N Gauge Forum

Notices, Help With Problems and Your Forum Ideas... => Forum Ideas and Problems. => Topic started by: Komata on February 13, 2014, 06:44:07 AM

Title: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: Komata on February 13, 2014, 06:44:07 AM
Not sure if this is the correct place, but ...

Admins/Mods:

Is it feasible to create an 'off topic' area for general-type discussion (excluding the usual areas of Religion, Politics, Sex and Derisory-type comments)?

The intent of such an 'area' would be that it could be where overly-long posts could be located (rather than 'clog-up' the normal thread / subjects), and where 'off-topic'*(non-railway)  matters could be discussed.

Don't know if it is practical, but submitted for consideration.

Thanks.
Title: Re: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: Sprintex on February 13, 2014, 06:49:15 AM
That's what General Discussion (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?board=5.0) is for - "Talk about anything here! Other gauges, hobbies, the weather..." ;)


Paul
Title: Re: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: Bealman on February 13, 2014, 07:04:44 AM
There has been quite a bit of discussion lately about being 'off topic'.

I am often guilty of that.

As Sprintex says, the forum has a 'General Discussion' board.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: Komata on February 13, 2014, 08:41:32 AM
Thanks folks for the replies

What inspired my question was the fact that it is possible to create a post (such as a 'reminiscence', for example) which can sometimes be of considerable size, and as such could unintentionally 'dominate' a thread. My reasoning was that if a separate 'blog'-type section was created, this could mean that anything 'largish' could be written-there and left to its own devices, without fear that it would dominate its 'surroundings' and 'crowd-out any smaller posts. (sorry, not explaining it too well, I'm afraid).

However, since the provision apparently already exists, the problem would seem to have solved itself.

Again, thank you.
Title: Re: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: ParkeNd on February 13, 2014, 08:57:06 AM
The off-topic responses don't bother me since they generally add to the flavour - imagine 50 rigidly on-topic responses on soldering drop wires for instance!!

But very long responses I just skip over. If Arthur Wainwright could distill a view over several counties into 10 words then 500 words about anything railway or non-railway is better in a book than a forum.
Title: Re: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: Bealman on February 13, 2014, 09:50:46 AM
I agree completely with ParkEnd... a zillion posts about drop wires? Worst nightmare!

Basically, keep posts short and sweet and to the point.  :thumbsup:

George
Title: Re: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: Newportnobby on February 13, 2014, 10:26:38 AM
Feel free to start a new topic in General Discussion but please make the title clear so that folks can decide whether to read or not, then they have the choice.
Not sure the length of the post has any bearing unless the content is uninteresting.
The late, lamented Pete Mc was well known for his 'War & Peace' posts :)
Wearing a Mod's hat, all I would ask is please don't post anything that breaches the Code of Conduct :no:
Title: Re: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: Tank on February 13, 2014, 12:55:14 PM
I have the ability to make a 'shout box' which can go on the front page (home button).  I'm not sure how members would feel about it?  It's good for instant chat.

It looks similar this (although the design looks different)...

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd290/hatakekakashi11/scren.jpg)
Title: Re: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: scotsoft on February 13, 2014, 01:25:20 PM
Was there not a chat box before and no one used it?
Title: Re: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: Tank on February 13, 2014, 02:23:37 PM
I can't remember to be honest. :confused1:
Title: Re: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: Geoff on February 13, 2014, 02:40:22 PM
Can you shout a little louder...  :laugh3:
Title: Re: A Forum Blog for 'General Discussion'?
Post by: scotsoft on February 13, 2014, 02:45:27 PM
YES