A discussion on the state of the forum...

djpbarry

Myself and taconnol will be re-drafting the forum charter in the coming weeks, but before we do, we thought it might be a good idea to get everyone’s input. We’ve identified a couple of things that could possibly be tweaked to improve the “Green Issues” experience. First and foremost, we’re considering a name change, so any suggestions on that front are welcome.

But is there anything else that could be changed? For example what do you think of the current scope of the forum? Too narrow? Too broad?

Furthermore, are there any small changes that could be made to the forum charter (within reason) that might help foster debate?

I’ll sticky this thread for as long as I think it’s of use. Think of it as a ‘suggestion box’ of sorts...

One last thing - normal forum rules still apply here. Discussion of moderation, for example, is not permitted.

bonkey

Perhaps consider creating tags for threads?

As I see it, there are a number of seperate aspects to Green Issues.

On one side, we have the science. On another front, there's the politics. It might be useful to be able to (optionally) tag a thread as dealing specifically with one or the other....so that a discussion (for example) of carbon credits wouldn't involve a discussion of whether or not AGW is real...and a discussion on the merits (or lack thereof) of the science of AGW would be seperated from people's opinions of the political players and what they have to say on the issue.

If its not tagged, then the discussion can freely flow across said boundaries...and sometimes that's what the dscussion should be about. If it is tagged, then the OP wants to limit themselves to one side or the other of that divide, and that should be honoured.

Turtwig

When discussing AGW and the science. Would it be possible to include a rule like peer reviewed references only? Many journals may be linked through using arXiv or similar, but even so I'd prefer if they were reviewed in a reputable journal. Otherwise we're just going to be debunking stuff that exploits the usefulness of sites like ArXiv to post utter crap.

folan

Green isseus id like to see split into 2 sections, one on the science and one on green advice etc (i suppose more general stuff).

Im often put off cause of the scientific debate

djpbarry

Malty_T wrote: »

When discussing AGW and the science. Would it be possible to include a rule like peer reviewed references only?

I think that would be raising the bar far too high – it’s perfectly acceptable to reference the mainstream media, magazines, etc., as long as one is prepared to discuss the reference. Even a blog might contain a reasonable argument, but again, the poster must be prepared to discuss the content, rather than simply posting the link.

folan wrote: »

Green isseus id like to see split into 2 sections, one on the science and one on green advice etc (i suppose more general stuff).

Fair enough – we could look at incorporating that into bonkey’s tag idea.

Heroditas

folan wrote: »

Green isseus id like to see split into 2 sections, one on the science and one on green advice etc (i suppose more general stuff).

Im often put off cause of the scientific debate

I'd agree with this. A forum specifically for AGW/Climate Change etc might be beneficial.

Pembily

Defo have a science side and an advice / thought thing!!! Peoples thoughts and experiences are different but science is science!!!!

Still think this forum is a great idea!!! Great for my research for college - Mech Eng with Energy!!!

banshee_bones

Heroditas wrote: »

I'd agree with this. A forum specifically for AGW/Climate Change etc might be beneficial.

Have it as a sub forum in Green Issues rather than its own forum?

Hmmm actually where would a thread on something like 'Climate Justice' go? Green Issues sub forum or Green Issues? Unless the 'green' themed political threads got moved to green issues?

James T Hunt

Why don't you start a forum Re; The Green Party
We could start a collection to fund the mass extermination of the John Gormley and his cronies, on the charge of high treason, noting with give me the more pleasure than putting a bullet in the back of his head!!!!!!!!!!

djpbarry

James T Hunt wrote: »

Why don't you start a forum Re; The Green Party
We could start a collection to fund the mass extermination of the John Gormley and his cronies, on the charge of high treason, noting with give me the more pleasure than putting a bullet in the back of his head!!!!!!!!!!

I really didn’t think it was necessary to state “Meaningful suggestions only please”, but alas...

Cookie_Monster

There definitly needs to be some sort of segregation between the science and politics side of the debates.

I've read many informative thread that have been ruined by crossing these boundaries at times. The tag system mentioned above is a good idea.

Some sort of split between theory (politics, science, high level broad discussion) and practice (building turbines, insulating homes, solar panel instalation etc) may not go amis.

I also feel that some threads are spoilt by some posters insisting on quoting 10 different posts, adding in 5 articles and writing an essay of their own to boot. Maybe a reasonable post size limit to help the discussion remain flowing rather than people posting monster posts that end the discussions

Shiny

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

I also feel that some threads are spoilt by some posters insisting on quoting 10 different posts, adding in 5 articles and writing an essay of their own to boot. Maybe a reasonable post size limit to help the discussion remain flowing rather than people posting monster posts that end the discussions

+1

I too find that extremely irritating and just skip the post as it is usually
2 posters bitching at one another.

Also don't see why the Renewable Energies forum isn't either merged
with this one or at least under the same category (ie sub forum perhaps?).

At the same time (to disagree with myself) it may not be advisable to have
loads of sub forums either as there mightn't be enough traffic individually
to justify them.

I meant to start a thread on this but I would like to see the "links" thread
up dated with additional sites which are popular amongst readers here
other than the official ones that are in that tread. ie energy blogs etc...

