I suggest the administrators remove the sub-forums and integrate them into corresponding forums with a read-only tag. For example, let us consider install/boot sub-forum, we can have a install/boot forum and put the archived thread under it as read-only threads. The users can find previous threads there to read and can create new threads from there only. They wont have to navigate to a different forum for their posts. Let me know if I could be of any help.
With the amount of time, the format of the databases, and the resources available, this was not an option when merging the SuSE Linux Support, SUSE Forums.net, and Novell Forums databases. Sorry.
On the plus side, though, the archive forums are fully searchable, so if you’re looking for something, I highly recommend using the forum’s search function. The near empty main forums will fill up with a knowledgebase soon enough, I assure you. 
I understand that it was not an option and it is quite obvious. What I am trying to say is that work can be done in this regard in future to make the forums more organised. The merging of forums has been really nice and shall be very beneficial to all of us in the long run.