Topic Consolidation: A Modest Proposal

[Keith]

I think there are just too many topic in this forum. Some topics have little or no traffic at all. I think we should start thinking about consolidation. This will help inscrease visivility of some posts in those rarely visited sections. I the all the Misc. sax departments should be combine into one Misc sax including all (Misc Asian sax, Misc Vintage sax, Misc French sax...etc..).

[Keith]

Sorry I should be more specific. What I am saying is to combine misc asian sax, Misc French sax, Misc New sax and Misc Vintage sax into one new "Other makes" under "Saxophone Makes and Models" section.

[jazzbluescat]

If you're making a motion, I second it.
I think perhaps some of these forums were created upon posters' whim requests, and are getting out of hand, bordering on ludicrous, the
Polls & Surveys a case in point of how trivial some things can go.
What kind of sax player are you; satb?
Why don't we ask something like what side of the bed do tenor players get out of, as compared to alto players, etc. Do tenor players actually engage in heterosexual sexual activity more often than say, oh a harmonica player. :twisted: Lets get carried away. :lol:

[Pete]

The topics that are currently listed are those that were requested -- and after a couple weeks of polling and Harri's agreement -- the areas were created.

I'll check out the polling topic, though, to see if there's any objectionable threads.

[jazzbluescat]

I haven't noticed any that are personally objectional, just trite.http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung/spezial/kdchat/bed2.gif

[RS]

I agree with Keith. Maybe a little housecleaning would streamline the site. Make it quicker and easier to get in and out.

[Pete]

Changing this around a little, what and how would you consolidate? If you notice the Topic Reqest (http://saxontheweb.myforums.net/viewforum.php?f=72) topic, we weekly -- if not daily -- get requests for more topics.

IMHO, the topics Alto Saxophone, etc. should be consolidated into "General Saxophone Discussion". We already have topics for discussing Buescher, Yamaha and other saxophones.

However, one problem we have is that we want to be all things sax to all people, thus, where you can easily devote an entire Forum to, say, saxophone repair, we have a single topic for it.

Definitely we don't want to make the topics here so esoteric that we only have one or two posts, but EVERY topic here has been requested.

So, help me help you: tell me what needs to be consolidated and how and Harri, Zman and I will chat about it.

[RS]

Well, I looked through all the topic areas and there are maybe a half a dozen or so that I think could easily be combined with other areas, but if all these areas have a constituency then maybe it's best to just leave things as they are. I just hope we don't add any new topic areas or it really will start to get cluttered.

[silverghost]

I think consolidation should be more aesthetic. The main page is just looong, and maybe putting all the sax makes topics in a sub-list under, let's say "sax makes discussion." Stuff like that. I know there are posts in a lot of the topics, so they shouldn't necessarily go, just be rearranged in a more user-friendly bunch of pages.

SilverGhost

[Jazzophone]

Personally (this is just my take) I like the specific headings for saxes like Alto, Tenor, Baritone, etc ... it makes it a lot easier to find what you are looking for and to ask questions about whatever generic type of sax you need information about. For me, it's been a great convenience: for sure it's easier to find things in a more specific forum like that than having to wade through posts about everything from sopranino and saxello to contrabass.

[Keith]

I suggest that we put all the misc saxophones (including Misc. Asian, Misc French, Misc. Mordern, Misc Vintage) topics in to on Misc. Sasophones topic. I don't see the reason why we need so many Misc topics. All of them have limited traffic. If we put them under one topic all the topic will have a better chance of being seen.

[Pete]

Topics I've recommended to Harri and Zman that we consolidate:

* European Saxophone Issues (10 topics) and Music Venues Around the World (15 topics)
* Recommended Literature (14 topics) and Saxophone Links (11 topics)
* Saxophone Lifestyle (4 topics). May as well combine with Misc. Saxophone Discussion or Saxophone Related Health Problems (17 topics)
* Gigging Experiences (4 topics) with Working Sax Pros (2 topics)
* Transcriptions (5 topics) with Composer/Composition (4 topics)
* Misc. Asian Saxophones (6 topics) with Misc. Modern Saxophones (19 topics)
* The Saxophone Invention and Vintage Saxophones (2 topics) -- which is already a combined topic -- with Misc. Vintage Saxophones (12 topics)

I've also asked that he look at the new topic requests, too. There are a few other changes I've suggested, but not related to this discussion :)

[Zman]

IMO Pete's list makes sense. Thanks everyone for your feedback.

