Off-Topic Posts--Do we want them?

[themagpie]

Keep the ot posts!  I agree with those who say that the ot posts make us a community instead of just a mac help site.

Margie

[Gary S]

I agree to keep OT posts.  

It is a part of what makes TS.....TS.

[tacit]

To weigh in with a bit of personal perspective:

I've been a member of the online community since the late 1970s, when I started using computer BBS systems with a 300-baud dialup modem, and I got online with what's now called the Internet  back in the days when it was still called ARPAnet.

In all that time, I've never used any BBS, UseNet newsgroup, maillist, forum, listserv, or any other online community that stays 100% on-topic. Even the moderated forums I use, where every post must be approved by a forum moderator before it goes out, don't manage to stay 100% on-topic.

Any forum has to strike a reasonable balance between the purpose of the forum and the inevitability that conversations don't always stay on course. A forum that strays too far risks becoming irrelevant, but a forum that tries too hard to stay on one topic often ends up feeling controlling and unfriendly.

I don't always read the off-topic threads on TechSurvivors, but I do read some of them,a nd i appreciate that they add value to TechSurvivors by encouraging a sense of community and the feeling of openness here.

I don't think it's realistic to say that TS posts should always be on the topic of Mac troubleshooting; I don't think it's realistic for any forum to stay on-topic 100% of the time. I *do* think it's realistic to seek a balance between on-topic and off-topic posts, but I don't think that balance has been crossed as it stands right now.

[Bobun]

My philosophy: If you can't remember something----forget it.
The TS off-topic posts are the first these old eyes search for. Keep them in.
Bobun  

[Bill]

Quote by Gregg - I'd be surprised if we get any "no" votes

No! So there!



[edit to add]

OT could stand for "On Topic".

Then again my mind bubbles away differently.
Does make one feel a bit alone sometimes.

OR ...

Could it be my deodorant?

[dolphin]

My vote is to keep the off topics like so many others have said!

[kps]

I think there is a very good balance between the two and in many cases they fall into a gray area as far as being way off topic. As some have so eloquently expressed, in their opinion on the subject, I can't agree more with leaving things as they are.

[gmann]

I'm not even going to vote Creek, you young whipersnapper upstart.  

[MamaMoose]

I rarely read the OT posts because of time limitations. When I do, its usually a topic about someone's success, milrestone, etc. In spite of that, I wholeheartedly support keeping the OT posts as is. As many above have said, OT  makes us a community and not just another web page.

MamaMoose

[sandbox]

Hey Creet, it’s a Community Size Board with one open forum, meant to be easily accessed without jumping from forum to forum. My guess would be if it was a large board, adjustment might NEED to be made for efficiency, possibly separating the topic lines. If you notice the “OT” in front, they will pretty much steer you clear of any topics not Technically Relative.

Example:
OT - I want to know why

Bill's tent is so bright? Is there an advantage to having a tent you can see from space?

[Dreambird]

QUOTE

Example:
OT - I want to why
Bill's tent is so bright? Is there an advantage to having a tent you can see from space? 

And by every bug, snake, lizard and assorted other critter in the neighbourhood?

   Or... maybe he's trying to lure a nice alien female?    

[Highmac]

In reply to the original question - YES!
I would have missed so much if all we had ever talked about was Macs.
... and this is probably my shortest post ever

[jepinto]

I'm a bit biased....for instance, I started the 583 post joke thread  

That said....Techsurvivors' Mission pretty much sums it up

QUOTE

We created this bulletin board as refugees from elsewhere where the bulletin board's owners changed outlook and purpose, eliminating the camaraderie and stifling its soul in one fell overnight swoop. But, like the proverbial phoenix, we have arisen renewed out of the ashes and now consider ourselves "tech survivors."

The off topic posts are part of that camaraderie, as others have said, much better than I am able, we've celebrated, mourned, laughed, cried, high fived and commiserated.

I don't have a whole lot of knowledge, therefore don't have a lot of tech questions.  But whenever I've needed to find an answer, I know I can come here.  (And I've asked some
strange questions!  Which reminds me, I have a question about an external hard drive I need to post.....

[jguti]

Since I became introduced to Macs in '84 that's what has separated the Mac community from the cold blue IBM crowd.

It just tends to go well with Mac users and this site.  Its like those smilies on my left, they are all unique

Take that personal touch out of here and you will end up with just another computer tech site!   No smilies :-(

[Creek]

I said I'd report results, thought it might take a while to get enough answers to see a trend.  WRONG! 27 answers all in favor of off-topic posts. I bow to the overwhelming majority.