Changes in this forum

[Volker Pittlik]

As you possibly have noticed there are two new forums here. I hope the descriptions explain what content is expected.

I had something similar as the "Technical Discussions" forum in mind for a long time. Today someone let me know that he is missing exactly that.

I have also updated the "Readme" post in the Info forum. You will notice that I accept pseudonyms now under certain conditions. You may be interested to read it again.

The "General Computer Chess Topics" forum is exactly for what the name says. Ten years ago or so the newsgroup r.g.c.c became unreadable because of an enormous amount of posts by trolls. Several forums have been founded as an alternative. It seems to me that nowadays the trolls have almost taken over certain forums. Time to act again.

Al these changes are experimental. I possibly remove the new forums or the forum in total if there is no interest in it. I general it is to observe that the number of postings is decreasing here. I also thought about a new name, but something like "The Former Winboard Forum" I don't really like (ideas?)

Opinions appreciated

Volker

[Pradu]

Hi Volker

As you possibly have noticed there are two new forums here. I hope the descriptions explain what content is expected.

I had something similar as the "Technical Discussions" forum in mind for a long time. Today someone let me know that he is missing exactly that.

I have also updated the "Readme" post in the Info forum. You will notice that I accept pseudonyms now under certain conditions. You may be interested to read it again.

The "General Computer Chess Topics" forum is exactly for what the name says. Ten years ago or so the newsgroup r.g.c.c became unreadable because of an enormous amount of posts by trolls. Several forums have been founded as an alternative. It seems to me that nowadays the trolls have almost taken over certain forums. Time to act again.

Al these changes are experimental. I possibly remove the new forums or the forum in total if there is no interest in it. I general it is to observe that the number of postings is decreasing here. I also thought about a new name, but something like "The Former Winboard Forum" I don't really like (ideas?)

Opinions appreciated

Volker

Yes, in general the number of postings have been little here compared to the CCC forum; however the overall quality of the posts are usually quite good. The topics concentrated on computer chess and not on other things like the "Weather" as Andrew was alluding to in one of his recent posts. I think the "Technical discussion forum" and "General Computer Chess Topics" arn't necessary. "Winboard and related Topics" should cover "General Computer Chess Topics". All three former forums can replace "Technical discussion forum" forum. The addition of two more subsections will also make it more difficult to navigate because topics that could fit in "Geneal Computer Chess Topics" may as well fit in "Winbaord and related topics"; likewise for the "Technical discussion forum".

In my opinion, I liked it the way it used to be but of course I can adapt to changes.

Can you change this topic into a poll which asks whether people here whether like this change or not?

[Volker Pittlik]

... I think the "Technical discussion forum" and "General Computer Chess Topics" arn't necessary. "Winboard and related Topics" should cover "General Computer Chess Topics".

That was the initial idea three years ago when I changed the forum software to phpBB. Unfortunately it seems many people characterize this forum as a "Winboard only" forum what it never should be. I hope to make this more clear also by the new structure.

... The addition of two more subsections will also make it more difficult to navigate...

Hm, I read that often but I never understood it. Compared to other forums I read the number of forums is still small here. (I never felt confused over here or here (attention German).) It is also possible to enable to get notified for every new post to a certain topic. You will find the new reply then by one click.

... Can you change this topic into a poll which asks whether people here whether like this change or not?

Sure that was an option. These polls are double edged. It is absolutely not clear what should happen with the results. It is also absolutely not clear how many people must participate until any consequences have to be taken. I prefer trditional feedback in this case. I also plan too observe what and how many posts are going to appear in the new forums.

Volker

BTW: I also updated the link section (deleted a lot of stuff, added some new). Your website is linked there now too.

[Ryan Benitez]

As you possibly have noticed there are two new forums here. I hope the descriptions explain what content is expected.

I had something similar as the "Technical Discussions" forum in mind for a long time. Today someone let me know that he is missing exactly that.

