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05/20/2006 12:46:18 PM · #51 |
Please posters, let's try to keep this thread on topic. If you've lost track of what that is, please take a brief look back at my OP. Let's not use this thread as an index for that other very long one. And characterizing some posters as worthless doesn't really promote serious discussion. Even if done in jest it still distracts.
An example of the kind of forum activity I'd like to see reined in is the General Discussion thread titled "Important Public Announcement". Should I have to waste my time clicking on a thread about someone getting a date so that I won't miss a real important announcement?
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05/20/2006 01:00:20 PM · #52 |
I think all threads are photography related in that we are all either photographers or (at least) interested in photography; and therefore, have something in common.
A function allowing you to ignore certain threads would be OK; except what happens when an off-topic discussion takes a turn towards photography? The whole exclusion process begins to seem cumbersome and stifling.
DPC is a community, and there will always be members with differing views. However, as long as the majority is happy with the composition of the site, (and the developers permit) it's not likely to change.
The good news is that the internet is a huge place with plenty of room for someone to start their own site with strict rules against off-topic chatter. Just don't look for it in my favorites;)
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05/20/2006 01:01:33 PM · #53 |
Originally posted by coolhar:
And characterizing some posters as worthless doesn't really promote serious discussion.
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Originally posted by coolhar:
The same question framed slightly differently might ask if we need the people who would leave if our forums were steered back toward photography? |
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05/20/2006 01:07:42 PM · #54 |
Originally posted by eschelar:
... I do wonder if perhaps some might have missed the fact that "General Discussion" is for things that are NOT PHOTOGRAPHY RELATED. They need a place ... |
The General Discussion forum is labelled "No other place for it? Try here!", which ist't exactly the same as not photography related. And, in practice it's not used as a non photography related section.
I think it would be a positive move for the site if that section, or another new one, were specifically dedicated to non photography related threads. If non photography related threads appeared in other sections SC mebers could move them, and people could ignore the whole non photography related section without worrying about missing something that they wanted to see. But I don't think that's the way it's working now.
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05/20/2006 01:08:08 PM · #55 |
BTW, how would we manage a thread that's equally about equipment and relationships...like this one?
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05/20/2006 01:12:49 PM · #56 |
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
BTW, how would we manage a thread that's equally about equipment and relationships...like this one? |
 :-)
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05/20/2006 01:17:54 PM · #57 |
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05/20/2006 01:21:06 PM · #58 |
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
BTW, how would we manage a thread that's equally about equipment and relationships...like this one? |
Wouldn't be that hard. Just skim through the thread and ask yourself, do you learn anything about phtography from this? I think that for your example thread the answer is clearly no.
But the occasional mis-labeling of a thread isn't really what we are talking about here anyway, is it? I think we are talking about loosing genuinly useful photography information in a forest of threds. |
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05/20/2006 01:28:27 PM · #59 |
as has been mentioned before, the discussion has been had about having only photography related "stuff." Obviously, since we have the other "stuff" going on, the decision was that the other discussions were okay.
I will, however, remind you (the general reader) of an important element of the forums. If you go up to the top of the thread, there is a little drop down box. Click the down arrow and choose "Ignore."
That thread now drops out of your reality and into virtual oblivion unless you try to find it and resuscitate it on your own.
This feature was made exclusively for those of you that do not wish to read about Cindi's date, the latest (well, technically not latest) ways to deal with menses, or the latest political scandal out of Washington.
The suggestion was made to get the site back "on topic" and discuss those things that are only photography -- a valid concern and real to a great many people. However, it has been dealt with already. Perhaps not to the degree that the OP wanted, but there are options in place so that you can deal only with photography.
Ignored theads do not show up on your front page. Ignoring a thread enables others to stay there longer. Please try to use it before calling other off topics discussions or people worthless. |
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05/20/2006 01:31:54 PM · #60 |
Originally posted by magnus:
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
BTW, how would we manage a thread that's equally about equipment and relationships...like this one? |
Wouldn't be that hard. Just skim through the thread and ask yourself, do you learn anything about phtography from this? I think that for your example thread the answer is clearly no.
But the occasional mis-labeling of a thread isn't really what we are talking about here anyway, is it? I think we are talking about loosing genuinly useful photography information in a forest of threds. |
I learned that a gitzo carbon fiber G1027 tripod can be gotten for $199.00. That they are light and ideal for traveling. But I don't know much, to start with;)
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05/20/2006 01:34:43 PM · #61 |
So I will restate my suggestion which may have gotten lost in a forest of my own blabbering :)
#1 Make General Discussion default to hide in recent forum activity for all new users.
