Proposed Forum Changes

[AndreasJ]

Originally Posted by mugaliens

I still believe that the few proposed changes would make this a better board, and would certainly appear less disjointed to newcomers. In fact, it might very well help alleviate the posting to wrong threads issue Gillianren mentioned.

As someone who was not so very long ago a newcomer, it's perhaps worth noting that among the first things I thought about BAUT was that the forum organization was odd. Specifically, it seemed wrong that Q&A wasn't in the Space and Astronomy section, and odd that OTB and F&G are near the top while Space and Astronomy is at the bottom; most fora have the more topical subfora towards the top and off-topic general discussion fora nearer the bottom.

It's also passing strange that General Science is under Space and Astronomy.

[Neverfly]

My dear sir,
Are you trying to persuade us that MugAliens is not a raving lunatic after-all?

It's been pointed out that the "board ain't broke."

AndreasJ, these imponderables must be either figments of your imagination or beyond your understanding.

Perhaps if you had read the FAQ first...

[Argos]

Originally Posted by Neverfly

Are you trying to persuade us that MugAliens is not a raving lunatic after-all? It's been pointed out that the "board ain't broke."

Why all the fuzz about it? Mugaliens has made some perfectly reasonable suggestions [especially Q&A being allocated to Space & Astronomy]. Show me one thing in this world that can´t be improved.

[HenrikOlsen]

"Ain't broke" is not the same as "Can't get better", but I would suggest changes should be done deliberately, in minor increments each to solve specific problems, with an option to undo the change if it's shown to have unforeseen consequences.

I quite like the idea of putting Q&A in the Space and Astronomy section, but it needs to be high on the list as it's rather important part of the board. ie. one of the reasons for having the forum in the first place.

I also like the idea of getting S&A higher, as it is supposedly the main topic of the forum together with UT and BA.

Several sub-fora are there specifically to have a place to put threads many want to avoid, such as CT, ATM and fun-n-games.

[NEOWatcher]

Originally Posted by Argos

Why all the fuzz about it? Mugaliens has made some perfectly reasonable suggestions [especially Q&A being allocated to Space & Astronomy]. Show me one thing in this world that can´t be improved.

I agree with that statement, but the way mugs has presented it is rather harsh.

I do not say this lightly, but with more than 20 years experience in the area of electronic bulletin boarding.

That one kind of set me off. How does EBB experience relate to the organization of astronomical informtion?

The next was the clipper ship analogy. I'm not quite sure how to explain it, but that analogy has to do with capabilities of the technology. We still ship bulk items by ship regaurdless of the technology to take them. The board is the technology, how we represent the information in the board is not.

To me; What information goes where has nothing to do with the technology and everything to do about opinion.

I have my own ideas based on how it works for me, but I don't see the entire impact of presentation of the site.

[Neverfly]

Originally Posted by Argos

Why all the fuzz about it? Mugaliens has made some perfectly reasonable suggestions [especially Q&A being allocated to Space & Astronomy]. Show me one thing in this world that can´t be improved.

I agree with Mugs 100%.
I was being facetious because Andreasj had nailed it on the head concisely.

[Frog march]

I still think that maybe there should be an ATM questions and answers section; where the questions can be as atm as the OP wants, including reasons for the questions; and allowing the development of ATM discussions.

Although this could lead to ATM answers being given to much legitimization---maybe the whole section could just be renamed "against the mainstream-theories, questions and possible answers"

[PraedSt]

Originally Posted by Argos

Show me one thing in this world that can´t be improved.

Adriana Lima

[Argos]

Originally Posted by PraedSt

Adriana Lima

I thought of something along these lines, but I had another woman, of more classical beauty, in mind.

[Neverfly]

Originally Posted by Argos

I thought of something along these lines, but I had another woman, of more classical beauty, in mind.

Well, give a name!
Adriana Lima didn't impress me much.

[Argos]

How about Linda Evangelista?

[01101001]

Originally Posted by Salty

My question is, what scientific alternative to evolution as a description of how biology works, is there?

If anyone is compelled to answer, or ask additional questions along this line, please do so elsewhere, in a topic not in About BAUT.

===

As for BAUT, and the proposal...

