Why a forum and not the issue tracker?

[Random832 6]

They are normally used for feature requests as well as bugs - they're useful for this purpose because they're easier to search to see if someone has posted it before, it has categories, etc. I assumed this was the case for TFC, too, especially as you have a "feature" severity level just like everyone else does. I didn't even know about the forum because the bug tracker was the first place I looked, because that's where most people maintain feature requests. I only found out about the suggestion forum after someone was very rude to me about it on the bug tracker.

So, my question is A) why is it set up this way, instead of the normal way with "feature" type issues being used for this sort of thing, and B, why is there still a "feature' level and no warning that feature requests should not be posted to the issue tracker?

(no this is not off topic as I am making a suggestion to remove the "feature" tag and add a warning that feature requests are not to be posted to the issue tracker)

[ECC 508]

Coming from several other communities, a tracker is generally how bugs are maintained a a forum for the ideas. There is always some crossover between the two, but what you state appears to put you in the light as someone who was born differently to the net. i guess its preference of the staff though.

[Enzer 60]

Having an open forum for suggestions also allows for community feedback on suggestions. This often puts a suggestion under fire and in the end bad suggestions die off while ones that have some note to them turned out more polished and thought out then what was originally suggested. In my own opinion, suggestions that have been discussed by the community beforehand are usually in a better state to bring to the developer's attention (you get a lot of the pros and cons already discussed and methods of execution, saves time).

[Biodigious 211]

Having an open forum for suggestions also allows for community feedback on suggestions. This often puts a suggestion under fire and in the end bad suggestions die off while ones that have some note to them turned out more polished and thought out then what was originally suggested. In my own opinion, suggestions that have been discussed by the community beforehand are usually in a better state to bring to the developer's attention (you get a lot of the pros and cons already discussed and methods of execution, saves time).

People can reply to any feature requests on the bugtracker as well. I mean, I think that's how we've been figuring out if the bugs submitted there were actually bugs or not. But what would I know, I'm just a simple country Hyper-Chicken.

[achartran 465]

Forums are a better place for discussion than an issue tracker, some of these threads have hundreds of posts, all in a nice easy to read format. The issue tracker is not so nice and easy to read. It's also a bit ugly if you ask me.

[Gorni 73]

Well the tracker ain't made to look good, but to work. Anyway there might be some changes in how to report bugs in the future, but i don't know in what direction it will go.

[Biodigious 211]

...some of these threads have hundreds of posts,...

spread over multiple pages, showing only a handful of posts at a time.

The bugtracker has all the replies on one page; no need to load another page looking for something, just scroll up or down.

...in a nice easy to read format...

What makes it easier to read?

The signatures that take up more space than the posts themselves? The large empty white spaces on short posts caused by the profile pic and the other unneeded lines on the left side? How about... a default dark print on a default lighter background?

Hell, the 'Topic Summary' in the 'More Reply Options' is easier to read than the topic itself.

... It's also a bit ugly if you ask me.

Oh, in that case, consider this discussion ended. Let us go braid each others hair and talk about unicorns and other non "a bit ugly" things.

[Crysyn 179]

Because ideas are discussed and kicked around on the forums and if they move forward they are just implemented. The issue tracking system is used only for bugs, not at all for features and such.

Question answered, locking the thread