What? Why? Who? It's The 'General Movie Query' Thread!

[Drax]

Originally Posted by Basileus

Can I ask for the need of this thread.

I can't see any need at all. When you break it down to brass tacks a forum like this has a function as a database, a resource that you'll query. Given the limitations of the forum functionality though it works best when there's more granularity of information, breaking it down to easily digestible chunks.
You're bang on the money with all your points, theoritically *any* question about movies could be bumped into this thread forcing us to wade through pages and pages of dross to get the answer we wanted.
It's sad but this is commonly found on boards where the mods have little idea how to manage information and one of the main functions of a board like this for fans of the genre is an info dump.

Originally Posted by Basileus

I can see why it is being done, - the board might be cluttered up with threads that die of with 1 or 2 replies. But to this I would say
a) if they can'r survive, they will quickly drop of the first page and move
down the board
b) while 9 out of 10 may go like this, it might stop an interesting thead
from growing.

Agreed 101%

[Lee Grice]

I'm sure one of the Mods will reply here themselves but as I understand it threads like this one were a solution to the situation where you'd get the same questions asked time and time again because the threads were getting flushed out the board.

I don't agree that these threads will stifle discussion* as the type of questions these threads are intended for are non-discussion friendly by design i.e. 'one question/one answer'. Questions about "Is such-and-such film any good?" would not be intended for this thread are they require multiple opinions and points of view.

And of course should any question sprout a discussion it's little trouble to transplant it into a separate thread of its own.

[umopapisdn]

And as for finding posts and answers the search function's pretty good, as long as you remember to tell it to display by post not by topic....

[Basileus]

Originally Posted by Lee Grice

I'm sure one of the Mods will reply here themselves but as I understand it threads like this one were a solution to the situation where you'd get the same questions asked time and time again because the threads were getting flushed out the board.

I don't agree that these threads will stifle discussion* as the type of questions these threads are intended for are non-discussion friendly by design i.e. 'one question/one answer'. Questions about "Is such-and-such film any good?" would not be intended for this thread are they require multiple opinions and points of view.

And of course should any question sprout a discussion it's little trouble to transplant it into a separate thread of its own.

If a thread has got stuff in it that would tend itself to be retained it can always be turned into a poll, then it won't be lost. I know stuff has been lost, but that is the general nature of message boards.

And so what if a discussion was had 6 or 7 months ago (or if this board lasts, 3 years ago). New people join all the time and they might want to offer their thoughts to a dicussion.

Saying to look in this thread will
a) mean that the discussion is set in stone an so any new thread on the
subject would tend to be locked
b) the person would be coming to a reheated discussion, referencing
posts eg 50 or 100 pages back
c) the thread will be a mismash of different questions and answers.

I also feel that if it is a quick question and then post an answer thread that will stifle discussion, because this will not be that sort of thread.

What we need is a guideline to use of this thread if it is to stay.

I propose this-

No Mods to lock a thread and point to this one.
However
a) if the person who starts the new Thread does get an answer
- they can add the question and whatever answer to this thread.
b) Anyone including Mods can also point out to the Thread starter
c) Anyone can add the question and answer to this Thread if the
Thread starter choses not to.

That way
a) if it is deemed that the information is important enough then it will be
retained
b) But it will not stifle discussion if the actual Thread lends itself to it.
c) This thread will be a question and answer thread.

Comments please. Have I missed anything ?

[Lee Grice]

Originally Posted by Basileus

(pardon my edit)
Comments please. Have I missed anything ?

Well how about this: If you want a wider discussion simply phrase your original post as such and not as a specific query?

So instead of, for example:
"Subject: Die Hard III query.
I watched DHIII last night - I remember a scene with a guy getting his hand cut off but it wasn't there. Are there cut/uncut versions out there?"

instead:
"Subject: Die Hard III discussion
I saw DHIII for the first time in ages last night. I liked ABC dislike XYZ -I reckon it's better/worse than I/II. What does anyone else think? Oh and another thing, I remember a scene with a guy getting his hand cut off but it wasn't there. Are there cut/uncut versions out there?"

