Sciencemadness Discussion Board - New sections - Powered by XMB 1.9.11 (Debug Mode)

New sections

Theoretic - 18-11-2003 at 08:46

I propose that two new sections should be made - one for organic chemistry and one for locked topics. Topics of the former either participate in overloading the general chemistry section or are scattered around the entire forum, while the latter just gets in the way and is a dead ballast. Don't know what's wrong with me, but I'm always annoyed when I see a locked topic.

Blind Angel - 18-11-2003 at 15:11

Agreed, totaly
maybe adding a section Homerwork Help too (this would cause less locked topic)

Theoretic - 16-1-2004 at 05:55

“PS2 So now there are two suggestions for New Forum Fields:
1. A section for all the closed threads
2. A section for asking basic chemistry questions.

I am in favour for both ”
“PS, A section for all closed threads- good idea, clean the place up”
Support is mounting!
An organic chemistry section, a homework help/basic questions section and a "locked topics" section! :cool:

raistlin - 16-1-2004 at 09:51

I agree. Locked topics are such a nuisance. Hehe, and homework help wouldnt be bad either... less flame wars will develop when members can ask their questions for school in a area intended for it...

I think all three new sections are a great idea

chemoleo - 16-1-2004 at 10:18

Maybe we should have a poll about this.
I personally would be very happy to see those additional three sections.
The main obstacle however, is probably the work it involves, i.e. changing the software and moving over all the relevant threads...
I will be happy to help out in any way if the work-load is preventing the mods from implementing this (unless they don't want those sections anyhow...)

vulture - 16-1-2004 at 11:02

I will be happy to help out in any way if the work-load is preventing the mods from implementing this

Somebody fishing for a mod position?

I guess certain locked threads could easily be deleted. A BFL analog section seems quite pointless to me, as people who post without searching usually don't spot it anyway.

guaguanco - 16-1-2004 at 11:08

I'd like to see a separate organic section.

chemoleo - 16-1-2004 at 11:26

tststs what a cynical world

nope I am not fishing. One can help out without expecting something in return. Unlike others I am not power hungry

Polverone - 16-1-2004 at 16:52

"General Chemistry" was originally intended to be a catch-all for organic, inorganic, or theoretical chemistry that didn't fit under one of the other headings. Would "Chemistry in General" have been a less confusing title? In any case, it does seem like it may be appropriate to open up new forums since the user makeup and use level of sciencemadness has changed quite a bit since it first began.

I'm not averse to having some sort of beginners and homework help section as long as it doesn't encourage a general lowering of standards.

I think we'd have a Junk Bin section rather than a Locked Posts section, since a few threads are eventually locked even though they aren't bad.

I think I may want to ditch Bioactive Materials. Its existence, as a section, seems to often lead to topics that are inappropriate for this board. I think it could safely be deleted and have its existing posts distributed among Miscellaneous, General Chemistry, and the proposed new Organic Chemistry areas.

For that matter, Electrochemistry (though it has spawned some very popular threads) doesn't get that much use and could probably have its posts assimilated into other sections.

I have an idea for a new specialty section - Fragrances and Flavors - since this has become an interest of mine over the past few months. But I don't think I'll start it (if I ever start it) until I have more background information and practical experience with such things.

One of the most vexing things about this site is how poor the forum's search engine is. It's much easier to use Google to search this site... and I may try to add a nice little form that would call the Google search on this site.

The_Davster - 16-1-2004 at 20:00

Quote:

Originally posted by Polverone
"General Chemistry" was originally intended to be a catch-all for organic, inorganic, or theoretical chemistry that didn't fit under one of the other headings. Would "Chemistry in General" have been a less confusing title? In any case, it does seem like it may be appropriate to open up new forums since the user makeup and use level of sciencemadness has changed quite a bit since it first began.

I'm not averse to having some sort of beginners and homework help section as long as it doesn't encourage a general lowering of standards.

I think we'd have a Junk Bin section rather than a Locked Posts section, since a few threads are eventually locked even though they aren't bad.

I think I may want to ditch Bioactive Materials. Its existence, as a section, seems to often lead to topics that are inappropriate for this board. I think it could safely be deleted and have its existing posts distributed among Miscellaneous, General Chemistry, and the proposed new Organic Chemistry areas.

For that matter, Electrochemistry (though it has spawned some very popular threads) doesn't get that much use and could probably have its posts assimilated into other sections.

I have an idea for a new specialty section - Fragrances and Flavors - since this has become an interest of mine over the past few months. But I don't think I'll start it (if I ever start it) until I have more background information and practical experience with such things.