Originally Posted by HenrikOlsen

I quite like the idea of putting Q&A in the Space and Astronomy section, but it needs to be high on the list as it's rather important part of the board. ie. one of the reasons for having the forum in the first place.

That is a prime failing of the opening proposal. It doesn't put BAUT's best foot forward.

General
--About BAUT
--Fun-n-Games
--Yarns

Starting out with About BAUT is perfect. Putting Fun-n-Games second is an abomination. Following it with a new, no-proven-need-for Yarns is more abominable.

Other than almost utter failure, it starts out fine. Next section, second most important, second-best foot:

Off-Topic Babbling
--General (all the old OTB threads)
--Science and Technology
--Only Human
--Not Human (everything else)

More off-focus stuff. The second appearance of a general something. What is this forum about, anyway? Where's the cool astronomy? Where's the marvelous universe? I came here for astronomy, for space science. This serves up off-topic stuff. Where's the space science? In the next section? The third-best foot?

Against the Mainstream
--Astrophysics
--Evolution
--Science and Technology
--Conspiracy Theories

Criminy! Maybe this isn't a forum for me. Where's the unregister button?

[Neverfly]

Originally Posted by Argos

How about Linda Evangelista?

Much better.
The first page on Google Images wasn't full of Swimsuits.

Thank you

[John Mendenhall]

Originally Posted by Frog march

I still think that maybe there should be an ATM questions and answers section; where the questions can be as atm as the OP wants, including reasons for the questions; and allowing the development of ATM discussions.

Although this could lead to ATM answers being given to much legitimization---maybe the whole section could just be renamed "against the mainstream-theories, questions and possible answers"

That gives me a headache, especially since I think it might work, and would avoid some ATM issues in Q&A.

[Neverfly]

Originally Posted by John Mendenhall

That gives me a headache, especially since I think it might work, and would avoid some ATM issues in Q&A.

The trouble I foresee is differentiating between claims and questions.

[NEOWatcher]

Originally Posted by Neverfly

The trouble I foresee is differentiating between claims and questions.

Foresee? Don't we have that issue now, just the line is in a bit different place.

[Neverfly]

Originally Posted by NEOWatcher

Foresee? Don't we have that issue now, just the line is in a bit different place.

Well.. I was kinda...
Trying to talk big..

[PraedSt]

Originally Posted by Neverfly

Adriana Lima didn't impress me much.

Ok, how about...Laetitia Casta?

[Neverfly]

Originally Posted by PraedSt

Ok, how about...Laetitia Casta?

Nope.


It's not about what they look like.
Argos said it in one word: Class.

[PraedSt]

I have a question for the senior members on here.

What was the original reason for having the Q&A section? Anyone remember?

And I ask this because:

1. Threads are started either to present information, or to request it. Why have a separate forum for the requests?

An example of presenting info: 01101001's thread on STS-125.
An example of requesting info, taken from the same forum: Siguy's thread on interstellar destinations.

There are quite a few threads in the 'Space and Astronomy' sections that are questions.

2. Thread starters can already highlight their thread as a question, by using the question mark icon found under the message box. It's similar to this: but blue.

Anyone help? Thanks...

[Gillianren]

I think it's simpler to have a Q&A section than to have newcomers have to figure out what section their question belongs in. Besides, not all questions fit smoothly into any subforum.

[NEOWatcher]

Originally Posted by PraedSt

1. Threads are started either to present information, or to request it. Why have a separate forum for the requests?

Because the conversations between the two are drastically different.

I'm here because I find the conversation fascinating. I find the questions much more interesting because they tend to go down the path of learning. If the questioner is in the same educational boat that I am, then it is really easy to follow along and understand as I (and them) learn more about it. Most of the time for me this is more of a rote enforcement, but that still means its a learning tool.

Those that present the information have alread established a level of education. Some bad, some good. Those at one end seem to be much less open to the facts. Those at the other end may be the same, but go over my head. Either way, the reading is much different than the question thread.

Originally Posted by PraedSt

There are quite a few threads in the 'Space and Astronomy' sections that are questions.

So; is Q&A Supposed to supercede all discussions when somebody has a question? I'm not quite sure what the issue is on your statement.
I view the Q&A more of a catch all when it might not be as specifically catagorized as elsewere on the board, and maybe the question itself is to determine what the discussion really is.

