by badfinger » Fri Jan 03, 2003 5:17 pm
Edited (shortened) version of an item first posted 18 August 2002)
The only real criticism I have about the site is that it has too many forums. The continuity of threads sometimes gets lost in conference-hopping. Posts about building, modifying and repairing guitars seem more to inhabit the slide forum than any equipment-related conference, rubbing shoulders with cd reviews and references to concerts and gigs, playing techniques, tab sources...
I believe that some conferences might usefully be removed, and others amalgamated; for example:
“TALKING BLUES” seems a perfectly good place to handle all the topics it does, plus those presented in “IN SEARCH OF” and “NEWS & GOSSIP”. (These three conferences carry cross-over topics already.)
“RECOMMENDING THE BLUES”, “WHAT I’M LISTENING TO”, and “REVIEWING THE BLUES” are obvious candidates for conjoining to one forum, so are “SUGGESTIONS” and “OPINIONS”.
“THIS vs THAT” seems a waste of space, as does “BEST LINE FROM A BLUES SONG”.
To separate ELECTRIC, ACOUSTIC, and SLIDE guitar conferences is illogical. (I guess it derives from the slideguitar.com origins.) Most people jump back and forth (not knowing – or caring) where they should post. Any differences along the way are generally hardware-related and thus could be catered for in “EQUIPMENT BLUES”, tho’ most slide-players’ guitar details (electric, reso, acoustic or otherwise) are dealt with in the slide conference!).
A case certainly exists for stand-alone HARP and PIANO forums (but again, if so, why not forums for singing, bass, brass, woodwind... )
“I WISH I’D KNOWN THIS”, and “WEIRD, WEIRD, WEIRD” seem to fulfil a need, but barely beyond what can be accomodated elsewhere.
An argument to explain the purpose, need or justification of “THE SMOKING ROOM”, and “THE INNER SANCTUM” has still to be made... I’m not holding my breath.
To summarise: I suggest the following changes to the forum structure; a leaner, easier to navigate and use (and less expensive?) site would result.
REMOVE: “In Search Of...” , and “News & Gossip”.
(“Talking Blues” seems an adequate cover.)
REMOVE: “Recommending The Blues”, and “Reviewing The Blues”.
(“What I’m Listening To” is sufficient.)
REMOVE: “This vs That”, “The Best...”, and “Best Line From A Blues Song”.
(Easily accommodated in”Talking Blues” – note how the “Trivia” quiz just slotted in.)
REMOVE: “Way Off Topic...”, “The Smoking Room...”, “The Inner Sanctum...”
(I suppose a need could be identified for a “General, Non-Blues” conference – which will be generally ignored - but not four of them, and "Talking Blues" is a very useful place for general blues-related natter!)
COMBINE: “Suggestions”, and “Opinions” to simply “Suggestions and Opinions”
COMBINE/REMOVE: “Electric...”, “Acoustic...,” and “Slide...” guitar conferences. (In their place simply “SLIDE” and “NON-SLIDE”, or “SLIDERS”, and “FRETTERS” (whatever); most acoustic players have p’ups fitted or own electrics, anyway and share common interests.
There's a start...
bf