I've been talking about changes to the board structure for a while, but now that the software that will spark these changes is nearly ready (maybe a week), I thought I'd post this possible structure for the new forums. I'd appreciate any feedback and suggestions you might have.

Of particular note are the expanded science sections, the new "Reality" topic for random unguided socialization (this could probably use a better name), and the expanded debate forums.

Dave

...oh, and you'll notice that I'm toying with the idea of giving the forums a dedicated domain of their own :)

Science
- General Science
- Astronomy, Exobiology & Cosmology
- Frontier Physics - Nanotech & Quantum Mechanics
- Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Life, & Robotics
- Biotechnology & Bioscience

Life
- "Reality"
- Arts & Culture

Debate
- Religion
   - Christianity
   - Atheism
   - Alternative
- Ethics, Morality, & Justice
- Politics & World Affairs

Subcultures
- TechnoNerds & Geeks
- SciFi enthusiasts
- UFO believers

sciforums.com
- Announcements
- Feedback, Suggestions, & Questions

[This message has been edited by DaveW (edited February 10, 2001).]

Dave,

How about instead of "Reality", try "Free Thoughts"?

666

yes, that is better :) thanks!

i like it, its like you dedicated a whole forum or 'region' to me :)

are you still in need of moderators???

The new software has arrived! :)
I'll be up all night setting it up! Hopefully everything will be up and running sometime soon.

You know you're a geek when your heart races with anticipation over new software :)

Oh, and yes, I'm still in need of moderators. I'm thinking about temporarily lifting the restriction on anonymous posting to promote new user participation. However, this means that things would need to be monitored more closely. I'll be giving out moderation positions quite generously to any established member who wants them.

Good luck Dave. I hope it all goes well. I know the geek feeling, I guess that's why I'm in the business.

I assume we will be able to see all past posts and topic threads. There is a lot of good stuff.

I'd not object to helping out if you are desperate.

Yes, all the threads and the user info will be transferred over.

If you're interested: a work in progress at http://www.sciforums.com/ . Let me know what you think (especially with regards to the layout/colours).

BUT:
Do NOT use it yet -- its not ready. I still have to move the threads over.

The topics aren't done yet. More work needed.

The UI is still in flux. More work is needed.

dave

Looking good.

Are those the final colors?

My offer of help, BTW, was for job of moderator - AI etc would be my choice.

Dave,

I'd like to suggest another science forum as I think I can generate some interest from elsewhere. And the topic doesn't seem to be covered in other sciforums.

Neuroscience, Whole Brain Emulation, and Mind Uploading.

And I'd be very happy to be moderator for this.

Cris

PS. Also if you establish the Atheism forum as you suggest and if no one else offers to be moderator then I think I'd be happy to moderate there as well.

err...the colours are final if you like them :)

I'll probably provide 2 or 3 different colour schemes which can be customized by users.

Thanks for the forum suggestion and for volunteering as a moderator.

Dave, check spelling of 'athiesm', unless you've already seen it.

"If you're interested: a work in progress at http://www.sciforums.com/ . Let me know what you think (especially with regards to the layout/colours)."

I like it. I count seven topics which have my interest now.

The colors are a little subdued for my preference, but they seem somehow appropriate for a message board of this nature. I would maybe try to add a little warmth for the purpose of contrast; however, these <img src = "http://www.sciforums.com/images/on.gif"> might bring that pinch of flavor that I don't see yet.

I like the way you have busted up "Religious Debate" into three topics. I'm curious to see how they progress once the doors are open.



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It's all very large.

Nuts! Now I understand Dave’s strange response “err...the colours are final if you like them”. I hadn’t read the part “(especially with regards to the layout/colours)." Doh! Sorry Dave, I simply clicked on the link and didn’t read any further – must be excitement, I guess.

So regarding colours (ah a familiar spelling) I agree with Bowser that a higher contrast might be good. How about a mixture of blue and green, but not bright like our current UBB.

Instead of ‘Alternative’ under Religions how about –

General Religion and Philosophy.

And Bowser, I liked your anticipation marquee you had here, it was very appropriate.

Have fun
Cris

"Instead of ‘Alternative’ under Religions how about –

General Religion and Philosophy."

I don't know, Cris. Shouldn't Philosophy find itself under "Life?" It seems that it would be out of place if thrown under "Religion."

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<MARQUEE ALIGN="MIDDLE" BEHAVIOR="ALTERNATE" BGCOLOR="White" DIRECTION="Right" HEIGHT=25 WIDTH=100 LOOP="INFINITE"> Anticipation </MARQUEE>
<pre>
<xmp><MARQUEE ALIGN="MIDDLE" BEHAVIOR="ALTERNATE"</xmp>
<xmp>BGCOLOR="White" DIRECTION="Right"</xmp> <xmp>HEIGHT=25 WIDTH=100 LOOP="INFINITE"></xmp>
<xmp>Anticipation</xmp>
<xmp></MARQUEE></xmp>
</pre>
Thanks. I have that urge to try some C/C++ programming again. I wish it was as quick and easy as HTML.

