Wax on-topic, wax off-topic

[Noisybast]

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.

[Tiplodocus]

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!".

[Max Kon]

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

[raspberry reich]

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.

[-Pulger-]

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

[The Amstor Computer]

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.

[Matt Timson]

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

Me too...

:P

[The Amstor Computer]

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...)

;-)

[Art]

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.

[The Amstor Computer]

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

:-)

[Carlsborg Expert.]

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

But ITRW thier bloody uncontrolable animals

[Noah Angel]

'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.

[shazhughes]

>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.

[El Spurioso]

"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.

[Oddboy]

...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?