Staying ON TOPIC (or close)...

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Chip, May 18, 2001.

Loading...
  1. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    Folks,

    Please make an attempt to stay on topic. Off-topic discussions are fine (within reason) as long as so marked. But in the "GMA asks for help" thread that John started, the topic shifted so far away from the original that the thread became meaningless.

    Starting now, I am going to ask all of the moderators/admins (most of whom have had more time than I to keep track of things here) to keep a closer eye and, on locating a subject veering off topic, either post messages suggesting that people start a new topic, or move the off-topic thread to a new thread with a new title. This will make the board more useful and accessible for everyone.

    Thanks!

    Chip
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    And then it drifted right back on topic. The last three posts (one of which was mine) are each about the merits of critizing publicly holders of degrees from schools like Trinity. These are directly relevant to the theme of the thread, although one must go through quite a few OT posts to get to them.

    Speaking of the merits of publicly exposing non-public holders of degrees from bad schools....no, that would be OT for this thread! [​IMG]

    Rich Douglas
     
  3. Caballero Lacaye

    Caballero Lacaye New Member

    Dear Chip,

    Greetings!

    I certainly agree with you. One way to do this is by allowing the users of this board to write a new title even within a thread. This way, we can write the new title or OT. This is possible to do, for example, at the boards of www.eslcafe.com . Unfortunately, I think this is not doable at this board right now.

    Of course, it makes sense to start a new thread. But how do we transfer the original post without using File, Copy, Paste? I hope there is a way to do this.

    My best regards,


    Karlos Alberto Lacaye
    [email protected]

    P.S.: I have an idea. Maybe it would be acceptable to mark "Off Topic" within the body of a reply? Is this proper etiquette?
     
  4. Lawrie Miller

    Lawrie Miller New Member

    You are in danger of over regulating the board. While the thread did veer off topic, it has, as Rich pointed out, moved in the direction of greater relevance over the last few posts all by itself. The impulse to shepherd others in the interests of "the greater good" should be examined carefully before any action is taken.

    A post one contributor judges irrelevant and irritating, another may be certain is germane and insightful. It's a judgment call. Some thought a recent thread entitled, "OT: Sheila's Macarena is Back!", irrelevant to the stated vision and purpose of this site. I thought it demeaning and unnecessary, but that was my opinion and your view may vary.

    Of course, as owner, you can choose to do as you please, and for sure, contributors can take their marbles elsewhere if they don't like it.
     
  5. drwetsch

    drwetsch New Member

    To some extent I agree but to what degree of driftness is appropriate. Maybe the moderators need to put the off-topic but somehow related threads under a new thread.

    John
     
  6. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    Originally posted by Lawrie Miller:
    You are in danger of over regulating the board.

    We really aren't regulating anything more than we ever have. I'm simply asking people to self-moderate and try to keep topics to the subject of the thread, and start new threads when the topic changes. That makes the resoures more easily searchable and viewable for everyone. I am, however, sorry that you feel that such a policy of self-moderation is over regulating. It's not intended that way. No one is talking about heavy-handed moderation, only sorting and organizing to make a board that now has over 5,000 posts as useful and accessible as possible to everyone.


    Some thought a recent thread entitled, "OT: Sheila's Macarena is Back!", irrelevant to the stated vision and purpose of this site.


    A quote from our TOS:

    This board is intended for discussion and commentary on issues related to distance learning. Questions, opinions, viewpoints, and commentary (along with the occasional
    off-topic but humorous banter) are all welcomed, but personal attacks, flooding, spamming, or the posting of potentially libelous or defamatory information is not.


    Yes, it was OT to distance learning, but since the Macarena (and the rest of the NSMI circus) had been discussed, I thought it was worth a short, humorous note.

    Of course, as owner, you can choose to do as you please, and for sure, contributors can take their marbles elsewhere if they don't like it.

    True, but this really is intended as a community resource, and we're trying to make decisions that reflect the wants and needs of the community as well, so that people will want to continue returning here and contributing. And we do try to provide updates on what we're doing as well as solicit feedback, just so that we *do* keep listening to the community that has made this such a successful site.
     

Share This Page