Structure changes, most forums closed to the starting of new topics (4/13 - No longer pending)

Pending structure changes, most forums closed to the starting of new topicsI'm going to implement the changes I proposed at " New new topic control measures". If these changes don't work out, they can be undone without any permanent damage to the structure.The exceptions are, that the "Welcome, Visitors!", "Practice Makes Perfect", "Short Subjects", and "Suggestions and Questions" forums will remain open to new topics. Please do not abuse these forums, or they will also be closed to new topics.Comments on these changes can be made in this topic, or at the above cited.Adminnemooseus[This message has been edited by Adminnemooseus, 04-12-2004]

Is Free For All the place to start new topics or will there by a
{Start New Topics} forum (and will it restrict comments?)?

There will be a "Proposed New Topic" forum, plus 2 new support forums. No replies will be permitted in the "PNT", only editing by the topic proposer.I'm going to wait a while, before actually implimenting the changes. This will give people time to make comments first. I closed down the forums to new topics, to prevent a "beat the new system" flood of topics. There are plenty of existing topics to post to.Will get back with more info soon.Adminnemooseus

The short form of the proposed changes:(1)
There will be a "Proposed New Topics" forum, where members can submit their topic. No replies will be permitted, only editing by the topic proposer. Any topic title changes will have to be made by Admin, Adminnemooseus, or AdminAsgara. Quality topics should get fast advancement; Poor quality topics will get suggestions made at the "Suggestions to Proposed New Topics" forum. Once the topic is deemed ready, any of the admins or forum specific moderators can move it to the suitable forum (in the proposed new topic, the originator can suggest a destination). There will be a limit on the number of topics any member can have in the "PNT" forum. I am open to suggestions, on what this number should be.(2)
A "Suggestions to Proposed New Topics" forum will be set up, where admins, designated moderators, and other specifically designated members can, if needed, start parallel topics containing suggestions for topic modifications. Posting to this forum will be restricted, but the system will permit an unlimited number of "designated members".(3)
A "Rejected Topics" forum will be set up, for topics withdrawn (by originator, admin, or moderator) from consideration for advancement.My detailed discussion of the proposal can be found at http://EvC Forum: Dealing with waste of time threads and their posters... -->EvC Forum: Dealing with waste of time threads and their posters...Also see Sylas's comments at http://EvC Forum: Dealing with waste of time threads and their posters... -->EvC Forum: Dealing with waste of time threads and their posters..., especially his quality guidelines.I have hopes that these measures will help get topics off to a good start. Essentially, what I'm (we're) looking for is a topic worth discussing, that has a reasonably good opening message, and a title that clearly defines the topic.Adminnemooseus[This message has been edited by Adminnemooseus, 04-12-2004]

Rejected topics should have a "cause for rejection" (unless of course reasons are obvious) post attached by the rejector for two reasons;
1) So the requestor can correct errors in future topic requests.
2) So it will be easier to track rejection rationale wich may eventually
lead to a standard criteria to be implemented.

I'd suggest between 2 and 5. More than one should definitly be allowed.Even 4 or 5 is getting to be a bit much but I don't know how fast the few admins will be able to move things along. It could be many hours before the firstr 2 or so new topics are moved along

Bump again - Want to keep this topic near the top, so people know why they can't get new topics posted.A couple of (more or less) new thoughts:1) I want to stress that the purpose of the topic review process is NOT to require that all new topics and opening messages have to be masterpieces. I think the standards would be fairly liberal.2) Another variation could be that the new topic review process could be voluntary. The various forums could be reopened to new topics, with the process of going through the "Proposed New Topics" forum being optional (but encouraged?). But, I think I'd prefer to try the mandatory "PNT" route be tried first.Adminnemooseus

It meets with my concurrence.

I'd go with mandatory. With liberal acceptance it shouldn't be a problem other than time for the admins to get to them.If it isn't mandatory the drive by posters, spam and advertising wouldn't get stopped at all. Only mandatory will keep the really stupid stuff out.

Another message board public service provided by the Rocket....and no I am NOT limited to the service of providing excorcisms to Christians run a-muck. I do other things.

The Proposed New Topics forum is now operational.Please also see the introductory message.Adminnemooseus

Will all current [Post New Topic] buttons automatically route to [Proposed New Topic] forum?Will they be changed to read [Propose New Topic]?

Starting a new topic is an easy thing, IF you get yourself to a "Post New Topic" button at the "Proposed New Topics" forum index page, or the same at an existing "Proposed New Topics" topic (currently only one exists - EDIT: Correction - there are 2). I have another "test topic" in the works, to be submitted to the "PNT".Unfortunately, the listing of the new "PNT" forum is buried in the "Bits and Bytes" section at the bottom of the "All Forums" page. Also, it is also NOT yet in the pull down menu, with the other "Bits and Bytes" forums (which is really the wrong section anyway).Alas, in all honesty, the above glitches in the system are things I didn't anticipate. I guess I expected that enough people would figure it out, and show the way.Any software modifications would have to be done by Percy. Maybe he has something in the works. I have not heard anything from Percy about the changes I implemented. Perhaps he's busy trying to arrange a hit on me, for having dared make the changes without his specific input.I will try to do what I can, to make the system work. Bumping this topic, with the above links may help. Time will tell the story.Perhaps the bright point is, if the new system doesn't fly, the old system can be back in place in about 5 minutes work.Further comments and suggestions from any and all welcome,
Adminnemooseus[This message has been edited by Adminnemooseus, 04-14-2004]

It seems quite a slow process to get a new topic through. Is this intended by yourself?With Rocket's new topic, it has been a while untill anything happened. How long will the discussions about a new topic last? Will it be then added to the apropriate forum?

Chill out, it's a new system. They probably weren't expecting a new topic already to test it on....like I said, there's NEVER going to be an emergency new topic.