Not sure were to put this really, but thought General Discussion seemed about right.

Is it me or does it seem that topics are getting hickjacked all to easily recently. The thread on Gone back to DC springs to mind as suddenly because "sound" has been mentioned we appear to have gone off a tangent discussing "clickerty-clack" noises and how to create them.

I don't want to sound picky or fussy, but it is becoming increasingly frustrating that sometimes to have to read through irrelevant info when following a thread.

I know "linked" items will come up during discussions and other areas sometimes need to be considered, so there will be occasions when threads wander. Not a problem. However please try to decide if the info/comment/link in your reply contributes to the title. I am not saying I want tight rigid rules about staying on topic and I'm not asking the Mods to keep a tighter reign on things (not easy anyway. Been one, done that are Mods are very good !) and I am certainly not against free speech. If you feel your comment might lead "off topic" - post your reply and start a new thread with reference to the old one.

Well had a grumble and voiced my thoughts.  Maybe this should be under the "Angry Thread" ?

I do agree to some extent.  Sometimes a thread doesn't matter if it goes slightly off topic, but some threads are hijacked like you say.  Very hard to police.

One solution is for one of the Mod team to split the thread out into two separate topics and post a link to the 'new' thread in the old one? Of course it depends if one of us actually reads the thread (we don't read everything, hence some reliance on the 'Report to Moderator' button) and thinks it needs splitting?


Paul

How much of a problem is this really. I too noticed the off topic posts on the "back to DC" thread and since they were of no interest to me compared with the proper topic I just ignored them. Compared with other forums off topic posts tend to be just slight meanders (save for the occasional essay that gets posted) and usually just add to the flavour as in conversation.

Doesn't warrant legislation in my view.

Never liked it in the first place. Can't stand hazlenuts or nougat! Someone had to say it! (prob done before  )

Seriously, it used to really annoy me when I first started. Especially when it was one of my posts and when I was alerted to 3 replies to my post regarding the sea and when I went in everyone was talking about aircraft. That didn't happen although something similar did. Can't remember.

Got used to it and am guilty of it myself. Sometimes they're boring and other times very interesting. Can't think of a solution so please ignore this.

How is the weather in Australia? Bit windy here 

Cheers weave

Quote from: weave on February 05, 2014, 09:38:53 AM
How is the weather in Australia? Bit windy here 

If this wind don't die down soon our little island will be bumping into theirs, you can ask them in person


Paul

Hi Guys,

I thought the "back to DC" was a doing OK until it got DCC'd (easier & cheaper to DCC a thread than chip a loco). The few attempting to justify the reasons thats caused others to move back to DC. I know there's a choice and I respect the views of others. If the DCC threads were cluttered with "you don't get this problem with CV29 using DC" postings you might see how others feel so please have some sense to stay on topic. I noted several postings about off topic seem to be all virtually ignored so not read the thread since, preferring to spend time running trains (on DC).

Regards
Russ

Thanks for the support it is my preference to move back to dc and i was taken aback at how much interest the topic generated .So most of all what ever the weather still enjoy or great hobby
Kevin 141

As the person who got the clickety clack thing going on the DC thread I put me moderator's hat on and apologized on the thread.

However I personally can live with the odd off course detour. It often happens in real life discussions (especially where I drink) - and you often learn little snippets that are interesting.

I don't mind it - I've been using forums since the late 90s and it has always happened and always will. I try to make sure that my posts are on-topic, or at least have an element of them which is - my boring asides usually have some link, however tenuous to try and get my point across! 

Thread drift has been a thing since the first internet discussion groups (Usenet) started. Some threads can go on for thousands of posts with the same subject but talking about ten different topics. Think of it is a digital form of Chinese Whispers: it's just human nature.

Friends,

The only times that "going off topic" really annoys me is when it is a thread that is basically for information rather than a general conversation and there is no knowing how long the banter is continuing!

It is not confined to this group and I feel sure that others fuind similar in whatever discussion forum they follow.

Perhaps like bealman I had perhaps to take a drink as I surf!

Peter.

It seems to me that any topic that involves DC soon gets hijacked by the DCC fans... I think it's probably the most argued subject on the forum. (That's why I try to sit on the fence on this one...! )

Most of the time the 'straying off the topic' issue is usually minor but can make interesting reading sometimes ! I don't think it needs policing as such, maybe a little nudge if it goes too far off course - most members will usually do this anyway.

That's one of the things that makes this forum the best in our hobby and i'm proud to be a member ! 

any chance of a dcc rules smiley

Quote from: gwrwill on February 09, 2014, 11:39:20 AM
any chance of a dcc rules smiley

None whatsoever