To all of you Astronomy & Space regulars out there.....?
Is there any sort of forums site that you like to hang out on relating to this same topic, but free from all the 2012/Apollo Hoax/Are there really aliens/etc. clutter?
I really enjoy reading a lot of your responses, and learn as much as I pass out, and would like to be able to talk to some folks in more 2-way fashion.
If there's not one, and I created one, would you like to join it?
2008-01-24T21:59:16Z
Not looking to leave YQ&A - just find somewhere that a good number of you hang out that can have 2-way discussions.
2008-01-25T10:09:01Z
Larry: I definitely know how much work it is - I ran a forums site for my World of Warcraft guild for a while. I took it down once the guild broke up, but it's definitely a chore. I was just going to reset the database and choose a spacey skin for it. But that's why I was looking for an established hangout. ;) TY.
Bobby2008-01-24T22:38:29Z
Favorite Answer
I most whole- heartedly concur!... It seems I've been asking questions along this line for a couple of weeks now... It's funny, the Y!A people never pick up on threads like this, but DON'T YOU DARE GET CAUGHT CHATTING!!! I've lost more points over the last few weeks searching for answers much along the same line as your query... Yes, I'd go with you, as a matter of fact, I'm working on a project much the same as your idea... Look me up through my Profile Page... We should talk! Peace, Bobby
There are already some very good astronomy-related forums. Cloudynights is just one of them.
I've seen this happen more than once. Once-useful forum gets polluted with junk, inner circle leave in disgust to set up new forum, new forum either gets polluted, or dies due to loss of critical mass.
Many responses to this question are of the form "yes, because I want to learn". All well and good, but look at it from the non-n00b perspective: if all that is on offer is explaining the same elementary things over and over, is that something you would want to spend much time on? I'd rather be out under the stars!
A fine idea, but not for me. There are enough forums out there already, and I kind of like the format here, with people from all over the world participating at all levels. If I need to discuss technical info, I will go elsewhere - my astronomy club, for example. I can ignore the dingbats who don't bother to look on the same page for their UFO answer if I can help someone that really needs help. That's what it's all about.
Besides, I think you are asking for more work than you realize.
http://www.cloudynights.com/ has a forums section with a wide variety of astronomy-related (and some unrelated) topics. The main focus is on observing, but there are forums for astrophysics and space exploration, too. Yahoo Groups also has some good forums, many of which are moderated to reduce the noise level. And there are still the original usenet forums out there, too, accessible via news reader or through Google Groups. Most of them are unmoderated, but mostly they attract a more mature breed of idiot than YA. All of the above are also more traditional forums in structure, with lots of give-and-take and ongoing discussions.
I sometimes go to the discovery channel forums when i want to here idea's from people who have an interest in space and astronomy and take there idea's seriously but even there you get some weird questions posted on the forums, but nothing as extreme as yahoo q&a.
I would join your group if you would create one, although my knowledge of astronomy is limited, forums can be a place to learn as much as a place to socialize, there are a few yahoo astronomy group here on yahoo but nothing spectacular.