Do We Need a "Space" Section on CR4?

I started this discussion as a result of another thread I started earlier today. I asked a question about space suits. After I wrote it, I was a bit unsure where to post that question. I ended up putting it in Chemical & Material Science, because it had to do with the color of space suit material. In retrospect, that was probably not the ideal section to post that question.

I guess I could have put it in General. But it seems like we have several members who are experts in space related issues. And, I'm certain, many more that are particularly interested in those types of topics; myself included. I'd guess we might get a higher quality of answers to these types of questions if they could all be found in one place. There would be less chance of those who know about these things to miss the question, assuming they would frequent that section. General gets so many questions, so quickly... it's easy for a question to get lost there.

It could also be the place to post topics about science fiction, which seems to be an always popular subject.

Anyway... there's my reasoning. Just an idea.

Not a bad idea but only if we left aliens out. Enough of those wandering and posting in other sections. S.M.

hey! no bullying!

I think this highlights a bigger problem - namely, the whole way the "sections" are arranged.

Pretty much every thread I've started has ended up being dumped in "General", because it relates to at least two or three of the specialized sections.

I'm sure this also explains the multiple posts made by many new members (who didn't read the rules before posting).

This post should be in feedback

Either "Space" or "Aerospace" could make a reasonable section.

I've said this before. I don't think there's anything wrong with things now. Interested parties will find the threads that they crave.

Newcomers and those wanting us to do their work for them will continue to place their question/demand where ever is convenient for them anyway.

Admin will herd them into the closest appropriate section.

Anyone who bothers to read the FAQ's and rules will do fine.

Cheers.

Were you against adding the Automotive Section, not so long ago?

Yes

The Automotive section helped us become

Cr4 the place where Cavalier's go to die

of course no one asked what the members thought about the change

roflmao!

I don't think I was consulted.

I believe that relevant discussions will find a way to take place, even if they don't have their own section.

Saying that adding a section will attract more "experts" is a reach because there's always a blog for that special subject.

That's just my opinion. It should have no more, and no less, weight than your opinion.

I agree with you, and with the specific points made by 34.5.

I have noticed a few members who only come around on Thursday afternoons for the 'Caption This'. There are a few that only seem to come around at the first of the month for the 'Challenge Questions'. Regular members seem to know what they want to read and comment about, and the newer members don't really seem to have any idea about discipline specific sections.

I don't know about anybody else, but I read just about every question thread in every section.

^{"Cr4 the place where Cavalier's go to die" That is sort of funny!}

Well, he fussed. I figured it was the polite thing to do. I ran it thru the Light Compressor. It takes 25% less time that way.

I think you have to understand the reasons behind the sections and how CR4 works - well certainly before you lobby for changes.

For example:

More people own cars than space vehicles

Add in lawn mowers, bikes, trucks, customizers, a raft of new models every year and lemons, and there is a large group - justifying a section. Have it otherwise, they'd clutter up general, as in "way back then".

Space is of 'general interest' - so sectioning off, is actually non-productive to those without time to go crawling a myriad of sections, in the hope of an interesting discussion.

This understanding of where things are likely to be or should be, comes with experience of CR4, and mostly gained initially via skimming through such as the Daily Digest. But you can just as easily use the menu to right of page.

As mentioned above, you should have posted this in "Feedback" - as it is a question for Admin, not the 'general population'. This is because this is a GS owned site, not a 'democracy' - so if you want changes you must take it to them.

Perhaps one you might like to make is, a link to Feedback be added to the Sections menu?

So I hope you now see, confronting members on their opinions is churlish, petty, argumentative and pointless - particularly when you have demonstrated no idea of how anything works.

So trying to help with that aspect;

The Suit Question, clearly should be in "General" as it is not strictly limited to "material science".

But as the person who doesn't know that because they don't know where to find the answer, it would be plainly "illogical" to choose a specialty thread.

And as you have now discovered, it is also driven by the thinking of the day and the nature of the tasks.

This indeed why there is a General Section, as the answers are often not what you think they are.

Anyhow, I'm sure in time you will find your way around a little more easily; and more of the how and why of the way things work, will become clearer.

Personally, I never go trawling round the sections looking for things to read. I use the Daily Digest (which arrived in my Inbox around 0300 of the day after...I assume it's a time zone effect) and, if I have time, the home page.

If there's something in particular I'm looking for, I use the search function.

_{If I'm really bored, I pick a member and stalk them through their "recent posts"}

Did I say that out loud?

So, no, I don't think a space section is needed.

actuall it is a handicap... so others can get a word in, before you get your digest...

One topic would be Sending Astronauts to the Asteroid Belt.

chris

If we did space we could find out what it is exactly that Tornado is building on Mars or if that darn space car could ever catch its head lights, light.

I suppose 15 CR4 Sections sets a realistic limit to postings. There's a huge range of subjects covered in each section.

Now NASA's shuttle prog is over, there may be a surfit of space-tech engineers and scientists surfing the Engineering forums. I wonder if we might hear more from these folks?