So now I am really confused

[Damsel13]

When posting in a thread about a particular subject it is bad manners to go off topic AT ALL? I know this is a newbie question but I am a newbie when it comes to websites like this.

Thank goodness there are people on here willing to take the time to educate people like me. :eek2:
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[Curtswearing]

Deb,

HAKUNNA MATATTA!!! (It means No Worries)

If it's somewhat related to the discussion at hand, IMO it's ok to ask additional questions. If you feel that it will take the thread too far off-topic, then it's a good idea to start a new thread.

Now the problem comes when you don't have a clue if your question will be too off-topic. Here's an easy solution. If mods and members see your post and they think it should be in it's own thread, they'll let you know. Basically, No Harm, No Foul.

Please don't overreact to a recent thread where the people complaining about going off-topic went off-topic on many threads themselves.

 

[spongebob lover]

Curt couldn't have said it any better.
don't worry about it... just post it and if they think you're getting off topic you just start a new thread.

Usually my threads or Krish's threads are hijackable (awesome word )or at least i don't mind if you go off topic a little bit.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

"Hey guys, lets all start talking about the Lion King!"

10 posts later with no answer to the original question; some poor reefer with a tank crashing...gets peeved, gives up and goes off searching for a new pet weasel to replace the once thriving and now dead tank...

All in good fun and this is a very fun site but we should allow the original question to get answered and/or sales transaction to complete without a bunch of intrusion.

See in this case, Curt already answered your fair question, so I can sanctimoniously ramble on to my heart's content; burning up band-width just to read my own writing:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[NaH2O]

Deb, if a comment is slightly off topic, but still in the realm of the discussion at hand, then its fine. A couple of examples:

A thread is discussing something wrong with a colony of zoanthids. I list out different predator possiblities, which the thread starter has already checked for. You, however, wanted to know more about the predators, so you ask questions about them, which might lead to discussing the heliacus snail, instead of zoanthid fungus or something like that.

Another example may be discussing flow in an SPS tank. During the discussion detritus is mentioned, and how this can be utilized by corals. You post that you thought corals had to be fed. The topic then goes into a coral feeding discussion, while talking about different ways to provide flow.

Do these examples help? We are all here to learn, and if a thread takes an off-shoot based on something that was said in another post, then it really isn't a big deal at all. Take a look at some of the super long old threads in the advanced topic forum. They have a life of their own, and usually talk about many different things. As long as a discussion is taking place, then no big deal.

Also, joking around isn't a big deal either. It's fine to have fun and joke around in threads with our friends, but its also important to remember what we're here for. UGH - I couldn't stand it if our board was stiff and no one had a good time! Read through some old threads, and the more you read, the more you'll see what I'm trying to say.

Basically, don't worry about it. If a thread is going off topic, then its very easy for a Staff member to post "let's get back on topic". Its fine to ask questions on a related topic in a current thread, provided it has to do with the discussion at hand. It wouldn't be good to post about the latest shoe sale in a thread about powerheads....although, I'd like to know about the shoe sale so feel free to send PMs .

Here's an example of how we like to have a good time. I don't know if the jokes will make sense, since this was a while ago, but it was an April Fool's joke: April 1st Member Showcase

 

[spongebob lover]

Here's an example of how we like to have a good time. I don't know if the jokes will make sense, since this was a while ago, but it was an April Fool's joke: April 1st Member Showcase

LMAO!!! ohh that was a good thread :lol: :lol: .

Nikki is right .

 

[chris&barb]

yes but i had steak tonight

 

[Damsel13]

LOL! Shoe sale? J/K. Thank you for all the information...it was informative and very much appreciated.


_

 

[spongebob lover]

yes but i had steak tonight

did you have it with mushed potatoes dood ? .


[ and this is a good example on how people get off topic :lol: ]


don't worry doodette ... you'll get it and after a while it'll come natural

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Maybe some succulent goat?

 

[lavenderfish]

Mike - the lamb is just so much juicier and more flavorful. I don't know why anyone would settle for mere goat no matter how succulent.

But back on topic, I read that other thread and wondered just how annoying I was. Did people see the humor or just regard me as periodically annoying?
I hope people will take the suggestion of the other thread by adding people to their ignore list. If they find someone grating on the nerves so badly they feel they need to leave a forum then ignore list this is probably a good idea. I appreciate the jokes and don't care for too stiff a board.

 

[Curtswearing]

Stop annoying people Shanon.

Seriously, I really liked your comment about ignoring people. I had forgotten that this was even an option.

 

[Krish]

You'll be fine Deb...I use to be king of hijacking around here going way off topic and look! I'm still around I kinda learned as time progressed what people appreciate and what they don't and also which members don't mind a joke or two on their threads or not. Everyone knows I could care less what they talk about on my threads or if someone wants to take a "ride" on one of my threads to ask their own questions etc. but not everyone is going to be like that so you have to be careful. Best piece of advice would be if you are reading a thread and as a result, a new question pops up in your mind you'd like to ask, just start a new thread to be safe. If you want to throw in some humor at any time...No biggie, but make sure to get right back on track in that same post. In any event, you'll learn as you go as all of us have. I've been edited many times till I got the hang of it so if you are, don't take it personal. I've never met a mean RF staff member/mod here yet. When they edit you, trust me they aren't recieving any pleasure from it and are just doing what they have to do for the well being of the forum as a whole

 

[Damsel13]

But seriously folks do I really HAVE to go to work today?? I mean I have to learn Reef Frontiers ettiquite. That to me today is way more important (and fun) .

 

[chris&barb]

did you have it with mushed potatoes dood ? .

it was all mushed, its hard to chew with just one tooth

 

[spongebob lover]

Maybe some succulent goat?

don't forget to milk the goat first and then ....well do what you have to do :lol: .

But back on topic, I read that other thread and wondered just how annoying I was. Did people see the humor or just regard me as periodically annoying?
I hope people will take the suggestion of the other thread by adding people to their ignore list. If they find someone grating on the nerves so badly they feel they need to leave a forum then ignore list this is probably a good idea. I appreciate the jokes and don't care for too stiff a board.

ohh boy yeah you're very annoying doodette ........i'm just jokin, you're not Shannon ... plus i like your jokes :lol: .

it was all mushed, its hard to chew with just one tooth

do i need to send you my gold tooth or the silver one? the silver one has pixie dust + if you go to the night clubs you just need to smile and you'll flash everyone :lol:

Krish is not the only one that has been edited from time to time .

One thing that i do agree is that not everyone is gonna enjoy your jokes (specially if they're in that time of the month or if they just broke up with someone or if their 3 eye goldfish just went to the great beyond or if they decided to spill tequila all over their tank instead of rum etc etc ...), so if someone starts joking and the topic is done and all , then you can just add a few jokes here and there

 

[salmonslayer]

I love donuts. Any for sale ?.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Tracy you donut head, quit Hijacking threads. This one is about how to prepare goat steaks at shoe sales. You're just trying to create confusion.

 

[spongebob lover]

hmm goat steaks and shoe sales could be the next bomb !! :lol: .


i think what Tracy is trying to say is that, he's taking us all to Crispy creams for donuts and coffee for free !! :lol:

 

[salmonslayer]

The world is a ball of CONFUSION.