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Good or Bad?
Good 8 (66.7%)
Bad 4 (33.3%)
Total Votes: 12
Sub Forums
Topic Started: Feb 4 2006, 10:39 PM (519 Views)
Das
Second Grade
Advantages:
More organised.

Disadvantages:
Get over looked.
Multipule sub forums look bad IMO.

There are more, but I'm sure you can think of them on your own.

Personally I think 2 is enough.
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Drangonsile
Member Avatar
Second Grade
Certain Subforums could be helpful, others would be a waste.
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Jappyx
Second Grade
I think that in some instances, they are needed, and some they are not needed.

In the general community chat, there are pointless polls like "What browser do you use?", and then serious topics. I think that the "lighter" topics should be separate from the "deeper topics". So, subforums would help there.
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FusedFox
Member Avatar
First Grade
Some are helpful, many are unnecessary and take organization to clutter.

Personally, the only additional subforums I can see a need to add would be a poll forum (for all of those "What browser are you using?" incarnations) and a serious discussion forum (for political/social/philosphical topics).

However, then what's the point of having a general Community Chat forum? It would just become a directory of subforums for discussion, which, in my eyes, is a waste. I really don't like subforums personally, but sometimes they're helpful in organization and can improve a forum if used properly.

Now, enough of my general rant on subforums, I think in the Community's case, we could use maybe one more subforum. Anymore and organized becomes clutter. As far as the reason for that forum, that would be something for discussion of us in the Think Tank; I doubt that anyone would object to limiting any possible subforums to just one as long as we make sure that a) it's necessary, and b) it solves a problem of the Community.
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ibh
Member Avatar
Second Grade
Quote:
 
Personally, the only additional subforums I can see a need to add would be a poll forum (for all of those "What browser are you using?" incarnations) and a serious discussion forum (for political/social/philosphical topics).

Agreed

Quote:
 
However, then what's the point of having a general Community Chat forum?

To get to know other members better, here their theories about deep meaningful things, as well as their age and fav browser, location, etc.
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Das
Second Grade
FusedFox
Feb 5 2006, 03:07 AM
Personally, the only additional subforums I can see a need to add would be a poll forum (for all of those "What browser are you using?" incarnations) and a serious discussion forum (for political/social/philosphical topics).

However, then what's the point of having a general Community Chat forum? It would just become a directory of subforums for discussion, which, in my eyes, is a waste. I really don't like subforums personally, but sometimes they're helpful in organization and can improve a forum if used properly.

I like the idea of a poll forum.
As for a serious dissucions forum, I think not. There are quite a few reasons for that:
1. Most of IF is under 21. They may be smart, but Philosphy isn't in most of their grasps.
2. Most of those topics turn into flaming.
3. Where do you draw the line between serious, and not? I could think that Neo from the Matix resembels god in some round-about way, and you could think it was dumb. Who is right? Is it fair to judge?


Completely agreed. Breaking things into smaller sections, just thins out the amount of topics, and activity.

Quote:
 
...here their theories about deep meaningful things

as well as their age and fav browser, location, etc.

:rofl: You havn't been here long have you? Very few people have the compasity for such thoughts, and most of them are mods of some sort.

Poll forum.
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ibh
Member Avatar
Second Grade
Give the people more credit, Das.

I don't mean to sound nasty but will certain people here, take one step back, look at yourself, and realise that you're not superior than any other person.
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Das
Second Grade
ibh
Feb 5 2006, 11:07 AM
Give the people more credit, Das.

I don't mean to sound nasty but will certain people here, take one step back, look at yourself, and realise that you're not superior than any other person.

*Das pokes Com Chat. Look at all the intellegent discusions there.
Maybe one or two, and they always get ruined. Just as PhranK he is always making good topics, and they're always getting ruined.


Oh, I am far from superior. I have an incredably low self-estem.
For example:
- My spelling sucks
- I am young so I don't have vast experience with life
- I don't have a job
- I'm not a fast runner
I could go on, but you get the pint.
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FusedFox
Member Avatar
First Grade
ibh
Feb 5 2006, 05:07 AM
Quote:
 
However, then what's the point of having a general Community Chat forum?

To get to know other members better, here their theories about deep meaningful things, as well as their age and fav browser, location, etc.

You misunderstand the question; if we create too many subforums, then what becomes of the actual Community Chat forum and NOT its subforums?

