Discussion/Debate Forum guidelines?

MrSelf · Post by **MrSelf** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 5:42 pm

What would you all like this forum to look like? The Debate Forum could be very thought provoking and void of off topic comments, or it could be more relaxed and casual. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but it's really up to those that post in here. What do you think?

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Chris Vogel · Post by **Chris Vogel** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:06 pm

I like it how it is now. Our current rules take care of the off-topic posts, off-topic threads, behaviour, etc., so I don’t see a reason to make guidelines only for this section.

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MrSelf · Post by **MrSelf** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:38 pm

Tak wrote: I like it how it is now. Our current rules take care of the off-topic posts, off-topic threads, behaviour, etc., so I don’t see a reason to make guidelines only for this section.

By the guidelines in 1.10, it should be must stricter than it is now.

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The Gheyness · Post by **The Gheyness** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:19 pm

I voted for the moderate.

We all know how I love to go off-topic

...but I think it should only be done in moderation in this part of the forum.

UNLESS the topic is about something rather silly, in which case all bets are off!

I think that what the initial topic starter wants should be taken into consideration, as well. If they don't mind the post taking another direction, then it should be fine with everyone else.

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Chris Vogel · Post by **Chris Vogel** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 9:50 pm

MrSelf wrote:
Tak wrote: I like it how it is now. Our current rules take care of the off-topic posts, off-topic threads, behaviour, etc., so I don’t see a reason to make guidelines only for this section.

By the guidelines in 1.10, it should be must stricter than it is now.

Yes, it should be stricter. Unfortunately, a technical error doesn’t allow me to move single posts. To get around that limitation, I could start deleting posts instead of moving them, but I would rather not go there.

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MrSelf · Post by **MrSelf** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 5:07 pm

Shenbaw, fragged, red, you all post often here, any preference?

I'll keep this up till the end of this week (Sunday night)

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shenbaw · Post by **shenbaw** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 11:27 am

Personally I'm all for deleting completely off topic posts, but I truly feel that a discussion should always be given the freedom to flow to other topics as long as it has some relevance to the original topic. If someone pops in with an occassional pointless post or off topic comment, big deal? I think what we really need to watch for are people like lougan who make a habit of only posting pointless comments trying to discourage or inhibit discussion. Having said all that, I'm very hesitant to say we should tell someone they should just start deciding what's "off topic" and delete anything that is. That's why we have the 'report' button, right? I think as long as we're all aware we'd like these threads to stay on topic and are liberal with the report option in this respect, problem solved.

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Minnie · Post by **Minnie** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 12:54 am

I say strict. This is a debate forum to debate a certain topic so stay on topic. I think that if it goes off topic, the post should be deleted and another topic started in a new thread.

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MrSelf · Post by **MrSelf** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 2:50 pm

I think strict would be the most productive setting for debate, but I'm going to go with Moderate, as the forum is not interested in that direction.

For now, we will have a Moderate policy, pretty much the same as the full forum rules. Extremely off-topic post with no on-topic relevence what-so-ever will be deleted. Any post insulting another member or their beliefs will be edited and a warning given, we will respect other peoples opinions here. If you have criticism along that line, you can do it in a polite way or not at all. As alway, lets make this the best forum it can be and be respectful of everyones limits, both in knowledge and temperment.

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Joe · Post by **Joe** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 7:02 pm

Yes strict is the way to go, if you want to joke around go to another section.

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OLKMED · Post by **OLKMED** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:06 am

I have to go with Shenbaw here, i like the way he thinks. try to stay on topic, if somebody's being childish report them, but there has to be some freedom to the argument.

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Nirgal · Post by **Nirgal** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 1:28 pm

Okay, I realise this is a bit after the fact, but I voted for Casual. Like I said in my thread, Threads that stay on Topic die a quick death. I don't like discussions that stay on one point and dwells on it. That is not a discussion, especially when there are other relevant bits that may not be on the actual topic. Tangets keep the discussion rolling and you generlly learn a lot more (both about the topic and the people). Only when a thread descends into total silliness does it become non-productive.

One of the reasons I joined here is because it is an ANYTHING GOES forum. More specialised boards tend to bore me.

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Stasi · Post by **Stasi** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:31 am

The forum as a whole is called the Anything Forums. 'Anything Goes' is a subforum which is separate from the 'Debates & Heated Discussions' forum, and as such, so are some of the rules. Usually you can tell when a topic has lost its steam and if you start going OT then probably no one is going to complain. Also, tangents are generally okay as with most issues there are parallels topics to discuss. If the tangents go too far, though, then just create another thread just for that topic. A bit of OT can be good to lighten things up when people are taking the topic too seriously, but being a dork and derailing things early on is just plain annoying. There's been too much retardation around here in the last ~year and it needs to be controlled, at least when people are trying to have a decent discussion.

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Nirgal · Post by **Nirgal** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:50 am

Well, yes. I see your point and that's more or less what I meant. As for the "anything goes", this forum has a place for a lot of topics, which is why I like it. Many devote themselves to JUST one subject to the exclusion of all others. So you get computer forums and car forums, all of whih is fine...but I like a bit more variety.

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