The old DragonDoor forum, before StrongFirst existed, had a lot of freewheeling off topic discussion that was eventually shut down, and it's always been very limited here. Ultimately, this is a forum sponsored by a commercial entity, and not a general social media platform. It's so easy for OT discussion to go sideways into toxicity that I completely understand why it's kept on a short leash here.Was just tossing the idea out there, mods you can delete this if this isn't allowed but I thought an offtopic would be cool to have, general chitchat etc...?
Thoughts?
We used to, but we put almost everything that was in separate sections into one big pot a few years ago and we like that. Training logs are separate but that's it. We do have a "topic" of "off-topic" you can use.Was just tossing the idea out there, mods you can delete this if this isn't allowed but I thought an offtopic would be cool to have, general chitchat etc...?
Thoughts?
I plan to sneak in as naisuhtraC syneD and post the exact opposite of everything that you say…I was triggered and thought someone was assuming it would be a section that would have me as its only member.
I have to say that I liked the old format of the forum better when everything was separated into different topics. I find the forum has a lot less variety today. I find it's somewhat stale compared to how it was a few years ago. It seems as we also have a lot less participants than there were a few years back.We used to, but we put almost everything that was in separate sections into our big pot a few years ago and we like that. Training logs are separate but that's it. We do have a "topic" of "off-topic" you can use.
All that said, the question you're asking is whether we could have a separate section for that. Some rules - no ad hominem attacks, no flame wars, etc. - would still apply, but I can see the value of the idea - let me kick it around with a few folks at StrongFirst HQ and I'll be back in touch.
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AgreedI have to say that I liked the old format of the forum better when everything was separated into different topics. I find the forum has a lot less variety today. I find it's somewhat stale compared to how it was a few years ago. It seems as we also have a lot less participants than there were a few years back.
Some topics, like bodyweight seem to have almost disappeared from the forum.
Might just be an impression an not the reality though.
Meh. That’s my opinion. I wouldn’t be interested in using it but it might keep some topics off my radar which would be nice.Now that this thread exists, I'd like to hear more opinions about having an off-topic forum section.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other….The forum won't be returning to its previous multi-section format, at least not that I've heard about. As to whether or not we have fewer participants now, that would be an interesting question and I'll see if I can look into it.
I spoke online with another forum administrator who said his members had set up their own off-topic "venue" by using Discord. While that's certainly always an option, if there's interest in an off-topic section, that remains a possibility and, if we do it, it will be like the training logs, in its own section.
Now that this thread exists, I'd like to hear more opinions about having an off-topic forum section.
Thanks, everyone.
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A good question. I don't think it would. I "police" the training log sections less than the rest of the forum, relying on forum members to use the Report function or PM'ing me if they think there's a problem there. That's what I'd do here, too.Being off topic would it require more ‘policing’…?
Didn’t someone start a discord a couple years ago and shut it down after a lack of interest?I spoke online with another forum administrator who said his members had set up their own off-topic "venue" by using Discord
This. Great point, John!Meh. That’s my opinion. I wouldn’t be interested in using it but it might keep some topics off my radar which would be nice.
I am offended by the fact that you are triggered. And I am dismayed by your assumption.I was triggered and thought someone was assuming it would be a section that would have me as its only member.
I think the only person qualified to adjudicate this matter is Ant Man.I am offended by the fact that you are triggered. And I am dismayed by your assumption.
Is this a micro-aggression? Is this sub-topic nano-complaint off topic?
I accept payment in many different currencies.And we're now off the topic of having an off-topic section - brilliant!
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I would have thought someone would have followed how the format change affected the number of posts and participants. Especially in an organisation like SF where everything seems to be analysed thoroughly.As to whether or not we have fewer participants now, that would be an interesting question and I'll see if I can look into it.