I am just quoting Tammy because it's the first one I could find ...(It has nothing to do with this original thread), it's just an example :)
I could just let you guess who deleted all the post but then you would have to curse all the staff which wouldn't be fair to the rest of the moderators

Up until today my record off topic post removal from a single thread was 21 - it is now 116.

I removed 116 off topic post from this thread and as you can see I used a very loose definition of "off topic"

Staff is receiving complaints from forum members about frequent thread hijackings such as what happened here. This hijacking of threads is not conducive to equal support for all members.

This is the last time I will be reminding members to remain on topic - any more hijacking I am going to begin issuing infractions to frequent offenders

Infractions do count against your account once you have accumulated a set amount of points - your account will be automatically suspended.


Please use the public posting feature built into every ones personal profile to enjoy personal conversations and reserve the threads in open forum to the topic indicated in the initial post.

Topic of this thread is






Lets find our way back to the topic shall we.



***Any concerns or questions regarding this moderator note or staff actions should be private messaged directly to staff, this will prevent further disruption of the discussion. Thank you.***

I know thread hijacking is bad! I know we get off topic! I know I know I know ...

but...once the initial responses have been posted, and the thread takes on a friendly chit-chat, on/off topic, and round in circles..

a warning is given ( yes, I know that is what is supposed to happen)

and suddenly the thread is deserted....or closed, because everyone gets wary and worried about a suspension, which is fair enough..

and low and behold...where do they go, or what happens again?? Exactly the same thing..

We have even had threads in chit chat closed, and isn't that what the chit-chat forum is for?? chit chat !!

I see this over and over and over and over again...

This makes me wonder why the "odd" thread or two can't remain a place to ramble, because from experience, most members will hang around an active thread, and a lot of friends are made....There is only so much one can say on a specific subject, even in "real life".

Isn't it better to leave a few threads open, if the original poster has had their questions answered, and they are happy, then have it happen over and over and over again

Yes, I know I am a major thread derailer, and after thinking about it, this is what I think may help..

Even if the prolific posters get carried away in a thread, they still welcome new people, give advice, wish happy birthdays, offer encouragement and support in heaps of other threads...

so my point is :)
I know it takes a lot of effort for mods to keep track off endless endless off-topic rambling posts...so, if a few , or only one can be left, as long as it's kept "within
religious political sexual guidelines" etc wouldn't that be a lot easier..as all us "offenders" who are trying to help, and meet and support others who are in a bad place in their lives be left in a nice neat corner where the mods will have a lot less trouble moderating:p

Geez...I don't mean to give you all so much work or hassell...honest..

so, did all that make the teensiest bit of sense to anyone but me??

I get it. I have derailed and been derailed. I always got the information I needed here though.....And when I did post a question...at least 1 person helped....so that's nice of ADDF don't you think? :)

I don't think many, if any at all, of those closed threads were closed due to typical off-topic discussions (as in, something somewhat related to the topic, but far enough off to be considered off topic). At least from what I've been seeing, those posts did not take a gradual change from topic to off-topic, but made a pivotal movement in a matter of a few or less posts.

We have even had threads in chit chat closed, and isn't that what the chit-chat forum is for?? chit chat !!

Actually, that forum is for threads that are not related to ADD or any other disorder to a significant degree. As to what is appropriate is determined based upon the starting post. Some threads will inherently have a loosely defined topic, and that should be taken into consideration by staff.

Isn't it better to leave a few threads open, if the original poster has had their questions answered, and they are happy, then have it happen over and over and over again

It actually might be even better to create a new thread when you don't want to post about the topic. Pages upon pages of mostly unrelated posts effectively achieves the same thing as closing a thread (as in, no one posts to it), so those who have to go gold-digging for answers will have to ask their question again.

okie :)
thanks..

Members, Please stay on topic, regardless of the section you're posting in. If you wish to drift into "banter without boundaries" (but still within the forum guidelines), please make use of the public posting capabilities available in your respective profiles or blogs.

Thanks.

Edit: Thanks to HF for the response above.

I know thread hijacking is bad! I know we get off topic! I know I know I know ...

but...once the initial responses have been posted, and the thread takes on a friendly chit-chat, on/off topic, and round in circles..


Well I was trying to type this but my kitten decided it was time to eat - I guess her stomach knows what time it is - but does it know which dimension it is in. We are having ham and cheese for supper - eating always makes my pants tighter, I never thought this Monday would end. Did you know I used to live in San Angelo where they are holding all those church people and I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance - speaking of tighter pants . . .


new doggie wardrobe

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s206/tlr823/Ladyinshortsidepic.jpg


Should I ask if you are done or have some friends over to further derail this discussion -I think I have a few more pictures of dogs in pants and by the way I was trying to get her to stop chewing on a sore located on her backside.




btw- were you though with this discussion ge I hope so because I have just decided I wanted to hijack the thread to talk about my dog in pants - or maybe I will just chit-chat. ..

My point is

Do you feel listened to?