[Drax]

Originally Posted by Lee Grice

Well how about this: If you want a wider discussion simply phrase your original post as such and not as a specific query?

So instead of, for example:
"Subject: Die Hard III query.
I watched DHIII last night - I remember a scene with a guy getting his hand cut off but it wasn't there. Are there cut/uncut versions out there?"

instead:
"Subject: Die Hard III discussion
I saw DHIII for the first time in ages last night. I liked ABC dislike XYZ -I reckon it's better/worse than I/II. What does anyone else think? Oh and another thing, I remember a scene with a guy getting his hand cut off but it wasn't there. Are there cut/uncut versions out there?"

The problem with that is that discussion and query are two entirely seperate things. The original query *was* specific to one particular aspect of *one* movie, so to be honest I'm struggling to see how anyone could've thought to lump it in with a generic movie question thread.

A generic thread like this covers pretty much 90% of the discussion in the movie forum, which kinda defeats the object of the exercise.

[Basileus]

Originally Posted by Lee Grice

Well how about this: If you want a wider discussion simply phrase your original post as such and not as a specific query?

So instead of, for example:
"Subject: Die Hard III query.
I watched DHIII last night - I remember a scene with a guy getting his hand cut off but it wasn't there. Are there cut/uncut versions out there?"

instead:
"Subject: Die Hard III discussion
I saw DHIII for the first time in ages last night. I liked ABC dislike XYZ -I reckon it's better/worse than I/II. What does anyone else think? Oh and another thing, I remember a scene with a guy getting his hand cut off but it wasn't there. Are there cut/uncut versions out there?"

Thats very arbitery.
a) No set rules
b) Threads locked at whim because someone decides it should be in here
c) stops answers to the answer of the thread - a simple question could
lead to a very good thread.

Or are you saying thats it poster beware. If you post a simple question - you get whacked.

Could make it a bit of an unfriendly board, especially for newcomers.

Not only are we saying - you should have been here for the discussion but post here and don't clutter up the board. And guess the rules on how you are allowed to post.

[Happy-Hangman]

No need to get into an argument, gentlemen.

As suggested earlier, I'll refrain from 'dumping' general queries into this thread. Fair point about having to wage through page after page to find a reply to a post. Simply trying to keep the forum uncluttered - we all learn from our mistakes, after all.

[Lee Grice]

Originally Posted by Drax

The problem with that is that discussion and query are two entirely seperate things. The original query *was* specific to one particular aspect of *one* movie, so to be honest I'm struggling to see how anyone could've thought to lump it in with a generic movie question thread.

Well - not wanting to put words into H-H's mouth - it was a specific question. Indeed, too specific. That's what these threads are for: straight forward Question/Answer. "Who played so-and-so?" "I remember a film in which such-and-such happens. Anyone remember the title?" basically threads like this are intended to fulfill the same function as the 'Ask the SFXperts' column.

A generic thread like this covers pretty much 90% of the discussion in the movie forum, which kinda defeats the object of the exercise.

No, as I understand it, threads like this are for subjects that don't fit into previously existing threads or don't warrant threads of their own. I suspect the confusion arises from the subject header: "Sticky: What was this film????? - The 'General Movie Query Thread!" Which asks for a specific type of query "What is this film I vaguely remember?" but the actual purpose of the thread is a far more expanded "general movie questions". I'd say a title edit is in order.

The equivalent thread in the Comic Board seems to operate without problems or confusion.

Anyway, I don't know why I'm debating the issue as I really don't give much of a toss either way to be honest!

[Happy-Hangman]

As I said in my last post, there's no need to argue about this.

I'd suggest that this thread be used, then, in the same manner as the thread Lee mentioned in the Comics Forum - to answer small, easily dealt with queries, identify film titles, etc...leaving the rest of the forum free for discussion.

If people don't want to use the thread, fine - if it lies idle for a while I, or one of the other Mods, will un-Sticky it, and it'll drift into the darker recesses of the Forum.