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?
For the past few weeks, several threads on these forums have been plagued with off-topic remarks and hijacking of threads, baiting of other members, thinly veiled personal attacks, and other unwelcome posts. I've just closed these threads to further posting. We tried letting these threads go through their own cycles recently in hopes that people would work our their differences and the forums would return to normal on their own. That experiment ends now.
We will now begin a zero-tolerance policy. If you engage in any of these activities, your account will be banned. Our policy is to start with a 2 week ban for your first offense and double it for each successive offense. If you attempt to get around the rules by using alternate accounts or your offense is flagrant, your ban will be more severe.
Users of these forums need to be aware of two things. First, we have many potential new members of USMS who read these forums. What kind of impression of our organization do you think these recent threads give to these visitors? All users of the forums are expected to behave in a civil fashion when posting. Second, there have been calls from various levels of our organization at various times to shut down the forums altogether. The fact is that monitoring these forums and taking these actions takes valuable time away from our staff that is supposed to be used developing useful things for our members. When things get out of control on the forums, some question their value. For the record, I personally believe that shutting down these forums would be a very bad idea.
There will be no warnings on policy enforcement, and all decisions are final. We have to clean up the forums, even if it means that some of our regular posters will no longer be here. We're not saying that everyone has to agree with everyone else and join in group hugs. Spirited debate is welcome, as long as the debate is in regards to a swimming topic and doesn't get personal. Also, retaliation will not be tolerated. If you feel that someone has attacked you, report the post rather than replying in kind. We'll evaluate all such reports, but may not take any action if we do not agree that a post was in violation of policies.
Is the zero-tolerance policy still in effect?
Isn't that baiting?..enjoy your vacation!
It sounds like it to me too, SwimStud. I thought this thread was dead. Everyone has been very good lately. And sweet! I don't think you needed to post that. It was a bit frosty.
