New SMF admin need advice on how to organize boards

[c4c]

I am new user and I need advice on how to organize my boards.

I have three options to organize my forum:
Option #1, Create categories and boards as following:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional Certifications <-- category
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun Certified Java Programmer(SCJP)             <-- 1st board
Sun Certified Java Programmer Exam Results <-- 2nd board
PMP Certification                                             <--3rd board
PMP Certification Exam Results                       <--4th board

Option #2, use of child boards
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional Certifications <-- category
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun Certified Java Programmer(SCJP) <-- 1st board
            Exam Results                          <-- Child board
PMP Certification                                 <-- 2nd board
            Exam Results                           <-- Child board

Option #3, seperate categories
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional Certifications <-- 1st category
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun Certified Java Programmer(SCJP) <-- 1st board
PMP Certification                                 <-- 2nd board
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Certification Exam Results <-- 2nd category
---------------------------------------------------------------------     
Sun Certified Java Programmer(SCJP) Exam Result <-- 1st board
PMP Certification Exam Result                                <-- 2nd board


Which option is better way to organize my forum?  I will appreciate if someone could tell me with reasons for choosing one option or not choosing other options.  I have never done admin job of any forum before.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Nimesh

[Spaceman-Spiff]

When you only have 4 boards in your entire forums, I suggest not using child boards unless necessary. Child boards helps organize large forums so they will look less cluttered. Personally, I like option #1 and option #3.

It's really up to you . Some people just prefer different styles.

[rsw686]

I like #1 or #3 as well. Although whatever you choose you can always reorganize the boards later.

[c4c]

When you only have 4 boards in your entire forums, I suggest not using child boards unless necessary. Child boards helps organize large forums so they will look less cluttered. Personally, I like option #1 and option #3.

Well, what I provided was just an example.  Not the fact that I am going to have only those 4 boards.  I can have such many other certification related boards.

Looking at the answer from two people, no one suggested child board.  Spaceman-Spiff said that you use them to make less cluttered forum when you have many boards.

What I did not like about child board that on the main forum page, it does not display description of child board.

It is good to know that I can always reorganize boards later.

Thanks for your feedback and I still look forward for fresh voice.  Any one else???

[karlbenson]

I personally think having less child boards is better.
Only when a certain topic within the confines of the existing forum becomes too busy, should it be separated out.