[Mike Ruhl]

I agree. That's a good start. Keep up the good work! It is appreciated.

[Pete]

I'm cross-listing myself to keep updating this thread, too:

... in response to the request to create several new topics: R 'n' B saxophone, Solo saxophone, and Big Band Jazz saxophone ...

Because of the underwhelming support for new topics, I spoke to Harri and he agreed to a couple changes:

- Renaming the Saxophone Ensemble area to include Solos
- Creating a seperate area that includes the topics I mention above
- Subtitle the Jazz and Improv section to include Big Band music. Sorry, but there aren't enough threads about Big Band to justify a new topic.

Additionally, I subtitled the Rock 'n Roll section to include R 'n' B -- we've only had a grand total of two threads created for this topic in the Playing, etc. area, so I can't justify a seperate topic for R 'n' B. I'm not gonna whack ya if you post a Blues thread in the Jazz and Improv area, though

I don't mind y'all continuing to ask for the topic(s), but start posting some threads, eh?

Another way of looking at it: yes, we've got a lot of areas, but try to find an area that matches as closely as possible to the subject you're gonna post about and post in that area. If you just can't decide, plop it in the Misc. Saxophone Discussion (http://saxontheweb.myforums.net/viewforum.php?f=42) area (I'll move it to an appropriate place when I get a chance) -- and THEN request a new area, if you feel one is needed.

Feel free to suggest consolidating or retitling other areas.

[Pete]

I think we have WAY too many Forum areas -- and I created two new ones today.

Let me point out a couple of obvious examples:

* General Saxophone Discussion (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=13). This area was envisioned as a place to talk about pitch-specific issues, like, " :treble::space3: is always sharp when I play sopranino! What do I do?" 90% of the time, however, this area NOW does essentially the same thing as Saxophone Makes and Models (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=9), which was envisioned as a place to discuss issues regarding specific saxophone makes and models, e.g. " :treble::space3: is always sharp when I play my Yanagisawa S991! What do I do?"

* Today I caved into the request to create a Review (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=220). section. I think it's an excellent idea to have all the reviews about a horn in a particular section, but there are now at least FOUR places where people do that: General Saxophone Discussion (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=13), Saxophone Makes and Models (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=9), Vs. (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=92) and Misc. Sax Discussion (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=52).

============

POLLING!

While, I can't axe the entire 'board, one thing that I think would help immensely is if we axe General Saxophone Discussion -- or move any brand-specific posts out of the area.

(... and, sorry Bariman, I think there's no need for a Review section.)

I'm writing this NOW, in addition to leaving the rarely-touched Topic Consolidation (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1548) thread because the Search Engine has been fixed and even has that super-duper Similar Threads feature at the bottom of many threads.

Also, threads don't move of their own accord. An Administrator or Moderator has to move 'em. We have far too many posts per day for one of the five of us to say, "Hmm. saxpics posted a rant about the Bundy 2's intonation in Forum Problem Reports. Should I move it to Reviews? General Saxophone Discussion?" -- i.e., we don't currently need A librarian, we need a couple dozen. Cutting down on the amount of Forum areas would help.

I hope y'all get the idea. Yes, I'm cross-posting this in a couple areas. I'm an Admin and can do that :).

[Dave Dolson]

Pete: I agree that some consolidation would help simplify things. How to do that is way beyond my expertise. So, make a decision and just do it. I'll support it. DAVE

[DirkW]

When we first went to phpBB in 2003, I thought that narrowly defined categories would spawn more focused conversation. I've found that many good threads will stray a bit from their starting post. I now agree with Pete; the forum would be better organized with fewer categories.

[Fred]

I totally agree with Dave - do as thou thinketh best.

I view the moderator/user relationship like a bacon and eggs breakfast.
The chicken has a definite interest in the breakfast, but it's the pig that's in it for the long haul.

Not that I'm likening any of our moderators to pigs . . .

Really, I wasn't . . .

:D

[Brendan Muse]

I'm surprised that no one has suggested that we eat Irish babies until the problem goes away. (Just kidding!)

[saxophrenic]

Pete,
You the man!
What you say makes good sense. The board administration shouldn't be onerus. If the new search engine is as good as you say it is, we can track things down on our own.
Thanks for all you do.

[Pete]

I'm surprised that no one has suggested that we eat Irish babies until the problem goes away. (Just kidding!)Hey! Someone that got the literary reference. Good man! Points added (might have been more if you had mentioned the author or worked in a Gulliver's Travels reference).

