Is it time to consolidate the two GD forums?

[Skinner]

Many of you probably know that the General Discussion: Politics forum was started way back in late 2003 (under a different name) as a place to discuss the Democratic presidential primary. After the primaries were over, its purpose changed, and it played host to discussions about the presidential general election.

Since Election Day, this forum has remained open under its current name, but it has had no specific purpose. In effect, it's just a second General Discussion forum.

Since Election Day, we have frequently considered shutting down the GD: Politics forum, but each time we decided that as long as people want to use it, we should just leave it open. And to this day, many people use it.

So, we're curious what you all think. Should we keep two GD forums, or should we go back to having only one?

(If we do decide to go back to having only one GD forum, I think we'd probably just drop GD: Politics down into the Politics and Issues folder, and perhaps rename it GD2 or something like that. It would stay open to the people who wanted to use it. And if we ever needed it again -- like, for example, if we need a place to discuss the presidential primaries in 2007/2008 -- we could always bring the second GD forum back up.)

So, what do you think?

Note: I have posted this identical thread in the GD: Politics forum, here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1524856

[Dookus]

1. I'd vote no...

I like having a forum for general political discussions, and another for more election-related issues.

[LostinVA]

2. I Favor Consolidation

There seems to be a fair amount of "cross posting" in the two forums anyway.

[Bluebear]

3. Bluebear votes for consolidation

Unite us, O Great Skinner

[Az_lefty]

4. Might as well combine them....

you see the same type of subjects posted in both. Just be sure and keep the lounge "zoo" seperate.

[seabeyond]

5. too many rooms for me to go into

now i see another.
general
politics
fraud 2004
and now democratic party
combine combine, yes please

[prolesunited]

6. Another no vote

With the volume of traffic these days, it its very hard to keep a discussion going. Consolidating it would make it even worse. I think the division works well and we are quite accustomed to it.

[expatriot]

7. I vote no...

I think GD: Politics should be for current, domestic and foreign political issues while GD should be for larger cultural, philosophical, etc. issues. I think much of the problem is the slippery slope between GD: Politics, GD, and the Lounge.

I think the greater issue is to maintain a clearer line between GD and the Lounge. Between General Discussion and Social Discussion

[SharonRB]

8. I say keep them separate

The General Discussion forum has many non-political posts and it's nice to know to go there for just general stuff and to go to General Discussion: Politics for political stuff. I think it would get too large if we combined them.

[sweetheart]

9. yes.. too many forums

General Discussion was working fine before you split it, and i don't
even bother going to the other GD, as its just annoying, and i figure
anyone who wants a GD, can do it in GD.

Really, i wonder the wisdom of soo many forums... better fewer forums
and more filters... let people design "view" filters that can remove
say posts with profanity... that 1 forum might serve as several sub
forums for those who like that, and as 1 window DU portal for those
who hate having 10 browser instances all over the place.

My thinking, is when you post in GD, you can provide a pull down
menu of "subforum" or "group" where the poster can choose to give the
thread a sub-identity for people who want to filter down to specific
groups... yet for those of us who don't, we'll still be able to enjoy
the contributions of some people who stay on the outer planets.

[expatriot]

i agree there may be too many forums but....

Consolidating GD and GD: Politics is like forcing New York and Pennsylvania to consolidate because you think there are too many states while letting Vermont, Wyoming and Delaware to remain.

[sweetheart]

25. all things are politics

lest we forget. Whatever you want to call it, the main forum is the
place of the political weight, by the mere fact that most posters are
frequenting it. To separate "politics" in a separeate forum makes
that forum labelled "politics" but actually undermines its political
weight.

[hiley]

10. Together

sounds good to me.

[alittlelark]

11. Together.

[Walt Starr]

12. I like the idea of going back to a single GD

Especially if you could keep the GD2 from ahaving any new posts until such a time as it is needed.

[AnnInLa]

13. I vote yes

I always forget to check the politics forum...just here and LBN and state. Can always make a more specific one later.

[Stephanie]

14. I like the two forums

It makes it more amenable to post random stuff here - and it makes the Politics forum more focussed.

[anarchy1999]

18. Right now I lean towards Stephanie's postition, for whatever it's worth.

n/t

[immoderate]

15. I vote yes.

Either it's general or not. Having two restricted general discussion forums is oxy-moronic. Democratic politics and thought are our general reasons for being here.

