Off Topic Posts

[SDL]

As with all conversations, things can often get a little off topic. I just caught myself in this situation on my own forum, Storyturner, where it flowed with the conversation within the thread but went off topic to the actual thread.

For me, I don’t mind it as long as it flows with the rest of the conversation and gets back on topic after. However I know some forums hate off topic posts in threads.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Cedric]

Off topic chats often build the best community. That being said, it should only be allowed on general topics, niche specific topics should stay clean from off topic chat. It's not often easy to hold that off or discourage it without compromising the community though. But if it gets too much, I would separate the off topic chat to a different topic. We allow it to a certain level here and haven't had the need much to separate topics so far.

 

[Cory]

I don't mind a little off-topic chat, but when it starts to be multitudes of pages worth of off-topic chat then I would ask people to take the conversation to PMs or go to what most forums have as a "Chit-Chat Thread". I try to keep the forum organized and keep posts mostly on-topic is one part of doing so. There's a time and place for everything. A conversation about your dog does not deserve multitudes of pages worth of chat when the topic is about, let's say food.

 

[Ravenfreak]

I only mind if it doesn't last the entire thread. I've been on forums where as soon as the thread gets derailed, all the off topic posts end up in a separate thread. If it does end up taking over the thread, I'll just end up doing the same as this community.

 

[Paul]

Not bothered for the most part. Sometimes people will quote others but then not really post their own opinion/thought for that thread. Generally, I don't lose sleep over it. More important things in the world to worry about.

 

[Empire]

I have been off-topic, can't help it but that's how we can get good chats going. I do not like cats however I never own cats since I can hug them. RIpp, this is not a cat thread moving to dogs, I mean off-topic.

as long as we get back on topic after awhile and not go overboard.

 

[Nomad]

I do not have off-topic sections on my forums and I want people to strictly post on topics. However, I do understand that it is very common for the conversation to go off-topic (just like in real life, people also frequently change topics while discussing). IT is moderators' job to remind people to discuss on topic.

 

[Shortie]

I often do not mind if the topic goes off topic if it still makes sense, in some cases some things can go off topic and then can come back to the topic a little after and that can make for a good conversation and even in some cases a good and friendly debate as well.

If something was to go completely off topic though, I would definitely speak up and say something and just let the members know to try and stay on topic if possible.

 

[Kennysplash]

Off topics can be a good way to relax and chill out a little, just that there should be a limit to it. Forums that don't have off topic discussions, I find them too rigid.

 

[~ True Legend ~]

I think off topic chats can be entertaining. However we should be respectful of context and theme. for example we wouldn't want a serious discussion to derail into GIF spamming and banter. As that can upset members where the discussion is important to them.

 

[Kyng]

I don't mind a little bit of off-topic discussion: I understand that discussions can naturally drift away from their original intended purpose.

However, when that happens, I want the discussion to get back on-topic within a few posts - so, if the off-topic discussion persists, I'll either split it into a new thread or tell people to get back on-topic.

 

[~ True Legend ~]

I don't mind a little bit of off-topic discussion: I understand that discussions can naturally drift away from their original intended purpose.

However, when that happens, I want the discussion to get back on-topic within a few posts - so, if the off-topic discussion persists, I'll either split it into a new thread or tell people to get back on-topic.

I’ve seen forums where the second paragraph doesn’t occur.

 

[Ken]

Everyone need to make off-topic posts and that's what the off-topic threads on sites are made and designed for.

 

[~ True Legend ~]

Everyone need to make off-topic posts and that's what the off-topic threads on sites are made and desinged for.

I think we're talking more about threads getting derailed from the original topic by the OP, rather than threads being a different topic to the website's theme.