Is the "Beginner Programming" category become a rather "other" pigeon hole?

I believe that Beginner is appropriate for threads like "Interested in programming" and "What language should I learn" and general programming precepts. However, there are many advanced topics ending up there.

Many are hardware specific, e.g. interfacing with digital cameras, barcode scanners, whatnot, and some are software/plug-in specific.

I notice most mods (myself included) often move general, obscure or extremely specific issues to this forum for lack of a better place, and some users also start rather advanced topics there for lack of any place better as well.

Should there be advanced, but general programming fora created?

e.g. Hardware Specific Programming
e.g. General Programming - Other Languages

Whaddaya think?

A "General non-language-specific forum" sounds like it's the solution for that sort of a problem....

Yeah - that's a good idea. You can then keep track of what's being posted in there, and if a noticeable theme emerges, then it could be worthwhile making a new forum.

Also, a lot of people generally avoid Beginner programming because the posts are usually rather dull - if there was a general programming forum, you could get people from all over the forum involved discussing more advanced topics and non-language-specific questions (which generally end up in the Lounge).

--Simon

The beginner programming has been like this for some time :/ Language specific beginner topics are usually posted in the correct language forum anyway. This leaves the beginners forum for everything else :/

I agree with Simon on this one:

There does not seem to be a place to generally rant on about coding/programming in a casual manner - like if you dont have a problem but want to create banter about programming anyway (for example, how terrified I am of having to learn Apache Rewriting). People tend to use the Lounge for threads like "What did you have for breakfast last Tuesday morning" etc, so asking a programming question seems wrong!

Hence I like the idea of a "General Programming" Forum to discuss anything related to programming, question or not, as long as it doesn't belong in one of the other forums.

@computer - people do tend to post in the right place, so perhaps you could just rename the beginner programming area?!

Just my 2c

Porky

The lounge isn't supposed to be specifically about milk drinking, and historical energy intakes.

There have been a few technical posts in not so short term memory

--Ax

I am always leary about adding new forums and a lot of times they dont get used. Please post this up as a poll and if we get a majority we will consider adding it

But be sure you are very descriptive as to what exactly will go in the forum content wise as Im not a big fan of 'general' forums

I don't think we need a new forum, I just think the beginner programming forum should be made into a general, language non-specific category..

crazy talk