Politics

In another thread

Is it just me, or is there anybody else out there who is sick and tired of this constant bitching about DM?

There is a seperate question as to whether this is the appropriate place to vent and bitch. It is a public forum, which therefore has dangers regarding libel (as I found out recently :shock: ), and it is also a place where people will go to try and find out what kind of organisation IFAS is...

With regard to what Chris just said. Put yourself in the position of an astro newbie coming to the IFAS board to see what sort of an organisation IFAS is. They see all of this political stuff. What do you think they might be thinking. Perhaps they might run a mile for fear of getting involved with all of this political stuff. If they do that and end up joing no astro club at all then the stated purpose of IFAS has been lost.

I propose a politics forum where these and other issues (eg the closure of Dunsink) can be discussed. This would allow people who are disinterested in politics (which would probably include most, if not all, astro newbies) to avoid these discussions.

Hmmm .... an interesting idea but I'm just not sure if it is a good idea or not.

I will run this by the other moderators and see what they think. I also invite all users to post up thier opinions here.

Bart B.,
IFAS webmaster.

Sounds like a good idea to me. Moderating it could be a challange but I think it's worth a try at least (perhaps a 30day trial???). It'll need a strict set of rules though. Also, any posts in any other section which suddenly turn into politics couid be moved here. Personally, the politics side of it doesn't interest me too much any more but, to be fair, it's an area which a good few people seem to find of interest.
However, instead of calling it a "politics" forum, perhaps call it an "off-topic" forum which would cover topics ranging from politics to computing to hill walking etc..

Clear skies,

Put yourself in the position of an astro newbie coming to the IFAS board to see what sort of an organisation IFAS is. They see all of this political stuff.

Have to agree...and if a moderated Politics forum limits this to one area of the site then maybe this is way to go.

That is the no. 1 reason why I think it's a good idea. I don't think having the politics of astronomy strewn across the site is a good way of attracting new members into the hobby. We need to confine it somewhat but without kicking people out just for discussing that kind of stuff. There should be a place for all here.
The challange of course is how to control it. Afterall, the webmaster is deemed legally responsible for everything we write - something we all need to remember.

All, I think it's a good idea to have a seperate 'Politics' forum on it's own, those interested in corresponding with each other (positively or negatively) can do so freely without the added disinterest from others.

Of course, careful monitoing will be needed, but what I propose is - Those interested in subscribing to this forum could make themselves available of a 'New Topic' notification via e-mail as per subscription, the rest of us disinterested parties would not even be aware of a new post to this forum because we are not subscribed.

Bart, can this be done?, this forum would need possibly a seperate logon and password to people wishing to contribute to this forum?, the rest of us can stay away :idea:

Just my couple of cents....
Keith.