NOTICE: Off topic Posting
Tuesday, April 29, 2003 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I'm a cranky guy. Damn cranky.
And one thing that is making me really cranky is that people will make an intelligent post only to see it hijacked by people and turn it into something completely unrelated to what the original topic was about.
I've seen this trend growing lately and it is going to stop now. I don't care how long you've been around the community. If there is a conversation on say designing wallpapers and you turn it into a discussion about third party Photoshop filters, you stand the risk of losing your posting priviledges. If there is a post discussing the finer points of stock portfolios and you turn it into a tirade about Enron, you stand the risk of losing your posting access.
And that obviously goes for posts that are about somethign relevant that turn into cutesy quasi-private conversations between people inside of posts.
And if you want to discuss something, make a post. You can post about pretty much anything you want here in the sense that you can create your own thread. But don't hijack other people's threads. It's rude and it's unnecessary.
We will be adding a host of new forum features to help make having discussions easier to participate in over the long haul. But in the meantime, let's show respect to those who create threads by not immediately turning it into a tangential discussion.
And yes, obviously at some point in a long conversation you will have topic drift. But if you're on post 5 on a thread about HDTV standards, it's not cool to start posting about whether Burger King's Fries are better than McDonalds. Because 1) They're not and 2) it's off topic.
And one thing that is making me really cranky is that people will make an intelligent post only to see it hijacked by people and turn it into something completely unrelated to what the original topic was about.
I've seen this trend growing lately and it is going to stop now. I don't care how long you've been around the community. If there is a conversation on say designing wallpapers and you turn it into a discussion about third party Photoshop filters, you stand the risk of losing your posting priviledges. If there is a post discussing the finer points of stock portfolios and you turn it into a tirade about Enron, you stand the risk of losing your posting access.
And that obviously goes for posts that are about somethign relevant that turn into cutesy quasi-private conversations between people inside of posts.
And if you want to discuss something, make a post. You can post about pretty much anything you want here in the sense that you can create your own thread. But don't hijack other people's threads. It's rude and it's unnecessary.
We will be adding a host of new forum features to help make having discussions easier to participate in over the long haul. But in the meantime, let's show respect to those who create threads by not immediately turning it into a tangential discussion.
And yes, obviously at some point in a long conversation you will have topic drift. But if you're on post 5 on a thread about HDTV standards, it's not cool to start posting about whether Burger King's Fries are better than McDonalds. Because 1) They're not and 2) it's off topic.
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Doreen
Reply #62 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 12:54 PM
Reply #62 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 12:54 PM
well the prob w/ that Java is that when ppl spot Angela in a thread they jump to talk to her cuz they may wish to and then that's where the problem comes in...
If she does not have a "Chat w/ Shmoopy" thead and other members wish to say hello to her when they spot her, shall everyone squirm their fingers and feel the need to not socialize in a place that is a good place to do it?
anyways, I'm sure this will round out whatever way it is suppose to, me goes back to minding my own biz.
If she does not have a "Chat w/ Shmoopy" thead and other members wish to say hello to her when they spot her, shall everyone squirm their fingers and feel the need to not socialize in a place that is a good place to do it?
anyways, I'm sure this will round out whatever way it is suppose to, me goes back to minding my own biz.
Doreen
Reply #63 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 12:57 PM
Reply #63 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 12:57 PM
I see your point Java and I also see Angela's dilemma... but I'm sure it will round out for her (I know I'll be afraid to say hello to her now when I spot her around) hehe
Doreen hates rules but understands the need for them too
Doreen hates rules but understands the need for them too
KarmaGirl
Reply #64 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 1:03 PM
Reply #64 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 1:03 PM
I see what you mean, Doreen, but you can say "Hi" without changing the thread. I can say: "We need to talk about keeping this thread on topic" then say: "BTW, Doreen, how is the JBM coffee?"
You can then say: "The JBM coffee is great". "You are right, we will keep this on topic."
what you wouldn't want to do is: "The JBM coffee is great".
Then I say: "I had some Hawaiian Kona yesterday"
Then you say: "Really, how is that?"
See the difference?
You can then say: "The JBM coffee is great". "You are right, we will keep this on topic."
what you wouldn't want to do is: "The JBM coffee is great".
