my suggestion for discussion forum

09 Jun 00 - 01:51 PM (#240455)
Subject: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: GUEST,dickie

i've been reading these discussions for less than two weeks, so please excuse that this suggestion comes from a newcomer.

i've noticed that some of the discussions become filled with so many messages that they take a long time to load. i've also noticed that the more messages there are, the further the discussions seem to be from the topic listed in the subject heading.

my suggestion is that rather than change the topic in one discussion, you start a new one. that way, the discussions don't get so big that it takes a long time to load. also, there might be some people interested in the second topic who are not reading the first discussion because that topic does not interest them.

dickie

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09 Jun 00 - 02:06 PM (#240460)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: black walnut

no reason to be shy about a good suggestion, dickie. i suggested quite a while ago that we limit threads to 100, or fewer, entries, and then begin a new one if needed. the nice thing about suggesting something around here is that people read your suggestions, even if nothing comes of them......(not forgetting that there are constant improvements being made here all the time, for which i thank the web-gods....).

~black walnut

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09 Jun 00 - 02:27 PM (#240471)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: Jed at Work

good thoughts both, dickie and black walnut - we are a self governing crew here, at the Mudcat, and while we do try to excercise some level of discipline over our thread based doscussions (stick to the original subject, and create a new thread when the old one gets long in the tooth, and yet shows signs of continuing) - we meet with varied success.

You will note, however that posts to a thread that are too far from the original subject will often attract comments on "thread creep"! You will also note that many threads do instigate new threads, and those new threads usually note the originating thread within it.

In short, we agree with your comments. We make some attempt to adhere to those sort of guidelines. We are not always adherant to those guidleines, and we are greatful for the occasional reminder.

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09 Jun 00 - 06:48 PM (#240580)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: McGrath of Harlow

What tends to happen is that if a thread is getting long and still going wrong, someone starts up a "part II". with links between the two parts. (And for how to make those links, see the FAQ - it's very easy.)

I often enjoy the way threads move away from the original topic - this sometimes leads to a new thread about the new topic, or a new thread about the old topic, while the original thread drifts away down the new route. (When I like it, I call it "thread drift", when I don't it's "thread creep".When it's really abrupt and jarring "thread lurch".)

Sensible suggestions on your part dickie, and welcome. Get registered and shed the GUEST prefix, and gain the use of all the myriad facilities of the site.

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09 Jun 00 - 08:15 PM (#240605)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: catspaw49

Actually Mac, sometime before your arrival here, we had a classification for thread creep not unsimilar to yours.

Thread Drift..A natural occuring situation where other subjectsrelating to, but not specific to, the original post.

Thread Creep, Phase I..Postings begin to wander off the original topic and into areas of personal interest.

Thread Creep, Phase II..Several members are talking about the original subject while others are talking about the "Creep" subject.

Thread Creep, Phase III..Some are taliking on the original subject while two or more other groups are talking about "Creep" subjects.

Thread Blown All To Hell..Several groups are rambling on about a variety of things, none of which are in the slightest way related to the original posting.

Thread Hyperzap..Occurs when someone (like myself) is triggered by the original or subsequent postings into a train of thought that results in a post completely "out of the blue" and has nothing that anyone can see to do with anything. This generally slows the progress of the thread until someone retrieves the ball from deep left field.

Sybill Creep..A strange form of thread creep that happens when someone alludes to someone or something on another thread that may be running. I have seen this phenomenom happen generally in Phase II or Phase III which helps the Creep to move on to the next phase more quickly.

Spaw

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09 Jun 00 - 10:16 PM (#240641)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: Gypsy

Ooooh, Spaw, that IS good! Wish i was educated as you.

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09 Jun 00 - 11:27 PM (#240654)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: MMario

Spaw - that's a keeper. I would suggest your post be lifted and put into the permafrost!

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09 Jun 00 - 11:59 PM (#240663)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: Brendy

A fine example of of the study of mudcatology, there, 'Spaw.

However, there are people with PhD.'s in the subject running loose around here

B.
(Good morning, all - from Sunny Oslo.)

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10 Jun 00 - 03:36 AM (#240716)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: Bugsy

I agree - One thread, one subject.

By the way can anyone supply me with the chords to Wizz Jones' "NIGHT FERRY"?

CHeers

bugsy

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10 Jun 00 - 04:17 AM (#240719)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: catspaw49

We have quite a few members who argue over the tradition and what it is, I suppose there is traditions to be observed in anything no matter how long its history.

Spaw

(Hyperzac thru Sybil technique)

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10 Jun 00 - 05:56 AM (#240724)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: McGrath of Harlow

"mudcatology" - I think there must be there's a sister discipline to that which is called "mudscatology" ?...But I'm not too sure we want to get too deep into that.

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10 Jun 00 - 07:17 AM (#240740)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: black walnut

spaw, you never cease to amaze me....

bugzy, i sense a C and a G, but not necessarily in that order....

~'nut

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10 Jun 00 - 10:29 AM (#240780)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: JedMarum

spaw - that's mudcat in a nutshell!

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10 Jun 00 - 12:59 PM (#240812)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: GUEST,dickie

thanks everyone for explaining how these things go around here.

dickie

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11 Jun 00 - 12:05 AM (#240976)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: Guy Wolff

Hi , I have no idea whats going on with my computer but I realy said more then whats coming over the waves .. Sorry it sounds so weird..... The original was'nt awfully funny but I tried.. All the best, Guy

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11 Jun 00 - 10:08 AM (#241077)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: Malcolm Douglas

Guy:  That's because you used those pointy brackets!  They're used to give instructions in html, so the software thought the middle part of your message was an instruction, and hid it.  Right-click on this page and select "view source"; that will display the underlying code for the page and you'll see what I mean.

Malcolm

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12 Jun 00 - 06:41 AM (#241347)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: The Shambles

Another thing that I have noticed is that the only certain way that a thread will reach a hundred or more postings, is when someone, usually the originator, sums-up, pronounces or wishes the thread dead.

This could be called DEAD THEAD CREEP?

You could try it and see if it works Dickie?

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12 Jun 00 - 06:57 AM (#241350)
Subject: RE: my suggestion for discussion forum
From: Banjer

Looking at both sides.....I understand the side that would keep all threads strictly to one subject. However, we could think of these threads as a normal conversation. In conversation the original thought often gets lost when other thoughts or ideas are injected. I would rather speak with folks having diversity and interest enough to drift a bit than those with a one track mind that have no other interests. That's my two cents......

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