OKAY, WE HEARD YOU...BUT...

All:

As you have undoubtedly noticed, as a result of the "uproar," the subgenre categories are gone; all have been subsumed into "Prog Music Lounge," which will remain the general area for prog music-related discussions.

Personally (i.e., not representing Max, Rony or the site), I think most of you were having a completely understandable "knee-jerk" reaction, and would have gotten used to the new categories.  Indeed, one of the reasons we did that was because, based on your comments, the majority of you felt that there were too many threads in the old "Main Discussions" category, which meant that threads created in the morning were already on Page 2 by the evening.  As well, many members commented that there were too many prog metal threads, relegating all the other threads to the bottom of Page 1, or to Page 2.

Apparently, our attempt to correct these problems (among other things) only led to new ones.  Two cliches come to mind: "The grass is always greener on the other side," and "You can't always get what you want."  Or, to mis-paraphrase Abe Lincoln: "You can satisfy some of the members all of the time, and all of the members some of the time, but you can't satisfy all of the members all of the time."  Having gone back to the "old" way at your strong request, we hope we will not hear complaints about threads disappearing to the nether regions too quickly, or too many prog-metal threads in "Prog Music Lounge."  We kept all the other features, since no one seemed to have any problem with them, and, indeed, many of you expressed support for them.

As noted in my previous announcement, we realize that there may be even more "tweaking" to be done, and we welcome all comments and suggestions in that regard.

Now, to quickly update the main points of the original site-use primer:

1.  "Prog Music Lounge" is for discussions regarding prog music.

2.  "Prog Polls" is for serious polls regarding prog music-related topics.

3.  "Non-Music Prog Lounge" is for discussions on non-music - but prog-related - topics such as lyrics, art, books, album covers, films, etc.

4.  "Welcome Newbies" is for new members to introduce themselves, and let us know what you listen to, and whether we can help "expand" your prog listening.

5.  "Polls" (under "Assorted") is for non-music-related polls of all types.

6.  "Non-Prog Music" is for discussions about classical, country, classic rock, rap - i.e., any genre, band or album not included on the site.  Please do not start these threads in "Main Discussions" or "Discussions Not Related to Music."

7.  "Just For Fun" is for all trivia games, jokes, riddles, etc.  Please do not start these threads in "Discussions Not Related to Music."

8.  "Get the Word Out" is for promoting yourself and your music.

9.  "Bands and Albums" is for all suggestions for adding new groups or albums to the site.  Please do not start these threads in "Prog Music Lounge" or "Discussions Not Related to Music."

As you get more comfortable with the site, let us know how you find it, and what you think still needs "tweaking."  Those comments and suggestions should go in "Forums and General" (under "Suggestions & News").

We hope that those of you who had smoke coming out of your ears will take a few deep breaths (and a pint or two?), and relax again.

Peace.

Maani
On behalf of the Admin Group

Maani wrote:

Personally (i.e., not representing Max, Rony or the site), I think most of you were having a completely understandable "knee-jerk" reaction, and would have gotten used to the new categories.  Indeed, one of the reasons we did that was because, based on your comments, the majority of you felt that there were too many threads in the old "Main Discussions" category, which meant that threads created in the morning were already on Page 2 by the evening.  As well, many members commented that there were too many prog metal threads, relegating all the other threads to the bottom of Page 1, or to Page 2.

Hey Maani, the idea of taking some of the threads from the overcrowded Main Discussion was good, the problem was the idea of completely eliminating the prog' lounge.

Both systems well could have coexisted (As I said in my post) but honestly I still prefer the return to the original system because we can discuss and learn of more bands without having to jump from one sub-gender to another.

Anyway, thanks for your effort in making this place better and listening us.

Iván

That was a horrible desicion to remove the subgenre forums. What possible harm could the subgenres cause, as long as the main prog forum remains open for anything prog? There's no logic or even a reason for bringing them down other than: "by strong requests".

What about just letting all the posts/threads that are posted in the subgenre forums also be visible in the main forum? Problem solved, everyone is happy. Many other game and movie forums around the net uses this system.

Cygnus:

Your wish has been granted!

Peace.

geezer wrote: I actually liked the new changes.  The main problem for me is that there is very, very much prog metal threads. How about two lounges: "Progressive Rock Lounge" "Progressive Metal Lounge" This change would make a huge difference. Just a suggestion...

My thoughts exactly.  That way, the people who listen to progressive metal just because it is metal, and not because it is progressive can be seperate from the people who listen to progressive rock because it is progressive.  We'll have less ELP haters on our hands that way, and less people who would wear a Pink Floyd t-shirt one day and a Slayer t-shirt the next.  These people don't seem to get along well with the people who wear a Pink Floyd t-shirt because they were actually at the corresponding show.