patc

I'd like use to consider a "Read Me First" sticky for LCF. It could includes things like:

- definitions of "car", "car-free", and "car-light"
- links to car-free sites of interest
- answering the "why be car-free" question
- a short blurb as to why the forum exists (even if only to repeat the description on the 1st page)

I am not proposing any authoritative, I am not suggesting we adopt one set of definitions. Rather we can offer a few as a starting point, clearly labeled as such.

The goal would be to make newbies feel welcome, and help them quickly determine if this is a place of interest to them.

Thoughts?

Platy

In general I think sticky threads get stale real fast. I'd support having no stickies at all. It's more lively when all the threads on top are of current interest.

patc

That's an excellent point, and I certainly hate those forums you see with dozens of stickies at the top. Just one or two, though?

Platy

Okay, I relent. We could have one sticky thread. But it will still get stale real fast. If even one eager new poster gets dismissed with "Why don't you read the sticky!!", that's one time too many.

Bushman

stickies?

Nightshade

Sorry, People will seldom read a sticky like you suggest.

Good Idea but not practical.

Platy

"Sticky" is a discussion thread that remains permanently at the top of the thread list.

gharding

Don't really see the use in this. Car, car-lite, and car-free all seem pretty self-descriptive. And the "why" things seems to have obvious answers.

patc

Yes, I know, but I'm generally of the "Let's give it our best shot" mindset. We can't make anyone read the sticky, but perhaps some would.

Bushman

ha, i never even noticed.... thanks.

gharding

Hahaha. QED!

Sammyboy

Well, we've discovered that "car-free" can mean different things in the course of the last few days. You might expect it to refer to someone who has given up their car, but loves cycling, and wants to do it as much as possible. For a lot of people here, however, it means saving the planets resources through giving up the car, and doing whatever you have to do to make that work, even cycling, even if you don't specially LIKE cycling.

Brian

I'm all for having something with definitions and links as a resource to be stickied. And while I agree that most people ignore the sticky, it's easier to link to, without searching.

TrackGuy

Why get hung up on definitions?

The bottom line is that we're here usually because we're having a problem and need some advice. Does it really matter if you're Car Free or Car Lite?

bragi

Wouldn't it be okay to have both mindsets here at the seem time? It's more interesting if people approach the same subject from different points of view.

As for the sticky: can't hurt, probably won't make much difference.

CommuterRun

I think the current forum title is self-explanatory.

As for sticky threads, I honestly don't remember the last time I opened one.

Edit-I take that back, yes I do. I opened "The Post Your Trailer Thread" last night just to look at the pictures.

Cyclaholic

Sticky or not? is the easy question, it's upto the mods really. The hard question is whose reason for being car-free do we adopt?

I, for example, couldn't give a stuff about the planet or peak oil or reducing my ecological footprint. I'm carfree because I'm about the tightest tightarse ever to hoard coupons and steal stationery. That and I like to make a nuicanse of myself at most opportunities. Should we consider that the reason why this forum exists? after all, my reasons are as valid as anyone elses, aren't they?

TrackGuy

Gosh. I thought the reason for being car free/lite was the pure love of cycling... Can't we all just get along?

Brian

Never got past your red P's, hey?

patc

Who said anything about adopting any one reason or definition? If, as I proposed, the point of the sticky was to provide a starting point for new members - in other words a reference - it has to be reasonably comprehensive (while also reasonable brief).

Cyclaholic

LOL!... yeh, something like that.

Back in my day we didn't even have red and green P's, and my first license (which I lost 3 times ) was a piece of paper and no photo. My mates and I would memorise each other's details, just in case.

Cyclaholic

Yeh, no worries Pat, adopt as many as you want, I just want to see my reason included up there.

Roody

We've had threads where these issues were discussed in the past. Maybe it's time to discuss them again, especially in light of the new management around here.

However, I'm not sure the new management is going to be tolerant of open discussions. I'm a little gun-shy about discussing controversial topics on this forum, so I'm spending a lot less time here.

gerv 

Yeah.. you might utter something about urban congestion or let a disparaging remark about cars slip out.

Roody

Urban congestion stinks. And it's caused by cars.