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Post by abacus9900 on Sept 6, 2010 18:51:26 GMT 1
I was just wondering if this forum supported a 'sub-boards' format where, instead of being presented with a random mix of threads on first entering the board, different scientific categories could be displayed so that a poster could enter the subject area he/she was interested in. At the moment there seem to be many new threads that have been created about global warming which is rather confusing to anyone looking for another subject and also, various other threads which are not grouped together. It seems to me it would be much easier for people if they could easily identify the general area of science they are currently looking for and not become confused about what the thread is about.
Thank you.
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Post by abacus9900 on Sept 6, 2010 19:15:03 GMT 1
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Post by trollhunterx on Sept 6, 2010 19:31:28 GMT 1
I was just wondering if this forum supported a 'sub-boards' format where, instead of being presented with a random mix of threads on first entering the board, different scientific categories could be displayed so that a poster could enter the subject area he/she was interested in. It does. You can have categories, and within those categories, boards. I've made a forum where the second category is invisible, and you need a password ('wangchung') to access the boards on it. Course, unless you know the name of the boards, you can't get to them to enter the password... There may, indeed, be a hidden board on this site, for moderators. The trouble with extra boards is that that's exactly what worried people about the Science Forum. A little too much choice. It's best to try to keep it simple. I wonder if we might possibly have one separate board, for a shrine to AGW, though..?
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Post by marchesarosa on Sept 6, 2010 19:58:57 GMT 1
You might find that the division into "Climate" and "The Rest" could leave YOUR board a little undersubscribed, Joe K?
What do other boarders think?
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Post by abacus9900 on Sept 6, 2010 20:06:38 GMT 1
I think that at least would be a good idea. AGW sceptics have a right to their say but the number of individual threads devoted to this topic is rather spoiling it for others because it is not always clear what a thread is about and the sheer number of AGW OPs seem to be designed to 'trap' unsuspecting posters.
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Post by abacus9900 on Sept 6, 2010 20:10:13 GMT 1
You might find that the division into "Climate" and "The Rest" could leave YOUR board a little undersubscribed, Joe K? What do other boarders think? Mary, people should have a choice but not be confused by the random mix of threads that exist at present. If you are confident that that many people are interested in the AGW debate you will not fear a change.
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Post by kiteman on Sept 6, 2010 20:42:40 GMT 1
Mind you, the ex-WH board has twice the membership this board currently does (although the "most online" is not massively different, and this board's "recently active" is slightly greater).
I wonder how the two boards compare regarding search-engine traffic?
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Post by marchesarosa on Sept 6, 2010 21:05:55 GMT 1
Only about a dozen are active on the WH Proboard. We're all old pals! (chokes!)
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Post by abacus9900 on Sept 6, 2010 21:18:27 GMT 1
Only about a dozen are active on the WH Proboard. We're all old pals! (chokes!) Mary, don't forget that it is quality, not quantity, that counts!
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Post by marchesarosa on Sept 6, 2010 23:15:23 GMT 1
I do remember that, abacus, all the time!
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Post by lazarus on Sept 7, 2010 0:54:41 GMT 1
I agree with the idea of splitting into subjects but it could be done on a fairly course level, eg Astronomy, Biology, Environmental, Technology etc.
Who do we canvas for such a change? Joanne Byers?
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Post by abacus9900 on Sept 7, 2010 8:05:10 GMT 1
I agree with the idea of splitting into subjects but it could be done on a fairly course level, eg Astronomy, Biology, Environmental, Technology etc. Who do we canvas for such a change? Joanne Byers? I agree, and we need moderation to make sure some order is kept but I have seen no sign of any moderators thus far. Perhaps some of us could volunteer to act as moderators, especially those with previous experience. It would be a pity to ruin this MB through lack of proper supervision.
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Post by lazarus on Sept 7, 2010 8:19:18 GMT 1
There has been some moderation, At least one post has disappeared. rsmith7 started an awful thread calling someone called yellowcat, who may not even be a member here.
We do need some moderation to remove abusive posts like these.
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Post by abacus9900 on Sept 7, 2010 8:37:15 GMT 1
I agree and I have also just sent Joan a personal message requesting consideration of bringing in some form of separate sub-boards in order to organize all the mixed up threads into proper scientific categories. The problem is the number of AGW threads are now becoming disproportionately large and are threatening to take over the board in the way they did on the BBC SB. It would also make it easier for people to choose their particular area of scientific interest rather than having to trawl through the increasingly growing number of individual threads.
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Post by StuartG on Sept 7, 2010 8:52:32 GMT 1
We can have sub-boards each devoted to a particular poster, so that others could vent their spleens..... or better still! How about Thanking the person who took the trouble to set this up [at no cost to us] for US. StuartG
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