One of the most vexing things about this site is how poor the forum's search engine is. It's much easier to use Google to search this site... and I may try to add a nice little form that would call the Google search on this site.

hmm, I would also be in favor of bioactive materials being ditched as I rarely even bother to read the new posts there. I have read most of the old threads in the other sections but not any old ones in bioactive. I agree that some of the threads formed there have been inappropriate by the rest of the board's standards--luckily most have been closed

The proposed "organic" section is good, but would the section "general chemistry" then be renamed "inorganic chemistry"?

However, please keep the electrochemistry section, It is a major branch of chemistry and I think it still deserves its own section.

just my $0.02

[Edited on 17-1-2004 by rogue chemist]

BromicAcid - 16-1-2004 at 20:21

I am also in favor of keeping the electrochemistry section. Specifically I point to the Sodium thread, it's huge! It would be much better if it were actually broken up, you know, one thread in general chemistry and one in electrochemistry because it keeps going both ways, then the threads would be more manageable. Sure, it didn't happen that way but electrochemistry is still a very useful section to have.

Saerynide - 17-1-2004 at 00:15

Keep the electrochemistry section!!

Don't fret.

Hermes_Trismegistus - 17-1-2004 at 01:21

There is no way that any rational person would consider killing the electrochemistry thread.

That thread is the carbon dioxide of this forum.

It has the fewest topics, owing to its specialised nature, however it has the highest post/topic ratio, it has the longest posts, the most posted diagrams and pictures, the fewest orphaned topics and if I may be so bold as to state an opinion, It endgenders the most lively arguments.

And that, my friends, is always indicative of good science, because where there is contention, there is the highest available energy for progress.

No. Gentlemen....there is no way the Electrochemistry thread is going anywhere soon.

froot - 19-1-2004 at 11:41

I'm rather intreeged (couldn't spell that!) by the idea about a section on 'fragrances and flavours'. There's a whole world of chemistry revolving around that, and gazillions of $. If we could break through the secret chemistry of cosmetics for example. My girlfriend tried to synthesise some cosmetics but the chemicals are so hard to come by and are sometimes codenamed by their makers.
Hey! it might even improve the male/female ratio on the board.

[Edited on 19-1-2004 by froot]

chemoleo - 19-1-2004 at 12:57

Great Stuff, Polverone!!!
All the New Sections, and everything already ordered

- I am impressed by the fast action!!! Cheers

Edit: So whats your decision on the Electrochemistry/B M. Sections?

[Edited on 19-1-2004 by chemoleo]

madscientist - 19-1-2004 at 14:04

Wouldn't "fragrances and flavors" fit under bioactive materials?

I think it's time for the forums to be grouped under categories. It looks a little disorganized now. There also should be an inorganic chemistry section.

I don't see much point in saving the shit threads that get locked and ignored anyway. If we're looking to clean up the board, just toss them out entirely.

I'd say more if my left index finger hadn't been crushed in the hinge of a heavy steel door (don't ask).

[Edited on 19-1-2004 by madscientist]

I am a fish - 19-1-2004 at 14:59

I think the new layout is generally good. However...

1. I think that having 11 forums without any subdivision is slightly confusing. Perhaps if the forums that aren't directly chemistry related ("Whimsy", "Forum Matters" and "Detritus"

, were listed under a seperate subheading, things would be slightly clearer.

2. I think the "Bioactive Materials" forum should be replaced by a "Biochemistry" forum. All the threads like "Preperation of Cyanides" and "Direct Esterification of Phosphoric Acid" should be moved to the relevant chemistry forums, leaving only topics that are exlusively relevant to living systems. As others have pointed out, the name change would also discourage kewls from asking about drugs and bioweapons

Chris

thanks for the feedback

Polverone - 19-1-2004 at 15:29

As you can see, this is still a bit of a work in progress. Much of the reorganization has already been done, though. Flavors and Fragrances will wait until I know more, as I've said, unless there are already people eager to contribute to such a section.

I know little about biochemistry. I don't think either of my two co-moderators are biochemically astute either. This makes it more difficult to guide the development of such a section. Is there a biochem-savvy member of good standing who could serve as the moderator of a biochemistry forum, if such a forum were created? You should be prepared to field questions about cell signalling, metabolic processes, DNA replication, etc. since those are the sorts of questions we may well attract if search engines pop up this site when "biochemistry" is searched for.

I think the Detritus section should remain because there's a few topics in there that started out well (and still contain useful information). It can also serve as an example of what not to do.

I like the idea of having Chemistry in General rather than adding yet another section for inorganic chemistry. I don't want the number of forums to balloon so greatly that posting every message in its proper place becomes a chore.

I'm leaving the Electrochemistry section for now.

