Let's give some structure to this forum...

[skeptica]

Here is a proposal for the structure:

Skepticism & Paranormal
Education & Learning
Science & Math
Religion & Philosophy
Banter
Politics & Social Issues
Technology & Computers
History & Art
Literature & Film
Humor & Games
Sports & Recreation
Community Events
Forum Feedback
Forum Help

Okay... What do you guys think? If you notice, I like the "&" a lot. It makes for catchy section names such as R&P, P&S, S&M :shock: etc... But, Banter will stand on it's own! :D

Also, do you want me to convert the Testing Forum into Banter or blow it away and start over?

Chime in here and let's work this out...

[Skeptoid]

Hmmm... I think Banter could absorb the Humor category. TOP never had a humor section until a few off-color jokes here and there offended the sensibilities of its puritanical admin. Why follow that paradigm? Then do Puzzles & Games.

How about combining History, Art, Literature, and Film into a single Humanities forum? Mention those topics, along with Music, in the Humanities forum's description.

Rename the present Test forum to Banter.


http://skeptech.net/emotipad/cache/Twocents.gif

[exarch]

Just out of curiosity, is it the purpose of this place to replace the JREF board? Or to complement it? Because for postings about the paranormal, I don't think you would need another forum besides the JREF.

Also, I would suggest keeping the number of "categories" down to as few as possible (please not another dozen forums of which I'll only manage to browse maybe 3 on any given afternoon). I'm assuming this 'll just become the community forum primarily, where people can go all wacky and unwind, while trying to keep the illustrious "3% on topic postings" at JREF. I think that's what I'm going to do anyway.

So what you need here is basically a place for the stuff they don't want at JREF, like humour (sick or otherwise), games, and all-round weirdness. No? Or maybe just one forum called On Topic, it will be small, since it'll only be home to 3% of peoples posts :lol:

[De_Bunk]

Move the test forum to Banter....It would fill it and we'd all have something were used to..

The other ideas would make the transition from one to the other more user friendly..

DB

[JamesM]

How about combining History, Art, Literature, and Film into a single Humanities forum? Mention those topics, along with Music, in the Humanities forum's description.

I agree, although when I suggested a similar arrangement at The Other Place, exactly zero people agreed. But given the constant overlap that occurs, it does seem sensible. Also, I think any separation of 'high' and 'low' culture is artificial.

[ratbag]

Just out of curiosity, is it the purpose of this place to replace the JREF board? Or to complement it? Because for postings about the paranormal, I don't think you would need another forum besides the JREF.

Also, I would suggest keeping the number of "categories" down to as few as possible (please not another dozen forums of which I'll only manage to browse maybe 3 on any given afternoon). I'm assuming this 'll just become the community forum primarily, where people can go all wacky and unwind, while trying to keep the illustrious "3% on topic postings" at JREF. I think that's what I'm going to do anyway.

So what you need here is basically a place for the stuff they don't want at JREF, like humour (sick or otherwise), games, and all-round weirdness. No? Or maybe just one forum called On Topic, it will be small, since it'll only be home to 3% of peoples posts :lol:

I think we definately need a paranormal forum
If this forum is going to more than just a JREF outhouse, it needs to offer all the JREF has and more. Hopefully it can pull in people who may be intimidated by the formality of the future 'O' JREF.
Could I also suggest that we keep the word 'Skepticism' out of the title of that sub-forum. (that way we can draw the woo-woos in first, and then pounce on them when they least expect it :D )

I agree that we need to offer a good selection but without making the forum top heavey with sub-fora. Combining the H&A and L&F seems like a good idea to me. also how about combining Science, Math, education and Learning?
Rat

[Geni]

Here is a proposal for the structure:

Skepticism & Paranormal
Education & Learning
Science & Math
Religion & Philosophy
Banter
Politics & Social Issues
Technology & Computers
History & Art
Literature & Film
Humor & Games
Sports & Recreation
Community Events
Forum Feedback
Forum Help

Okay... What do you guys think? If you notice, I like the "&" a lot. It makes for catchy section names such as R&P, P&S, S&M :shock: etc... But, Banter will stand on it's own! :D

Also, do you want me to convert the Testing Forum into Banter or blow it away and start over?

Chime in here and let's work this out...

Community Events can go in banter (it'll end up their anyway). Dito Humor & Games. Almginate Literature & Film and History & Art. Reorder as below.


Skepticism & Paranormal
Education & Learning
Science & Math
Religion & Philosophy
Literature, Film, History, Art
Sports & Recreation
Technology & Computers
Banter
Politics & Social Issues
Forum Feedback
Forum Help

[Luke T.]

