Scott. HELP!!!!

[tonym]

It's like chocolate. I can't help myself, and I'm sure other like-minded individuals can't help themselves either. So, we need a referee with the "Big Stick"...THREAD CLOSURE!! That's where you come in!

So, please, for my sanity, close the Elian threads...they have little to do with computers and lots to do with hypertension!

Sure the topic is a hot potato, and everyone has an opinion (ESPECIALLY ME), but I think we would all be better off with an "Elian free zone". I'm now going back into my self-imposed moratorium on this subject.


Thanks...


Tony

[pickel]

Tony: We all have freedom of choice..just don't read the threads you don't like http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
If it wasn't for the computer you wouldn't be reading it anyway. Not tyring to be a smartass, just trying to save your blood pressure http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[tonym]

Pickel,

?Que pasa?

I'm not trying to save just my BP! I don't read the threads I don't like, but this topic is so seductive, it can sink a forum like this into a black hole of death -- the time sink! I look at the thrust and parry of the posts in the threads and I detect this divergence from reality -- computer reality. This kind of opinion is OKAY in the "Letters to the Editor" of your local newspaper, but it yields little in regards to computers (although, I admit I read and type into this forum with one!).

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's probably more good we can do with our time and opinions vis a vis computers and their many quirks and problems than we can do commenting on human nature, and it's many, many quirks, faults and shortcomings.


Tony

[Sharpy]

ECHO : Pickel

I've been tempted but as yet i've left them alone.
But an Off Topic forum would be nice as it would stop non-computer related post's appearing in the general computers forum.

Sysopt wouldn't be the same without the off topic post's as the help paint a picture of the other members ie: Socalgal = All knowing and mysterious, Missing The Point = Obsessive http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif, Virus = Dedicated.

Btw - here's another vote for that spell checker.

[hd581]

Gene C., this is "General Discussion" not "Off Topic". And, yes, Elian is an off topic discussion but I think Scott said he would let Politics/Current Events go (it's a semi-intelligent subject) but not the absurd random questions.

[jad1097]

Here is what Scott said. (http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/005792.html)

[Gene C.]

hd581
Member posted 04-24-2000 01:38 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gene C., this is "General Discussion" not "Off Topic". And, yes, Elian is an off topic discussion but I think Scott said he would let Politics/Current Events go (it's a semi-intelligent subject) but not the absurd random questions

that is what I was saying to him. this is the place to post a off computer topic. and if they were to lock the other thread. they would have to lock this one. for it is not computer related.

did you read and understand my reply. or should I break it down for you!!!

and if Elian isn't a discussion subject. than what are they doing. I thought they were discussing it.

[mgordon99]

I would like to see an "off topic" forum. I am not advertising, but AnandTech's forum http://anandforums.gisystech.com/index.cfm

has an "off topic" board, and you will find anything under the sun posted with no locked threads (I think). They also have a "General Hardware" forum.

I know some members here are also members there (As I am), but I tend to come here 95% of the time. Peace http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Joel Kleppinger]

There is one big reason we don't have or want an off-topic forum here at SysOpt: We don't want all the junk that's associated with such a forum. Just go there and look for yourself: http://anandforums.gisystech.com/categories.cfm?catid=38

Much of it is just mindless posting (not to mention the stuff you don't see -> Superman vs. Jesus... or whatnot). Certainly, we can't avoid all of that here, but by keeping that off the menu of forums, we are doing what we can not to encourage it.

We did fire up the Brainstorming forum (http://www.sysopt.com/cgi-bin/forum/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Brainstorming+Session&number=16&DaysPrune=10&LastLogin=) for some of the more intellectually stimulating computer-related and off-topic discussions and pursuits.
However, not all "off topic" stuff is suitable for the Brainstorming forum for obvious reasons. So we let that into the General Discussion forum (it doesn't say General HARDWARE Discussion for a reason). It gives a chance for some inter-community communication and discussion, but keeps it from getting out of hand.

The point of the discussions that take place in General is to do more to state where you're coming from and why so we can collectively learn from each other. The SysOpt Forums are all about collective learning, not incessant bickering or flatout arguing. So by having no Off Topic forum, we can keep those threads to a minimum instead of having an "anything goes" forum. I hope you all understand our reasoning in this matter and continue having fun and learning. What's learning without some fun anyway?

---whoops.. link is the WRONG forum http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Joel Kleppinger (edited 04-24-2000).]

