Suggestion - MODERATOR

Wait, Connie, doesn't that make it the complainers fault? Seems to me a better argument for "just skip it." Your opinion should carry as much weight as any other dues paying member of USMS, whose membership dollars are paying for this site, regardless of when you joined or stated posting. So please feel comfortable in sharing these opinions with the rest of us. Well thanks. I guess I just feel like there are a lot of people who have been using this board for a while, and so maybe I don't have as good a grip on its essential character as someone who has been here a while. That is, my opinion may carry less weight because it is less informed. But thanks.

Originally posted by sibleyclan I can understand folks not wanting a serious thread hijacked but, if the thread itself is clearly off topic, it can be easily (& quickly) ignored by anyone who doesn't find it interesting. Except for moderators and administrators who start receiving complaints, and then have to focus their limited resources to the off topic threads rather then, let's say, processing the nationals entries, or writing articles for swim magazine.... Yeah, the same volunteers that are involved in debating the off topic postings are also involved in the organization of the '05 nationals and the '06 world games, working on the online entries and providing you with the information you need, determiningthe quakifying times, keeping track of top 10 times, preparing the articles for the website and the magazine, organizing the swim meets, many of them running for the offices with this year being the election year, working on national sponsorship and the USMS PR, number of other projects. And in addition, monitoring/moderating this forum. When your resources are very limited, you have to prioritize things. I doubt that expanding the forum here, or having a lengthy debate over expanding it will take priority over, let say, making sure that the online entries for the nationals are functioning, verified and processed correctly. When it takes the effort of the same people to make things happen. The bigger issues is not so much whether there shoukd or shouldn't be off topic postings, but the resources that get taken away when it starts going in excess. I know Kyra says that 20% of off topic is not that much.. well, what if that 20% vs. 10% made a difference between her national meet entry being processed correctly, or getting delayed, or having an oversight on it. Which is more important, the fun banter, or the meet entry? Back to my original assertion, if suggestions to expand the forum and allow more off topic postings and fun came along with the offer of additional man power (or money, so someoine can be hired), I bet it would recieve a lot more positive interest, rather than opposition. If the resources weren't limited, I bet that most people overseeing the board would not be opposed to allowing as much fun as possible.

First thing I ask my kids when they get out of the pool, "Did you guys have fun?"

Gosh, after reading Connie's last post, I feel guilty for posting some of the banter in this forum....

Originally posted by knelson How about just putting "NSR" (not swimming related) in the subject heading of these kinds of threads? Personally I don't mind them here. It's usually pretty obvious which ones aren't going to be about swimming much. The NSR will just make it that much easier for those who aren't interested to stay away. I think Kirk has the right idea. Just encourage people to start putting "NSR" or "OT" (off-topic) in the subject line, on a voluntary basis, and see if that helps. On the other hand, I've noticed that Karen and Kirk are right behind me on the total posters list, so nobody do anything that will cause them to post (until I build up more of a lead ;) ). Connie, I'm not sure that underwater swims will help. I've heard of a study, that steroid-using soap-opera watchers that use VaMoose (VO2Max shampoo for mooses) on a desert island will develop gills.

I'm kind of surprised that this thread has gone on for so long

Originally posted by some_girl Wait, Connie, doesn't that make it the complainers fault? Seems to me a better argument for "just skip it." I agree it would be the fault of the complainers but I think that Connie's point is that, no matter who's at fault, it still takes up the moderators time because there will always be those that complain and, for whatever reason, won't "just skip it".

Originally posted by Conniekat8 Stop drop and roll? We could drown it... I know, make it do breath sets, everyone, 4x25Y underwater breath sets on 1:00 before making another post! :p Or Stop POP and roll as my son used to say when he was 3. Sorry, have not kept up on the thread, but could not resist.

Originally posted by craiglll@yahoo.com I'm kind of surprised that this thread has gone on for so long Personally, I like to beat it into the ground. Then jump on it and kick it some more to make sure it's down for the count. Then I'll take a little break, get a drink and my truck. Drive back and forth over it and repeat... I appreciate everyone's feedback, because a lot of people look at things way differently than I do. Mainly because I live in my own little world on a far away planet. Strange how it never gets dark or rains there.... Hopefully both sides have taken a little from this post and we can find a happy medium where it's tolerable for both. I'd hate for this forum to get ruined by too many people complaining or over-run with too little swimming content, which may end up driving off many of our very knowledgeable swimmers. But I love a good off-topic convo every once in a while. Who can be serious all the time? I enjoy swimming and I enjoy this forum. It wouldn't be the same w/o all the personalities. Who's up for ending the feud? Is a little less off topic and a little more lightening up possible?

Rudy...LOL! I live on a foreign planet too....;)