Peter - I re-read Vlad's reply a few times this morning, and I am convinced he either didn't understand me or he thought I was complaining about YOU Complaining. [SLG] ..

Now - I've had some time to 'think' about 'categories' and here's a concept -
Anyone can 'assign' a weighting or a 'relevance tag' to a POST or REPLY. here's a thingie -
poster - can assign
replyer - can assign
reader - can assign, reassign.
these assignings can happen anytime - when posting, replying, or reading.
So if a user replies back but KNOWS it isn't relevant to the *topic* then they can assign it themselves.
Similarly, a reader can assign a relevance tag on any message during the 'read'

Now the relevance tag might be
Relevant
Not Relevant
Somewhat Relevant

At least that would create 3 zones for computing a signal to noise ratio.
There could be more, of course...
more comments below.. mondo regards [Bill]

>William,
>
>As I read your reply, it's in essence positive and not what Vlad reads in it: ("Also, as William Sanders said, you did not said anything except complains"). Hope you agree.
Agree - and Vlad the Impaler misunderstood me - Was basically saying -
YUP - I AGREE - Now what should we do about it?
>With regard to your question: I'm not asking for yet another category that answers questions. I think that the current categories are excellent for that purpose. I'm asking for a category especcially for those who like fundamental discussions. I think that such a category can prevent, what you call, 'flame-wars' in the other categories. Also, in the other categories those who reply can include links to relevant fundamental discussions, thus further decreasing the chance that an answer is in fact wrong.
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Unfortunately - it is sink/swim currently. Current Categories are cool - no need to CHANGE THEM - and basically if you are replying in a current category then say - "OH BTW - did you see Bonnie's hairdo on Weds at Devcon "- which spouts another 200 replies with the SAME TOPIC NAME [as opposed to 'Did you see Bonnie's HairDo?] - then I view the misdirection as chaff.
>Your re-assign idea requires a moderator, I guess. Sounds okay to me. Maybe the originator of the thread can also be a moderator.
*---
possibly- but maybe not??? would it be possible to EDIT topic/subject when replying? that kinda was where I first started with this - but now more interested in 'relevance tag'
>
>
[snip]