I don't think that it's quite as black and white as that. Very often, the grey areas are some of the most interesting. The issues comes when it's not that the discussion has gone off-topic but rather that the discussion has turned to inappropriate off-topic subject matter. We have all seen threads which started fine and then degenerate. When you talk about over-modding, is this what concerns you, rather than the "football-only" issue I wonder?
Could be a simple thing like a sticked thread on here saying to access Saints gc, send the mod of Saints gc a msg.
You think our job is made easy.........We understand that there is not a lot of football news so rather than not having posting at all we have allowed some non football related subjects to offset the boredom. However you have to remember this is a football forum and when there is a subject on football or related crops up it is only fair to give it a run and to do that we have to limit the number of off topic threads. The word association game and the dis-association game were well patronised so it made sense to let it continue. It is unfortunate that it does not interest some and topics that perhaps you would like to discuss are therefore taken off. You cannot have it both ways. There is already a GC thread and we know that it has a lot of morons on it but that as they say is life. The Saints forum is not going to be changed into a general chat forum just because a few of you would like to and are a bit bored. We know that threads divert sometimes for a while but mostly they come back after a short while. We only get involved if the off subject side gets to deep and too prolonged. There is subjects that we cannot allow to continue...they are political or religious or anything that is likely to get too out of hand or emotive. That is also a reason that this forum has survived and so many have gone down the pan. Finally we have a job to do.......it is inevitable that we are going to upset someone in doing it. We have to cater for all our members not just a handful. We do our best..but we are not here to be insulted....and finally just remember we too have people to answer too if we are not keeping you lot in line. In the main most of you understand the difficult decisions we have to take and make. It is not an easy job at times.........
When I talk about "over-modding" I'm talking about things like locking old threads (like Godders' polar bear thread or PompeyLapras' Online Dating thread) for no apparently reason, or merging all transfer threads into the rumour thread when they're fine on their own. Just stuff that we could live without being closed. Yeah easy. Just don't post the password in public and it'll be fine, not that I have a problem with GC but I know some people do, so keeping it to PMs is the way to do it.
I wasn't saying it was easy, I'm just saying there are easy, harmless alternatives like one off-topic thread or even, as is being discussed with Channonfodder, a sub-forum for Saints fans off topic chat. These are ideas that don't need to be shot down just because "it's not Southampton", when you can use logic to show resolutions that are fairest to the masses are available.
The problem isn't wandering O/T for a brief period, but when it is taken over completely. Can't say I am too bothered as long as it is not too contentious or exclusive. Threads which are clearly sign posted are definitely not a problem...never go near ones about Fantasy Football, Technology or Music. (There I've now told you how to keep me away). Not606 is pretty good compared to other sites.
Well, I have examined the evidence, and upon reflection and a careful consideration, I find the accused "not guilty", with the Plaintiff, Mr Beef_Dripping to pay all costs. Court is adjourned.
An off-topic thread seems like a good idea to me, then we can have all the discussions about politics or girls in there and leave the transfer rumour thread just for transfer rumours. The kind of stuff that was posted in there last night is a perfect example, but other threads (and blossoming on-topic discussions) have also been derailed by off-topic stuff. I have no problem with people talking about whatever they like but they need to remember this is a football forum, not a pub. If people want to discuss other things, which it seems like some do, then an off-topic thread seems a good solution. One thread is easy enough to ignore and the rest of us can get on with talking about football without having to trawl through pages of stuff we're not interested in. I'm sure none of us want this forum to become another 'general chat'.
Do you know guys..I am beginning to see that a seperate thread is not going to work.......Oh yes for a couple of days maybe........but then you are going to get the complaints and off topic threads appearing again because someone couldn't find the last link to something they were discussing because someone else has started a different subject in the meantime. If we run a sub forum even with a password it will not take long for the password to be known outside of the saints fans. Then you would get the trolls on there too. (Even if it were possible to run a sub Forum) It seems most of the off topic threads are started during the night or at least late in the evening.....maybe we should start an after dark thread for these off topic discussions which we close during the day and reopen at night maybe that is an option. What would be the view on this?
If trolls are the only issue for a sub-forum then that can easily be dealt with by giving a number of people the power to ban others from the sub-forum.
It was my understanding that you, Beddytare and st brendy could ban users from posting on the Southampton board, but not from the site?
We can request bans for the Soton board, but not implement them ourselves. And a request doesn't necessarily mean the powers above will act on it.