As for the political/social/philosophical reference, I go to a Harry Potter-based forum with one, but it's excellently modded and enforces strong punishments to keep members in line. Basically, if you can't conduct yourself in a decent, respectful manner, BAN. I'm quite aware of the mental capacities of the many people who make the repeat and pointless topics, but I find that if an actual debate is placed in front of them, it can actually make their brain cells function in a challenging way.
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Tachyon
Member Avatar
Third Grade
I don't necessarily think it's the number of sub-forums which matter (although personally I'd like to keep it to two or three) so much as what they're intended for.

Really, Ratings and Games and Gaming Discussion seem a bit redundant. >_<

An entire sub-forum would be good for debate. There have been occasions when serious topics could be intelligently debated. By separating these from the normal topics, we'll quickly be able to determine who is interested in debating, who is mature enough to conduct themselves with dignity and respect, and who starts these sorts of topics.

I like to debate, and occasionally post, but I must confess that I'm not much of a topic starter. :/
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Yodaminch
Administrator
Personally I think I agree with whichever one said get rid of gaming discussion. Either or when if2 has unlimited subforums a sub for games with one for discussion and one for ratings and the other games.
I really like the idea of a welcome forum. I really would almost want it to be a full forum as opposed to a sub forum.
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Tachyon
Member Avatar
Third Grade
Yodaminch
Feb 5 2006, 05:20 PM
Personally I think I agree with whichever one said get rid of gaming discussion. Either or when if2 has unlimited subforums a sub for games with one for discussion and one for ratings and the other games.
I really like the idea of a welcome forum. I really would almost want it to be a full forum as opposed to a sub forum.

While introductions forums aren't my personal preference, I concede that such a sub-forum would probably work well. It'd give members a chance to have their own personalised topics.

Another board that I visit has taken the idea of an "introduction" sub-forum and expanded upon the concept to create something called "This Is Me". Basically every member is allowed one topic. The topic title has to be their username. They can introduce themselves, others can talk, et cetera. And they can continue posting in the topic and talking about their life and discussing stuff with others throughout their stay on the board, even when they're no longer newbies.

So if, for example, I were going away for two weeks and wanted to let people know, I could post in my "This Is Me" topic and then anyone who is interested could check out my topic and see that I was away, and maybe post "have a good time" without cluttering up Community Chat.
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Yodaminch
Administrator
that's certainly something to consider.

Here's an example of what we could attempt with a welcome forum http://boards.theforce.net/Board.aspx?brd=10181
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Tachyon
Member Avatar
Third Grade
That's interesting.

It'd also help because it would reduce the number of pinned topics in the Community Chat forum. I saw in another post here suggestions for different topics to be pinned, and I cringe to think of yet more pinned topics. They should be used sparingly so that members don't just gloss over them.
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zorg222
First Grade
Tachyon
Feb 5 2006, 05:15 PM
An entire sub-forum would be good for debate. There have been occasions when serious topics could be intelligently debated. By separating these from the normal topics, we'll quickly be able to determine who is interested in debating, who is mature enough to conduct themselves with dignity and respect, and who starts these sorts of topics.

I agree. I think the community is certainly capable of holding debates and such, and I think a sub-forum could help bring out that capability. (As it will get people thinking specifically of debate topics to post.)
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Yodaminch
Administrator
if we take debates to a seperate forum, then what becomes of community chat itself?
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Tachyon
Member Avatar
Third Grade
Yodaminch
Feb 5 2006, 06:23 PM
if we take debates to a seperate forum, then what becomes of community chat itself?

I'm talking about serious debates on subjects. Basically the separate sub-forum allows staff and members to focus on those debates and keep a closer eye on them should they get out of hand.

An example of a serious debate would be anything political, really. The war on Iraq, et cetera. By singling these topics out and sending them to a separate sub-forum, it increases their visibility. Those members who like to post in such topics know where to go, and staff know which topics need a little extra attention.

Community Chat is still the place to discuss other stuff: sports, the Super Bowl; favourite things and interests; the weather; what you think of the latest movie. Basically the stuff that won't turn into a heavy debate with a pro-con line for people to take sides on.
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Yodaminch
Administrator
You put a debate forum in there you will have

Gay Marriage
Religion
and Politics

that lead to nowhere. They will get so heated, I guarentee more suspension will occur
then progress.
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Tachyon
Member Avatar
Third Grade
That's a good point, and it's a reason why I've been ambivalent about such a sub-forum. But if we are on the subject of discussing such sub-forums, I think that it is a particular type of sub-forum we may want to consider.

