2000 AD Online Forum

I know we have this discussion about once a month these days, but I think my opinion's hardening a little.

Is it time to have a separate board/section of the board for off-topicness?

- Trout

I can't discuss this here. I'll need a seperate board.

Why?

That would make more work for those of us who are interested in both on-topic and off-topic threads.

Who?

I'd go for two sections to the board, but i think if recent trends are anything to go by the on-topic site would be a lonely wasteland for the majority of the time; Until a newbie has a question or the latest publication comes out for review.

There's an on-topic board already.  It even has the Lord High Priest of Ontopicness, W.R. Logan.

Come and chat!

Link: http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/forum/

I've no problem with off-topiciness at all, except for the look at me/woe is me ones, which piss me off but end up being like a scab you've just got to pick.

Perhaps rather than splitting the board, we should just ban the attention whores. ;)

Ive thought about this a lot and for me, who doesnt really have the time - witness my attempts in the chat room recenlty - a seperate board wpild be helpful.  But maybe this board isnt quite the fun it used to be?

Rather than having a seperate board maybe theres a way of filtering the crap out (without using killfile).  For example I dont want to killfile Max, but I sure as hell dont want to read 13 pages of his attempts to get a girlfreind and as Wils said, it became a scab I had to pick....  

Anyway its just a thought

Slips

How would these boards be adjudicated?

What would happen if you posted an off-topic in the on-topic board?

Personally I think it's fine as it is and it's rather a bit authoritarian to start to dictate to people what they should and should not post. Surely, apart from the few, we are all grown up enough to ignore the threads that provoke and spam and just let them lie, whilst embracing the threads that matter?

The variety of messages and topics on this board, 2000AD and none, creates a great community. I think it's really good that we have 'mixed' thread messages, because underneath all of the threads there is a group of like minded individuals that have, at heart, a common connection and that is 2000AD. It's this variety, and life which makes this board so special.

Come on it's not very often you get a prog review sitting next to a thread called 'I successfully asked a girl out', for some un-intangible reason I find them both connected.

:-) M

I think if the board was split in two then the on-topic board would be very rarely used. As it is, the tags and titles let you know what to expect and that's fair enough.

Why not make one big thread for stuff that's often mentioned like good links (hint hint my link thread), one for very off-topic stuff and one for pure waffle and rubbish?

This way we could contain the problem, at least to some extent. Plus it wouldn't mess up the board.

We all know whats off-topic.

Whats on-topic?

Exclusively 2k stuff?

Sci-fi in general?

Tech advise?

'I've no problem with off-topiciness at all, except for the look at me/woe is me ones, which piss me off but end up being like a scab you've just got to pick.'

Hmm, a bit harsh Wils. What you have to remember is that the internet and sites like this give many people, who feel alone or outside of society, the chance to connect with others just like themselves. By this I don't mean angst ridden fook-ups, but people with the same interests who can, hopefully, help them develop emotionally and shed all that negativity.

It's kind of like having a mentor or just someone you can talk to when you're feeling alone, you think no-one understands you or you just don't want to discuss things with people you know.

Often, sites like this act as a shoulder to cry on, or a chance to let go of bottled up feelings that once released can make a vast difference to that persons outlook on life.

I don't personally have a problem with any of the boarders responsible for the 'look at me/woe is me' threads purely because everyone, myself included has been at that stage at some point in their life, even if they've forgotten it or choose to deny it. We are all outsiders in some way.

Noah

There are plenty of threads I don't read. The message index shows how many replies there are, and therefore give an indication of how long it might take to wade through the thread.

I am definitely not going to create a separate board for off-topic. One day there may be an optional extra layer which divides the messages into the different categories, if I or Barny get around to writing it.

Cheers,

Wake

#What you have to remember is that the internet and sites like this give many people, who feel alone or outside of society, the chance to connect with others just like themselves.


now thats enough to scare a newbie off, any chance that there are well adjusted, socially adept people in here who want to chat about stuff around a common theme?
not sure if selling the place as somewhere for people who feel alone or outside of society is the best selling point for any forum, unless its specifically for people who feel alone, outside of society or have limited social skills.

It's not like you have to read every thread on the board. The thread title and tag should tell you enough about whats on the thread.

well i have to say the thing about the 2000ad boared i have always liked is the lack of elitism you get here having visited on a few comic related boards i found myself realising why alot of comic reading people get beaten up
on the tooth board it is informal if people dont like the tread they simply do the adult thing and ignore it thus dispencing with the desent in to a$$hole-ism and name calling and frankly d!ck head geek elitism found else where. you get to ask cool people cool questions about comic or sci - fi related stuff or just ar$e about with cool people i love the board the way it is its a shining example of human beings (with possible fish related mutations) rather than the elitist geekswho quit fankly deserve getting strung up by thier pants and hit with stikes Pinata style.
that is all

#What you have to remember is that the internet and sites like this give many people, who feel alone or outside of society, the chance to connect with others just like themselves.

