BS: Non- Music section.

Subject: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 07:14 PM

There is something that needs cleared up folks. Am I right in my understanding, that the non-music section is to discuss non-music subjects ?

There has been much said in several threads recently about members discussing politics and other subjects on this site, which after all is a music site.

If this is the case, then why have a non-music section ?

I can only give my opinion, and I think many members such as myself find it interesting, most of the time. If I see a thread, for example on a subject that holds no interest to me, such as George Bush or the price of oil, I have a simple remedy, I don't go into it.


We went through the debate of "Members only" should we now have one one on retaining the non-music section ?

I am not being funny, just reading so many posts recently where if the member does not like your viewpoint, they reply "this is a music site"

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: The Shambles
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 07:33 PM

You think you have problems. When a certain member does not like my viewpoint - he just finds some noble sounding excuse to delete it.

I can't remember the show I it was on - but it was one where there was a difference of opinion taking place.

A view was offered and one of the main protagonists turned to point out that this view had not been asked for and asked who they thought would be interested in hearing this view anyway?

The answer came:

You would, had I agreed with you.......

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 07:34 PM

The non-music or 'BS' section was basically formed so that the lighter, more amusing threads could be housed in a safe and secure environment where they wouldn't leak contaminants (or "humour") in to the more serious music threads. It's only in the last 8-12 months or so that the political stuff has outnumbered the other BS and I'm pretty sick of it. However, I solve that by just not opening any political thread and just leave them to get knotted.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Big Mick
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 08:08 PM

Divis, there is no consideration being give to abolishing non music discussion. You are exactly correct to discuss these things where you do. As long as the discussion is not an outright personal attack, that is where it belongs. Attacking ones viewpoint, or facts, is not a personal attack. For the definitive personal attacks, look up Martin Gibson posts.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 08:20 PM

Thanks Mick, I hope that answers the critics. I know my viewpoint doesn't always go down well with some members, but I have the right to express it, as they have theirs. Good post.

Liz, I think the fact that these threads now outnumber the other BS threads, tells it's own story, maybe it's a case of give the people what they want.

Shambles, good to hear your opinion, I think we have some things in common in the popularity stakes.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: The Shambles
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 08:23 PM

The non-music or 'BS' section was basically formed so that the lighter, more amusing threads could be housed in a safe and secure environment where they wouldn't leak contaminants (or "humour") in to the more serious music threads.

Not exactly.

The BS prefix was invented because a few posters complained about what others posted.

The split into two sections was invented because a few posters complained about what others posted.

I suspect that very the same posters are still compaining about what other posters choose to post. Only now such complaints are encouraged.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 10:13 PM

As far as I know, the BS prefix was invented to make it easrier for people to distinguish certain types of threads, just the same as lyr req, etc.

Complaints did contribute to the resons for a split which is optional for members. I still can't see why some object to it. The options in membership are:

BS filter: If "Yes," filters threads designated "BS / non-music" out of Threads listing.

Mix Music & Non-music: If "Yes," mixes music and non-music threads in the Threads listing.

It's a freedom of choice which way suits an individuals reading best, not an enforced option. Those that prefer it all in one list can have it that way.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 10:14 PM

As 'The Cat' is set up as a Folk and Blues site , it is perfectly reasonable that Non Music should be seperate from the main info on the site! Those of us who are NOT of a strong political bent then have
the option to look below the line or not . In my own case , this often means posting a comment simply so that I can chuck in a Bond Post ( Double 0 Suffix) so I have no problem !
Divis - I feel my personal political persuasion does vary somewhat from yours , but I have read your posts with interest !
This is a fairly rare BS Serious post from me By The Way .

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 04:38 AM

Someone needs to leak a few more "contaminants" around certain people here...

Or is irony a lost cause?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: MBSLynne
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 07:41 AM

Perhaps any problem would be solved by having a "Pol" prefix for political threads. They could still go below the line. After all, there are various prefixes used above the line. Then those of us who don't want to read the political threads would find it even easier to avoid them.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 08:34 AM

No for once Roger is right, the BS section was instituted after some serious and occasionally po-faced remarks/complaints.
It doesn't need any further splitting up.
After all what has more bullshit involved in it than politics?
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 08:40 AM

Mudcat is a music site with a non music section in the forum.
We have had separate sections for a few years now without problems.
Fools who protest against non music discussion can be safely ignored.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 08:56 AM

Heck, there's more to folk music than just friggin' music...

Now when the powers-at-be seperated the music threads from the BS threads, yeah, I was a little steamed but now I like the heck out of not havin' to sift thru endless "Tabs to 'Puff the Magic Dragon'" threads to get to something with a little more blood pressure...