[Brendan Muse]

Eh. I just read the original leaflet. I haven't gotten around to anything else he did, even though I am a rather Swift reader.

[gary]

Totally agree. Consolidate any way you see fit. There are, IMO, not only too many but way too many. I've noticed that some folks have pets that they like to see honored with thieir own topic areas so these areas seem to multiply. I say cut them ruthlessly. (er...the topic areas not the folks!)

[Pete]

(er...the topic areas not the folks!)You sure?

[Pete]

Status Report:

I've already done the following:

I've trashed the Reviews area and I've combined a couple of forum topic areas (Suggestion Box and Topic Requests; SOTW Lounge and Humor). I've also moved about 1,000 posts from the General Saxophone Discussion category.

I've also combined the Topic Consolidation threads :).

Today, I asked the ENTIRE Admin team to start doing the following:

1. Look in the General Saxophone Discussion (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=13) category. Move ANY post that looks like it's brand-specific to the Saxophone Makes and Models (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=9) category. I've finished Sopranino, Bass, Contrabass, Misc. and Multi Sax! I've also done a few Soprano posts. There's also a nice Announcement in that area ...

2. If you see a post in the General Saxophone Discussion category that's in the form of, "The Selmer Mark VI compared to the Borgani R1", move that post to the Vs. (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=92) forum area. (This area may need to be broken down into sax and mouthpiece later, but I'm not worried about it right now).

3. Check out the Misc. Saxophone Manufacturers (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=50) forum area and move posts to their correct manufacturer OR if you see a half-dozen posts or more regarding the same manufacturer, create a new forum attached to the Saxophone Makes and Models area (if you don't know how to do this or plain would rather not, contact me and I'll do it or give you instructions).

4. Check out the Misc. Saxophone Discussion (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=52) forum area and start putting the posts into more appropriate categories. Use your judgement: some of the posts really are miscellaneous and we don't have a category for it or it could fit in about 20 different categories.
I've recommended that our Admins start at the LAST page of each Forum area and work forward.

[Joe Linux]

What happened to the "beginners" section? It seems to be gone.

[Sigmund451]

I agree. I know a lot of people double but Id say there are a lot of us that at any given time are looking for tenor...alto etc info only. During those times I really dont want to wade through other flavors to get to the one I want.

[Pete]

The Beginner's section has changed into a new, expanded format. The URL, if you've bookmarked it, is different. It's at http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=252

Still undergoing remodeling by Kim, Gandalfe and our new guys.

[jazzbluescat]

Y'all did a fine job with upgrading the Beginner's section, Pics.
Ya thought of adding a section in braille?:|

[hgiles]

Yes! There is definitely some need for consolidation!! You could lump the saxophone makes into geographic regions (EUROPE, JAPAN, CHINESE, VINTAGE, OTHER)... everything it is now it can be made better and increase visibility and increase the traffic.

[BayviewSax]

Quote:
Originally Posted by gary
(er...the topic areas not the folks!)

You sure?

I say we cut the piano player. (sorry, semi-obscure B.B. King reference)

[Pete]

Y'all did a fine job with upgrading the Beginner's section, Pics.
Ya thought of adding a section in braille?:|
I'm a computer tech in real life and I have worked with users who have braille interfaces on their computers.

Yes! There is definitely some need for consolidation!! You could lump the saxophone makes into geographic regions (EUROPE, JAPAN, CHINESE, VINTAGE, OTHER)... everything it is now it can be made better and increase visibility and increase the traffic.
I thought about doing that at one time and we did have areas like "Misc. Asian Saxophones", but the problem is that not everyone has a clue where $horn was produced. A contemporary example is the lamentable Monique: it's an Asian horn, but has a French-sounding name and says "made under the supervision of French technicians" on the bell. I can see folks going to the French Saxophones area to look for info on these horns.

Or, a vintage example: there were a few horns marked "Lewin Bros. London". Most, if not all, of these horns are stenciled from the Martin company, which is based in the USA.

In other words, I feel the manufacturers' section is pretty well the best we can make it.

[Pete]

In the very, very near future, I will be merging two Forum areas:

* Dealer Evaluations
* SOTW Technician Directory/Woodwind Shops Around the World (which is already a merged area)

Why?

* These have become mirror images of each other (i.e. there's a whole lotta duplicating goin' on).
* I want to combine the zillion threads for, say, WWBW and Scimonetti's. Having an average of a dozen different threads for the same business in these two forum areas isn't really all that helpful to our membership.