Heh!  Id have to say that everyone Ive ever met from here in the flesh, has been a relatively normal well adjusted person.  With an exception or two.

As I said previously maybe its not the off topicness, maybe just its a lack of fun.  Theres certianly a core group here and well I know what some of them are going to post without reading their post ;) or at least the jist of it.  Maybe its a case of familiarity breeding contempt.

Slips
 

Maybe its a case of familiarity breeding contempt.


That's why I'm giving up the board for Lent.  As of this post.

I've been trying not to go down this road because the whole on/off-topic thread debate has been done so many times before, but what the Hell eh. If it livens things up round here I'll start the controversial ball rolling...

It seems to me that this site is steadily creeping
towards elitism again. It used to be a place where anyone could air their views, however stupid or near the knuckle with the minimum amount of critiscism.

The fact of the matter is that this is a site devoted to 2000ad for fans of 2000ad. That means that it isn't just for people who want to talk inanely about nothing else than their favourite comic, but also about the other things in their lives.

I came on here to meet and virtually socialise with people who share common interests. Not just an infatuation with a comic. If this site consisted of nothing but on-topic 2000ad related posts then you wouldn't see me, and I imagine quite a few other boarders for dust.

The people who come here post what they want because this isn't a dictatorship and as such they are allowed to do so no matter how stupid or irrelevant their posts may, or may seem to be. People come here to have fun and chat to the members of this community they have made a connection with. That is essentially the whole point of fan sites. A meeting place for people with shared interests.

When it's at the point where there are actually divisions between whether or not there should be a seperate board for off-topic threads why don't we just take it one step further and go for segregation according to race, creed and colour? That may seem extreme, and rightfully so, but the point is that any form of discrimination, whowever small, is still discrimination. Like what you like and accept that not everyone else will share your views.

The bottom line? There are far more important things in life to be getting pissed off about instead of something so trivial.

Noah.  

The way I see it - if you don't want to read it then don't read it. If you want to have a strictly 2000ad related thread then bloody start one.
Maybe there's not as many related threads because life is so relatively good in the prog at the moment. Debates will soon start off if things are bad. You won't be able to shut people up.

:-) I knew this thread was going to whiz along nicely.

I am also of the opinion that being off-topic occasionally is part of the appeal of this board. I just feel it's a question of degrees, and lately it's gotten a little too extreme. Just IMO, and not to start a big row.

Anyway, I take Wake's point about changing things. I don't want to create work for him or Dante-Barn.

However, I am keen on the idea of a "killfile" for off-topic threads, as Slips suggests.

- Trout

Well I made an off-topic thread just in case.

Good for my ego too if people use it.-

Perhaps I should return to significantly off-topic Troutiness.

I wonder if the board can handle it? :-)

It seems to me that this site is steadily creeping towards elitism again. It used to be a place where anyone could air their views, however stupid or near the knuckle with the minimum amount of critiscism.

Don't talk such utter cock. The only time this board has ever really closed ranks was a couple of years ago when things like the Big Brother debacle took over so many threads that it was taking the piss. These were relieved mainly by the main culprit being killfiled by a large number of people and normality was soon returned.

This *is* a place where off topic posts are welcomed by many, but abject attention-seeking "look how funny, erudite and *totally* zany I am" threads and those just whoring for sympathy *do* just fuck some of us off. Would you air your dirty laundry on the messageboard? Didn't think so.

why don't we just take it one step further and go for segregation according to race, creed and colour?

That comment is *so* pathetically laughable (and even a tad mentalist), I'm not even going to comment any further on it.

I've not all the above posts on this thread (only the first and the last one by Wils), so here's my un-informed view...

Dont be so daft.  the board is what the board is.  And that would be; on topic at times, off at others but generally an interesting place to visit.  If there's stuff you don't want to read then don't (like the long running thread that Wils doesn't like).

#If there's stuff you don't want to read then don't

how do you know if you dont want to read something til youve read it?

if the title suggests that it will not be an interesting subject I leave the thread well alone until I'm really bored.

see max is the best he hits it right on the head with a minimum of fuss

from my limited experience so far ive discovered that the subject doesnt always tell you what is being discussed and even the most on topic thread usually goes on and off topic to some degree or other.

