Suggestion for MS Old Style ...

apprentice_tycoon

I like the idea of keep the chat and info separate but I'm not sure that they need to be on 2 sub boards (if I'm wrong on this then please correct me -there would be 2 'lists' of subjects? so if you are one one list looking at info then you would need to click to get to the other list of chat?) that sounds dizzying to keep clicking for one to the other to see what the lastest posts are -
Would a better idea be to put the word CHAT at the end of the title so that everyone knows not to bother going there is they are looking for the hard stuff info-wise?

squeaky

Since the start of this thread I've had the following rough draft reply in mind...

"Where a post has clearly started as an information post it would be reasonable to ask contributors to stay on topic and informative. In those threads it is certainly possible to delete every post that becomes chatty. Of late we've tried not to delte posts wholesale but to encourage threads to stay on track."

"In the case of clearly semi-info-chat threads the matter is in fact more clear cut for Board Guides. Threads are meant to be on topic for the board concerned. Chatty threads are meant to be posted in The MoneySavers Arms. However it's true to say that every thread that's been moved to the arms of late has rapidly withered away. Since there's been very little interest there, and plenty of it here in Old Style I've been happy to let such threads run their course."

We try not to delete to keep threads on track, with the exceptions being the Getting to Know You thread and the Old Style Recipe Collection. In fact I haven't deleted a single post from anywhere else at all. I've preferred to post an on topic post if things wander a bit as a reminder of what the topic is, and then post a request to stay on topic if they stay "wandering".

I'm reluctant to have separate forums. For me it's the mix that makes this place work so well.

A coffee shop that also sells yoghurt and smoothies and has home made jam and bread for sale would be a lovely idea.

It would also make things easier if information posts wander too far because I could simply request people to take it to the coffee shop which is "right next door" and not "all the way across town" to The Arms.

Loadsabob

I'm still fairly new, and I'm after the lot - tips, community, reports on experiences... I don't know whether a sub-forum would work, but might be worth a try, to keep threads a little shorter(?).

I'm in no way put off by the chattier posts - I really like them, and hope that I time I become more familiar with everyone! But I AM finding it hard to keep track of my own posts. I use the forum at work, so time is a little limited, and I fear there are LOADS of people I haven't thanked yet for responses to my posts, because I've not managed to get back to all the threads I've posted in and keep track! There's always something more recent posted to side-track me!!

I am trying though, so if you've replied to me anywhere and I appear to have ignored you, please bear with me!

trafalgar_2

Queenie wrote:

... could we have a "sub" forum?

Seems there are two clear needs and expectations from the many user's of Old Style.

On the one hand, factual, information is required and it must seem wearisome for those who prefer those to be put off by happy chatty diversions.

On the other, "chattier" threads could perhaps be given a sub forum so that there really is a place where old stylers can have "Coffee Morning" style topics which they do not necessarily think to have or want to have in The Arms.

I'm sure that would cause less confusion and make for a happier environment all round - plus making this particular area more streamlined, pertinent and user friendly, perhaps?

although I see your point I have to say I think a sub-forum is a bad idea simply because they will be springing up all over the board if it's allowed here,for instance those who visit mostly the freebies and comps board may also want to 'chat' so then a sub-forum would be requested for there too and on and on

Maybe you could just have coffee-shop style threads within the arms...........

Personally I think there is nothing wrong with some chat mixing with the posts because of the nature of old style lots of stuff comes out of our past/childhood....................there's bound to be chat style posts simply because of that.

do we really want the old style to be too regimented...

Galtizz

I'm with Squeeky on this one.

I think the board will stay a friendly place if we can just remind people to stay on topic in the tips type threads and, if we want to chat longer it can be done in the 'coffee shop'. It will mean no replys will have to be deleted because someone complains threads are going off topic (although they have only been deleted in the 2 topics Squeeky mentioned)

Slice of chocolate cake and a coffee anyone?

:coffee:

spendaholic

trafalgar wrote:

Maybe you could just have coffee-shop style threads within the arms...........

I have to admit I've been inside the Arms once or twice, and jumped out again straightaway, but not because it's unfriendly or anything. There seems to be a lot going on in there and I think I'd just get lost. I think a coffee shop within Old Style would be much better - and I like Squeaks saying it's just next door - whether it be a thread, a sticky or (dare I say it?) a sub forum.

But I also think it wouldn't hurt to have a coffee shop in every forum, if that's what the regulars in those forums want. I've been here a couple of weeks and I already know that Old Style is my favourite board and that I occasionally nip into Debt Free Wannabe because, after all, that's why I'm here. I roughly know who people are in here, but in a different forum there are different names.

There's definiitely a lovely community here in Old Style and a coffee shop would be the icing on the cake <groan> - and thanks for that choccie cake, Galtizz. I'm starved now!

trafalgar_2

spendaholic wrote:

I have to admit I've been inside the Arms once or twice, and jumped out again straightaway, but not because it's unfriendly or anything. There seems to be a lot going on in there and I think I'd just get lost. I think a coffee shop within Old Style would be much better - and I like Squeaks saying it's just next door - whether it be a thread, a sticky or (dare I say it?) a sub forum.

But I also think it wouldn't hurt to have a coffee shop in every forum, if that's what the regulars in those forums want. I've been here a couple of weeks and I already know that Old Style is my favourite board and that I occasionally nip into Debt Free Wannabe because, after all, that's why I'm here. I roughly know who people are in here, but in a different forum there are different names.

I think Martin would draw the line at coffee-shops all over (but he can only say yes or no) as that's why the arms and discussions were evolved but I agree a coffee-shop thread in old style ,just because old style is a differant type of board..........might work.

not a sub-forum though or they'll all be screaming for them ...................then the place will end up too chatty and that's not what the site is/was about.

squeaky

I've just started a coffee shop thread to see how it goes. If it works out well we shan't need to consider sub forums at all.

If you feel strongly that there should be a sub forum then I can only advise that you raise the matter in the suggestions forum because nothing can be done here in Old Style to set one up for you.

We don't have the means to do it.


Edit: The title is corny and change to plain, and the opening welcome can change - I just wanted to see how well it works for now. I'll sticky it for a couple of days to help it start

Nelski

It all sounds like its getting too complicated to me. Maybe if everyone in MS old style went to the Arms together to start with eg agree to meet a 6pm then it wouldnt be so intimidating. I suspect the people in there would actually find the MSOS army quite scary themselves and hey you never know AC might find it an exciting business propostion to start selling coffee, earl grey and chocolate cake from the cellar!!!!!!!!!!


And hey when you get bored of coffee theres always a glass of wine to be had!!!!!!

Edinburghlass_2

trafalgar wrote:

I think Martin would draw the line at coffee-shops all over as that's why the arms and discussions were evolved but I agree a coffee-shop thread in old style ,just because old style is a differant type of board..........might work.

not a sub-forum though or they'll all be screaming for them ...................then the place will end up too chatty and that's not what the site is/was about.

I agree Traf, sub-forums have been asked for in other areas and declined.

All these boards are a collective Chat Forum for MSE and each have their own expertise and should be viewed as such. I wouldn't expect to view Old Style for today's great bargain but would go to the Grabbit board and similarly if I wanted to cut my electric bill I would view the Utilities board.

There is a wealth of expertise all over MSE with an enormous amount of users giving of their expert help to users and it would be a shame for users of Old Style to miss out on this help by staying within this one board.