Regional Fora: ecch.

[TC]

I think when new fora are created, one should take into account the content of the posts that are already being posted on the site.

In other words, new fora should filter the kind of content that is currently created on the board.

Since nobody posts about Chicago- or California-specific improv anyway ("nobody" meaning substantially fewer than 50 posts per year) having separate fora for these things seems silly. I have nothing to do with Chicago or California-specific improv, but since there are so few posts about those subjects, I don't mind having them lumped in with NY improv posts.

How, exactly, does the NY improv forum differ from the plain old Improv forum? The difference, if any, is subtle to the point of nonexistence. Instead of reading one forum for NY improv stuff, now I have to read two. This is a time-and-click-waster. And now there are two nearly-vacant fora cluttering up my screen -- the Chicago and LA improv fora.

There just isn't enough traffic in the Improv forum to merit splitting it up into four separate sections.

There is, however, more than enough traffic in the Off-Topic forum to split THAT one up.

Here are some ideas for separate fora that would make more sense:

--Happy Birthday forum (there are lots of Happy Birthday threads)
--Pop Culture forum (there's a lot of discussion of pop culture already -- "favorite tv show" and the like)
--Clueless retard forum ('nuff said)

Seriously, though. The philosophy behind internet messageboard classification should not be "if you build it, he will come" but "he's already here, now figure out whether he should have his own place."

 

[TC]

Ah! Here is one question to help determine whether subdividing a forum into two or more new fora is completely pointless:

"Will a huge, overwhelming majority -- almost every single one, in fact -- of the people who currently read and post to [existing forum] be interested in the content of [potential new forum]?"

If the answer is "yes," potential new forum should not be created -- it just scatters stuff everyone is interested in and makes things less convenient.

If the answer is "no," potential new forum STILL is not necessarily, um, necessary. But it's not ruled out yet. Further consideration required.

In the case of "Improv" and "New York Improv" fora, how many among the current crop of IRC users who frequent the former will not be interested in the latter? One? Two? Ten? Not enough!

 

[mullaney]

The Improvisation forum has always been for discussions about Improvisation, not about discussions of the NYC improv scene. I think there is a big difference in those two types of discussions. People from North Carolina don't care if LuluB gets a someone to fill in for her intern slot, but people from NYC might.

Most of the threads that I think belong in the NYC forum were things that people put in the Off-Topic forum. But with the influx of lots of new people who aren't NYC insiders, the Off-Topic forum is now truly off-topic. Most threads have nothing to do with NYC and some of the old timers have been complaining. I thought it would be best to have a place where people can feel free to talk about NYC insider stuff. However, I don't want the whole board to feel like a NYC insider board.

Back in the Spring and Summer of 2001, there were quite a few hold outs from Chicago visiting this board. As the NYC contingent grew, most stopped coming because it seemed like this board was for New York insider conversations. Only a few like Dan and Gwyn stuck around, neither of whom are actually still involved in the Chicago improv scene. I think that's a shame.

The Chicago improv subculture that is centered around ImprovOlympic and the NYC subculture that is built around the UCB are very similar, but have much to learn from each other. They could both benefit from a lively exchange of ideas, but right now we are segregated into two separate message boards and don't converse that much. My hope is to change that. Is that so wrong?

 

[mullaney]

As for convenience, I would hate to have to sift through everything in the Off-Topic forum to find discussions about digital video. Subdividing the board into categories IS convenient for those who are trying to use the board as a resource to find information.

 

[Ross White]

I'm in agreement with Mullaney-- no one from North Carolina really gives a flip about LuluB's internship. (I'm sure she's quite wonderful, but I definitely won't sub for her.)

It does bum me out that real-estate-wise, the regional forums take up screen space before the forums that have a more national application.

Plus, I hereby aspire to make NC improv so hopping that we merit our own regional forum, and people like LuluB can say that they don't give a flip about ilaughatme's internship.

 

[LuluB]

:mope:

and i though i was so big in North Carolina.

oh, well.

erika

 

[mullaney]

Ross, are you saying that the regional boards appear above the Improvisation and Off Topic forums for you? Or do you think they should be at the bottom, below journals and plugs?

 

[Ross White]

I'd think they'd be more relevant below the items of national interest. Though if your intention is to draw people from the LA and Chicago regions back, I can see the logic of leaving them right where they are.

My personal preference would be between journals and plugs, since I prefer to see discussion above advertisement, but that's just my personal preference. From a design standpoint, I just think the national stuff should be up top.

I think having regional plugs would be cool...

 

[TC]

Mullaney sez:

"The Chicago improv subculture that is centered around ImprovOlympic and the NYC subculture that is built around the UCB are very similar, but have much to learn from each other. They could both benefit from a lively exchange of ideas, but right now we are segregated into two separate message boards and don't converse that much. My hope is to change that. Is that so wrong?"

How does having separate improv fora for Chicago and NYC foster a lively exchange of ideas between the two groups?

There's certainly nothing wrong with that goal -- but creating fora for subjects which are not being discussed and expecting people to be interested is an unlikely means to achieve it.

 

[TC]

Originally posted by Ross White
I'm in agreement with Mullaney-- no one from North Carolina really gives a flip about LuluB's internship.

That's as may be, but nobody from NYC who's not a UCB intern does either. And on the other hand, there's likely to be stuff posted to the NYC improv forum that you will be interested in. I bet you read it, anyway. So why have it separated?

I would like to see a "Let's make a deal" type forum for stuff for sale, or to be given away, or for interns who want to swap spots, etc. Dyna's TV/VCR combo is in NYC, but it's not related to improv, really, unless she's working on a two-person show with it.

 

[Z-Tab]

I've actually been holding out my donation dollars for a "LuluB's Internship Woes" forum. I didn't want to breach the topic, but I'm glad you've laid it on the table.

Now I'm off to Paypal!

 

[mullaney]

Originally posted by Tony Carnevale
How does having separate improv fora for Chicago and NYC foster a lively exchange of ideas between the two groups?

You attract people from Chicago and LA with those boards and they will participate in the other forums.

 

[TC]

Right, right, I understand -- but people are attracted not by empty forums, but by discussion that's already happening.

Anyway, it's your party. :up:

 

[mullaney]

Not empty anymore.

 

[TC]

Clever, Mullaney! Oh, so very clever... perhaps... TOO clever?

The proof is in the pudding, Mr. Bond, and tonight the proof is in BREAD pudding!

I don't know what I'm talking about anymore.

Anyway, we'll see if it works...