Thread drift

[dazzerd]

Depends entirely on the subject.

Some threads get annoying if there is a decent discussion that goes wandering off. Some threads are fantastic when it happens. Can you moderate it in a place like GD? No, because you would kill it. A few threads being derailed for the worse is a small price to pay for some of the comedy gold you get around these parts.

In the technical/hardware subforums a derailed thread can be really, really irritating. I find it generally doesn't happen much though.

If you want to change the moderating, ban such threads as "I shot myself in the leg, what do I do?" or "Spec me a woolly hat" or "I have some steak that smells like a thousand rotting sheep's heads. Is it safe to eat?"

+1 excellent summary.

 

[Jonny69]

We need a bit of thread drift otherwise where would the humour be? However, it should be noted that there is a fine line between thread drift and picking on people, which is often what happens in Motors.

 

[A.N.Other]

Thread drift is an integral part of every forum that's any good.

 

[Nitefly]

We need a bit of thread drift otherwise where would the humour be? However, it should be noted that there is a fine line between thread drift and picking on people, which is often what happens in Motors.

Thread drift is an integral part of every forum that's any good.

Totally agree.

I think there has been a fair bit less of the 'pick on the OP' mentality in GD at the moment, which is good.

 

[Tefal]

So, my question is: if we stopped all off topic posts why would it annoy the hell out of you and why would it be detrimental to the forum?

there would be no banter.

eg Sepc me a X

With OT posts jokes, comments and discussions come up between other members along with suggestions thread can become quite long an entertaining.


with no OT posts

Spec me X

Here's x

Here also is an X for slightly less.

ok

thread closed.

Basically just look in the windows sections / the hardware ones, where people (myself included) post solely for advice o na topic, the threads often <10 posts long and contain no banter no fun and generally the forms get far less visitors and have less of a community feel outside the core few members.



Compare the front page of windows

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=9

and the front page of GD

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=12


to see the difference.

 

[Tefal]

I had myself banned from GD and SC for a time, because I was wasting time that I needed for studying.

I couldn't even see them in the forum lists.

heh you know it's exam time when nitefly has "banned" under his name

 

[Fr0dders]

original topic gets covered but another gets revealed, let the thread run

original topic gets covered then people start posting drivvel, lock it

original topic gets covered thread runs randomly but with decent banter, let the thread run

don't over moderate to fall in line with other forums, this place is successful and popular for a reason, don't emulate others for the sake of it

echoes my feelings entirely.

 

[Fr0dders]

there would be no banter.

eg Sepc me a X

With OT posts jokes, comments and discussions come up between other members along with suggestions thread can become quite long an entertaining.


with no OT posts

Spec me X

Here's x

Here also is an X for slightly less.

ok

thread closed.

Basically just look in the windows sections / the hardware ones, where people (myself included) post solely for advice o na topic, the threads often <10 posts long and contain no banter no fun and generally the forms get far less visitors and have less of a community feel outside the core few members.



Compare the front page of windows

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=9

and the front page of GD

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=12


to see the difference.

excellent post !

The forums where no off topic discussion is the norm, are usually very quiet and boring !

 

[iaind]

Thread drift?

I'd happily have fox's babies, long may it continen