A Plea for Sound Bites

glennmac · May 14, 2002

I'd like to make believe that this is a general observation, but we all know what I am referring to. So, to get to the point: I don't think extremely long customization threads are the best presentation of the substantive ideas they contain.....These threads contain some of the most interesting, creative and technically informative discussions on this entire board. I really mean that, and this is intended to be a serious suggestion.... For example, I have read the 4310 customizations thread in its entirety more than once to refresh myself on various matters. But I really don't want to do so just to find the few posts I may be interested in......... These technical threads serve two important functions. First, they are a form of ongoing TBN soap opera that entrances and addicts many of us. We like tuning in every day or so for the new "episode". These ultra-long threads serve the soap opera function very well........ Second, and the the focus of my concern, is that these threads serve future readers as a valuable reference tool to creative tractoring. To me, this is the more important purpose because it is the long-term purpose. Yet, for this long-term repository purpose, the length of the threads becomes detrimental and even counterproductive. Too many separate subjects are concatenated and interleaved in and throughout these long threads.... I respectfully suggest to our TBN Lewis & Clarks that they, voluntarily, serve up their discoveries and adventures in smaller bites for us and our posterity..... You know, "How to Put Christmas Lights on an Earth Trac Canopy", etc., instead of "Everything You Can Ever Do to an Earth Trac".

looch · May 14, 2002

Hear hear.

Muhammad · May 14, 2002

Hmm Earth Trac ... good idea.

But yeah, we've been encouraging the threads to be kept shorter ... when you have a new idea/topic, start a new thread.

Harv · May 14, 2002

we've been encouraging the threads to be kept shorter

I would also encourage posters to name their threads as descriptively (and concisely) as they can. Easier to scan titles for "Added 4-in-1 Muffler To My Earth Trac 2000" than it is to remember what "Guess What I Did?" refers to.

And of course, we're still anxiously awaiting the new, improved search features. I'd love to narrow my searches to posts by a particular user, for example, or just search subject fields or messages with attachments, etc.

Then there's the issue of being able to modify the subject field. For me, at least, it only serves to confuse.

Wal · May 15, 2002

Glenn,

When I read the title of your post, I thought maybe you liked my Pileated woodpecker sound bite so much you wanted to encourage others to submit other "sounds of interest." /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Seriously though, I totally agree with your point. Stick to the posts stated subject or just start a new one. Easy.

MossRoad · May 15, 2002

In regards to the Earth Trac threads, I apologize and now encourage others to keep on subject or start another thread. I learned my lesson and so did others. Why, yesterday alone there were 20-30 new threads in the power trac section alone. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MChalkley · May 16, 2002

Hmmm, well, as perhaps the "prime offender" here in this regard and, in fact, as the instigator and perpetrator of the "4310 enhancements" thread specifically listed by Glennmac, I have to say I disagree, but have no problem abiding by the wishes of the majority.

My issue with the "one vs. many" threads debate is that it's so hard to find what you're looking for later. If I know it's in the "4310 enhancements" thread, the worst that can happen is that I have to spend a while looking for it but, otherwise, I may never find it at all. In fact, I've looked for several things recently that I know are here because I put them here, but haven't been able to find them.

Still, as I said, I'm happy to proliferate TBN with a bunch of different topics, if that's the majority preference. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif But don't get upset if I later respond to a question with "I know I posted the information you're looking for here somewhere, but good luck finding it." /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Charlie_Iliff · May 16, 2002

I have to say I disagree, but have no problem abiding by the wishes of the majority.

Carefully worded, we note, to ensure that no one would mistake you for a member of the majority of the moment. The question is, is it a real majority? If so, how did GlennMac get over there with them? Have they noticed he's there?

MChalkley · May 16, 2002

Charlie - how did GlennMac get over there with them?

Scary, ain't it? /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

glennmac · May 16, 2002

Please note that I have not advocated an end to endless rambling within a post itself. That would put me and ... uh .... well .... Mark and Charlie out of business.