Though I’ll be the first to admit this isn’t a new topic - and conceding the point I still get confused over the subtle differences between the MPSIMS & IMHO forums - I think an automatic solution might be helpful:
Write a script that automatically moves new MPSIMS threads that ask a question to IMHO.
Unless I’m completely confused, when I see… IMHO: “What’s your favorite …?” For frank exchanges of views on less-than-cosmic topics. This is also the place for polling.
and MPSIMS: For general discussion: from frivolous chatter to deep thoughts; from harmless diversions to life-changing announcements.
…I work on the assumption that threads which elicit a specific response to a specific question are in fact IMHO polls. The only exceptions to that rule are game threads.
Would modifying the message board software so that it assisted original posters in using the correct forum cause problems for people?
I of course don’t speak for the staff, but they’ve said in the past that they would rather not modify the board’s software since it can cause problems when upgrading.
There are some other things to consider:
How would this script have the judgement to know what should go in MPSIMS and what should go in IMHO, anyway? The line between a MPSIMS thread and an IMHO thread is not clear enough to automate placement. Just because the OP includes a question mark doesn’t necessarily mean it belongs in IMHO.
How could we call this script a Nazi or a jackbooted thug? I guess we could name it “NaziThreadMover.php” or something.
The following threads would probably all be MPSIMS:
“Who’s up for a new game?”
“What would be the least common causes of death for elephants?” (an actual example, and a recent Threadspotting)
“How YOU doin? Or, the official flirting thread”
“What an interesting day I had!”
“How not to answer a job interview question: A funny story”
“Where is the next Dopefest going to be?”
“When Threads Collide: Sequential thread titles”
“Why do I feel so silly today?”
Imagine the OPs of those threads meticulously posting those in the correct forum, only to find that the Board has automatically moved them elsewhere. Now imagine the IMHO moderators having to move them all back to MPSIMS where they belong. And now you would need some way to signal that script to NOT move them automatically back to IMHO again.
I may be wrong about this, but all non-game threads that ask a question belong in IMHO, threads in which someone shares something that then receives comments are suited for MPSIMS.
Without reading most of the 50 threads on page 1 in MPSIMS threads - a filter would have moved most of the poll threads by titles alone - my take (though I could be wrong) are as follows:
[ol][li]What Doper’s picture would you most like to see, but haven’t? ( 1 2 3 4 5 6 ) [/li]Filter catches as a poll => IMHO
[li]Why is it so embarrassing to be caught farting? [/li]Filter catches as a poll => IMHO
[li]Do I lurk, pay up or give up? ( 1 2 ) [/li]Filter catches as a poll => IMHO
[li]80’s music game. [/li]Music-Cafe Society, filter would’ve missed it
[li]Guess when you think Mt. St. Helen’s is going to blow and win fabulous prizes! [/li]Poll-like, filter would have missed it
[li]Ghosts In Other Cultures? [/li]Sounds like a GQ
[li]Where are you on the world Rich List? [/li]Filter catches as a poll => IMHO
[li]New show “How Clean Is Your House”: How do people live this way?!? ( 1 2 ) [/li]TV-Cafe Society, filter would’v missed it
[li]How do turkeys fly? [/li]Sounds like a GQ
[li]What’s the meaning of, or why did you choose, your Doper name? ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) [/li]Filter catches as a poll => IMHO
[li]What is it about my username that is so confusing? [/li]Filter catches as a poll => IMHO[/ol]