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Post by Colin McA on Aug 13, 2017 9:47:17 GMT
I have been aware on this and other forums how threads can go off topic and appear hi-jack by contributions which border drivel and I struggle to see the relevance.
To be very honest it puts myself and others off posting which is a shame.
Can we as a collective group agree to be more considerate in replies or perhaps introduce a red and yellow card system?
Of course I fully expect this thread to become hi-jacked and go off topic but as a good technical forum I think we need to preserve the integrity whilst encouraging learning and shared experience, where appropriate to the thread.
Perhaps we could have a thought of the day thread for those just looking for some interaction?
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Post by Colin McA on Aug 13, 2017 10:35:41 GMT
I presume this is aimed at me so I have deleted any "contributions" made to your thread and I will not become involved in any further postings you make. I did think that I made a few useful suggestions which you totally ignored anyway. I had assumed that, as your avatar shows a gigantic teddy bear standing next to your car, you had a sense of humour but I'm obviously wrong! Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Not aimed at any one specifically, I would pm a contributor with specific concerns, my concerns are more general. It is a problem across the internet forums of which the p5 forum is not the worst by any means. There is a place for humour, unfortunately written posts on a forum cannot convey tone and context so it is easy for people to make assumptions or mis-read comments made. It is probably safe to avoid it in most cases though. So my posting is to open a discussion on the topic of going off topic. It is our forum and up to us all to keep good house keeping otherwise people dont come on and contribute which is needed to keep it alive.
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Post by enigmas on Aug 13, 2017 21:38:05 GMT
Hi Colin...I tend to think you're overreacting with regard to comments you regard as being off topic. As a contributor to this forum for over a decade (perhaps more) I've always found it to be a useful resource for both technical and personal support with projects and specific tasks. I believe if there is or was a conflict of issues that led to some negativity and misdirection it was with the division between traditional restoration and those individuals that modify their cars and the degree to which this is done. I also believe this is no longer an issue, as the forum has become more inclusive, more of a broad church with the addition of a specific modified section.
As for certain off topic remarks I believe these at times appear within a thread if apparent pomposity, technical self righteousness or boastfulness becomes apparent. It's a very Aussie trait to knock down tall poppies or individuals who exhibit these personality traits through humour or satire. Sometimes it's done to 'lighten' the tone of a discussion. Of course there are individuals that pay no attention to the focus of a thread and post their own topic over the top of it, but I believe that the moderators do a good job of redirecting these posts.
If topics go slightly off course on occasion...well big deal, it happens on all the tech forums I participate on and is usually a part of the friendly banter between like minded people sharing a common interest. It's only an issue when discussion becomes vexatious.
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Post by Welsh Warlock on Aug 14, 2017 8:55:55 GMT
I'm inclined to agree with Colin in that topics do get taken off course down irrelevant paths for no benefit.
I'm not that accomplished when it comes to working on my car but I like to be able to share the little knowledge I have and the discoveries I've made as well as draw upon the knowledge of others.
The technical bits of the forum are where people tend to go when they want information and there is a separate part of the forum to tell jokes, share anecdotes and talk about non technical matters and generally "shoot the breeze" as the Americans would say.
I stopped visiting this forum for some time as I had a technical issue I was working through which I was documenting and sharing (and had invested a significant amount of time doing so) deleted by the mods due to the very reasons that Colin has raised. The whole thread was deleted by accident while the mods were trying to filter out the irrelevant spurious posts. The result of that is the significant resolutions to a rare but difficult problem to solve were not shared and I won't invest time on this forum. Information is then lost for no benefit.
I agree there is room on here for humour and social chit chat but it should be directed to the appropriate parts of the forum.
An odd quip maybe fine but some people say much but contribute little.
Perhaps this could be difficult for the mods to administer though but if they spot a pattern maybe they could have a word with the participant?
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Post by Colin McA on Aug 14, 2017 11:03:03 GMT
I just think it is worth having a discussion on the subject, as a forum member I am the same as everyone else.
As I said this forum isnt the worst but these things can creep in.
To give examples of the things I have seen not on here though. Posts with cars or items for sale. replies appear like 'if only you were closer' 'if I didnt have 6 cars I would buy this' etc etc. These are the sort of thing I read and think why did you even reply to the post.
'Of course there are individuals that pay no attention to the focus of a thread and post their own topic over the top of it, but I believe that the moderators do a good job of redirecting these post' This is what I have seen creeping in on this forum, and I dont think it is fair for the moderators to have to decide when to intervene.
We should all self police our posts. There is such a range of ages and regional members, what some think is funny can be taken badly by others. Unless you personally know the person and how it will come across to them. There is of course the people who know what they are doing and either enjoy winding people up or dont care.
anyway I think that it is worth discussing. Perhaps we could have little badges or flags for threads to indicate whether we are in the mood for a piss take or keep it straight. Suppose that would merely encourage folk to wind up the originator though.
I like posting things which might be of interest to others. Over the years People have been working on little projects which I have found interesting so when I am doing the same I think it is good to share. Sometimes you will help or inspire others and also get positive encouragement or helpful hints. A recent one was the alternative rims for rostyles. Thats the sort of thread you want to see on a forum without going off topic.
Just my thoughts.
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Post by johnwp5bcoupe on Aug 14, 2017 11:39:16 GMT
A lot of sensible comments, it is difficult at times to sit on the fence so occasionally we have to "have a word". The good thing is we have a "great group of sensible members" and very rarely" these days is there a problem
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Post by David on Aug 14, 2017 14:50:44 GMT
There is a yellow/red card type system, but it it rarely used unless there is a real situation that needs to be resolved..
Personally I don't have a problem with the odd 'if I was closer comment'. To me, I read it more as an acknowledgement of appreciation rather than an annoyance- and there you have the dilemma. What is light banter for one, is an annoying comment from another
As an example, we just got back from Roverfest, enjoying an evening meal with fellow Rover enthusiasts, including our own Mr & Mrs Wallett. The conversation strayed many times from the original subject, but I think we all enjoyed the light humour and anecdotes. The difficulty is, if I put the same conversation to print, it would probably read as unnecessary and not relevant.
The difficulty with forums is the success of forums, we attract all mindsets.
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Post by Colin McA on Aug 14, 2017 21:25:11 GMT
"anyway I think that it is worth discussing. Perhaps we could have little badges or flags for threads to indicate whether we are in the mood for a piss take or keep it straight" Are you serious? Why wouldnt I be serious? Lots of forums have a facility to adorn profiles with various badges. It is a simple suggestion but as I also said it would provide some encouragement to those who enjoy hi-jacking threads or dont care. It could be included on a members signature along the lines of "please refrain from taking this thread off topic". I would think it be as sucessful as "no ball games" and "keep off the grass" for kids on the park. If you have any suggestions on how to keep threads from going off topic please do post them for the forum members consideration. Open forum, the issue obviously doesnt bother some as much as others. It is good to hear different views on the topic.
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