Gregg, comments below after /// ...
Posted By Greg Elmassian on 09 Sep 2009 07:33 PM
Les, it's a forum and everyone is entitled to their opinion.
/// Yes.... (
waiting)
If your opinion is that a thread wandering is fine, so be it...
///
disingenuous fog for the following....
(although it's considered bad form in most forums)... but I am likewise entitled to my opinion, and I can give you several reasons why it's not "cool".... the biggest reason is that the forum is like a giant wikipedia of information for everyone.
/// Punchline:
Wandering is considered uncouth in 'most'....
The search function lets you TRY to find information, but when a thread goes sideways, then it gets right back to what JJ complained about, google something and get 50,000 "answers" that are not helpful. (because your search finds threads that have gone sideways)
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A minor mixing of subjects, Google, John's post, and my opinion, but heck, who's picking?
Thinking of others and keeping an interesting, technical thread on topic helps everyone, the people reading it now, and the people reading it in the future. This is not putting down humor, which I personally think is useful in all threads.
///
Let us (and you, in particular,) always remember to be careful to keep other's desires ahead of your own or....
There are good reasons to follow the common "rules" applied to the majority of internet forums.
///
Another appeal to higher authority....
So, again, it is a forum, where everyone has a voice.
///
Which logically negates the gist of the poster's position.... save for the 'poor manners'.
Regards, Greg
/// Gregg, is it as hot an humid where you are as it is here? Gosh, I only stated an opinion. I meant precisely what I said and won't repeat it again save in condensed form: a moderator can admonish me about wandering and that's his right. Another person doing so is perceived by me to be telling me what I can't do in an area where I've paid my dues to be.
Perhaps you've read certain threads I've started (usually in 'Tools') and someone has jumped in, the thread begins to weave another pattern, perhaps in the direction of uncovering unknown facts, then the guy jumps back in and apologizes for hijacking my thread. I invariably reply that it isn't 'my' thread and I don't care. And I don't.
The observation has often been made that threads 'evolve' along natural lines; I find this to be the case, usually unless humor crops up. For an unauthorized member to request the thread 'shape up' is not warranted, save in the thin instance that he considers the thread 'his', since he's the author.
Many have remarked that this is a friendly forum. It is so, I think, because most of the members make a conscious effort to keep it friendly. Regimentation of the type you appear to like will tend to stifle that atmosphere.
Of all the possible LS forums out there, this is the only one that has gotten my money, and it isn't just because all the best help is to be found here. The kidding/humor/fraternity is here but exists in short bursts so business can be conducted.
Some lightweight diversionary 'slack in the line' or relevant digressions should never have to be defended against usurpation by the unauthorized.
Les
hehe! 
