Closing Topics

[Robinsvoyage]

Why is the board closing topics like Aussie's moral dilema thread? It was an active discussion and I thought, a very good and thought provoking one.

Hi Robin

Re: A moral question. http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/ind...showtopic=3246

The topic was very thought-provoking and interesting. However, I felt that it had run long enough and was getting well off topic - these are sailing boards after all.

Unfortunately, someone has to draw the line somewhere. :icon_boohoo1:

[JeanneP]

I was just getting ready to comment on locking topics, and you beat me to it! We're on different sides on this one, though.

I agree with Admin - on several boards I've visited, threads and comments go on, and on, and on. Beyond two pages of posts it gets really difficult to follow the topic - and one topic on another board has TEN (10) pages (137 posts, and it should have stopped at page 2 and half the posts on the first two page might easily have been deleted without losing the important information. But it's not for a moderator to delete the posts he thinks are unimportant, so we all suffer from too much input sometimes)! I've stopped visiting one board because their topics take up so much bandwidth and go on for so long that it is just too much work to visit.

I think it's difficult to decide what's the right time to close out a thread and let a new one start, but Admin seems to be doing a very good job at it.

Just my opinion.

[Nausikaa]

Maybe we should consider another approach. As long as a topic is receiving replies then, providing it has not gone too far off the original track, it is still generating interest. My view is that it should then be allowed to continue.

On the other hand we see topics to about which no one has shown any interest for long periods still being open.

Perhaps a time restriction rather than a page limit would be more appropriate?

This is just my view of course but I think the idea has some merit.

Aye

Stephen

Yacht NAUSIKAA

[Harbor_Pilot]

Somebody has to be the skipper.

It is always good practice to stick to the original topic. It is easy to stray, as often other topics are related. Anybody is free to start a new related topic and sometimes that is better.

I agree with extremely long posts becoming increasingly difficult to follow.

Many historical topics remain open. Those questions were either answered, bringing themselves to completion, or they were not of the Hotly Debated, Opinion in Nature, type. Sometimes they are simply not of great interest to many. Those just scroll off the current page, but remain for reference.

I find great value in historical topics remaining viewable, unless they violate the board policies and protocal. I do not care much of they are open or closed. My goal is to read all of them in time, to educated myself, and give me ideas, and prompt further study. Also using the "search feature", one can find an answer, or a basis for further discussion.

[Robinsvoyage]

I don't disagree with Admin's descision. I just didn't know the reason, but I could say, that the topic could have been brought back to the issue of copied charts, navigation software, etc. No big deal.

Robin

[gottcha]

I come here often to browse the topics and I make it a point to open the ones with many replies to see what was so interesting, so don't get to carried away...

[Auzzee]

I agree with topic locking when the thread is becoming frayed. It is a good tool for admin to use, as it refocuses contributors who may wish to make further comment. Opening a new topic with the original, or a deviated but equally fascinating focus can breathe new life into a debate if members feel it is justified.

David

[Lynx]

I agree with closing this one. Just the same views over again. But the words was getting stronger.