Consolidate Module Categories

[DCurrent]

Problem​

I've noticed occasional confusion about where OpenBOR module articles should go. At the moment, we have a Modules category, with In-Progress and Complete sub categories. The problem is this effectively makes three different places to post a module thread. I get a lot of requests to move threads, and there are often duplicate threads on the same module. Sometimes I even have trouble finding my own threads, much less someone else's.

Solution​

I propose to consolidate all existing categories into Modules. I will create a thread prefix selection for Complete, In-Progress, and possibly Ideas. These would work like the Solved prefix I've already added to several known solved threads in the Help area (see screenshot). The forum has built in filtering for prefixes, so it's easy to find the type of thread you are looking for (see screenshots). I will apply the appropriate prefix to all existing threads on consolidation.








Please respond to the poll. It locks in seven days, and I will go with the majority decision. In the event of a tie or no votes, I will proceed with consolidation.

Thanks,
DC

 

[Bloodbane]

Hmmmm.... is there a way for thread author to change module's status tag? Say a module has been using In-Progress for months then when it is complete, what should the author do to change the status tag?

 

[DCurrent]

Hmmmm.... is there a way for thread author to change module's status tag? Say a module has been using In-Progress for months then when it is complete, what should the author do to change the status tag?

Absolutely. It's right next to the thread title.



That's part of the reason I want to do this - it will allow you to switch status without needing to request a move.

DC

 

[Kratus]

I tested the prefix and it seems to be a good choice. I vote to consolidate.

 

[DCurrent]

Last day to vote on this.

DC

 

[Bloodbane]

If you do consolidate, does that mean every single thread from Complete section be tagged Complete ?

 

[DCurrent]

If you do consolidate, does that mean every single thread from Complete section be tagged Complete ?

At this point, consolidation is guaranteed, and yes, all items in Complete will get a Completed prefix. There are four possible choices, and they are all self explanatory:




I've been trying to go through all the categories and clean out the random off topic stuff that really belongs in General Discussion, and will continue to do so after the consolidation. In the case of In Progress, I'm going to mark anything that hasn't been posted on for two years or more Canceled, and the "idea" posts with no work done as Concept.

To ensure module projects are marked properly moving forward, it is now impossible to post a new module thread or change the title of an old one without selecting a prefix for it. I should emphasize prefixes are not permanent. The thread owner can change them at will, and they and don't have any affect other than being a search and filter aid.

DC

 

[DCurrent]

Consolidation complete. All module project threads are in Modules, marked with a prefix. In Progress and Complete categories removed. I also tried to clean out all the off topic stuff or tertiary questions ("Where can I find X mod?") into other areas as appropriate.

DC

 

[danno]

I'll continue moving the "check this out, where can I find" to general and ask, unless someone's actively working on a module theres no point them being in those new sections.

 

[DCurrent]

Thanks @danno. Some of those "I found this awesome mod!!!!" threads could be made into real module discussions by uploading the item and associating the thread, assuming the link is valid. Most of them are shovelware BOR clones, but some people like them anyway and we may as well preserve the history.

DC

 

[Miru]

Will the consolidation also be done with the MUGEN projects, like Classic VS?

 

[DCurrent]

Will the consolidation also be done with the MUGEN projects, like Classic VS?

Uhm... what are you talking about? The Mugen modules area has no sub categories to consolidate.

 

[Miru]

Uhm... what are you talking about? The Mugen modules area has no sub categories to consolidate.

As in putting the "Complete", "In-Progress", "Cancelled", and "Idea" labels on the modules.

 

[danno]

It is done, I'll spend the next couple days adding some new mods and linking them to their discussions for the sake of preservation.

Edit. Oh I forgot, there's a couple tech demo's in there, not sure what to do with them exactly. Maybe a tech demo section, bloodbanes made quite a few tech demos over the years, I'd like to see them all together happy and consolidated

 

[DCurrent]

It is done, I'll spend the next couple days adding some new mods and linking them to their discussions for the sake of preservation.

Edit. Oh I forgot, there's a couple tech demo's in there, not sure what to do with them exactly. Maybe a tech demo section, bloodbanes made quite a few tech demos over the years, I'd like to see them all together happy and consolidated

IIRC I had one or two of those as well. I'm thinking maybe a prefix for them is best. I just don't want to call it "demo", cause that will cause confisuion and everyone will just label their WIP demo.

As in putting the "Complete", "In-Progress", "Cancelled", and "Idea" labels on the modules.

I see what you mean, and actualy that's already done for the most part. The Mugen Modules category has the same prefix requirements as the OpenBOR Modules category does. I also went back a few days ago and retro actively set prefixes on some items. The rest I'll have to get to in time - OpenBOR Moudles Category was the priority until we finished it.

DC

 

[maxman]

The projects that are on hold, are considered to be labelled as cancelled? OK. So two years or more without progress, cancelled, right?

 

[danno]

tech exhibit prefix maybe,

@maxman If no new updates in 2 years they'll be considered cancelled, thread owners can change that at anytime, labels are not permanent.

 

[DCurrent]

Yes, I'm considering any project with two years of OP inactivity canceled. Going forward, it's one year. I think that's more than fair. Like @danno and I both mentioned earlier, it's a label for search and filtering, not a punishment. The OP can change thread status whenever they resume activity.

DC

 

[DCurrent]

Just added an Exhibition status. I went though and found three tech demos and marked them. Two are mine and probably need re-uploading, but that's another issue. Now we have a way to handle those oddball concept exhibition projects.

DC