May I make a sugestion?

[HighTechRedneck]

Yes we could all join many different boards to get into discussions on other topics.  For example, I could join a physics discussion board to engage in discussions like Jeremy's Fly vs. Train thread.  I have enjoyed considering the physics and mathmatical concepts, but I wouldn't have interest in joining a group to discuss nothing but physics and math.  I have enjoyed the Joke of the Week threads, but would not choose to join a group for nothing but jokes.  I have enjoyed reading of Christy's experiences and observations even when not bus related but I would not choose to join a group for just that.  There are boards out there for random discussions, but they are poorly moderated and mostly filled with teenagers discussing topics I don't even care to know exist.   I consider the members of this group to be friends.  Not just two or three of them, but the group in general.  Emails are fine for one on one discussion, but these discussions work best when a group can join in.

I guess I would agree that a separate section would serve everyone's interest.  Several boards I visit have sections for off topic conversations.  Some of the section names I have seen:

• General Chit Chat
• Cup of Java
• Friendly Conversation
• Break Room
• Off Topic Lounge
• The Lounge

Here a couple examples:
http://forums.ev1servers.net/
http://forums.oscommerce.com/

Maybe that is what is needed here in order to help everyone to keep enjoying the board.  Perhaps even seek out an additional moderator for that section so as to avoid overloading or distracting the existing moderating team from the bus discussions.

[Happycampersrus]

I personally don't get the problem

I open everyday with the "Show unread post since last visit" tab. (It's at the top in the user's info box), Then scroll down to anything that has a subject line I might be interested in.

I simply skip any subject line that doesn't interest me. If the subject says for example "mechanical widgets on Ebay" I can skip it because I don't need anymore widgets.

Dallas,

Great, Now I have to go back and read everything I haven't read. I didn't know about the Law of the Bus Nut. Guess I'm gonna be busy for a few days

Dale

[Busted Knuckle]

Gee, I guess I opened a big ol can of worms.....My only point was that the Informational threads get pushed down the list very fast. Sometimes a new thread is pushed to the 3rd page on the first day.... If there is a setting that I can change for my personal viewing let me know, as I am still learning things about this board... I scan through posts and if it does not interest me I move on also... I'll live with it and pull my dog out of this fight

Hey Ron,
Since ya  got all those worms how 'bout go'n fish'n? ! LOL! Sorry couldn't stop myself! BK 

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Yes we could all join many different boards to get into discussions on other topics.  For example, I could join a physics discussion board to engage in discussions like Jeremy's Fly vs. Train thread.  I have enjoyed considering the physics and mathmatical concepts, but I wouldn't have interest in joining a group to discuss nothing but physics and math.  I have enjoyed the Joke of the Week threads, but would not choose to join a group for nothing but jokes.  I have enjoyed reading of Christy's experiences and observations even when not bus related but I would not choose to join a group for just that.  There are boards out there for random discussions, but they are poorly moderated and mostly filled with teenagers discussing topics I don't even care to know exist.   I consider the members of this group to be friends.  Not just two or three of them, but the group in general.  Emails are fine for one on one discussion, but these discussions work best when a group can join in.

I guess I would agree that a separate section would serve everyone's interest.  Several boards I visit have sections for off topic conversations.  Some of the section names I have seen:

• General Chit Chat
• Cup of Java
• Friendly Conversation
• Break Room
• Off Topic Lounge
• The Lounge

Here a couple examples:
http://forums.ev1servers.net/
http://forums.oscommerce.com/

Maybe that is what is needed here in order to help everyone to keep enjoying the board.  Perhaps even seek out an additional moderator for that section so as to avoid overloading or distracting the existing moderating team from the bus discussions.

HTR,

We can discuss your ideas a little more...
Thanks
Nick-

[zimtok]

The problem with selecting "show unread Posts since last visit" is when you try to find a post that you want to refer back to.

AND

Not everyone has the time to check into this forum every day, and when you check after about 2-3 days there is so much "NEW" posts (half of which don't seem to be bus realted) that I just end up poosting on other boards that seem to keep it bus related...





.

[Buffalo SpaceShip]

Since I'm as guilty as anyone of posting and replying to OT posts, let me point out this.

Amongst the jokes, physics discussions, and trip diaries, and general chit-chat considered OT, this group of busnuts have recently:

• sent graphing calculators to a deserving student and his school
• gave some much-needed support to a family whose husband just lost his legs in an accident

Neither of these were "on-topic", and I'm afraid if OT posts were relegated to some other place on this board, important posts like those would have been missed... as would the groundswell of well-intentioned folks that made these such successful outpourings of generosity.

This board is well-moderated. It's one of the finest places on the Internet. And that's because it's not just a place to post about bus-related stuff.

My $0.02,
Brian "OT" Brown

[FloridaCliff]

Now you have me thinking too!

Moderators, I would like to see ALL future posts put in two catagories:

CRS-Cliff Related Subject  This would only include things that I am or may be interested in.   Email me first to be sure.