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[This message has been edited by Bowser (edited February 19, 2001).]

Bowser,


Originally posted by Bowser:
"Instead of ‘Alternative’ under Religions how about –

General Religion and Philosophy."

I don't know, Cris. Shouldn't Philosophy find itself under "Life?" It seems that it would be out of place if thrown under "Religion."

Yup you may be right. I was looking for something better than the word 'Alternative'. Needs to be more positive I think.

Oh well - mind is a blank but then it is 1:08AM, time for sleep.

Thanks for the 'anticipation'. What think you about colors?

Cris


[This message has been edited by Cris (edited February 19, 2001).]

"What think you about colors?"

Well, What he has now offers a neutral feeling, a refined colder end of the spectrum. It looks good; it's just a bit cool for my taste.

"I'll probably provide 2 or 3 different colour schemes which can be customized by users."

Browns and yellows w/red might offer a summer feel to those schemes.

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It's all very large.

Y'know, I am curious why all the extroverts are so quiet on this thread. Where is Emerald, Boris, Tiassa, Tony, Flash, and all of the other opinions that flow so quick in other threads?

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It's all very large.

Dave,

Can vBulletin send summary emails? For example, could it send an email stating the number of posts in a given forum for say the last 24 hours, or perhaps the last 7 days.

And I don't mean just for the topic starter or for a thread participant, but as defined as part of a member profile and for specified forums.

Cris

Cris,

Is this what you are wantiing?
http://www.sciforums.com/memberlist.php?s=4f0cb505ddcc56b49afeaaf9ef816c97

Hi Bowser,

No that isn't it.

I want members to be able to receive an email, perhaps once a day or once a week that tells them how many posts there has been on a given forum in which they are interested.

The idea is that some members could be inactive but will jump in if they see some activity in a particular forum. They should not have to keep looking at the website to check for themselves.

Other BBs have such features, and as vBulletin seems to be among the most advanced then I would expect it to have this feature.

Cris

I want members to be able to receive an email, perhaps once a day or once a week that tells them how many posts there has been on a given forum in which they are interested.

I do not think that it has this email notification feature you describe. However, vB does let users 'subscribe' to a particular forum or a particular thread. These subscribed forums/threads can be displayed on one page for the user. Visitors can simply bookmark this customized page rather than having to wade through the forums to find the topics that interest them.

Since vB has this ability to subscribe to threads/forums along with the traditional email notify for thread authors, I imagine it wouldn't be difficult at all to implement your suggestion. If I don't do it myself, I'll suggest it to the vB community and see if it's picked up as either a hack or an official feature.

[This message has been edited by DaveW (edited February 19, 2001).]

Dave,

Ok that's great. Thanks.

Cris

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PREVIOUS POST????? THE ONE BEFORE THE LAST ONE?????

I think most of your posts will be appropriate for the "Free Thoughts" forum? :)


a) What kind of people do you expect to search out & logon to this exo post????

Well, mix the communities of people that currently post here with the community of people that read the main page (which is very science oriented) and merge the two (since the integration of the two sites will be very tight). I will be actively soliciting other science webmasters to add their communities of users to this new site hopefully resulting in a diverse mix of (academic) cultures and ideas.


c) What (not to be insulting), is the relative sci-capabilities of the average people, who may post?????

I have no idea.


What excites a science reader......to keep on reading through the posts....and causes the reader to "WANT" to respond & POST

An interesting, intellectual, diverse, active and welcoming community.


"FOR IT IS GOOD THAT THE STUDIOUS MAN SHALL SHARE HIS REWARDS WITH THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE".

"There is a single light of science, and to brighten it anywhere is to brighten it everywhere." Isaac Asimov


I can turn a religious debate into a macro vs micro study atom by atom debate of wormhole phenomena. Stretchimg boundaries, I know, but I have always felt constrained by the "rules" set down by others!\

Methinks that is a common feeling.

"Stretchimg boundaries, I know, but I have always felt constrained by the "rules" set down by others!"

Yesiknowwhatyoumeenbutsometimesthoserulesaregoodru lesmaybetoa
voidconflictitisbestthatweparticipateinthecreation ofrulesforo
urmutualbenefit

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[This message has been edited by Bowser (edited February 20, 2001).]

Actually, that's a pretty good idea. A science 'book club' of some sort with reviews and suggested reading.

Aussie,

I've read all of Asimov's sci-fi books, but none of his non-fiction.

