I don’t know if the SDMB is still looking for ways to spread the bandwidth around, but in case they are…
How about a forum for advice? I see a lot of posts on GQ asking for help with computer errors, or plumbing, or stereos, or whatever, and I know that MPSIMS has a lot of stuff that could go in such a forum as well. Since they are the two heaviest loads, maybe this would lighten them a trifle.
Now a question to the Teeming Millions here: If the administration were to adopt this new forum, what cool name could they give it?
The idea’s been brought up before. My two cents worth hasn’t changed: GQ is for questions and does just fine, MPSIMS is probably a better environment for questions of a personal nature than a dedicated forum would likely be and I don’t think further fragmentation of the board is a good thing.
Well, poot. I’ve been looking and I can’t find the thread where we were talking about this. I did find Handy’s proposal for a computer advice forum, but not the other one.
IIRC, somebody had proposed we have a “personal advice only” forum, and somebody else proposed a sort of “Ask the Experts” forum, as a corollary (Ask the Expert what to do about your ex-husband who’s behind in his child support).
It was pointed out, first, that there might be legal problems with liability, and second, that such a forum might turn into a “weeper’s corner”, with every sad-sack on the Net logging on to cry on the Straight Dope’s shoulder. It was pointed out that there are already message boards for this; the SDMB is devoted to fighting ignorance, not personal relationship problem-solving.
And in regard to Handy’s proposal, it was pointed out that there are already computer tech MBs on the Web, which I thought was true but a bummer, as I would much rather ask Handy what’s wrong with my computer than some nameless geek.
And besides, you’d be so fragmented, you’d have to have so many forums, Home Repair, Computers, Pet Care, Cooking, etc. etc. And if you ask the Straight Dope plumber what to do about your toilet clog, and he turns out to be wrong and your toilet explodes…
The “Ask the Lawyer” Forum would probably be the biggest.
DDG, I do believe you underestimate our readership. I am willing to lay bets that the most traffic would be in the “Ask the Medieval French Literature Expert” forum. Only the best and the brightest visit the SDMB.