Do we need an off topic forum? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 03:33:39 pm
content: Just curious what other people think of this, it seems that we might be in need of a more off topic forum than general chat. The description of general chat is as follows:This is where everyone hangs out and rants and chats about whatever electronics topics that don't fit into the other more specific categories on this forum. Occasional off-topic stuff is ok, but generally we like to keep it electronics related.Now, we do have the odd off topic thread, and dave/the moderators are fine with that as long as it does not devolve into an argument/ get too far off the original topic, and it depends on who started it, as dave said, he allows people to post things like that as long as they also contribute to the forum in general, and not just post randomly off topic things.But I was wondering, maybe this forum would benefit from a purely off topic sub forum. General could still be a place for somewhat off topic, but electronics related discussions, and the off topic forum could be for anything. Sharing humorous videos, talking about projects that are not electronics related, maybe some people do woodworking, or welding, or other things like that, nifty little things that would not otherwise have a home in this forum. Maybe you created something cool in KSP, or an engineering themed game that would be neat to share.I think that those sorts of discussions and pretty much anything would be good there, even if there was a bit of conflict or argument in the thread, as long as things did not devolve too much, a place to discuss other things and debate over them might be a healthy outlet with a bit more slack than topics that have been started in general.Keep in mind these are all just ideas, if you have ideas for what would be accepted or not, or guidelines for an off topic forum, please share.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 03:51:24 pm
content: There is no such thing as an off-topic forum.There is always a forum somewhere on the web that will cater for conspiracy theories, tinfoil adepts and peanut sandwich recipes. Please keep those and similar threads away from this fine electronics site.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 04:05:18 pm
content: It seems that you can converse on any off topic threads, as long as they are approved by the mods.so I think you already have one.

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 04:05:59 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on July 22, 2014, 03:51:24 pmI doubt the people here would discuss stuff like that, or if someone did start a topic on that it would likely be ignored.And there is such a thing as an off topic forum, it's a forum with no content description.

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 04:29:06 pm
content: Quote from: XOIIO on July 22, 2014, 04:05:59 pmYou haven't been paying attention, then!

author: gxti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 04:45:00 pm
content: A little bit of off-topic is okay, but creating a board just for that purpose would embolden people to create quite a lot of it, and quite a lot more off-topic than before. And whenever a topic crosses the line and gets locked, the author is going to feel even more wronged by it than they do today. Because regardless of what rules the board it might actually have, "off-topic" implies anything goes.

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 04:48:51 pm
content: Quote from: baljemmett on July 22, 2014, 04:29:06 pmI have yet to see a peanut sandwich recipe on this forum

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 05:08:47 pm
content: So you mean a place to discuss things like "Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot" or "Thunderbirds"?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 05:13:42 pm
content: No. Adding a "free for all area" on this forum would make a mess of this place and make a big headache for Dave.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 06:01:34 pm
content: Quote from: XOIIO on July 22, 2014, 04:05:59 pmSome OT threads are actually very longhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/ot-weird-al-gets-tacky/

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 06:07:05 pm
content: Maybe it's possible to make a sticky thread in each larger subsection called something like "Small questions or small issues that may not be worth making a thread for, related to MCU/Equipment/subsection speciality".This works reasonably well for a computer related forum i use.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 06:40:11 pm
content: Quote from: mariush on July 22, 2014, 06:07:05 pmAnd on GearSlutz.com there is: "A thread for asking the things you should know by now but don't" with 4,409 posts and 390,392 views. It has been active for 6 years.http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/184297-thread-asking-things-you-should-know-now-but-dont.html

author: dfmischler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 08:40:49 pm
content: I say, "Hell no!" I'm here because I like the forum the way it is. The controlled amount of off-topic stuff seems to be just about right.

author: SirNick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 11:42:38 pm
content: I don't mean to offend, but I think this is a waste of time. This has already been proposed, and shot down by the administration here.Reasons cited and implied:- It will flood the various statistical and thread management scripts with off-topic content.- It will turn into a cesspool of arguing and name-calling, which does no one any good.- It will breed contempt and ill will between members that will spill over into the main forums.- It creates additional work for the admins. ("Then ignore it." Not really an option, as simple as it sounds.)- It becomes a public record of the worst qualities of netizens, potentially off-putting new and current members.- Whatever topic you're off on already has a forum somewhere -- there's not much point in giving it a home here, except to lure in the existing membership. (See points #2 and 3 for why this is undesirable.)- "Because I said 'no'." -- The AdminsDave and co seem to have their minds made up on this. Badgering is not likely to persuade them, only to annoy them. Just IMHO.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 11:49:34 pm
content: I think you are referring to section. No need, people can just add to this thread.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 11:50:01 pm
content: YES, everything that SirNick said. Absolutely.Please drop this silly idea and get back to electronics.If you want to discuss something else then go elsewhere.There is absolutely NO REASON to turn this into a cess-pit.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 11:54:18 pm
content: This has been discussed and answered on the 'Arbitrary Moderation' thread.Locked.