[Discussion] Sub-Forums Revisited

[LadyTevar]

From a concerned member of the gallery:

I don't think they are a really good idea, just for usability reasons. With a subforum, you can see it has new posts, but no further information (such as the time and the author of that post) from the main page. Also, when there is a new post in the subforum, the new post picture on the left of the top forum changes.

Lastly, it might make noticing where the forums are a bit harder to newbies. Someone might not see the small text of the subforum name, and pass right over it.

For example, if PST were made to be a subforum of STvSW, someone could post in PST, and the STvSW icon would turn green. This leads to extra clicking.


None of these complaints are very big, but coupled with the fact that I don't really see any benefits to having subforums (I like the board as it is), even small complaints make the whole thing a net loss to me.

I will tend to give Destructionator's opinions a bit of weight, as he is an Admin of another forum and their Software-Man.

[Hotfoot]

It occurs to me that subforums are a good place for archived or cleaned data (like the cleaned up fanfic forum), for example, Parting shots could be a subforum of the Hall of Shame, or the Senate, depending.

For the other forums, threads of considerable import, such as famous debates, datadumps by some of our more notable members, etc. There's no real reason to seriously collapse the board as far as I'm concerned. Subforums can just be used to store threads that might otherwise be stickied but, for reasons of keeping new threads near the top of the page, aren't.

[Connor MacLeod]

You mean I could get my own subforum for my 40K lunacy?

[Kuja]

You mean I could get my own subforum for my 40K lunacy?

You sir, have just sealed my vote.

[Connor MacLeod]

You mean I could get my own subforum for my 40K lunacy?

You sir, have just sealed my vote.

Ah but sealed it which way?

And in further reflection, this would be like having my own mad-scientist dungeon. WHEEEEE

(Although calling it "Connor's 40K Dungeon" makes me sound too much like a Slaanesh adept. *shudder*)

[Edi]

Parting Shots is not going to become a subforum of the HoS. HoS is non-public precisely because it used to encourage trolls to sign up and then get their shit flushed but still in public view, giving them a lot of the attention they wanted, so it will stay non-public.

Parting Shots, on the other hand, is public precisely to showcase WHY we boot somebody out. Their record will speak for itself so if they go someplace and whine about how hard done by they were and how unfairly they were treated, anyone can take a look and verify the facts of the matter for himself.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Parting shots could be made a subforum of the Senate, but I question why we need any subforums other than the cleaned up fanfics and an Art Gallery subforum, which would be very nice, actually, and appropriate, as that would cater to the other form of personal work on this board, artistic compositions, to give them fair standing with the writers.

[Ghost Rider]

Parting shots could be made a subforum of the Senate, but I question why we need any subforums other than the cleaned up fanfics and an Art Gallery subforum, which would be very nice, actually, and appropriate, as that would cater to the other form of personal work on this board, artistic compositions, to give them fair standing with the writers.

I say keep Parting Shots it's own seperate bit. The idea is a seperate and distinct forum to show who got banned and why. Lumping into the Senate dilutes the entire reason it was created.

As for other sub forums, the 40K subforum I can agree with since it's garnered enough of a following. Way back in the day I would agreed to a subforum of Babylon 5, but that has severly died down and NBSG hasn't gotten the following that Warhammer has.

[Sea Skimmer]

The only reason a subforum should exist is if it’s for a tpic that generates such interest that it clogs other forums, 40K sure doesn’t do that. Other Sci Fi pretty much never has so many activate threads that you cannot see every single one on a single screen.

[SirNitram]

With rumblings of a new STGOD, and the inevitable complaints from G&C regulars about STGOD threads(I don't get it either), a subforum for that might be warranted, because it certainly doesn't warrant a full forum to itself.

[phongn]

With rumblings of a new STGOD, and the inevitable complaints from G&C regulars about STGOD threads(I don't get it either), a subforum for that might be warranted, because it certainly doesn't warrant a full forum to itself.

Well, the last STGOD generated a lot more than the usual handful of threads.

