Off topic posts in threads?

[onizuka]

Hey guys, I know I'm new here but I'm a long time forum user.

I don't want to make a big stink about it, but finding information in a thread is sometimes hard because people clutter it up "chatty" stuff that doesn't have anything to do with the thread. I'm not saying that people shouldn't promote communication, but take this thread for example:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-win-ss-vv-kit-1000-vtubes-per-round-316.html

I wanted to find out what game it was on, and I had to wade through a lot of "chit chat" so to speak.

Is there a way for forum mods to take note of stuff like this or be notified of it, so that these types of threads can be truncated?

It actually makes me sad to post something like this, this forum has great information and everyone here is pretty friendly and awesome, as far as I can tell, but it's painful to browse sometimes. I hope you guys can understand where I'm coming from.

 

[rolygate]

I guess I'd agree - but nobody likes the moderation done as a result. In the end it comes down to:
the chatters who hate 'over-moderation' vs the people who just want the info.

Right now there's more chatters

Apart from that, there is a mass of issues surrounding the moderation of some threads to keep the chat down (as it wouldn't be all threads, some are nothing but chat): which threads exactly; how do we find out about them; what happens when two pages of chat are deleted, after we are notified that a thread needs 'de-chatting'; do we have a license from most members to do this?; what about the workload increase of 1000% for Moderators; do we want to drive some members away to please some others; etc.

If an OP doesn't want any chat in their thread perhaps they can put that in the first post; maybe then, it would be OK to delete chat.

It's strange how, sometimes, people criticise us for over-moderating - but the one thing we don't do is work hard (if at all) to keep threads on-topic, which other boards make a big issue about. It's a funny old world.

 

[Cyrus Vap]

I don't have a brilliant suggestion or solution to add here, but I just wanted to say that I've been on ECF for a few months now, and I've watched *most* of the threads I used to enjoy and love for information, and yes, *some* chat, completely fall apart at the hands of entirely off topic posting and cliques of ~3 people that do nothing but repeatedly make near identical posts and compulsively press the 'like' button

New members are always flowing in, and of course information will need to be repeated again and again, but this is different than a few individuals per thread using the forum entirely as a chat room. It especially angers me when a newb posts an important question and gets steam rolled by a thousand formalities, perhaps well intentioned, but misplaced IMO ("Hello" "good morning" "good night" insert a few jokes and likes...rinse...repeat...)

My own personal way of dealing with this: If I want to talk about something, I start a thread, invite those I respect, and make an effort to put the thread back on track if its veering. Or just search for new posts but those users who I enjoy learning from.

 

[rolygate]

The volume of 'welcomes' for a new member are probably a good thing, and if their question is ignored during that phase of the proceedings, perhaps they will not be too worried - as long as it gets answered. There are a ton of different opinions about this sort of thing.

Maybe we need a no-chat section, just for the facts, ma'am.

Or a NO CHAT icon that OPs can use.

 

[Gomtuu]

A "no chat" icon is a great idea.

I love how welcoming members can be. It creates that sense of community that vaping is known for (in my mind, anyway). But it's true, the single word/single line/winking/nodding/greeting posts can be a bit much in some threads. It's enough to make my wrist hurt, what with all that mouse scrolling!

Cyrus's method of starting a new thread when you want specific info is great, too. Make the forum work for you!

 

[Cyrus Vap]

Love the No Chat icon lol

It's human nature to chit chat, and its a great thing. And its certainly possible to chat AND talk shop, those are the best threads.

I just don't see why people don't make use of the chat areas/OT areas for what they're for and take it easy with the jive talk in the 'regular' threads

 

[progg]

The volume of 'welcomes' for a new member are probably a good thing, and if their question is ignored during that phase of the proceedings, perhaps they will not be too worried - as long as it gets answered. There are a ton of different opinions about this sort of thing.

Maybe we need a no-chat section, just for the facts, ma'am.

Or a NO CHAT icon that OPs can use.

 

[IronHorse]

Those are all great ideas...the TIQ,(Thread In Question), to which Onizuka is referring promotes chat amongst us Members...at least from my understanding from Sunny818...the OP of the thread. But it can get convoluted as any thread can. It seems to work for him though. I like the No Chat icon idea for those OP's that don't want chat.

 

[AttyPops]

Is there a possibility to flag a post as "off topic/not-relevant?" in the software? If it get's flagged by a bunch of people then it could float to the top of the cleanup list. Automated, mostly maintained by the user base rather than the mods... so easy on the workload. Ideally an option on a per-thread basis (some may want to allow it).

 

[IronHorse]

True...but in the Supplier's Forum...the Suppliers moderate their own threads and usually the Mods only get involved if the Supplier asks them to..unless it is a blatant disregard for Forum Policy.

Is there a possibility to flag a post as "off topic/not-relevant?" in the software? If it get's flagged by a bunch of people then it could float to the top of the cleanup list. Automated, mostly maintained by the user base rather than the mods... so easy on the workload. Ideally an option on a per-thread basis (some may want to allow it).

 

[rolygate]

I can see a few problems being caused by an Off Topic button that flags a post for the Mods.

 

[IronHorse]

I can see a few problems being caused by an Off Topic button that flags a post for the Mods.

 

[AttyPops]

I can see a few problems being caused by an Off Topic button that flags a post for the Mods.

Funny. One person's solution is another's problem. Once a post got over 50 OTs on a thread that was set to "no OT posts"... should help clear it up. Nobody said the moderators HAD to respond. It may even help users ignore posts while reading through (maybe even grey them or something).

Guess I'm not a moderator. Don't know why that wouldn't help while reviewing a thread.......

Like buttons don't inherently increase their workload. Why would "OT" buttons?

 

[oldsoldier]

Like buttons don't inherently increase their workload. Why would "OT" buttons?

Anything that triggers a report increases the moderator workload. All reports have to be investigated, even if the report turns out to be unsubstantiated on not actionable, a mod still has to check it out and close it.

 

[AttyPops]

Then don't have it trigger a report. Just let it be there for if/when a mod reviews a thread. Runs across 100 "OTs"... reads post....

nm. IDK the workflow. Just a thought anyway. Obviously VB doesn't do it.