Meandering Threads

JohnW · 26-08-2004, 13:18

Can someone tell my why this particular forum is so obsessed with keeping threads on topic. Most natural conversations are apt to stray from the main theme, ie. digress from, and then, eventually, circle back to, the main topic? This is not a critisism, just an enquiry from a puzzled poster. Surely a little variety is not a bad thing, it's not as if most of the topics are of world shattering importance.

Roy · 26-08-2004, 17:38

You'll have to point me in the direction of some of these threads you are concerned about. I haven't noticed anything but I don't read everything!

JohnW · 26-08-2004, 18:28

Bank Holiday Saturday thread.

l.d.flooring-solutions · 26-08-2004, 22:13

mmm..................

WillowTheWhisp · 31-08-2004, 22:11

I agree with you John that normal conversations do tend to wander from the original and then sometimes wander back again. Where the chat in the threads wanders naturally it usually comes back to the main point of its own accord or if it doesn't then it provides interesting reading.

Having had one of my posts deleted for being off topic I often find myself wondering if I should say something in reply to some point someone has made, but then on the other hand if I decide that I should start a new thread I've had other members asking me why we have a new thread for something which was already in an existing thread. It's sometimes difficult to know what to do.

JohnW · 01-09-2004, 11:00

Yep, I don't see why it should be a big deal. Conversations go where they go, so, what is the difference on a forum?

mez · 01-09-2004, 11:14

ive had my posts deleted too, it dosent bother me, i can take it or leave it, i still love the site

KIPAX · 01-09-2004, 11:27

I agree with the OP and its somehting I have said from day one.. Threads will wander off topic. its a natural progression. its normal. I have seen moderators jump in and tell people to go back on topic. this kills the natural flow of the conversation.

Theres a difference between a natural change of direction and someone hijacking a thread. the latter is what moderators are there for and not the former IMHO

Gobsmacked · 08-09-2004, 23:47

Totally agree with you JohnW and Kipax. There is little more off-putting than to have made a comment which albeit is off on a slight tangent yet is neither objectionable nor obtrusive to then find oneself reprimanded for being off topic or (worse) to have the post deleted never to be seen again. It tends to stilt the conversation somewhat.

vorlon24 · 24-11-2004, 00:39

On other forums we don't mind too much if that happens.

The only times I need to moderate posts is if the language becomes objectionable or abusive towards other members.

It's always difficult when you join a new forum how everyone will react to your interaction (ie sometimes I feel I may be butting in to other peoples' conversations), and whether (and what) words are censored, but if you are welcomed to the forum, it makes life easier!

WillowTheWhisp · 24-11-2004, 08:21

You are welcome to but in anywhere you like here. There aren't any private conversations.

The only restriction seems to be not to have a conversation in the intro forum, which I find difficult because it's my instinctive reaction to chat to the new member in their intro thread but I've managed to stop myself from doing that since I had a post deleted. Now I just say hello and smile sweetly.

vorlon24 · 24-11-2004, 10:01

And your cat, by the look of things...