A "threaded tree view" as well as a "flat" view is something I plan to implement soon. They will be implemented as options, so those that prefer the current approach need not worry.

I've got a couple of contracts I need to get out of the way (plus a vacation to the beach!) but I hope to do that in July--it's something I've been meaning to do for some time.

I don't have any plans to switch to another forum software. Every forum software has its good and bad points; one of the good points of the current software is that I know it inside and out and can modify it do anything we need it to. I also like this forum software because it's implemented in PHP as opposed to Perl or some other CGI implementation.

The rating system is something I'd like to be able to implement, but I think the overall traffic in this forum is insufficient to make a rating system work reliably, at least on a post-by-post basis. It works semi-well at sites like Slashdot.com, but they have tens of thousands of people browsing the comments daily.

What might work is a system whereby the public can "nominate" threads that they feel are or were very useful. After some number of nominations that thread could be flagged as being a "Recommended Reading" thread and would appear highlighted or something on the main forum page.

Regards,
Craig Steiner
8052.com Webmaster