Off Topic Forum? --Vote

[SysOpt]

I'm not saying this will be done based on this vote, but it would help me make up my mind if I knew where the majority of people here stand on the issue.

If you would like to see the General Discussion Forum be reserved for IT/computer/Internet tech posts only, and have a separate forum for Non-Computer or Off Topic posts (like what's your favorite car, who likes ice cream?, who are you going to vote for this year?, etc.) then vote:

Yes = Yes I would like to see an OT forum
No = No I want to keep things the way they are

If an OT forum was created, I would most likely set it up so that post counts do not get incremented by posts in the OT forum. And our basic community rules will still apply and the OT forum would be moderated. It would not be a free for all. What is considered OT or not would be determined at our discretion.

Feel free to add comments too but please be somewhat brief.

Thanks,
Scott

[smokin1]

Well Scott, with the way things seem to be swaying lately..I vote Yes, sort of clears the way for what is really going down, and maintains the integrity of the site
2c
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[RobRich]

While I'm not big fan of the idea, it will probabaly resolve many of the current issues regarding the "General Discussion" forum.

With that said, I will have to vote yes at this time.

Robert Richmond

[scotter]

if it will keep people happy and out of eash other's hair then my vote is

YES http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[noresull]

I agree with smokin1 and Rob, Yes for the topic. I feel we should do it because I can totally bypass all the OT posts if they're in a separate forum, whereas if they're in the general discussion forum, I would have to read through them all to find what I want.

[OuTpaTienT]

Yes

And I agree with not counting the post there. Good thinking. That way one's total post count would be more representative of his/her USEFUL contributions to the forums.

[brandon184]

YES

BUT - As long as the OT forum would remain ACTIVE! Some of you may disagree, but I find a large deal of our OT content useful. It brings us together as a community on another level than everything else this forum stands for.

[This message has been edited by brandon184 (edited 06-18-2000).]

[wtp]

YES

if we had this long ago... NO ONE would of been banned, (well, most of em' wouldn't of been), and everyone would of been more happy.

wtp

[Dave_H]

I know it is something that has been asked for over and over. Personally, I'm not sure if it would really work, or quickly get out of hand. I will vote yes but:
I like the idea of the posts not counting.
And, would like it to start as a trial, after a week or so maybe we give opinions on weather it worked or not.
Thanks for letting me give my opinion Scott.
Dave

[oxOGradiusOxo]

NO

The only problem I see happening is that people will post ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING just because they can and the whole time they'll be screaming "THIS IS THE OFF TOPIC FORUM, I CAN POST WHAT I WANT TO" I think keeping the things the way they are is just fine. There really aren't that many OT threads here to justify a whole forum for it. SysOpt is here for System Optimzation and it's been doing it's job just fine the way it is

[medo]

Hello,

Yes,

But what will hapen with Brainstorm ses... this could be fine off the topic forum.


Medo

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by medo (edited 06-18-2000).]

[dos7]

Hello


YES


dos7

[seti]

yes

[lost1]

Hi everyone-
YES
I would like to see a separate OT forum.

Been gone for a while, it's good to be back! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[Stan]

YES

But, like oxOGradiusOxo pointed out, I am afraid that people would start posting absolutely anything.... we'll see

Stan

[Brydon]

YES I would like to see a seperate off topic forum

[RCN_Moose]

I'll have to say YES as well.
I think it would be good if you did make it so that the posts wouldn't count too.

Moose

[bkehoe]

Yes.

You'd probably have to get another moderator, as an OT forum would encourage lots of posts. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Brendan

[This message has been edited by bkehoe (edited 06-18-2000).]

[Strip]

By some reason, I don't feel very comfortable with this idea. The internet is crowded with forums, but still we see people throwing around threads like used toiletpaper in here.
I'd say that a new session won't solve the problem. But I still have to vote

Yes

just because I don't have a better suggestion myself.

[rrick31]

YES

[orkboss]

No - If you don't like topics then don't read them.

[yaroa]

Your assertion that it wont be a free for all should be underlined. A recent post to General Discussion is a preview of what people will be posting and that is not the impression that we want to give to first time visitors.
So my vote is NO, just keep locking obnoxious posts.

[Snuffy!]

Sounds like a good idea duded http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif I say yes

[Prospero]

Yes

[hd581]

Yes. But, creating another forum would probably be more work for admin. That OT forum will have plenty of posts I'm sure. It's odd that we only have one admin moderating the entire forum (I dunno how she does it http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif). I've seen smaller UBB's with multiple moderators.

