Experience, wisdom with staying on topic?

[Yogidog]

I can see the need for this especially so people can search. Ideas on when to split off to another thread? Seems to me making clear, one topic questions would help, which I have not been doing. Any experience on what helps stay on topic and what doesn't appreciated! Good day to all

 

[highdesertranger]

I am bad at this, going off topic. someone throws out the bait and I bite. lately I have been trying to stay on topic more. it's so hard especial on a thread that last for days, I forget what the original poster was asking. now I have been trying to go back and read the original post if I have doubt about content. highdesertranger

 

[Konaexpress]

In my opinion, this is a very dynamic question that only the site owner can answer as to what he/she wants. 

Do you want a social site or one that is strictly ejecation oriented? Or do you want some kind of blend and how much on either side of the pendulum? Then you have to train your members as to what is expected and what kind of behavior is not permitted. 

You also have to take into account the subject matter. I would think that by nature of this site topic, you can/will draw in a lot of antisocial people. Not bad people mind you but some might forget how to talk to people in a kind way. For some people, this might be their largest group of friends because the members here understand what they are going through. This might also be a place that user feel comfortable with being social.

After this?........its up to the user/member I think. I know I can derail a conversation with no problem. I don't intend to but I find a new idea stimulating and go with but I do try to rain it in.

John

 

[TMG51]

I think there's quite a difference between idle chit-chat and a full scale thread derailing. The latter is frustrating to the OP but the former promotes lots of good synergy. Yet both tend to be conflated and moderated similarly here. I think there's way more room for gray area there. But it's not my site.

 

[BradKW]

Google "herding cats" and you will find valuable strategies...

 

[GotSmart]

I find a squirt gun helpful when herding cats. 



When I was a moderator on the political forums, (Pre Obama) I was happy to not have flame wars.  Bob prefers to have things orderly.  

This is his cat box.     If in doubt, start a new thread. 

 

[Yogidog]

Super helpful, valad points with different perspectives, leave it to the newcomer to ask the elephant in the living room question. I asked because I saw I was posting one topic and then like someone said a point would be raised and I would go in another direction, then went to idle chit chat!

 

[Yogidog]

   .  

In my opinion, this is a very dynamic question that only the site owner can answer as to what he/she wants. 

I agree at the end of the day it is Bob's creation i can add to it or muck it up, but it is not mine. I try to be respectful and adapt to different cultures, when in Rome... Travel taught me this.

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Then you have to train your members as to what is expected and what kind of behavior is not permitted. 
[/quote]
[quote pid='187857' dateline='1458054685']
Yes good, though, orientation helps, if people read it. Then most of us follow what the older members are doing.

You also have to take into account the subject matter. I would think that by nature of this site topic, you can/will draw in a lot of antisocial people. 
Had to laugh here I just said to someone who was frustrated that I learned there usually is a reason we want to live in our vehicles, often alone self included.
[/quote]

For some people, this might be their largest group of friends because the members here understand what they are going through. This might also be a place that user feel comfortable with being social.

This is me 

After this?........its up to the user/member I think.

Amen on this, we are the only ones who have to live with ourselves!
What I got from this thread was, as a new person searching topics and it being somewhat nonproductive finding info, I want to stay on track with threads as much as I can. I also want to interact on social level of common interest, but if it gets too far off I will suggest we move it to chit chat. I will ask one topic questions in my threads.

Thanks so much always a process for me learning to play well with others!

 

[Konaexpress]

What I do is gently remind people/myself to get back on topic. If the new idea/subject really interest me, I start a new thread. You can always tell people in a thread that you are starting a new thread so they know to look for it, this is a type of self moderation.

As someone said, when in doubt, start a new thread. The mods know how to join or break out a thread if needed.

John

 

[Txjaybird]

Silly ol' me when i first began posting I thought it was like having a conversation.  In real life do we greet someone , ask a question or make a single comment and then it's see ya wouldn't wanna be ya? 

 I do try to stay on topic and it ain't easy at times.    I understand more now about threads  and posts than I did when I joined in 12/16.   They do seem to go astray at times...must be the gremlins surfing the net.    

 To be honest I respond much better to helpful suggestions than hurtful mean spiteful ones.  There is a sore spot on the side of my tongue where i keep biting it when I feel the urge to not only defend myself but others as well.  That spot has kept me from having some posts deleted...I'm sure of it.   I'm like  Woody Harrelson's charecter in "Defendor" .... my son has commented more than once I'm gonna get my self killed.  

Now what was the question?     :angel:    Don't shoot I'm just kidding!

  Oh well such is life and I'm not ready for the other option... not even on a bad day.   Peace To One And All.........TJB

 

[nobodyG17]

Split off to a new thread anytime you feel like it.  If the thread and conversation work keep it going.  If you want to focus on one thing maybe start a new thread.

It's up to the individual and the site owner.

 

[Yogidog]

Tjaybird, I thought threads were like conversations too . I even said I will respond to everyone who takes the time to type to me, I thought I was being polite. But it made me start down trains of thought not relevant.

