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 #82 Saturday, May 3, 2003 9:53 AM
Reply #82 Saturday, May 3, 2003 9:53 AM
Doreen has not checked out T-Man's new features yet but like the icon things there must explore them later, but I see joe is trying to stick everything? hehe 
Styl-X Design
Reply #83 Saturday, May 3, 2003 2:52 PM
Reply #83 Saturday, May 3, 2003 2:52 PM
Hey, I was just wondering if anyone has a good photoshop filter site? 
just kidding, just kidding
just kidding, just kidding
slinky1947
Reply #84 Monday, May 5, 2003 4:58 AM
Reply #84 Monday, May 5, 2003 4:58 AM
I am so very glad to see this being addressed. Been coming here for years and it had always been a source of learning something and entertainment at the same time. It's been a quite a while since I've wanted to come here on a daily basis, mainly because of the OT that goes on. It has become frustrating to find a thread that I believe will give me insight on something, only to have to dig through private conversations and non related posts, get fed up and miss an actual post I could have read further down. I feel that it is quite okay for a thread have only 10 posts, if it remains on subject, or 5 or 2. Why is it felt that after so many small numbers, then it should be okay for it to drift? It kind of makes you want to trust the lower numbers.
There is no fee or charge to start a new thread, not that I remember. Example: You've just seen someone whom you haven't in a long time or the post triggers a different drift, simply start a new thread on whatever. I'll read it and so will others, may even be more interesting than the one I was in but at least I'll know what the thread is. It all comes down to one word, courtesy!
I have seen threads where I have enjoyed the insights, bantering and joking, that I've laughed and laughed, that have remained on subject. So many witty and wonderful people here ready to help and entertain.
"I'll be back!"
There is no fee or charge to start a new thread, not that I remember. Example: You've just seen someone whom you haven't in a long time or the post triggers a different drift, simply start a new thread on whatever. I'll read it and so will others, may even be more interesting than the one I was in but at least I'll know what the thread is. It all comes down to one word, courtesy!
I have seen threads where I have enjoyed the insights, bantering and joking, that I've laughed and laughed, that have remained on subject. So many witty and wonderful people here ready to help and entertain.
"I'll be back!"
SelfExiled
Reply #85 Wednesday, May 14, 2003 7:44 AM
Reply #85 Wednesday, May 14, 2003 7:44 AM
Hmm, I noticed this problem myself. I'd see an interesting topic and when I went to the thread it had changed into something completely different.(Support the artists thread --> editing WC preferences)
I guess I agree with frogboy, which is rare for me. I'm a rebel and rarely agree with authority.
Now, I'm not sure what the punishable offense really is. For example, the topic was obviously about Hijacking posts. But frogboy made a comment in his initial thread about McDonald Fries being best. Some people choose to comment on the fries statement which is clearly off topic. Are they to be punished? Hmmm. Or maybe someone else makes such a comment while answering or starting a thread. Who do you punish?
Maybe the person didn't realize what they had done. Maybe a couple warnings at first is best. I would hate to see someone like Shmoopy banned for just being her sweet self. I think its more important to keep it fun.
I guess I agree with frogboy, which is rare for me. I'm a rebel and rarely agree with authority.
Now, I'm not sure what the punishable offense really is. For example, the topic was obviously about Hijacking posts. But frogboy made a comment in his initial thread about McDonald Fries being best. Some people choose to comment on the fries statement which is clearly off topic. Are they to be punished? Hmmm. Or maybe someone else makes such a comment while answering or starting a thread. Who do you punish?
Maybe the person didn't realize what they had done. Maybe a couple warnings at first is best. I would hate to see someone like Shmoopy banned for just being her sweet self. I think its more important to keep it fun.
wulfn1
Reply #86 Wednesday, May 14, 2003 10:39 AM
Reply #86 Wednesday, May 14, 2003 10:39 AM
alot of times I'll see a url link within a post. If someone wanted to keep the topic alive but spawn a subtopic , wouldn't it be reasonable if that person created the new subtopic, labeled it as such, and provided a link within the posts of the original topic? or would that also create more work and drag the topic off? and am I doing just that with this question?
Michael Ficarra
Reply #87 Wednesday, May 28, 2003 5:28 PM
Reply #87 Wednesday, May 28, 2003 5:28 PM
Is this an off-topic post? https://www.wincustomize.com/index.asp?cmd=logoff
jcg
Reply #90 Thursday, May 29, 2003 9:04 AM
Reply #90 Thursday, May 29, 2003 9:04 AM
ww;
Gotta check that status bar before clicking an unknown link. Never know where you'll end up
Gotta check that status bar before clicking an unknown link. Never know where you'll end up
werewolf
Reply #91 Thursday, May 29, 2003 9:20 AM there is no status bar in the wincusto browser and the tooltips aren't showing. I trust the folks here.
Reply #91 Thursday, May 29, 2003 9:20 AM
there is no status bar in the wincusto browser and the tooltips aren't showing. I trust the folks here.
jcg
Reply #92 Thursday, May 29, 2003 10:03 AM
Reply #92 Thursday, May 29, 2003 10:03 AM
Good point. It depends where I am when I log on. At work I use IE.
Tech-Cat
Reply #93 Thursday, May 29, 2003 10:38 AM
Reply #93 Thursday, May 29, 2003 10:38 AM
In Wincustomize Browswer, right click link then choose properties. Then you will see where the link takes you without going there.
BTW, I enjoyed the joke that goes along with the link. Some people just don't know how to appreciate a good joke anymore.
BTW, I enjoyed the joke that goes along with the link. Some people just don't know how to appreciate a good joke anymore.
werewolf
Reply #94 Thursday, May 29, 2003 11:01 AM
Reply #94 Thursday, May 29, 2003 11:01 AM
oh please I got it, and it didn't really bother me. Just had to sign on again, no biggie.
I got it, and it didn't really bother me. Just had to sign on again, no biggie.
Michael Ficarra
Reply #95 Saturday, May 31, 2003 8:16 AM
Reply #95 Saturday, May 31, 2003 8:16 AM
Didn't mean to offend anyone. Sorry werewolf.
ponz14
Reply #96 Sunday, June 1, 2003 11:16 PM
Reply #96 Sunday, June 1, 2003 11:16 PM
I agree frogboy some real fools just come into my posts ive only done about 4 and they tease and nag about how much better they are and how bad is this and that im sick of them
DarkMist
Reply #97 Tuesday, June 17, 2003 4:37 PM
Reply #97 Tuesday, June 17, 2003 4:37 PM
You do not need to preach how good you are for people to notice, the quality itself does that.
Tecumseh
Reply #98 Tuesday, June 17, 2003 7:38 PM
Reply #98 Tuesday, June 17, 2003 7:38 PM
Maybe it's time to close out this thread before it gets so long it reaches near Earth orbit.
IPlural
Reply #99 Tuesday, June 17, 2003 8:11 PM
Reply #99 Tuesday, June 17, 2003 8:11 PM
naaa. actually I think it is an evolving and educational thread that hsould stick.
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Reply #81 Friday, May 2, 2003 12:55 PM
oh wait... I just now understood T-Man''s post...
[Message Edited]