Oh yeah, (this is OT) I just had to point out the irony in a post titled "sysopt censorship" that's been locked, LOL!! I dunno, just thought that title looked funny right next to a lock symbol. Oh well..carry on..

[This message has been edited by hd581 (edited 06-18-2000).]

[narayan]

I agree with oxoGradiusoxo. NO I like Sysopt the way it is. If you don't like a topic, don't read it. I think for the most part, we members of Sysopt know what OT topics are acceptable. Like, Hey, I'm gettin' a new car, or such. I think that OT topics generated by members for the most part are fun. It's all in good fun. I have seen you close threads that were too far OT. Why don' you just do that? Close threads that may stray too far from what we want here. I enjoy debating valid social and political issues, however.

[This message has been edited by narayan (edited 06-18-2000).]

[Serge]

No

[This message has been edited by Serge (edited 06-18-2000).]

[wyvrn]

YES

And a name other than General Discussion might help ease the OT threads in that forum. Maybe something like General Hardware Discussion or General Computing Discussion. My two cents.

[mgordon99]

Yes, good idea http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[codybear]

NO!!..there are many forums out there that have them and they attract a totally different kind of individual..this board has worked fine the way it is and if they want to chat OT then go to the chat rooms or another board...if it aint broke then DONT fix it....dont like then click and move on



[This message has been edited by codybear (edited 06-18-2000).]

[Ultima]

On one side I would say YES, since there have been quite a lot OT's lately!!!

On the other hand, I say NO, cause I DO ussually read em, but I rarely reply to them, for most of it I don't find very interesting.

But, wayed against eachother, I would indeed encourage it, so YES!!!

Pim

[This message has been edited by Ultima (edited 06-18-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Ultima (edited 06-18-2000).]

[NavyDood_ F/A18_Mech]

YES for the OT Forum. You would benefit more though with a couple more moderators on Sysopt.

I still wish you all would consider splitting up the Overclocking and CPU section into Intel and AMD.

Jim

[ghostface]

i'd say yes.

[Ashley Rimmer]

Looks like I shall go with YES
Ash

[F=ma]

Yes

With lighter moderation

[daveleau]

nt

edited since Chipbgt's words were so moving http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif
Dave

[This message has been edited by daveleau (edited 06-18-2000).]

[tantone]

yes

[This message has been edited by tantone (edited 06-18-2000).]

[chipbgt]

Even though I like this idea-

"I would most likely set it up so that post counts do not get incremented by posts in the OT forum."

I would still vote No. I feel Sysopt has kept itself at a higher standard than other message boards by not allowing threads like "My **** itches" or "What color is your underwear." I would see it as just opening up the floodgates, and it definitely would gradually spill into the other forums. There are over 9000 registered members of Sysopt, and I wish I knew the number that are active members, but its not near 9000. Some people sign up in the hopes of goofing off and when they see that that is not acceptable, they go somewhere else. Call me an elitist, but by not having an off topic forum, it keeps the riff-raff out.

I like the level of maturity we for the most part share here. If we did have an off topic forum, I don't doubt that most would be able to handle it. I for one probably wouldn't go to it that much. In fact the one good thing would be that it would clear out some of the clutter for real questions in the forums. But what would become of general discussion? Would it just be renamed? All the other forums would have to be moderated at a stricter level to ensure it stays on topic.

I would suggest people take a look in the brainstorming forum. Loads of interesting posts there, and its intelligent conversation as well! Whatever you guys decide to do, I am sure you will make the best judgement for the good of Sysopt. I am excited about all the changes coming along from Earthweb http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Edit- Oops....you wanted this brief didnt ya? ......moderate me http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by chipbgt (edited 06-18-2000).]

[psyklone]

i most definitely have to say YES. i'd rather not have one, honestly, but there are so many OT posts placed in 'general' now that it really does push legit computer related issues down the page. also, sadly enough, most of these OT posts ... well let me rephrase that ... a LOT of these OT posts are nothing more than attempts to increase post status. that has just got to stop because it's jusst pathetic. so all things considered, i think that an OT forum is definitely the answer here and the 'general' forum should probably be renamed to 'general tech' or something to that effect to help specify that it is no longer just a free-for-all. keep up the great work guys! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Fasterbaby]

Yes! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[raider rick]

Yes! Please.