This debate has been inspired largely by Max's "even worse at chatting up women than Noisybast, and that's saying something" thread, right?

Is there anybody present who doesn't know what that one's about by now?

OK, so if you don't like reading it, just stop.

There's off topic and really off topic.

I don't mind reading off-topic stuff about Doctor Who, Star Wars, Solar Wind etc - maybe they should be in a category called "OTHER SF" rather than lumped in with all the other off topic delights as "REAL WORLD/NEWS" and "LOOK AT ME!".

We should have a new "LOOK AT ME!" tag (you know I'd have all my threads with that tag, even prog review ones)

you are arguing over nothing. just dont click on the threads you dont want to read simple as that. and if some one turns a on topic thread into a off topic thread just ignore the post simple as that.there is no point getting angry over nothing.

so because the board suits you the way it is the seemingly genuine concerns of some others in the 'community' are to be ingnored.

Submitted without comment:

By my count, there are 84 threads running on the board at the moment.

15 are directly related to 2000AD - from posts about which 2K character should marry, to prog reviews and news.

9 are about other comics or comic-related news and events.

The majority of posts on this board are off-topic, swinging from vaguely off-topic to ridiculous, nonsense posts.

Frank, you sad git, did you really sit there and scrutinize all those threads?

Me too...

:P

Heh. Well, if we're going to argue about it, it's probably as well that it's from the facts. Although, that's never stopped anyone here (you and me included, JEB...)

;-)

You know, what you really want to do is create a detailed Excell spreadsheet containing all the active threads, all the people that have posted to them, the number of posts and the categories (on-topic, off-topic, just plain pointless) they fall into. That way you could create various charts and graphs to illustrate the problem, it's causes, and possible cures.

...sounds like you've got that project well in hand already, Art...

:-)

TBH There should be a priority bumping of 2k topics.

But ITRW thier bloody uncontrolable animals

'Don't talk such utter cock.'

Well after such an elequent and well thought out reply, how can I fail to respond.

I take a backstage view of events on the board with no alliegance to either side of the debate. Just my own view of the bigger picture so I feel I'm slightly more qualified and extremely entitled to air an opinion based on my observations.

This is, as I've already stated, that there is a division amongst boarders over whether or not people should be allowed to post off-topic or as you put it yourself 'attention-seeking "look how funny, erudite and *totally* zany I am" threads and those just whoring for sympathy'. Now as far as I can see there is no reason why, especially on an open forum, people should not be allowed to post what they want.

The whole point of sites like these, as I couldn't have set out any clearer in my posts, is for fans to meet up and chat. It's the same scenario as a pub. The people share a common interest of drinking, but you don't have to socialise with everyone there.

The problem is, that there is undeniably a lot of venom aimed towards boarders over certain posts. As you put it yourself 'those just whoring for sympathy *do* just fuck some of us off'. Not a particularly tolerant or sympathetic approach is it? Do you think that anyone with genuine problems reading your reply would feel welcome here or do you think you may be adding to their issues with your "fuck off" attitude?

'Would you air your dirty laundry on the messageboard? Didn't think so.'

Actually, If I didn't have an understanding and supportive partner and friends I may well 'air my dirty laundry here, so it's probably best that you don't attempt to pre-empt the replies of myself or any of the boarders responsible for those 'whoring for sympathy' posts.


' That comment is *so* pathetically laughable (and even a tad mentalist), I'm not even going to comment any further on it.'

That was the general idea. It's using an extreme example to get a point across. You obviously missed that though because you were too ready to go on the defensive without reading the post properly.

I hope your happy now Mr Trout!

Noah.

>Just my own view of the bigger picture so I feel I'm slightly more qualified and extremely entitled to air an opinion based on my observations.

Wow.

"I hope your [sic] happy now Mr Trout!"

...actually, it was "Wils" you were quoting, but fair enough.

You seem to be equating the aforementioned "Whoring For Sympathy" bollocks with "off topicness" as a whole, which isn't (I think) what Wils was getting at at all.  

Speaking for myself, I have no problem with off topicness because a) it's often funny, b) I can ignore it if I want to and c) other people find it *all* genuinely interesting.  

But I *do* have a problem with the "LOOK AT ME!" posts (great suggestion for a topic tag, btw, Max - but could people be relied upon to use it?), because a) they represent such inane cockdribblingly awful antisocial WANK, b) they take up room on a messageboard which is already teetering on the verge of a "repellant to New Visitors" status, and c) they often disguise themselves behind interesting titles, leaving mugs like me to read the rancid bleatings within in the mistaken expectation of running into something more diverting.  That's my view, anyways.