Then I say: "I had some Hawaiian Kona yesterday"
Then you say: "Really, how is that?"
See the difference?
sig101
Reply #69 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 2:24 PM
Reply #69 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 2:24 PM
In the not quite so olden days, on another board in another galaxy far, far away, I recall when one on one OT conversations ensued or when a few offhand comments turned into a major thread hijacking, the posters who did want to discuss the topic of the thread would say, "Hey, take it to email you guys or start another thread." Well the OT folks might have thought that a tad too...blunt or rude, but on the other hand, as noted above, taking a thread off course for separate (and sometimes exclusionary) conversations isn't exactly the best of manners either.
Now there's a wide proliferation of various instant online communication tools (IRC, AIM, even using voice, etc.) from which to choose if folks run into one another and want to take the party to another table in a more private corner of the net. Or if it's open to all comers one can always simply start another thread here to continue a particular train of thought or just share silliness with like minded folks. (For ex, evidently the french fry thread has resonated with posters here, lol. Perhaps we can next have a dessert thread. Food is a fun subject and something all can relate to.
)
So there many options to choose from when one runs into others here and wants to follow up on another conversational bent. I really don't see that there's much of a dilemma regarding how to socialize here or elsewhere when much of it IMO is just common sense and good manners. Just as it would (or at least should) be in "real life."
Now there's a wide proliferation of various instant online communication tools (IRC, AIM, even using voice, etc.) from which to choose if folks run into one another and want to take the party to another table in a more private corner of the net. Or if it's open to all comers one can always simply start another thread here to continue a particular train of thought or just share silliness with like minded folks. (For ex, evidently the french fry thread has resonated with posters here, lol. Perhaps we can next have a dessert thread. Food is a fun subject and something all can relate to.
) So there many options to choose from when one runs into others here and wants to follow up on another conversational bent. I really don't see that there's much of a dilemma regarding how to socialize here or elsewhere when much of it IMO is just common sense and good manners. Just as it would (or at least should) be in "real life."
Angel_Wings
Reply #70 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 2:28 PM
Reply #70 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 2:28 PM
Thanky Doreen and KG. Having things explained that way I don't feel quite so criminal now and I'll be sure to not drift into idle chatter. I guess the term "thread hijacking" to me sounds hurtful as if I'm trying to be mean on purpose or being borderline criminal or something. After all the term "Highjacking" after 911 to me...well, I just feel such a strong term needn't be used in regards to going off topic on a forum. "Off topic chatting" or "thread veering" seems to be a kinder, gentler term?
Anyway, I know I'm not the only one who's done it and I probably won't be the last but I won't be the first any longer.
Angela, that made a whole lotta sense?
I guess the term "thread hijacking" to me sounds hurtful as if I'm trying to be mean on purpose or being borderline criminal or something. After all the term "Highjacking" after 911 to me...well, I just feel such a strong term needn't be used in regards to going off topic on a forum. "Off topic chatting" or "thread veering" seems to be a kinder, gentler term? Anyway, I know I'm not the only one who's done it and I probably won't be the last but I won't be the first any longer.
Angela, that made a whole lotta sense?
DarkMist
Reply #71 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 2:30 PM
Reply #71 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 2:30 PM
Is this off topic? https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=8
OldSapphire comments
OldSapphire comments
KarmaGirl
Reply #74 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 4:44 PM
Reply #74 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 4:44 PM
DM, you sounded like Yoda there for a minute 
Shmoopy, glad that it makes a little more sense now. I guess that thread hijacking is just the most forthright term for it. It's not meant to mean malicious behavior, it's just meant that the thread was "taken over" (on purpose or not).
Shmoopy, glad that it makes a little more sense now. I guess that thread hijacking is just the most forthright term for it. It's not meant to mean malicious behavior, it's just meant that the thread was "taken over" (on purpose or not).
T-Man
Reply #76 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 9:04 PM
Reply #76 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 9:04 PM
Reading through some of the comments here I find it very baffling that many people find the concept of trying to keep something on topic so hard to do. All it takes is some common sense. Its not that difficult to do.
(Hey Karma, save some coffee for me in the morning!)
Brad needed to lay down the law because it was getting out of hand. He had already posted messages about not hijacking threads but people decided to toss common sense away and ignored the first words of warning. So a strong measure needed to be put in place. Or at least a stronger warning.
