There are so many threads being hacked by posts being split off and plunked into OFFA, that I have a hard time keeping track of discussions.
Well. There are so many threads that had shifted off-topic. I figured it better off to split them into more appropriate chunks. The new stuff will stil rise to the top of active topics and you'll still be able to search for those posts through the search feature.
I agree that it has been difficult with the sheer magnitude of off-topic derailing that's been going on. But it was still easier to follow than the current situation. 'Cuz even with the derailment, one could still sift through or skip ahead to where the meat of the thread continued.
OK. I didn't split topics in two without regard. I selected posts that were on topic and left them. If it was a thread about apples and somebody started talking about oranges, i'll select the orange related posts only and start a new thread with that content. It's more organization than moderation (filing things in their appropriate place).
If a thread was unrecoverable (without extreme effort) as it was for the "dead insane in jail" thread, I cut off the on-topic beginning, leaving the rest. I then label that (general discussion) and work backwards reading and selecting off-topic posts for split into a new thread.
Here's the thread's beginning. I'm sure you've seen the one labeled general dicussion around. Also, if I label something "general dicussion" it means that, within reason, the on-topic rule doesn't apply, but you probably figured that out by now since half of you would have gotten warnings.
Now... threads are chopped up, posts removed elsewhere sans their original context, those threads split off once again, some different threads recombined into yet another split-off with two different conversations superimposed on top of one another... What a mess.
heh heh. You were watching. there is a method to it.
How do propose that the "search" feature is supposed to sift through all that? Please.
Becuase you can search for the old thread title and the results will show (because the title on each post is based on the original thread and is not changed after transfer to the new thread.
Moreover, what you determine to be "off-topic" may not be what someone else feels is "off-topic." Yet you are imposing your interpretation and judgment of what people are discussing onto the whole of the forum. You are and have been generally pretty fair-minded, but you are not omnipotent and all-seeing. There are bound to be times when you may make an egregious mistake.
Absolutely, but the situation before with the derailing was out of control and these rules were necessary. I know full well i'm not perfect but just because the "law" isn't perfect doesn't mean we're better off without any "laws".