[Argos]

Q&A is interesting because it allows, besides the enlightenment of the knowledge-seeker, a meta-discussion on several sides/interpretations of mainstream theories, different data sets of a given theory/experiment, and so on.

[PraedSt]

Thanks everyone. Gillian makes sense to me (as usual):

Originally Posted by Gillianren

I think it's simpler to have a Q&A section than to have newcomers have to figure out what section their question belongs in. Besides, not all questions fit smoothly into any subforum.

As does this bit from Argos:

Originally Posted by Argos

Q&A is interesting because it allows...a meta-discussion.

And from Neo:

Originally Posted by NEOWatcher

I view the Q&A more of a catch all when it might not be as specifically catagorized as elsewere on the board, and maybe the question itself is to determine what the discussion really is.

So, yeah, thanks again.

Originally Posted by NEOWatcher

So; is Q&A Supposed to supercede all discussions when somebody has a question? I'm not quite sure what the issue is on your statement.

a) I don't know what the original purpose of Q&A was. Which is why I asked.
b) The statement was part of point (1.), which was to point out that things are a bit mixed up at the moment.

And finally:

Originally Posted by Neverfly

Argos said it in one word: Class.

Well, you got me there. Sadly, class is not top of mind recall at the moment.

[NEOWatcher]

Originally Posted by PraedSt

a) I don't know what the original purpose of Q&A was. Which is why I asked.
b) The statement was part of point (1.), which was to point out that things are a bit mixed up at the moment.

I know you were questioning, but pointing to specific examples that we pass off fairly easily kind of threw me off. Thanks for clarifying.

[Tobin Dax]

Originally Posted by Neverfly

Don't ask me. I was just commenting on the evolution bit. I didn't say anything about where to stick it.

Maybe I need to state my point differently: All those topics are astrophysics topics, despite the word "evolution," so they don't fit in an evolution forum.

But I'm assuming that you're willing to discuss this since you felt like pointing out that you disagree. I guess not.


One more thing: Who's Class, and how can she possibly be hotter than Laetitia Casta? She's worth going to wars over.

[Neverfly]

Originally Posted by Tobin Dax

Maybe I need to state my point differently: All those topics are astrophysics topics, despite the word "evolution," so they don't fit in an evolution forum.

But I'm assuming that you're willing to discuss this since you felt like pointing out that you disagree. I guess not.

I was willing to discuss it.
I discussed how evolution can refer to stellar evolution as well. Many also associate the BBT with cosmological evolution.
The point was that maybe that is what Mugs was referring to. I don't know if it was or not.

Beyond that, I wasn't willing to argue over trivialities.

Originally Posted by Tobin Dax

One more thing: Who's Class, and how can she possibly be hotter than Laetitia Casta? She's worth going to wars over.

Having seen combat, I assure you there are no women worth going to war over.
I might fight for some women- And that regard is most certainly not based on appearances in a swim suit.
Aubrey Hepburn comes to mind.
Or Mother Theresa. I would gladly take on the hoard to defend Mother Theresa (Sadly passed these days but you get my meaning.)
I google imaged most the women listed above and all I saw was Dime a Dozen Swimsuit models. That just isn't impressive. Any slick body can show itself off. I can see more of them on billboards and J.C. Penny underwear catalogs and never know their names.
But it takes dignity, grace and class to make a difference (Something I sadly lack and I'm ugly to boot.)

[PraedSt]

Originally Posted by Tobin Dax

One more thing: Who's Class, and how can she possibly be hotter than Laetitia Casta? She's worth going to wars over.

Yes, that's what I thought too

Of course Neverfly is right about the whole class thing; it's just that I think he's looking for someone to marry

[Neverfly]

Originally Posted by PraedSt

Of course Neverfly is right about the whole class thing; it's just that I think he's looking for someone to marry

Someone said "Classy lady" then that name came up.
I said I wasn't impressed.

[Grashtel]

Originally Posted by PraedSt

You mean the exact date Mahesh? I don't remember that!

Good thing the board remebers that you joined on the 29th of September this year then isn't it? You just have to take a look at your profile and it gives a lot of info about you.