Why Keep Threads On Topic?

[Christa]

Another thread has been closed in recent days.

 

Whereas, in the realm of 1/32 aircraft model building I have a whole hive and a half of bees in my bonnet, I hope my responses - in whatever thread - comply with each thread's stated topic. My alternative, should compliance not be appropriate, is to start a new thread, a choice we all share. 

 

Discussing thread closure is not a criticism of our excellent moderators; no, no. My question is a genuine enquiry. What are the gains or losses associated with keeping our responses to threads on topic?

 

Of course I get distracted, beat the bushes, and make links with other matters. Who doesn't? However, thread closure is an important issue, inmho.

 

Chris 

[MikeC]

Depends on the thread imo. If the OP has a question, is seeking advice, or showing their latest WIP/RFI, then it's arguably rude and inconsiderate for someone to take it off topic to the extent it loses the original intent. And that is rude and inconsiderate not only to the OP, but to anyone else reading along with interest.

 

There are other threads, perhaps of the more light-hearted variety, where it doesn't matter; and even some where a drift opens up a whole new interesting topic - just like social conversation irl.

 

In fact, maybe there's an analogy there: some threads are like lectures (in a good sense) or talks, others are like social conversation in the bar (other places to socialise are available).

Edited March 14 by MikeC

[mozart]

It’s a valid point that you make Chris, but I suspect the answer is difficult to define because I imagine there’s no single reason, perhaps other than “keeping the peace”. 
I didn’t bother to read the recent WNW thread because I have no interest in the defunct company, others obviously wanted to chat about “what could have been”, and that’s fine. Having now skim read the thread, I can’t see a clear reason for locking it though but that’s the Mods prerogative. 

[John1]

I totally agree with you.  I find the mod's heavy-handed approach to thread drift disappointing.   Giving the demographics on this site and the inevitable decline in the number of members, I would think any discussion that people are passionate about would be welcomed and encouraged instead of being locked down.   As long as the discussion remains civil, let it go wherever it goes.     I recall another site that that tried to regulate posting by locking threads and bouncing members, it's pretty much on life support these days, some forums haven't had a post in months.    SMH...

[Pup7309]

Unfortunately human behaviour is not entirely rational or consistent or tolerant to your own interests. Some break out in hives where others like to frolic. Jumping onto a thread making negative comments and having it closed down isn’t mature or democratic or fair. So it’s best to go somewhere else sometimes for conversation. But this site is quite good for meeting other modelling needs like tips and techniques new info and showing your work etc. When I came on and saw the thread was closed just rolled my eyes but then went into it and couldn’t see why. But that’s not my decision. Don’t agree with it but not my call. Just head off in another direction 

Edited March 14 by Pup7309

[BiggTim]

It's possible that some offending posts were deleted. If you want to know why, just PM one of the mods. 

[Out2gtcha]

There are certain topics that seem to go sideways easier than most. As mods our desire and goal is to try and not close threads if at all possible. However, sometimes, to keep the peace of the site it is unfortunately necessary. That is not something we ever like or enjoy doing, but it is a part of the job. 

 

Some discussions go around, and around and AROUND and then go around a few more dozen times it seems, and the ones that get locked usually by then have generally degraded into something not just off topic, but devolved into personal sniping or even attacks. This of course is not always the case, as there can be many factors involved, but please know its not something we like, or ever want to do, but is occasionally necessary. 

[Oldbaldguy]

I plead guilty, I’m afraid, to drifting in some threads where I shouldn’t but it is not with ill intent.  I tend to work from the inside out and for that reason I care less about how a builder created a certain lump on an airframe than why the lump was there to begin with, so I want to ask questions relevant to the airplane but not relevant to the build.  To me, this makes for a better model, but probably has no place in a “look what I’m building!” thread.  This can be annoying to the OP and ill mannered in a forum like this so I will work on that.  I promise.  At least for the rest of the week.

[Dave Williams]

8 hours ago, Christa said:

Another thread has been closed in recent days.

 

Whereas, in the realm of 1/32 aircraft model building I have a whole hive and a half of bees in my bonnet, I hope my responses - in whatever thread - comply with each thread's stated topic. My alternative, should compliance not be appropriate, is to start a new thread, a choice we all share. 

 

Discussing thread closure is not a criticism of our excellent moderators; no, no. My question is a genuine enquiry. What are the gains or losses associated with keeping our responses to threads on topic?

