Is the forum going too far south ?

[Scot]

There is a danger that the number of categories becomes too large and I suspect that this will put people off more than attract.

[Gadget]

...but I'd have thought that pretty much most topics are fairly location-neutral;...

I agree - most topics are, it's the chit-chat that goes on within them that is normally bias towards Down Souf:
"did you get to that dance in Hamersmith?" "thanks for the dance at withemstone, will I see you next tuesday?" "i danced in brighton; were you there? it was great!"...

I think the perceived problem would be reduced if people used PM's for this sort of stuff rather than the open forum.

As to why you don't hear about what a great time all us Scotts have? Because that's normal. We would comment if it was really amazing or if we had a grumble; but since the quality of dancing and freindlyness is so high all the time, there is no need to.

[drathzel]

As to why you don't hear about what a great time all us Scotts have? Because that's normal. We would comment if it was really amazing or if we had a grumble; but since the quality of dancing and freindlyness is so high all the time, there is no need to.

[stewart38]

If you fancy a trip to Scotland I'm sure that there are enough forumites on here to make you feel welcome and help you find the best venues to go to.

Sounds like a southerns coach trip required

[drathzel]

Sounds like a southerns coach trip required

while your at it you can take a detour through N.Ireland

[Icey]

If you fancy a trip to Scotland I'm sure that there are enough forumites on here to make you feel welcome and help you find the best venues to go to.

I had a brilliant weekend when I was there last month

[stewart38]

while your at it you can take a detour through N.Ireland

where is Northern Ireland ?

[drathzel]

where is Northern Ireland ?

NO 14
would you like directions?

[David Bailey]

I'd been thinking of posting a new thread asking folks how the forums could be revamped or rearranged to improve the organisation. (Just for my own curiosity, though maybe Franck would also be interested.)

All your ideas sound good to me, but I'd recommend salami tactics rather than whole-scale revamp; easier to implement, and easier to discuss pros and cons of each one.

There is a danger that the number of categories becomes too large and I suspect that this will put people off more than attract.

I agree that navigation is an issue - and yes, from a usability point of view, there are clearly too many options already. Perhaps retiring the "Book Club", "Big Brother House" and "Diary Room" would be a start? And possibly then moving "Fun&Games" into the Discussion Lounge area, and moving the "BFG" ... Hmmm, Ducasi's right, it's like unravelling a ball of twine once you get started, isn't it?

OK, so I guess we'd have something like 4 main sections (same as now):
- "Ceroc / dance technical discussions" - as is
- "Discussion lounge" - as is, but including Fun&Games
- "Social" - as described above
- "Testing testing" - as is.

Maybe this should be a new thread - "How would you redesign Forum structure?"...

[David Bailey]

it's the chit-chat that goes on within them that is normally bias towards Down Souf:
"did you get to that dance in Hamersmith?" "thanks for the dance at withemstone, will I see you next tuesday?" "i danced in brighton; were you there? it was great!"...

I think the perceived problem would be reduced if people used PM's for this sort of stuff rather than the open forum.

Thank God someone else thinks that these type of messages are a waste of bandwidth...

[ducasi]

Thank God someone else thinks that these type of messages are a waste of bandwidth...

Except that a PM'ed "thanks for the dances" can have a very different meaning than a public one. Plus, in a PM conversation there's no chance for someone else to butt-in with their ""'s, etc...

[David Bailey]

Plus, in a PM conversation there's no chance for someone else to butt-in with their ""'s, etc...

Yeah - and that's a Good Thing. All these flippin' "Me toos"...

For an example of value-free content, look at the Monday Jango thread - and the fact that I could do a summary of that thread in 50 words. Even the SS has content occasionally....

[LMC]

Except that a PM'ed "thanks for the dances" can have a very different meaning than a public one.

Seems a shame - to me, it would mean "thanks for the dances" - whether sent or received.

Plus, in a PM conversation there's no chance for someone else to butt-in with their ""'s, etc...

Plus PMs don't lead to rep

[Northants Girly]

I agree - most topics are, it's the chit-chat that goes on within them that is normally bias towards Down Souf:
"did you get to that dance in Hamersmith?" "thanks for the dance at withemstone, will I see you next tuesday?" "i danced in brighton; were you there? it was great!"...

I think the perceived problem would be reduced if people used PM's for this sort of stuff rather than the open forum.

Yeah to a point.

But if it's a discussion in the "Chit Chat" area of the forum then Chit Chat should be expected/allowed

[Minnie M]

.......Plus PMs don't lead to rep

is that how you got to over 1000 reps

[LMC]

I resent the implication that I've been campaigning by PM

My comment referred more to the fact that an open comment on forum can be repped, a PM can't.

[Lynn]

Yeah - and that's a Good Thing. All these flippin' "Me toos"...

(Sorry, couldn't resist it...)

[LMC]

(Sorry, couldn't resist it...)

is the only appropriate response really innit?

[David Bailey]

Me too

[TheTramp]

For an example of value-free content, look at the Monday Jango thread - and the fact that I could do a summary of that thread in 50 words.

I dunno. I could probably do it in the same one word that I used for the SS summary!

Even the SS has content occasionally....

Don't be silly!