The defender thing, I was thinking we could do a personality profile by our posting. Mine is kind of autistic at times, in life and on here, I get so into my projects, I kind of forget about other people sometimes, I read back over my posts and think that seemed really insensitive but it was coming from a back story in my mind. Mine can come across as self righteous sometimes, but they are not intended to encourage anyone else to do what I am doing, in my somewhat self focused way I am just saying what I am doing. Being on the spectrum makes me somewhat indifferent to what others are doing, makes me a perfect vandweller! I reread my comment on there is a reason we are in vehicles and it could come across judgemental, but those who know me know I am anything but. I was thinking as I talked to people on the road there was always an interesting story of why we were out there. Then I did learn I wanted to know the reason they were out there as soon as possible, Those that hated everyone in the world and had weapons, I wanted to not coexist along side ok sure I am off topic now, but what you said spurred my deeper thinking into this. Could be practice in creating a new topic, ettituquite, on the board.

From my own experience I try and not type if I am emotional, ior f I am in a bad, touchy mood I read posts, get some perspective and comment on them later, have brought shame upon myself with impulsive posting before, sure we have all been there! Thanks for writing

 

[cyndi]

If a thread goes too far off topic a mod will split it. NBD. It's bound to happen the same as it does in a conversation.

Our members are pretty darn good at not straying too far, making our job easier. We appreciate the effort.

Carry on

 

[Txjaybird]

Tjaybird, I thought threads were like conversations too . I even said I will respond to everyone who takes the time to type to me, I thought I was being polite. But it made me start down trains of thought not relevant.

The defender thing, I was thinking we could do a personality profile by our posting. Mine is kind of autistic at times, in life and on here, I get so into my projects, I kind of forget about other people sometimes, I read back over my posts and think that seemed really insensitive but it was coming from a back story in my mind.  Mine can come across as self righteous sometimes, but they are not intended to encourage anyone else to do what I am doing, in my somewhat self focused way I am just saying what I am doing. Being on the spectrum makes me somewhat indifferent to what others are doing, makes me a perfect vandweller!  I reread my comment on there is a reason we are in vehicles and it could come across judgemental, but those who know me know I am anything but. I was thinking as I talked to people on the road there was always an interesting story of why we were out there. Then I did learn I wanted to know the reason they were out there as soon as possible, Those that hated everyone in the world and had weapons, I wanted to not coexist along side ok sure I am off topic now, but what you said spurred my deeper thinking into this. Could be practice in creating a new topic, ettituquite, on the board.

From my own experience I try and not type if I am emotional, ior f I am in a bad, touchy mood I read posts, get some perspective and comment on them later, have brought shame upon myself with impulsive posting before, sure we have all been there! Thanks for writing

well i for one have not been offended by any of your posts.  i start typing often when i'm crossways over what someone has said however i type sooooooo slowly that i'm usually calm  by the time i "preview"...correct..."preview"" again and then maybe "post".....sometimes  i just say to hell with it and delete all i've written.... 100 years from now it will not make a difference any way.   

I hear what you're saying about needing to get away quickly from some folk...me too...angry loud voices put me into fight [protect] or flight mode in a heart beat.       

I think the topic is staying on topic...right....If i can figure out how i will start a thread..." Other than financial considerations why is the Nomadic life best for you and what are your expectations of it?"

do you know what nbd is?     i hope i don't get it     i'm already tripolar and have cbs, 


happy trails and peace for us all      TJB/ jewellann

 

[GotSmart]

NBD 

No Big Deal.   

 

[Konaexpress]

well i for one have not been offended by any of your posts.  i start typing often when i'm crossways over what someone has said however i type sooooooo slowly that i'm usually calm  by the time i "preview"...correct..."preview"" again and then maybe "post".....sometimes  i just say to hell with it and delete all i've written.... 100 years from now it will not make a difference any way.   

I hear what you're saying about needing to get away quickly from some folk...me too...angry loud voices put me into fight [protect] or flight mode in a heart beat.       

I think the topic is staying on topic...right....If i can figure out how i will start a thread..." Other than financial considerations why is the Nomadic life best for you and what are your expectations of it?"

do you know what nbd is?     i hope i don't get it     i'm already tripolar and have cbs, 


happy trails and peace for us all      TJB/ jewellann

To start a new thread, go one level up and look for the button on the far right that says "post topic". So say you have a van topic but it's not a truck or other vehicle topic, click on van and then look for the topic button. It's in the same place as the reply button in this thread/topic.

John

 

[Michelle (GMC Gypsy)]

I started a thread in insulation that ended with She Wee/female urinals and I was the one who de-railed it! Part of it, for me, is the way my mind works; jumping from one idea to another slightly related topic then to another idea that is slightly related to the second idea and so on.

 

[Matlock]

I can see the need for this especially so people can search. Ideas on when to split off to another thread? Seems to me making clear, one topic questions would help, which I have not been doing. Any experience on what helps stay on topic and what doesn't appreciated! Good day to all

Staying on topic....
Often I begin typing a reply and then delete/back out of the thread because what I want to say is going to be contrary to what others before me have offered. I am not here to offend even though on rare occasion I may be more on-point than some. Still no need to ruffle feathers so I walk away.
It is impossible to communicate to a geographically, economically and (fill in this space) diverse net-group and stay on topic. Just my 2¢

 

[buckwilk]

I guess I'm outside the box on this one. I love to see the rambling mind and the places they go. I find flowing conversations very interesting and entertaining. I can see the idea that an OP might be upset that some are deviating from the line, but if it isn't abusive, ride with it. It's simple to read out responses that wander and respond to the ones that are on point. Too much control shuts down interaction and drives away interesting people. Not sure what the answer is-------------