Lessons/Lectures, etc. ->

That's what we plan to do eventually. What slightly stands in the way at the moment is the fact that the wiki and forum are not integrated with one another (you need a separate account for each), which is a tad farcical. Still, we could create a new wiki category for stuff like this, I suppose.

This lectures forum is a great idea. I think we should just do what aerlinndan said and try it out.

Agree with Nico - problems could arise similar to those in other fora.

And JohGalt - the lecturette or whatever would have to be authoritative but with a subject like composing any one 'authority' could be contested so it could end up a shambles except in well-established technical matters.

But, yes, no harm in trying it. If it ends in tatters it can be closed again.

Glad that QC's and others' guidelines/crash courses have been pinned conspicuously now.

Glad that QC's and others' guidelines/crash courses have been pinned conspicuously now.

I would really appreciate peoples' help in augmenting those...

if people have specific questions that need elaborating on, we should work together to integrate them into those guideline/crash courses.

I might not think of every detail when putting them together, or might presume something is simple when in fact it's complicated.

Count me in - i am willing to share my experience and knowledge for those who might be interested.

So what will we do?

I'm behind anyone who's actually going to do anything on this tack

same here

I personally think we should just give aerlinndans suggestion a try, see what happens

It's already happening in the "Advice and Techniques" forum. Is it possible to expand that?

I think this is getting way over-thunken. Simplicity is golden here. I think the following system is as detailed as we'll need for an idea like this.

1) Create a new board and select moderators who will act as "screeners" for new lessons.

2) Sticky a "requests" thread in the new board. Writers then have the option of picking topics from this thread, or simply giving a lesson on the topic of their choosing.

3) Writers create the lessons and submit them as new threads.

4) The board should have activated the option that requires all new threads to be moderator-approved. The moderators (screeners) screen each new lesson for accuracy, and allow it to be posted.

The end. I don't like this whole discussion of length of a lesson. Some lessons might take several pages to fully delineate (e.g., "What Makes A Good Harmonic Progression) whereas some could be given in a few paragraphs (e.g., "Techniques for Good Voice-Leading in Four-Part Diatonic Progressions"). Length, then, is a function of the topic at hand, which varies from lesson to lesson.

I say we all quit quibbling and try it out.

Let's do it!!!

would it be allowed to copy some of the composition based wikis from wiki.org to our wiki so we could add to them and stuff? I'f so I'd gladly help out in transferring them

Let's do it!!!

yeah!

I say why not give it a try in some way shape or form, if it doesn't work out you can always change it until you find something that works.

I'm not very experienced, but if theres someone who knows even slightly more than I do, theres something to be gained from it, just because some people may tune others out doesn't mean someone isn't being helped.

Being skeptical and wary of change gets people nowhere.

Pre-moderation has been mentioned. What would the posts be screened for?

Be sure enough moderator resource is available. They already work pretty hard. New recruits?

Please read my posts.. I believe ealier in this topic I proposed some ideas worthy of consideration.

I read all the posts...debate followed your original post including suggestions that implied moderation.

As I see it, however, the facility is already available in the Advice and Techniques forum. In fact, I thought that was the function of that forum now that people can have tutorial material pinned at it's head. If a contributor wished to have material pinned there, they'd have to contact the moderation team anyway.

Ok, too many pinnings will mean lots of scrolling so perhaps they could be collected into a folder/whatever.

Currently, people can ask for help there - depending on their question, the quality of material presented (e.g. a score) and how much help is actually needed, someone may feel fit to reply.

Would a new forum improve things? Possibly, but some kind of quality control would be necessary to arbitrate and ensure credibility. I've seen good and well-meaning bad advice even allowing for opinion which dominates composition guidance. I've also seen the rantings of tourettes cases so it might end up a debacle - worse, mislead or discourage people. You have to face it. One must weigh the functional value and benefits against the 'cost' and disbenefits.

I proposed more features than just simply pinned topics as you speak of. They wouldn't even have to be pinned in the new forum since there are no other topics, so in a sense they are pinned because they're in a different forum. Also, I wouldn't mind scrolling all day long, as long as I'm scrolling through good instruction and we have enough well educated members and moderators here to quickly glance at something and be able to tell if something is bad advice. If someone disagrees with a piece of advice, they can PM the user that posted the topic. So they wouldn't be allowed to disagree with the lesson inside of the topic. You would only be allowed to post questions pertaining to the lesson, i.e. the Q&A. I strongly believe the functional value completely outweighs the negative aspect.

how about we just try what CA is suggesting for a few weeks and see what happens? for starters we could move the ones relavent that are pinned elsewhere so we wouldn't be starting from complete scratch

Be patient, people. Something like this is more complicated than it seems. The moderating staff is working on this, we will update you all as it proceeds.

Further to that, we'll probably be integrating the forum with the wiki fairly shortly, which should open up a multitude of new opportunities.

Further to that, we'll probably be integrating the forum with the wiki fairly shortly, which should open up a multitude of new opportunities.

As in.. half a decade?

:D

:D

Nah, this is actually quite likely to be up and running by tomorrow, I'd say. Just a question of the other Mike forking out some cash to purchase the required software package.

Speaking of cash, that's actually one of the main reasons for the delay with the other project (social networking): it's going to cost a hell of a lot.

I thinks it a great idea!

All other things put aside, I've had trouble for months trying to find a quality source for learning composition online. There are other sites but their focus is either too limited, it lacks a forum, or they offer incorect information.

I believe that this idea is unique since it not only offers theory and tutorials, it also offers a community. Similar to what CA, and Nickthoven suggested.

In short I'm all in for it. I really hope that you continue this sub-forum.

moderater/reviewer approval required?