So we've got these ideas for sub-forums

  • Welcome/Intro/This is me type thing
  • Ratings and Games (no postcount)
  • Serious debate
Not a definite list, just the ideas for sub-forums so far.

I really don't like gaming discussion. Blame me because I don't game. :D
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zorg222
First Grade
Yodaminch
Feb 5 2006, 06:23 PM
if we take debates to a seperate forum, then what becomes of community chat itself?

But is the community in its current state really producing much deep discussion? I think people would see "Debates," as a new sub-forum, and try to get their minds rolling to get a topic to post there. People tend to only post little shallow things in the main Community Chat forum as it is, the sub-forum could just be a spark of sorts that reminds everyone of those deeper topics they can post, thus starting a chain reaction of intellectual debate.

Yes, they can be heated. Though I'd like to think there are a few genuine people (the people the forum should be targeted at) who can argue their point without getting personal or breaking rules.
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Yodaminch
Administrator
gaming discussion was jeremy's project anyway. i doubt seth would object to its merging back into com chat
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Drangonsile
Member Avatar
Second Grade
Yodaminch
Feb 5 2006, 06:35 PM
gaming discussion was jeremy's project anyway. i doubt seth would object to its merging back into com chat

thats a good idea its not really used much.


edit: oops i thought you said ratings and games.
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ibh
Member Avatar
Second Grade
Quote:
 
Another board that I visit has taken the idea of an "introduction" sub-forum and expanded upon the concept to create something called "This Is Me". Basically every member is allowed one topic. The topic title has to be their username. They can introduce themselves, others can talk, et cetera. And they can continue posting in the topic and talking about their life and discussing stuff with others throughout their stay on the board, even when they're no longer newbies.

So if, for example, I were going away for two weeks and wanted to let people know, I could post in my "This Is Me" topic and then anyone who is interested could check out my topic and see that I was away, and maybe post "have a good time" without cluttering up Community Chat.


That is the best idea I've heard all day!
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Das
Second Grade
Yodaminch
Feb 5 2006, 05:20 PM
Personally I think I agree with whichever one said get rid of gaming discussion.

Me ^_^.
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Pete
First Grade
Personally, I have to say that sub-forums are a good idea. They make the board index look a lot cleaner and tidier, and they keep things organised. Having said that, the gaming discussion sub-forum is stupid. There's 3 kinds of topics:

1.) DS vs. PSP
2.) 360 vs. PS3 vs. Revolution
3.) 360 vs. PS3

It gets so boring and repetitive. There is rarely a decent topic in gaming discussion IMO.
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Locke
First Grade
Introduction Forums:
Personally, I don't like them all that much. I feel that nothing is accomplished by a person posting a topic saying "hi" and then a dozen people saying "welcome." Basically, it's spam that is permitted. After so long, it's no longer special to have someone welcome you to the board, because you see that they've done the same thing to the rest of the people on the page as well. Rather, when a person sees someone new posting around, I think it's more welcoming to receive a PM saying "Hi, I see you're new to the board. I hope you're enjoying yourself, etc." If that were to come from a staff member, I would imagine they'd feel spectacular about themselves.

Debate/Serious Discussion
This can work, and it can be wonderful, but after a time it gets repetitive, and you will also find that people find it to be segregating of smart and those not-so-smart. Which, in all technicality, it is. However the biggest problem lies in the lowering of Community Chat's discussion value. By keeping it all mixed together you encounter those who shouldn't step foot in a debate, but you also keep it in people's minds that complete idiocy isn't welcome here. Basically, a rise in post quality occurs if this is done correctly.


If you want subforums, definitely limit yourself. Before too long you divide it up so much that a lack of topics will ensue and people just aren't sure what there is to post about anymore.


The one subforum I feel that IF could use, though not directly in Community Chat, would be a technology subforum as mentioned in another one of the topics here. This would probably be more logically situated as the main forum to Coding and Programming with that forum becoming a subforum. Concerning that forum, did anyone notice it's now below Digital and Web Design? Odd. Regardless, adding this forum gives the techies a place to talk without people creating the repetitive "IE vs FF" topics.
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Dennis
Second Grade
ibh
Feb 5 2006, 07:11 PM
Quote:
 
Another board that I visit has taken the idea of an "introduction" sub-forum and expanded upon the concept to create something called "This Is Me". Basically every member is allowed one topic. The topic title has to be their username. They can introduce themselves, others can talk, et cetera. And they can continue posting in the topic and talking about their life and discussing stuff with others throughout their stay on the board, even when they're no longer newbies.