#2 Clarify that General Discussion IS an appropriate place for non-photography related discussion.
#3 Post a sticky, locked thread in General Discussion that explains briefly why this thread is default 'hide' and explain how to unhide it for those who might be interested.
FWIW, I will probably be hiding General Disc myself as I just don't have time to keep up with those forums. I am a hardware junkie... Gotta keep it simple... You probably won't be reading any forum threads about me getting a date either... That won't be happening any time soon :)... You might get a thread or two that you find is stupid or pointless that is photography related from me though... I didn't get a lot of response in my detailed thread about how I customized a tripod to have functionality of MUCH more expensive pano tripods... It definitely pales in comparison to the activity in a lot of other 'less relevant' forum threads.... :)
Coolhar. We have Photography Discussion, then Individual Photograph Discussion, then several other specific topic areas that are photo related... Down at the bottom in a totally separate section are General D and Rant...
Is it really that unclear to you that General Discussion is not intended to be a photographically intensive discussion area?
Ok, fair enough. If it's that unclear, I support labeling... Clear is good.
Message edited by author 2006-05-20 13:39:12. |
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05/20/2006 01:37:34 PM · #62 |
Originally posted by eschelar:
FWIW, I will probably be hiding General Disc myself as I just don't have time to keep up with those forums. I am a hardware junkie... Gotta keep it simple...
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Oh, don't leave us Keiran! You always have such level-headed insight; and besides, you're in my DPC's top 10 sexiest men. Ooops, sorry...went off topic again.
Message edited by author 2006-05-20 13:37:49. |
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05/20/2006 01:41:42 PM · #63 |
LOL! #1, I thought I started at the top of that list! #2, I thought I had long since fallen off it :(...
hehheheh...
That's what happens when all the ladies have the same DPC's top sexiest men lists that look like:
#1 Pedro
#2 Pedro
#3 Pedro
#4 Pedro
#5 Pedro
#6 Pedro
#7 Art "Ken" Roflmao (?)
#8 Pedro
#9 Pedro
#10 PEDRO! |
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05/20/2006 02:06:59 PM · #64 |
Originally posted by eschelar:
LOL! #1, I thought I started at the top of that list! #2, I thought I had long since fallen off it :(...
hehheheh...
That's what happens when all the ladies have the same DPC's top sexiest men lists that look like:
#1 Pedro
#2 Pedro
#3 Pedro
#4 Pedro
#5 Pedro
#6 Pedro
#7 Art "Ken" Roflmao (?)
#8 Pedro
#9 Pedro
#10 PEDRO! |
LOL! Don't forget nico_blue! |
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05/20/2006 03:41:48 PM · #65 |
RE: Get back on topic...
In reviewing my past three years as a member, my take is that dpc has definitely evolved into more of a social club than a photography club.
Many of the photography discussions are really just about post processing effects/techniques and one has to really search for technical in-camera information.
I admit, however, that when I'm post processing an image for an assignment and run into trouble, I check for bear's posts in the search forums and generally find what I need...so that's a good thing.
I spend more time reviewing portfolios of the photographers that I already know utilize more in-camera skills and set-ups. So...that's another good thing...I guess.
I can do without all the phoo-phooey-pitter-patter-post-a-photo-about-every-minute-that-you-breathe posts...bad thing...and have thought about utilizing the preferences feature...good thing.
Good or bad? Not necessarily either. Just different. |
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05/20/2006 05:01:47 PM · #66 |
Originally posted by Marjo:
Many of the photography discussions are really just about post processing effects/techniques and one has to really search for technical in-camera information.
I admit, however, that when I'm post processing an image for an assignment and run into trouble, I check for bear's posts in the search forums and generally find what I need...so that's a good thing. |
It's curious you should mention that, because in the landscape Learning Thread when we post "exercises" re: light, composition, whatever, participation is sporadic; but they come from all over for the post-processing. And the post-processing I am dealing with is relatively "neutral"; that is to say it doesn't tend to force images that are clearly over-the-top but, instead, deals largely with how to work with dynamic range to enhance the experience of the image.
This, of course, once you get beyond the compositional/technical issues, is the core of landscape photography, where we rarely have perfect lighting and contrast handed to us on a platter. So I suppose it makes sense...
R.
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05/20/2006 05:02:59 PM · #67 |
Show me a well functioning, close-knit group that does not socialize. Show me a good teacher who does not take the time to get to know their students, including their home lives. If this website were formal and uptight, I would never feel comfortable enough to ask questions and learn about photography, as I am just beginning. I think that DPC's dynamic atmosphere is the reason I have learned so much in just a few weeks.