Does my response display how much I care about you and your concerns?

Avoid direct insults to any member of the forums. Everyone should be treated with the same degree of respect. The goal should be to give constructive criticism with source documentation given where possible to back up your opinions while using common sense, respect, and courtesy. Treat others as you would like to be treated.


I believe when a thread is hijacked especially in the case of girly girls (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=574148#post574148) which is the thread you copied this moderator note from people's need are being ignored. IN this particular thread the member who wrote the initial post even came back and said "gee I think my thread has been hijacked" then the member and a few others try to get back on topic but they were ignored -

Maybe I am a prude or just nit-picky but 116 off topic post is ridiculous. Any one clicking on the hyperlink I provided should be able to see that I maintained a loose definition of on topic - now imagine what I removed.

Well I was trying to type this but my kitten decided it was time to eat - I guess her stomach knows what time it is - but does it know which dimension it is in. We are having ham and cheese for supper - eating always makes my pants tighter, I never thought this Monday would end. Did you know I used to live in San Angelo where they are holding all those church people and I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance - speaking of tighter pants . . .


new doggie wardrobe

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s206/tlr823/Ladyinshortsidepic.jpg


Should I ask if you are done or have some friends over to further derail this discussion -I think I have a few more pictures of dogs in pants and by the way I was trying to get her to stop chewing on a sore located on her backside.




btw- were you though with this discussion ge I hope so because I have just decided I wanted to hijack the thread to talk about my dog in pants - or maybe I will just chit-chat. ..

My point is

Do you feel listened to?

Does my response display how much I care about you and your concerns?




I believe when a thread is hijacked especially in the case of girly girls (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=574148#post574148) which is the thread you copied this moderator note from people's need are being ignored. IN this particular thread the member who wrote the initial post even came back and said "gee I think my thread has been hijacked" then the member and a few others try to get back on topic but they were ignored -

Maybe I am a prude or just nit-picky but 116 off topic post is ridiculous. Any one clicking on the hyperlink I provided should be able to see that I maintained a loose definition of on topic - now imagine what I removed.

Tam said..My point is

Do you feel listened to?

Does my response display how much I care about you and your concerns?
LOL :)
I feel listened to, by the fact that you actually read my post, and have replied..just because you are off topic doesn't mean I don't think you're listening...

I'm a shocker for off topic rambling in certain threads, but I am getting better :p

Just the fact people respond can be enough (for me anyway)

ok...I was just thinking out loud last night ...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 10 (2 members and 8 guests)
I feel special that so many "guests" are reading too

I'll reiterate...please stay on topic, or threads will (continue) to be moderated and/or closed. Repeat offenses by members will be answered with administrative actions (warning, infraction, suspension, banning).

Just the fact people respond can be enough (for me anyway)


Most people want to be heard - and feel ignored when people go on rants having nothing to do with the topic they wanted to discuss .

At the end of my post I respond appropriately to your topic so you do know i actually read it

I also believe you are intelligent enough to know what I am doing -

The thing we have to remember is not every one has been here as long as we have some people are just now joining while other really do want to know if they are "the only ones who talk to themselves out loud"

- or are all ADD girls "girly girls" -

Many members really want to discuss the topic other wise they wouldn't have bothered to begin the discussion. You really wanted to discuss this did you not?


I know it takes a lot of effort for mods to keep track off endless endless off-topic rambling posts...so, if a few , or only one can be left, as long as it's kept "within
religious political sexual guidelines" etc wouldn't that be a lot easier..as all us "offenders" who are trying to help, and meet and support others who are in a bad place in their lives be left in a nice neat corner where the mods will have a lot less trouble moderatin

The problem is we have done this are doing this and still we have folks hijacking threads

An example of post without any real topic where people are just chit-chatting are

#1 - More than one

#2 are all open and active - May's place has an entry today - the other two have entries on 4/6/2008.

#3 no request to remain on topic have been made - staff have responded by adding to the chit chat but I do not see one moderator note asking members to get back on topic - simply because there isn't one

#4 are as follows

"Mary's Place" (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51276)


Re: The Coffee Room (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19246&page=46)


Re: The Beer Room (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50374&page=21)

Plus your profile messages -



It seems as if your request to have places to shoot the breeze has been acknowledged and adequately met. Despite administration's willingness to compromise on this by providing places for "chit-chat" some members seem to have a sense of entitlement where they think it is okay to ignore other people's needs to discuss a certain topic and talk about what ever suite their own fancy -

Although these off topic threads are refereed to as being "active" more often than not when the thread hijackings occur it is only two maybe three members who are enjoying in the hijacking - These hijackers failing to notice they are the only one left in the discussion - The rest of the members have left the discussion - some reporting the hijacking others PMing the moderators asking us "why this crap is being tolerated ". . . .

Thought I would let you know how thread hijacking looks from my end of this stick.

I haven't even mentioned that when I spend hours sorting out 116 off topic post from a thread that I do not get to enjoy my time here as a member -