Skins pruning Skins's island

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1135225

Oh my.

This is a couple of weeks old now, but it's news to franksolich.

Skinner ADMIN  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 02:19 PM
Original message
 
We are going to be deleting some DU Groups. And WE NEED YOUR HELP to figure out which ones.

You may have heard that the DU Administrators are working on a complete redesign of our discussion forum software. This week we are having a brief public preview so you all can try out the software and see the future of Democratic Underground. We call it DU3, because it will be the third version of our website. The preview website is here:

http://www.du3preview.com

As part of the redesign, one of our primary goals is to make the smaller forums and groups more active, easier to find, and easier to use. To help achieve this goal, we want to clear out some the "dead wood" -- unused and under-used groups that clutter up the site and make it harder to find the more active groups.

We need your help to figure out which groups to save, and which groups to delete.

There are 142 groups listed (by category) under Topics: http://www.du3preview.com/?com=forum&id=1004

There are another 56 groups listed (by category) under Places: http://www.du3preview.com/?com=forum&id=1239

You can list all of them on one page by viewing the "Forums & Groups" tab in "Show All" mode:

http://www.du3preview.com/?com=forums&mode=show_all

Here's what we need you to do. If you are an active DU member who registered before January 19, 2011, then you can log in to DU3. We need you to go to DU3, log in using your DU username, and then subscribe to all your favorite groups. (Note: DU2 "small forums" are now designated as groups on DU3, so you can subscribe to those, too.) Just find each group you like, and then click the orange button on that page which says "Subscribe to this group." It looks like this:

You can also help by posting in your favorite groups on DU3. And if you like, you can post announcements in your favorite groups here on DU2 to encourage people to subscribe over on DU3.

You can check the number of subscribers in any group by visiting that group's "About this Group" page. Just visit any group and click the button that says "About this Group," then look for the words "Number of subscribers".

Thank you for your help.

David Allen
DU Admin

It's a huge campfire; one has to scroll down for miles and miles to get to the end of it.

xxxxx  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 03:03 PM
Response to Original message
 
10. Get rid of the Dungeon.

Is that a group? It's time to get rid of it, either way.

Actually, the "conspiracy" forum is where all this guy's posts need redirected.

Ian David  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 03:08 PM
Response to Reply #13
 
15. Why not just merge all the dungeons together into one group called "Crazy Shit?"

Renew Deal  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 03:09 PM
Response to Reply #10
 
17. The 9/11 forum should be renamed or deleted outright

It's a trainwreck.

Ian David  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 03:38 PM
Response to Reply #17
 
30. I propose renaming it, "Batshittery."

Why not just re-name the whole of Skins's island as that?

Renew Deal  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 03:58 PM
Response to Reply #30
 
40. Should it be changed to 18 years old and up?

Put a wall up in front of it?

Mist  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 03:50 PM
Response to Reply #17
 
36. Why delete it? It's the only place the events of 9/11 can be discussed, even though there's so much dissention and thread-hijacking going on I don't blame people for staying away.

Personally I'd be OK with a "Conspiracy Forum." Call it what it is.

greyl  (1000+ posts)        Fri May-20-11 01:36 AM
Response to Reply #36
 
137. "It's the only place the events of 9/11 can be discussed" - False

It's pretty much the non-evidenced based, 9/11 Truth Industry propaganda and conspiracy theory nonsense that gets moved there. There are plenty of no-bullshit threads about the events of 9/11 that you can find in GD, LBN, and other forums.

TheManInTheMac (396 posts)      Fri May-20-11 08:33 AM
Response to Reply #17
 
149. But it provides a place for the truthers to go while the grownups talk.

MattBaggins  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 03:15 PM
Response to Original message
 
19. Latest Breaking News

What use is that group anyway

Renew Deal  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 03:55 PM
Response to Original message
 
37. Here is the answer to what should be deleted, renamed, and combined

Get rid of:

Economic Activism and Prog. Living
Peacemaking and Community
Propoganda Debunking
Sibel Edmonds to “WhistleBlowers” (only 201 posts in 6 years on DU 2)
Group Francophone (no new posts in 2 years)
Bloggers
DFA
Kucinich
Precinct Level Politics
Democrats
Consumer Advice
Personal Finance
Homeschooling
Classical Music
Netflix
Public Transport and Smart Growth
Campaigns
Single Payer health systems (208 posts in 2 years. 1 this year)
Household Hints

Rename:

Humor to Comedy
Americans Abroad to Democrats Abroad
Pro-Choice to Abortion or something similar

Rename or delete September 11. Move it out of “Foreign Affairs” category.

Keep Computer Help and Support, but get rid of Mac Users, Open Source, and Web Developers. Create new group called “Computing and Technology.”

Combine Womens Rights with Womens World

Some pretty good ideas there, but the mental health forum should go too.

provis99  (1000+ posts)      Thu May-19-11 04:06 PM
Response to Original message
 
44. delete the Mens group.

Most singularly useless group on DU.

lumberjack_jeff  (1000+ posts)      Fri May-20-11 01:21 AM
Response to Reply #44
 
136. Disagree.

Perhaps it would be better to consolidate the three women's groups into one.