So here's a thanks to all those who have a personality and have taken the time to get to know me at least a little, have made me feel comfortable and have helped me learn the basics of photoshop and photography, all in just the few weeks I've been here so far; you know who you are. I am looking forward to much more learning and hopefully a much greater bond with everyone here, and that requires socializing.
If you don't like DPC, then you don't have to be here, obviously the majority like it the way it is, or it wouldn't be "full" of chatter as you say. I can't believe how drawn out this thread has gotten, as everyone has pointed out that there is an ignore thread function.
Get over it and grow up. Thank you.
(also, most of the "chit chat" threads, such as post your fav pic of the day, are where I've come across most of the awesome photographers that I would never have been exposed to their styles and talents otherwise)
What ever happened to artists being the creative outspoken rebels they once were known to be? Maybe I've got it wrong, but isn't freedom of expression what art is all about? |
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05/20/2006 05:19:07 PM · #68 |
Amanda, well spoken.
That came from a "noob"! - A noob who has embraced this site and become quite active in both community and learning.
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05/20/2006 05:22:30 PM · #69 |
Amanda, Just because I have different preferences than you doesn't mean I need to grow up. If you ask me that statement shows immaturity...and me responding to it shows poor judgment on my part.
Bear, I didn't realize that you'd started a class/thread for everyone. It looks great. :)
typo
Message edited by author 2006-05-20 17:34:36. |
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05/20/2006 05:34:31 PM · #70 |
Nothing wrong with socializing and the forums certainly seem to bring that out in a lot of folks here. I'm not into most of the chatter, so I turned off Rant, General Discussion, Challenge Results, and Current Challenge as soon as the forum filters became available. But I still missed most of the self-portrait PAD series, and I'm not seeing a bunch of learning threads that I remember seeing started last year. I think the problem with the forums is simply the volume of stuff, photographic or otherwise in nature.
The site needs some mechanism for persisting the various photographic forum activities that make DPC fun. Don't cause new problems by changing the forums, but add a new feature recognizing the category of things that take more than an hour (the lifetime of most threads) and less than forever (like the tutorials). This shouldn't need a significant redesign of the site. The material could still live in the forums, but the browsable index would be persistant for the duration of the event. So for example, during a 30-day PAD event, there could be a new entry under the Community menu that takes you directly to the relevant thread. Anyone in SC know if anything like that has ever been seriously discussed? |
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05/20/2006 05:36:36 PM · #71 |
Originally posted by Marjo:
Bear, I didn't realize that you'd started a class/thread for everyone. It looks great. :)
typo |
See? That's exactly my point! We all keep missing these things because the forums flow through too fast... |
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05/20/2006 05:44:24 PM · #72 |
Originally posted by magnus:
Originally posted by Marjo:
Bear, I didn't realize that you'd started a class/thread for everyone. It looks great. :)
typo |
See? That's exactly my point! We all keep missing these things because the forums flow through too fast... |
Click on the community button on the top bar, gives you the last 100 posted to threads or something.
Nothing goes by too fast, a 30mph car seems fasst from 1 foot away, while it looks dreadfully slow from the top of a scyscraper. Change your view. |
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05/20/2006 05:44:53 PM · #73 |
Originally posted by magnus:
Originally posted by Marjo:
Bear, I didn't realize that you'd started a class/thread for everyone. It looks great. :)
typo |
See? That's exactly my point! We all keep missing these things because the forums flow through too fast... |
Or because we don't take the time to explore the forum beyond what threads we see on the homepage?
I know that's an issue with me - I almost never check the forum pages themselves. I don't generally find that it is a problem for me (but then again, if I *am* missing something, I wouldn't know it).
edit: I am slow :-)
Message edited by author 2006-05-20 17:45:35. |
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05/20/2006 05:48:51 PM · #74 |
Originally posted by Marjo:
..and me responding to it shows poor judgment on my part.
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Seems this whole thread is an excersize in poor judgement, or more to the point an excersize in being judgemental.
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05/20/2006 05:54:46 PM · #75 |
Originally posted by rich:
I still do not see the problem with off-topic posts like those about "Lost" or "The Bar is Open", etc |
I'm happy with an open bar, but that Lost thread really bugs me! The number of times I think oooo...other lost fans to talk to, and have to stop myself in time before I read the latest discussion and remember Americans are ahead of us brits with the Lost episodes. One day I'm gonna read something that completely spoils it for me. :(
j/k, Just a pet peeve, I honestly think the eclectic mix of discussions is really important for the community
:)
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