or make separate sub-fora per GM?
For reasons not explained to me, our Gaming Outpost hosts wish to keep the number of individual forums minimal. We have a Multiverser forum here at our insistence, because some years back when they were using a previous forum software they invited us to make Gaming Outpost the home of our Official Multiverser Forum, and having published to the world that this is where it is, we feel it important that it be identifiably present here.
If it's just a matter of changing a number, why not make the front page hold 100 threads? Then you know it won't wrap the page.
Well, I don't know if it's just a matter of changing a number, but I do know that the argument for keeping the number low is that the page loads faster and it's less burden on the database to find the most recent threads list. I suggested increasing it by 15 because half again as many wouldn't be that much of an increased burden. I had thought of doubling it, but I don't think tripling is necessary.
The first question, though, is whether it's something that can be done relatively easily, or a major undertaking. I know that some software systems allow users to select how many threads (or posts) they want to have appear on a page on an individual basis, but I don't see that in my profile (I do see lists of every thread I've started or posted to, which could be another way to get to them, but not to get to the ones you're just reading).
If changing the number is easy, then a small change works best; if it's a major undertaking then either we don't change it or we give serious thought to how many posts we want on the front page.
--M. J. Young