A Proposal

[Babar714]

I propose a new SDMB forum.

As I have posted previously, I work the graveyard shift at a hotel. I've noticed other members up late, seemingly looking for someone to talk to, and getting few takers (not that my thread was terribly interesting, obviously just a lonely sole looking for something to pass the time). If the SDMB would be kind enough to provide us nightcrawlers with a place to meet, say the Graveyard Forum, I think it would be quite appreciated by at least a few of us.

So waddaya slay? The Straight Dope Message Board Graveyard Forum- where creatures of the night get together and... chat online. Would anyone else be interested?

[Eutychus]

One major problem that I can see.

We're not a chat room.

[Babar714]

But is the SDMB not a place where people come to gether and ask/answer questions, share ideas, or just waste time?

I realize it's not a chat room. The graveyard forum would have threads like any other forum, about whatever. It's frustrating for us night owls to want to share or ask questions when no one else is awake. It would be nice to have a forum, or some sort of column or something, where I know there will be other nocturnal people looking to share the SDMB experience.

If there was a moderator who happened to be up, as it appears Eutychus is, would a new late-night forum be so difficult to throw together? (I realize forming a whole new forum is a lot to ask, but I still think it's a good idea.)

[Crusoe]

Wouldn't it basically be MPSIMS? And if so, why do we need a second MPSIMS forum? And which should those of us in different timezones be posting to when it's the late shift for us?

Sorry. I don't mean to be picky, but it sounds like a second copy of MPSIMS that would just add workload to the moderators, possibly tax the server and not actually offer anything new. If it's quiet during the night, why not stick to the forums we have?

[Crusoe]

Oops, I missed a line. If it's quiet at night, how would having another forum without any kind of post criteria help you answer questions? It wouldn't tell you who's currently online any more than the last post times in the other forums would.

[Babar714]

Okay. I guess just a threat in MPSIMS would suffice.

[jjimm]

A threat in MPSIMS??? "Watch yourself, or you'll end up in the Graveyard Forum". :eek:

BTW, Babar - due to overlapping timezones, there are usually non-US posters around during your wee hours.

[Babar714]

Okay, so it was a bad idea. I stand corrected. I guess I thought it would be cool to be the founder of a new forum.

You know, I learned something today...

[Mangetout]

I think there's probably a demand for a SD chat room (a 'proper' one, I know there's an unaffiliated one on IRC), but (among other reasons) given the Reader's policy on not encouraging illegal discussions, it would need to be moderated and this probably wouldn't be practical.

[dantheman]

Adding a forum's a lot of work, Babar. And it will undoubtedly drive up the traffic, meaning the board will be that much slower. And there aren't many "slow" times, since so many people are in different time zones.

Other than that... ;)

[Arnold Winkelried]

I am not won over by the business plan proposed in the Original Post of this thread. Maybe some colour charts and a graph with a plotted line heading towards the top of the page, indicating increasing levels of goodness, would help. (lines ascending are preferred, aren't they? or do you want descending curves? help me out here, I'm new to this whole management thing)

[Kat]

Ascending lines are preferred when discussing good things and descending curves are preferred when discussing baaaaaad things.

[Arnold Winkelried]

Well, one person's baaaaaad is another person's idea of a hell of a good time. ;)

[MsWhatsit]

If only there were a PowerPoint presentation, I feel we would all be sufficiently convinced.

If only...

[Mangetout]

I hope you will let me write up the speaker notes for it; I have a long list of confusing words I could utilise to extend the metaphor across all available synergies.

[Irishman]

Will you marry me?




What, somebody had to say it. ;)

[Quasimodem]

It's a noble idea, and this comes from another "Graveyarder". (I work the night shift at my hospital).

Why not meet in a chatroom somewhere? You're in charge of finding it and letting the rest of us know how to get there! :D

Quasi