Here are some of the rule quotes that were brought up =

"Don't post useless off-topic stuff. Even if a silly, no-purpose post seems harmless and fun, don't be surprised if you get a warning and the message locked/deleted. "

"Keep messages on-topic, and don't cross-post.
Post in the appropriate forum for your topic, and don't post similar messages in multiple forums. Don't create new threads when an existing one will do. Don't create 'nonsense' threads. "

i think threadjacking should be a do-at-your-own-risk kind of thing. sometimes a thread runs out of steam and people go off-topic just for the fun of it, or because a certain comment reminds them of something else and so they riff on it. if it's harmless and everyone's having fun, and especially if the person who started the thread doesn't mind, then i don't think anyone should be penalized.

but if someone starts a thread and wants to keep it on focus, and someone keeps coming in and jacking the thread, in this situation the threadjacker shouldn't be surprised if we take action and keep things on topic.

as with a lot of things on here, i think it's a case-by-case matter, but as a general rule, i don't think anyone should jack a thread, no matter how harmless the intent, and expect their posts not to potentially be snipped. i think a good way to look at it is, if this were your thread, would you care if someone took it off topic? even then, you can still run the risk of making the wrong decision.

other sites will usually have policies to avoid threads going to much off topic, but it depends on the site and the topic. on the more moderated forums discussion issues related to particular topics they may have that rule, but it's usually accepted that general discussion aka general crap is pretty much a free for all, and as long as it's not breaking any specific forum rules such as being offensive, racist etc, off topic is fine

thus on the prince discussion forums, have that rule unless it's an obviously stupid post, or something that's not serious, but have an extremely relaxed or near to non existant rule in general discussion. normally it would be left to the thread starter if they wish to complain that a thread is off topic and want it moderated, in order to avoid mod's being inundated with complaints

of course you also have to consider the extra workload that may be involved with such a change, and if you are busy enough as it is, you may not want to promote the change, but use discretion instead if something is badly off topic on a more serious thread

Mach said:

Can we know who? It's important to me
I'd like to know if those "several orgers" are related in one way or another or just random people.

And call me gullible for expecting an answer.

PANDURITO said:

i'm pretty sure the person who made the most noise about this issue was Nunya.

In that case I hope things go on as they have been until now.
We love the org as it is and that's why we keep coming back.

I was going to jack this thread with a recipe or something. You know, for a laugh!

Just without the "laugh" bit.

Anyway, IMO, if the person who started the thread wants it kept on topic, and those jacking don't comply with his/her wishes, maybe modding would be appropriate. But light modding, no warnings or bans or anything.

Otherwise, I'd leave jacking unchecked.

Its hard enough being Princes all time best fan.....
Does Prince want member of the month as well.. ?

Mach said:

imo jacking should be reported when the thread's author objects to having their thread turned into discussion of an unrelated topic

XxAxX said:

i agree, but i think only the thread starter should have the right to report as off topic, as they may not care if it does - ie. so anyone else participating or just reading the thread can't report it, otherwise there could be a load of post reports, which is a PITA to mod

Mach said:

Depends. Threads are like conversations. They start in one place.....and end in another.

Not a good idea to mass post one post after another to keep one's thread on the first page

guilty....

warning - this post could be a bit
bit nonsensical but it could be useful

whats a number to hit "mass" post level?

it saves doing lines..

and i'd say most are smart enough to know when we are
seeking attention and or just having a laugh.

I've had heaps of laughs saying your on top again are ya to
various posters...
and so i just post crap to see how bad they want it....

but seriously,,, would it change anything to turn the page upside
down for so few complaints....

this place has at least 300 members dont it.....?

can ya put a vote button somewhere that kick the post down if
people dont want it there...

it could be suicidal for some I'm sure.....

^^^I've been guilty myself

All of you have some good points, so I won't repeat what you've said....

But if there get to be too many rules, people will shy away from the org...
either that, or retaliate....it's like setting too many rules for your
kids... Pick the ones that matter and then leave it alone.

D o L madonna L Why?

Lifetime said:

Great sig

Anyway. Sometimes I haven't understood the mod's decision. I always think they misunderstand me but I will never know. Never been anwered back I guess they were busy.

Never been banned either so that's fine with me

PANDURITO said:

Awwwww

Send me an orgnote. I'll answer you back

unique said:

isn't that what i said?

Mach said:

Regarding this ^^...
what does the word "existing" mean in this context?
Cause at times it seems like a newbie can't start a thread without somebody saying "didn't we have this thread already?"...
but that thread may have been mths ago and not even active anymore.
There seems to be a lack of consideration from some of the veteran orgers when a newbie starts a topic on something that was discussed mths or maybe even a year ago.

i think it depends on the nature of the discussion and the OP

i've asked several times to have a thread locked in PnR when the topic has moved off of what i originally posted.

As Greycap said, I don't think of them as threads, I think of them as 'conversations' so, personally it doesn't worry me too much if a thread wanders off on a tangent, that's what conversations do

If it bothers the original poster, they should at least attempt to drag the conversation back to the topic in hand before reporting it.

luv4u said:

From the forum rules YOU agreed to when joining = If you don't agree with a decision, you may discuss it with the moderator who made the judgment in private. If you cannot reach resolution with the Moderator in private, contact the site administrator via e-mail (ben@prince.org), explaining the entire situation, with all relevant links/excerpts/emails, etc. Under no circumstance attempt to start a 'debate' about specific moderation decisions in a public forum.

Anxiety said:

I've started threads that were meant to be on focus and some of you mods actually participated in the jacking.

This is why I jack your threads all the time. PURE, SIMPLY, R E V E N G E .

PANDURITO said:

I think it only right that you should have access to all the mods,
as well as Ben when you're banned.....that way if the banning mod
doesn't answer or isn't around to answer, someone else can.

That's gotta be really frustrating...

`
[Edited 6/11/09 10:35am]

Joininthedance said:

It was All is forgiven now though
It was only a two days ban

PANDURITO said:

baiting - thread toipic is about THREADJACKING ~ Mach

SCNDLS said:

baiting - thread toipic is about THREADJACKING ~ Mach