Subject: Crate New root node to discuss off-topic thread.

Dear Monks,
What type of system we do have to prevent the threads from going off-topic othe than the consciousness of monks? I don't blame te consciousness of monks altogether. Sometime it could be the nature of thread and discussion which takes place to go off topic.

I think that it would be better to start a new node , when you want to discuss off-topic thread and put a pointer to it in the orginal thread. I believe that would be more effective solution rather than just changing the title of the thread (even mentioning the original). The new idea will automatically allow the focus of original thread to be maintained and give more visibility to the off-topic of the original thread to be discussed if intersting. Also as that might show up at better location when you have limited node-reply-level views.

With this slight consciousness of monks it would increase the value of our community.

Example node I am referring to is this.

artist

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Off-topicing the thread
by shotgunefx (Parson) on Mar 25, 2003 at 18:54 UTC
    I don't know if I like this idea personally. Usually the topics don't stray too far off the path and I've learned a lot of periphrial stuff that has come in handy that I might not have learned otherwise. Also when does a thread become OT and who decides? If the poster decides then it's not much different then relying on the monk's sensibilities. If someone else decides, I like it even less. A good deal of Perl usage is glue and trying to determine what's OT and not seems like it would cause more problems then it solves.

    -Lee

    "To be civilized is to deny one's nature."
[reply]
      I think (Correct if if I'm wrong) the suggestion here is simply that if you are about to make a post that *you* feel is going to veer the converstion off to some other worthwhile discussion *you* should just start a new thread. Done that way IMHO it would be a better course of action, namely because the useful side stuff would be seen by those who may not intrested in the orginal thread and be intrested in or have good info on the side topic. It also makes the side stuff more visable to those who search for it later

      I belive this was made as suggestion for monks to try when they are in this situation as opposed to a hard and fast rule enforeced by anyone, bear in mind that a lot of how this site works is based on newcomers follwing what those who have come before have done and thus far I think that has worked suprisingly well.

[reply]
        I don't mind a new top level for OT threads as long as it isn't a point of friction. Let's say someone in an existing thread discusses something periphrial to the topic, I don't think they should be nagged to move it. Again where and when the line is drawn is subjective. If it's a vote thing, then I think like reputation, it's will be something we'll hear a weekly rant about.

        -Lee

        "To be civilized is to deny one's nature."
[reply]
Re: Off-topicing the thread
by Anonymous Monk on Mar 26, 2003 at 01:26 UTC

    Perlmonks should start Python and Ruby sections. Now that would be cool =D.

[reply]

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