What are ye thinking for the new name?

nesf

James T Hunt wrote: »

Why don't you start a forum Re; The Green Party
We could start a collection to fund the mass extermination of the John Gormley and his cronies, on the charge of high treason, noting with give me the more pleasure than putting a bullet in the back of his head!!!!!!!!!!

We already have such a forum. It's called the Politics forum.

Bashing of sitting Government parties belongs more there than in a forum on Green Issues which is necessarily dealing with broader issues.

Shiny

Shiny wrote: »

Also don't see why the Renewable Energies forum isn't either merged
with this one or at least under the same category (ie sub forum perhaps?).

Just having a link to the current renewable energies forum should be sufficient. Try to avoid duplication of fora as it dilutes the quality of the information.

Shiny

Deleted User wrote: »

Just having a link to the current renewable energies forum should be sufficient. Try to avoid duplication of fora as it dilutes the quality of the information.

I would be willing to accept that.

blackbox

Deleted User wrote: »

Just having a link to the current renewable energies forum should be sufficient. Try to avoid duplication of fora as it dilutes the quality of the information.

Fair dues to you - I didn't even know there was a renewable energies forum.

...it's well buried!

espinolman

blackbox wrote: »

Fair dues to you - I didn't even know there was a renewable energies forum.

...it's well buried!

Where is the revewable energies forum ?

Macha

espinolman wrote: »

Where is the revewable energies forum ?

Rec > Home & Garden > Contruction & Planning > Renewable Energies

Well buried!

mike65

We need an additional prefix - NEWS. Many a green type thread comes off the back of a news story so it would seem sensible.

djpbarry

mike65 wrote: »

We need an additional prefix - NEWS. Many a green type thread comes off the back of a news story so it would seem sensible.

Done.

slowburner

folan wrote: »

Green isseus id like to see split into 2 sections, one on the science and one on green advice etc (i suppose more general stuff).

Im often put off cause of the scientific debate

Keep this forum as is, for scientific and a new subforum ("Green Issues" sounds good) for broader discussion?

Judgement Day

Sadly this forum is like Monty Python's parrot it wouldn't vroom if you put four million volts through it. Is it because few eco/enviro people know about Boards? I dunno but it's right up there with some of the Nordie forums in terms of activity.

Judgement Day

Judgement Day wrote: »

Sadly this forum is like Monty Python's parrot it wouldn't vroom if you put four million volts through it. Is it because few eco/enviro people know about Boards? I dunno but it's right up there with some of the Nordie forums in terms of activity.

Many are more concerned about paying their bills than whether the Brazillian rain forests are being destroyed.

Macha

Deleted User wrote: »

Many are more concerned about paying their bills than whether the Brazillian rain forests are being destroyed.

Indeed and yet it was short-term thinking that got us to where we are now. It hasn't really worked out. Maybe we should try something else?

Edit: slowburner, there is an Environmental Sciences forum

djpbarry

Judgement Day wrote: »

Sadly this forum is like Monty Python's parrot it wouldn't vroom if you put four million volts through it. Is it because few eco/enviro people know about Boards?

The forum goes through peaks and troughs of activity. Rest assured another flurry of activity will ensue as soon as a relevant topic is making the headlines (probably for the wrong reasons).

easychair

Let's hope you are right, as we've all noticed the forum getting less and less active.

I've chatted to a few guys who have posted here, and there seems to be a view that sometimes the moderation is heavy handed, and treats intelligent and interesting people like naught children to be scolded at every opportunity. I myself am reluctant to post here very often for that very reason, and know others who feel the same.

I have two options here. To say nothing about the conversations I have had with users/former users of the sustainability forum, or to bring the point raised to your attention. I've decided on the latter course, seeing this opportunity has arisen, as to have said nothing and see those people continue to avoid the forum for the reason given, seems the better option. I hope you take the criticism in the constructive spirit in which it is intended.

djpbarry

easychair wrote: »

I've chatted to a few guys who have posted here, and there seems to be a view that sometimes the moderation is heavy handed, and treats intelligent and interesting people like naught children to be scolded at every opportunity. I myself am reluctant to post here very often for that very reason, and know others who feel the same.

djpbarry wrote: »

One last thing - normal forum rules still apply here. Discussion of moderation, for example, is not permitted.

I don't think I could really have made that any clearer.

easychair

Sorry, I hadn't realised that you have a discussion about the state of the forum, but that moderation was excluded from discussion. I was trying to be helpful. Apologies.

Needler

This whole forum is crap. Very hostile, not a nice place to be. Maybe it can be got rid of altogether

We already have the renewable energy forum for people who are actually interested in installing the stuff, we have the politics forum for people with an agenda to push or simply aren't interested in doing anything themselves to help the environment and wish the government would do it or force other people to do it.

So this place is redundant as well as containing a generally unfriendly atmosphere. Get rid of it I'd say

Also Wikipedia might be more suitable for the [citation needed] crowd, at least there you'd only get your stuff removed for posting stuff with no citation and not a ban

djpbarry

Needler wrote: »

This whole forum is crap.

Great. Thanks for that. Very constructive.

I said I'd sticky this thread for as long as I thought it useful. I think that time has been and gone.