[SysOpt]

The thing is, we would still maintain professionalism in a new forum because its on this site - it doesn't get to be a free for all or contain "my **** itches" type threads. The only thing it would do is separate the tech posts from the non-tech posts. Socal would probably need a 2nd moderator, though.

[BBA]

I say YES, but that invites a little more mischief to have to watch very closely.

As long as you are prepared to handle the watchdog task...go for it!

[bhess]

I vote YES but agree with the idea about changing around the names. Something like general computer. Maybe you should just rename brainstorming over to O/T forum, that way socalgal won't be overtaxed.

[M1pilot]

I don't know if it's that great an idea or not.....I think it'll have to be fairly heavily moderated to keep it from becoming a real junk forum. The nice thing about SysOpt is the occasional foray away from computers in the general topics section...it makes for a very easy going atmosphere. If you don't want to read a thread..easy..just skip it. It's true it gets out of hand once in a while, but the admins do a great job keeping things in check. I would have to vote NO.

-M1pilot

[Warthog]

I enjoy discussing non-computer related controversial issues with the rest of you because the persona of members at Sysopt is very high. As long as there was no post count and there were intellectual discussions, my vote is YES

Warthog

[vfrxsw]

yes

[ck42866]

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif That's a YES.

[plucky duck]

YES, but....

It will definitely make the General Discussion forum look cleaner and organized. Although I'd have to agree we don't really get that much OT, only as of late maybe...

Anyhow, a whole new forum for just the sake of socializing seems to somewhat deter the main course of where this sight is headed. If we do indeed have one, more moderating might have to take place to ensure things don't get out of hand and maintains its high level of professionalism.

You give a blabber mouth a microphone and you'll know what he/she will do with it - blab and blab and blab endlessly w/o having to do with anybody or anything...just for the sake of talking. Ya know what I mean?

The regulars around here I have no problems with. They know when to talk and when not to, how to behave themselves and act appropriately YES EVEN IN AN OFF_TOPIC FORUM http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif Me myself included, of course http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

So I say its a YES with a definite maybe...

Guess I'm not really of much help here, am I?
hehehe...

Now that's just one man's opinion.

Plucky Duck

[blind to truth]

How pitiful.How many of you have responded or posted of-the-wall ****?all of you!and so have i.You really have no reason to say"people just post that stuff to up there count"......well........so have you

....anyway after all may rambling..I think an off the topic would be fun.But some of those kinds of posts get deleted or closed anyway.You should put all the closed threads like that one 'name the company you hate and why' back in.It had the right idea....it was opiniontive(is that a word?).anyway i vote YES

[jad1097]

NO!

But seeing how it may stop this ignorant ongoing debate because some people do not know where to put general hardware and software questions. Then I would be forced to say yes.

Why not just change the name of the "Technical Support" forum to something such as general hardware support and change the OS discussion forum to OS and software support? It seems to me that would be more logical since many of the posts in the current general forum should be elsewhere anyhow.

Here goes how I think it could be.

General Discussion
Any discussion not covered in the topics below.


Technical Support (General Hardware Support)
Have a technical problem? Can't get your PC to boot, a modem to be recognized, or drivers to install? This is the place to ask your questions (this should be changed because many of the driver questions end up going in the video and OS forums. And many of the modem and boot questions go into the OS forum also.)



Video Cards and Monitors
Discuss 2D cards, 3D accelerators, and monitors. (Add driver support)



Operating Systems (OS & Software Support) Or create a Application forum.
Discussion about Windows 98/95, WinNT, Win2k, Linux, BeOS, etc. (This is not used properly at all! Very few people discusse OS's here they use the general forum for it most of the time.)




Maybe set it up similar to how these two are set up.
http://www.romulus2.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi
http://63.75.143.219/board/mrcubb/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro

I think both of these are great examples of how it should be laid out to prevent the confusion we have here.


Just my $ .02




[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 06-18-2000).]

[fvay]

Yes
but generall discussion should stay as general discussion about computers. i mean anything related to computers that doesnt apply to other forums

[zskillz]

well, i guess then that I don't really understand the point of having the General Discussion Forum...

I mean, what exactly is supposed to go in here?

but I suppose that if everyone will be happier with it, then i vote [b] yes [\b] as well

-z

[akaBruno]

How 'bout one for just "Politcal B.S." ??? Isn't that what this topic is about? I know that I'm getting a reputation as a __it starter. But, I prefer to think of myself as a finisher. For years I've been trying to get on that BM Radio show of Lush RimJob's. But he only wants callers that kiss his ****.
So what , I get frustrated...

