Frogboy Frogboy

NOTICE: Off topic Posting

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NOTICE: Off topic Posting

from WinCustomize Forums
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.

28,827 views 101 replies
Reply #76 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.
Reply #77 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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)
Curtains - Customize Windows with additional styles
Reply #78 from WinCustomize Forums Top


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 #79 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.
Reply #80 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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?

Reply #81 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can''t make this sticky...

oh wait... I just now understood T-Man''s post...
[Message Edited]
Reply #82 from WinCustomize Forums Top
/me 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
Reply #83 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey, I was just wondering if anyone has a good photoshop filter site?
just kidding, just kidding
Reply #84 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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!"
Reply #85 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.
Reply #86 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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?



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Reply #89 from WinCustomize Forums Top
actually it did work and I don't appreciate it >



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Reply #90 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ww;

Gotta check that status bar before clicking an unknown link. Never know where you'll end up
Reply #91 from WinCustomize Forums Top
there is no status bar in the wincusto browser and the tooltips aren't showing. I trust the folks here.



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Reply #92 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Good point. It depends where I am when I log on. At work I use IE.
Reply #93 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.



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Reply #94 from WinCustomize Forums Top
oh please I got it, and it didn't really bother me. Just had to sign on again, no biggie.



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Reply #96 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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
Reply #97 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You do not need to preach how good you are for people to notice, the quality itself does that.
Reply #99 from WinCustomize Forums Top
naaa. actually I think it is an evolving and educational thread that hsould stick.