NotGrom -- BBS issue

[dancarroll]

I agree with what Wolf said below about keeping the same format. I saw another poster stated a preference for a threaded format. I disagree. Please note: this is clearly a matter of opinion and personal preference; there is no "right" answer.

This format feels like an ongoing conversation. To me, it makes for a greater feel of community. It has the kind of free flow that conversations over too many malt beverages did in the dorm in college. I do not disagree at all that a threaded format is more efficient -- look for the thread on AR drivers, look for the thread on the newest version of PCD. Great for research, but IMHO, not so great for the feeling of a bunch of friends getting together for a bull session. The bull session is what draws me here as much as the technical knowledge.

Or, to put it another way -- and certainly this cannot be any surprise to anyone who has been around this forum as long as I have --

I vote for BS!

Dan

[Andy_G]

If this forum becomes YET ANOTHER threaded, segregated forum like DIYAudio, HTGuide etc, I think I would probably just drift away.

[howard]

> If this forum becomes YET ANOTHER threaded,
> segregated forum like DIYAudio, HTGuide etc,
> I think I would probably just drift away.
I agree. I like it the way it is also. Howard

[Jeff B.]

[dlr]

> If this forum becomes YET ANOTHER threaded,
> segregated forum like DIYAudio, HTGuide etc,
> I think I would probably just drift away.

There are more than enough "modern" boards out there. I haven't found them to be an improvement in any significant way.

Leave it the way it is or use a better version of this one.

I do have to say, I've drifted off partly due to the OT threads, some of which, some interesting in their own way at times (when not trolls and troll tromping), are not why I come here. If I have to skim through two to three screens of an OT thread to get to one that is on-topic, I often just leave.

dlr

[dlr]

When I skim through the main page, quite often I look for names, not post titles. I'll read a post by some folks no matter the title as I value the input of some more than others. I also often start in the thread where it diverges, so this format works great.

dlr

[Todd G.]

[mikebw]

You can really tell who hold the most weight by the number of views as well.

I agree that this particular format is quite conducive to some great discussion, and I think it would be best if can find a way to maintain that while eliminating the spam offender(s).

> When I skim through the main page, quite
> often I look for names, not post titles.
> I'll read a post by some folks no matter the
> title as I value the input of some more than
> others. I also often start in the thread
> where it diverges, so this format works
> great.

> dlr

[Adrian]

This forum feels much more like conversation. Like I said in the thread below, I also prefer it because I can get a quick overview of a thread and pick out the gems. I think other segregated thread/discussion formats are for those who just want to do a hit-n-run, and get some quick info. Here we can talk about, ruminate and joke about a particular subject, and the freestyle, sort of information flow leads to other creative subjects.

Adrian

[dancarroll]

> I think other segregated
> thread/discussion formats are for those who
> just want to do a hit-n-run, and get some
> quick info.

I agree. There is nothing wrong with that -- it is just a different kind of tool for an audience that wants such a tool. But that is not what has made THIS forum prosper.

I would say if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but that does not really apply. The concept ain't broke, but the software is not keeping up with the Groms of the world. I certainly hope the disease can be cured without killing the patient!

Dan

[Wolf]

> When I skim through the main page, quite
> often I look for names, not post titles.
> I'll read a post by some folks no matter the
> title as I value the input of some more than
> others. I also often start in the thread
> where it diverges, so this format works
> great.

> dlr

I want to see the whole "LIST", in it's entirety, with every post listed, ON THE SAME SCREEN!!! I hate navigating the other "topic per thread" boards, and only go there if there is a link of sorts to someones' project. I usually stay away from those others.

I'll say it again-
KEEP SAME FORMAT!!!!
Later,
Wolf

[neildavis]

>but the software is not keeping
> up with the Groms of the world.

There is a version of the WebBBS software that uses a CAPTCHA--in fact Madisound had this feature implemented for a while, and it seemed to help. Madisound said they gave up on this software because it uses a lot of CPU time given the way it composes a new page for every user request. Looks like PE has enough CPU power--maybe just upgrading to a newer version and implementing the CAPTCHA would do the trick.

