Do we need a computer sub-forum?

[steve_earwig]

Roll up, roll up! Welcome to my first ever poll!

Yes, I know this is a car forum but at the moment all sorts of computer-related questions are going in one thread. I see we have people with varying levels of computer experience so I thought perhaps we could have one specific area for computer-related problems, software recommendations, that sort of thing.

And anyway, I'm reluctant to ask questions on proper computer forums because I think I'm going to make a complete tit out of myself

[DiscoPol]

I think thats a damn fine idea Wiggy.

[teamster1975]

It's a good idea in theory but would it encourage people to visit just to get their computers sorted?
I know we love going off topic here but in my opinion we don't want to dilute the forum too much.

[steve_earwig]

I'll take that as a NO then Yes, exactly what I thought - people just coming here for computer problems, not for their cars and diluting (good word) a car forum with other stuff: What's next, a sodding gardening sub-forum?

However, we already have a filter for people who come here with ulterior motives, we might actually attract people with answers and, hell, if it turns out to be a crock of dog doo we can always kill it and make better use of General Chat.

As for dilution, what percentage of the people on here have computer? How about an interest in gardening?

Btw I'm a bit confused as to what bit is called what on a form so by "sub-form" I mean just one bit like General Chat or Polls.

[DaiRees]

I think it's a good idea, there are quite a few bods on here with excellent computer skillz but I never think of asking here when I have problems, I just bang my head against the wall then eventually google it, call my friends to ask their opinions then give up! The PC in the living room hasn't worked since the beginning of August

I don't think we need to worry about people coming here just for computer advice, there are plenty of geeky forums out there but as a low to medium ability user I can rarely find answers to my specific questions, answers found are either too simplistic or way beyond me. It'd be good to be able to ask advice from this community I've grown to know and trust so much.

Since it's a democracy, lets let the poll run for a week or so then make a decision.

[benczuk]

Don't see how it could do too much harm, and I'd be happy to share my knowledge where I can. Can always make it a nin searchable / viewable group to the unregistered if you didn't want to dilute the main forums.

Ben

[Doggy]

I think it's a good idea. I've got some useful answers from people on here with e-mail, anit-virus questions and the like & there's even some prehistoric stuff I actually know about.......

[omega]

i am not sure
there are computer forums on the net for proplems.and if you do have a proplem why not post it in general its not that busy so the computer experts can help
do computer forums have 406 sections?
but i will go with the flow.

[OdinEidolon]

imho, no, but that wouldn0t hurt too much.
I don't think there's so many computer related threads to justify it.
Maybe it'd be better if there was a "general chat [car related]" section and a "general chat [car unrelated]" section.

[teamster1975]

Maybe it'd be better if there was a "general chat [car related]" section and a "general chat [car unrelated]" section.

That'd work quite well!
Anyway as Dai says it is a democracy so let's see what the general consensus is

The thing I hate about computer related topics is that they have generally turned into arguments in the past!

[steve_earwig]

No they don't

How about a politics sub-forum?

[teamster1975]

How about a politics sub-forum?

[python]Run away![/python]

[highlander]

How about a politics sub-forum?

Only if there's one about religion too...

* joins in with the Python-esque "Run away!" *

[mjb]

I don't think there's so many computer related threads to justify it.
Maybe it'd be better if there was a "general chat [car related]" section and a "general chat [car unrelated]" section.

Agreed and I like the idea of splitting general, but I'm not sure there's really enough going on there to justify it

[steve_earwig]

It seems like pc-related chat has kind of died away now. I thought this might be an idea to coax out those like me who were in need of help but too embarrassed to admit it but, taking on (mother)board all the above comments, I don't think it would be completely necessary. We just need to make better use of General Chat.

So if you have a computer-related issue please don't be afraid to ask. Don't jump on other threads, start a new one. Always remember that you can use search engines to look for problems because 99 times out of 100 someone has experienced your issue a long time ago & already found an answer.

And to those that might chuckle at other's ignorance - always remember that I have a nice big button with "ban" written on it