Face it Scott... THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR. Your members are not politically neutered. It's probably something, like religion, that we shouldn't discuss here... But, we do. I'm sorry but, it does lead to profane language at times, but only because we want it to be read in it's entirety before being censored.

Either suspend the freedom of speech or open it up. It's up to you.

Bruno

[Glynn R Harris]

Hmmm... I am fairly new to Sysopt, so I defer to the combined wattage of all the regulars here.

I personally have had very few threads that I've started (well, one) but have not yet felt stifled by the choices for where to put a thread if I thought to.

But then, I DO care about seeing other folks desktops and home setups (cool!), hearing their opinions and experiences of gas prices (doesn't it touch us all), liked the chance to compare notes about my first computer, and WOW, a post that may have changed my life: whether or not to pursue an A+ certification (I have a load of books to read now!)

I loved the "color scheme" thread, because I felt like I was getting to know some of you a little better-- like you get to know co-workers at the water-cooler from hearing what they did over the weekend, or plan to do next weekend.

So I love the "Off-topic"s, and if they are not to be a part of "General (Ahem, TECHNICAL) Discussion", I would like to see them Somewhere on Sysopt.

I would NOT like to see Obnoxious Topics (maybe you can have a forum listing for that but set the software so it directs the user's browser to a random AOL chat-room.) http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

The users here are generally of high-caliber, and there are reasons for that. I suspect that the "heavy" moderating has been a contributor, and many thanks are due SoCalGal for keeping you degenerates straight http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif .

But I've always noticed something else equally interesting: regulars to a board often take on "administrative" duties, correcting the newbies, flagging the moderator when something's bad, tactfully reminding the users about copyright or potentially entangling issues, answering public threads privately when discretion is the better part of candor.

You know you guys do it, sometimes as a rebuff, sometimes taking someone under your wing; and as long as people here continue to care, and pay attention to what's posted, not just who's posting, you'll win fans like me who always want a clean pool to swim in and, like you, resent those who might use it for a commode.

But there is a danger: in a post, which is public, if you call someone out or accuse them of a motive like "increasing their post count", their egos often respond publicly too. If you care too much also about how much of an individual's post count "should count", then you haven't guarded the Sysopt reputation so much as your title/rank.

And so, while you "old-timers" are always an important part of keeping the pool clean, it's also true that implicitly encouraging a contest (you know what I mean) will be both polluting and ultimately more clean-up work for the moderator (not to mention an uninteresting read).

There will always be coarse and disruptive voices, and so too threads and posts that clearer heads might not have wasted boardspace with. I think of a few BBSes (remember those?) that were temples a few users were itching to defile. No board is immune, or can be totally so.

But there are more often fine people who have not yet noticed that there are really other people behind the logins, writing graffiti on the wall instead of addressing the Congress we collectively make (an artifact of e-communication).

They don't (I didn't) immediately realize how many people get emailed when a new post appears on their thread... Eeek, sorry to interrupt your work, but.... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/redface.gif

And the many who, on other occasions, have something of import to contribute, but when something tickles them, can't resist drawing the attentions of others to the ironies and oddness of life.

None of THOSE people ever have to be lost. They do have to be informed and guided. Publicly, this is the job of the Admin, especially in a FAQ or closed post. Also publicly-- but in a much quieter way-- a lead by example (for instance, never taking the bait to respond with a personal swipe) moves the new member of Sysopt into, not out of, the Community and its well-refined ways.

Because I believe Off-Topic is more a case of Off-Audience, I think an Off-Topic Forum will work, primarily because uninteresting or malignant topics will draw few replies HERE. There are too many really cool threads to explore, and too many people interested in being thoughtful, than to provide an audience to provocateurs.

It is hard work for me to be thoughtful, but much easier than being brief. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[Amarok]

yes

[Chainsaw]

No
This would open a can of Worms, attracting a caliber of posts that would require a great deal of monitoring and distract from the purpose of this site, Systems Optimization. (IMO)
c:::CHNsaw

[This message has been edited by Chainsaw (edited 06-18-2000).]

[Ed_S]

Mixed feelings here.

I like things as is, mostly. It's only recently that it got out of hand, and even now it's really not that bad.