The irony of demanding the ostracism of men because we shouldn't tolerate sexism is pretty overwhelming.

bobbolink  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 04:06 PM
Response to Original message
 
45. So, things in the minority will go.

Not surprising, but.... kinda against what this country *used* to stand for.

I understand the problem, "clutter" and all that... but sometimes the minority view is very important to the balance of the community.

Bucky  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 05:29 PM
Response to Original message
 
52. The World History Group is dead as a dried turnip. Only one post since January

Maat  (1000+ posts)      Thu May-19-11 10:47 PM
Response to Original message
 
105. I enjoy the homeschooling group, and am going to support it remaining.

Odin2005  (1000+ posts)        Thu May-19-11 11:12 PM
Response to Original message
 
108. The Asperger's Group MUST STAY!!!

marions ghost  (1000+ posts)      Fri May-20-11 10:40 AM
Response to Reply #108
 
159. I think all the individual support groups should stay

franksolich doesn't think so; primitives with those sorts of problems should be consulting professionals in real life, not other primitives in fantasy life.

Kurovski  (1000+ posts)        Fri May-20-11 12:04 AM
Response to Original message
 
124. Get rid of that silly old GLBT forum that no one seems to pay any attention to.

blondeatlast  (1000+ posts)        Fri May-20-11 11:59 AM
Response to Original message
 
177. Skinner, there's a t least one group that may not have a lot of subscribers: the "Coping with Divorce/Separation Group". we all like to think we won't ever need it (I did) but when it happened to me, I was so glad I could find some friends online to talk to. Posting the pain in the Lounge just didn't appeal even though I knoew I could have.

I don't know if there's a possibility to save it, but I do think it is a "special" situation.

La Lioness Priyanka  (1000+ posts)        Fri May-20-11 12:04 PM
Response to Original message
 
182. due to the lower tolerance of homophobia in the lgbt forum

the lgbt activism forum is really unnecessary at this point

MadBadger  (1000+ posts)        Sat May-21-11 12:54 AM
Response to Original message
 
209. I would get rid of the lounge...

[miskie]

Let me make it simple for you Skins.

1) Political Discourse.
2) Off Topic.

In essence, this is what your forum already is - just make it official and get it over with.

[franksolich]

Let me make it simple for you Skins.

1) Political Discourse.
2) Off Topic.

In essence, this is what your forum already is - just make it official and get it over with.

You know, sir, my fellow alum's always been prejudiced against certain groups of people.

For example, he's never installed a forum for blind primitives, or for primitives who don't know English, or for primitives who are illiterate.

[Airwolf]

Bobosaurus Rex never misses a chance to ram that Buick up someones ass does she?

[franksolich]

Bobosaurus Rex never misses a chance to ram that Buick up someones ass does she?

I wondered if anyone would notice the 1986 Buick commented at this campfire.

I used to "highlight" certain primitives, but quit doing it so the primitives don't notice they're being observed.

[Ballygrl]

[franksolich]

You know, I haven't yet checked out the preview of the new-and-upcoming-and-unimproved Skins's island.

Does it look as if it's going to make copying-and-pasting stuff from there more difficult?

[dandi]

provis99  (1000+ posts)      Thu May-19-11 04:06 PM
Response to Original message
 
44. delete the Mens group.

Most singularly useless group on DU.

I'd have to agree with that. It's useless to have a men's group where there are no men.

[miskie]

You know, sir, my fellow alum's always been prejudiced against certain groups of people.

For example, he's never installed a forum for blind primitives, or for primitives who don't know English, or for primitives who are illiterate.

Indeed... Or for blind, non-English speaking, illiterate primitives.

Democrática Cueva

   .. .  .. .  .. .      .  . .. .        .. .  .  .  . 
    .  .     .    ..    .. .                     . .     
 .       .  .     .     .               .    ..    ..   

[Ballygrl]

You know, I haven't yet checked out the preview of the new-and-upcoming-and-unimproved Skins's island.

Does it look as if it's going to make copying-and-pasting stuff from there more difficult?

It won't let me get a sneak peek because I don't have an account there, that has to be discrimination somehow.

[franksolich]

It won't let me get a sneak peek because I don't have an account there, that has to be discrimination somehow.

I don't want to look, because I want it to be a surprise when it happens, like a Christmas present.

But I am, for professional reasons, concerned about the copying-and-pasting mechanisms of it.

[BlueStateSaint]

I wondered if anyone would notice the 1986 Buick commented at this campfire.

Strangely enough, Coach, it did not mention "the homeless," or any form thereof.  Everyone knows what the Hell it (the primitive) means, but said primitive doesn't actually go out and mention "homelessness," "the homeless," or any permutation of it.  

I'd say that maybe your fellow alum put the screws down.  I wonder how many cans and bottles said primitive had to collect to buy its' way back onto the Island?

[miskie]

I don't want to look, because I want it to be a surprise when it happens, like a Christmas present.

But I am, for professional reasons, concerned about the copying-and-pasting mechanisms of it.

