Suggestion: Redesign the PMCA Forum

[TreeGreenwood]

The forum grew a lot since I joined and I'm a relative newcomer.

It'll be easier to focus on what's of most interest to the reader. At certain times of the year, some of the sub-forums will have little activity. That's OK.

I'd like to propose some more sub-forums for consideration and discussion.

* Migration - tracking arrivals in spring and roosts in autumn

A division of the forum by region would be useful. Purple Martin nesting behavior in the west is very different from what most of us discuss in eastern two thirds of the continent. In the east, attracting Martins gets much more challenging farther north. Landlords in the deep south have to deal with excessive heat while those in the far north have to deal with cold temperatures that sometimes extend into June.

* Western Martins
* Deep South (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, SC, TX)
* Mid-Range (~35-40 N - AR, DE, KY, MD, NC, OK, TN, VA, WV)
* Northern Range (40 N latitude)
* Winter Range (South America)

Something else to consider.

Tree

[floridasunshinegoddess]

Sandy and John, I agree with you. Hiding behind a handle gives a person carte blanche to say whatever they like, regardless of how rude, inconsiderate and stupid it might be.

[Guest]

Sandy and John, I agree with you. Hiding behind a handle gives a person carte blanche to say whatever they like, regardless of how rude, inconsiderate and stupid it might be.

I would have to disagree; I don't think handles are the problem. I use a handle because I don't like having personal information broadcast all over the Internet for spambots to skim information from.

(Going back, I suppose I could have chosen "Steve-from-Texas" but that doesn't really tell anybody anything. I chose "AggieMEEN" because it conveys two pieces of information. I'm an Aggie, and I'm a mechanical engineer.)

The problem, as I see it, is the nature of communication over the Internet. The inherent anonymity of it all. All you can see of me right now is the text I write, and written communication is open to misinterpretation. Words that were written to convey an innocent question could be read as a challenge, or an insult.

It's just the nature of the beast. A person could be a jerk online with or without a handle.

@TreeGreenwood: Good ideas on the additional subforums. Care should be used, though, as too many Subforums might confuse new members of the PM community.

[Joe Zorn]

I think the biggest change needed is to get rid of these stupid handles. People get really become keyboard Rambos when not using their real names.

I completely agree. I certainly tend to give more credit to those who post using FIRST NAMES, as least, rather than something like "BirdBeak Wizard" or "Bayou Bird Stud".

And I completely ignore any criticism coming from such folks, since they don't have the courage to speak in the first person.

AggieMEEN, I think your idea of catagories sounds wonder, if it can be worked out that way. I'd be able to steer away from The War Room that way, and go right to "How to Install Home Made Access Ports" without wading through all the SS and Seven Dust bickering.

Good Post.

Joe

[Guest]

I completely agree. I certainly tend to give more credit to those who post using FIRST NAMES, as least, rather than something like "BirdBeak Wizard" or "Bayou Bird Stud".

And I completely ignore any criticism coming from such folks, since they don't have the courage to speak in the first person.

Interesting thinking, Joe, and I would love to agree with it, however what guarantees are there that someone who posts under the name of LarrySmith-AL really is named Larry Smith? (what's in a name?)

It's all smoke and mirrors with forums. That's why I held onto the handle I used on a computer hardware forum, because it describes me better than my name.

Another feature that a redesigned PMCA forum should have (someone mentioned previously) is an Ignore List function. That way you can filter out any and all posts from people you don't like.

[Joe Zorn]

AggieMEEN, Good Handle! And you don't misuse it.

I want you to know I posted that previous one at the same time you were posting yours, so my reply was in no way directed toward you, personally. I am firing no shots at anyone by posting this view.

what guarantees are there that someone who posts under the name of LarrySmith-AL really is named Larry Smith?

Of course, there is no way to tell that. Primarily, I was speaking about those who hide behind handles in order to criticize. They could just as well do it under an assumed name.

But, if they're handles, I just ignore them, unless I have gotten to know them well enough to respect and trust their judgement.

Not many are going to remember that I first signed on the forum using "Mudbug" as my handle. I changed it after about three days. I've been using it since the CB radio days of the mid '70's, and has always been in my email address in one form or another since about 1995. So I understand handles. It just didn't feel appropriate to use here, for some reason, if I wanted credibility.

Joe

[Sparky]

Aggie, great stuff. Definitely moderators are needed. Possibly one for each section. We have lost many wise Martineer's over the years. A change is needed.

[apundt-TX]

yes....An ignore button would be great.