OFF TOPIC ON THE BOI

[Bill & Amy]

Sometimes a person can actually build a case of hard facts by taking a convoluted path through some apparently off topic issues in order to paint someone into a corner. I would be reluctant to nip this off because of warning points inhibiting that sort of method. We just can't assume we will all immediately know where such an angle will ultimately end up and how on topic it could potentially wind up being.

Sometimes this is the best way to allow people to "hang" themselves.

 

[hhmoore]

I guess my main thought with that was when people break down into their own personal bickering sessions - unrelated to the subject at hand, or even the parties targeted by the thread. Just two or three posters going at each other...sure, it might start over some point in the discussion, but when it becomes nothing more than personal sparring (between "nonplayers") it doesn't seem to have much purpose.

 

[WebSlave]

I guess my main thought with that was when people break down into their own personal bickering sessions - unrelated to the subject at hand, or even the parties targeted by the thread. Just two or three posters going at each other...sure, it might start over some point in the discussion, but when it becomes nothing more than personal sparring (between "nonplayers") it doesn't seem to have much purpose.

Yeah, I hear you. But have you ever tried to separate two dogs that are fighting? Plan on getting bitten..........

 

[Stardust]

There are other rules that are not clear cut and set in stone either. I think most of us are getting a feel for what is what around here.
I also agree with what Harald is saying.
If the supermods and you, of course, agree perhaps when one or more of us give a verbal warning to get the topic back on track and it is just ignored then you or one of the supers can step in and see how that goes. Everything is trial and error and subjective to interpretation but if a few agree then the line for that individual thread has been established.

Earlier I tried to get a thread back on course and Jay stepped up behind me and gave the same warning. (Thank you Jay) If we can distinguish between a few bickering back and forth straying totally away from the topic we can give a verbal and then take it from there.
Actually "Failure to comply" would be good for this type of warning IMO.

 

[romad119]

Off topic to me is distinguishable when either of the involved parties (seller, buyer, etc) that is subject of the thread isn't even mentioned in the post. At that point, it is stuff that should be kept in PM land or in another thread or Hell. I use the PM or chat feature to communicate to some I have an opinion that doesn't forward a thread or is unrelated to a thread.

When someone uses a BOI thread as a means to carry on a unrelated conversation instead of using the other forms of fauna communications then it is off topic.

A weighted warning point system may assist in this. For example:

1 Point: Off topic post, please direct this post elsewhere then the BOI
3 Points: 2nd warning, other fauna features exist for off topic posts, please utilize
5 points: 3rd warning, your continual off topic posts are destructive to the usefulness of the BOI

It would be like any other warning point category and issuance, subjective, but it may be best to recognize it in a weighted manner and would recognize the varying degrees of things.

With a weighted system, eventually a stubborn someone maybe get wrangled into following it and if not then its a quicker path to suspension/banning.