A section Request

There's a thread just a little further down with some responses. The search function is great, granted, but even using flat view the posts fly by the 6 or so pages in just a few days. Categories would certainly slow that up and expand whats available without searching. Discovery isn't always knowing what you are searching for.

Another thought is that it would be an enormous task to retroactively move posts to categories. If there was a way for folks to help online, possibly there would be a lot of volunteers to categorize old posts.

Maybe it would be productive to recommend a few categories.

1. Info for Eggheads (new and old)
2. Eggfests, local Egghead meet-ups and cooks
3. Food pics, recipes, methods, cook times, etc
4. Tables, nests, cooking stations
5. Eggcessories and other Gear, how-tos and whats new
6. Off topic - Eggheads at the dinner table
7. Getting involved (charitable, volunteering, personal interest)

.

For what it's worth, changing the forum flow has been talked about many times. Most have rejected the idea.

Maybe some other forum engine should be used, like the WSM board or the Brotherhood. Every thing could be segregated out.

If the OT is going to be pulled of the main traffic area the the rule should be followed by all. No family need wishes, help for cooks, asking for charity help, nothing at all. Keep all that in its own "forum section".

There has been an increased OT flow due to the events of the world. So there is 30 posts about MJ celeb deaths, who cares it's only cyber space and it goes away shortly. Same with politics and for the most part folks have kept religion off the forum all together.

I might be wrong but I think it will change the personality of the forum.

Do we really want to have to shift over to a different forum to read about some of the good things the forum folks have done or are doing, family/personal problems. Frankly, seems to me these things is what makes the forum so active and popular.

Of course there is the possibility members won't put the OT stuff in the OT section or won't mark the OT stuff as OT.

Kind of sad actually... time will tell, sure hope it stays the same.

Seems like some of the posts in the forum feedback section don't get seen or responded to.

Kent
Kent

WPB,

Thanks for your responsiveness and giving this OT idea a chance.

Personally, I think it will detract somewhat from the personality and interaction on the Main Forum, since it will be a 'side bar' and ma will not think to 'go over there'. BUt, that said, I agree with you that it is at least worth a try.

Feedback from the regulars here will help determine whether it remains a permanent thing.

Thanks for all you do in maintaining the BEST BBQ forum around ! :woohoo: :woohoo:

If I understand correctly... if you (you meaning anyone) like something it can be on topic. If you don't like something or are ambivalent to something it must go to the off topic section.

Pinging, did you get, I'm sending should be off topic
I am doing something good or I hope this person gets better should be on

So, happy birthday, on or off?

Maybe certain members can put what ever they want wherever they went and other members have to keep their posts in a topic's particular areas.

Either something is on topic or it isn't - anything in the gray area should go to the off topic. Keep the begging for money, birthday's, ping's, got/didn't get, charity, feel good stuff in the off topic area. On the egghead forum side one can just read about cooking, setups and helping with problems. Not sure what to do about the gasket type stuff.

It doesn't look like anyone is paying attention to it over on the egghead forum anyway.

GG

.

Not trying to get into a tit for tat and I didn't think you meant any offense.

I took it out to the absurd to get the point across. It is pretty subjective as to what is and what isn't OT.

Every once in a while the topic comes up and there have been suggestions to use a different forum format. There are plenty of different types of Q forums out there, but there is no place like home.

Many people migrate to the egghead forum liking the format, friendliness, etc. Then those people say the sure like the forum format they used before. It seems to me the on topic forums just can support the 'feel' of the egghead forum. It's my opinion, bringing that old on topic format over will bring the old 'non personal' feel.

This will unfold and we will see what happens, one thing for sure is that it isn't up to me.

GG

.