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?
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Former Member
I think Terry loves to teach, talk and write about swimming. The threads he started here were thought provoking, and caused many (even experienced swimmers) to examine the way they do things. I think there should be a place on a swimming forum where that kind of stuff doesn't get washed out by chit chat.
Since I was a lurker before I posted, I saw that he has a passion for swimming. I notice SeaGurl started an NSR thread that looks really popular. The other threads that I've glanced at don't look overrun by comedy at all and seem on topic, although I like comedy too. Could Terry label his posts T or TP like you suggest? I think people would generally respect it by and large. People seem to want to to avoid future train wrecks, but still have fun. I notice you like to have some fun too. Your handicap thread was SR fun, but looked more for veteran posters.
SwimStud: Sorry I lurked for so long without posting. I'm not as outgoing as some of you. I also just wanted to see the personalities before I waded in blind. But the "topic poll" thread was what finally made me want to make my long wordy third or so post. It looks like Jim Thornton hasn't posted either the last few days. I think he's very funny. So I hope he didn't leave after the train wreck "swim camp" thread. There should be a place for us all.
I think Terry loves to teach, talk and write about swimming. The threads he started here were thought provoking, and caused many (even experienced swimmers) to examine the way they do things. I think there should be a place on a swimming forum where that kind of stuff doesn't get washed out by chit chat.
Since I was a lurker before I posted, I saw that he has a passion for swimming. I notice SeaGurl started an NSR thread that looks really popular. The other threads that I've glanced at don't look overrun by comedy at all and seem on topic, although I like comedy too. Could Terry label his posts T or TP like you suggest? I think people would generally respect it by and large. People seem to want to to avoid future train wrecks, but still have fun. I notice you like to have some fun too. Your handicap thread was SR fun, but looked more for veteran posters.
SwimStud: Sorry I lurked for so long without posting. I'm not as outgoing as some of you. I also just wanted to see the personalities before I waded in blind. But the "topic poll" thread was what finally made me want to make my long wordy third or so post. It looks like Jim Thornton hasn't posted either the last few days. I think he's very funny. So I hope he didn't leave after the train wreck "swim camp" thread. There should be a place for us all.