 

Of course I get distracted, beat the bushes, and make links with other matters. Who doesn't? However, thread closure is an important issue, inmho.

 

Chris 

I would say one reason is simple courtesy to the OP and to keep from wasting others people’s time.  Oh look, there’s a new reply to a thread that I’m interested in.  Go to check it out, and it’s people talking about something unrelated and not interesting to me.  Plus, hijacking a thread is rude.  My two cents.

[Dave Williams]

17 minutes ago, Oldbaldguy said:

I plead guilty, I’m afraid, to drifting in some threads where I shouldn’t but it is not with ill intent.  I tend to work from the inside out and for that reason I care less about how a builder created a certain lump on an airframe than why the lump was there to begin with, so I want to ask questions relevant to the airplane but not relevant to the build.  To me, this makes for a better model, but probably has no place in a “look what I’m building!” thread.  This can be annoying to the OP and ill mannered in a forum like this so I will work on that.  I promise.  At least for the rest of the week.

Personally, I think that’s fine.  Asking about something on the real plane while someone is building a model of it is OK in my book.  I think what we’re talking about here is someone is building a Revell 1/32 P-51, and someone drops in a comment that it would have been great if WNW made a P-51, and then it devolves into a another discussion about WNW.

[thierry laurent]

Another reason is traceability of information. I have been frustrated more than once trying to find back interesting information I read somewhere on a forum but sometimes without success because the relevant posts were hidden in the middle of a thread about something else! Jeez, I hate that!

[Troy Molitor]

The LSP MOD's do an incredible service to the forum people that love this site for what it is.  I loath the topics that usually dive into the rabbit hole and personal sniping as Brian mentions above.  The majority of the time someone just can't understand another person's point of view.  Yes, it's a public forum but many great modelers have packed up and left LSP over trivial BS and jabs.  They left with ruffled feathers never to come back and it's really sad for the rest of us that didn't agree with everything someone else may have mentioned in the first place.    As mentioned before, the topics on "wouldn't it be nice if such and such manufacturer would make this kit?"  Why haven't they done it already?  I simply do not peer into these posts as they always become the same old, same old routine.    Peace out!  

[Panzerwomble]

I think closing down yet another WNW thread ( 7 alone started by the OP of the recently closed one) is not excessive. How much really is left to be said on the subject ? 

 

TBH if people want to have wish lists , and endless debates over minutia , and grind their pet axes then why not have a separate part of the forum , or ask that all the debate is kept on one or two threads as on other forums , easier to ignore it all , less clutter, & saves repeating yourself on a whole new thread ...

 

Anyone familiar with the British Army forum will know what I mean , nb they have a less polite view /description .  

 

If you want to mark it "Wish list ....Tamiya Wish list ....or just "WNW /Kotare/ 1/35 again" in the title that would be handy too. I'll skip it . 

 

Over the years I've been on here, I can say, for my opinion, this forum consistently showcases some of the finest scale work to be seen anywhere , by genuinely gifted folk -way beyond where I will ever get in the hobby , heck there are plenty of people who manufacture kits for a living on here too .

 

LSP reviews and guides are outstanding , and the mod tolerance here is good , no redlining and "experten" flying around . 

 

Personally I've drifted off a bit in the past 12 months because of the growing numbers who never seem to build anything but have to crack on endlessly about the industry , why this is wrong, what such and such should do etc etc. That most famous proponent (now departed) had 10,000+ posts, not one of which ever mentioned anything he built . I don't miss his presence. The endless rehashings ....be nice for them not to become what LSP is known for.

 

Oh and I'll have one of these from Kotare for Xmas please , a Blackburn Puffin Pellet . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 14 by Panzerwomble

[Mark_C]

What a lovely little thing that Pellet is.

[vince14]

1 hour ago, Panzerwomble said:

I think closing down yet another WNW thread ( 7 alone started by the OP of the recently closed one) is not excessive. How much really is left to be said on the subject ?

It's actually nine threads on WNW that I've started. That's since December 2014, mind you, so I'm averaging out at one per year (in fact I've only started three WNW threads since they shut up shop, with the prior one started in March last year - I should post more!).

 

The good news is there's a simple resolution to your issue. Go into your profile, click on 'Account Settings', then click on 'Ignored Users' and add vince14 into the box. Hey presto! You will no longer see any of my posts.