New system of categorizing posts - SEFP

[WR1]

I think its time now to categorize questions based on the difficulty level.

For example;

A toddler asking very basic question like what is mass source or time period, should be classified under lets say Easy or 0 or Beginner or Simple etc category. And as such specific moderators should be assigned to take care of that forum.

Then we can make other sections like moderate or difficult. Where one really need to relearn/review the question and think about the answer carefully.

I think all the internet is full of the same basic questions like time period, base shear etc. Isnt it the time to take SEFP a step ahead and not just another forum full of the same basic questions? How can we re-categorize the SEFP sections to give it a new feel, not just like concrete, steel, software issues etc. What do you think?

[Ayesha]

Your suggestion is good and new categories should be made. I think ranking questions interms of difficulty would be hard because a toddler will rank he questions that are hard for him. Do you have a proposal on how to make it happen (interms of forum split). Good suggestion.

[UmarMakhzumi]

Its a great suggestion and we can definitely create new categories or perhaps new forms sections as well.

Any suggestions ?? 

 

[WR1]

I invite other members to also shed some light. For example it could be something like this;

If a post is related to let's say wood design (and not to a specific software) we could ask the user to include tags such as "wood" in the question. I am opposed to making so many categories. That would create mess. We could control the sub categories by appropriate tags (strict policy to be imposed on users to input appropriate tags based on the materials /pre-defined sub-categories).

All users to be requested politely to contribute in the proper section. For example some one asking how to calculate the time period should directly go to BASIC FAQs section and search the thread, if not found then post the question. Or we could enforce new users to post only in the #4 section, unless we see that the user is not a university student but a more experienced one. So we, as moderator team, could grant him permissions to post in all the forum anywhere he/she likes.

This could be a bit more work for moderators but how many 'ACTIVE' users we have? Also this would keep the forum 'clean' and decluttered.

Don't you think each and every group on Linkedin and other places are full of one famous question about ETABS i.e. stiffness modifiers? Every new comer post the same question. And also don't you think following two questions should be in two different categories;

1. What is the purpose of stiffness modifiers in ETABS.

2. Although not required by ACI codes, how do you guys model the shear stiffness of shear walls? To reduce f12 or not?

etc.

Most of the times a design issue is always related to a specific software issue, such as no.1 . So the categories I have recommended are not the final words. Just a direction to start the discussion on the topic.

 

 

[UmarMakhzumi]

Thanks Rana.

Lets also hear what others have to say and then finalize.

 

[EngrUzair]

Here are my thoughts on the topic under discussion:-

1. The idea of re-categorizing the posts appears to be attractive. However, following points must be kept in mind in this connection:

a. IMHO qualitative ranking of questions will certainly be a challenge to deal with. Firstly, because unfortunately even engineering education in our country is not upto the desired standard (as compared to that in advanced countries). Our students do get very good grades during studies, but their level of understanding & practical knowledge regarding engineering matters is not that good. Accordingly, many engineering concepts that are basic internationally, are not that easy to understand for our young engineers. Secondly, a piece of knowledge, no matter how basic or simple, will be difficult for me, in case I have not read about that earlier or have not been exposed to somehow during my field practice. Similarly, any engineering knowledge, no matter how much advanced or complicated, will be a piece of cake for me, if I already have know or have exposure to it.

b. In case, we are determined to accept the challenge, than we will have to develop basic FAQ to a greater depth and to the most basic level, keeping in view general level of perception of our own engineers.

2. Assigning various forums to different moderators might not be beneficial for the forum or the members, as it might result in delayed replies to the queries, in case the concerned moderator is unable to see or reply the question, because of other commitments / unavoidable circumstances.

3. In addition, it would also a very good idea to add professional type sample Design Calculations in the forum (based on our own professional knowledge and experience) for various kind of civil engineering structures. This would certainly be helpful in developing professional sense in the engineering output of our young and fresh engineers.

In the end, the idea of ranking the questions, addition of new sub-forums & improving the quality level of forum is appreciated and supported.

Regards.

  

[UmarMakhzumi]

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.

Later in the summer, a new update for the forum will come out that will allow users to browse forum in a totally new way. The feature is called Fluid Flow and it would let users see topics only and filter topics based on interest. That update would technically incorporate Rana's comments. If you want to give it a try, go to

https://invisionpower.com/forums/

On this page, where it says "Start a New Topic" (Green Button), there are three boxes infront of it. Those are the new layout. You can try those layout by clicking the boxes. There is also a lot of new features coming with the update. I will brief you soon about them.

Thanks.