[Gomer]

Perhaps the definition of "General Discussion" needs to be tweaked. As it right now "Any discussion not covered in the topics below" is pretty vague. Vague to the point that topics like "falling of a roof..." can exist. I am not sure what refinements need to be made, but I don't think they could hurt.

[Biff]

I think SysOpt is great the way it is! and I like the way adm runs it. Judgement calls have to be made, it seems to me it can go both ways. Anyone wanting something else has the option to surf on to somewhere else after here - Kinda like my tv. I got 40 or so channels if I dont like the station I'm at!

Yeh I like spell check idea too http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[hd581]

LOL Joel, what a great example.

I'm not picking on Anandtech, though (/me recalling PC Mech Fiasco). They are a pretty good resource for many things (hot deals! hot deals!)

Notice, though, that they have a General Discussion forum (http://anandforums.gisystech.com/categories.cfm?catid=27) as well, and that it manages to stay very much on topic because all the garbage gets put into Off Topic (and b/c Anandtech moderators crucify anyone who doesn't follow the rules). That's the point I think. Also, I haven't been w/ Anand long enough to know, but I'm guessing Off Topic was purposefully split off of General Disc b/c of the very large user base. They currently have 20,000+ users. Maybe we're starting to feel those growing pains, too.

I guess Scott's hope is that this can remain a socializing yet still mostly computer related forum.

[This message has been edited by hd581 (edited 04-24-2000).]

[narayan]

Joel, I agree 100%. It's nice to get to discuss things within the "communitiy". It goes a long way into figuring out just who everyone is.

[Gene C.]

thanks for the pointing to the post. I haden't even noticed it. I usually just over look the topics I don't want to read. and still haven't read it yet.

and as far as the off topics. I myself thought the bbs was for everyone to post what they wanted to. and that is why we have a discussion section. to post non system topics.or would you rather have 5762 other topics mixed in with the others???

and so what your are saying is. close a topic, unless it is about computers. if this is right. than he would have to close this one. for it is related to the other one. am I right?

if someone dosen't like the post. it like tv. you have a channel changer. and also, on a system. you have a mouse button. if you don't want to see it change channels. if you don't want to read it. don't click it.

[Sharpy]

Thx Gene C i stand corrected scrap the Off Topic suggestion.
But i still like the spell checker. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[SysOpt]

If we created an off topic forum, we would have to moderate the other forums very strictly - moving all OT threads to the OT forum. That would be a major job for us.

Further, no offense intended to anandtech, but their OT forum is filled with a bunch of VERY useless posts. SysOpt's board is useful - I'd rather not see it *filled* with useless material. If you feel the need for that sort of thing, there are other sites out there for it. Any kind of intelligent discussion, and sometimes wacky within reason, is cool here. It's what keeps the kiddies away (I'm not talking about age) - they get really bored really fast http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif and resort to obsene posts like the ones at noon today which were promptly deleted btw. The more kiddies, the more problems we're going to have.

Growth is inevitable and is a great thing. But as new people are introduced into the community, many choose to post before getting a feel for how our community works as a whole. My recomendation to anyone posting here for the first time is to stick to a computer related topic or question until you're familiar with how this site works, generally.

We always always welcome newcomers and I think everyone will be there for you to answer questions, but choosing to ask "What facial muscles we smile with", to cite a recent example, as one of your first posts, might warrant a bit more thought before posting http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif.

I understand some threads can be annoying, but right now I think an OT forum would just do more harm than good.

Scott

[This message has been edited by SysOpt (edited 04-25-2000).]

[Gene C.]

I think we all ourselves, must take note of our own actions. I would rather see someone do a post about something that is getting to them. than to see them take the action somewhere else or on someone else.

there are people like myself. who have no use for t.v. except for the weather report. and sometimes it is good to share your thoughts "type them out" with your friends or close contacts. after all, this is called the information super highway!!!

so, really what you need to do is. think about what you are going to post. and ask yourself.

1. am I just doing a post, to get noticed.
2. is there a need for this info. to be posted
3. can I or someone else gain knowledge from it.
4. and sometimes I think it is kinda nice to get away from the regular system stuff awhile.
5. and the most important thing about it is. always remember, what you post. is what you will be remembered for. so choose your topics wisely.

and as far as the """post Monday"""that had to be the most I have ever wanted to. crawl inside my system and do what I do best.