Forums - Entry Page or Right to the Posts?

[HtchHikr]

I've heard some say that you should really have an entry page on your forum. I guess it would work well to add the latest info and news bits, but I also like the idea of a user being in the thick of the forum as soon as they enter the site. Especially if it's active.

Has anyone noticed any differences in post activity after putting a seperate entry page in?

Anyway,

I made a mockup of an entry page here:
http://www.einvesting.com/home2.php

Think I should use that or just keep the existing main page?

[balkanboy]

I am not webmaster of any forum but as user my oppinion is not to have entry page. When I visit forum I just can't wait to see active treads and I dont want to click one more time.

[Varelse]

How about the idea of "featured View" similar to SitePoint's?
For me it works really well and I've switched back from standard layout very quickly.

For frequent guests it has an easy to use navigation, while for newcomers - highlighted threads (OK, they also work for others, but in case of newbies they may act as a magnet).

[MikeWasHere05]

What about a portal system with Recent Posts part? This way they can go to your entry page, read the latest news and browse the Recent Posts tab, or click a link and go right into the forums.

[ablueman]

What about a portal system with Recent Posts part? This way they can go to your entry page, read the latest news and browse the Recent Posts tab, or click a link and go right into the forums.

My opinon is to not have a page for it .. people just want to get in to it.

Even sitepoints distracts you from what ure looking for sometimes (though in general I love this place )

I think if your gonna have something like that make is a small window somewhere on the main page that doesnt get in the way and just highlights the 3 - 4 busiest posts. And / or a moderator chosen post?

[technel]

I'm sorry, I don't really understand if you mean adding an entry page after you click "Go to the forum" on the first page in your link there or if you mean keeping that page. If you do not have a home page, I do not think you should go straight to the forum (I like sort of a portal where you can view the latest posts, announcements, etc). However, if you have the sort of setup like you do (where you ask people to go to the simulator or the forum), it would be kind of stupid to go to another portal page.

Sorry if I missed anything. I like the way you have it in the link.

[budbiss]

I have to agree with some of the others here, in my opinion an entry page is just another click before getting to the meat and potatoes. I think sometimes it is true that less is better.

[Amirsan]

there's a simple solution to this if you like the idea.

All you have to do is make the front page look like a blog, and then have a forum. If possible with a hack or something, why dont you just make a two column layout. The banner on the top, on the left column for the main content you can post news. When you post news they appear on the news forum so when people want to comment they will go to the forum. Then on the right side you can post a link to every one of your forums and categories, a login forum, and maybe an advertisement.

And thats it.