--IMM

[DrWeird]

16. Yes.

It's like The Dark Crystal.

Tear down the wall.

[Kazak]

17. No vote...

GD: Politics IS fundamentally different from GD. And, I just like having both.

Maybe you should've made it a poll? Er...what do I know... :shrug:

[Fleurs du Mal]

19. Yes, one forum please.

The general tone of the threads in each is very similar anyhow.

[leftchick]

20. I prefer them separate...

It seems to be working much better this way. I am afraid traffic would become way too heavy on single GD forum. Before the election I remember GD running so fast through threads. Am I wrong?

[in_cog_ni_to]

21. I vote no.

The threads stay alive longer with the two separate forums. If you consolidate them I'll miss a lot of fast moving threads. I like it like this.

[goodhue]

22. Yes to consolidation

by dropping Politics down into Politics and Issues folder

[DoYouEverWonder]

23. I like both

However, I am a bit confused by the changes in the Election and voting issues forums. I wouldn't mind consolidating those into one forum but still separate from GD Politics.

And while I'm putting my 2 cents in, I wish you would unbury the 9-11 forum and at least list it by itself.

Thanks.

[Skinner]

81. You're a day behind.

Reading announcements is good.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=announcement&id=138

[donheld]

24. I'd vote no also

it's nice to have one General Discussion room free from politics. It's also nice to have a room where general politics can be discussed. it's sad but campaigning has become endless.

[Stop_the_War]

26. Consolidation!

I vote yes!

[DancingBear]

27. I'd vote for keeping them separate

Since GD Politics is pretty self explanatory, it is the first place I go to read politcially focused threads.

With this being the case, what then is the function of GD? Is it merely a "tamer" Lounge? If so, perhaps it is not needed. If, however, it's function is to be BOTH a political discussion forum AND a general discussion forum then it would crash under its own weight, due to the volume of people posting here. Threads would fly off page 1, and discussions could not attain the depth they currently enjoy.

I think the problem lies, as someone earlier stated, with the slippery slope between GD and the Lounge, as currently set up.

[Skinner]

82. There is actually a very strict separation between GD and the Lounge.

GD is for discussion of political/social/policy issues.

The Lounge is for non-political stuff.

[JanMichael]

28. yes. thanks.

[wicket]

29. yes. please consolidate

[charlyvi]

30. One would be better

Wouldn't have to keep flipping back and forth.

[Disturbed]

33. One.

Yes.

Might as well run a poll. See how it shakes out.

[cally]

31. I like the separation

Threads stay a bit longer. The traffic in the two forums is so fast that I think DU needs two. I also notice on big news days, one or the other forum fills up with the same topic. Often, the other forum has slower threads where other type issues can be discussed.

[DeepModem Mom]

32. IMO, if GD Politics is separate, it should be the place for political...

threads -- topics having to do with candidates, upcoming elections, strategy, party leadership, etc. Threads in GD on those topics should be moved. I kind of like having GD free of politics, leaving room to discuss issues such as Iraq, Social Security, environment, etc. -- plus lighter topics that pop up. But I don't have strong feelings, except about the confusion created by two forums with no clear distinction made between them.

[Lex]

34. Consolidate.

You and the Mods have enough to deal with. One GD forum is enough.

[Shopaholic]

35. NO

[katinmn]

36. Keep them separate. Political topics will get lost in GD

[ChairOne]

37. I dunno - what are the benefits and drawbacks d'ya figure?

I can see the following - what other significant consequences are there?

Benefit: Convenience of topicality - giving people one place for one topic - broadly construed.

Drawback: Less "front-page time" for topics, as they scroll more quickly due to higher posting volumes.

One thing that may be relevant would be to roughly predict the magnitude of the drawback. For example, what *are* the posting rates in GD and GD/P?

Are there any other significant effects to consolidation?

EDIT: Removed unintentional smiley. (Gotta learn those codes!)

[Shakespeare]

38. Yup. n/t

[AmerDem]

39. yes, consolidate

and have the mods be more enforcing of the rules so a given forum can become focused and on topic. Lately it seems many forums are a mess to navigate because they are loaded with garbage that just doesn't belong.

[Liberal In Texas]

40. Combine n/t

[merh]

41. I vote no.

Just my opinion.

[Cronus Protagonist]

42. YES consolidate

Make it easier on us please.




