Idea

[Devil]

I'll throw this at you:
Should threads in forums be limited to a maximum of, say, 20 posts?

My idea is that longer threads almost always have moved away from the subject of the original message (often earlier!).

[Ramone]

Would that not cut the thread short just when its stating to get interesting & most have made there first posts?

[geoffreys]

Would that not cut the thread short just when its stating to get interesting & most have made there first posts?

Exactly. Not a very good idea, back to the drawing board Devil.
Geoff.

[PhotoLady]

I don't see how it is possible to just close or lock a thread just because it's reached a certain number of replies, especially if the thread is still active.

Stopping a thread by that process is almost as bad as censorship and I thought we left that behind when the previous forum gave up the ghost....

[panoscouse]

Some threads would only get contributions from 3 posters if limited to 20 posts. Not a good idea.

[PW in Polemi]

Most verbal conversations head off in different directions to that at the start. It's the nature of the beast. Yes, it can be mildly irritating when the topic goes a long way off, but a well-placed comment can always bring it back.

I see no reason to start gagging open and free conversation, Devil.

[Dominic]

Devil, it is my hope to make Paphos Life, as much as possible, all things to everybody. This is why there are two political forums, and why people can opt to see neither if they so wish. It is up to them, especially when I have done the help system to show them how.

Now, your suggestion is easy to implement on a per user basis. When you see a thread with page numbers at the bottom, you will know immediately, before you even open it, that there are more than 20 posts.

So if you don't want to see a thread with more than 20 posts, look out for those tell-tale numbers, and avoid the thread.

[ApusApus]

Surely if a thread goes seriously off topic then it's up to Admin to bring it back, isn't it?


Shane

[Dominic]

It depends on the topic. If somebody posts an item for sale, for instance, and somebody posts in the same thread about their pet gerbil, or something, then I will steer the thread back. Or if somebody is seeking advice, or wants to recommend something, I might step in then. But I think general chat should be allowed to meander. If the topic wanders too much, there is nothing to stop you posting a new thread and including a request to stay on topic. That may be seen as a challenge to some people though.

[geoffreys]

Thank goodness - common sense prevails on this forum! Unlike the demise of you know which.
Or I could have said the devil is in the detail
Geoff.

[Devil]

I agree, but just wanted to see if going wildly off-topic is as irritating for others as I find it

[Maggie B]

What's that got to do with the price of cheese Dev??

[Devil]

Let's not make a saga of it, Maggie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_(cheese)

You see how easy it is to go off-topic

[PeteandSylvi]

Let's not make a saga of it, Maggie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_(cheese)

You see how easy it is to go off-topic

Is Saga cheese only for the over 50s?

Do you have to cross The Bridge to get it? (You'll have to think about that one!)

Pete

[Wallace]

Good idea in principal, though would not work in practice, due to the early adopters of posts who tend to dominate discussions.
The way that threads go way of topic can be annoying, but hey, they can also be funny to observe!

[Dominic]

And nobody wants that. There are quite enough Trump threads as it is!

[Lincoln]

Now that you mention it, I also think there are a few links to the new President of the United States of America. What a fine up standing man he is. I like that he sticks to his word. What say you. ( gud on ere innit)

[Dominic]

I was SO tempted to lock it.

[Wallace]

Nothing to add, but I'm adding it fast!!!

[galexinda]

Good to see that we can all discuss suggestions such as this in such a way that people can express their opinions and respect each other's point of view.