The Breitling Watch Source Forums

This is a long time coming, but just haven't had the heart to do it cuz this forum is still my baby. I started pruning threads that have not been viewed by anyone in the last 120 days. I figure if it hasn't even been looked at in that long, it might as well be deleted. I started with the Buy/Sell and Replica Identification forums since those tend to be more time sensitive forums where old threads are less useful. I do get that many like to use the buy/sell to determine previous selling prices, and maybe pruning isn't the best way to go about it in all instances, but in the interests of keeping this forum at a relatively managable size and from growing crazy big, I wanted to test out the pruning feature.

Please let me know if you are vehemently against pruning, or would like to see the date adjusted to say 180 days or longer even. I would like to hear other people's opinions on this.

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BreitlingSource Admin
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Yuck.

I guess that it's inevitable, and I get the logic of looking at threads that haven't been looked at - the value is clearly only theoretical, it' just one of those less desirable outcomes of growth.

What I will say, because you won't, is that as we have a lot of newish active members I would like to point everyone to question 6 here - http://www.breitlingsource.com/articles_faq.shtml#8

is is a money thing? do we need to clear some space because it costs more? if some fundraising is in order, just say so!

maybe a year old if pruning has to be done

I agree - but I wanted to address it before it became a problem. Especially now with all the images that are uploaded in the replica ident section and buy/sell in particular. Those two sections are image heavy, and the images make the forum very large.

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BreitlingSource Admin
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Not directly a money thing. The current forum advertising supports the hosting of the forum. But I am looking forward to make sure that things don't get out of hand. I suppose if the forum gets a lot larger, then it could end up being a money thing.

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BreitlingSource Admin
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I think that it makes sense for the replica section for sure - I get that people want to see the pieces that are being reported, but there is a lot of duplication of thsoe pieces - how many pictures of the standard date subdial Bentley Motors fake do we need?

In terms of sales threads, quality photos are important for the sale so perhaps we should 'encourage' use of hosted photos on ImageShack / PhotoBucket, etc and perhaps impose a maximum number of attached images? I've seen somethreads with 10+ pictures all of them showing the dial from different angles, and that's not particularly helpful. Embedded image links also make the sale ad look a lot more impressive as they aren't thumbnails.

I read some of the old threads, but don't think I would particularly miss them if they were not there. Slimming the footprint down makes sense to me, but then again I am the guy that keeps a max of 5 emails in my inbox at anytime.

for sure, good ideas

I know on a TDI forum to which I belong we have to host our own pics. People might not realize the amount of space their pics take up.

Anyway, this site is such a great resource - regardless of whether it's a money thing or not - and it deserves some fiscal support from people like me who've "profited" from the available knowledge and feedback, like being pointed to a great AD for a new Ocean Racer strap or great deal in the B/S/T forum, so my next click will be on the PayPal link

i would like to do some sort of fund raiser, i will put up some breitling gear, and we can auction it off, openly on the forum, high bidder pays and then i will send the stuff.

I appreciate the thought! But the problem with the size getting too big for the server to handle is that the costs that would be increased are a recurring cost.. scaling up each each time jumps a lot. The larger the number of posts and photos, the more server power is used everytime someone runs a search, etc.

Right now we aren't that close to hitting the next level, I just want to try and keep things manageable so that maybe we don't have to hit it for a while. I am not really too keen to upgrade to the new system yet (will take a good weekend of prep and moving, and means the site will be down), and I'd really not like to increase the hosting costs to the next level either!

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

well if you want to do it, just let me know and i'll get the stuff up!

The old threads should stay in Google's cache.

I am in complete agreement with a pruning effort. 120 or 180 days either way is fine, probably better at 180. I believe it would help keep the forum fresh and prevent the resurrection of very old threads which can sometimes be problematical at best. Whatever your decision Admin, I support it.
Best,
Ron

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"The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea"...

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What about the Gallery section? It should be image heavy as well. But I think it's a good reference for all of us and we know we can look for something older and it's all in one place. Then again, if it poses a threat to the forum...

Whatever the decision I guess you know what's best and I support it.

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