There is nothing that wrecks a good swimming related thread faster than getting into a discussion about message board etiquette. So here is a thread that people can use discuss topics related to what should and should not be posted on the message boards while allowing the other threads to stay on topic.
It seems to me that there is a spectrum of opinion on off-topic posting. On one end of the spectrum people think that threads are a mechanism specifically designed to allow people to carry on discussions on different topics and that we would all be well served if changes in topic were just done in new threads. On the other end of the spectrum people think that people should be able to post anything they want anywhere they want and that any suggestion to the contrary is censorship, a personal attack, or simply control freakish.
Pretty much everyone falls somewhere between these two extremes. Very few people object to a humorous quip inserted here and there in an otherwise serious discussion. Very few people would actually advocate that people be able to liberally sprinkle potentially offensive posts randomly through all the threads.
Have you ever been at a party where someone has decided that this is the right time and place to have a big argument or screaming match with someone? Has it ever contributed to the general enjoyment of the rest of the people there?
I would argue that posts that are essentially expressions of anger and/or are essentially personal attacks have no place on the board. They don't contribute anything positive and generally turn off 99% of the people reading the boards. Even if it seems that someone else has attacked you, does it really help anything to post an angry response?
I personally don't see the problem with starting a new thread when one wants to make an off-topic comment, a little cut and paste and/or a link makes it easy enough to carry the context into the new thread. Why is it essential to be able to carry on an unrelated discussion in a thread where some people are trying to carry on a discussion on a particular topic?
Parents
Former Member
I have been lurking for almost a year. I have really enjoyed all the posts, both serious and fun filled. I think 95% have been just fine. Even some of the crude humor seemed in jest. I didn't like the Geek attacks much, but even he is very funny sometimes.
It seems to me that many people use both information and humor in their posts, like Paul Smith or Fortress or Ande or Peter Cruise or Geochuck or others.
I for one am very glad to see posts that are not just related to swimming faster. I've been heartened to read that others have troubles with injuries, sinus infections, eyes, sleep, weight, etc. I'm glad I'm not the only one breastfeeding infants at swim meets. And I love the banter. It makes everyone seem real, instead of just dry words on a page. It seems like a lot of cyber friendships and rivalries have been started.
I've also enjoyed the obvious NSR threads like "Women are Trouble," or "Meaning of Swimming," or Rich's "Superhero Thread." It's a little break from the mundanity of life.
As to the argumentative threads or NSR threads or threads that go off topic, they seem to have an extremely high viewership compared to the number of posts. This suggests that there are people who read or keep reading despite being offended. So to complain later seems hypocritical or maybe voyeurish? In fact, Geek is one of the most argumentative posters of all time from what I can tell from the old threads. I can see why no one wants to bend to his will. Or even Lindsay's, as thoughful as he may be. I do agree with her that Gull was a great poster.
I guess one of the reasons I finally registered, is that all the posters seem so friendly and encouraging for the most part. They all seem to want to meet each other. It's a lively community, but that appeals more to me than other swim forums I've seen. I was sad to see the odd debates on the topic and dating threads. The censorship advocates seemed really over the top. No one has the same sense of humor, but everyone can practice tolerance I assume.
I'm also a back-*** combo type person. I do not butterfrog, but I wish I could swim fly faster. I'm not a loud flyer, but I could learn.
I have been lurking for almost a year. I have really enjoyed all the posts, both serious and fun filled. I think 95% have been just fine. Even some of the crude humor seemed in jest. I didn't like the Geek attacks much, but even he is very funny sometimes.
It seems to me that many people use both information and humor in their posts, like Paul Smith or Fortress or Ande or Peter Cruise or Geochuck or others.
I for one am very glad to see posts that are not just related to swimming faster. I've been heartened to read that others have troubles with injuries, sinus infections, eyes, sleep, weight, etc. I'm glad I'm not the only one breastfeeding infants at swim meets. And I love the banter. It makes everyone seem real, instead of just dry words on a page. It seems like a lot of cyber friendships and rivalries have been started.
I've also enjoyed the obvious NSR threads like "Women are Trouble," or "Meaning of Swimming," or Rich's "Superhero Thread." It's a little break from the mundanity of life.
As to the argumentative threads or NSR threads or threads that go off topic, they seem to have an extremely high viewership compared to the number of posts. This suggests that there are people who read or keep reading despite being offended. So to complain later seems hypocritical or maybe voyeurish? In fact, Geek is one of the most argumentative posters of all time from what I can tell from the old threads. I can see why no one wants to bend to his will. Or even Lindsay's, as thoughful as he may be. I do agree with her that Gull was a great poster.
I guess one of the reasons I finally registered, is that all the posters seem so friendly and encouraging for the most part. They all seem to want to meet each other. It's a lively community, but that appeals more to me than other swim forums I've seen. I was sad to see the odd debates on the topic and dating threads. The censorship advocates seemed really over the top. No one has the same sense of humor, but everyone can practice tolerance I assume.
I'm also a back-*** combo type person. I do not butterfrog, but I wish I could swim fly faster. I'm not a loud flyer, but I could learn.