If you're interested in Asimov sci-fi then you should start with his most famous creations. The first has to be 'I Robot'. This is the book where he introduces the 3 laws of robotics that have been acepted by other authors and in fact have been accepted by modern industry as working guidelines in factories where robots are used. My second suggestion is his famous Foundation trilogy - Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation.

Many of his earlier books were independent stories but his later books introduced links between the earlier stories making all his books into one long saga. He had nearly completed this superb task when he died a few years ago. I found that personally very sad.

I hope this helps you, and don't feel you have to respond.

Have fun
Cris

Dave--

I'll clock in with the cheap answer:

* You've kept my attention thus far; it's your site; make it as good as you want it and I'm quite sure that we will come, or, in some of our cases, stay.

Though in case you're looking for constructive ideas, I might mention that I have none, only a vague fear that someday Exosci will be overrun by blind, whining freaks like those at other boards I've mentioned before, and picked on.

Let me drink toasts aplenty against that day. In the meantime, Sir Dave, your past judgement hasn't struck me as being particularly wrong from this end of the connection. As long as you're enjoying yourself, we're happy to enjoy you, too. Er, something like that.

thanx,
Tiassa :cool:

------------------
No, don't seek control, and the milk of heaven will flow. Why would you want to keep it from anyone? (Floater)

"A science 'book club' of some sort with reviews and suggested reading."

That is a good one.

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So, Dave, how much longer must I wait before I can soil the new slate?

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I'll be pessimistic and say Monday at the latest. But don't hold me to that. :)

Originally posted by Bowser:
"A science 'book club' of some sort with reviews and suggested reading."

That is a good one.



************************************************** *************

There is another site out there, not necessarily a science site though, that I have high praise for. "Helponthenet Tech support guy". http://www.helponthe.net

It's a great place for people having a variety of problems with "them thar compuetres"""".

What I like about it is that there are moderators, who know a heck of a lot about the variety of problems, subjects, ect...

I'm not saying that you don't have them here, Dave, ........in fact I really don't what point I am trying to make......if any. Besides, when it comes to science, I get so excited that I end up talking more then listening......

Example: Boris. Someone who obviously is excellent, though a bit condecending at times. It would be great to have moderators who can discuss & answer questions about science in a similiar way that "The Tech Guy" does at http://www.helponthe.net

You are obviously a very intellectually endowed individual, though your time to respond to honest & reasonable questions is highly restricted (with your studies & all).

As far as the type of people who might be interested in this type of site, I can only imagine from a few points of view:

a) Amateurs. The kind of people who like science and would like to learn more, but are somewhat to very limited in the variety of science subjects, and

b) Students: Elementary to College. People who may or may not further a professional future in science, but need (or want) to round out their education, and

c) Hobbyists. People who may want to get together in organizations, such as an Astronomy Club. Perhaps a forum to discuss astronomy & plan Astronomy events with others, as well as bring in new members.

There is so much about Science.....so much variety.......and so many subjects to discuss.... it's agggravating to me that I sometimes hear some say that science is boring, yet these same people watch...."sitcoms", ect.............

My personal interests that I have studied more than just as an infatuation are as follows (not neccesarily this order):

a) Aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, and spacial dynamics: Any kind of ship (or lifeform)which swims, flys, or is otherwise propelled has & continues to be of great interest to me. Of the past ten years of amateur interest, I have come to understand the ideas of all these types of motion to be wavelike in origin. I feel that there is so very much that mankind can yet learn from nature that I have also developed a great interest in

b) Evolution & natural selection. Having studied and worked as a machinists and builder, I realize the eventual point & limitation of the mechanical engineering. Thus, from nature is the only real point of continued mechanical (bio-mechanical) ability for mans' machines to do his bidding. A surgeon's scalpel trying to eliminate every cancer cell from a body is like (((((((Godzilla trying to rid the world of cockroaches by stomping & spewing flames))))))))))!!!!!!!!!! Thus my interest in

c) nanotechnology and geneology. The ability to "fight" a battle with any enemy depends on the ability to "stand" on the same battlefield as the enemy. As mighty as Godzilla may be, he cannot stand and fight on the same battlefield as say a retrovirus. "Mighty Godzilla" wouldn't stand chance! ! ! ! And it is this interest that has caused to me realize what the micro designers of integrated circuitry know better than anyone else: the more machinery (bio or otherwise) per cubic "nanometer"(a bit much, I know), the better! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! This has somewhat caused to me go full circle in science begin to study everything that I can about the wonders of nature. After all, nature has plodded along thought the billions.....trying one mutation after another in bio-mechanics to make machinery, which could adapt and continue foward with the energy niche provided (such as a lowly dung beetle or otherwise). It has also been, in my ongoing need to cast off just about everything that I was taught as well as taught to "believe", to pretty much look at the science world (in all forums) through different eyes (points of views). It reminds me of something that I read many years ago: "Following The Leader is fine, just be sure that you are not following the follower" (last years science leader may well be this years follower).


