Book Sub-Board/Forum Proposal

[Charliedog012012]

It seems to me that we are heading for an overwhelming 'in favour'!

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Charliedog012012

It seems to me that we are heading for an overwhelming 'in favour'!

Booxit or Tremain!

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by Jelly Terror

Any thoughts or comments from the mods, on this?

JT

Or just start one and see what happens?

Rgds, Thomas.

[Chipper]

I think its a solid idea. I am always on the lookout for new titles to read. I do agree there should be a loose word limit, as it is all too easy to write a tome about a great book, but I think a short critique is a better way to go.

Cheers, Tim

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Charliedog012012

Would it be useful to limit the length of a post on book reviews? When we had reviews of books under the 'Off Topic' section some time ago, it became self defeating because the reviews became longer and longer and it was even suggested that some of the reviews had been simply 'lifted' from other sources.
A limit on the length of the review might focus minds somewhat (and I should know....I can waffle for England!)

Originally Posted by Chipper

I think its a solid idea. I am always on the lookout for new titles to read. I do agree there should be a loose word limit, as it is all too easy to write a tome about a great book, but I think a short critique is a better way to go.

Cheers, Tim

Hello Tim,

How might such a limit be implemented? I suppose it would depend upon what proportion of a books sub-board contained reviews. I take James' point regarding posts occasionally verging on the homeric in the past, but this for me begs the question: how long is too long?

Interesting to note (at time of writing) that of the 396 views this thread has attracted, only 30 people so far have actually voted. Perhaps this is more telling than the poll percentage results themselves?

[magpie]

Unfortunately it doesn't surprise me that the response is poor as there's only 24 members of nearly 10,000 online at the moment and 155 guest's, I think it a shame that those who do look at a thread like this can't be bothered to just click yes or no.
Perhaps as a side comment the non active members should be deleted if for no other reason to free up user names that some my like to use and of course give a realistic membership figure, also give a few more privileges to those who are actively contributing to the forum as an incentive an improve it as a whole.
Just a thought

[Chipper]

Yep, I guess it is a difficult question and difficult to police without being overbearing. Maybe a guideline as to a maximum suggested length, rather than a rule?

Originally Posted by Jelly Terror

Hello Tim,

How might such a limit be implemented? I suppose it would depend upon what proportion of a books sub-board contained reviews. I take James' point regarding posts occasionally verging on the homeric in the past, but this for me begs the question: how long is too long?

Interesting to note (at time of writing) that of the 396 views this thread has attracted, only 30 people so far have actually voted. Perhaps this is more telling than the poll percentage results themselves?

[Mike]

Perhaps as a side comment the non active members should be deleted if for no other reason to free up user names

I did embark on culling '0' post members some years ago. I was always nervous as it's a dangerous game - fear of deleting everyone with over 1000 posts (or something) as apposed to 0 posts by mistake. Click the button and cross your fingers. Stuff of nightmares. One check box with the wrong setting and we're all gone!....alternative is to pull them up one by one....

[Rob Miller]

Originally Posted by magpie

Unfortunately it doesn't surprise me that the response is poor as there's only 24 members of nearly 10,000 online at the moment and 155 guest's, I think it a shame that those who do look at a thread like this can't be bothered to just click yes or no.

I haven't voted, not because I "Cant be bothered" but because I honestly don't know if its a good idea or not, each forum, British, Canadian, Australian and South African has a "general topics" section plus there are several sections in "Everything else" where members could put book reviews.

If you keep adding more and more non badge related sections what will this forum turn into, Facebook?

Rob

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Rob Miller

I haven't voted, not because I "Cant be bothered" but because I honestly don't know if its a good idea or not, each forum, British, Canadian, Australian and South African has a "general topics" section plus there are several sections in "Everything else" where members could put book reviews.
If you keep adding more and more non badge related sections what will this forum turn into, Facebook?

Rob

A good point, Rob... this is the reason I thought it might be an idea to get a slant on how others felt on the matter, so I'm pleased you have been kind enough to join in with this. Mods & tech issues notwithstanding, if most people felt it not worthwhile, then so be it.

I like the books forums on other military sites, such as the GWF and the VWF, which is why I thought perhaps the BCMBF could enjoy the same if it proved a popular enough proposal.

Cheers.

[Cribyn]

Originally Posted by Jelly Terror

We've heard a few points from the 'for' camp... would anyone not in favour care to share their thoughts? (Disinclined to use the term 'nay-sayer', as it conveys a slight air of derogation).

Hello JT

I'm not actually not in favour (if you see what I mean!) but I do wonder where it might all end.

I well recall the 'movie review' threads mentioned in a previous post, some of which went on and on and on, simply lifting pages of information straight from the likes of Wikipedia. I don't see any need for that sort of review in this Forum.

On the other hand a short, precise summary of a book of "British & Commonwealth Military Badge" interest would be welcome - this especially applies in respect of new ones as some specialist books don't seem to be all that well advertised. This would enable anyone interested to do a little research themselves if they want to find out more about a particular book.

The problem is I don't know how you will be able to control the length of any review or the subject matter to avoid ending up with massively long reviews of just any old 'war' book.

Regards
Roger

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Cribyn

Hello JT

I'm not actually not in favour (if you see what I mean!) but I do wonder where it might all end.

I well recall the 'movie review' threads mentioned in a previous post, some of which went on and on and on, simply lifting pages of information straight from the likes of Wikipedia. I don't see any need for that sort of review in this Forum.

On the other hand a short, precise summary of a book of "British & Commonwealth Military Badge" interest would be welcome - this especially applies in respect of new ones as some specialist books don't seem to be all that well advertised. This would enable anyone interested to do a little research themselves if they want to find out more about a particular book.

The problem is I don't know how you will be able to control the length of any review or the subject matter to avoid ending up with massively long reviews of just any old 'war' book.

Regards
Roger

Hello Roger,

Completely agree; nobody wants to be blanket-bombed with pages of numbing text swiped from other sites.

[magpie]

If it brings more enjoyment to those who want to look it on the forum and Mike doesn't mind doing it then why not give it a go as at the end of the day nobody's going to make you look or contribute to it.

[Cribyn]

Hi again

Just a thought, but when you send a message on ebay, for instance, you are usually limited to a number of characters and cannot exceed the set amount.

I wonder if it would be possible to do the same within a book sub-board on this Forum. It would certainly help concentrate the mind on just giving the relevant details in the fewest words!

Roger

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Cribyn

Hi again

Just a thought, but when you send a message on ebay, for instance, you are usually limited to a number of characters and cannot exceed the set amount.

I wonder if it would be possible to do the same within a book sub-board on this Forum. It would certainly help concentrate the mind on just giving the relevant details in the fewest words!

Roger

I agree that there is an argument for not wanting stultifyingly protracted posts, but cut off the oxygen too much and the whole thing would die on its proverbial before it even got started!