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Topic: Forum structure (Read 676 times) |
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admin
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Forum structure
« Thread started on: Aug 14th, 2008, 3:32pm » |
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I'm a complete novice when it comes to forum adminstration, so since it looks as though this forum may get a bit more use I need some guidance on how best to structure it.
A clear opinion seemed to be emerging on the Yahoo group that mixing help for beginners and help for advanced users is not beneficial, so some split along those lines may be called for.
Thoughts on a suitable forum hierarchy, or any other suggestions (polite ones only!), would be welcome.
Richard.
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Michael Hutton
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #1 on: Aug 18th, 2008, 08:58am » |
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This looks good! I haven't investigated the site/conforums yet but are we going to get separate areas such as beginner/intermediate/advanced?
I would think it good for people of different abilities and experience to be able to discuss things freely amongst themselves and then if not being able to solve the problems they could be referred 'up the tree' so to speak. This may encourage more traffic between people but not having them feel they are asking silly questions.
We should reserve the advanced area for people like Richard, John, Malcolm, Knud, Tony, David etc (and please don't be offended if I didn't include you (or offended if I did!)) to discuss the esoteria (and incredible code) but, we would obviously need the advanced guys to answer a lot of the questions. It would be interesting to see where most of the traffic is and of what type.
I would be of the opinion to let the beginners forum rule itself in a way and this might help to create a hot bed of discussion.
I realise/think that most people are part-time programmers or hobbyists so I don't know who would be able to commit to being able to moderate the boards.
What are people's ideas about different boards?
And what of other boards/areas such as WINDOWS API/MACHINE CODE/GRAPHICS/COMMUNICATION/MATHS etc etc as we do in the wiki or is this duplicating things and overcomplicate matters by having too many areas?
I would be interested in trying to create a BB4W 'curriculum' with maybe labelling different topics beginner/intermediate/advanced?
Just some thoughts but would be interested in hearing any others...
Unfortunately, I only have part time internet access for a while (work) but am still an avid email reader!
Michael 
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DarranH
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #2 on: Aug 31st, 2008, 7:56pm » |
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Hello
If you decide to have a large number of different areas, you need to be careful you don't over complicate things otherwise people may not know which is the right area to ask a particular question. I have seen this happen before and people end up asking the same question in numerous areas which just annoys other users!!!
Darran.
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GordonSweet
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #3 on: Sep 4th, 2008, 2:32pm » |
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I am glad to see Richard this forum being used more. Looking at another programming forum I need not mention, perhaps some of the following sections might be used. Gordon
Windows Vista
Announcements, Software and Websites
Suggestions and Discussion About This Forum
Programming Discussions
BBC BASIC Code
Novice
API/DLL
Tips and Information
Public Domain Snippets
Special Topics and Projects
Contests
Game and Graphic Programming
Database Applications
Internet and network programming
Hardware Interface Coding
Feedback for the Wykie Encyclopedia
BBC BASIC Bug Reports
BBC4W Testimonials
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admin
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #4 on: Sep 4th, 2008, 10:04pm » |
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Quote:| perhaps some of the following sections might be used |
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Yes, I was considering adapting the Liberty Basic structure, until I saw Darran's comment:
Quote:| If you decide to have a large number of different areas, you need to be careful you don't over complicate things |
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I now feel the need for more guidance as to the right 'happy medium'.
Richard.
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Darran
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #5 on: Sep 9th, 2008, 8:02pm » |
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Evening!
I don't see a problem with the structure that Gordon suggests except I would probably get rid of the "Novice" heading. The reason for this is where would you expect a novice's question on writing a database program to go? Is it under "Novice" or under "Database Applications"?
It maybe an idea to ask people to add there programming level within the subject title if you wanted to seperate out the novice questions from the rest, not sure how good people would be at following this request though!!!!
Regards,
Darran
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knudvaneeden
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #6 on: Oct 26th, 2008, 2:46pm » |
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Suggestion:
Add also e.g.
-mathematics
-physics
-computer science
Thanks,
with friendly greetings,
Knud van Eeden
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admin
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #7 on: Oct 26th, 2008, 5:15pm » |
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Quote:Suggestion: Add also e.g. -mathematics -physics -computer science
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I can see an argument for a 'mathematics' category, although since we've managed for a long time without such a section on the Wiki it suggests to me there is very little interest in this area.