None of us really want to police the boards for thread hijacking but to be honest it was getting very irratating to go to almost every thread and read 10 posts in a row from the same person talking to someone else about a topic that was on another post that was made several days ago and had no relation to the current topic that was being discussed which really was not being discussed anymore because the thread was hijacked. (Hows that for a long sentence?)
Its really impossible to lay down extactly whats allowed and whats not. Just use some common sense.
Still have fun, still say hi to your buddies, still socialize, still help people but try to stay on topic. Topic drift is ok but hijacking is bad.
(Hey Karma, save some coffee for me in the morning!)
Brad needed to lay down the law because it was getting out of hand. He had already posted messages about not hijacking threads but people decided to toss common sense away and ignored the first words of warning. So a strong measure needed to be put in place. Or at least a stronger warning.
None of us really want to police the boards for thread hijacking but to be honest it was getting very irratating to go to almost every thread and read 10 posts in a row from the same person talking to someone else about a topic that was on another post that was made several days ago and had no relation to the current topic that was being discussed which really was not being discussed anymore because the thread was hijacked. (Hows that for a long sentence?)
Its really impossible to lay down extactly whats allowed and whats not. Just use some common sense.
Still have fun, still say hi to your buddies, still socialize, still help people but try to stay on topic. Topic drift is ok but hijacking is bad.
Doreen
Reply #77 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 9:30 PM
Reply #77 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 9:30 PM
speaking of coffee I have another good one for you guys that refuse to buy Jamaican Blue Mountain it's called Guatemala Antigua much cheaper around 10 bucks a lb and just as smooth...
now what were we talking about here? hehe
(Hello Java)
now what were we talking about here? hehe
(Hello Java)
joetheblow
Reply #78 Thursday, May 1, 2003 1:04 AM
I didn't read this whole thread but the point is clear.
While the topic might get a little side tracked because in allot of ways things are related but the idea is to stay on topic and getting at the issue at hand.
Although, going off topic at times clears the air, it should be noted that you came in to speak on a subject; a specific subject.
Mc Donald's French fries are good. Nevertheless, this topic about hiJacking threads is far superior.
Reply #78 Thursday, May 1, 2003 1:04 AM
I didn't read this whole thread but the point is clear.
While the topic might get a little side tracked because in allot of ways things are related but the idea is to stay on topic and getting at the issue at hand.
Although, going off topic at times clears the air, it should be noted that you came in to speak on a subject; a specific subject.
Mc Donald's French fries are good. Nevertheless, this topic about hiJacking threads is far superior.
KarmaGirl
Reply #79 Thursday, May 1, 2003 6:32 AM
Reply #79 Thursday, May 1, 2003 6:32 AM
Sorry, T-Man, no coffee for you!
Doreen, I will have to try out the Guatemala Antigua. I'm now addicted to JBM (after trying it out because of you....my husband thanks you for my expensive habit).
joetheblow, your post was a very good "cliff notes" version of what has been said. "Although, going off topic at times clears the air, it should be noted that you came in to speak on a subject; a specific subject." -that's a very good way of putting it.
Doreen, I will have to try out the Guatemala Antigua. I'm now addicted to JBM (after trying it out because of you....my husband thanks you for my expensive habit).
joetheblow, your post was a very good "cliff notes" version of what has been said. "Although, going off topic at times clears the air, it should be noted that you came in to speak on a subject; a specific subject." -that's a very good way of putting it.
joetheblow
Reply #80 Friday, May 2, 2003 2:03 AM
Reply #80 Friday, May 2, 2003 2:03 AM
wow, thanks KarmaGirl. it took me a while to get that together.
I seem to write better when I am not sleepy.
Hey, will this be one of those things posted at the top of the board ad FAQ's?
I seem to write better when I am not sleepy.
Hey, will this be one of those things posted at the top of the board ad FAQ's?
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Reply #61 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 12:24 PM
You could start a thread called "Chat with Shmoopy" and talk about what you wanted in it. You just can't change a topic called "what's cool in the next version of photoshop" into "Chat with Shmoopy". See the difference?
There are all sorts of OT threads on the board, and they are fine. We just don't want people hijacking the thread or changing the topics. (Natural drift is *OK*)