Should we re-organize the BAUT forum?

[ToSeek]

There has been some discussion of and support for modifying the organization of this forum (see thread here for details). I'd like to get some feedback from members before proceeding down this road, so please respond to the attached poll and feel free to add your comments below. If most members think there should be changes, there will be future polls to see what changes there should be.

Note that it's very easy to move boards and fora around (I've looked at the relevant control panel), so don't worry about that part of it.

[Whirlpool]

It's probably worth doing .

[HenrikOlsen]

The part that's difficult is splitting fora into more specialized ones.

[Argos]

It doesn´t have to be extensive. Only move Q&A into Space and Astronomy and it´ll be ok. So I´ve voted "It's probably worth doing".

[Fazor]

I thought "Beer" was suppose to be in option in every poll? (I'm a bad BAUTer, two years and I can't remember my inside jokes).

I don't care either way, solong as you don't institute a "Lets talk about Fazor" section.

[ToSeek]

Originally Posted by Fazor

I don't care either way, solong as you don't institute a "Lets talk about Fazor" section.

Oh, we have that already - I just set the permissions so you're the only one who can't see it.

[Fazor]

I knew it! Oh well, solong as it's for the greater good.

-Fazor, martyr.

[Metricyard]

I always liked the idea if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Of course, swapping the General Science and Question and answers would probably be a good idea.

[HenrikOlsen]

Originally Posted by Argos

It doesn't have to be extensive. Only move Q&A into Space and Astronomy and it´ll be ok. So I've voted "It's probably worth doing".

I agree that Q&A really belongs in S&A, but it also has to be fairly high on the list as it's one of the purposes of the site which would mean the A&S section should move higher, but we still want AboutBAUT on top.

There's lots of conflicting interests to take care of if it's going to happen in one big shuffle.

[Moose]

This has been kicked around off-and-on for a few years now, and even after all that time and discussion, I've yet to hear even a single reason to do this that wasn't undiluted hyperbole.

I'm not a fan of "rearranging the deck chairs" at the best of times, but I'm not completely dead-set against it either. I'd just like a (preferably compelling) reason for it, that's all.

[Fazor]

Originally Posted by Moose

This has been kicked around off-and-on for a few years now, and even after all that time and discussion, I've yet to hear even a single reason to do this that wasn't undiluted hyperbole.

I'm not a fan of "rearranging the deck chairs" at the best of times, but I'm not completely dead-set against it either. I'd just like a (preferably compelling) reason for it, that's all.

Although I'd ask that said "compelling reasons" be given in the other recent thread here in "About BAUT", as personally I'd prefer to not have to wade through another one of those discussions. But maybe that's just me.

[Frog march]

how about we create the situation of multiple, maybe millions of variations of BAUT and choose our one based on the outcome of something quantum, then it will be a matter of survival of the fittest BAUT, and which ever universe has the correct version of BAUT will be the one that survives, and will be the one that we are in, in the end.....


a bit ATM I know, just a theory I just thought of.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Fazor

Although I'd ask that said "compelling reasons" be given in the other recent thread here in "About BAUT", as personally I'd prefer to not have to wade through another one of those discussions. But maybe that's just me.

It's not just you. Good point. Yeah, anybody wishing to dazzle me with a good reason should do so in the other thread. I'll see it there just as quickly as I would here.

[slang]

Originally Posted by Frog march

how about we create the situation of multiple, maybe millions of variations of BAUT and choose our one based on the outcome of something quantum, then it will be a matter of survival of the fittest BAUT, and which ever universe has the correct version of BAUT will be the one that survives, and will be the one that we are in, in the end....

Again!?

Apologies to Fazor, I was not aware that that forum was only to be accessed by you. I'll forget everything I read there.

[Frog march]

I think there should be an ATM debate area, where one doesn't have to stand ones ground against hordes of angry people itching for a good lynchin'.

[Fazor]

Originally Posted by slang

Again!?

Apologies to Fazor, I was not aware that that forum was only to be accessed by you. I'll forget everything I read there.

You mean accessable by everyone except me.

[HenrikOlsen]

Originally Posted by Frog march

I think there should be an ATM debate area, where one doesn't have to stand ones ground against hordes of angry people itching for a good lynchin'.

There is, it's called Godlike Productions or Thunderbolts or something like that.

