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 am alarmed that we may be moving into the area of Politically Correct for the sake of a few; those folks who are unhappy and make everyone else pay for it. Folks, please listen. The people who have occasionally gotten off topic have already said they would now be more aware of their writings, and since this topic just came up a day or so ago, why not give people a chance to try to work this out before departing?
It is important to see how the threads go for awhile, and I'll tell you this, it just doesn't bother me that people get off-track, so what? Why does it have to be YOUR way? Mixing it up to me is light-heartedness. But I get that some of you don't appreciate much of the off-discussion.
And I am saddened that some of you think that a few of the people who are not here right now are the only ones who have something worthy to say. Many here have contributed greatly, but if those who are missing are your only heroes, so be it.
Maybe the TI Forum should be checked out to see if their postings are more swimming related for some of the people here. After all, Terry is very serious about the swimming environment and the forum there may be just what some are looking for. I can't attest because I haven't been there, but all of us could be on more than one board to meet our needs; just a positive thought, that's all.
I believe this forum to be a wonderful place and hope all remain to enjoy it, but people's personalities do shine through amidst both the serious swimming inquiries/replies, as well as the friendly nature of their words whether on or off topic.
Why can't we all just wait and see how the next few weeks ago before coming to a conclusion to depart from this forum. There are actually a lot of good swimming questions/problems that have been answered to the poster's satisfaction on this board.
Donna
I am alarmed that we may be moving into the area of Politically Correct for the sake of a few; those folks who are unhappy and make everyone else pay for it. Folks, please listen. The people who have occasionally gotten off topic have already said they would now be more aware of their writings, and since this topic just came up a day or so ago, why not give people a chance to try to work this out before departing?
It is important to see how the threads go for awhile, and I'll tell you this, it just doesn't bother me that people get off-track, so what? Why does it have to be YOUR way? Mixing it up to me is light-heartedness. But I get that some of you don't appreciate much of the off-discussion.
And I am saddened that some of you think that a few of the people who are not here right now are the only ones who have something worthy to say. Many here have contributed greatly, but if those who are missing are your only heroes, so be it.
Maybe the TI Forum should be checked out to see if their postings are more swimming related for some of the people here. After all, Terry is very serious about the swimming environment and the forum there may be just what some are looking for. I can't attest because I haven't been there, but all of us could be on more than one board to meet our needs; just a positive thought, that's all.
I believe this forum to be a wonderful place and hope all remain to enjoy it, but people's personalities do shine through amidst both the serious swimming inquiries/replies, as well as the friendly nature of their words whether on or off topic.
Why can't we all just wait and see how the next few weeks ago before coming to a conclusion to depart from this forum. There are actually a lot of good swimming questions/problems that have been answered to the poster's satisfaction on this board.
Donna
