About crossposting and the forum model

So, I've had an idea for yet another greatest thing since sliced bread, so let me explain (1) it; and (2) why it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

So, the idea is to not divide threads into forums as you know it.

Yes, I hear you saying "WHAT?" but please think about this for a minute. What purpose does the division of LQ into forums (such as Software, Networking, Security, ...) serve? The most fundamental purpose is to give the readers a brief idea of what the contents of some set of threads is (and of course, from the viewpoint of a poster, to make sure your thread gets read by people who are--hopefully--competent regarding your problem).

What (IMO) is wrong with the LQ forum topics is that some are orthogonal: what if I have a question about networking hardware--do I post in hardware or networking? What if I'm concerned about me being a newbie at programming networked games securely (which I've just begun doing in an enterprise context), do I post in newbie, programming, networking, games, security or enterprise? Okay, the last one is a strawman, but I hope I get the point across--some of the categorizations are independent of some other.

So, my idea is to form thread collections based on one or more topic flags set for that thread: that is, if I have a question about networking hardware, I can mark it as both "networking" and "hardware".

So, why is this good? Because some threads which I think can't get due exposure with the current only-one-topic model may get due exposure with multiple topics flags. I think it will greatly reduce the amount of double-posting: if a poster feels a thread is relevant in multiple groups, they simply select more than one forum--and if the moderators disagree, they can simply remove the (ir)relevant topic flag.

Of course, there's a potential for abuse: people may "overflag" their posts, but I think that's no worse than the potential for crossposting now--and as I said, moderators can simply deselect topics they think are irrelevant.

So... well, I'm just trying to put my idea out here for discussion. Feedback is very welcome.

I like the idea tho the reality might be different.. Perhaps it should be an alternative way to browse posts, "by tags", the flickr etc way.. But would love to see this implemented.

The negative side is more server strain from querying tags..

We have something in the pipeline that anyone interested in this topic should like quite a bit. No definite ETA, but it's on it's way

--jeremy

This would get my vote, and I'm a little excited to see what's in the pipeline.

Originally Posted by Artanicus The negative side is more server strain from querying tags..

Could indexing help this?

This should interest members who were looking for this feature.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=433096

--jeremy