I think 'physics' and 'computer science' are too abstract. For example physics-related software is actually likely to be performing mathematical calculations or drawing graphics, so could be put into one of those categories. 'Computer science' is even more vague; you could argue most of the existing categories are actually subsets of 'computer science'.
And where would it end? Once you start adding sciences somebody will want biology, geography.....
Richard.
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GordonSweet
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #8 on: Oct 26th, 2008, 5:17pm » |
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As I see it the reason why other BASIC forums see fit to have a Novices section is to encourage beginners to ask ANY question no matter how elementary, without fear some of the more experienced might ridicule them. Otherwise one might never realize a novice is asking a question, and not someone who should know better that to ask such a question.
Also I think it is a pity Richard cannot get more support from the many experienced members ( not me ) of either of his forums, assuming of course he would welcome some help. This particularly applies in this conforum, since again in other conforums I use each section has a number of experienced moderators to help. So again a novices section could have one or two moderators who specialise in helping complete beginners.
Gordon
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admin
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #9 on: Oct 29th, 2008, 2:21pm » |
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Quote:| As I see it the reason why other BASIC forums see fit to have a Novices section is to encourage beginners to ask ANY question no matter how elementary, without fear some of the more experienced might ridicule them. |
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The main reason why I am encouraging 'advanced' discussions to take place here is so the Yahoo group can act as the main 'novices' forum, although I can't guarantee that those inclined to "ridicule" novices will stop doing it (one of the main culprits has, unfortunately, expressed a preference for continuing to use the Yahoo group).
In any case, there has hardly been overwhelming support for your proposal that there should be a Novice section here; indeed just one comment that "I would probably get rid of the 'Novice' heading". I would seriously consider adding such a section if there appeared to be widespread support for it.
Quote:| So again a novices section could have one or two moderators who specialise in helping complete beginners. |
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I don't understand why it needs moderators to provide help to beginners. This is an unmoderated group: anybody can post questions and anybody can post replies. How would having more moderators help?
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mohsen
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #10 on: Nov 5th, 2008, 1:29pm » |
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An important feature in the Forum is the ability for the user by a click on a link to list all latest posted message threads.
Currently you have to go through each section to find out the latest active topics (if any).
The last section message post on the RH does not help.
I like the Google ads on top of the each page making ads for other competing BASIC products like:
"QBasic Compiler: FirstBasic Native Code Compiler Buy it now for just $25! www.powerbasic.com ".  
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admin
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #11 on: Nov 5th, 2008, 3:49pm » |
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Quote:| An important feature in the Forum is the ability for the user by a click on a link to list all latest posted message threads. |
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There's the 'View the 10 most recent posts of this forum' feature. If you need more functionality than that, I guess you need to address your comments to conforums.com!
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eekster
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #12 on: Nov 6th, 2008, 11:23pm » |
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Newbie, dropping by to say hi.
The forum will develop itself over time, they all do.
This place is a lot easier to navigate than those terrible yahoo boards.
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Geoff Sreeper
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #13 on: Nov 10th, 2008, 11:47am » |
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Classification/Idexing/categorisation is a mine field. What some find understable will cause nothing but confusion to others. A good secratary who knows the filing sytem is invaluable. 
If you have a category 'novice/newbie then in what sense.? Computers at large : Programming in general : Specific language or at structuring a 'conforum'. I would consider myself a novice in all fields.
Richard set up the contents of the Manual and in my view any form of structure for the Conforum should not vary too far from that.
Is it the intention to re-write the current intro. page ? http://bb4w.conforums.com/index.cgi
I am not at all familiar with this conforum but is it possible to cross ref. posts ?
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GordonSweet
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Re: Forum structure
« Reply #14 on: Nov 10th, 2008, 12:54pm » |
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I suspect why other programming forums to which I belong ( mostly US Based ) see fit to have a Novices section is because there Novices should have no fear of asking even the most elementary questions. Also the many moderators often involved, then know who they should be dealing. Unlike the other sections, when those answering queries expect to be dealing with reasonable experienced questioners, and are there usually careful ‘ not to tell the chicken how to suck eggs “
Perhaps the reason why there is so much opposition here to a Novices section is unlike the Yanks, we Brits tend to find it demeaning to admit we are novices.
Gordon
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