MO, of course...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 09:50 AM

We have had separate sections for a few years now without problems.

Exaclty Keith, We also had years of arguments which got nastier each time round before the FREEDOM OF CHOICE of ALTERNATIVE VIEWING OPTIONS for members existed.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 09:59 AM

Out of curiosity, how many members do view the forum in the "all in one block" view. I've a strong suspicion that many who might have preferred the older of the 2 views in fact opt for the split view.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 01:16 AM

The non-music threads have the most traffic, but they are dominated by a relatively small number of regular posters, both members and non-members. Before we split music and non-music threads, the non-music threads were continually at the top of the Forum Menu. Visitors who came looking for music, had to look a bit to find it.

We figured our "regulars" would have an easy time finding their BS threads, so we put them at the bottom of the menu and kept the music stuff up top so we'd have more of an appearance of being a music forum.

So, the primary reason for the split was to give newcomers an impression that this is a music forum, not one dominated by insider chit-chat - and yet we allow the chit-chat to flourish in its own section without creating a separate forum for it.

And Liz, God forbid that we should remove humor from the music section. That wasn't the intent.

The argument about music vs. non-music went on for years. It was Jeff who came up with the idea of splitting the Forum Menu, and I think it has been a perfect solution - made even better by providing for a mixed menu for those who prefer that. I think there's also a mixed menu available for those who don't have cookies - but I forget the URL of that mixed menu.

-Joe Offer-


Shambles, if you wish to allege that some of your messages have been deleted simply because somebody didn't like what you said, please do us the favor of providing evidence.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Peace
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 01:20 AM

"Out of curiosity, how many members do view the forum in the "all in one block" view."

Usually it's all mixed together for me. If, however, I need to locate a music thread that I have neglected to 'earmark', I split the threads into Music and BS. Makes the m 'lost' music thread easier for me to see.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 01:49 AM

Do I recall correctly that there is an alternate URL for a version of the Forum Menu that provides mixed music/BS threads? Members have no troble, since they can set their membership either way - but I think I recall that Jeff set us a way for nonmembers to do the same.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 05:00 AM

I don't know about that one but for years there was a "filterout" URL. I can't remember its address but it wasn't a practical soulution to the problem.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: The Shambles
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 05:37 AM

Shambles, if you wish to allege that some of your messages have been deleted simply because somebody didn't like what you said, please do us the favor of providing evidence.

As you well know - I do this - but you keep 'silently deleting' the mesaages and closing the threads for increasingly weaker and weaker sounding excuses. All of which serves only to prove my point that you are simply abusing your position to try and prevent views being posted and discussions undertaken - that you would rather were not. for example........

And this thread is closed, too. We allow only one Shambles-Dominated thread at a time. If we don't control him, Shambles tends to post the same thing in five threads, all at the same time.
-Joe Offer-

If this is not the case - you could demonstrate this to our forum by re-opening   Closed threads and deleted posts

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 06:35 AM

The old tart's off again!

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 06:42 AM

SSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Don't tap the glass.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: JennyO
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 07:15 AM

Joe, there was an alternate URL for the mixed view and I had it bookmarked. It used to work, but when I tried it just now, it didn't work. Music and BS were still separated.

I haven't used it for a long time, because I prefer the division, but it appears the URL has changed - dunno when. If someone who knows what it is now could post it here it would be good, so that any GUESTS who prefer the mix can choose it - and it would simplify things for members who like to alternate so they don't have to change their choices on the membership page every time.

I'm very much in favour of the division remaining the default, for the reasons that Joe said, but also because I think it makes it easier to locate threads people are looking for.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: jeffp
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 04:09 PM

Click on "Membership" at the top of any page that shows the Mudcat banner. That will take you to your membership page where you can set several items. At the lower end of the page are some radio button settings including the option to filter out non-music threads entirely or not and an option to mix music and non-music threads or keep them separate. Once you click on what you want, you should get your desired view.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: JennyO
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 10:50 PM

Just in case any members were not aware of this, thank you jeffp for your input.

I already knew about this however. I have it set to separate music and BS. What I was seeking was the URL of the mixed threads view so people could alternate between them more easily if they want, and also for non members who don't have the option of using the membership page.

Is there anyone who knows this URL? I had one which worked, but it doesn't work now.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: kendall
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 04:31 PM

I like Guinness. I also like Speyside scotch. I don't want them mixed together.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Peace
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 07:46 PM

I don't drink, so it don't matter.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 08:18 PM

I don't matter, so I drink.

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Peace
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 08:20 PM

lol

Subject: RE: BS: Non- Music section.
From: Azizi
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 11:03 PM

Witty but sad if true.