I have also updated the "Readme" post in the Info forum. You will notice that I accept pseudonyms now under certain conditions. You may be interested to read it again.

The "General Computer Chess Topics" forum is exactly for what the name says. Ten years ago or so the newsgroup r.g.c.c became unreadable because of an enormous amount of posts by trolls. Several forums have been founded as an alternative. It seems to me that nowadays the trolls have almost taken over certain forums. Time to act again.

Al these changes are experimental. I possibly remove the new forums or the forum in total if there is no interest in it. I general it is to observe that the number of postings is decreasing here. I also thought about a new name, but something like "The Former Winboard Forum" I don't really like (ideas?)

Opinions appreciated

Volker

Thanks Volker,
I think the changes are good. The "General Computer Chess Topics" forum and "Winboard and related Topics" may seem similar but if they end up being the same to other I prefer change the name of "Winboard and related Topics" to "General Computer Chess Topics" instead of remove "General Computer Chess Topics" all together.

Thanks,
Ryan

[H.G.Muller]

I generally applaud more subsections (although I almost exclusively post in the "programming" subsection on most forums). But the ddistinction "Winboard and related topics" and "General computer-chess topics" seems a bit awkward.

Historically, the "Winboard and related topics" has been mostly used for news about engine releases, and questions on how to install or obtain them. This is not really Winboard related, as UCI engines are practically Winboard engines now that we have Polyglot, and the posts often handle about them.

Perhaps the first forum should be renamed "News and questions about engines". Is it really useful to divert a question about how to get a particular engine to run properly under Arena to a different section than a similar question for running it under Winboard? I think not. It would be more useful to separate discussions about engines from those about support proograms like GUIs, tournament managers, rating calculators, pairing software.

[gerold daniels]

[quote="Volker Pittlik"]As you possibly have noticed there are two new forums here. I hope the descriptions explain what content is expected.

I had something similar as the "Technical Discussions" forum in mind for a long time. Today someone let me know that he is missing exactly that.

I have also updated the "Readme" post in the Info forum. You will notice that I accept pseudonyms now under certain conditions. You may be interested to read it again.

The "General Computer Chess Topics" forum is exactly for what the name says. Ten years ago or so the newsgroup r.g.c.c became unreadable because of an enormous amount of posts by trolls. Several forums have been founded as an alternative. It seems to me that nowadays the trolls have almost taken over certain forums. Time to act again.

Al these changes are experimental. I possibly remove the new forums or the forum in total if there is no interest in it. I general it is to observe that the number of postings is decreasing here. I also thought about a new name, but something like "The Former Winboard Forum" I don't really like (ideas?)

Opinions appreciated

Volker[/quote]

Thanks Volker, the changes look good.
You may like something like :
Winboard,uci experimental computer chess topics.

Best to you,

Gerold.

[GenoM]

Hi Volker
good idea
fully agree

regards,
Geno

[Volker Pittlik]

Thanks to all your feedback. I'm going to wait some more days and then I'm going to make some slightly updates with your suggestions in mind.

Volker

[Reinhard Scharnagl]

... I also thought about a new name, but something like "The Former Winboard Forum" I don't really like (ideas?)...

Hello Volker, does that changing mean, that also discussion postings would be welcomed here, which are not at all strongly related to Winboard? Would it be allowed to rethink on protocols and GUIs even beside of the Winboard tradition?

If, then how about: "The Chessprogrammer's Universe"?

Regards, Reinhard.

[Volker Pittlik]

... does that changing mean, that also discussion postings would be welcomed here, which are not at all strongly related to Winboard?

Yes. Such a limitation didn't exist. If you look in the programming forum most topics are not specific to Winboard.

... Would it be allowed to rethink on protocols and GUIs even beside of the Winboard tradition?

The forum was and is open for that. If everyone keeps this rule in mind:

Members should post in a way that is respectful of other users (Readme)

I think almost everything can be discussed. In doubt simply imagine if you would like others use your style of discussion or just behave as you were at work.

Volker