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[Zynx]

43. Consolidate

And liquidate some of the membership of the smaller thread to increase productivity.:evilgrin:

Seriously, it does not really serve a purpose at the moment.

[DebJ]

44. I vote yes. Difference between GD and Lounge?

[Miami Liberal]

45. Keep them separate please n/t

[stevedeshazer]

46. I like having two

Obviously political topics to GD: Politics, all the other stuff to a general GD forum. The division makes a lot of sense to me.

Politics 2006 will come to dominate the GD: Politics forum soom enough.

[loudsue]

47. GD is sometimes "Lounge Lite". I usually go to GD: Politics these days.

I say, let's keep them separate. GD can be for social/cultural/news items discussions, and where we can evaluate media articles, discoveries, and general research.

GD: Politics is good for issues that support our activism on POLITICAL issues. I rarely come over to GD these days.... too much heavy-duty political activism required right now to spend my time looking through a forum that discusses ...well, pretty much everything that is current events.

I think we'll be more effective as an "underground" if we keep more focus in the forum where we incite people to activism.... the activism about the election fraud can be carried out in the new Election forum. Other research/activism/discussion needs to go on in the GD: Politics forum.

<loudsue... now 2-cents short>

:kick::kick:

[karlrschneider]

48. I think we can do away with "The Department of Redundancy Department"

:D

So yeah, merge 'em. (You could do a poll if you've donated)

:evilgrin:

[newyawker99]

49. kick

:kick:

[Lisa]

50. consolidate ...

There's a lot of overlap anyway. It'd mean the threads would move faster, but we'd just have to be ready to keep bumping the most interesting ones.

[Piperay]

51. NO

I like having two forums, as someone else said that way the one can be more random and the one more focused. Also having just one GD would make it move too fast and some things would drop out of sight and end up lost.

[Mandate My Ass]

97. Agreed "NO" for that reason - they're very fast moving already

It would be impossible to keep up.

[Minstrel Boy]

52. No. I think they're distinct enough to keep them separate. n/t

[Domitan]

53. Please keep them separate

Both forums are extremely active. Merging them will just make it more likely for new posts to be bumped down to page 2, 3, 4....before readers have a chance to skim over them on the front page.

Now if one forum was moving like a snail in a snowstorm, then consolidation is a capital idea!

[JerseygirlCT]

54. I don't see a big difference in the two

so why not just have one?

[Taxloss]

55. Consolidate.

That's my vote cast. I rarely visit GD:P and feel that I miss out as a result; also, I think it would make GD easier ot understand and police. I see oly very subtles diffences between the rooms.

[ruggerson]

56. Keep them separate

Towards the end of the year, you will be able to turn the politics one into "General Discussion - Election 2006"

[Renew Deal]

57. Yes, consolidate.

The two forums are redundant as it is. People are posting everything in both forums. Also the two forums are moving a little slow. GD pace needs to come up. GD and the Lounge are what made this place special. When you moved political talk to another forum, people went to that forum. There are also too many forums in general. I advise consolidating as much as possible. Thanks for listening. :toast:

[WilliamPitt]

58. Nooooooooooooooo

The partisan, primary-style brawling in GD2004 is unique, and a good place to have. We need a forum like that for the people who can't stop savaging former candidates and fellow Democrats in general to be able to blow it out and brawl. Dean is up for the DNC chair, for one example, and the Dean Wars of last winter have returned with a vengeance. I like having a second forum where I don't have to wade through that stuf if I don't want to.

Separate but equal. Fight Club was a good idea when it was created. It still is.

[Renew Deal]

64. Isn't the Democratic Party forum good enough for this?

There are also the Campaign 2006 & 2008 forums. There are just way too many redundant forums.

[Duncan Grant]

59. I hope you won't consolidate them, Skinner.

Two forums offer me more opportunity to read and discuss a greater variety of topics. It's "DU University" with GD101-A and GD101-B; they're similar but by no means identical.

Consolidation will concentrate GD's front page so quickly that potentially great threads will disappear into nothingness. That's especially frustrating for the OP and a disincentive to post threads.

[bling bling]

60. This is making me laugh.

This thread is so cute. "no. yes. no. yes. no. yes. no. yes...."

So far it's close, I think "combine" is winning by 2 or 3 votes.

