Off-Topic: Literature subforum

[sees_all1]

I wanted to make a thread asking for book suggestions, didn't know where to put it. Is there a place already ( :oops: ), and if not, why not?

[obfuscator]

There isn't a place, no. OT would probably be the best.

 

I don't think there's enough literature discussion to merit a subforum, to be honest.

[jimmy_jim]

At the moment, there doesn't seem to be a big need. There's a Literature thread in Off-Topic which is on 20 pages currently. You could ask there if you like, but I would have no problem if you started a new thread about it to ask for book suggestions.

 

If a lot of topics start popping up, then a sub-forum would be made for it, but at the moment, there doesn't seem to be much need ;)

[sees_all1]

That 20-page thread seems to get much more attention than the sub-forum dedicated to programming...

It also doesn't allow for dedicated discussion on a single subject. Anyhow, I'll try posting there first. Thanks.

[Serpent Eye]

A few of us did voice our concerns about this in this (really old!) topic here: http://forum.tip.it/topic/120162-books/

 

I still think it would be a good idea to have an individual subforum devoted to Literature discussion. This way we could create individual topics for books, authors, genre discussion, etc.

 

Rather than having a discussion about horror, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, young adult, etc., books thrown into one big discussion, I think it would be a lot simpler to just click on the "J. R. R. Tolkien" topic and be able to discuss that, rather than having to scroll through three pages of discussion about philosophy. Etc., etc.

[tripsis]

That 20-page thread seems to get much more attention than the sub-forum dedicated to programming...

It also doesn't allow for dedicated discussion on a single subject. Anyhow, I'll try posting there first. Thanks.

A very good point :P

 

The only reason a lot of topics aren't popping up (@ Jimmy) is that we do have that big, universal thread. Since the beginning of October (2 weeks) there have been nearly 5 new pages added to that thread. That's pretty good activity, I think.

 

I would be down for a literature subforum :)

 

Or, maybe we could work out some sort of merger with the Varrock Library. Honestly that forum isn't terribly active so maybe it could be for sharing personal literary works and for discussing literature in general.

[obfuscator]

I like Tripsis' second idea. Varrock library could be modified to be for original literature and literature discussion.

[Serpent Eye]

I haven't visited the Varrock Library very often, but I think it would be an appropriate place to add some sort of "Reading Room" subforum.

 

I think it's important that it be separated into its own subforum regardless of where it would get added, that way users wouldn't have to filter through what is original content/work from forum users versus published literary discussions.

[Alg]

I don't think there's enough literature discussion to merit a subforum, to be honest.

There might be if there wasn't just one thread for all reading and writing :razz:

[tripsis]

Just letting you guys know that the Administrators and Moderators are currently discussing this :)

[The Observer]

That 20-page thread seems to get much more attention than the sub-forum dedicated to programming...

It also doesn't allow for dedicated discussion on a single subject. Anyhow, I'll try posting there first. Thanks.

A very good point :P

 

The only reason a lot of topics aren't popping up (@ Jimmy) is that we do have that big, universal thread. Since the beginning of October (2 weeks) there have been nearly 5 new pages added to that thread. That's pretty good activity, I think.

 

I would be down for a literature subforum :)

 

Or, maybe we could work out some sort of merger with the Varrock Library. Honestly that forum isn't terribly active so maybe it could be for sharing personal literary works and for discussing literature in general.

 

I like this. :thumbup:

 

I wouldn't say a sub-forum is necessary unless it's something that receives a lot more activity. The Varrock Library itself doesn't receive a lot of activity considering that at the bottom of page 1 I see threads from early July which is why I think that it would be worthwhile to add discussions about literature and such as well. If you're worried about threads about original content being "bumped out" then well, as I said, there are posts from July on there on Page 1 which would mean that only the less active topics will be bumped out. To add onto that, this will also bring more people into the forum with interest in literature and works so those threads of original content will only prosper. :thumbup:

[Serpent Eye]

Just letting you guys know that the Administrators and Moderators are currently discussing this :)

Progress!

 

:thumbsup:

 

As someone who frequently posts in the current OT Literature thread, I am terribly excited. :P

[sees_all1]

Any mod/admin able to give an update on this?

[tripsis]

We are currently discussing a few forum changes right now. Our decision regarding this idea has been made (we will be merging literature discussions with the Varrock Library) but I'm hoping to reach a decision with one more forum change first so we can roll them all out at once :)

[tripsis]

You may now officially discuss literature in the Varrock Library! :thumbsup: I will move that Off-Topic thread to the Varrock Library but don't forget that you are welcome to create new threads to discuss literature, ask for book recommendations, etc. :)

[Jeffwilson99]

Varrock Library is kind of out of the way, and doesn't get much traffic. Won't the topic sort of be forgotten about there? It's so slowly moving that I never really visit.

[tripsis]

We are hoping that adding literature discussions to the forum will bring it some new life and activity :) I think we should see how things go for a while before talking about moving it.

[Jeffwilson99]

But...you've already moved it? The only people who will post there are the ones to know where to look for it now. :-s

[tripsis]

I meant moving it back - sorry :P Now that literature discussions are allowed in the Varrock Library, the topic simply doesn't belong in Off-Topic. It would be like having a big topic about music or sports in Off-Topic rather than their proper subforums.

 

I think the people who contributed to the thread will move to the Varrock Library along with it. It may lose traffic but if we keep it in Off-Topic it would kind of defeat the purpose of allowing literature discussions in Varrock Library.

 

Hope that makes sense :)

[Jeffwilson99]

Yeah I can see how it makes sense. I guess the main problem is that many people aren't interested enough to post on those sub-forums and threads....

[sees_all1]

Problem I see with the new change is that original creations will be bumped off the main page faster.

You might also need to make some stickies on things like book reviews, recommendations, or currently reading.

[tripsis]

Original works still go months back on the first page so I don't see it as an immediate problem :) We really only like to add stickies if there is an immediate need. I'd rather wait and see if the activity picks up a lot more before thinking about stickies.