talkmagic.co.uk

Delude wrote:I think seperate sections would be better for people wanting to browse though, as a lot of peeps don't tend to use Ctrl + f

I agree with Delude. After all not everyone knows how to use Ctrl + f, or even what it does for that matter

Hm, I hadn't considered the extra work for the administration - especially the issue of posts already made. Perhaps here I should ask how viable of an option this is from their point of view?

This idea seems to have some merit based on the response - especially if discussed in the past.

One point of contention seems to be the 'download' categories. As in my original post I think the best way to break everything down is by medium of communication. Downloaded .pdfs would be classified as books. Downloaded videos would be multimedia.

Mandrake makes a valid point about sticking with three categories to refrain from similarities to ....um, other forums (in case anyone is eating or has just eaten) but I think three is the 'magic' number because it seems to sum everything up:

+ Books/pamphlets/periodicals/print sources/downloaded .pdfs or .docs
+ Multimedia/DVDs/VHS/Downloaded videos/movies
+ Tricks/gaffs/gimmicks/props/decks/supplies/kits

As for the body of a review, I think that would likely vary greatly depending on the subject of the review. Gimmick reviews, generally, can't have as much detail as book reviews. Books reviews might require ISBNs and availability status - whereas decks might not. A solution to this might be a list of potential sections to include, rather than a template (Effect, Cost, Difficulty, Review, Score, Availability, ISBN, Author, etc.) in a sticky post at the top of the forum.

- Tyler

If this is going to be done, I suggest the Hierarchy/Cat mod for phpBB boards.

Just curious... how likely is this to happen?

It's in progress but there's a lot of other work going on as well so please hang in there until we get chance to move further on this. In the meantime, prefixing new Reviews with Book, Trick, or Media will help to move and segregate them later on.

Many thanks for the reply.

That's great news! I understand the amount of work involved and was in no hurry, just curious if the idea, which seemed popular, was to be implemented.

Thanks again,
-Tyler

Three new Areas are now open and I've transferred a token Review into each one to start the ball rolling.

I like the new book review section, but it's a pity you can't group all the reviews of the same book in to one list.

I think we need a new template for book reviews which contain at least:

Book
Author
Genre
Description (short)
Cost
Blurb (from the back cover of the book)
Review
Summary
Rating

and then ...

Books you should have read before
Books you should read after

or something like that

Lead by example - the rest may follow!

IMHO i dont like this new reviews sections, book, dvds, etc... I just open "Reviews" and "Review request". iam maybe lazy but it is so much tabs/windows that must open,,,,, The thought is good, but in practic not good.

Thanks for your input, the changes certainly won't suit everyone but there were many requests so we felt we ought to give it a try.

I wasn't sure to start with but really like it now.

I really enjoy the changes, although, I may be a bit biased since I did start the thread.... but I think it really helps when you're "in the market" for something in particular. For example, right now I'm at a point where I'm trying to find exactly what types of magic I'm really interested in performing - books are of chief interest to me right now because of the amount of variety within a lot of titles - something DVDs don't really offer.

I also want to take this chance to compliment and thank the administrators. They do a great job here keeping everyone in line and listening to what the visitors want instead of just letting it run wild. This has to be one of the most 'functional' forums (people-wise) I visit.

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated!

Just FYI, we're gradually transferring some of the older reviews into the new areas as well, generally as and when someone picks up on them and posts a new message on that thread.

Marvell wrote:I like the new book review section, but it's a pity you can't group all the reviews of the same book in to one list.

Haven't we always kept reviews of one book in one thread? If you have a review of a book but one's already there, then simply post your review as the next post.

Or is that the old-fashioned way of doing things...?