Re: Hijacking threads

[S. Heisley]

Just wondering....does listing someone as a foe keep them from posting on a thread that you have started??

A big issue seems to be thread jacking. Sometimes it's not that big of a deal, but when it comes to things like, say, your build journal, you might want to keep people who are notorious thread jackers from being able to do so. Is that possible?

No, it does not keep anyone from posting. You simply don't see that person's (the designated foe's) postings when you are online. You can still see them if you're lurking/not logged on and that person can still send you PM's.

What we used to do when someone hijacked a thread was simply ignore them and not respond to whatever they posted, even if it was a question. I think it might be time to start doing that again. While that may seem rude, I am being rude, too, right now, if I post a reply in someone else's thread. So, I'm going to move this posting elsewhere by starting a new thread.

[Oreellyfool]

You know, I have not even been here a month and in that month I have decided to hold off starting my build journal. The reason for that is because of the mass amount of thread jacking/deviations I have seen in my short time here. I would really prefer that the first 10 pages of my build are not "non-value added".

I wonder if there is an option the moderators can do that will prevent people you choose from posting in threads you start. That sure would prevent lots of sausage, eggs and

[Oldragbaggers]

Thanks Sharon. And I appreciate you moving the question to a new thread. That was very considerate of you.

I love this forum and, truth be told, I NEVER in a million years would have been able to build my teardrop without the information, resources, encouragement, support and inspiration that I found here. But the forum is getting to be so tiresome lately. The negativity, the bickering and bashing. And most of the time it has nothing whatsoever to do with teardrops or trailers. Very frustrating. I would like to know what we can all do to get things back to the way they were.

I am finding that for me it is easiest to just click the link to no longer follow a thread once it gets so far off track. But as this occurs more and more we end up missing out on information or ideas because so many threads are dying a violent death.

[eamarquardt]

I kinda think some of the "funner" threads are the ones have taken on a life of their own. Sometimes one thing leads to another.

If the person making the original post has objections they are free to request that others stick to the topic at hand.

Me, anyone is free to post anything reasonable/humorous/helpful/whatever on any thread I create as long as the intent isn't "evil".

Also, I kinda think that polite well intentioned feedback ought to be "favorably entertained" particularly when several people have provided the same input/feedback.

Cheers,

Gus

[S. Heisley]

Thanks Sharon. And I appreciate you moving the question to a new thread. That was very considerate of you.

I love this forum and, truth be told, I NEVER in a million years would have been able to build my teardrop without the information, resources, encouragement, support and inspiration that I found here. But the forum is getting to be so tiresome lately. The negativity, the bickering and bashing. And most of the time it has nothing whatsoever to do with teardrops or trailers. Very frustrating. I would like to know what we can all do to get things back to the way they were.

I am finding that for me it is easiest to just click the link to no longer follow a thread once it gets so far off track. But as this occurs more and more we end up missing out on information or ideas because so many threads are dying a violent death.

This has been the worst winter that I have ever seen on this forum. Hopefully, once the camping season and good weather starts, there will be less bickering, hijacking, and rudeness. Maybe then we can forget all this and get back to the good life!

[Oldragbaggers]

Gus, I hear what you are saying and I agree with you. Comments, even off track, if they are meant to entertain, encourage, or just be "friendly conversation" in no way bothers me. That very thing is responsible for me feeling like I have so many "friends" on the forum. But that is not at all what I am referring to. I believe you call them "negative waves," that's what I am talking about, and the avalanche of bashing that always ensues.

[Lonnie Mac]

This all reminds me!

Na, It has never been a real big deal to me. I am a member of several, and actually own some pretty big brewing forums. Wanna get things off track, get a bunch of homebrewers talking in a thread looped up on some IPA. Threads take on a certain life of their own weather it was the intention of the OP or not, but if the OP is that concerned they can always get them back on track. It's just part of it. If I REALLY want to convey information only, I do it on my website or something.

[S. Heisley]

This all reminds me!

Na, It has never been a real big deal to me. I am a member of several, and actually own some pretty big brewing forums. Wanna get things off track, get a bunch of homebrewers talking in a thread looped up on some IPA. Threads take on a certain life of their own weather it was the intention of the OP or not, but if the OP is that concerned they can always get them back on track. It's just part of it. If I REALLY want to convey information only, I do it on my website or something.

Okay, Lonnie Mac. I need some help here and others might also. What does IPA stand for and what does OP stand for?

[Oreellyfool]

This all reminds me!

Na, It has never been a real big deal to me. I am a member of several, and actually own some pretty big brewing forums. Wanna get things off track, get a bunch of homebrewers talking in a thread looped up on some IPA. Threads take on a certain life of their own weather it was the intention of the OP or not, but if the OP is that concerned they can always get them back on track. It's just part of it. If I REALLY want to convey information only, I do it on my website or something.

