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?
Former Member
i can't believe in the etiquette thread theres arguing going on over a harmless signature.
Morgan, I find your little dancing icon offensive... :thhbbb:
Harmless or obnoxious, I thought everyone was supposed to be allowed their opinion? I don't like IP mirrors either, especially if it makes anyone uncomfortable. I am only posting for Beth because she is sweet too. :agree:
I think this may be the stupidest thread I have ever read. But I am too busy repressing all the rude things I am thinking to say more.
posted by Some Girl
I am dissapionted that so many people have slammed so hard on this thread....saying it is the stupidist thread ever....or that it is a total train wreck...etc.... I see where you guys are coming from....BUT for many of us that posted on this thread....we never made one single insulting remark....we tried to make comprises and consessions and make this a "positive" experience....We may have disagreed with one another and expressed differing opinions...but the majority of the posters have tried very hard to be as civil as possible and to make this a very useful meaningful thread....I can say with all honesty that my postings were very serious and (at least IMO) very tactful as well ....and so were many many others....we got to hear what real new posters (like sweet girl and Ivor and others) really thought about the NSR vs SR issue and other related issues....its unfortunate that fighting broke out here....but I refuse to say the whole thread is now total garbage simply b/c some people got offensive about it and a little overly rude.....If there is something wrong with my percetion of this thread as having some very postive attributes then please PM me so that you can discuss it with me....or please post a civil tactful posting and give your opinion.....But I would like to believe there was useful information given here...but thats my opinion and maybe not yours.
BTW I don't know if anyone noticed but Kyra's NSR thread has been completely free of any kind of fighting....nothing but good vibes from start to fininsh....I noticed that for many SR threads (including this one) this is defintitely not the case....I don't know exactly what that means but it is an interesting observation IMO none-the-less....AND for those of y'all who did comment negatively about the thread (like Some_Girl and Caped One for example)...PLEASE don't take offense to this posting...I'm not trying to slam on y'all's take...b/c this thread has been a bit of a wreck and I agree with what you're saying there....I just wanted to focus on the Positive aspects and focus less on the negatives....but yeah I agree there have been some very unfortunate negatives
Newmastersswimmer
Now this is a personal attack...you're calling me a liar.
No, if you say you're not, you're not. There has just been a lot of baiting and insult slinging lately.
i can't believe in the etiquette thread theres arguing going on over a harmless signature.
Jim:
You have been attempting to address this issue and your comments have been thoughtful.
Morgan:
I can't believe you have felt unwelcome at times. You have started many threads about many topics, including your college experience and concerns with your slowing times or your back. Many people have offered support and encouragement. But still you are mad when an NSR thread is the first thing on the screen or your specific questions aren't answered. Not everyone's questions get answered.
Look, you're a college kid and a bit preoccupied with your own world. But, believe it or not, everyone has a different sense of humor. Everyone is entitled to their say. You don't care about signatures, others might. If people really need to go on further about signatures, the etiquette thread is the place to do it. Back to work and RL. Have one Dave: job, the kids, the workouts, and all else. I guess I should get a signature or listen to Zappa too.
Jim:
You have been attempting to address this issue and your comments have been thoughtful. posted by The Caped One
Thanks Crusader....I appreciate the kind words....I believe this has been the case for most of the posters here....I guess a few bad postings can really bring a thread to its knees....It doesn't take a lot to throw a wrench into something and bring it to a halt sometimes....But such is life sometimes.
Newmastersswimmer
I was struck down and have now become more powerful than you can possibly imagine...
So I assume you've seen the light and given up that silly stroke and moved on to the "real" strokes?! :lolup:
I know, Leslie, the ISP mirror is not funny. Nor particularly insightful. I mean sure, I'm on a Mac using Firefox, but I'm also a fan of baroque, love seafood and like playing bass guitar? My ISP? How banal.
(Oh, and I'm a Taurus.)
I'm about to buy a Mac. I'm a Cancer. I like baroque and seafood too. I wish I could play guitar, but I have one kid who does. I can't read music at all. But I like my ipod.
So now I am faced with a dilemma...take down my sig because a few people are somehow offended by it (for reasons I am not aware of) or just leave it up knowing that it is totally harmless and it is considered funny at most other forums I frequent.
I think anything I do is going to be scrutinized right now. JMO.
:coffee:
Matt:
When I saw it last night, I didn't think it was a signature. I thought it only appeared buried in the health thread and not elsewhere. But I could be wrong. It was a bit late at night, even for a nightowl. Do with it what you will. Free speech is allowed and if some think it funny or you do, that's your right. I'm no Joan of Arc. I was just commenting. You can poke fun at my signature. I'll change it soon anyway.
As to Caped, is it a personal attack to tell someone he or she is baiting? There is a lot of baiting in general, both funny and not so funny lately. Paul Smith has practically made a profession of baiting me. LOL. So Caped is not required to believe your motives. It could be that tonal internet problem again.
Isn't the penguin Mollie's avatar? Oh, I see, I think the penguin is cute too.
Poor Paul, now he's got another secret nemesis. LOL.
