Off-Topic Posting

[SBTlauien]

I can hardly believe that some people have 2000+ posts.  This forum hasn't even been here that long.

Some of the shit posters that came from Zoklet...

ngalo1983
SoSo
Riser

All three are idiots/trolls that showed up during Zoklet's demise and contributed to it's degradation.  Hopefully they'll make this their primary forum and won't search for other forums.

[equanimity]

We're performing a valuable public service by keeping them off the streets.

[constantinople]

u fockin wot m8

[Obbe]

For what it's worth, this is the main reason I don't post here much anymore.

Don't have the time to sift through pages of spam for one nugget of intelligent/funny gold.

Ain't about to bitch n moan about it.. if that is what this site is about then so be it.  Just saying personally it turns me off and I could see how it would turn off potential newcomers.

My 2 cents.

This.  A little organization would do well.  I don't understand why off-topic posts shouldn't be removed from serious threads.  What is the purpose of allowing the turd to float around the punchbowl?

Staff, do not delete posts even if they're blatant derailings. Just infract the persons if they are doing so and move on.

Unfortunately that will still leave the turd in the thread to which anyone can respond, further derailing the thread and, logically, ensuring they too qualify for an infraction. Unless people are instructed not to reply to the infracted post in which case... why leave it there in the first place?

This.  On most forums I've posted on, moderators wouldn't delete off-topic posts but would move them into an appropriate thread, or a "trashcan" thread if required. Leaving off-topic posts detracts from the discussion.

Anyone?  What's the logic behind this decision?

[Idiosyncrasy]

Anyone?  What's the logic behind this decision?

Threads evolve.  Conversations flow.  Blatant derailments are still prohibited, but stemming conversation flow is counter-productive.

[starvingniglet]

Anyone?  What's the logic behind this decision?

You want a forum where conversations are pruned, like hedges, for your aesthetic edification.  Some of us prefer just regular old wild bushes.  So why should everything be the way you want?  Who made you the one to decide what is best?  This is why I hate you, obbe, your personality is just fucked.

[Obbe]

Anyone?  What's the logic behind this decision?

Threads evolve.  Conversations flow.  Blatant derailments are still prohibited, but stemming conversation flow is counter-productive.

Sure, I agree conversation flows and evolve.   But blatantly off-topic posts that come out of no where and trollish derailments are also counterproductive.

Why leave them in the thread?

[starvingniglet]

Sure, I agree conversation flows and evolve.   But blatantly off-topic posts that come out of no where and trollish derailments are also counterproductive.

Why leave them in the thread?

because along with weeding out 'troll' posts, regular posts get trashed.  it happens with the best of intentions, but no one can be so perfect as to know every nuance and meaning of a post.  Maybe the post has subtle intent, is a relevant pun but you just didn't get it, or maybe the post is just answering a previous post, and, while that isn't clear to you, the intended recipient would understand it....

when one plays 'conversation cop', one tends to go all 'rodney king' every once in a while.

use the ignore function and it won't be such an emotional and physical drain on you, having to wade through all the 'troll posts' that ruin your important threads.

[Idiosyncrasy]

If it is spam, it is policy to remove those posts.  Otherwise, who are we to decide what content should or should not remain on the site?  Blatant derailers will be infracted and subsequently banned for offenses, but the posts will remain unless it is spam.

[Obbe]

You want a forum where conversations are pruned, like hedges, for your aesthetic edification.  Some of us prefer just regular old wild bushes.

No I don't.   See this post:

If you want something to grow, give it good soil to grow in.  Treat it well and it will become something unique and beautiful all on it's own.  If you decide you want to shape and design it and keep it under your control,  you will probably end up killing it.

However I do not think the trash shouldn't be left out in the middle of the floor.  Clean it up.  It looks messy.

So why should everything be the way you want?  Who made you the one to decide what is best?  This is why I hate you, obbe, your personality is just fucked.

I never said everything should be my way or that I make the best decisions.   I just wanted to see what the reason is for leaving shitposts in the middle of legitimate conversations.   That doesn't make sense and I'm not the only one who thinks so.  I quoted two others who agree.  My personality isn't fucked, you conclusion jumping idiot, and you clearly have some sort of emotional problems if you actually harbor hate for someone you really don't know anything about.  Everything you claim about me, everything you think you hate about me, was all made up in your weak little brain when you jumped to the conclusion that I'm against you and conspired to have your precious posts deleted.   You're an idiot.  Pull your head out of your ass and try to see clearly.

[Obbe]

If it is spam, it is policy to remove those posts.  Otherwise, who are we to decide what content should or should not remain on the site?  Blatant derailers will be infracted and subsequently banned for offenses, but the posts will remain unless it is spam.

Right, I understand you plan to punish blatant derailers but I don't understand why you won't clean up the mess.  Isn't that kinda like punishing a theif but letting him keep everything he stole?  Or arresting a graffiti artist but not washing their paint off the wall?  I mean, if you're just going to leave it up, why even punish them?  What effect will that have, if any?

[Obbe]

Sure, I agree conversation flows and evolve.   But blatantly off-topic posts that come out of no where and trollish derailments are also counterproductive.

Why leave them in the thread?

... or maybe the post is just answering a previous post, and, while that isn't clear to you, the intended recipient would understand it....

Or maybe if troll posts weren't left up, people wouldn't respond to them, and wouldn't end up further derailing the conversation,  and wouldn't end up getting an infraction for it.

[starvingniglet]

I never said everything should be my way or that I make the best decisions.   I just wanted to see what the reason is for leaving shitposts in the middle of legitimate conversations.   That doesn't make sense and I'm not the only one who thinks so.  I quoted two others who agree.  My personality isn't fucked, you conclusion jumping idiot, and you clearly have some sort of emotional problems if you actually harbor hate for someone you really don't know anything about.  Everything you claim about me, everything you think you hate about me, was all made up in your weak little brain when you jumped to the conclusion that I'm against you and conspired to have your precious posts deleted.   You're an idiot.  Pull your head out of your ass and try to see clearly.

If you are asking 'you mad, bro'?  the answer is yes

[Spectre]

Anyone?  What's the logic behind this decision?

Threads evolve.  Conversations flow.  Blatant derailments are still prohibited, but stemming conversation flow is counter-productive.

This is also not how it went down ON YOUR OWN SITE

In thread specifically about technical or very in depth information posts were to stay pertinent to the information at hand. If someone thinks they have something else to talk about they are more than welcome to make another thread about the unrelated topic. Again the example I use is one from W&C like my thread comparing the AK 47 and M16 and the differences in operation the content of that thread should be about that topic, SINCE THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE CLICKED ON THE THREAD IN THE FIRST PLACE TO READ, not the values of disarmament or anyone's personal politics that should be taken to their own but also allowed threads about those topics in the section.

[Obbe]

I never said everything should be my way or that I make the best decisions.   I just wanted to see what the reason is for leaving shitposts in the middle of legitimate conversations.   That doesn't make sense and I'm not the only one who thinks so.  I quoted two others who agree.  My personality isn't fucked, you conclusion jumping idiot, and you clearly have some sort of emotional problems if you actually harbor hate for someone you really don't know anything about.  Everything you claim about me, everything you think you hate about me, was all made up in your weak little brain when you jumped to the conclusion that I'm against you and conspired to have your precious posts deleted.   You're an idiot.  Pull your head out of your ass and try to see clearly.

If you are asking 'you mad, bro'?  the answer is yes

You have nothing to be mad about.