02-20-2003, 11:57 AM
Hi,
In a threaded forum, one can follow the flow of ideas. When a complex topic is being discussed, it is often the case that a "sub-discussion" of part of the topic takes place. This is what forms a sub-thread. If one wants to see where the logic leading to the last post in the sub-thread came from, one needs but look at the threads back to the last branch point.
In a non-threaded forum, all the ideas are thrown into one sack. Half the time one cannot even tell what a post is in reply to. Even if there is a quote, unless one remembers all the posts in the thread and what was said in all, reviewing the chain of logic is nearly impossible.
Furthermore, threaded subjects are easier to "filter". One learns to avoid certain posters and their discussion or to follow that of others. Since the separate discussions are taking place on separate sub-threads, it becomes an easy matter to figure out what is and what isn't worth spending time on. The structure of the thread, again, mirrors the structure of the discussion. In non-threaded forums, one has to read nearly all the posts. Sure I can avoid the posts by BigIdiot. But unless I read all the replies, I don't know if a given reply is to BigIdiot or InterestingPoster. Given that this forum doesn't have a "View All" option, that makes it even harder to put up with unthreaded fora.
Threaded fora are more useful for deep discussions where branches in the thinking can and do take place. Non-threaded fora are more useful for "I think LotR ROXX" type threads. Even in threaded fora, simple topics tend to not generate sub-threads. So, in non-threaded fora, all ideas have to fit in a two-bit sack. In a threaded forum, ideas can be expressed in structures more natural to the expression of the ideas.
So much for that. I know that I, for one, do not like non-threaded forums. They usually have little intellectual appeal. Whether this is a result or a cause of the non-threaded structure, I don't know. Because of the history of the Lounge, I would give it a try for a while even if it were non threaded (or even in the bastardized state it is in). But, already, the question of "what is that in reply to?" has come up a few times. With incomplete ideas posted as unclear reply to some unknown post, the whole concept of rational discussion goes out the door. And when it does, I'll follow it.
--Pete
In a threaded forum, one can follow the flow of ideas. When a complex topic is being discussed, it is often the case that a "sub-discussion" of part of the topic takes place. This is what forms a sub-thread. If one wants to see where the logic leading to the last post in the sub-thread came from, one needs but look at the threads back to the last branch point.
In a non-threaded forum, all the ideas are thrown into one sack. Half the time one cannot even tell what a post is in reply to. Even if there is a quote, unless one remembers all the posts in the thread and what was said in all, reviewing the chain of logic is nearly impossible.
Furthermore, threaded subjects are easier to "filter". One learns to avoid certain posters and their discussion or to follow that of others. Since the separate discussions are taking place on separate sub-threads, it becomes an easy matter to figure out what is and what isn't worth spending time on. The structure of the thread, again, mirrors the structure of the discussion. In non-threaded forums, one has to read nearly all the posts. Sure I can avoid the posts by BigIdiot. But unless I read all the replies, I don't know if a given reply is to BigIdiot or InterestingPoster. Given that this forum doesn't have a "View All" option, that makes it even harder to put up with unthreaded fora.
Threaded fora are more useful for deep discussions where branches in the thinking can and do take place. Non-threaded fora are more useful for "I think LotR ROXX" type threads. Even in threaded fora, simple topics tend to not generate sub-threads. So, in non-threaded fora, all ideas have to fit in a two-bit sack. In a threaded forum, ideas can be expressed in structures more natural to the expression of the ideas.
So much for that. I know that I, for one, do not like non-threaded forums. They usually have little intellectual appeal. Whether this is a result or a cause of the non-threaded structure, I don't know. Because of the history of the Lounge, I would give it a try for a while even if it were non threaded (or even in the bastardized state it is in). But, already, the question of "what is that in reply to?" has come up a few times. With incomplete ideas posted as unclear reply to some unknown post, the whole concept of rational discussion goes out the door. And when it does, I'll follow it.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?