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The truth about the Off Topic Posts
On 07 Nov 2003 08:15:42 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:
If anyone would like to see rec.boats returned to "boating", then say
so. Those of us who might be willing to go through the crap of Usenet
procedure will need your support to make it worthwhile.
Rules, schmules....Any restriction will ultimately require a moderator.
"Somebody" has to judge whether the thread, "Our Heroic Leader, GWB, sent me a
Republican tax refund so I could afford to put tires on my boat trailer" is on
topic, or not. "Somebody" has to be able to pull the plug
on the handful of half-wits who post nothing but insults and/or profanity.
(assuming that insults and profanity aren't finally accepted as somehow
on-topic).
Chuck, ..Mr. Gould, as a former '60's hippie, I can identify with
"rules, schmules". No moderators.
As a sentient, compassionate, and aware being, I say that "insults and
profanity" have been here for a long time.
The great thing about an unrestricted format is that the group reflects
*exactly* what the participants want it to be. It is precisely the sum total of
dozens of individual parts. It's always amazing to hear from some guy who
appears for the first time to say, "Well, I hung out here for a couple of
months but I didn't find anything really worthwhile and nobody addressed the
issues I'm interested in, so I'm outta here."
I don't object to an unrestricted format. I would welcome it, as long
as it didn't have the title "rec.boats". How about
rec.boats.unrestricted?
Don't see what you like here? Introduce it.
Post a question or a comment about your pet subject. Beats heck out of going
away disappointed.
LOL! Done that before....
You are a very logical man. I have seen it in the newsgroup, but you
cannot logically defend the OT posting to a group named "rec.boats".
You're good, but you're not *that* good.
There are any number of moderated and censored boards for boating. Boater Ed,
Hull Truth, etc etc etc. Those who insist on a tight structure and censored
posts can and should go there. The redeming aspect of an open forum is that
although you wind up shoveling through a lot of horse crap, more often than not
there is a pony 'round here someplace.
No one is talking about moderated or censored newsgroups. I would be
thrilled with a negotiated and adopted FAQ. I'm a big, occasionally
foolish, Irish numbskull that loves to "mess around in boats".
Thought control is beyond my experience. Boats are within.
I'd be for leaving things as they are, with hopes that the worst offenders for
introducing political posts might consider toning it down a bit. I'll admit to
participating in the OT arguments and debates as much as anybody and more than
most- but I am nowhere nearly among the leaders in starting the OT balls
rolling.
Ah, a hopeful heart. I don't see you, at least under the nic's I
know, as an instigator. I have often expressed my appreciation for
your extraordinarily well written stories of "the water". Can we
agree that some topics belong here, and some don't? If not, tell me
what you think. Staight up and staight out.
A fair number of the folks who aren't boaters followed one of our regulars here
from other NG's, where he has apparently p'd off a few folks of opposite
political persuasion. I guess these people couldn't get enough arguing and
flaming to suit them in the jet ski group and others.
Yup. And they are all Off-topic. Not that they're not good people, I
don't know them, but it is OT. More arguments will bring more people
who don't care about rec.boats.
Suggestion: How about two continuous threads to contain *all* political posts?
One could be "Right Wing Fallacies and Enlightened LIberal Rebuttals", and the
other could be "Treasonous Left Wing Socialist Rantings and Patriotic
Conservatives' outraged reactions." Most NG readers probably work like mine and
separate posts by thread. If the RW or the LW thread has 215 posts in a day, so
be it. One click and those who have no interest can simply pass it by.
Suggestion: How about creating something similar to
"rec.boats.lounge", or "rec.boats.politics", or "rec.boats.geezers"?
I qualify as a "geezer", and would be happy to attempt to kick the ass
of anyone that disagrees!  ) If I can't get my good foot that high,
I'll hit 'em with the wooden one.
Talk to me, please. You are the "Alpha male" in rec.boats, because of
your contributions. Your "non-support" is the primary reason I didn't
go forward with applying for a new FAQ. If you are as smart as I
think you are, you will recognise my inaction, so far, as respect.
I want to hear what you think, and if you bring up the Perkins, I'll
wait a bit.
Regards,
noah
To email me, remove the "OT-" from wrecked.ot-boats.noah.
....as you were. )
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