Off Topic Threads

How do you handle threads that quickly accumulate quite a bit of off-topic posts? Do you remove the posts (perhaps split to their own thread) and make a post in the thread asking to get back on topic? Do you close the thread?

What if users continue to contribute to the straying of off-topic? Do they get issued a warning/infraction or do you send a PM?

 

I split them off, saying "this topic really deserves its own thread".

 

This is actually a pet-peeve of mine (regardless of the fact that I do indeed participate in such activity from time to time).

It depends, really. If the posts being made are off-topic but appropriate, I'll create a thread in the appropriate forum and move the relevant posts into that topic. If the posts being made are off-topic and inappropriate, I'll move them to the "Trash Bin" (I'll never delete a post permanently). After taking care of the unwanted messages and cleaning things up, I'll kindly ask that all participating members stay on-topic and keep it clean.

If a member (or members) continue to post irrelevant messages regardless of the request made, I'll immediately contact he/she/them and make sure that they understand the consequences. If he/she/they fail(s) to heed my warning for a second time, I'll issue them an infraction.

 

Well for my forum we generally close threads that go from differant thing. Example...

Boy makes thread about cars. Girl hijacks hread and talks about tampons. Staff close. Boy cries. Girl laughs. Start from point one all over again.

 

Well, I actually let them go at it, I don't mind, that's how people create more discussion, no? In normal day to day life we are talking and them some one comes up with something totally random and we keep going on that topic. It's not bad unless it's dragged out for too long.

 

Do your users get upset that their thread was closed because of somebody else's misbehavior, forcing them to create the thread again?

 

Naw. They normally don't complain. They tend to remake the thread though and request the user who goes offtopic gets a thread ban.

 

Me too, and thats pretty much what we do.
Mind you worse than off topic is personal conversations going on threads-really annoying to read an interesting thread of say 5 pages and 2 or 3 of the pages are people chatting chit---thats what the lounge or pm system is for.

And I know it annoys other members too because we always get complaints or reported posts