Is it getting cluttered in here?

[martcol]

Am I the only one that thinks this board has got a bit cluttered? When I started using the forum it was fabulous with lots of great advice from dedicated EOS users. There has always been a sprinkling of humour and so on but now.... The great advice is still there but it's not so easy to access.

Oh, and whilst I am having a moan... Please get used to giving a clear indication of the post in the title.

Martin

[samdring]

I think you are probably right and I have not been registered here anywhere near the length of time you have.

The other thought occurs though is, that for me 'early doors' on this forum virtually every post was interesting and exciting 'cos it was new and news. I now have to probe that little bit further to get 'at it'.

Must admit though, overall it is still the place to get your knowledge.

[martcol]

samdring wrote:
Must admit though, overall it is still the place to get your knowledge.

No dispute there Sam! 8)

[AndyDe]

Yes possibly, went though the just got a 10D asking question stage & now tend to lurk picking up tips & responding to the odd post.

[morenoar]

As a NEWBIE in the Photography world. I LIKE all that I have been reading. All the post are GREAT and helpful

Thanks

[scottbergerphoto]

This is a great forum. When stuff is posted that doesn't belong, most peple get the message and stop. I've learned an enormous amount in the last six months on these boards. Wouldn't it be boring if every post was erudite and informative? If I wanted that, I could read a book.
Scott:)

[ssim]

Martin

I would agree to a certain degree. There has been a significant amount of posts lately on "help me pick my next lens". A little time spent searching the board may have provided the answers. Human nature being what it is, we tend to take the easy way out and post a new question.

I've gotten used to opening each subject give it a quick peruse and move on if it doesn't interest me. The interests in photography across the users here go from the pro to the very new. As such I don't think that you will ever be able to limit the "clutter".

I certainly wouldn't want this to turn into a moderated board, that would be devastating in my opinion.

[Andy_T]

On the light side,

isn't it always enjoyable and fun to help a fellow photographer select his or her next lens?

Out of budget restrictions, I don't have the joy to ponder the pros and cons of various lenses and weigh my decisions very often, so I always like the opportunity to assist someone else in finding the perfect match for his/her camera.

Regards,
Andy

[Malaxos1]

You know what, it's like that in every online photo community I belong to. When you first join a site like this every thing is new. After a while all topics seem to be repeated ones, like film or digital?, thinking about getting a DSLR, or which lens or flash? That's just the way of it and the quicker the forum grows the more it will be like this.

[PacAce]

Wait until next Feb when PMA 2004 rolls around and Canon announces their next new digicam(s). Things will pick up, you'll see. In the mean time, we're going through a "slow" spell except for those people who just got their DRebels. :)

[martcol]

Maybe it would help if some of you gurus populated the other options in the forum. I know myself that I have been reluctant to use the other boards because I know the "Big Guns" come here most.

It's weird how you get to know people through a board (this is the only one I really use). This is like, one big happy family and I love you all. :D

Martin

[John_T]

What I have noticed here for myself is that when I have been-there-done-that, the next generation that haven't yet been-there-done-that isn't very interesting because I have been there with that more than enough. I'm into the next level of exchanges and the other levels get in the way. But hey, everybody's got to start somewhere, right? Remember your old Brownie Hawkeye and the round pix? Remember the Russian Leica?

[Belmondo]

martcol wrote:It's weird how you get to know people through a board (this is the only one I really use). This is like, one big happy family and I love you all.

It really is like that. I'm less than 6 months into this forum thing, and already there are a number of people who feel like lifelong buddies. Even the ones that I've bumped heads with (never seriously) are welcome names when I see them posting to a thread.

There is a definite 'stodginess' to some of the other photography boards, and that's okay for some people. I'm doing this primarily for the fun of it, and I refuse to take things (or myself) that seriously.

I also notice that when someone posts a topic like "Which Lens," or "Thinking of a DSLR," there's always someone willing to jump in with an opinion and a comment. Often it's someone who asked a similar question just a month or two earlier, and that's how this 'organism' perpetuates itself.

It all works, and it's great.

Tom

[flyfishnj]

I'm certainly guilty of the new cam questions; which lens, which lighting configuration, etc. --Everytime though, I have enough knowledge not to get duped (or sound like a blundering idiot) at the camera store anymore. Very much appreciated. Happy Holidays to you all!