So if, for example, I were going away for two weeks and wanted to let people know, I could post in my "This Is Me" topic and then anyone who is interested could check out my topic and see that I was away, and maybe post "have a good time" without cluttering up Community Chat.


That is the best idea I've heard all day!

Ooh! I like this idea. ^_^

Sorry if I haven't been posting much, everyone else has said anything I want to say.
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Potter
Third Grade
Tachyon
Feb 5 2006, 06:33 PM
That's a good point, and it's a reason why I've been ambivalent about such a sub-forum. But if we are on the subject of discussing such sub-forums, I think that it is a particular type of sub-forum we may want to consider.

So we've got these ideas for sub-forums

  • Welcome/Intro/This is me type thing
  • Ratings and Games (no postcount)
  • Serious debate
Not a definite list, just the ideas for sub-forums so far.

I really don't like gaming discussion. Blame me because I don't game. :D

I really like this idea.

Welcome/Intro/This is me type thing - I would also include this to be "leaving" threads and birthday wishes. This would obviously eliminate the Revolving Door topics, reducing the number of pinned topics, which is a good thing, methinks.

Where will the Gaming Discussion topics go? Comm. Chat?
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Das
Second Grade
Tachyon
Feb 5 2006, 06:33 PM
So we've got these ideas for sub-forums

  • Welcome/Intro/This is me type thing
  • Ratings and Games (no postcount)
  • Serious debate
Not a definite list, just the ideas for sub-forums so far.

Why have a whole forum for hello's, and goodbye's? All that does is make a thousand small topics. One pinned topic is the way to go.

^_^.

Like I said before you many of those are there really?
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Tachyon
Member Avatar
Third Grade
Das
Feb 6 2006, 04:05 AM
Why have a whole forum for hello's, and goodbye's? All that does is make a thousand small topics. One pinned topic is the way to go.

I agree with you in principle. Having an entire sub-forum for just hellos/goodbyes would definitely be superfluous. That's why I proposed expanding it into much more, into a sub-forum where each member has their topic, a topic that doesn't languish after they are no longer new, but in which they can keep posting for as long as they want.
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Jappyx
Second Grade
Almost all of this has been said above, but I thought I would share my thoughts. :)

I really like the "this is me" idea. It's really good in my oppinion. Like said, it could house all the "goodbye, Happy Birthday, I'm back etc.." posts, as well as just general member information and background information.

Getting rid of Gaming Discussion is a good idea. Like said, it is becoming VERY repetitive, and not every active. The active posts are just repeats of a few pages back. Gaming is a big part of the world, but I think it would do just fine in the Community Chat section, without its own sub-forum.

Serious debate. I belive that I have said that I love those kind of Discussions. They are so good. I doubt it would get personal between two people, however there is that posibilty. I think that as soon aas you leave the debate sub-forum, you should instantly forget whatever you were agrueing about and act like normal members do to each other. Only when you are in the topic should you argue. It would need heavy moderation, and regular cleans, but all in all, I think it would make an awesome sun-forum..

:)
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Pete
First Grade
Tachyon
Feb 5 2006, 06:33 PM

  • Welcome/Intro/This is me type thing
  • Ratings and Games (no postcount)
  • Serious debate

I must say I really like the idea of the Welcome/Intro/This is me type thing idea. But just as Potter suggested, maybe a converse sub-forum? Like a Bye/Outtro/This was me type thing idea?
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dlf
Second Grade
Problem with sub forums is. Yes currently you can have sub forums, but not sub sub. If your thinking of making a sub sub forum for "good-bye" etc that wouldn't work currently.
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ibh
Member Avatar
Second Grade
Just keep thinking... "IF2"
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Das
Second Grade
Tachyon
Feb 6 2006, 06:45 AM
Das
Feb 6 2006, 04:05 AM
Why have a whole forum for hello's, and goodbye's? All that does is make a thousand small topics. One pinned topic is the way to go.

I agree with you in principle. Having an entire sub-forum for just hellos/goodbyes would definitely be superfluous. That's why I proposed expanding it into much more, into a sub-forum where each member has their topic, a topic that doesn't languish after they are no longer new, but in which they can keep posting for as long as they want.

