When does a thread become off topic?

[harry]

Dear Crew,

Please calrify this grey area as the natural cycle of a thread can still relate to the thread title per se whilst bringing in other issues/discussion points. Therefore becomes difficult to cut it off and start again in another section.

What's other forum members point of view on this issue?

[simple1]

It is very simple...........if you start to pull a thread in a different direction from that of the title then you changing a thread, discussions about the type of mods on a car in Trackday and Meetings sections is inappropriate, and very obviously needs to be included in the Mods and tuning thread........... you have an uncanny habit of diverting a current thread in a direction that you want.........Easy or not, try and keep on topic, or start a thread in the appropirate section and post the link to the thread YOU feel it relates to.

[CliveH]

I agree with Harry, it's a very grey area (must be, as Crew members also drift into it).

Personally, I believe the forum should be allowed to flow naturally, but this seems to be a matter of some opposition by Crew. I'm sure the majority of us will wish to abide by the rules...we need some please...

[DavidT]

Clive and Harry,

You seem to be trying to turn this into a science. It's not.

All we ask is that you be sensible and consider what you post and where. You are both guilty of posting off topic too often and before either of you comment further here, please check back through your own posts.

Remember that lots of work goes into the running of the site, the vast majority is not seen by the users and that's as it should be. We do however get feedback very regularly and where appropriate, we act on it to maintain the status quo.


David

[CliveH]

[harry]

David

Everbody on this forum almost without exception is guilty of posting off topic at sometime during the history of this site. That's right, including the early days, or have some forgotten? I have checked my posts and others for that matter, Crew included and NOBODY is perfect here so stop with the holier than thou chat,

Now I don't want a contest, but surely your post about transmission losses on this thread strays from the title of the thread and would be best discussed somewhere else. Granted it is loosely associated as it's relevant to the day, like the MRC RS4, but indeed will open up a whole new area of discussion thus pulling the thread way off topic before you know it, going from organising and confirming attendance to a RR road day to discussing transmission losses identified as a result of the day happening. People in glass houses my friend....

And what do you mean by " we receive feedback very regularly and where appropriate, we act on it to maintain the status quo" This implies a level playing field with EVERYONE being treated fairly and in the same manner. From my experience this simply does not ring true, I'm afraid.

Again I was just seeking some clarification for my own and others sakes.

Simon, you will see that I have started a new topic in the relevant forum ref the MRC RS4 500+, but again where do we draw the line? The question wouldn't have been asked by me if the information had not come up in the thread - so where does fault lie? Surely not with me in the first instance, so I hope that the original poster takes note of this transgression and acts accordingly in the future.

I will be interested to get more feedback from other "ordinary" members/contributors aswell, instead of just the lil hitlers out there!

[DavidT]

David

Everbody on this forum almost without exception is guilty of posting off topic at sometime during the history of this site. That's right, including the early days, or have some forgotten? I have checked my posts and others for that matter, Crew included and NOBODY is perfect here so stop with the holier than thou chat,

Now I don't want a contest, but surely your post about transmission losses on this thread strays from the title of the thread and would be best discussed somewhere else. Granted it is loosely associated as it's relevant to the day, like the MRC RS4, but indeed will open up a whole new area of discussion thus pulling the thread way off topic before you know it, going from organising and confirming attendance to a RR road day to discussing transmission losses identified as a result of the day happening. People in glass houses my friend....

And what do you mean by " we receive feedback very regularly and where appropriate, we act on it to maintain the status quo" This implies a level playing field with EVERYONE being treated fairly and in the same manner. From my experience this simply does not ring true, I'm afraid.

Again I was just seeking some clarification for my own and others sakes.

Simon, you will see that I have started a new topic in the relevant forum ref the MRC RS4 500+, but again where do we draw the line? The question wouldn't have been asked by me if the information had not come up in the thread - so where does fault lie? Surely not with me in the first instance, so I hope that the original poster takes note of this transgression and acts accordingly in the future.

I will be interested to get more feedback from other "ordinary" members/contributors aswell, instead of just the lil hitlers out there!

Again, you are trying to read too much into it. Threads do go off topic, always have and always will, but time is invested to manage this issue.

I disagree with your comments about my post re the rolling road day as my questions relate specifically to peoples settings and results from the day.

Regarding the site being a level playing field for everyone, please feel free to contact the site with your observations, everyone can do likewise.