But maybe not. WebBBS was a cool product in its day, and you could go to the web site and read about the guy who wrote it and follow links to see pictures of his family. Try clicking on the WebBBS 4.33 link at the bottom of this page and you will see that it is now owned by someone else. Click on the "Free Stuff" link toward the bottom of the page and you will see the type of family the software is associated with now.

[Todd G.]

Their family seems to be friendly and outgoing, if prehaps a little under dressed. But who are we to judge how a fine German family dresses. The father must be very proud to have such fine looking daughters.

[timkolody]

Audio Asylum has kept this format without having spam. They do require you have a password and register though. You can post there without registering, it just takes more time. This is what I would vote for.

Tim

[Dirk]

> I agree with what Wolf said below about
> keeping the same format. I saw another
> poster stated a preference for a threaded
> format. I disagree. Please note: this is
> clearly a matter of opinion and personal
> preference; there is no "right"
> answer.

> This format feels like an ongoing
> conversation. To me, it makes for a greater
> feel of community. It has the kind of free
> flow that conversations over too many malt
> beverages did in the dorm in college. I do
> not disagree at all that a threaded format
> is more efficient -- look for the thread on
> AR drivers, look for the thread on the
> newest version of PCD. Great for research,
> but IMHO, not so great for the feeling of a
> bunch of friends getting together for a bull
> session. The bull session is what draws me
> here as much as the technical knowledge.

> Or, to put it another way -- and certainly
> this cannot be any surprise to anyone who
> has been around this forum as long as I have
> --

> I vote for BS!

> Dan

You put together a good argument. You should get a career where you can put it to use. Law, maybe?

[neildavis]

Provided Link: History of WebBBS (http://www.mediacollege.com/internet/scripts/webbbs/)


> There is a version of the WebBBS software
> that uses a CAPTCHA--

The new version is from Tetra-WebBBS (http://webbbs-team.org). They took over development from Darryl Burgdorf. Looks like it is still evolving--there was a new release in Feb 2008. There is a write-up on Tetra-WebBBS at the link.

Apparently the company with the nice looking German ladies bought the WebBBS domain name.

[Paul K.]

I prefer this format also but do find one feature of the "other" formats useful, that of causing an older thread to pop to the top of the list once someone adds a post. But, that's the only thing I like about those other formats and I can live without it.
Paul

> I agree with what Wolf said below about
> keeping the same format. I saw another
> poster stated a preference for a threaded
> format. I disagree. Please note: this is
> clearly a matter of opinion and personal
> preference; there is no "right"
> answer.

> This format feels like an ongoing
> conversation. To me, it makes for a greater
> feel of community. It has the kind of free
> flow that conversations over too many malt
> beverages did in the dorm in college. I do
> not disagree at all that a threaded format
> is more efficient -- look for the thread on
> AR drivers, look for the thread on the
> newest version of PCD. Great for research,
> but IMHO, not so great for the feeling of a
> bunch of friends getting together for a bull
> session. The bull session is what draws me
> here as much as the technical knowledge.

> Or, to put it another way -- and certainly
> this cannot be any surprise to anyone who
> has been around this forum as long as I have
> --

> I vote for BS!

> Dan

[Andy_G]

> I prefer this format also but do find one
> feature of the "other" formats
> useful, that of causing an older thread to
> pop to the top of the list once someone adds
> a post. But, that's the only thing I like
> about those other formats and I can live
> without it.
> Paul

Mad Board does that, and can be viewed as listed posts like this board. I think I might gravitate back there. Would be good if we could kick start it.

[dancarroll]

> Mad Board does that, and can be viewed as
> listed posts like this board. I think I
> might gravitate back there. Would be good if
> we could kick start it.

If gravitate means split time, sure. If it means leave us behind . . . boo hoo for us!