Just out of curiosity, is it the purpose of this place to replace the JREF board? Or to complement it? Because for postings about the paranormal, I don't think you would need another forum besides the JREF.

That would kind of defeat the whole purpose of naming this place "skepticalcommunity", wouldn't it???

[Chaos]

My 0.014 Euros (two cents, for the Americans among you ;)):

I´d merge the "Skepticism & Paranormal" and "Community Events" forums. Then I´d dissolve "History & Arts", put History into either "Education and Learning" or "Politics & Social Issues" and Arts into "Literature & Film", where I´d also add Music.
I´d change "Technology and Computers" to "Computers & the Internet" which would also include Computer Games, and put non-computer technology into "Science & Maths".

Alternatively, I´d keep "Community Events" and dump "Skepticism & Paranormal" into "Science & Math".

[Sundog]

My 0.014 Euros (two cents, for the Americans among you ;)):

I´d merge the "Skepticism & Paranormal" and "Community Events" forums. Then I´d dissolve "History & Arts", put History into either "Education and Learning" or "Politics & Social Issues" and Arts into "Literature & Film", where I´d also add Music.
I´d change "Technology and Computers" to "Computers & the Internet" which would also include Computer Games, and put non-computer technology into "Science & Maths".

Alternatively, I´d keep "Community Events" and dump "Skepticism & Paranormal" into "Science & Math".

Sounds rather chaotic. 8)

[exarch]

Here is a proposal for the structure:

Skepticism & Paranormal
Education & Learning
Science & Math
Religion & Philosophy
Banter
Politics & Social Issues
Technology & Computers
History & Art
Literature & Film
Humor & Games
Sports & Recreation
Community Events
Forum Feedback
Forum Help

Suggested topic mergings (but possibly with new titles if preferred)

1. Skepticism & Paranormal & Religion & Philosophy
   Education & Learning & Science & Math
   Banter & Humor
   Politics & Social Issues & History
   Technology & Computers (or "The Internet" as Chaos suggested)
   Art & Literature & Film
   Games & Sports & Recreation
   Community Events
   ---
   Forum Feedback
   Forum Help

[Wally]

Here is a proposal for the structure:

Skepticism & Paranormal
Education & Learning
Science & Math
Religion & Philosophy
Banter
Politics & Social Issues
Technology & Computers
History & Art
Literature & Film
Humor & Games
Sports & Recreation
Community Events
Forum Feedback
Forum Help

Suggested topic mergings (but possibly with new titles if preferred)

1. Skepticism & Paranormal & Religion & Philosophy
   Education & Learning & Science & Math
   Banter & Humor
   Politics & Social Issues & History
   Technology & Computers (or "The Internet" as Chaos suggested)
   Art & Literature & Film
   Games & Sports & Recreation
   Community Events
   ---
   Forum Feedback
   Forum Help

I like these choices. The fewer sub-fora the more likely cross pollination in subjects.

[skeptica]

Suggested topic mergings (but possibly with new titles if preferred)

1. Skepticism & Paranormal & Religion & Philosophy
   Education & Learning & Science & Math
   Banter & Humor
   Politics & Social Issues
   Technology & Computers (or "The Internet" as Chaos suggested)
   Art & Literature & Film
   Games & Sports & Recreation
   Community Events
   ---
   Forum Feedback
   Forum Help

Okay... How about this:

Critical Thinking (Skepticism, Paranormal, Religion & Philosophy)
Education, Learning, Science & Math
Banter & Humor
Politics, Social Issues & History
Technology & Computers (The Internet)
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Games, Sports & Recreation
Forum Issues (Feedback and Help)

I like the idea of keeping things simple and avoiding cross-pollination of forum.

[Skeptoid]

Okay... How about this:

Critical Thinking (Skepticism, Paranormal, Religion & Philosophy)
Education, Learning, Science & Math
Banter & Humor
Politics, Social Issues & History
Technology & Computers (The Internet)
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Games, Sports & Recreation
Forum Issues (Feedback and Help)

I like the idea of keeping things simple and avoiding cross-pollination of forum.

Remove History from Politics & Social Issues, as you already have it with Humanities. Science & Math should stand alone.

Edit- Banter to stand alone; mention humor in Banter's description.

