Now and then there are questions, statements and many other issues raised on the Forums that really don't fit into any existing category. How about creating yet another Forum section, some kind of Off-Topic Chat that would allow members to discuss those undefined off-topic subjects? Just a thought

I second Roma's suggestion, and would like to add one more.....
Could there be a sticky, at the top of the forum, to draw new users' attention to the 'Find'/search, function?
There is a wealth of information to be found there, and I suspect that new members, are unaware of that facility.

I think there are enough topic categories now, and that the Web General Discussion is adequate to suit the purpose. It could become too congested.

I also think that VM would be governed by the rules of “Eve”.

When all is said and done, I have found that this forum is one of the most user friendly and easiest to navigate that I have found. A lot of them have too much information on present and past posts, and are congested with adds etc.

If a new user can’t see the “Find” button on the main menu, thet should buy a book.

Hi Folks,

We created the 'Web General Discussion' to be a catch-all for non-specific web related topics. We could add more topics, but as postyr observed, it might get a bit confusing. We may eventually move the FAQ's out of the Forum area to try to simplify things here (but that is not official, and didn't come from me ).

I didn't hear it from you.

Another forum I am a member of (Piano World) used to have a "Coffee Room" for general discussion such as you are thinking of, and very popular it was too. However after a time it degenerated into religion and politics and some huge slanging matches resulted.

Very entertaining to watch -- but you wouldn't have wanted to be a participant! Despite repeated warnings from the owner, the tone of the place did not improve, so he shut it down. The Coffee Room is no more

We have a forum, "Web General Discussion". I think that is a suitable place, provided the topic has at least a vague connection with the Web. If it doesn't, then these Forums are not the place for it.

Just my two cents.

As Larry said, we didn't hear a thing .
This was just a thought based on the discrepancy between the definition what questions in that section should be about and what many actually are about. Maybe it's not the new category we need only a broader definition without stretching as far as to religion or politics .

I agree Terry that this is a very friendly forum (can't say that I have much experience in this area).

quote:

If a new user can’t see the “Find” button on the main menu, thet should buy a book.

I am not sure if I equally agree with that statement. Some people might be looking for a Search button somewhere and could miss the simple fact that 'Find' means the same thing. I agree with Rob that it's a very little effort but maybe a lot to gain.

Anything we can do to help users find information is always advantages. Unfortunately we can't alter the way the forms are laid out. We can add a sticky. However, it would have to be under a specific Forum - perhaps the 'How Do I... forum?

Keep in mind that we do have a 'Search' that searches all the Forums on each of the Support pages.

My two peneth worth..

I agree with Roma and have thought this for a long time. I dare say say you all know by now what rubbish I can talk and how off topic I get at times, ok regualarly and 'web general discussion' doesn't seem at all appropriate.

I don't possibly see of a 'chat section' could harm anything, it's not like 'outsiders' would suddenly start gate crashing.

quote:

Another forum I am a member of (Piano World) used to have a "Coffee Room" for general discussion such as you are thinking of, and very popular it was too. However after a time it degenerated into religion and politics and some huge slanging matches resulted.

Sadly that can be a very big problem as things can be taken the wrong way ( clears throat ;-) ) But not everything can be all sweetness and light, well apart from Andy

quote:

If it doesn't, then these Forums are not the place for it.

lol, that is a bit 'cold' though Bruceee We can call it the 'cuddly room' and all huddle up and tell each other stories over a virtual VM fireplace

Andy