Un-cluster the clutter?

[Piestar]

I have often found the foundry overwhelming, and perhaps a bit intimidating.

To some degree this is due to my noob status, and this is justified. This will (hopefully) change over time, but there is another factor that I feel can be addressed now; the layout.

I'm not going to go into the clutter, it's been discussed. Rather, I am going to offer a vision of simplicity, and designed to make the process more open to the public.

The first step is to separate the chatter, wanna-bes, and half-formed concepts from the MAPS IN PROGRESS.

Said MAPS IN PROGRESS would each get their own sub-forum.

Sticky-ed to the top would be a topic solely for the map, and all it's incarnations.

Additional topics would be broken down into small, easily digested subjects. VERY specific, easily locked when resolved, but very rigorously kept on subject.

The Map-Smith could have topics sticky-ed, or un-sticky-ed as he or she deems necessary for what he is working on.

Also sticky-ed to the top, a list of topics the Map-Smith would like feedback on. (Or topics considered done, don't waste your time.)

Why would this work? Simple... if a player has an opinion, it will be much easier to be sure that the idea has not already been discussed. Instead of one very deep pool of information, dark and foreboding, it become many shallower pools, more accessible and open to general input.

Anyway, that's my idea. I'll tack on a poll, to see if this idea makes as much sense to you as it does to me. Remember our motto here in Democracy land, vote early; vote often!

[Coleman]

I wish you had a more serious poll but oh well.

More sub-forums probably isn't the answer.

If you want my honest opinion though, there are only about 3-5 maps going on in Map Ideas at any given time that may actually escape. These topics usually also have the most conversation, so they're near the top anyways.

[Piestar]

Tell me what you would like in the poll, and I will add it, change it, whatever...

As to the serious topics being the busy ones, those are the most intimidating to the masses, and thus most in need of tidying up.

[edbeard]

you want to clear clutter by making more topics. that's what it comes down to


it's easier to just read the thread and follow along. perhaps better policing by requiring updates to include what changes were made (but most people do this anyway) would help you.

[Piestar]

That's where you are wrong, Edbeard... it is NOT easier to read the entire thread, with all of it's various ideas, topics, and thoughts.

And I am not SIMPLY saying more topics.

Each map would have it's own forum, thus the various topics would be better sorted.

And each individual idea, topic and thought would have it's own thread.

Say you comment about a particular aspect about a map.

In the current system, you have to read, or at least carefully scan, every post between the time you make your comment, and the time you return, to see if anything relevant has been said.

This can often be several page, quite daunting, and enough to make some of us say 'screw it'.

If, however, each aspect of the discussion has it's own distinct thread, you can go to where the posts should almost always be relevant to what you are commenting on.

It's the difference between putting your clothing away after you do the laundry, and leaving them all in one big pile.

When you want to find a clean sock, you look where clean socks go, not dig thru a giant pile of (hopefully) clean clothes.

Capisch?

[wcaclimbing]

When you want to find a clean sock, you look where clean socks go, not dig thru a giant pile of (hopefully) clean clothes.

So you are saying, instead of just keeping all your socks in one drawer, you would split them up, each pair getting its own box inside the "sock drawer" so it could be "more organized" and you could find the one you want?

Just dump all the socks into a single drawer, no need to split them all up.

[bryguy]

When you want to find a clean sock, you look where clean socks go, not dig thru a giant pile of (hopefully) clean clothes.

So you are saying, instead of just keeping all your socks in one drawer, you would split them up, each pair getting its own box inside the "sock drawer" so it could be "more organized" and you could find the one you want?

Just dump all the socks into a single drawer, no need to split them all up.

all my socks are split up in the same drawer










note: takes me sometimes an hour to find a pair of socks

[Piestar]

When you want to find a clean sock, you look where clean socks go, not dig thru a giant pile of (hopefully) clean clothes.

So you are saying, instead of just keeping all your socks in one drawer, you would split them up, each pair getting its own box inside the "sock drawer" so it could be "more organized" and you could find the one you want?

Just dump all the socks into a single drawer, no need to split them all up.

all my socks are split up in the same drawer
note: takes me sometimes an hour to find a pair of socks

No, keeping each pair of socks in a seperate drawer would be each thought having it's own FORUM. I am saying collect all of the thoughts in ONE forum, but in seprate drawers.

[bryguy]

When you want to find a clean sock, you look where clean socks go, not dig thru a giant pile of (hopefully) clean clothes.

So you are saying, instead of just keeping all your socks in one drawer, you would split them up, each pair getting its own box inside the "sock drawer" so it could be "more organized" and you could find the one you want?

Just dump all the socks into a single drawer, no need to split them all up.

all my socks are split up in the same drawer
note: takes me sometimes an hour to find a pair of socks

No, keeping each pair of socks in a seperate drawer would be each thought having it's own FORUM. I am saying collect all of the thoughts in ONE forum, but in seprate drawers.

im confuseled

of course i have been since i joined this board


easiest part of it that i understood was when i voted for

"Foundry? Whats that? i just like the polls"

[Piestar]

im confuseled

of course i have been since i joined this board


easiest part of it that i understood was when i voted for

"Foundry? Whats that? i just like the polls"

Your confusion is the reason for my suggestion. It all comes down to this; if the Powers That Be really want more people involved in the Foundry, they will do something to make it more accessible. If (like the five+ people who said it out loud on my poll) they really like the way things are, then leave it the way it is.

Nuff said...