Unless the new site transforms all text into images, it can almost always be done using Ctrl-A -- Preventing Clicking & Dragging is a lame, unprofessional approach to preventing cutting and pasting.

The negative with Ctrl-A is it will copy everything on the page, so there may be extra editing required.

[Ballygrl]

onehandle  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this Thu May-19-11 06:20 PM
Response to Original message
68. Delete or at least let us hide the one chock full of right-wing links and support from Latest.
   
You know which one I mean.

eqfan592 (1000+ posts) Thu May-19-11 07:33 PM
Response to Reply #68
86. Whats wrong, onehandle??
   
Can't stand your ignorance being challenged by reality?

frank, are they talking about the gun forum?

[franksolich]

Unless the new site transforms all text into images, it can almost always be done using Ctrl-A -- Preventing Clicking & Dragging is a lame, unprofessional approach to preventing cutting and pasting.

The negative with Ctrl-A is it will copy everything on the page, so there may be extra editing required.

Well, if that ends up being the case, we'll need a tutorial on this Ctrl-A thing.

<<has never claimed to be a computer expert.

But I hope that's not the case.

[franksolich]

frank, are they talking about the gun forum?

Yeah.

There's some primitives who don't like it.

[Skul]

Poor Bobo.
Skins is DUmping the "Better Buicks and Gardens" forum.

[Ballygrl]

BrendaBrick  Donating Member  (279 posts) Sat May-21-11 12:53 AM
Response to Original message
208. For what it is worth..........
   
Edited on Sat May-21-11 12:54 AM by BrendaBrick
I said it before...and I'll (sigh) say it again...I think that there should be some consideration given to a STRICTLY positive forum

Awwwww, that's cute, but doesn't she realize that regressives are notoriously miserable people?

[franksolich]

Awwwww, that's cute, but doesn't she realize that regressives are notoriously miserable people?

I saw that, and couldn't help RAOTFLMAO.

Actually, I suspect my fellow alum cultivates negativity and pessimism among the primitives, so as to keep them on their toes, so as to make them work harder for the fringe causes.

Fear-mongering, I guess.

But any unbiased objective inspection shows that the Democrats, liberals, and primitives aren't doing badly at all, really.

After all, they have the White House and the U.S. Senate, still control most of the big states, and the Supreme Court is left of the mainstream.

So no, they're not doing badly at all.

But one has to instill fear into the primitives so that they work harder at doing even better.

[GOBUCKS]

I think it's cute that the DUmmies all think Skimmer will take their opinions into account when the new forum software is rolled out.
It's like your tropical fish wiggling their fins while you pick out a new aquarium.

[franksolich]

I think it's cute that the DUmmies all think Skimmer will take their opinions into account when the new forum software is rolled out.

It's like your tropical fish wiggling their fins while you pick out a new aquarium.

Damn, you're good, sir.

I have a suspicion that my fellow alum takes suggestions from the primitives about as seriously as he takes constructive suggestions from decent and civilized people.

It's all an act, but it makes the primitives feel good.

And remember, "feeling good" is more important to the primitives than "getting something done."

[Ballygrl]

Here's my opinion on combining the forums.

Do the States by region, then stick all the other Countries from around the world into 1 forum, for Politics just have the General Discussion Forum, have 1 Activist Forum for things like Boycotts, Protests, Environment and the GLBTQ etc. let the pro-Gun people have their own forum, have 1 Health Forum that includes everything from Physical Health problems to Mental Health problems to Bereavement to Asperger's, have a Religion Forum, have the Home and Family Forum, the Book Forum, and have an Entertainment Forum that covers everything from TV to Movies, then have a Political Conspiracies Forum.

[GOBUCKS]

Here's my opinion on combining the forums.

Do the States by region, then stick all the other Countries from around the world into 1 forum, for Politics just have the General Discussion Forum, have 1 Activist Forum for things like Boycotts, Protests, Environment and the GLBTQ etc. let the pro-Gun people have their own forum, have 1 Health Forum that includes everything from Physical Health problems to Mental Health problems to Bereavement to Asperger's, have a Religion Forum, have the Home and Family Forum, the Book Forum, and have an Entertainment Forum that covers everything from TV to Movies, then have a Political Conspiracies Forum.

Cigarette girl is taking this much too seriously. We're talking about the DUmp!

[Skul]

Cigarette girl is taking this much too seriously. We're talking about the DUmp!

Ohoh, this isn't gonna be pretty.

[franksolich]

I don't think it's so much of a problem of too many forums.

I think it's more that my fellow alum Skins lets the primitives run amok all over the place, commenting anywhere they wish to comment.  Like unhousebroken dogs.

Skins should adapt "channeling" here--automatically and routinely channeling a particular primitive's comments, all of them, to a single forum.

For example, anything by Pedro Picasso would be shoved into the conspiracy forum, anything by Chief S itting Bull into the Lounge, anything by Mrs. Alfred Packer into the cooking and baking forum, anything by Omaha Steve into the labor forum, anything by the defrocked warped primitive into the do-it-yourself forum, anything by the unbannable primitive into the 0bama forum, and so on.

This would neaten things up considerably.