Need a couple new sections for the forum

[Ben321]

First, we need a forum suggestion section, as this suggestion section appears to be about the blog part of the site, and no forum section appears to be for suggestions for the forum itself.

Second, we need a night vision section in the Products category of the forum. As it is right now, there's only a section for thermal imagers, but not for normal night vision (image intensifier) devices. I've already made a couple threads in the thermal imager section about image intensifier NV scopes, as it appears to be the best possible current section to post about that topic. Even so though, it's still off topic, and I don't want to end up getting banned from the forum for posting off topic. So I'm requesting a section for other night vision technologies (ones that don't depend on thermal imaging).

[RoGeorge]

- "Physics and Mathematics"
- "CNC and 3D Printing"
 

[BravoV]

Understandable if the poster is newly joined, say at relaxing level of post counts < 50, still, many regulars like with >100 post counts, few I spotted > 1000  , just love to pour every of their new created thread in "General Chat" area, even there are clearly related sections created for the topic they made. 

[tggzzz]

There is a standard problem with any classification scheme: where something could be put into more than one category, which should be used. Example: should repairing a 6 digit DVM be put in "repair", "metrology" or "test equipment"?

The more categories there are, the more times that becomes an issue, and the more times people double post or a topic has to be moved by the moderators.

Summary: more categories produce more problems, and they should only be introduced rarely and judiciously.

[BravoV]

There is a standard problem with any classification scheme: where something could be put into more than one category, which should be used. Example: should repairing a 6 digit DVM be put in "repair", "metrology" or "test equipment"?

Your example there is just unavoidable, imo, just leave it as is, as long its in "repair", "metrology" or "test equipments" .. but NOT in "general area" for sure. 

At your example, sometimes, say the thread creator is a total electronics noob, and struck by blind luck scoring a cheap 8.5 digits DMM  , and start asking a very-very basic and fundamental question about using a DMM, this sometimes can fall into "beginner" too, imo.

My suggestion is active regulars here also help mod teams, by reporting a "misplaced" thread, and suggesting to move to other more suitable section, I see this is the only way to keep clean & tidy.

[tggzzz]

There is a standard problem with any classification scheme: where something could be put into more than one category, which should be used. Example: should repairing a 6 digit DVM be put in "repair", "metrology" or "test equipment"?

Your example there is just unavoidable, imo, just leave it as is, as long its in "repair", "metrology" or "test equipments" .. but NOT in "general area" for sure. 

Yes, it is an absolutely inevitable problem. It occurs in libraries, and in my filing cabinet for important papers. For the latter, should I file the bank's letter "you were paid X interest last year" with bank statements or tax returns? The only point is that it won't (or shouldn't) be in with the insurance etc.

In other words, the best you can hope achieve is to specify where it isn't - which is your point above.

Memorably, R.V. Jones (author of the excellent Most Secret War and head of scientific intelligence in WW2) recounted that the best way he found of organising all the reports and info that came his way was to put it in large boxes with minimal sorting. So long as he could remember which box, he could find it again.

[GeorgeOfTheJungle]

The fastest way to kill a forum is to divide it into a thousand categories. But if it has to be done, I suggest a category "Everything" that shows every msg no matter the category it belongs to.

[T3sl4co1l]

I just use "show new posts".

Tim

[GeorgeOfTheJungle]

I just use "show new posts".

Where is that?

[RoGeorge]

upper left corner of each page, near your avatar
"Show unread posts since last visit.
Show new replies to your posts."

[tautech]

- "Physics and Mathematics"
- "CNC and 3D Printing"
 

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/3d-printer-yet/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/replacement-knobs-feet-and-fittings-for-test-equipment/

Maybe a simulation section? I think lots of us want to grow past LTSpice, and some might be eager to learn thermal/mechanical and electromagnetic simulation.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/circuit-simulation-(sticky)/

Both could just be sticky threads in the appropriate forum board so easy to find.

[Ben321]

I still think the general Night Vision category would be good to add, and we really need a Forum Suggestions category.

Currently, the section called "EEVblog Specific" carries the description "Chat relating to specific EEVblog episodes or content.", and its child-board called "suggestions" carries the description "Suggestions for future blogs.". There appears to be no place to suggest improvements to the forum itself, and I think that posting my suggestion where I did may count as a rules violation due to it being off topic. So we really need a section where we can post suggestions for the forum, where the admins will frequently read it, and who's entire purpose is to provide forum suggestions to the admins.

[Brumby]

I still think the general Night Vision category would be good to add,

I'm not sure I agree.  Both thermal and night vision are IR technologies, just different wavelength.

and we really need a Forum Suggestions category.

No, no, no ..... please no!

Currently, the section called "EEVblog Specific" carries the description "Chat relating to specific EEVblog episodes or content.", and its child-board called "suggestions" carries the description "Suggestions for future blogs.". There appears to be no place to suggest improvements to the forum itself, and I think that posting my suggestion where I did may count as a rules violation due to it being off topic. So we really need a section where we can post suggestions for the forum, where the admins will frequently read it, and who's entire purpose is to provide forum suggestions to the admins.

There is just not the need to try and polish the presentation of the Forum to conform to an "ideal" - because everyone's opinion on what is ideal varies enormously - and there will end up being an inordinate amount of effort expended in restructuring instead of supporting a functional environment.  Creating a corner of the forum with that precisely defined label is pointless - as the number of forum change suggestions is small as it is and that section would soon be forgotten.  Also, the number of posts that "pollute" the suggestions category are so small, it's not an issue.  It is just not worth getting precious about.


As others have said, over zealous categorisation is deadly.  There will be some ideas that will may fit in more than one category and when someone chooses one, others will argue it is better located in another.  This results in more discussion about an administrative distraction and not about the purpose of the forum.  The general approach I have observed here is that if a topic is in a category that has some semblance of relevance, it is left to roll.

Even with things as they are now, occasionally some threads are created in an inappropriate category.  Making the playing field even bigger is just silly.