thread topic heading in Target Area

[Jonathan Whitehead]

Just wanted to bring up something that I thought was a little unneccessary or could use improvement. In Target Area we put state abbreviations in topic headings. Well I feel that headings could benefit from being a little more specific. For example, if storms are affecting the NE corner of TX into Arkansas and Louisiana, putting TX in the heading is doesnt say much in my opinion b/c Texas is a big state and its not worth putting the whole state in heading if only small section is being affected.
Now some parts of the country actually have their own name, like a state within a state(s), i.e. Ozarks, ArkLaTex, Piney Woods, etc..., which is slightly more specific then a whole state when only small section is being affected.
So just wondering if we might consider being a little more specific on topic headings in Target Area.

 

[Robert Dewey]

Using the state abbreviations helps when you're searching for past events. I can just type in "MI" and pull up what I need... if we start mixing in regional names, that might make it a bit harder.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Plus it would make thread titles way to long, and if you wanted to Abbreviate you would run into issues with Nebraska (NE), ex. NE TX, you talking North East TX or Nebraska. I think the way it is now has served its purpose quite well...

 

[Jeff Snyder]

I think state abbreviations are required since they're standard and well-known... Everyone knows where TX, IL, and MT are located, but many people may not know where the Allegheny Mountains, Cumberland Plateau, Metacomet Ridge, or the Flint Hills are located. In the case of FCST posts, specificity beyond that of state borders seems a little excessive given uncertainties involved many of the forecasts. For other thread types (such as a NOW thread for a lone supercell), one may be able to be more specific. However, specific information is likely to be contained in the posts in the actual thread, so anyone interested in that thread will likely quickly learn of the specifics when he/she starts reading the thread. In addition, those who are likely to be following the FCST and NOW threads are also likely to be following the situation enough to know where the main threats are located. In addition, as Robert noted above, the current rule makes it very easy to search for specific events.

This isn't to say that we cannot consider allowing more specific locales in the Target Area forums, but I just wanted to give a little justification as to the reason for the current guidelines.

 

[Phil Kurimski]

Plus it would make thread titles way to long, and if you wanted to Abbreviate you would run into issues with Nebraska (NE), ex. NE TX, you talking North East TX or Nebraska. I think the way it is now has served its purpose quite well...

Northeastern Nebraska would be NE NE right . I always append a RN at the end of my descriptors...so northeastern Nebraska would be NERN NE. I guess its just habit from my days at AFWA.