Re: Regular topics


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Previous # Next ] [ Start New Thread ] [ TarBoard ]

Posted by Peter H on May 15, 2003 at 13:21:23 from 213.122.154.192 user Peter_H.

In Reply to: Regular topics posted by Duncan on May 15, 2003 at 10:39:28:

I think Andy Bolger’s idea is well worth looking at – a ‘Frequently Aired Topics’ site or, preferably, ‘Frequently Aired Views’, ie ‘FAV’ which sounds slightly more PC than ‘FAT’. However, as Tarboard Whiner-in-Chief, I see it as my duty to point out some problems. I take Duncan’s point that it would be impractical and undesirable to stifle every AR discussion by saying ‘Oh, that’s been discussed before’, and referring to a collection of old postings on another site. On the other hand, it does seem a pity that, for instance, the recent fascinating and detailed debate of Bob Blackett’s life and death is doomed to sink slowly out of sight into oblivion. Would it be useful if a precis of the these views were kept in FAV, under the heading ‘Bob Blackett’, so that if the matter arose again (which it is bound to), the precis could be referred to as a starting point for renewed debate? Far from stifling discussion, this could encourage it.

The proposal would need the agreement of the various webmasters. Could the ‘FAV’ site be annexed to the current FAQ site, or perhaps be a new stand-alone site on the AR main website? Any views, Dave Thewlis? Somebody will need to trawl through all interesting factual debates on AR topics to prepare a summary for this purpose – and yes, I am prepared to volunteer.

There is also a copyright involvement, as to reproduce postings verbatim on another site is a technical breach of copyright, but I think if a generalised summary of the various views were prepared this would be ‘reportage’ and not a copyright breach. Nevertheless, if anyone did not want their views to be incorporated into the FAV file, then their wish should be respected.

Finally, the big question – would the FAV site be consulted often enough to justify the bother of setting it up and updating it? Or should we just resign ourselves to the long-term cyclical nature of many Tarboard topics?



Follow Ups:



Post a Followup

Name:
Eel-Mail:

Existing subject (please edit appropriately) :

Comments:

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

post direct to TarBoard test post first

Before posting it is necessary to be a registered user.


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TarBoard ]

Courtesy of Environmental Science, Lancaster

space