Admins or Owner of Forums, question

[MacGyver]

I am on several forums and another that I frequent almost as often as I do this forum had me thinking about asking if you guys thought about doing a "how to DIY" submission section, and a "How To DIY Articles" part?

A little more explanation:  On the Ranger Forums, we have a spot that someone will submit a article like thing that users can check out, lets say for instance changing spark plugs on our engine (4.0 SOHC V6)
In that article we have pictures and such, notes, etc. This then is in the submission part where people look it over and add if needed using suggestions, etc. that sometimes the original maker will add or modify suggestions into his post, etc.
After so much time, or if admins believe it is solid enough, it gets moved to the "How To" part as a solid submission.
In those forums we cover all different Ford Rangers and only have one section to cover them all as far as this DIY thing goes, and a few are specific to one Ranger but the articles take the scariness out of the issues for most users.

My thoughts: Removing hardware, such as a winch, is a big job for some people, even removing teak, daunting!  But for guys like me, those are projects are easily taken on and done. We have been there, had the issues and took pictures hopefully, or will!
A DIY jib furler, applies to all boats, removing a hatch, reseal, all boats, etc.
Even a specific DIY setup can supply ideas and such for other boats, rewarding us with more how to do's.

Anyway, Just thought it may help, as sometimes I see things in other sections, and frankly sometimes I find the Gems in other boats stuff, etc. and think wow, that would work for me if I did some modifications.

To cut this lengthy post down (as my wife says I am way too thorough most times....) I have some layout work and stuff done already if anyone is interested. Just let me know.

Hope I am not stepping over my bounds! And if this is stupid, no hard feelings!
I love these forums! almost as much as my wife!
<(*.*)>   Mac

[MacGyver]

I should have posted this into CPYOA suggestions.... oops.....

[Tadpole]

I don't know how difficult it would be for the administrator, but purely from a content perspective, I think it would be a great idea.  Just my 2¢ worth

[Salty19]

I don't know how difficult it would be for the administrator, but purely from a content perspective, I think it would be a great idea.  Just my 2¢ worth

We (the admins) can most certainly create a new-forum for this purpose, and you're right the information gets scattered between the boat specific sub-forums and Boat Modifications making things hard to find.  The search engine works pretty well for finding these posts, but sometimes you still have to look through a lot to find what you're looking for.

The challenge is to keep the new sub-forum "clean" so to speak..meaning to only have posts there with meaningful, well-documented content as opposed to "I made a sail cover" with no pictures or documentation surrounding HOW the member did it, what materials were used, etc.     If we open it up for anyone to post, it will not be a lot different than the boat modifications section.  If we lock it down, the admins will have to move the posts manually..and once moved the topic may be locked (I'm not sure about this, I'll have to play around with it).

We want this forum to be the best place possible so let's discuss this in more detail...

[Salty19]

Looks like Tim beat me to the punch