[ruggerson]

61. It's like Madeline Kahn going down the line of warriors

in The History of the World, picking palace guards by looking at their gherkins

[journalist3072]

62. Separate

I say keep them separate

[HamdenRice]

63. A completely different idea: GD: Iraq

It floors me that there are groups for gardening, non-denomination prayer and pets, but there is not a group for the human rights issue of our time and the greatest international political crisis since Vietnam: the hideous war in Iraq.

[Dark]

65. Yes.

[imax2268]

66. Id have to say

no...if it ain't broke...don't fix it...!

[RBHam]

67. I vote for consolidation...

aye

[G_j]

68. no n/t

[EST]

69. I like it as it is.

n/t

[bettyellen]

70. No please.....

[TahitiNut]

71. Yes.

[tokenlib]

72. No! Keep them separate!

As much as there are some cross threads--I think there is a difference between the two GD forums. If you go back to one GD--the topics will drop down and disappear too quickly..

GD Politics has more "horse race" topics in it--and helps to keep GD a bit more interesting.

[MADem]

73. I vote for whatever makes it EASIER

...for the board administration and the moderators. You do a wonderful job, and anything that makes life a bit easier for you should be the way to go...IMHO.

[FM Arouet666]

74. Redundant

I agree, the GD Politics is pretty much just a second general discussion forum. I wonder between the two, but generally stay in GD, with no discernable reason to choose one over the other.

[flygal]

75. combine

[JetCityLiberal]

76. My vote is no

They have both become completely separate forums for me since the primaries. Latest Breaking News is always my first 'click' at DU. I get my news from your site.

General Discussion: Politics is my second look on DU. It has grown it's own voice and qualities and mix of discussion that I am looking for and find important since the primaries and the election.

Hope you can keep it around.

All of the different forums here are being used often and by many, including me. It is a very good board. Thanks for the site.

JetCityLiberal

[Lisabtrucking]

77. one way to bring us all together, I favor. n/t

[ConsAreLiars]

78. Define the Politics forum more narrowly.

Right now, it is operating under the broader meaning of politics - just about everything - and so it overlaps with the General Discussion forum.

If the Politics forum were more tightly focused on discussions regarding elected officials and their actions, and what we can do, specific legislative or regulatory policy campaigns etc., the forum would be much more useful, and general discussion stuff would naturally migrate (or be moved) to the GD forum.

[Bucky]

79. Amen

There's other areas besides political ideas to be discussed. I once suggested to the mods that activism was the way to go. I still think as an online community we ought to do things that highlight the need to become more active in our offline communities. We as a party need to become better at raising a big stink in the streets, just like Sam Adams did in Boston in the 1700s. That's how you dump a monarch. That's what we oughta do.

[Cadence]

80. I vote no. I like them seperate because I know

in GD politics it's nothing but politics and in GD there is some variety.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

83. yay vote

[Freebird12004]

84. 2 is better

some topics aren't political

[itzamirakul]

85. I vote "Nay"

With one forum, too many topics would disappear into the netherworld.

[Dawgs]

86. Consolidate please...

Why should I visit two seperate forums when the content is basically the same?

[Tracer]

87. No.

n/t

[newyawker99]

88. kick

[La Lioness Priyanka]

89. since gd is supposed to be more political i say we should consolidate

[confuddled]

90. Consolidate > Synthesize > Unite

The site seems too fragmented/scattered and lacks focus as it is - just my opinion.

[jayfish]

91. Yes -NT-

Jay

[flpoljunkie]

92. Yes. One general discussion would be more efficient.

[The Revolution]

93. No

I think the two GD forums are good, it creates a nice pace for how quickly topics are pushed down.

[Catchawave]

94. The DU delegate from Virginia kindly passes....

I just love everything about DU, whatever the majority decides, I'll follow.

[Just Me]

95. Yes, please,...consolidate (but keep LoungeLite posts off GD). Thanks.n/t

[Renew Deal]

96. kick

:kick:

[underpants]

98. Nay! I think GD is good for not quite LBN and not Lounge stuff

GD politics serves a good purpose (yes they do overlap at times) too.

Also, if you combine the two things will get flushed away and not get the attention they might need resulting, perhaps, in lots of "kicked" threads for no reason.

[yardwork]

99. Consolidate them

Right now I can't figure out which one to use because there is so much overlap between their definitions and the types of threads in each.

When the next important national election comes around, we can resurrect the Election forum.