[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

Some good and not so good discussions have occurred recently in very disparate threads. I'd like to lay them out here, give my opinion as to how to proceed, and get some opinions on these.

1) We seem to be worried about using up too much space on duplicate posts. I've been trying not to quote a prior post unless it's necessary for the reply. For instance, in the "Music association" game thread, the last entry is copied again. This is not necessary (I've been guilty of this). Also, in Dale's addition thread, copying the music added should also not be needed if we could reference the posting by Jim (see # 2). Vax, when you replied to Dale earlier (post # 3 at 6:14), you copied the music added too.

Yeah, haste makes waste.

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

2) Couldn't we have a link to the front page for music added? We have new releases, concert news, all of that. Surely a link directly to the entry by Jim would only be beneficial. That's the way it shows on most sites. Maybe that would take care of the good points Dale raises by so nicely doing the thread each time. And then we wouldn't have to worry about linking threads etc.

That would be the ideal solution. I'd like a top-of-the-list item which would take on to Jim's latest post of new additions but it would require maintenance by Jim or myself, et al. The latest additions thread is, for all intents and purposes, likely the best solution for now.

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

3) Jim's comment about beating a dead horse regarding Microsoft should not be forgotten. Anyone has a perfect right to post whatever they want. But I get incredibly bored reading the same old thing. Same in the shoutbox..except for my show I rarely visit the shoutbox. I'll look in sometimes and when I see Microsoft ranting I just do something else. How about a separate forum section called "Microsoft sucks" or something like that. Just DON'T put it above my show thread Then I can tell you why I don't like MS in general but like their Excel program, which I find crucial to my work and personal tasks. Vax, I have no beef with you ragging on Microsoft. But if I want to read a fictional story about MS from the Marillion site, well I will visit the site. That kind of thing would be perfect for that forum. Maybe have pictures of Bill Gates effigies. But it's just difficult to try to follow a thread, especially when it gets technical, and have it broken up with MS rantings.

It was actually from Silicon.com.

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

4) Some good ideas have been lost, most likely due to lack of time on both the staff and patron population. There was a call for AM merchandise. Do we need a volunteer to do this? How about a "committee" to discuss the front page layout?

I believe that Thor was working on some new AM design(s). I'm not all that familiar with the CafePress.com site where AM merchandise was offered in the past but I believe you submit artwork to them, a list of items you'd like it on, and then they make these items JIT.