[skeptica]

Okay... How about this:

Critical Thinking (Skepticism, Paranormal, Religion & Philosophy)
Education, Learning, Science & Math
Banter & Humor
Politics, Social Issues & History
Technology & Computers (The Internet)
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Games, Sports & Recreation
Forum Issues (Feedback and Help)

I like the idea of keeping things simple and avoiding cross-pollination of forum.

Remove History from Politics & Social Issues, as you already have it with Humanities. Science & Math should stand alone.

Edit- Banter to stand alone; mention humor in Banter's description.

Okay... The structure now proposed is:

Critical Thinking (Skepticism, Paranormal, Religion & Philosophy)
Education, Learning
Science & Math
Banter
Politics, Social Issues
Technology & Computers (The Internet)
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Games, Sports & Recreation
Forum Issues (Feedback and Help)

This is lookng better and better: simple and not too confusing

[Guy Noir]

Okay... How about this:

Critical Thinking (Skepticism, Paranormal, Religion & Philosophy)
Education, Learning, Science & Math
Banter & Humor
Politics, Social Issues & History
Technology & Computers (The Internet)
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Games, Sports & Recreation
Forum Issues (Feedback and Help)

I like the idea of keeping things simple and avoiding cross-pollination of forum.

Remove History from Politics & Social Issues, as you already have it with Humanities. Science & Math should stand alone.

Edit- Banter to stand alone; mention humor in Banter's description.

First "Me too" post.
:D

Given the divisive nature of politics, it should be kept a bit isolated from history. This is mostly to protect history from current events arguments.

[Hexxenhammer]

Okay... The structure now proposed is:

Critical Thinking (Skepticism, Paranormal, Religion & Philosophy)
Education, Learning
Science & Math
Banter
Politics, Social Issues
Technology & Computers (The Internet)
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Games, Sports & Recreation
Forum Issues (Feedback and Help)

This is lookng better and better: simple and not too confusing

I like it.

[ratbag]

That'd get my vote too
:D
Rat

[Zombified]

Based on volumes at JREF, I think mixing R&P into Skepticism may be problematic - we know they're both going to be high volume, and don't necessarily overlap well.

Education & Learning is probably going to be low-volume, and probably overlaps a bunch of other area.

Technology & Computers is not really high volume, I think it can be combined with Science & Math.

So I would propose:

Critical Thinking (Skepticism & Paranormal)
Science, Mathematics, & Technology
Religion & Philosophy
Banter
Politics & Social Issues
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Games, Sports, & Recreation
Forum Issues

[Geni]

Critical Thinking (Skepticism & Paranormal)
Science, Mathematics, & Technology
Religion & Philosophy
Banter
Politics & Social Issues
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Games, Sports, & Recreation
Forum Issues

Pretty much agree but don't call it critial thinking. Surly to some degree that should cover the entire forum also reorder so:

Skepticism & Paranormal
Science, Mathematics, & Technology
Religion & Philosophy
Banter
Games, Sports, & Recreation
Politics & Social Issues
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Forum Issues

[JamesM]

I agree with Zombified. The JREF R&P and Paranormal forums have both got their own separate character (and characters) and are both very busy. I would argue against their merging. I think a lot of the computing discussion would be comfortable in the science forum, and and web links and such can go to banter.

The Education forum at JREF is very low-volume, from looking at the threads most of them could go to Science, Philosophy or Banter. But there are a few threads that might not fit comfortably anywhere. Hmm.

[tamiO]

It strikes me that critical thinking is necessary in any topic and doesn't need it's own section. Maybe a section for educators would have a place here and "how to think critically" could be covered under many guises under the Education banner. I think it could be a rich resource possibility for people to share teaching methods and examples, etc.

[juryjone]

Why are some people dead set on putting History with Arts, Literature, & Film (and TV and comic books for us "low culture" types)? I have always thought that history goes better with Politics and Social Issues, because when I'm talking about politics, I usually am not pulling opinions out of my ass, but am trying to use history to defend my views.

Just wanted to know...

[Walter_Wayne]

Okay... The structure now proposed is:

Critical Thinking (Skepticism, Paranormal, Religion & Philosophy)
Education, Learning
Science & Math
Banter
Politics, Social Issues
Technology & Computers (The Internet)
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Games, Sports & Recreation
Forum Issues (Feedback and Help)

This is lookng better and better: simple and not too confusing

I do think it should be "Science, Math & Technology" and "Computers and The Internet".

Lots of tech seems unrelated to computers to me.

Walt

[Hexxenhammer]

Why are some people dead set on putting History with Arts, Literature, & Film (and TV and comic books for us "low culture" types)? I have always thought that history goes better with Politics and Social Issues, because when I'm talking about politics, I usually am not pulling opinions out of my ass, but am trying to use history to defend my views.

