Open topic thread........Including an update post 71

[lamby]

I am not too sure on this one. We have a good bunch on here but they have very different attitudes to what is acceptable about many different things. At the top of this board is a sticky (about to disappear shortly) on this very topic. The worry I would have about an off-topic thread is two-fold;
Firstly, because there was an off-topic thread, would that mean that posters would expect any meandering off-topic on a football thread to be ruthlessly deleted or otherwise censured? It is the logical outcome and I would miss the ability of a thread which had basically run its course to suddenly get legs again with a good-natured pun-fest or bit of banter about Beddy's age or whatever, which many of us quite enjoy.
On the other hand, I know that some posters on here do push the boundaries of what is acceptable and I rather fear that an off-topic thread would be seen as a "GC-lite" and when the Mods step in, I can hear the cries of, "but it's on the off-topic thread, so why can't I talk about it?" if we let this go, it will encourage some of the trolls on here.
In any case how would it work? Someone starts a thread on his Italian coin-collection. Someone else asks a question about the correct sand-cement ratio for his patio. Well, you get the idea and I can't see how one thread will help especially as it will get rather unwieldy.
I appreciate that the board is a bit inconsistent at the moment and some stuff gets through and other stuff doesn't. When it comes to the Modding on here , we look at the whole picture. How many threads are their off topic? Are they good natured and well supported? Is there much other football news about? Previously we have had so many genuine Footy threads started that they shoot off the end of page one in an afternoon which is just as bad really.
My preference would be to keep the status quo but on the understanding that as soon as the season starts we will return to the normal situation where threads will have to be Saints/football related.

On reflection I can also see this thread causing a few issues so this works for me Channon.

 

[Dan]

On reflection I can also see this thread causing a few issues so this works for me Channon.

Except it wouldn't work because it's finding a solution that caters to nobody just because it's easier that way. My word.

 

[pompeymeowth]

I remember we went through quite a phase, on BBC606, of threads just completely going off topic. There were no PM's groups etc; so people just kind of joined in the fun until the mods put a stop to it, but they used to run for days sometimes. It was great.

I must have had about 20 separate warnings, about going off topic by the end!

 

[Dan]

I remember we went through quite a phase, on BBC606, of threads just completely going off topic. There were no PM's groups etc; so people just kind of joined in the fun until the mods put a stop to it, but they used to run for days sometimes. It was great.

I must have had about 20 separate warnings, about going off topic by the end!

Exactly, so why on here must the mods do the same thing? I understand they have a job to do, to make sure things don't get out of control, but that doesn't mean they need to go to the lengths they do.

 

[Dan]

One thing I struggle to understand, which I brought up earlier but was ignored, is why the word association threads haven't been questioned once, yet suggestions of any other off topic thread are matters of debate? Is it because the mods enjoy the word association threads for themselves so they don't feel the need to pull rank?

I'm definitely not saying the word association thread needs to go. I choose to ignore it 99% of the time because it's of no interest to me AND THAT IS FINE. Any other off topic thread would be exactly the same for people not interested, I don't bother with the word association thread and it doesn't bother me. There's no issue there at all.

 

[pompeymeowth]

You've got a lot of green cards there Dan!

 

[Beef]

I think the One word story thread and Word association should be deleted as I'm a bastard.

 

[Channonfodder]

Exactly, so why on here must the mods do the same thing? I understand they have a job to do, to make sure things don't get out of control, but that doesn't mean they need to go to the lengths they do.

Dan, it's all a matter of judgement. The Saints mods do not close things or delete things just using a rule book. Many things are a matter of balance. Some complain that they can't post about off-topic stuff, others complain that there is too much off-topic stuff. It's a balance. The reason that I raised the problem is, how do I reply to someone who might justifiably complain that a thread has off-topic stuff in it, when it "should be in the off-topic thread?" we might not please anybody, but we certainly can't Please everybody!

 

[St. Luigi Scrosoppi]

When the very lovely Mrs Godders and I went to the game yesterday our conversation did not focus solely on the football or the teams involved but drifted on to other topics just like some of the threads on here do from time to time.

That is how conersation normally develops and I would suggest that is quite normal and healthy.

The important thing is to ensure that it does not degenerate into the sort of rubbish we see on that general thread thingy.

 

[pompeymeowth]

One thing I struggle to understand, which I brought up earlier but was ignored, is why the word association threads haven't been questioned once, yet suggestions of any other off topic thread are matters of debate? Is it because the mods enjoy the word association threads for themselves so they don't feel the need to pull rank?

