79 replies to this topic

[Walter]

Hi guys and gals,

We have had a few people tell us they are having trouble finding posts. They are having trouble because our conversations tend to wander a great deal. It would be easier to keep track of things if we followed a strick no off topic posts policy. OTOH, that would change the atmosphere and we are really happy with the atmosphere, we don't want it to change.

I'm looking for feed back from our users. What do you think we should do?

A few suggestions:

1. Ignore it, it's not an issue.

2. Delete off topic posts.

3. Allow conversations to wander, but remind people of the topic and bring it gently back into line.

4. Some combination of the above such as:

Ignore it in some forums (New to Single Divers.com, Nondiving and Other Topics Related to Being Single). Allow conversations to wander, but remind people of the topic and bring it gently back into line in other forums (General Diving, New Divers
Dive Training and Your Trip Reports).

Split out all wandering posts in other forums (SD.com Singles Trips, Feedback & Suggestions, and SingleDiver.com Stuff...)

Perhaps you have an new idea................

Let me hear from you. Please stay on topic! LOL!

Walter

[mischievous]

i vote for option c:

Ignore it in some forums (New to Singel Divers.com, Nondiving and Other Topics Related to Being Single). Allow conversations to wander, but remind people of the topic and bring it gently back into line in other forums (General Diving, New Divers
Dive Training and Your Trip Reports).

[DandyDon]

Gawd, I'm glad you breought this up before I did. Been biting my reg over this.

Perhaps you have an new idea................

40 lashes and wash them in brine!


Okay, how about this one...

Ignore it in some forums (New to Singel Divers.com, Nondiving and Other Topics Related to Being Single). Allow conversations to wander, but remind people of the topic and bring it gently back into line in other forums (General Diving, New Divers Dive Training and Your Trip Reports).

Yeah, that sounds good...

[scubahoney]

(YODA) Ignore it in some forums (New to Singel Divers.com, Nondiving and Other Topics Related to Being Single). Allow conversations to wander, but remind people of the topic and bring it gently back into line in other forums (General Diving, New Divers
Dive Training and Your Trip Reports).

Ok, I don't mind wandering in the singles/non-diving/etc threads. But it does tend to be a pain in the more serious categories such as Dive training...etc. I am for making it strict in those areas, but leaving the other threads open to wandering. I agree, that makes this site fun and interesting. OTOH, I like to have serious conversations (believe it or not!!!) when learning new things about diving.

[Coo's Toe]

I'd rather deal with a wandering thread than see the mods splitting things out into a million smaller threads.

I do think the serious Q&A threads should try to stay on topic, sort of... I do enjoy the occaisional breakdowns into Yoda & Pink Snorkel references, but as we seem to be getting more members with more serious questions, we should try to find a balance between having fun and being serious.

Topics relating to singles? Free for all!!! I would hate to see all the angels, snorkels, whips, chains, and otherwise incredibly fun banter and inuendo become a thing of the past.

[Walter]

Thanks for the feed back so far guys, I hope more people voice their opinions.

40 lashes? This has possibilities.........<slap> back on topic.

[scubahoney]

what about Darth Vader references? Oops...sry...I agrre with CT about keeping single stuff free for anything.

[Diverbrian]

Let's keep the singles threads pretty much free, but for the convience of members finding info, try to stay on topic on the informational forums.

I personally don't see a problem with Yoda and Darth Vader references (or things of that nature) as long as there is something on topic within a post or two.

[kevininpo]

is there a problem here? of course, l don't send 50 posts a day either

[WreckWench]

Thanks for the feed back so far guys, I hope more people voice their opinions.

40 lashes? This has possibilities.........<slap> back on topic.

Depends on who is doing the lashing....and with what???? Pink snorkels seem ok by me...now who do I get to lash????

[Walter]

Depends on who is doing the lashing....and with what???? Pink snorkels seem ok by me...now who do I get to lash????

Darlin',

Please focus on the topic at hand.

Walter

[triggerfish]

i really enjoy the banter (wow, bet everyone is surprised at THAT,huh?!). i think that's what makes this site what it is, and why i'm here instead of some dull, dry, boring (albeit informative) site where people come off as being legends in their own minds. there is very very little of that here. yet i have learned things, as has everyone here.

so please don't be too strict. keep 'single' topics fun; gently guide us back to the point in other forums. we're all adults; even if we occasionally let the inner kid out i think the mods do a great job of reining us back in....

how 'bout them cubs, huh??

[WreckWench]

OK...I'll weigh in on this as well....

I for one have been one of the primary pushes (or was that shoves) behind doing away with the off topic icon and worrying about being off topic in the first place. And I don' t want to change it...however....

Now that we have almost 300 members vs 30...its a bit more of a nusiance when 30 people go off topic then when only 3 went off topic in the same thread mind you. And then there is the going off topic of the off topics! But that is another thread!

I would like to see us be a bit more disciplined in certain forums and if you wander a bit please wonder to similar subject matter. For example if talking about cave diving it would be ok to wander to similar types of diving i.e. wreck diving but lets not wander to how the hockey teams are doing.

On the other hand...if we are talking about a joke or some other fun topic such as welcoming a new member which is ALWAYS fun around here...well its ok to wander since human nature and good conversation will do that naturally so why shouldn't we. Of course if it gets too good then we will break it out like we currently do.

And then there is a middle ground where sometimes we'll be a bit off topic just cuz something too funny just had to be said. However in those cases after several posts...it would make sense to GENTLY get the thread back on topic. However I think it needs to be done friendly and in a fun manner and NOT in a policing manner.

I think Walter's suggestions are excellent and each category we have currently seems to lend itself to to either a "no off topic or off topic is fine" type of ranking.

What I don't want:

1. People just waiting to be the 'off topic' buster!
2. People taking it upon themselves to become the unofficial off topic patrol.
3. People being mean or rude or harsh that we wondered a little bit on or off topic.
4. People getting confused as to which forums you can be more free flowing and which ones you should be a bit more disciplined in.
5. NEGATIVITY in general....I abhor it and it has no place here on this site.

What I do want:

1. People to have fun in a playful, flirty, fun way but NOT too heavy, overt, or sexual.
2. People to type as they would converse...open and free flowing...just don't type things you wouldn't say in person!
3. People to be respectful of their new friends, family and dive buddies!
4. People to foster and develop friendships and relationships that encourage going on singles dive trips together cuz that's what we do....GO DIVING TOGETHER ON SINGLEDIVERS.COM TRIPS!!!
5. And for people to hang out here when they are not diving cuz its the most fun on the net without getting wet!!!


And I just want to thank everyone for helping us to get to this point today!!! Too cool....I'm thrilled you all are here!!! Kamala aka the "Wreck Wench"

[drbill]

Is it a problem? Certainly. But knowing many of us on SD, is there a solution that will work (without keeping the mods and admins totally immersed... in this board)?

I guess the solution I'd favor is to keep the serious topics on track leaving certain areas (like sex and the single diver) to be free-wheeling.

There a serious thread led to a posting with the word "sex" in it. Do I prove my point?

Dr. Bill

[WreckWench]

Depends on who is doing the lashing....and with what???? Pink snorkels seem ok by me...now who do I get to lash????

Darlin',

Please focus on the topic at hand.

Walter

Aw Walter you are no fun...even if you are RIGHT!! Just testing the kinder gentler Walter....Woo!! Hoo!!! Its working!!! Keep up the good work!!!