[Edited on 1-19-2004 by Polverone]

Is it just me, or...?

blip - 19-1-2004 at 17:12

I have noticed that in all forums except Chemistry in General, Energetic Materials, Miscellaneous, and Forum Matters (don't know about Whimsy, never bothered) have everything turned off for posting, with somewhere at the left saying:
HTML is Off
Smilies are Off
BB Code is Off
[img] Code is Off
Is this going to be permanent?

Polverone - 19-1-2004 at 17:29

That wasn't deliberate.

late but,

Organikum - 19-1-2004 at 17:51

nevertheless, I would suggest to widen the topic of the "electrochemistry forum" to all technical more demanding ways of synthesizing compounds - technical in the sense of engineering.
- So furnaces (arc, tube and else)
- photochemical stuff
- etc and pipapo
might find a home there too.

I believe this would fit together well as it are the same people who like electrochemistry who like this shit too....
IMHO
is
under
stood

chemoleo - 19-1-2004 at 18:23

Cool

Reactions that can be only done with electric arcs, muffle furnaces, microwaves, or other types of radiation etc.
I got something to contribute there....anyone ever made calcium carbide that way (with an arc of course)?

Now you are jealous I hope!
But what that would mean is to simply rename the electrochemistry forum to something that would include all those terms...
I was trying to think of an appropriate title that would make this clear... but I can't think of one

- I guess that's the problem with this idea!

Polverone - 19-1-2004 at 19:38

Electrochemistry has changed to Technochemistry and it properly encompasses all of the above-mentioned things. Now to see how many real Mad Scientists (Mad Engineers?) there are on this forum.

Biochemistry has been created to replace the old Bioactive Materials forum, and chemoleo has been given the power to moderate it. The site didn't really need another general moderator, but I hope that chemoleo will be able to rule over the Biochemistry section with a firm, fair hand and dispense the wisdom of his education.

Does breaking the forums into groups improve the legibility of the site? Flavors and Fragrances will go under Special topics when/if it is added.

BromicAcid - 19-1-2004 at 20:05

I've kind of been following this thread but I actually wasn't expecting any results, god that threw me off to load this up just now! Looks good though, although sometimes I had a bit of trouble figuring out which heading to post under before, but now......

froot - 19-1-2004 at 22:52

Jeez! Everything's different now. I like it. I really like it. Congrats Chemoleo.

I am a fish - 20-1-2004 at 03:27

The forum is looking better all the time.

Another potential forum is 'Physical Chemistry'. This could hold threads such as 'Color of Ultrapure Water', 'Dry Ice as a Laser Medium', 'Solar Cells' and 'Conductivity of Distilled Water'.

In fact, such a forum could also be named 'Physics and Physical Chemistry', as there are quite a few threads that are essentially physics (for example, 'String Theory' and 'Perpetual Motion' ).

(Edited to remove a spurious smiley)

[Edited on 20-1-2004 by I am a fish]

yep

Organikum - 21-1-2004 at 08:07

thanks

I like it, chemoleo as forum mod is a good choice I believe and I am glad my idea to open the e-chem was accepted.

on we go!

vulture - 21-1-2004 at 12:06

Don't even think I'm gone Orgy...I'll be still here to bug you...

Nice work, Polverone!

Chemoleo: Welcome to the Death...errr...I mean...Mod Squad!

[Edited on 21-1-2004 by vulture]

But Vulture,

Organikum - 22-1-2004 at 00:25

I never, never thought that you could be gone!
Never!

As somebody has to moderate the new "Detritus" forum......

Theoretic - 20-10-2004 at 01:36

Couldn't find a more appropriate place to post this but...
Hold on to your pants! I'm going through the General Chemistry section and renewing old threads (somebody tell me if this is bad/flooding)!

[Edited on 20-10-2004 by Theoretic]

I am a fish - 20-10-2004 at 04:49

In my opinion, the renewing of old threads is not just permissible, but desirable. Much interesting and useful discussion has resulted from the resurrection of abandoned topics.

One exception to this, is if the old thread is particularly long, in which case a new post is preferable.

[Edited on 20-10-2004 by I am a fish]

The_Davster - 10-8-2006 at 20:24

Safety section? Could have uses so members inexperianced with a certain reaction, or simply new to home chemistry don't go accidently gassing themselves. These things are often covered thir respective threads, but a dedicated section would be good for discerning whether the stuff in msds are really dangers. Can't remember who, but someone commented a long time ago about how they like how the practical dangers are discused here, as literature is often sparse in regards to safety considerations.

12AX7 - 11-8-2006 at 13:30

Ah, cautionary tales of the consequences could also be included (ex. "mistakes" thread).

Tim