Should moderators decide what category a topic/query belongs to?

[DanRathbun]

Continuing the discussion from 3D Warehouse stats out of whack:

(Creating as a new linked topic thread, in the Meta category, because this is the category where forum function is discussed.)

@franquin

Or, for that matter, regarding the suggestion I’d make that maybe a moderator should decide what category a new topic should belong to, as this is often not cut-and-dry.

I must move on average, 10 topic threads to their proper category each day. It is relatively easy with the Discourse forum engine, as all posts are basically in one database, and a category is really just a property setting, for which topic list to display the thread on.

In another topic here, How do I ask for Basic answers in these forums?, I explained:

@DanRathbun

dennisg:
Is there any way to get basic answers to simple questions?

Yes, please just post your questions in the appropriate category. One thread to a question, with a short concise topic title.

Post in the SketchUp category if you do not know what the categories are meant for. But, note that each category has a “About the category” pinned post by the staff explaining what the category is meant for.

Example, ie “How do I change Cline stipple ?” … and then restate the question in full, along with any mention of what you have already tried.

If you have a model and can post it, purge it of unused resources, (ModelInfo > Statistics > Purge Unused,) and attach it to your post with the upload button (7th from the left,… looks like a harddrive with an up arrow on top.)

.

---

So basically, you’ll eventually learn where to properly post, by using the Categories listing page, and reading each category’s “About” pinned topic that @jody created when he first opened the forum category.

But when you make a mistake, it’s easy for one of the forum sages, admins or moderators, to quickly move the topic thread to the correct category.

[sjdorst]

@DanRathbun

it’s easy for one of the forum sages, admins or moderators, to quickly move the topic thread to the correct category.

Actually, anyone who is a “Top Contributor” can change the topic of a thread - or even rewrite the title of the thread. It includes forum sages, admins, and moderators, but even more of us here have this authority!

[john_drivenupthewall]

@sjdorst

It includes forum sages

not always, it comes and goes…

@sjdorst

even more of us here have this authority!

that doesn’t mean you should…

I think too many things get moved without convincingly valid reasons…

john

[jimhami42]

My very first post was apparently made in the wrong category (don’t remember which). I was somewhat puzzled when I found it had been moved by this @tt_su character, but I also remember feeling like I had done something wrong in spite of researching what I thought was an appropriate category. Although ThomThom was gracious in offering to help, there was no explanation given as to why my post was moved and it made me feel like I had screwed up somehow (which I had, of course).

Personally, I think it’s okay (even preferred for clarity’s sake) to move stuff as long as the user is included in the explanation that would follow as a reply to the last entry.

[sjdorst]

@john_drivenupthewall

that doesn’t mean you should…

Which is why I rarely do it. And if I have any hesitation, I don’t. Although one recent hesitation caused me to start the new thread Forum Guidelines and Categorization Gray Area post earlier today!