[Pekka]

To split the board is always very problematic because basically what we talk about here is EOS, and that means 95% of stuff and things to learn are common for all camera models.

If the split would go like

EOS-300D
EOS-10D
EOS-1D(s)
EOS lenses

Then most 1-series users would not read 300D stuff where the could contribute a lot and 300D users would post in 1-series boards anyway if they do not get feedback in 300D area.

To be logical, the split should be done by considering what EOS really means:

EOS camera bodies
EOS lenses
EOS accessories

But then again people would like to see their own model mentioned - it feels so much cosier :) And the new 300D lenses are not EOS lenses.

I am in near future changing the forum software to something more modern (while keeping the look as much as possible of course) and faster (the forum database is already 75MB). That would be a good moment to do changes in forum structure, too, so any suggestions (backed up by rock solid reasoning) are most welcome.

PS. There will also be a database-based FAQ for all cameras.

[Belmondo]

Pekka:
I think the FAQs will do a lot towards alleviating what some refer to as ‘clutter.’ This way, when someone asks a question that’s been covered time and time again, we’ll have a quick reference to point them to, and unless they expand on their question, should eliminate a lot of discussion.

I’ll have to think about the other changes for a minute, though.

Tick. Tock. (time passes……)

Okay, I’ve though about it. I suppose the new divisions you propose make sense, although I am one of those who have no complaints about the way things are now. There will be a lot of overlap, and that will result in more time searching three different forums (fora? for those whose interest covers the entire gamut.

Like anything else, we’ll adjust to whatever you do. This is a great place to learn, and to rub elbows with other kindred spirits.

Thanks for providing this great service.

Tom

[ima_putz]

martcol wrote:
Am I the only one that thinks this board has got a bit cluttered? When I started using the forum it was fabulous with lots of great advice from dedicated EOS users. There has always been a sprinkling of humour and so on but now.... The great advice is still there but it's not so easy to access.

Oh, and whilst I am having a moan... Please get used to giving a clear indication of the post in the title.

Martin

Are you suggesting the members of your forum cut back on humor? Is photography that serious?

[NickC]

The longer a web site or board is around (I run both), the more it shows up on more search engines. The more that you show up on a search engine, the bigger audience you get. The bigger audience, the more participation, and the more clutter -- if by volume if not by percentage (or perception).

[CyberDyneSystems]

I am a bit confused by the original post Vs. the suggestions re; splitting things off,. it seemed to me that the complaint was more about "frivolous posts" T.M.
than about rearranging.

But,. I don't know whats wrong with a post strictly for the humour, or even rant value,. Technically, this thread which has nothing to do with photography is "clutter"

It's all part of the fun near as I can tell.

And I certainly don't know how the idea that some posts are clutter relates to rearanging the forum to include more sections? How does that solve any perceived problem?

So If you don't mind my asking,. Martcal,. have we missed the point here? what is "the beef" ?

:)

[CyberDyneSystems]

//p.s.

It occurs to me that my post count, about 600 MORE posts than the owner, would elevate me to the status of "The Ayatollah of Clutter" :D

[nosquare2003]

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
//p.s.

It occurs to me that my post count, about 600 MORE posts than the owner, would elevate me to the status of "The Ayatollah of Clutter" :D



I have only 20 posts. Shall my vote count?

My vote - don't split the forum.

[martcol]

Ohmygod, I'm mso embarrassed!

I love the humour....

I don't like

1) posts that have nothing to do with DSLR and could be dealt with on other boards. E.g. Critique requests, Software, although I suppose RAW conversion is relevant...

Now it's all sounding a bit lame....

Anyway, I also get frustrated with posts that don't have a clear message in the subject.

But, I love you all!

[ssim]

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
//p.s.

It occurs to me that my post count, about 600 MORE posts than the owner, would elevate me to the status of "The Ayatollah of Clutter" :D



I know that comment was made somewhat "tongue in cheek" but I have always enjoyed your posts, no matter which category you decide to clutter.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Thanks SSim :)

I wasn't about to give up my clutter-crown! :D

[CyberDyneSystems]

nosquare2003 wrote:
CyberDyneSystems wrote:
//p.s.

It occurs to me that my post count, about 600 MORE posts than the owner, would elevate me to the status of "The Ayatollah of Clutter" :D



I have only 20 posts. Shall my vote count?

My vote - don't split the forum.

Yours counts MORE,. 'cause your not such a big mouth! :)