Rant How off topic should the off topic forum really be?

[n72.75]

Over the past year or so, I've noticed that there is an increasingly large number of off topic threads. While some of this is fine, I feel that many people are using Orbiter-Forum to discuss off topic material in an on topic way.

There have been a few things that have strayed out of my comfort zone, lately enough so that I feel obligated to write this. I want to be clear though, I in no way intent to attack or berate those who post a lot in the off topic forum, I my self do so often. I think that it's important to have things like the random comments thread and the off topic forum. It gives people a little "breath of fresh air" and makes the orbiter stuff a little more interesting.

What I'm trying to say is: if you're passionate enough to write so much off topic stuff, you probably have an interesting life. Why don't you join some forums related to what you're talking about and then just link us to there. Or for that matter you could start a forum.

We have a great community with great things th talk about. We should spread that to other communities.

Sorry if I've offended anyone, that was not my intent.

 

[jinglesassy]

I agree on some parts but disagree on others. I agree fully that recently some things have been taking me out of my comfort zone. For example the how many sex partners have you had thread. I do not agree on them not being allowed to post linking to the thread on the other site. What does that accomplish? We have a great community from all around the world of all different ages. I think we should try to keep it that way and safe for all age groups.

 

[Loru]

Even in NASA's developement centers and Launch/Mission Control Complexes there are places where you can talk at aany topic you want while you're on launch/coffee break. I see Off-topic forum as this kind of place. Also it provides insight with other members' activities/intersts etc.

IMHO Limiting the formum to strictly Orbiter/Space forum would probably be a bad loss for this community.

As for the "controversial" sex thread I'm really impressed how civilized discussion is there. It's a rare example in the internet. Like any public space Forum has its own social dynamics and I think closing Off-topic threads and limiting topic range would greatly influence it in negative way.

But as usual it's my own opnion.

PS. I think moderators are doing great job keeping this running and as "civilized" as possible.

Cheers
Loru

 

[n72.75]

I agree on some parts but disagree on others. I agree fully that recently some things have been taking me out of my comfort zone. For example the how many sex partners have you had thread. I do not agree on them not being allowed to post linking to the thread on the other site. What does that accomplish? We have a great community from all around the world of all different ages. I think we should try to keep it that way and safe for all age groups.

By link I meant.

"Hey Orbiter-Forum, check this cool <thing> out out."

thing = something cool that's not related to orbiter etc.

not:

"Hey Orbiter-Forum, check this Orbiter related porno that this creep made."


Its 4:00am, I should sleep...

 

[Pablo49]

I used to be a part of a large gaming forum, back when I was an actual gamer. After sometime, my interest in gaming declined, but by then of course, I was comfortable with the community I was in. I wasn't going to start fresh at a new forum just because gaming wasn't my usual topic of choice. If there wasn't an offtopic section there, I wouldn't have stayed. If people find their niche, let them have it, regardless if it's in line with the direct theme of the forum. Limiting it would only splinter a community.

Also, I have to agree with loru, that sex thread was handled very well by everyone. The mods and admins here do a great job, and they would have removed it if it was actually detrimental.

 

[Urwumpe]

I don't feel like the off-topic is overused We simply just have only one, where other game forums often have multiple off-topics sorted by topics, so they are some sort of on-topic.

The off-topic of a forum is some sort like the coffee machine in an office. The place where all people meet and communicate over the important things, that usually are just lurking in the background of work. of course there is a lot of off-topic here. It's just social.

Banning the off-topic would just result in the off-topic spilling into other threads and making more work to the moderators.

BTW: If you don't feel comfortable with the sex thread, why don't you just post it there as well? I know that this is some sort of evil, this suggestion. The thread mostly works so calm there, because people are not forced into some adult talk there, but just discuss their opinions, which isn't even so much about the old boring teenage movie topic of "how many times you got laid", but actually about their relation to sexuality and intimacy, or at least their opinion on publicly talking about it.

I wouldn't claim that it is a thread that somebody could consider safe for children, if this somebody still believes that a kid doesn't have a few clues about it by the time it can use a computer. It isn't about pornography, not even about the mechanic details and applied hydraulics of sexuality.

It is just a "Can you even talk about it? And how much of this part of your life do you like to be discussed in public?"

 

[Linguofreak]

Also, some things are better talked about as off-topic discussions in forums centered around something else rather than as the center of discussion in their own forums. And with some things it's not just "better", but it gets downright ugly if you try and make a forum with them as the main topic.

