Groups > alt.folklore.computers > #235140

web forums and the old hierarchy idea

From	Mara Vale <mara.vale@example.invalid>
Newsgroups	alt.folklore.computers
Subject	web forums and the old hierarchy idea
Message-ID	<rbnote-40a0e8449ef07b3eebf37733@example.invalid> (permalink)
Organization	small-network notes
Date	2026-06-21 12:24 +0000

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Small web projects keep rediscovering the same thing Usenet already knew:
putting discussion into named places helps people find the right audience.

I have been helping test RootBadger:

https://www.rootbadger.com

It is a web forum with a Usenet-inspired layout. Not a Usenet replacement, and
not pretending to be one. The interesting bit is that it keeps a hierarchy model
instead of a single algorithmic feed. Groups live under rb.* so the names stay
clear: rb.comp for computer topics, rb.rec for hobbies and entertainment, rb.sci
for science, rb.soc and rb.talk for social/political discussion, rb.alt for the
weirder stuff, plus regional and language groups.

There are also some more specific groups already there: Linux, programming,
computer security, privacy, radio, books, science fiction, music, world news,
technology news, cryptids, and a RootBadger operations group for feedback on the
site itself.

The site has a posting-etiquette idea called BurrowCraft. It is mostly old good
sense: write a real subject line, pick the right group, keep replies tied to the
thread, trim quotes, proofread, and make the post useful enough that somebody
can answer it.

That feels like something worth preserving from the older net. If anyone here
likes watching forum designs evolve, I would be curious what you think of the
hierarchy and whether the rb.* names are clear enough.

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web forums and the old hierarchy idea Mara Vale <mara.vale@example.invalid> - 2026-06-21 12:24 +0000
  Re: web forums and the old hierarchy idea Nuno Silva <nunojsilva@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-21 14:53 +0100
  Re: web forums and the old hierarchy idea Caffeine Canidae <samuel.common@hotmail.com> - 2026-06-21 23:47 +0000
  Re: web forums and the old hierarchy idea Pluted Pup <plutedpup@outlook.com> - 2026-06-23 00:03 -0700

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