As I see it, a new forum as described would encourage a lot more garbage and the interesting OT stuff would get lost. Word would spread, and many more of those inclined towards junk posting would come here. Then it would overflow back to "general" or the other forums and get totally out of control.

It's better to continue as is and discourage the really off the wall stuff. It'll get back to a normal level eventually.

NO

Ed

[Carlos Kerr]

Oh boy! Where to begin? Yes ...here's why (I'll pose this in the form of a question so as not to sound 'dogmatic' and such). Is it possible that by using a separate OT Forum we would actually make SOCALGAL'S life easier? Wouldn't it be easier to separate legitimate OT topics from technical topics and general discussion topics? And wouldn't we be driving the potential 'garbage thread' out in the open for proper moderating? Once we separated the OT from the technical etc., it would be that much simpler to moderate the B.S. and lock it down before it got out of hand. Now everything has to be sorted out of one forum and I think it is harder this way. I for one don't like 'just scrolling down' as an answer to our current situation. Much easier it seems to get general computer help when I want it and discussion when I want it. Open up a forum for those in our membership who want to legitimately 'share' with one another and moderate the BS out there. Do not count posts in the new forum and you gain another tool at stopping the garbage post from the legitimate OT post. The reguler forums it seems rarely get the kind of traffic that the 'general forum' gets, they seem to take care of themselves in this way. The biggest problem I see outside of what goes on in the 'general forum' are the occasionally misplaced question or multiple queries in the same or other forums. Anyway...YES

[daveleau]

With Chipbgt's comments, I must change my vote. Very persuasive arguement and I believe that we can continue by simply not posting to these threads that are junk with the mods locking the really bad ones.
Dave

no

[jl123]

I say yes http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

~Joel(jl123)

[Tube]

YES - nice idea for the occasional gripe or off-the-cuff question.

[Junky]

Yes

[Wiz]

YES - I like the fact that the posts will not count towards anything.

[Joel Kleppinger]

I just wanted to thank Glenn for his indepth analysis of the situation. It doesn't come easy and I certainly enjoyed reading it.

Props out to ya, Glenn.

[cyclone2]

I say no, you would probably end up with 2 General Discussion forums 1/2 full of junk posts, just keep the reins pulled tight and Most people will get it. You will always get some Rabble-Rousers no matter what.

[ablang]

NO.

I think it's obvious by the topics whether or not they are computer/IT related.

[MAGIC 8-BALL and THE ELF]

Definitely YES! - Elf

Absolutely NO. - 8-Ball

Possibly MAYBE - The Third

Aw, c'mon you guys! You never let me have any fun anyway, and maybe an OT Forum would be a place I could go by myself. - Elf

You had fun in New Zealand last Winter while I was on my planet, didn't you? - 8-Ball

You both never listen to me anyway, so I guess we all agree. - The Third

Not me! - Elf

I do. - 8-Ball

I can't decide. We'll take a silent vote. All those in favor, say nothing. Everyone opposed, remain silent. There. - The Third

Who won? - Elf

Who won? - 8-Ball

Who cares? - The Third

[This message has been edited by MAGIC 8-BALL and THE ELF (edited 06-18-2000).]

[fragnaked]

NO!

What's it going to prove or improve anyway?

What's the big deal if someone wants to up their post-count by replying to "garbage" threads? Why is that so important to some of you people what other people do????

Personally, I take advice from someone who offers an intelligent and well thought out reply that relates to my question or problem. (be it from someone new or someone who has 10,0000 posts)

General is just that... GENERAL. It should be used for all things, either computer related or not.

I, FOR ONE, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ELSE MAKES YOU GUYS TICK, BESIDES COMPUTERS!

OT = Off Topic? right?

If that's true, then when you start a thread about cheese, then when someone says they like milk or bologna, then that reply is OT.

/me has spoken. :p

[Win_98]

Great places for drunk people and other alikes.
People who believe in god and people that don't hehe
I have a friend that smoke weeds and maybe that would be just right for him. http://www.anandtech.com
Here a place where they have off topic
forum, go here if you can't wait. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
It has been here long before this was ever thought of.
It kind of funny in a way, when you talk to yourself and others get a crack out of it.
Have you ever wanted to say anything that comes to your mind and anything that happen to you in the past.