I'm definitely not saying the word association thread needs to go. I choose to ignore it 99% of the time because it's of no interest to me AND THAT IS FINE. Any other off topic thread would be exactly the same for people not interested, I don't bother with the word association thread and it doesn't bother me. There's no issue there at all.

It's not for me to comment on how the Southampton board runs, but I would say this, it's so busy compared to the Pompey one (for the reasons we all know!) so I can see why Beds, Brends and Chazzer have to try and keep it looking tidy. You know mostly football, but with a bit of room for some fun and games.

Whereas we can pretty much, do as we please on our board, so if you want to come on over and start a game or anything, you are most cordially welcome.

 

[- Doing The Lambert Walk]

Dan, it's all a matter of judgement. The Saints mods do not close things or delete things just using a rule book. Many things are a matter of balance. Some complain that they can't post about off-topic stuff, others complain that there is too much off-topic stuff. It's a balance. The reason that I raised the problem is, how do I reply to someone who might justifiably complain that a thread has off-topic stuff in it, when it "should be in the off-topic thread?" we might not please anybody, but we certainly can't Please everybody!

Maybe then as Joe said a seperate off-topic section or something could be good but then that isn't exactly the most practical thing perhaps.

 

[Dan]

Dan, it's all a matter of judgement. The Saints mods do not close things or delete things just using a rule book. Many things are a matter of balance. Some complain that they can't post about off-topic stuff, others complain that there is too much off-topic stuff. It's a balance. The reason that I raised the problem is, how do I reply to someone who might justifiably complain that a thread has off-topic stuff in it, when it "should be in the off-topic thread?" we might not please anybody, but we certainly can't Please everybody!

But the balance would be perfectly stabilised by one place for all off topic things to go? It's not ideal for people who enjoy going off topic because we're restricted to one area and it's not ideal for people who despise any sort of deviance from the norm because it still exists (in the corner, but still). But surely it's more productive and accommodating than making the people who want to post off-topic stuff either leave the forum (which would result in the Saints forum losing a few very good posters), or spill out into other threads which upsets the non-off-topic posters? I don't see why "meh do nothing" should be an option when there are better alternatives.

 

[Dan]

Maybe then as Joe said a seperate off-topic section or something could be good but then that isn't exactly the most practical thing perhaps.

Though it may not be the most practical thing it would be amazing, I'd love it.

 

[Channonfodder]

Maybe then as Joe said a seperate off-topic section or something could be good but then that isn't exactly the most practical thing perhaps.

I agree with you. The problem is that we have one; it's called GC! I think what people would really like, and I am not averse to the idea myself, is a "Saints Not606 off topic-area" but then, if you didn't have a Mod on there, how would keep the Trolls out? I have no idea how it would work, but it's an interesting idea.

 

[- Doing The Lambert Walk]

I agree with you. The problem is that we have one; it's called GC! I think what people would really like, and I am not averse to the idea myself, is a "Saints Not606 off topic-area" but then, if you didn't have a Mod on there, how would keep the Trolls out? I have no idea how it would work, but it's an interesting idea.

Agree. Would need to go through a process of someone who would be willing to moderate it, and be trustworthy to not over-moderate but be able to get control of it if it starts going off on one which is totally not acceptable in nature of conversation. I think it is a very good idea as GC is just absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Dan]

Make me mod, it'd be really funny.

 

[pompeymeowth]

Don't mention the T word. Pointy ears will be twitching, beneath their respective bridges.

 

[Beef]

I agree with you. The problem is that we have one; it's called GC! I think what people would really like, and I am not averse to the idea myself, is a "Saints Not606 off topic-area" but then, if you didn't have a Mod on there, how would keep the Trolls out? I have no idea how it would work, but it's an interesting idea.

Making it password protected would keep most out.

 

[Dan]

Making it password protected would keep most out.

We could have someone like Fatletiss as mod anyway. Respected member, would enjoy off-topic discussion so be there often. But password protection would be great - happens on the NSFW branch of GC and the Sexy Poll branch of the Newcastle forum.

 

[- Doing The Lambert Walk]

We could have someone like Fatletiss as mod anyway. Respected member, would enjoy off-topic discussion so be there often. But password protection would be great - happens on the NSFW branch of GC and the Sexy Poll branch of the Newcastle forum.

Is there any way of really limiting access to it though?

Would everyone be able to get hold of the passwords? Must you have a certain # of posts? rep power? a certain Join Date?

Surely this could alienate some people who could contribute interesting things to the off-topic area still, whilst allowing longer-serving people who perhaps may not do so more privileges.