[Athens]

I think it would be a great time to create a Window’s section for Mac Users that has both Macs and Windows’s; this could be come more useful as many Windows’ users are getting Mac Mini's. This section would include help with PC/Mac Networking, Windows Problems, PC Hardware support. Might as well offer limited support since Windows is part of many Mac users’ lives. And I would have no problem managing such a section either. I’m a Windows Expert / Advance OS X User and OS 9 Expert Generally speaking I already have a few Windows Only friends that hang out in the lounge now.

If the UNIX Section became UNIX/LINUX and we added a Window's section all the mainstream OS's would be covered here.

Many Mac owners who have Windows Machines probably suffer from Spyware and viruses, things that can be covered in the section on how to prevent it, fix it, list important software, there is just a lot of stuff that would go in there that wouldn’t fit in the lounge or any other section. And because the forums are indexed by Google it could generate more traffic from PC users looking up these topics, and if they have been thinking about getting a Mac, who knows seeing a community that accepts them with open arms, that will help them in the transition or to make both work could be what’s needed to push them away from the dark side.

[Randman]

There's already enough Windows-related topics here already. While I still say a Switchers forum is needed, I don't think this place (it is MacNN) needs a dedicated Windows forum.

[Athens]

Originally posted by Randman:
There's already enough Windows-related topics here already. While I still say a Switchers forum is needed, I don't think this place (it is MacNN) needs a dedicated Windows forum.

I disagree, as you said there are already enough Windows-related topics here, they don't need to be all in the lounge or which ever Mac forum section they best match. They should be in a Windows Section just as UNIX related stuff should be and is in the UNIX section.

I like the Switchers part too, Maybe it should be called, Windows Related / Switchers

[Wiskedjak]

Originally posted by Randman:
There's already enough Windows-related topics here already.

I think that's the point. Athens is suggesting that volume of Windows-related topics might warrant a Windows section.

It doesn't have to be a loyalty or switcher issue. Many Mac users are also Windows users, often have Windows related questions and might trust answers from other dual platform users rather than a strictly Windows community.

[paul w]

How's about "Non-Mac OS operating systems" as maybe we can throw the Linux and other stuff in there as well.

[Athens]

Originally posted by paul w:
How's about "Non-Mac OS operating systems" as maybe we can throw the Linux and other stuff in there as well.

Linux would go into Unix which is already there. The only thing left really is Windows. And with the volume of Windows related questions it should have its own section. Further more with its own section us Mac/Windows ppl can talk about Windows and PC products easier too. I would love to chat about some PC hardware and PC software with other Mac/PC users.

[Randman]

I still think this site would benefit more from having a dedicated forum for Switchers than it would for Windows.

[Athens]

Incase this comes up, why don't I just go to another forum to chat about PCs with people? Well I prefer to chat with other Mac/PC people over straight PC people, second I prefer doing all my chatting at one place. Some times the lounge can be slow, especially at night. And I don't want to have to go to 5 different forums. I am personally very happy here and rather do all my chatting here. Besides people know me, I know them just makes sense to do everything here in one place.

[Randman]

OK, a Windows section would benefit you. Not everyone is your boat

I'm not saying it's a totally bad idea, just my very strong feeling that if there's any changes/additions in MacNN (again, that Mac part)'s forum lineup, there could be choices that benefit the overall site more than one dedicated to Windows.

[Athens]

Originally posted by Randman:
OK, a Windows section would benefit you. Not everyone is your boat

I'm not saying it's a totally bad idea, just my very strong feeling that if there's any changes/additions in MacNN (again, that Mac part)'s forum lineup, there could be choices that benefit the overall site more than one dedicated to Windows.

The Unix section dosent benefit me, I dont go in there. I dont say it shouldnt be there because I know it benefits Unix geeks. As the same for a Windows/PC section. Those that it benefits will use it, those that it wont, will not as with all sections on the forums. People have free choice to use or not use what they wish. But to say it shouldn't be there because it wont benefit every one, well might as well remove all sections since no one section benefits every one. Its about choice. Having a Windows/PC section for ppl like me and others and new commers to the Mac world wont hurt any one so there is no real reason not to. Based on what I have seen on section requests its all about potential users, if there is a demand. Well I think there is enough of a demand and you even posted it yourself there is enough Windows chat already.

[off/lang]

I think it is clear that we need a new section for people coming from Windows. I think a switchers section would be most useful, but a Windows section wouldn't be a bit idea either.

Where are the mods to weigh in on these issues?

[zizban]

I don't think a Windows/Switcher forum would be bad idea. I se lots of threads that start with something like "I'm new to the Mac and on Windows I could do this..."

[ManOfSteal]

While I don't oppose a "Switchers" section, I personally would find it redundent in a few ways. For example, if I were a switcher, but had a few questions in regards to OS X Software, do I post in the "Switchers" section or do I post in the "Software" section that specifically relates to my question?

[Athens]

Originally posted by ManOfSteal:
While I don't oppose a "Switchers" section, I personally would find it redundent in a few ways. For example, if I were a switcher, but had a few questions in regards to OS X Software, do I post in the "Switchers" section or do I post in the "Software" section that specifically relates to my question?

thats why im more for a general section, chat and support

[Randman]

Then why not create a general Windows thread, in the library for now, and see how it fares. If people flock to it, maybe I'm wrong in my view and it is something the mods might consider more.
My feeling is still that this is a Mac-related forum and its focus should be on that. There are enough Windows forums out there already.

[Athens]

Originally posted by Randman:
Then why not create a general Windows thread, in the library for now, and see how it fares. If people flock to it, maybe I'm wrong in my view and it is something the mods might consider more.
My feeling is still that this is a Mac-related forum and its focus should be on that. There are enough Windows forums out there already.

because you just cant do it in one post. General chat means filling it with serveral posts and because they dont belong there they will get locked or derailed by some.

[tooki]

A switchers forum is something to consider, because it's a very current issue, and one that I hope will grow as more people switch. But I think a Windows forum is pretty much out of the question. This is MacNN, not WinNN, after all. Realistically, I don't want to have to moderate a Windows forum. I dislike Windows. It'd be like letting the fox into the henhouse. This is our little haven from the Wintel world, which has more than enough sites of its own.

We were reluctant to create even a dedicated iPod forum, but we finally did since a huge number of Mac users have them. But look at how reluctant we were: adding forums adds complexity and time to our job.

So I won't say that a Win forum will never happen, but I will say that it's exceedingly unlikely.

tooki

[Athens]

a new Section could be cool thats not computer related at all

Sub Forums in it for:
Sports
Cars
Jokes / Humor

[Randman]

Originally posted by Athens:
a new Section could be cool thats not computer related at all

Sub Forums in it for:
Sports
Cars
Jokes / Humor

Uhh, the lounge?

[JHromadka]

A Switcher's forum would be nice as long as it doesn't turn into a Mac vs PC forum.