[Connor MacLeod]

The only reason a subforum should exist is if it’s for a tpic that generates such interest that it clogs other forums, 40K sure doesn’t do that. Other Sci Fi pretty much never has so many activate threads that you cannot see every single one on a single screen.

It's also a fucking pain in the ass to dig for 40K topics. 40K is probably on this boarD (the only other thing I could think of would be Dr Who) which seems to have as large a following as ST or SW. Not all of those threads are "vs" oriented either. Alot of the topics are oriented towards questions ABOUT 40K and its universe and whatnot, nevermind all that insane stuff I do.

I could see STGODs getting their own subforum. Don't we also run online RPGS or something like that for D&D or some such? That might also be a useful place for such things too.

[Darth Wong]

OK, so is there some consensus on any of the proposed changes? Are most people unhappy with the idea of rearranging certain existing forums into sub-forums in order to cut down the main index list?

How about the idea of creating an "Art Gallery?"

And finally, some people pointed out the idea of making "Greatest Hits" or "Famous Threads" subforums so that certain threads could be put there for easy reference and public viewing. Is that a popular idea?

I see what people are saying about the potential of subforums being "dead", but "gallery" or "greatest hits" forums are dead by design, ie- they are rarely added to and are controlled by moderators.

And finally, I like the idea of putting a more active person in charge of the Completed Fanfics forum, but I don't see how to do that without assigning new moderators.

[Hotfoot]

The Horsemen seem to have an easy time of things as of late, so long as they didn't object, I don't see why they couldn't just be given posting rights in the Cleaned Fic Forum, at least as a temporary measure if nothing else.

Or maybe an existing mod could volunteer, hey, anything is possible.

[LadyTevar]

I was about to volunteer for FanFic, actually

[The Yosemite Bear]

that's just so you get to read all the finished products

just remember "don't get high on your own supply".

[The Duchess of Zeon]

And finally, I like the idea of putting a more active person in charge of the Completed Fanfics forum, but I don't see how to do that without assigning new moderators.

Could the forum have an equivalent of a minimod, or is that impossible? Since that person and supermods/admins/etc would be the only people able to post there, it is not precisely like the nominal conferring of such power on that individual would have any consequences elsewhere in the board, so they don't need to be given the powers or involvement of the other moderators.

As for the rest, I support an art gallery and "greatest hits" and oppose strongly the collapse of the board. I would also suggest that a dedicated STGOD/text-based RPG subforum be created to separate discussion topics in the Gaming forum from what are arguably round-robin real-time story-writing arrangements.

I would say that those four subforums altogether are the only ones needed or desirable, as WH40K frankly seems like a subject for a private group.

[Pablo Sanchez]

I would also suggest that a dedicated STGOD/text-based RPG subforum be created to separate discussion topics in the Gaming forum from what are arguably round-robin real-time story-writing arrangements.

I agree with this. Taking our mortal enemies at Spacebattles as an example, even if demand for such a forum doesn't exist right now, it's likely that its existence for that dedicated purpose might cause people to play more such games on SDN.

[The Yosemite Bear]

I would also suggest that a dedicated STGOD/text-based RPG subforum be created to separate discussion topics in the Gaming forum from what are arguably round-robin real-time story-writing arrangements.

I agree with this. Taking our mortal enemies at Spacebattles as an example, even if demand for such a forum doesn't exist right now, it's likely that its existence for that dedicated purpose might cause people to play more such games on SDN.

Dammit I'm agreeing with the evil Zentradi overmind too now....

better check the temps in Hades, the furnace is busted, we'll know if it truely frozen over if death gets laid...

[LadyTevar]

One thing about sub-forums that does annoy me --

Hitting "Mark All Read" in the Master Forum does not 'mark all' in the SubForum.

[Imperial Overlord]

If it is possible and pleases the administration, I would like posting privileges in completed fanfic section. Either that or the name of someone who does have said privileges and won't be annoyed to receive a steady stream of material from me in the near future.

[LadyTevar]

First you have to complete a couple more, IO.

[Connor MacLeod]

I'll second IO for the Fic section guy.