I love threads about computers, electronics, and technology news, but i have no interest in automotive topics. Am I the only one? Does anyone else think it would be a good idea to split Tech Talk, maybe into the "Garage" and the "Cyber Cafe"?

12/5/2001 12:47:33 PM

This is not the first time this has been proposed.

12/5/2001 12:48:09 PM

Sounds good to me

12/5/2001 1:04:46 PM

hey, i like that idea...

12/5/2001 2:18:59 PM

I would think that we would want to be careful about how many forums we have set up, for a number of reasons. Among the foremost is the fact that it is harder to moderate more forums. In addition, each forum would eat up more resources on the server (in processing time, memory, disk space, etc...). I also would think that CrazyCode has some kind of a limit on what it can support. And lastly (but not least...), Tech Talk is pretty quiet as it is - relatively speaking. When Tech Talk has as much traffic as The Lounge or Chit Chat, I would think that it would be safe to split up then. But with the current level of traffic (and I am talking posts here, not views), I would think that your proposed Garage would pretty much die, and the Cyber Cafe would be seriously slowed.

Don't get me wrong: I'm all for splitting the two topics - when the suitable time presents itself (which isn't now). I'm not saying that the two topics need each other to be successful, but I am saying that they cannot stand on their own at this time. (DISCLAIMER: All the opinions expressed above are IMHO; please respond accordingly.)

As always, I welcome any analysis/refutations/support/etc, as long as it is in good faith.

-bigginal

12/5/2001 3:31:07 PM

I doubt Tech Talk will be split up anytime soon. we don't have any definite criteria for splitting up a section. we basically just try to make the decision that will please everyone.

we started with one section, no name. when we expanded to multiple sections, they were: the lounge, sports talk, tech talk, and the soap box.

we realized that there were a lot of threads that were selling something or needing help with schoolwork. obviously these threads aren't made to be discussed. therefor they would go to the bottom and die. we then created classifieds and study hall for these threads. in these sections, the threads could survive a lot longer for more people to read.

entertainment was created because we realized there were a lot of people interested in it. people that didn't browse the lounge every waking moment of their lives would miss a lot of the threads because the threads would die.

the feedback forum was created to get all the bullshit complaining out of the other sections. the administrators regularily browse feedback forum and rarely miss a thread. in other sections (the lounge), i rarely even see the threads until someone points it out to me.

chit chat was split off the lounge because we felt that a lot of conversational, personal, etc threads were diluting the lounge. interesting threads would get wiped out by silly ones. we recognized there is group that likes to converse with each other, but for someone who isn't in the social circle, they could care less. the lounge is for stuff that all people find interesting and chit chat is for well... chit chat. there should be no negative connotation surrounding chit chat though.

I really don't see the need (at this point) to split up tech talk. if it was split, i doubt it would thrive as well as it does. many of the people that discuss computers are also interested it automotive stuff and vice versa. there isn't enough traffic where you will actually miss a good computer thread because tech talk moves so quick. if there were to be a sudden influx of activity, i agree that it would be logic to split it in the way that trebinor suggested. car section, computer section.

and also... creating more sections has no real impact server performance. It overwhelms users more than anything.

12/5/2001 3:55:04 PM

Well, I guess that settles it.

I'll just have to filter auto threads the best than I can.

12/5/2001 4:14:09 PM