As for all this "the messageboard is a viable forum for emotionally damaged blah blah blah" stuff...  I guess I'd probably agree with you that it *is* used in that capacity by a few people, but that's not to say I think it's a good, healthy, or clever idea.  In fact, if we're going to get really DIY-psychoanalysis about this, I'd go so far as to suggest that, by using this forum as a means of "reaching out" to the world, your theoretical UNLOVED SOCIALLY INEPT FANBOY #A is in fact hindering, rather than helping, himself.  "Look at me," he thinks, "I've got all these friends!  I must be doing really well!  I don't ever need to go out and bother about learning all those tedious little things everyone else drones on about - like social skills, personal hygiene and the ability to look someone in the eye!  Huzzah for electronic society!"  

Very helpful.

Anyway.  Horses for courses.  Providing they aren't too terrified of reality to leave the stable, that is.

...actually, it was "Wils" you were quoting, but fair enough.

Yeah but it was The Trout who started the whole thread - and I expect His Royal Wickedness probably is chuckling to himself over this one.
Sniffed any good progs recently, Your Troutiness?

Tanky's common sense guidelines for a happy message board

If it aint broke, don't fix it.
If you don't like it, don't post on it.
If a message board is causing you stress, think yourself lucky that you have nothing better to worry about.
If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all (except the Trout, obviously. And possibly Eyebrows)

The internet is arguably the only remaining medium through which total freedom of speech can now happen. You *really* want to start censoring each other?

Defending the off topic thread, as always,
Tanky x

Ah... I see Si has saved me the bother...

;)

For fuck's sake.

I only asked, you pack of argumentative, childish lunatics.

Fuck this. I'm off.

God, I love the board.

:-)

I see Si has saved me the bother

Rather frustratingly, he's said pretty much everything I would've said too, although I'm still laughing about how anyone can possibly say that their opinion is worth more than everyone elses who posts here. Hahahaha. *Mental*.

Also, how anyone can supposedly post whatever the hell they want as long as it doesn't involve anything the 'look at me!' brigade+ doesn't like (like someone possibly saying they *don't* like the board being *flooded* by completely inane bollocks or the rejects from Clare Rayner and 'Our Tune'). Again, we had that kind of bollocks with all the BB stuff.

Off-topicness is *great*, and is *completely* different to the whoring for attention and jumping-up-and-down-with-a-flag ones. Most of my postings are actually to the off topic ones, so I'm not likely to be against them, am I? This *is* sort of like chatting in a pub, and likewise is *not* the place where the  socially or emotionally retarded should seek therapy.


+ Yes, that definitely includes you, Noah. Your reaction to all of this cements your place in it.

Hmmm. I felt that just abandoning ship would be of no benefit to anyone, so wanted to add a comment.

This wasn't a deliberate atttempt to cause strife. I just thought it might be an idea, as the off-topic stuff was breeding rapidly and I couldn't be bothered with the board so much.

I take the point on not reading it - I've made the same point myself in the past - and may just find something better to do with my time eventually.

- Trout

Truely, the Trout *is* evil (even when he's not trying to be). ;)

Can I just apologise for my part in previous look-at-me-ness.

Oh wait, I'm still doing it.


B'DUM TSH!!!;)

Righty ho, I'll reply to the points raised individualy rather than on one post, mainly cos I can't be arsed to cut & paste and they'll be shorter.

First up shazhuges. Sorry if that remark about being 'more qualified' came across as arrogant. It wasn't supposed to but that's the problem with replying to posts when you feel you have to defend your viewpoint. You can end up seeming a tad stroppy ;)

I was, as I said trying to get across the fact that as a casual visitor I don't really take sides over the board divisions but I do believe in the rights of anyone to post what they feel is relevant in their lives at the time, whether it's crap or not. It's like TV. You don't need to look at these posts if you dont want to, so it shouldn't really be a major cause for debate. It's that simple.

Noah

On to Si. As Oddboy pointed out the reference to Trout was due to the fact that he was responsible for starting this thread, no doubt aware that it would, as usual end up a heated debate or a slanging match. Very evil, but a total genius when it comes to these type of threads ;)

From the posts I read I assumed that there was a general lumping together of "look at me", "whoring for sympathy" and off-topicness. If that's not the case then I apologise for misreading the situation. Although being a writer you will understand just how easy it is to misconstrue posts at times.