I take it your 'lil hitlers' comment is aimed at myself and perhaps Simon and Phil ? regardless, we have roles running the site and sometimes the 'management' are perceived in this way. I'm sorry about that as I would not like to feel that way.

All users of the forum can read this and comment as they see fit, obviously.

[harry]

DavidT wrote: -

"I disagree with your comments about my post re the rolling road day as my questions relate specifically to peoples settings and results from the day."

But thats my point, David, its results from the day - its happened, its in the past and perhaps should be rolled into new topic for discussion, at least thats how I interpret the guidlines given by Simon above, or do you disagree with his explanation? Are the Crew all on the same page when it comes to this?

I'm glad we are on the same page regards confusion with when a subjest wanders off topic - that's excactly my point regards the MRC RS4 500+ - and the other times when the "off topic" issue rears its ugly head. As you realise, David, its the nature of the beast sometimes...and very hard to legislate for or against, as is being demonstarated time and time again.

Whats all the fuss about anyway? Nobody died and nothing is on fire!



And for the record, I'm all for an even-handed approach to management as opposed to a dictatorial play by my rules or don't play atall approach delivered with no decent explanation, whence in reality nobody knows the rules cos there are none, and if there are any, then they are indeed flauted by the Crew aswell as everybody else through a lack of acceptance, adherence and understanding betwen themselves. This simply permeates the rest of the site form a top down perspective. It is impossible to implement and enforce that which has no guidlines or precedent.

[clived]

But thats my point, David, its results from the day - its happened, its in the past...

So, only the organisation of an event that hasn't happened yet is allowd in that forum in your view? If "Organise and discuss trackdays and meets" doesn't mean they can be discussed after the event, what's the alternative - a new forum section specifically for events that have happened so that anyone that wants to post a thanks or a comment about any event they have been to has somewhere "legitimate" to do it?

I don't really see how what mode WRC used on the day, or what transmission loss they estimated for the calculations, would be of general interest or how they could relate more to something other than the event itself.

[harry]

Clive I actually agree with you 100% yet you seem to miss my point. This is exactly the grey area I am talking about and when held against the benchmark of "off topic" simply doesn't hold any weight.

Indeed perhaps an in depth free flowing analysis of the results achieved on any given RR day is a new thread topic in "tuning and mods" NOT "track days and meets"?

Confused? - I may be.

[simple1]

Whats all the fuss about anyway? Nobody died and nothing is on fire!

No.... have to agree with you there, but ears back and head down anyway...
Its about doing what you are asked, you have recieved various polite requests from Philt, Dave and myself over the last few months, which you are totally ignoring, and carry on doing your own thing.
Kindly respect what you are being asked to do, take it face value and stop trying to stir the sh1t..constructive critism is not an attack, it is mentioned in a vain attempt to create a 'flow' without going off topic or digressing into matters which have nothing to do with the topic.
There's no 'lil hitlers' here, just hard working folk who get a bit pi**ed off with Johnny come lately trying to take over and breathe their ethics into everything........ if you dont like it, go back to where you came from...... the forum would be a better place for it

[harry]

That's exactly the type of narrow minded attitude I'm talking about Simon. As you say constructive crticism is not an attack so therefore I have valid discussion points. But instead of addressing them you'd rather shoot them down in flames.

It don't see how I am ignoring any requests or indeed doing my own thing and have asked for an explanation but have received none from the powers that be.

Your last coiuple of sentences completely contradict each other Simon. Bullies are never the brightest I suppose and your requests in particular have been generally far from polite. But then I'm not the first person you've had a run in with either.

Remember when you point a finger there's always three pointing back.

[CliveH]

1. I have taken the time to look back at some of my posts.

2. I have observed the exchange between David and Harry.

3. I have read Simon's guidance on the matter, which although not science, is very specific but seems to be at variance with David's.

4. I never purposefully go "off topic", but rather the flow of the thread sometimes takes me in that direction (I do wonder that if everyone followed the "letter of the law", there would be so many topics that any search would be meaningless?) - so as Harry says, whose fault is it that some threads can go "off topic" if the matters discussed are raising related issues??

5. I am none the wiser as to what "the rule" is.

6. My views on the matter are unchanged.

[CliveH]

You have recieved various polite requests from Philt, Dave and myself over the last few months........ if you dont like it, go back to where you came from...... the forum would be a better place for it

If all the polite requests were like this one, I can understand why Harry might be just a little bit peed off...

[simple1]

Matter is now in the hands of the crew and will be acted upon......