I've noticed a trend in recent times that I think is most unfortunate.

It started with the Borg Wars and has now moved over to the issue of open rolling.

It seems that what happens is that Pundit will post an observation, people will then discuss it but when people see the discussion going off in a different direction, rather than try to drag it round to what they want to talk about, they just start a new thread.

During the Borg Wars the Pundit did this at least three times and now I'm seeing other people doing it too.

So please... if people aren't interested in your take on a debate, don't start up a new thread in order to garner people's attention.  It makes it very difficult to follow a discussion.

Erm, hmm? That's the correct way to go. If you don't want to derail the thread, start a new discussion. If nobody wants to read that, at least they're not subjected to weird tangents in the original thread.

It's nice if you can remember to post a link to the new thread in the prior one (and a back-link to the prior thread in the new one) though.  That makes it a bit easier for people to track how things evolve if they're not right there in the moment.

It's one thing to start up a new thread when the existing thread veers off course , but it's quite another to start a new thread because you want to re-state what you've said before or just draw attention to your take on the question.

Y'know, this bears repeating...


I think I'll go make a new thread!


Just joking. I'm with you on this, man. I'd rather have one massive thread than five slightly less massive thread. If I care I only need to slog through one, if I don't I only need to ignore...One.

I think there are two cases where making new threads are warranted:

1. When your original thread has been derailed for whatever reason, and you want to restate your point in order to try to generate discussion about your original intended subject, and not whatever the people who hijacked your thread wanted it to be about.

2. when you think of something related but different from the subject of the thread, and in order NOT to hijack the thread, you choose to allow that discussion to continue and post your own thread in order to talk about your new concept.

I think both of these are acceptable, and recommended rather than derailing a current thread.

Hey, we're not the big purple here, as long as they actually HAVE a subject, we can't really have enough new threads. The more the merrier.

RPGPundit

Not that I want moderators running around closing threads, here, but I think you've got it a bit wrong. I've seen a number of good and interesting threads just disappear, completely smothered by five threads about the Borg, then three or four threads about noblis, then...

Very rapidly, this site seems less about gaming and more a place for fans and haters to fight a war, while people like me duck the bullets and occasionally fire of a volley to vent our frustration. Lots of threads is good, sure, but right now it feels a little one note-ish. There's got to be a middle ground.


Also: Attempting to 'rerail' your own thread? Lame. You said you peice, people commented on it. Its there for everyone to read, if they haven't already.  Want to put your thread back on track? Do it in your original thread.  To be honest, I can't really tell you the difference between the three Borg is a moron threads you did. Nor do I care.

I kinda miss the threaded discussions Usenet provided. Sadly the apparent ease of forums has killed the superior solution.

(Yes, I'm aware that I can switch to a threaded view here, but that wouldn't change much)

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalIt's one thing to start up a new thread when the existing thread veers off course , but it's quite another to start a new thread because you want to re-state what you've said before or just draw attention to your take on the question.

Okay, enough already, it was me... me I tell you. I just... wanted.. (sobbing)..wanted to discuss the whole story gaming angle about the GM's perogative...It wont happen again

Regards,
David R

Over at Circus Maximus there is an option to "fork" a thread. A button you can use to create a new thread off an old one. Since this site uses vBulletin as well, I'm wondering if that option could be enabled here.