What do you guys think about combining the currently divergent JavaScript categories:
- JavaScript Programming
- Post/ Request a script
- DOM scripting
into just "JavaScript Programming?" The original idea for adding the separate categories was to better distinguish between programming and script request questions, though it seems many members- especially those new to the language- are having difficulty separating the two. Combining the categories will make it easier to view all JS questions at a glance, instead of going through 2 layers. The downside of this is obviously is the mingling of two different kind of questions.
Please share your thoughts on whether you think the current JavaScript category structure should continue on, or be combined.
Thanks,
__________________
- George
- JavaScript Kit- JavaScript tutorials and 400+ scripts!
- JavaScript Reference- JavaScript reference you can relate to.
I like how they are separated, but here is what I noticed:
Some crossposting between JS Programming and Request a JS forums.
Often times posts in either should be in the other.
DOM Scripting is the least popular, and I've moved more threads there than have been posted there.
I consider DOM Scripting and XML my pet forums though and would hate to see one of them merged, but I can see the reasoning behind it.
What we really need is a generic DHTML forum. And I think we need it badly.
Also, when are you getting around to promoting supermoderators? There have been a few occurrences where if you had promoted me earlier it would have made things easier.
I think combining the categories would be a good idea, concurring with the logic offered thus far toward the joining.
I think it would eliminate a lot of confusion and inadvertant cross-posting, making things a little easier for everyone. Also, it might reduce any potential hesitation to post by those who are not too familier with JavaScript that might exist now because of uncertainty about what category to post the question in.
I think the confusion created by joining the different types of questions will be minimal. The confusion that would be created might be able to be minimized further by an addition to the announcement or a FAQs / sticky thread giving a brief and simple overview distinguishing between the types of questions.
__________________
boxer_1
CodingForums Moderator
"How did a fool and his money get together in the first place?"
i'm also for combination of the 3. i think it would make things simpler in the long run. The downside that George mentions, of mingling the two separate sorts of questions, seems strange to me, as there aren't separate categories for the other forums (ie, no server-side post/request cgi).
i also don't see a need for a dhtml forum. dhtml is a combination of javascript and html, so the question will either be about javascript, or about html, and there are forums for both of those things. a forum just for dhtml would be superfluous.
I think that they should be combined, and Dynamic drive scripts placed either in a forum of its own (not a sub forum) or places as a subforum within a DHTML Forum..
Let me give you the perspective from someone who does not really know JavaScript, etc. Many of the users who come here for infrequent help are not always the most knowledgeable. And they do get easily confused -- especially when they're supposedly "learning" the language, etc. I even lose my place from time to time in the two JS forums...hitting the back button, etc. So, I would vote that you combine the two JS areas.
Now, the Dynamic Drive forum should also include general DHTML. Just lump it altogether. I don't see any great confusion with that.
As for DOM Scripting, very few posters really know what it is! As long as it doesn't say anything about JavaScript in the forum title, they'll leave it alone. So, leave it as is.
XML - another one that the newbies don't really know about. Again, the lack of "JavaScript" in the title means they'll skip right past it unless they truly need it. Leave it as is.
Generally speaking, I'm not a big fan of having the DOM, DynamicDrive, etc. forums as what appear to be sub-forums of the main JavaScript forum. If it's not big and bold, then many users will miss it. Let's face it, users just aren't the best at actually reading. They're looking for the quick fix, and don't pay attention to detail. I think the sub-forums should be "big and bold" just like all the other main forums here.
__________________ Gordo "In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
First, i feel having a js programming forum next to a couple of sublevels is confusing; rather have a javascript forum section with just a couple of sublevels.
Second, since choosing the correct forum often seems influenced by user experience, why not introduce a division based on this, something like entry level js questions, experienced js programming and expert script requests and DOM scripting? (Yes, i do realise that some people want to be regarded as experts when they really are not, but hey, what do you do?)
Thanks guys for the feedback so far. I'll most likely combine the JS forums later this week then. While ideally JavaScript should be divided in the existing manner, with the kind of traffic CF receives (lots of beginners), it makes sense to combine them for now. At the very least the "Post/Request a script" category will be gone. Still pondering on the DOM category. Regarding a new DHTML category, based on the old WA Forum, I think a similar kind of ambiguity/redundancy will plague it, so I'm not too keen on adding it right now.
And jkd's not delusional on the issue of super mods (sorry for the procrastination). Jkd, keep a close watch on your member status this week
__________________
- George
- JavaScript Kit- JavaScript tutorials and 400+ scripts!
- JavaScript Reference- JavaScript reference you can relate to.
I don't think the JS forums should be combined - they are BY FAR the most used forums, and combining them would have all the messages on one page - which creates a larger chance that messages will be missed in the pile...
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and would hate to see one of them merged, but I can see the reasoning behind it.
