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roo:
Xarax wrote in another thread.

--- Quote --- Regarding the title "Knot Theory" : I have googled it in the advanced search / this exact wording or phrase:. I have counted the number of times that an article cited there had something to do, however remote it might be, with any "Theory of Practical knots" , as we understand this term here. In the first 100 results, guess what the outcome was : 0 (Zero)
   Let the section of "Practical knots" be divided into two sub-sections, the "Applications of Practical Knots", and the "Theory of Practical knots" , or something like this. Or, let there be a label that distinguishes threads/posts along those two broad categories/classifications.
--- End quote ---

"Theory of Practical Knots" sounds a lot like the existing Knot Theory board.

Just because there is not a lot of traffic in the the Knot Theory board does not mean that the relatively busy Practical Knot forum needs to have a theory section tacked on to it in hopes of getting theory discussions more traffic.  Xarax and Derek Smith could generate plenty of Knot Theory activity between the two of them. ;)

Webmistress:
I agree. The Knot Theory board is currently the smallest board on the forum with only 36 topics. There is absolutely no need for a sub-board. This is a community forum - not a library/classification application. Too much board fragmentation, in my not so humble experience, is detrimental to the growth of the forum - and the community - as a whole.

xarax:

--- Quote from: Webmistress on August 24, 2011, 12:36:33 PM ---I agree. The Knot Theory board is currently the smallest board on the forum with only 36 topics. There is absolutely no need for a sub-board. This is a community forum - not a library/classification application. Too much board fragmentation, in my not so humble experience, is detrimental to the growth of the forum - and the community - as a whole.

--- End quote ---

How on earth you fail to understand what I have said in half a dozen posts ? It is the Practical knot forum that should/could be divided into two sub-forums, not the " Knot theory "  forum ! The " Knot theory" title is a joke, and should have changed long ago...I have proposed two forums, like now, but with two different titles. The titles I have suggested are plain and simple, and, what is most importand, not wrong, as this laughable "Knot Theory" thing...

Please, read my lips :

--- Quote from: xarax on August 23, 2011, 11:18:18 PM --- Let the section of "Practical knots" be divided into two sub-sections, the "Applications of Practical Knots", and the "Theory of Practical knots" , or something like this. Or, let there be a label that distinguishes threads/posts along those two broad categories/classifications.
--- End quote ---

--- Quote from: xarax on August 24, 2011, 02:07:52 AM ---
--- Quote from: knot4u on August 24, 2011, 12:04:27 AM ---I personally would prefer to see the Practical Knots described explicitly as "Knots Discussed within the Context of Applications."  I would think such a label is obviously implied within the word "Practical", but maybe it's not so obvious (?).
--- End quote ---

  That distinction would be fine for me. From the one hand, a section about "Practical Knots, discussed within the Context of Aplications", and from the other a section about "Practical knots discussed within the Context of their Structure, Form, Function".
--- End quote ---
Also repeated at :
http://igkt.net/sm/index.php?topic=3556.msg20258#msg20258

drnihili:
I agree that no new subcategories are needed, but you really do need to rename the theoretical section.  "Knot Theory" has a specific meaning which is fairly narrow.  By adding in "& computing" you reinforce that narrow reading.  I would never have dreamed that a non-mathematical thread on bowline classification should go in such a subforum.  Its current title sounds like a place to keep the mathematicians from cluttering up forums that are concerned with actual physical knots.  I would suggest something like "Theoretical Considerations: A place for headier discussions."

That said, there seems lately to be much ado about nothing with respect to fine distinctions between theory, practice, and decoration.  There is naturally some overlap.  A discussion of which knots make the best doormats combines both practical and decorative considerations, for example.  Are lanyards practical or decorative?  Trying to force every discussion into narrow categories will only generate ill-will and hurt feeling that degrade the forums far more than a little clutter.  There simply is no absolute clear line between practical, theoretical, and aesthetic considerations.  Keep the categories as useful heuristics, but stop trying to pretend that they are anything more than vague groups with extremely fuzzy and porous boundaries.

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