Look at the improved quality of the Space Policy section now. We even had 15 percent MORE views of that section (per page - long threads with 30 pages gain more views) compared to the FY12 rollout last year (not that it's a factor of the decision). That is in part due to the fact 90+ percent of people who come to this site only read the news pages or the forum threads. They are still visitors to this site and I have to consider them as much as people with a login on the forum.
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 02/15/2012 04:02 amLook at the improved quality of the Space Policy section now. We even had 15 percent MORE views of that section (per page - long threads with 30 pages gain more views) compared to the FY12 rollout last year (not that it's a factor of the decision). That is in part due to the fact 90+ percent of people who come to this site only read the news pages or the forum threads. They are still visitors to this site and I have to consider them as much as people with a login on the forum.Chris: As one of the "90+ percent"... thanks for keeping us in mind. That you care about those of us read-only types is what keeps NSF on my most frequently visited site list. Once in a while I look at other sites, and the foul language, character attacks and lack of civility reminds me of the excellent job done by your team that keeps me coming back.Wayne
Chris,I respect that it is your site, and I respect what you are trying to do. The results will probably show to you that you are correct. That said, as a non-L2 member I disagree with it. On reading the budget thread today I had 2 questions (which were not arm waving or derogatory) which I was unable to ask in the context of the thread. Since I dont feel my questions rise to the importance of their own dedicated thread elsewhere in the forum, I will have to hope that either they get asked by someone else or they are so unimportant that no one bothers to ask.Now, Im a nobody in relation to many of those here, and I as much as I love the site I cant justify to myself the cost of L2, so in the end my opinion doesnt matter. But I thought I would share it. But thank you for providing the site...despite this small limitation on my ability to participate I will continue to join in here and learn as much as I can. Even as non-L2, theres just no where else on the web to get the quality of info and discussion found here.Chris King
Quote from: chrisking0997 on 02/15/2012 04:35 pmChris,I respect that it is your site, and I respect what you are trying to do. The results will probably show to you that you are correct. That said, as a non-L2 member I disagree with it. On reading the budget thread today I had 2 questions (which were not arm waving or derogatory) which I was unable to ask in the context of the thread. Since I dont feel my questions rise to the importance of their own dedicated thread elsewhere in the forum, I will have to hope that either they get asked by someone else or they are so unimportant that no one bothers to ask.Now, Im a nobody in relation to many of those here, and I as much as I love the site I cant justify to myself the cost of L2, so in the end my opinion doesnt matter. But I thought I would share it. But thank you for providing the site...despite this small limitation on my ability to participate I will continue to join in here and learn as much as I can. Even as non-L2, theres just no where else on the web to get the quality of info and discussion found here.Chris KingTugging on the heart strings there Chris. Really nice post, but I can't just ignore the problem you note - as mentioned, I do care about providing to every single person who clicks on any part of this site. I will think of a way to find some solutions. Hmmm, how about this? An all-singing/all-dancing one-off thread, fully moderated, on the Q&A secton called "General Space Policy Q&A" where people like you can get those questions off (even quoting from the Space Policy section)? A single thread would be easy to control by way of potential food fights.
But then there is the polls, so how about make them single post only, with a sister thread for discussion for L2 members, might work?
Quote from: deltaV on 02/14/2012 03:18 amI can post in space policy (being L2) but not edit my posts there like I can elsewhere in the forum. Is this a technical oversight?Oh! Yep, we'll sort that out. Just an option that Mark needs to click somewhere.
I can post in space policy (being L2) but not edit my posts there like I can elsewhere in the forum. Is this a technical oversight?
Quote from: peter-b on 02/14/2012 11:11 amSo, as of today, the number of online forums where it's possible for me to discuss space policy issues with even semi-informed people has now gone from one to zero. :-(Are you joking ? Its the internet in 2012, you could have your own i-want-to-discuss-space-policy-with-semi-informed-people.blog.com or forum literally in 10 minutes. Your site, your rules.
So, as of today, the number of online forums where it's possible for me to discuss space policy issues with even semi-informed people has now gone from one to zero. :-(
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 02/14/2012 12:56 pmQuote from: deltaV on 02/14/2012 03:18 amI can post in space policy (being L2) but not edit my posts there like I can elsewhere in the forum. Is this a technical oversight?Oh! Yep, we'll sort that out. Just an option that Mark needs to click somewhere.It would also be nice to have the possibility to delete a post. That option is also not available in the space policy forum.
My only regret is that I haven't finished my long response/sum up of the Jeff Greason Space Settlement Strategy thread. But I guess the world will go on without it just fine, or I'll find a way to squeeze it in the budget or something.
I've seen the stuff that passes for space policy discussion on other sites now People just going on and on with things like "when the SLS is dead..."Yeah those aren't the type of people we want here.They aren't going to pay to troll this site because they know it's unwelcome.
Yeah those aren't the type of people we want here.