Since this issue seems to be a continuing controversy, let's try to settle it with a vote.

The way it is now: The forums are divided into 15 categories to make it easier for people to find and read the topics they are interested in without having to wade through ones they aren't interested in. Moderators, when they find a topic in the wrong category, move it to the appropriate place and leave a "shadow" topic in the original forum so people can still find it in the place it was moved from.

The other option: Have moderators never move topics posted in the wrong section, letting them remain where ever the topic originator put it, regardless of the subject and the section.

I placed my vote.
It may help to give longer category descriptions. Perhaps with a few example topics.
Sometimes, the topic can fit more than one category, or none, and ca be hard to decide where to place.
I know Radio Clubhouse is a catch-all, but I wonder if some people don't like a catch-all location, like they feel it simply must have a defined location.

Is is nice to have a vote but you left out the option to leave the post alone if it is close or could be considered by some to be in the correct forum.

If the post is clearly in the wrong forum then move it.

We had less hassles and confusion before the posts were being moved.

The way this vote is set up you are only giving one choice.

Dave

I personally have no problems with topics being moved. The shadow is really an inhancement to the probability of the post being read.
Sometimes I misplace posts because I'm not shure as to which direction they will go. Hard to tell sometimes.
A post can turn, so to speak, into something different.

My Subbing Along topic was moved because it seemed like a technical question. I had hoped to get an answer or two on the tech part, but was more interested in generateing conversation.

We all operate on our best judgement at the time. Let the moderateors moderate. I bet they use their best judgement at the time too.

I have no problems with them being moved, in fact, there are times when I'm grateful for it.

I have a bit of a problem trying to figure out which area a post should go into so it's easier if I just get as close as I can and if it's not right let the mods put it in the right place.

Like I said, I honestly don't know of any message board that doesn't do this, though I'm sure there's a needle in that haystack somewhere, but this practice is so much a part of what any message board is that I'm surprised that it has even come up at all.

I'm just glad that Allen leaves a stub in the original area once it's been moved to the new area. A lot of boards don't do that leaving you to hunt for it. And actually that stub helps, it cross posts the thread into TWO areas! Talk about maximum exposure!

Raven

I go with easyrider8 - if it's close, I'd say keep it, if it's way off topic, move it.

If I make a post about using steel wool on a cabinet and post it to test equipment, it SHOULD be moved. But if I have questions about the cabinet on my Columbia Oxford Graphophone and I post it in phonographs, I would think it should stay there, although some moderator would be likely to move it to the cabinets section.

Some posts may seem out of place but actually may be on-topic for that area, if I were a moderator that would be a consideration - look at it from the point of view of the poster, is it valid there or is it an error?

I don't have a problem with stuff being moved, within reason.

Well I really don't know what the big deal of a post being moved is. The shadow is just like it wasn't moved except the word MOVED is in front. So basically it can still be found in the same place and everything.

That's the way it works now. Moderators make a judgment call on moving a topic or not and always have the option of not moving something.

I think tube42 said it best.

I can't believe we are even having this conversation.

Actually Tex, I think you just said it best

Amen!

Raven

Amen to that!!
We are not perfect either, but, we already do try to think of where a post best works for all. I like Alan's system. It's a good one. We want every post to have it's best exposure where it works best. That is all we want.
Bill Cahill

Whatever method is picked is OK with me. The shadow makes anything moved easy to find, and besides, I read just about all the topics listed in the forum, so I'll find it wherever it's moved to anyway.

And, like a few others have said, I really find it hard to understand why we're even having this conversation.

Bob

As a moderator, I hate to have to move topics. But it seems like some people just post anything they want in the Antique Radio Discussions forum simply because it is first on the list. I think what upsets people the most when their topic is moved is that they feel embarrassed, violated, slammed or otherwise stigmatized for having mistakenly started a topic in the wrong section.

Yes, moderators make mistakes too. I've seen cases where a topic that clearly fit the original category (in my opinion) but was moved because another moderator interpeted the topic differently. I may have moved a topic that shouldn't have been moved. But I think these cases are rare.

Sometimes it's not easy for a member to choose a forum category. Often, the subject might fit into any one of several forums. But if a topic is moved, it is just our attempt at helping Alan with his housekeeping.

Dave

A lot of posts that should clearly be in the Electrical/Mechanical are often in the Antique Radios Discussion section (example: "what cap to use for..."). These get a better response in E/M, so things like this should be moved. Not everyone reads every section, so moving things to the appropriate area can help get a better conversation going.

Can I also toss in that using a precise subject line is very helpful?

Exactly! The forum is organised so that we can find subjects. Moving threads keeps it that way.



Oh yeah!! I gotta agree with this one. The posts in the classifieds that are titled "For Sale" or "Tuning Knob" and say nothing else in the title are frustrating. What's for sale? Is he selling or buying a tuning knob? ....

Y'all who are moaning about the moderators moving things and changing things should stop and think that maybe, just maybe if you'd think a bit, put threads in the correct forums, put posts in the correct threads, spell the words in your thread titles correctly and use complete descriptive titles where required .... maybe we wouldn't need as many moderators to clean up after you.

It's part of the tech's mindset to be organized. Nobody likes being diddled with, but I don't mind my post being moved by the powers that be, who are trying to keep order.

I third that...

Didn't vote as it isn't a choice...

Tom

I voted to have them moved, but I'll throw in my 2 cents. I think maybe there are too many forum groups. Is it really necessary to have 'Hints & Kinks" and "Electrical/Mechanical Restoration"? I also think there are instances where the topic can cross multiple groups, so it should be left where it was placed. For example, I asked about a radio fleamarket in one group and it was moved to another group and then someone "scolded" me for multiple postings!

Matt

As a moderator, the only subjects that I can remember moving are commercial ads which are moved to a problem section only visable to Alan and the moderators. In fact, I did just that this morning on one ad that I thought was commercial in nature.

Alan has added the forums over the past ten years as the requests came for them. He just did not create them to make it look like the ARF was more impressive to random observers. In fact, I would like to see one more added, and that is concerning all sorts and types of transmitters, whether a part 15 transmitter, or a Collins KW-1 or a broadcast transmitter. A lot of us are hams and have fun talking about various rigs.

Some forums, such as cabinet restoration and on line auctions, televisions, and old radio shows I do not visit, as my interests are not in those directions. But if a poster would simply think for a minute where he would most likely get the proper answers, he should be able to post in the correct forum.

I vote for moving subjects that are obviously in the wrong forum and leaving a note as to where it was moved to and why. If it is questionable, then let it slide for a while and see what the other moderators think.

Us moderators all hate that over******** term and hate to be accused of it. Some are more aggresive than others, but we all get along. The pay is not very good and all we are trying to do is to keep some sort of order in the house.
Curt