And then that forum turns into a blog. I hate the idea of a community forum having personal stuff. I'd understand someone posting if they won a new car, but other than that no.
When things turn personal you can't relly reply. I mean look at most blog responses :|.
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Tachyon
Member Avatar
Third Grade
Das
Feb 6 2006, 09:49 PM
Tachyon
Feb 6 2006, 06:45 AM
Das
Feb 6 2006, 04:05 AM
Why have a whole forum for hello's, and goodbye's? All that does is make a thousand small topics. One pinned topic is the way to go.

I agree with you in principle. Having an entire sub-forum for just hellos/goodbyes would definitely be superfluous. That's why I proposed expanding it into much more, into a sub-forum where each member has their topic, a topic that doesn't languish after they are no longer new, but in which they can keep posting for as long as they want.

And then that forum turns into a blog. I hate the idea of a community forum having personal stuff. I'd understand someone posting if they won a new car, but other than that no.
When things turn personal you can't relly reply. I mean look at most blog responses :|.

I could say, "And what's wrong with that?" but I won't. :D

For the purposes of discussion I will now hold a dramatic re-enactment of such a topic. Please, will the faint of heart leave the room now. And stand back; I need lots of room:

NewUser on Feb. 6 at 4:25 PM
Hi! I'm new here. I'm 17 and live in Quebec. My friend showed my IF and I joined here to get some cool codes for my board. I like rap music and watch a lot of MuchMusic.

OlderMember on Feb. 6 at 4:27 PM
Hey there, NewUser! Welcome to InvisionFree. Glad to see that you're having a good time.

SomeDude on Feb. 6 at 4:34 PM
So NewUser, what's your favourite rap artist?

NewUser on Feb. 6 at 4:36 PM
Ludacris

SomeDude on Feb. 6 at 5:00 PM
Cool.

NewUser on Feb. 29 at 2:43 PM
Cool, I leave for Florida in two weeks!

ThisGal on Feb. 29 at 3:10 PM
Awesome, I lived in Florida when I was younger. Where?

NewUser on March 10 at 8:00 AM
So I'm off to Florida for a week and won't be around. Miss me!



Obviously it'd be slightly different, but hopefully you get the idea. It lets users get to know each other, and has the advantage of:

  • Being more personal than a single revolving door topic that, while more concentrated and organised, is more generic
  • Being more than just an Introductions forum, because I agree we don't need this. It isn't a blog, and I don't think that it would be use this way. It's just a topic where users can post about themselves and share info. The only problem may be in users posting links to their board, but I think that is a minor obstacle at most.
I'd list more points but then I'd really just be repeating myself. In short I'm saying that I don't think it'd be used as a blog. Members basically get to converse with each other, about anecdotal stuff, yes, in their own ways.

Since Yoda posted a link I'll post the model off which I'm working:
http://www.startrekvoyager.com/viewforum.php?f=89
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Das
Second Grade
I do like the idea of being more personalized, but a million topics is not the way to go. If it happened exactly like you showed that'd be great, but if you dig up old topics like that you'll see all the replies are: "I'm glad your here, have fun".
That really dosn't deserve a whole new topic.

I still do like the idea of being more personalized. Maybe have a member announcemtns thread for people saying they are moving or something like that :/.

Oh! Great idea right now.
What about a ask another member game. You go and find a new member, then ask them a ton of questions.
Then you post the results at IF. Kinda' like interview the staff except with old members and new ones.
We could just pick new members at random, and encourage others to ask to be interview'd.
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Tachyon
Member Avatar
Third Grade
An interview game would be a good idea. Maybe have it a biannual thing where every six months members who are interested in interviewing can sign up, then members who are interested in being interviewed can sign up, and we match 'em up?

*Tachyon pokes Das to go put it in games topic.

I concede my idea probably wouldn't work with the scope of our board and its plethora of members.
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Das
Second Grade
Tachyon
Feb 7 2006, 04:15 AM
*Tachyon pokes Das to go put it in games topic.

Works for me.

EDIT: http://support.invisionfree.com/index.php?showtopic=227128
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Yodaminch
Administrator
Tachyon
Feb 7 2006, 12:15 AM
An interview game would be a good idea. Maybe have it a biannual thing where every six months members who are interested in interviewing can sign up, then members who are interested in being interviewed can sign up, and we match 'em up?

*Tachyon pokes Das to go put it in games topic.

I concede my idea probably wouldn't work with the scope of our board and its plethora of members.

Not without some models and clear policy from the beginning.

MY proposal that I would bring to the staff room. The subforum is made, ALL staff post a topic and follow your model. We then bring in some other members, doc team, ctt, exstaff etc and get them to post models, THEN we open it to the public so they have a clear idea what we want.
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