Do you allow threads to go off topic?

Sometimes a thread can go off subject from its regular subject line, but do you allow threads to go off topic, or do you lock them when they do?

 

Depends on the subject at hand. If they go on topic, but if it's even slightly similar related to the subject, then I'll let it go. But if they go way off topic, then I'll just lock the discussion and create a new thread, reminding my members to please stay on topic. If you want to really go off topic, that's what the general chat thread is for.

 

Sometimes its okay, but if occurs regularly then no I dont, its something that cannot be stopped and is bound to happen.

 

If it's in a general chat board, I really couldn't care less. As for on topic, I try to keep things... well... on topic. A little derailment is fine but if it's completely off topic then I will do something.

 

Kinda sorta. I rarely lock threads. If a thread goes off topic I just split the new discussion into a new thread with an appropriate title. I really don't see a need to punish users for it or to lock the thread. Conversation naturally shifts to new things sometimes. It's pretty much a normal thing.

 

Depends on what the thread is about. If two members start flaming each other, or the OP. Then I close the thread.

 

Same here, I do split threads when they are good enough to become a different discussion.

 

But do you remove the off-topic threads onto another thread, or do you lock it down?

 

That's what we do as well. If it looks like something that can be a whole different discussion, we will split threads and start a new discussion altogether.

 

I don't mind it, as long as it's still slightly relevant within the original discussion topic, so I'm not a rule nazi when it comes to enforcing off-topicness but will split it if the off-topic discussion keeps continuing through the thread constantly.

 

If a thread goes slightly off-topic, but stays close to the original subject, I'll ignore it. If a topic goes way off subject, I will split it. If a topic has like 3 different subjects being talked about at once that aren't even related to the original subject, it's a lock.

However, if a subject goes off the subject in the Off-Topic forum, I'll completely ignore it.

 

Yea I do split posts as well if its good enough to become a whole different thread but even if its in the Off-Topic section I would still do it to avoid confusion as members who never participated in the discussion may come into the thread with something in mind to post and see a whole other subject being discussed.

 

Depends on the situation. Usually splitting it and moving the off topic portion to the off topic board works.

 

I made this mistake on my last forum and it was trashed. 4 months worth of work went down the drain. This time I will for sure to lock all threads that get off topic.

 

You dont have to lock them, you can split them or just remind them to get back on topic.

 

Well, you can't really help it if a thread drifts off from the main subject. You can always bring it back by bringing up a view point from the original subject - and go from there. Because, if you split the topics - users may not continue the discussion on the new thread.

 

If a topic is really going off topic then I would suggest making a post that encourage discussion that leads back to what the topic is originally about. A lot of time, you really don't notice how off topic it is till someone just says something. This holds especially true when a topic is actively getting posted into. I wouldn't want to discourage discussion because that leads to people just upping and leaving. You don't need to lock threads or wave around moderation powers because doing so can have negative consequences especially for minor issues that aren't happening often by any specific person. A topic going off topic isn't the end of the world so why give a response that suggests it?

 

I don't allow it to go off-topic but a few off-topic posts here and there that may have something to do with the threads name is acceptable but anything that is nothing to do with it and no body understands I give them a straight warning or infraction if it is seriously rude and off-topic