[Biff]

Sounds like a great idea and my first instinct is to say yes. This could open up a BIG can of worms. I like the way it is now, adm moderates the forums, there is a topic I don't particulary like, I dont post, Any I find offensive I notify adm.
I guess the 64,000 dollar question is - would this stop the problems we are having? it could quite possibly compound them, or at least have adm running around like crazy.
I'm going with a NO!

[montanafan]

I say yes, but it's going to be one big headache for the moderator, at first.

It should help that you're not going to count posts and it should make things easier for Socalgal in General Discussion.

I participate in several OT forums and the atmosphere is different in each, depends on the participants and the moderator. Might as well give it a try and see how it shakes out with the people you have here.

[chipbgt]

Hey Thanks daveleau http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif Makes me feel good that someone actually took the time to read all that I wrote http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[OuTpaTienT]

I didn't read it, nor am I going to. So much for doing what he ask and keeping it brief. Geeeeez!

[chipbgt]

Hey thanks OutPatient!

wait there wasnt any wink or smile on the end of that to sginify it as a joke.....hmmm. You could have at least voted :P

[awwall]

Vote YES..to much garbage in General Discussion, which should be on computing..

aw

[OuTpaTienT]

http://www.norcov.com/~donc/tounge.gif (I already voted. You may have missed it because I didn't write a book to go with it.)

[chipbgt]

well sorry outpatient I will try not to ramble next time....besides i wanted to make it look like I actually cared, and wasnt just upping my post count like those who just said "yes" or "no" ;-P

[rtyp3]

Yes

[mattheadfat]

i say yes also, i know there are other forums that i get OT, but i like this group of people

[RobRich]

I don't want to change the queston at hand, but what about using chat for all the extremely OT material? This way it doesn't interfere with our forum operations, and NO ONE gets any credit for anything said.

Many have expressed an interest in having real time chat, and I am just seeking input on this idea. I haven't heard the current status of the request for chat. With all the issues that are present in the site's new redesign, I do understand that this is not a priority issue.

Just a thought,
Robert Richmond

[Warthog]

A chat probably wouldn't be good for some of those deep topics (patriotism, civil war, politics, etc.) because sometimes books need to be written to get a point across. But for regular, simple, questions like "Do you have polka dots on your underwear?" or "What color is your toothbrush?", it would be ok.

Also, some members wouldn't like a real time chat 'cause they like to research *answers* to those deep discussions in order to look like they know what they're talking about.

hehe...j/k http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

Warthog

P.S - I enjoyed your post, chip http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Warthog (edited 06-18-2000).]

[Junky]

quote:
"besides i wanted to make it look like I actually cared, and wasnt just upping my post count like those who just said "yes" or "no" ;-P"

You sure assume alot.

[thekingofpain]

yes

[OuTpaTienT]

Hey Junky. Get off chip's case. I might not agree with his choice to be wordy, but I'm certainly not going to stand by and let someone with 39 post insult him.

[chipbgt]

Junky, I was being facetious with Outpatient. He knew I wasnt being serious. When you have been around like we have and have seen how many times people have been accused of post count adding, you would know right off the bat I meant it as a joke....as well as the tongue sticking out was a giveaway also. See? I am being wordy again. No doubt outpatient will get on my case again http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif


No harm no foul. But sorry Scott , you wanted just yes or no and I'm crapping in your thread. See ya later guys and gals.

[krusty the klown]

yes.

[hhh8785]

Yes, Yes, Yes, and might i add yes.

[bdog]

Yes. I think it would be good to seperate the computer from the non-computer threads. With proper moderation it would not get out of control. Currently I go to other sites to discuss off topic things. If this is the way you want it then fine, but I feel that adding the OT forum would definitely up the daily post counts and would help to keep the existing forums focused on System Optimization.

[U-96]

YES

for a trial period of say 2 or 3 months.

chip's arguement is powerful, but having an OT forum allows the mods somewhere to transfer junk to WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE. I do think the suggestion of clarifying the forum headings and descriptions is overdue, and have said as much myself before. Just where do I post my hard drive/modem/sound card problem?

It should also be given in the rules of the OT forum that transgressors - offensive, spamming, pyramid ****, etc can and will be locked up/deleted with no excuse given.

I think locking up all but the most offensive/personal stuff (which should be deleted) works as it demonstrates what NOT to post to all who view it.

I would also suggest that a moderator exist solely for the forum (or at least with a different name http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif ) so that the regular editorial crew don't have to deal with any BS that goes on the OT forum.