Okay, Lonnie Mac. I need some help here and others might also. What does IPA stand for and what does OP stand for?

Sorry Lonnie - beat you to it
IPA stands for india pale ale and OP means Original poster (Person who creates the thread)

[Woodbutcher]

A thread can not get off track without help. A rude or annoying post should be viewed as "invisible" by the rest of us. Don't like what someone said, ignore it. How hard is that? Don't post an angry or antagonistic reply and then complain when the banter goes all over the place. To me the second and third guys are to blame. The first guy throws in the dynamite, but the reply lights the fuse. Dynamite by it's self is not dangerous.

With this being said I do agree with some of the other comments. If people would police themselves better we could offer more information then just a textbook answer without having any problems. Some variations is what makes this board fun. So people, "can't we all just get along" ? Soon we will be able to get out and start camping and hopefully the conversations will return to the friendly kind we were use to.

[Roo Dog]

Woodbutcher,

Have to agree with your first and second para for that matter.
It doesn't only apply to forums but life in general.
Nice day here, suns shining, the birds are singing. Time for another cup of coffee and a wander about outside to see what mischief I can get up to.
Life's too short to get fretty about fractious folk on forums.

Take it easy.

RD

[Corwin C]

Even though there has been some "inconsiderate" postings on the forum for the last few months, tnttt is still a "safe harbor" compared to some of the rest of the content on the internet. There are people here who really care about the topic at hand and their online friends/family. I know that the moderators are aware and watching the situation and I trust them to do their usual excellent job dealing with this tough issue. I have been there myself and dealing with similar issues. It is a REAL challenge without becoming a "invitation only" type forum. I don't believe that any of us want that.

Meanwhile, I think Woodbutcher has the best solution (at least for the common member.) Try to ignore behavior that you dislike or privately notify a moderator and let them assist in dealing with it. The upside down triangle with a "!" in it is a direct way of letting those who can take action about posts that you may take issue with. Please use it responsibly, I believe that the moderators here are volunteers and we don't want to unnecessarily increase their workload. It takes some self control, but I think in the long run it may be beneficial to the forum as a whole. I don't use the friend/foe function, but I can understand why some would use it. The persons who come to my mind when talking about this have some good things to say as well. I don't want to miss out on the good just because there's some bad there as well.

Furthermore, I have been guilty of responding to these distractions, and I've probably hijacked a thread or two myself in my time here as well. If I've offended, I apologize and promise to watch my own behavior more closely in the future.

[S. Heisley]

Thanks, Corwin. Yes, I think most of us will probably be a little more careful on the forum, from now on.

[pmowers]

You know, I have not even been here a month and in that month I have decided to hold off starting my build journal. The reason for that is because of the mass amount of thread jacking/deviations I have seen in my short time here. I would really prefer that the first 10 pages of my build are not "non-value added".

I wonder if there is an option the moderators can do that will prevent people you choose from posting in threads you start. That sure would prevent lots of sausage, eggs and

Oreellyfool- A great many of the hijackings lately have been due to a tiny group of individuals. Don't let them get their way. We all learn by sharing, and talking (typing?) to each other. Sometimes, you need to just tune out the narcissistic drone, eventually it goes away. These individuals do not often bother the build journals, it is too hard to turn them into "its all about me". As many of us do not have a close friend nearby who understands what we are trying to do, the build journals can serve that purpose, letting others look over our shoulder, give us advice, or encourage us when we come up with a good idea. Everyone needs a sounding board now and then. Please share your ideas with us, just remember, photos, photos,

Many of us, myself included have been guilty of hijacking upon occasion. For that I apologize. In the future, I will attempt to control my stream of consciousness and keep it within its banks.

Please do not give up on all of the great people that are on the boards, I never would have attempted my CT conversion without their advice, knowledge and counsel. I think I have learned something from everyone who has taken the time to share.

When I compare this forum to many others, two things stand out- 1) the quality of the conversations and the friendliness of the contributors and 2) cleanliness of the threads- virtually no spam, profanity and hijackings are pretty minimal compared to other forums. Some of this is due to the moderators, but most is due to the members. There is only one member who I have "foed", and will probably undo that once my last nerve has healed. Sometimes a person can be the electronic equivalent of nails on a chalkboard.

Pat

[Shadow Catcher]

I seldom click on the "notify me" unless it is a topic that is of particular interest or one where I am trying to be helpful. Some of the places discussions go here are more interesting than the original intent.
In most cases where some one is being rude I ignore and only on a couple of occasions have I PMed them. In most cases it is fairly easy to figure out where it is coming from, ignorance (curable) stupidity (not curable) pain (they are hurting and need to take it out) and just plain mean spirited, (moderators usually act).