Just wanted to know...

It's actually to help history. Interesting history topics got buried immediately at JREF. A Humanities forum will move slower. Actually, with all those topics it will probably move about the same as other forums.

And I agree with those who said R&P and paranormal should not be together. Didn't notice that. Ditch the "critical thinking". That goes without saying. Ditch Education and Learning, those will be folded into whatever the poster is educating about. Science and math can fit with computers just fine.

[JamesM]

It's actually to help history. Interesting history topics got buried immediately at JREF. A Humanities forum will move slower. Actually, with all those topics it will probably move about the same as other forums.

We could just ditch the 'history' title altogether. The way I see it is, if I want to a rambunctious, barn-storming, name-calling your-mother-cooks-socks-in-hell sort of a history thread, I'll start it in politics. If I want a more sedate, more-tea-vicar? affair I'd stick it in Literature etc.

[Zombified]

I do think it should be "Science, Math & Technology" and "Computers and The Internet".

Lots of tech seems unrelated to computers to me.

I agree tech goes with science. I don't understand why computers & internet needs a seperate section, though.

[skeptica]

I do think it should be "Science, Math & Technology" and "Computers and The Internet".

Lots of tech seems unrelated to computers to me.

I agree tech goes with science. I don't understand why computers & internet needs a seperate section, though.

You know what? I think we are circling slowly back to my original suggestion... :lol:

[tamiO]

Will posts be moved from the thread the member posts in to a more appropriate forum? Or will the forum titles simply be a guide?

[skeptica]

Will posts be moved from the thread the member posts in to a more appropriate forum? Or will the forum titles simply be a guide?

The forum titles are a guide. I won't bother moving things around unless there is some REALLY strenuous objection or unless the original poster request it. I always found that rather an autocratic activity at the old site.

In the end, all things are related to the mission of enabling critical thinking to society at large. :)

G6

[skeptica]

Alright, here's a current summary from what I could gather:

Skepticism & Paranormal
Religion & Philosophy
Education & Learning
Science, Math & Technology
Banter
Politics & Social Issues
Computers & The Internet
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Games, Sports & Recreation
Forum Issues (Feedback and Help)

Okay, what up, people? :D

[Skeptoid]

Go with it. :)

[Reginald]

They look good to me.

Maybe set them up and see how they fly.

'twould be nice to have the sections up and running.

:)

[skeptica]

They look good to me.

Maybe set them up and see how they fly.

'twould be nice to have the sections up and running.

:)

Alright... We are flying with these for now. I will put them up shortly (like in a few hours). So, unless there are ANY strenuous and constructive objections, we will try these out.

Remember, we can move/change things around later. But, it's always nice to try to get some of this right from the get-go. And, you know me, I'm open to suggestions/ideas any time.

I'll also get rid of this sticky once it is all settled. I have having a bunch of stickies up in the front. It gives you guys less real estate!

G6

[skeptica]

Woo HOO!!! The forums are here! :D

Go forth and post!

G6

[Luke T.]

Woo HOO!!! The forums are here! :D

Go forth and post!

G6

Great job!

I kinda had fun posting the very first topic in the politics section, but to be fair, perhaps shanek's Libertarian topic that is currently in the Banter (formerly Test) section should be moved there, if he has no objections. His topic deserves the honor, unless I missed someone else who posted a political topic before that.

[Quester_X]

Awsome job, Girl 6! The forums are working out great! :D

[RCC]

I know I'm late and I put this suggestion in the wrong place once already, but I can use the post count...

How about a designated flame war section? Maybe it would encourage personal vendettas to keep out of the more substantive forums and allow a place to blow off steam without screwing up or makinf other forums look like hotbeads for personal attacks...

[exarch]

Alright, here's a current summary from what I could gather:

Skepticism & Paranormal
Religion & Philosophy
Education & Learning
Science, Math & Technology
Banter
Politics & Social Issues
Computers & The Internet
Humanities (History, Art, Literature, Music & Film)
Games, Sports & Recreation
Forum Issues (Feedback and Help)

Okay, what up, people? :D

My guess is "Education & Learning" is going to be a really slow forum (although it's best to keep it separate), as is "Computers & The Internet" (which might be better off being merged with another category). I also wonder if there is a real need to have a separate forum for "Paranormal" issues, as they seem like the kind of thing that could perhaps be classified under either R&P or Science ...

Hey, I'm just brainstorming here :)