On the subject of the 'look at me posts', well I can understand what you are saying about some of them luring unsuspecting boarders in, but does that mean that you have to linger or return? If I go to the library and choose a book I'm not under any obligation to finish reading it if I don't want to. The same should apply to these type of posts. Let the peole who want to respond to them do so and if you want to avoid them like the plague once you know what they are.

Finally, you probably have a point, at least to a degree, about the socially inept hindering themselves rather than helping by going on sites like this. But then again, even if they get off to a bad start, at least they are connecting and developing their social skills. You can't move mountains overnight so obviously sometimes the change isn't instantly noticable. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who could come up with a number of boarders, who played the 'look at me card' and for want of a better term started of as irritating twats. But if you look at them now they've settled in nicely. That, to some extent is why I don't really have a major problem when I see similar posts.

Noah.

Finally Wils. As I said in an earlier reply, and I admitted it unfortunately came across as rather arrogant, I was trying to point out that I'm neutral when it comes to board divisions so I'm between both sides of the arguement. I do however believe that everyone here has the right to post (obviously within certain moral boundaries) what they like. Again you are more than capable of ignoring it, but by not doing so you merely add fuel to the fire.

I don't actually get what you are trying to say with your comments about what the 'look at me brigade' doesn't like. I thought the issue was more about the boards being used exclusively for 2000ad related topics. Or am I missing some major point?

As to pubs not being the place where the socially or emotionally retarded should seek therapy, that wasn't what I was saying and I suspect by the tone and replies of your posts that you are seeking an argument rather than a debate. Also, considering the number of people who disguise their social problems with alcohol, closet especially, who do see pubs and booze as their "therapy" you may just have to accept that there are people in the world who are different to you and may view you as equally irritating as you view them. Like what you like, ignore what you don't.

Noah.

A few last words from myself to you all before I dissapear for ages again...

I'm not a troll, a Scojo, a Cairns, 2K writer stirring up things or any other boarder under alias. I visit here and post only in the still moments of my life, or when I get the need to hop on a post that entertains or stimulates me. I don't feel the need to become involved in everything because I don't feel any obligation to have an opinion on everything. If I've offended anyone, it wasn't intentional (you'd know about it if it was) so get over it ;) Finally, try not to take this site or life too seriously because you'll just end up neurotic.

Whenever next.

Noah.

ZZZZzzzzzz...snork..pfff... what?

Yeah, but your also not Nuetral in this Noah, whatever you say, you've taken a side and are arguing for it. So there's just as much bias there as there is anywhere else on this crazy mixed up little board of ours, heppdaddyo.

shocking as i find this to myself.

i am honestly a bit tired of the level off topic we are now experiencing. im i am amongst  the highest users of the board . and normally i dont make the differnce between the on and off topics,
but it is getting to much of late.
i am for one going to try not to post an off topic thread, and as much as i can only post on off topic ones selectively and sparingly.

if we all make an effort im sure we can restore balance once again.

so its rutting season again is it ? the strong circle each other, eyeing up new contenders, snarling/ growling deciding which territory or patch to lay claim to & clinging to it regardless. the domineering few make the rest of the tribe/herd/clan squirm awquardly, who will prevail? what new un-written rules will we all have to obey? are we allowed to wish each other happy birthday? congratulate on achievements, new babys, weddings ?

shit, i'm being an attention whore again...fucks sake ! don't post on a thread let them diee ! all threads must die you attention seeking bunny boiler what the fuck did you post on this thread for ...aieeeeeeeee! quick quick, ahem... i believe there was a prog in the 90's which featured bunnys, anyone remeber the page number & artist?

oh what the fuck, crucify me, whatever, ive got a prog to read, & shoes to buy or something.

Sory Guys & Doll's I'm off...see WEBSITE for me reasons.
;-(

I'm just sick of all the natter ABOUT off-topic more than anything off-topic itself.  How many fucking threads are there discussing off-topic now?
If you don't like it, bugger off - there's plenty more website forums with everything neatly arranged in little catagories of this, that, and the other - go read those.  The sooner this all blows over and the wheat and the chaff get seperated, the sooner we can all get back to talking about monkeys in hats.

Unfortunately, even if all those threads die instantly, some miserable twat will still bring the topic up again in aproximately three months...

some miserable twat

Am I the only person to see the irony in Eyebrows posting that? ;)

[cue lame comeback involving 'purple pants']

"I'm not wearing any panties, but if I was, they'd be purple"



;)

Touch?, you bastard. :)

Although, notice I'm *smiling* (albeit, obviously forced). That's that thing where the corners of your mouth go up instead of down. You might've done something similar in about 1986. ;)


I agree that tie *is* shit, though.