Should we treat this thread as the CarPlay forum in the absence of a real one? Here's the discussion I want to start...
No, Site and Forum Feedback isn't a good place for discussions that don't have to do with the site itself.
It's not really true that a dedicated section would create discussion; it's the other way around. Forum sections are created when there's enough discussion to warrant it.
I realize I am a guest here and that I don't have to do any work to maintain the board, but I have a question:
- If a forum doesn't generate much traffic, how does it generate much moderator workload?
The extra work involved isn't the biggest issue, but it's a fair question. The work is two fold. The first part is the purely technical preparation part. Creating a new forum doesn't take time, but in some cases (not this one) many threads need to be looked through and moved.
The other - and ongoing - aspect is moderation. It's not so much a matter of rule violations, it's a matter of administration. The more sub-sections we have, the greater the chance that threads get created in/reported for being in the wrong forum, or that moderators simply notice that they're in the wrong forum and move them without being asked. The point of separate sections is diluted if threads aren't created in or moved to the correct section. On the one hand having dedicated sections for specific subjects provides users with a good structure for finding what they're after. On the other hand, not all threads fall neatly into one section, so the more choices there are, the greater the chance that related subjects will be spread across sections. So: too many subsections can result in less structure within the sections.
The (often but not always minimal) work involved isn't a problem when we see that a change should be made.
Summary:
We're not opposed to a separate CarPlay section in principle, but at the moment there's not enough discussion to warrant it. Forum structure is something we balance between a need for some level of stability, a need to keep pace with Apple's offerings, and a need to adapt to what users actually discuss. They're all important.
We CAN promise that we're not ignoring this suggestion; anytime something like this comes up, it sparks a discussion and reevaluation behind the scenes. These discussions sometimes continue long after the user discussion in SFF dies down.
Sometimes suggestions aren't acted on immediately because the time isn't right, but they do influence changes down the line. Regardless, all suggestions are useful because they make sure we continually reevaluate things.
We'll continue to watch this issue as well as all other areas where forums need to be added or combined. It's an ongoing thing, and we do appreciate the input!
I just feel bad that those of us in support of it really put forth a case for it when you guys had a more pragmatic approach of being hesitant, as it turns out for good reason.