 

[Rtyh-12]

Banning the off-topic forum would be very bad. However, some things there are just... weird. Like...

the "controversial" sex thread

...this one.

This is a family-friendly forum, remember?

 

[Wishbone]

There are certain activities that are not done in office hours even in front of the coffee machine...

 

[Urwumpe]

This is a family-friendly forum, remember?

And that excludes this thread because of what?

 

[Loru]

This is a family-friendly forum, remember?

Yeah. I remember. Only here the topic is given non offensive and bad taste form in contradiction to the rest of internet (with few exceptions). You can find more sex related stuff in modern cartoons than here.

 

[orb]

I don't feel like the off-topic is overused We simply just have only one

Actually, we have 6 off-topic forums at the moment: Off-Topic, Space Flight News, Space Math & Physics, Astronomy & the Night Sky, Backyard Rocketry, International Forum. All those are off-topic from Orbiter, and the general Off-Topic is for generic topics which don't fit into other off-topic forums at Orbiter-Forum, like this one.

BTW, this thread has been moved to Off-Topic, as it doesn't discuss Orbiter related topic.

 

[N_Molson]

I'd say : keep away from "moral" ( = religious in 99% cases) arguments, and let the moderators do their job, they know what they do ! :tiphat:

There are certain activities that are not done in office hours even in front of the coffee machine...

You would be surprised... :lol:

 

[Rtyh-12]

And that excludes this thread because of what?

This thread? No, I meant...

the "controversial" sex thread

...this one.

 

[Urwumpe]

This thread? No, I meant......this one.

Yeah, I meant this one as well. :lol:

What is the specific problem with it?

 

[Rtyh-12]

I meant...

the "controversial" sex thread

 

[Krys]

This is a family-friendly forum, remember?

Yes this is a family friendly forum, and the Mod Team always discuss topics that may not be family friendly. The responses to controversial topics are closely monitored and anything we believe is not family friendly is removed.

There are certain activities that are not done in office hours even in front of the coffee machine...

Well actually working in an office full of women (there are a few men, and yes they join in the conversation too) - we talk about EVERYTHING. Including deterioration of language, the latest cartoon and how much fun we had the night before.

Back on topic: There is an off-topic area for at least one good reason. Take me for example - I don't particularly use orbiter, or understand enough of the physics to even begin to use it. However, this community has become a home to me because we have a large number of highly intelligent people, who know how to have a conversation. I support this forum fully, and started the orbiter store. So for me, the off-topic forum is one of the best parts as it makes us realise there are real people on the other end of internet.

As always with a group of like minded people, friendships are formed. These friendships need somewhere to grow and off-topic and IRC are the best places for it.

If there are topics that make people feel uncomfortable, this is normal. Think about your work colleagues or friends - there are certain topics you may find uncomfortable there, but how do you deal with that?

 

[wehaveaproblem]

I think one of the reasons people enjoy the off-topic forum here is because of the debates that take place. I simply cannot remember there ever being a 'u suxxor lulz' post in any orbiter thread. People here share ideas, often contrasting, in a civilised and academic manner... most of the time anyway.

The point is, whilst I generally avoid OT threads (I'm here for the orbiter), if I do have an OT question about something my first thought is to put a post here. Why, when there are arguably more 'suitable' forums? Because I can be guaranteed to get an educated answer here, from people who enjoy informed debate. As has been said already, that is a rarity on the webzor.

So yeah, another kudos to the mods, they do a grand job... I know I've been wrist-slapped before for a loose tongue, which is admirable.

And remember, the beauty of forums is that you can choose to completely ignore them should you so choose.

 

[Wishbone]

/me shrugs. To each his/her own. Most women gossip, there are a few who don't. Some men love to do appendage-measuring championships, some keep their lives as private as possible. It all boils down to the sense of decency, hypocritical as it may sound. If that is missing, there are no lower limits to discussion topics, same goes for TV programs. My current assumption is that OF is a decent forum.

 

[Goth]

Sorry but I think that we are a bit off-topic (ok, stupid pun). I mean, what n72.75 is saying is not to close the off-topic forum, he was just suggesting to spread some nice non Orbiter related ideas over the internet instead of limiting them here on the off-topic forum.
Personally I have no opinion about this, I'm just pointint out what the real topic is.