If instant and unjustified deletions are accepted by the posters to the forum, then no-one can whine if it happens to them.

And if it all goes crazy, just wipe it. We old 'uns will still be here (1 year and counting http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif )

U-96

[Wilan Wong]

NO - I like Sysopt the way it is. It's meant to be for System Optimization right???

[skai]

Yes if you dont like it dont go there

[mudoggy]

Yes.

[hd581]

OuTpaTienT said:
Hey Junky. Get off chip's case. I might not agree with his choice to be wordy, but I'm certainly not going to stand by and let someone with 39 post insult him.OK, may I ask just what in the world post count has to do with someone's right to post? Junky might have been reading this UBB for years w/ out posting and has as much right to express an opinion as you do.

[OuTpaTienT]

Sure he does, and I have a right to tell him to mello-out.

[Banti]

NO
I will try to avoid being wordy, but I think that the new OT forum will bring the dreggs of the internet to our doorstep. If we need a OT area that badly, people can use our live chat when (or if?) we get it. That way I can talk to other members about BS, and not interfere with the posts in General Discussion (or wherever they would be placed with a new OT forum).

Banti

[nilknarf]

Sounds like a cool idea!

[Junky]

quote:
"Sure he does, and I have a right to tell him to mello-out."

I apologize chipbgt. Didn't notice the face winking with the tongue out. I'v seen those rude comments before by others. I never post for count.

As far as OuTpaTienT, you need to get back to your padded cell. I bet ya chipbgt is old enough to handle the situation. And I have equal rights as well to tell you to stick it in your ear.

[OuTpaTienT]

Touche. Ok fine, I'll extend an olive branch if you will.

[MadMatt]

YES!

[drizzle]

YES!

[Junky]

quote:
"Touche. Ok fine, I'll extend an olive branch if you will."

Thanks for the olive branch. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif Here's mine. You just showed alot of class with that branch...ya just out did me.

It was a misunderstanding. I made a mistake by not reading closer to begin with.

[Warthog]

Ok. I'm impressed. You guys showed how situations can be resolved without swearing at each other. That's cool.

Warthog

[PCnerd]

YES YES and YES!

[Inferior]

*Yes*, now thats enough said right there....

[NoCtrl]

Yes = Yes I would like to see an OT forum

Short enough? :P

[SysOpt]

General Discussion is not for all things general. It was intended to be about general technical discussion that did not fit in the technical support, motherboards, processors, and other SysOpt forum categories. Not "Who do you want to vote for for president", or "What is your favorite food", etc. But in the interest of fostering community, we've allowed off topic threads to live in general discussion, as long as they're tasteful.

Regarding Bruno's comment about free speech, there is also appropriate speech. As the owners of this forum, we get to dictate which threads belong where, what's appropriate and what isn't, etc. That's how we've kept this message board from turning into ****, and that's what you agreed to when you registered. If you wanted us to say "hail, freedom of speech, do whatever you want!" this board would suck.

I would prefer general discussion to be renamed to "General Tech Discussion", as it has always been intended, and have the new forum be called "General Non-Tech Discussion" or something to that effect. We would ultimately have the right to move threads around as we do now, if we thought that a thread was in the wrong forum.

I appreciate everyone's feedback here. I've decided to add a new forum. We will also be adding an FAQ to the site so new members will understand our policies here. Finally, I have selected one of SysOpt's members to moderate the new forum and help Socalgal moderate the rest of the message board as well. We'll accounce who it is once the new forum has been created, probably in a few days.

Scott

[chipbgt]

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Good luck guys. Although I voted no, I am sure it will contribute to the overall atmosphere around here in a positive way. Now the fun of guessing who the new moderator will be...hmmmm.....

[jad1097]

Mntsnow

[chipbgt]

....yeah but I just didnt want to make any assumptions http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[SoopaStar]

YES

Paul C

[Mntsnow]

Well jeeze guys http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif Thanks for the vote. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.

Mntsnow

[AnakiMana]

I support both Yes and No for different reasons.... but I'll go with Yes because it will probably be more helpful overall. I considered no because sometimes the OT posts draw me in and I end up helping others with general computing problems. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

AnakiMana

[RacerX]

YES.

[tonym]

Vote = YES

New Moderator = Mntsnow


Tony

[SysOpt]

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/Forum17/HTML/000002.html

[This message has been edited by SysOpt (edited 06-19-2000).]

[jokostel]

YES.... I would.... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif