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
Have you noticed that alot of our best posters have disappeared? Mr. Swim Encyclopedia, Skip Thompson, is nowhere to be found. How about Terry Laughlin? Or Gull with his good medical advice? There may be other reasons why we haven't heard from them but could it be the quality of the recent postings?.
Karlene, I am really sorry you feel that mindless chit/chat banter is of little value. You know, maybe there needs to be a forum that is restrictive enough in that it only allows strict swimming threads. I do agree that sometimes the comedians here do make a left turn with humor, but I have always enjoyed it. I do know others who may not truly enjoy it, but they seem to be patient souls and let people be people.
The reason why I quoted the portion of your reply is this: I thought I was one of the best posters because I am pretty technical lots of times. Now I know I am not the cream of the crop (joke Karlene).
I am truly glad there has been a discussion about this and what we have found out is we are a versatile, mixed group who love the same sport!! And I have a suggestion: for those who are serious swimmers who want serious discussions, lighten up, and for those who are comedians and can get off on a tangent, keep our serious swimming friends in mind and don't go bonkers with off-subject tangents for too long. I think we all can police ourselves pretty well.
Oh, and I did like what Jim wrote, too.
Donna
Have you noticed that alot of our best posters have disappeared? Mr. Swim Encyclopedia, Skip Thompson, is nowhere to be found. How about Terry Laughlin? Or Gull with his good medical advice? There may be other reasons why we haven't heard from them but could it be the quality of the recent postings?.
Karlene, I am really sorry you feel that mindless chit/chat banter is of little value. You know, maybe there needs to be a forum that is restrictive enough in that it only allows strict swimming threads. I do agree that sometimes the comedians here do make a left turn with humor, but I have always enjoyed it. I do know others who may not truly enjoy it, but they seem to be patient souls and let people be people.
The reason why I quoted the portion of your reply is this: I thought I was one of the best posters because I am pretty technical lots of times. Now I know I am not the cream of the crop (joke Karlene).
I am truly glad there has been a discussion about this and what we have found out is we are a versatile, mixed group who love the same sport!! And I have a suggestion: for those who are serious swimmers who want serious discussions, lighten up, and for those who are comedians and can get off on a tangent, keep our serious swimming friends in mind and don't go bonkers with off-subject tangents for too long. I think we all can police ourselves pretty well.
Oh, and I did like what Jim wrote, too.
Donna
