Commensurate with Jim6820 and others, my suggestion (that will hopefully drive more activity during the off peak times) would be to consider adding another category such as “Not a RecTeq Cooker” or “No Pellets Required”. This would allow those of us with multiple cooking devices to find a home to share common techniques without the shame of cheating on the RT brand.(lol). An example of that would be a “Gassers Corner”, Sticks and Stones, or Char-B-Que. We can all learn from the different techniques offered by different tools and that information can be shared across the various platforms without leaving our “safe space” called recteqforum.

Just my thoughts and again, thanks for putting in the work so we have a portal of knowledge to visit.
 
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LarryCTN said:
I am not one who easily shares what I do, nor do I think the world is waiting for me to opine publicly on any issue. My decades long career as a federal agent no doubt influences that, not to mention the applause so many of us received returning from Nam.
Click to expand...
I hear you, brother! The “applause” was certainly underwhelming, wasn’t it? We are all a product of our experiences. Thanks for your service, and grill on!
 
I greatly appreciate the feedback thus far guys and open to any and all suggestions.

@SmokeZilla I absolutely love the idea of "No Pellets Required" sub-forum!

@Jim6820 we do already have a Recipes sub-forum in the Lounge section that I've tried to keep on topic for just recipes but maybe we move that forum up with the others proposed and allow a bit more discussion as you've mentioned to questions and "Techniques" as you've suggested.

Good stuff!
 
Mike said:
Hey guys and gals,

This forum has been around for a bit, back in the days before Rec Teq was called Rec Teq and the number of different models of grills were much smaller. Fast forward to today and Rec Teq has more than a dozen active models on their site and several other models that are discontinued.

Our current layout under the "REC TEQ GRILLS" forum is more model specific and outdated at that as many of the current models aren't even listed.

While this worked well when the number of models were fewer, it's harder to keep up as new models roll out and is there really a massive fundamental difference between RT-700 and a Flagship 1100 or even the Beast? Sure they are smaller or larger but overall the principals are the same and in many cases re-use similar parts - most notably the controllers in many cases.

That said I'd like to propose re-organizing the forum into a layout like so:

- New Owners Q&A
- Rec Teq Lounge
- Accessories & Pellets
- Modifications & Custom Projects
- Grill Comparisons & Recommendations
- Show off your cooks

This would move away from the more model specific sub-forums and more into a user experience sub-forums. The adding and removing of new models would no longer be impactful to the forum layout.

I would also propose we use more thread prefixes (like we do in the classifieds forum [For sale, WTB, etc]) for the various different models. This would allow users to attach a model prefix to their threads which would better allow others to know what model that thread might be more geared towards and also allow for better sorting and searching of threads.

I'm open to suggestions, opinions, and thoughts on the above or if you have something better you'd like to propose!
Click to expand...
Mike- concise and cleanly segregated forums. I am excited.
Will you simply pull the plug and start anew?

Your timing is impeccable and you saved the day!
Thank you for your vision.
 
RHEINLEIN said:
Will you simply pull the plug and start anew?
Click to expand...
Based on the positive feedback thus far - I've already started creating the new thread prefixes (done) and have added the new models to the available list of user owned grills (done too).

Next up will be to create the new sub-forums, once that's done I'll start the process of moving threads to their new homes as best as I can. So there won't so much be starting new, as much as it will be a lot of moving things around.
 
Mike said:
Based on the positive feedback thus far - I've already started creating the new thread prefixes (done) and have added the new models to the available list of user owned grills (done too).

Next up will be to create the new sub-forums, once that's done I'll start the process of moving threads to their new homes as best as I can. So there won't so much be starting new, as much as it will be a lot of moving things around.
Click to expand...
Thanks, @Mike. I appreciate your vision and passion for reinvigorating the forum.
 
Thanks Mike and everyone that suggested different forum ideas. I am a fairly new member and enjoy this site to learn about grilling, recipes, techniques, seeing what others cook and getting ideas on future cooks. Personally I am not that concerned on what cooker was used as I am a long time wood/charcoal cooker and have multiple cooking devices both indoor and outdoor. As an engineer I also don’t mind the troubleshooting and problem solving threads and often read and learn from those as well. I skip the other stuff I am not interested in but the new layout will hopefully make that easier!
 

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