ANYHOW!!!!!!!!!.........long winded & circular (with little coherence, I know), I have many interests in a wide variety of sciences because quite simply the study of only one particular branch of science seems to be a little like a human who has a great sense of sight, but is devoid (or ignores) the other known four senses!!!!!!!!!

G O O D GGOD, I H A T E TYPOS! ! ! ! ARGGHHH!! ! ! ! ! !

[This message has been edited by AUSSIEABORIGINAL (edited February 22, 2001).]


ARRRRGGGHHH....MORE TYPOS''''''


[This message has been edited by AUSSIEABORIGINAL (edited February 24, 2001).]

Originally posted by Cris:
Dave,

Can vBulletin send summary emails? For example, could it send an email stating the number of posts in a given forum for say the last 24 hours, or perhaps the last 7 days.

And I don't mean just for the topic starter or for a thread participant, but as defined as part of a member profile and for specified forums.

Cris




LAST & THIS POST, SHALL REPLY QUICKLY.....


************ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT I LIKED ABOUT HELPONTHNET IS the ability to track posts by different people(userds)!!!


Like when I had a windows 98 problem, I simply posted it & then prompted a section at the bottom to notify me(send and email to me) when anyone, for that matter responded to my question (post)! Seee......it!!!!! A person who posts a question or comment need not be hassled by searching throught the posts each day, but only needs to check his email!!!!! I remember asking a question about scanreg/exec****windows 98 problems & 5-10 days later,. I got an email which said that Bhesson had responded. the exact address on the board was listed in the emil & all I had to do was copy & GO to that area!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WONDEROUS!!!!!!!!

Of course Bhesson & all the others, who responded were wrong.......and I eventually had to solve the problem myself.....& inadvertantly insulted all the moderators.well maybe not insulted...impuned............ 'well hell, anyhow I'm different anyway (colorful) no I'm not Black! but I'm willing to learn (so what.......do you have to go to a special class OR something). Maybe you just have to love the blues............................................. .....pretty tired of rock& classical&country//////////

WHERE WAS I????????? FREE THOUGHTS.....I RESENT THAT DAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(SCRATCHES T_IASS_....)..........



[This message has been edited by AUSSIEABORIGINAL (edited February 22, 2001).]

--------THERE IS THE STUDIOUS LIGHT OF THE ENLIGHTED MAN, WHO SHALL SHARE HIS REWARDS OF SCIENCE AND BRIGHTEN THE LIVES OF HIS FELLOW MAN..............

part diplomat, I am.

SUMMER BREEZE.....-SEALS & CROFT___PEOPLE!




[This message has been edited by AUSSIEABORIGINAL (edited February 23, 2001).]

You should REALLY add a section about scientific philosophy. i.e. types of society that would be nice to have, but well never happen.

superduperly off-topic question here:
Dave, you're still there? (just wondering on teasing abit the most senior member in SCIforums, or didn't I know that he's the founder?)

Are we getting a history forum? :cool:

How about instead of "Reality", try "Free Thoughts"?
priceless.
:D

Same thing I thought. What would it be like if they had named it "Reality"?

empty?

Some forums are getting almost no new inputs. Take a look at the I&M forum...... It's the only forum I've been observing that doesn't always have even new post each new day... figures.

OH! I remember someone complaining about the absence of specific Chemistry forum... care to make one?

"Biology and Chemistry forum"?

then I could die happy. :)

And be reborn........... once more :D.
How about this layout?

Humanly Matters
-Free Thoughts
-Arts&Culture
-World Events
Nerdish
-General/Mixed Science
-Bio
-Theoretical Science
-Chemistry
-Science and Human
-Universe
etcetc

WAAAHHH! I can't think else....

Originally posted by Neuromancer
"Biology and Chemistry forum"?



chemistry is boring

up yours :mad:

post an interesting topic on chemistry in one of the forums then!

I dare you...


Make me eat my words...

Ok how about: "Artificial Oxygen transporting molecules and why hemoglobin is still the best!" or “Electro-organicpolymers and why they will change the world” :p

I think that things are fine the way they are.

Ah well, yes, Guyute.... sometimes it's bloody hard to change something pretty much drastically....

I wouldnt mind a history forum though........;)

A history forum would be nice. *hopeful*

there shouldbe a sports forum

I rather enjoy the way it is now. True , there could be additional forums but I really don't think many would participate in them. You could do a poll to see if many people wanted another forum and name a few that have been mentioned here. I think what is here is fine and it looks great.

Ah well, in one way you're right. Many people are not used to sudden changes. But maybe tiny changes over time may change your view, I think. Think about the 'brand new' about the members forum: it actually takes the stickies of feedback forum and place it there as unsticky (or I may miss something...).

Please stop digging up old threads! Just create a new one, please.