HCIHCT- How Can I Help Cliff Today  This area would be for everyone to post there travel plans so I can arrange cheap shipping for parts I need or so that they could schedule there vacations to help me finish my bus.

But lets get real, we would need to keep the OT for everyone elses needs.  I don't want to be thought of as selfish.    LOL

Cliff

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

CLIFF......I mean CRS,

Here's a thought!


NRS-

[DrivingMissLazy]

I think that the boards you reference have a couple of hundred thousand members instead of our measly couple of thousand members. They probably get more posts in a day than we do in a year. Having multiple headings would be mandatory in their case. I do not think we are ready for that yet.
Richard

Yes we could all join many different boards to get into discussions on other topics.  For example, I could join a physics discussion board to engage in discussions like Jeremy's Fly vs. Train thread.  I have enjoyed considering the physics and mathmatical concepts, but I wouldn't have interest in joining a group to discuss nothing but physics and math.  I have enjoyed the Joke of the Week threads, but would not choose to join a group for nothing but jokes.  I have enjoyed reading of Christy's experiences and observations even when not bus related but I would not choose to join a group for just that.  There are boards out there for random discussions, but they are poorly moderated and mostly filled with teenagers discussing topics I don't even care to know exist.   I consider the members of this group to be friends.  Not just two or three of them, but the group in general.  Emails are fine for one on one discussion, but these discussions work best when a group can join in.

I guess I would agree that a separate section would serve everyone's interest.  Several boards I visit have sections for off topic conversations.  Some of the section names I have seen:

• General Chit Chat
• Cup of Java
• Friendly Conversation
• Break Room
• Off Topic Lounge
• The Lounge

Here a couple examples:
http://forums.ev1servers.net/
http://forums.oscommerce.com/

Maybe that is what is needed here in order to help everyone to keep enjoying the board.  Perhaps even seek out an additional moderator for that section so as to avoid overloading or distracting the existing moderating team from the bus discussions.

[Happycampersrus]

"The problem with selecting "show unread Posts since last visit" is when you try to find a post that you want to refer back to."

The search function has really helped me in the past and works great so I don't have to dig and hunt through all the OT post.


"Not everyone has the time to check into this forum every day, and when you check after about 2-3 days there is so much "NEW" posts (half of which don't seem to be bus realted) that I just end up poosting on other boards that seem to keep it bus related..."

That's why the "show unread post since last visit" is so handy. I don't have to look through stuff I have already read or stuff (OT) I probably don't care to read. I am away sometimes for long periods (weeks) and can get through 2 or 3 pages of "Show unread post since last visit" in just a couple of minutes. If it has OT or some subject line that I ain't interested in I just keep scrolling down.

I am a member of 2 other Classic Car boards with 10,000+ people and they have the multiple headings and it can really be a pain in the buttocks to try to figure out what was posted while I was away. I agree with Richard (DrivingMissLazy) This board don't have enough daily post to need multiple headings yet.

[zimtok]

We can sit here and banter back a forth about this forever....

I can link you to many forums that have less posts then this one and still have great responses on all of their topics.

I don't believe that an important post would go unread just because it was in a forum specifically designed for those posts. (in fact it may get better response)


Put the forum where your mouth is and try separating the forum for a while to test your theory. Check the numbers after about a month take a poll of the members to see how they like/dislike the split forum and prove to everyone that it is a bad idea.


.

[HighTechRedneck]

I think that the boards you reference have a couple of hundred thousand members instead of our measly couple of thousand members. They probably get more posts in a day than we do in a year. Having multiple headings would be mandatory in their case. I do not think we are ready for that yet.
Richard

Actually, I have seen boards of all sizes use category sections to separate areas of interest.  Examples:

• RV.net with almost 3 million posts in 33 sections
• osCommerce forum with 125,000 members, 551,000 posts in 24 sections
• EV1Servers/The Planet with 25,000 members, 550,000 posts in 32 sections
• MAK Bus Conversions forum with 1,252 members, 26,441 posts in 4 sections
• RTS bus nuts Yahoo group with 499 members, 17,000 posts in 1 forum section plus 6 special function sections
• Skoolie.net with 554 members, 13,000 posts in 7 sections

Personally, I am fine with it the way it is now, I read what I choose to and skip what I don't.  But I realize that OT posts are frustrating some members of the community and adding to the enjoyment of the forum for others.  Perhaps a poll before making any changes would be a good idea.  Like when a poll was done about how to handle the rally announcements.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

HTR,

Thanks for the numbers!  That reassures me that what we are doing is just fine.

We have a great board here that is full of intellegent members, quick to respond to a fellow busnuts needs, ect, and it is still growing at a great speed!

I think that this Soap Opra is now over in this thread!

Thanks for everyones comments!  I'm going to lock this down now before we create bad feelings between members and

comments and who is taking sides ect... It just is seeming like a place to throw a punch now.

Nick-