Obviously most topics on this board start of with a fairly clear objective to obtain certain information etc and that is brilliant. However the minute somebody mentions anything slightly unrelated they are pegged back by someone else, I feel this is a little pointless, stringent and annoying this is a messageboard its supposed to be a fun and friendly place to be I guess what I am suggesting is a little authoritarianism from certain members(they know who they are) and allow topics to be as off topic as they want isnt this what conversation is all about.

:agent:

Originally posted by Robbie@Apr 26 2004, 09:02 AM
Obviously most topics on this board start of with a fairly clear objective to obtain certain information etc and that is brilliant. However the minute somebody mentions anything slightly unrelated they are pegged back by someone else, I feel this is a little pointless, stringent* and annoying this is a messageboard its supposed to be a fun and friendly place to be I guess what I am suggesting is a little authoritarianism from certain members(they know who they are) and allow topics to be as off topic as they want isnt this what conversation is all about.

:agent:
I'm inclined to agree with what Chester has said in the other thread. On certain subjects such as books concerning the Duke, it's probably better to stick to the subject at hand. But on most other topics, I see nothing wrong with "straying". Like you, Robbie, I look upon this board as a place where we can talk about almost anything under the sun, as long as we don't flame each other. And I've seen little of that.

Originally posted by Stumpy@Apr 26 2004, 09:28 AM
I'm inclined to agree with what Chester has said in the other thread. On certain subjects such as books concerning the Duke, it's probably better to stick to the subject at hand
Hi Stumpy

I understand what your saying but how do you differentiate what topics should be solely related to that subject and which can be more flexible.

:agent:

Originally posted by Robbie@Apr 26 2004, 12:24 PM
how do you differentiate what topics should be solely related to that subject and which can be more flexible.

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Just between us, I suspect that those which should be solely related will draw a rebuke from one of those authoritarians you mentioned, should you venture off the beaten path. :lol:

Robbie,

I will be happy to address this issue with you. I think I can speak for the other moderators when I say that we are asking that you keep this on topic as much as possible. I give a lot of lead way with the discussion until I see that it is either upsetting people or so far that we are missing the point. I have in the past split a topic or two into a new one, and everyone seems to be happy with it.

In the past we had a topic on the board that turned completely around and became a political statement, when it wasn't necessary. I can't recall the topic but it happened a while back like in the fall. The person was a little upset that his/her topic was turned into a political rally, and suggested that we moderators address this issue. We did, and started to point it out to the board.

Don't get me wrong, I get off topic myself, it's very easy, but I try to correct myself and the spirit of the message being presented. I don't think that I am being strict on the messages, but just want everyone to stay with the subject, and if you drift, just get back to the business at hand.

I think that is all we ask of all of you.

Cheers, Hondo B)