Topic: Hi-jacking threads - a plea to stop

[Fork]

You are all naughty peeps for going off on a tangent and not keeping to the topic in question.

I have now put you all on "ignore"  ;) ;D ;D

[grawrc]

Say no more Fork!! ;D ;D

[Georgie]

Thank you for all the replies so far, it has certainly sparked a debate.  :)  I'd just like to make it clear that that I didn't in any way wish to imply that I want to discourage natural conversation.  Of course one comment leads to another and that is what makes many threads here so interesting. But as a few people have said, staying pretty much on topic helps us all if we are looking back for advice. For instance, if I opened a thread about growing strawberries in 'Edibles' and found it had turned into a discussion about the merits of Lennon and McCartney's Strawberry Fields then I wouldn't find that helpful. 

G x

[Admin aka Dan]

Strawberry Fields ...

Walked past earlier today.

Do you know the children's home there is closing?






Sorry couldn't resist.

[Georgie]

Snork!  Yes I did as it happens, shame.   :(

Is that a slap on the wrists then Dan? ;)  Will I lose all me posting points as I get drummed out?

G x

[asbean]

While we're on the subject of strawberries ... ...  ;D

[rosebud]

I personally do not think that going off topic is to serious peeps should not be apologising for doing so , i agree with other members who say one thing leads to another.  I feel & hope we are all one big happy family on A4A, & understand when things go slightly off topic but also wander back to the subject. Lets not take this to seriously, it is after all for pleasure, not schooling.   Rosebud.

[Shirley]

Strawberry Fields ...

Walked past earlier today.

Do you know the children's home there is closing?

sorry couldn't resist.

Suppose you're allow 'cos you're admin :D

[greenscrump]

For what it's worth, I think that wandering off topic is how we get to know each other.  I don't have a problem with it at all, it can be a bit frustrating if you're searching for  crucial knowledge but otherwise it's what I enjoy about A4A xx

[tim]

There's hijacking & 'colouration'.

I know I use 'asides' - hopefully pertinent & friendly comment. If I hijack, please smack me.

Where I know I do wrong - in the eyes of the searcher - is what I preached against years ago, to no avail - the use of cryptic, 'come on' titles, instead of explicit ones. It's the fun of 'fishing'!
 

[Amazin]

Yes, but Tim, with your posts, regardless of the exact topic, we know they're going to be interesting, informative and with an enviable degree of expertise thrown in.


...and when I move in to your greenhouse I shall tell you so in person

 ;D

[Marymary]

Yes, but Tim, with your posts, regardless of the exact topic, we know they're going to be interesting, informative and with an enviable degree of expertise thrown in.

  ;D

And nearly all Tim's posts have a picture - I really like pictures [sad person].

Back to the thread  :) I too like the way our conversations meander in a natural sort of way - I'm sure we actually learn more by following lateral connections, if we want straight information we can Google it.

[Amazin]

I do agree with Tim's distinction between colouration, which is part of the natural ebb and flow of a discussion, and hijacking, which is immensely irritating - even just on a practical level, for those who don't have the luxury of broadband to help them whizz through the chaff to get back to the wheat.

[SamLouise]

Thing is, on a site like A4A, which is full of such knowledgeable people, if the answer to someone's question isn't within the first 10 or so posts, then it's not going to be there.  Which means there's no need for a reader to meander through any posts after that if they do not wish to read the off-topic replies?

[grawrc]

You know Savageb you're spot on!

Dan I thought they sang "strawberry fields for ever"??

[Curryandchips]

Strawberry fields? gosh that takes me back ...

(sorry Georgie, I agree with you by the way ...)

I also agree on the colouration issue, and I agree with smacking your hand Tim, incomplete titles are annoying !!!

Wonder if this thread will make it into the top ten ...

[grawrc]

"let me  take you down..." surely? ;D ;D

[carolinej]

Just a suggestion but what if when we start topics, we put something like

Look at my pumpkins WA

the WA standing for Wandering Allowed. That way, anyone searching would know if the topic would be strictly to the point or not. Also, it would relieve my newly formed paranoia of wandering off topic and getting told off. I love the friendly banter that we get on here, and would find it really restrictive to have to give very short concise replies incase I offended.

cj :)

[Grandma]

WA - great idea, carolinej.

Just one thing - I think most of us love this forum because it is the way it is, informative but friendly, easy-going and without too many restrictions.

Perhaps, if clever Dan could ensure that every new topic posted came with a 'WA' label, then peeps who wanted only concise, to-the-point answers could choose to opt out?

Or - (easier) - maybe those peeps could just add a 'NO WA' when they start a topic?

I love it just as it is! xxx

[Marymary]

So do I but then

'Nothing is real and nothing to get hung about'  :)