[cosmocrazy]

Originally Posted by HenrikOlsen

I agree that Q&A really belongs in S&A, but it also has to be fairly high on the list as it's one of the purposes of the site which would mean the A&S section should move higher, but we still want About-BAUT on top.

There's lots of conflicting interests to take care of if it's going to happen in one big shuffle.

I don't agree. I think ATM should be moved into the General section along with Q&A.

Or the most popular sections in order descending below About BAUT.

But i,m happy enough with the way it is now.

[ToSeek]

Votes are beautifully symmetrical at the moment, in order: 1 - 7 - 5 - 7 - 1.

[PetersCreek]

I messed it up. Sorry.

[cosmocrazy]

Originally Posted by cosmocrazy

I don't agree. I think ATM should be moved into the General section along with Q&A.

Or the most popular sections in order descending below About BAUT.

But i,m happy enough with the way it is now.

Since writing this i thought maybe it would be a good idea to change the title of "space And Astronomy" section to "Science, Space and Astronomy". put this section directly below the "General" section with Q&A at the top of "S,S and A" then with the most popular sub sections going in descending order from there.

[Paul Beardsley]

How about more than one "level" of thread for CT/ATM (which can share a forum). Bolshy newcomers who address BAUTers as sheep and govt shills will find their threads in the "probationary" level and the onus will be on them to convince others that they have something sensible to say.

[Gillianren]

I just don't see a reason to do it.

[Fazor]

Now back to 1-8-7-8-1. Large enough sample size, average vote = "meh, don't care". Leave it as is. Thread closed!

(Just kidding)

[mugaliens]

Originally Posted by Fazor

Now back to 1-8-7-8-1. Large enough sample size, average vote = "meh, don't care". Leave it as is. Thread closed!

(Just kidding)

I'm glad you're kidding, Fazor, as the distribution is every bit as important as the mean.

I think with 1-9-9-10-2, it's worth develing into why some folks don't want it changed, vs why some folks do want it changed.

Although I've detailed my opinions on the other thread, I'll sum them here:

- Notable improvement
- Minimal effort
- No adverse impact
- Improved organization results in some positive impact, both for users and for mods
- Better organization presents a cleaner, more professional image for others; similarly, it also tends to improve the inputs from the regulars.
- uh, because my Mom taught me to keep my room clean, so that it's the right thing to do...
- For the "if it ain't broke" crowd - Things do not have to be broken before it becomes worthwhile to make improvements. Improvements aren't fixes to things that are broken. They're ways of making something better. Whether that something is poor, good, or great is immaterial. The only thing that matters is whether or not the improvements are indeed improvements, and if the cost of making them is reasonable.

Since both criteria are true...

The "if it ain't broke" arguements are, by their own inherent nature, non-sequitors when discussing improvements.

As for those saying, "convince me it's worthwhile," I would counter the justifications have been listed in the other thread, and ask you: convince me the improvements would be detrimental.

To date, no justification at all has been given to show that the improvements would diminish the board in any manner.

[Gillianren]

Originally Posted by mugaliens

As for those saying, "convince me it's worthwhile," I would counter the justifications have been listed in the other thread, and ask you: convince me the improvements would be detrimental.

You seem to have a fixation on this, but it's really not true. Before we do it, shouldn't we have a reason? Otherwise, it seems as though we're changing for the sake of change, which is not necessarily a good thing.

[chrissy]

Originally Posted by mugaliens

I think with 1-9-9-10-2, it's worth develing into why some folks don't want it changed, vs why some folks do want it changed.

1-10-10-10-2 now.

It has been discussed many times over.

[cosmocrazy]

Originally Posted by Gillianren

You seem to have a fixation on this, but it's really not true. Before we do it, shouldn't we have a reason? Otherwise, it seems as though we're changing for the sake of change, which is not necessarily a good thing.

Not necessarily. If someone new visits BAUT and is not sure where to post a thread because the layout makes it a little more difficult to suss out than it should then maybe its time to take a look at how the site is structured. As previously mentioned even slight improvement may well make all the difference!

[davidlpf]

I honestly do not get what people will get out of the changes. I like the board the way it is organized. I really like let us talk about fazor behind his back section.

[cosmocrazy]

If the proposed changes make it easier for people to navigate around and/or understand the forum better. Along with easier management for the Admin and Mods , then why not try it out? it could always be put back, no? If not leave it as it is.

Bottom line is.. you can't please all the people all the time!