Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

and "New Posts" search?

Re: Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

Personally I don't care either way, but it should be possible I would think...

Re: Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

But, then how would we have found out about the Maemo Musician's Thread ;)?

Re: Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

I think they have to appear in "New Posts", otherwise they'll never get seen by the people who only interact with the forum through "New Posts".

As for removing them from "Active Topics", I think it makes sense if we want to emphasise this as a discussion forum for Maemo-related topics; but not if we want to show a vibrant and active community.

Having said that, I'd probably lean to agreeing with you and removing them from "Active Topics".

Re: Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

Can we perhaps have a moratorium on forum changes?
Off topic discussions are just as important to the continuity of relationships within this community. Particularly now that we are waiting for a new release.

Active topics are just that, active topics. If some of that activity is off topic.. so be it. They will drop from the list as more relevant information is posted.

I mean right now there is one "Off Topic" post in the "Active Topics" bar. It is thread wishing someone a happy birthday. Ignore it if you do not want to participate. If it was me I would be embarrassed and I usually opt out if I can or I choose Feb 29 on a leap year if I can't.



***

Hi Andrew,
I'm confused by your response :confused:

Are you saying that you agree, we don't want to show a vibrant and active community?

Re: Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

An even better argument. Hell, any style changes at all (see #4369).

Indeed.

No, I'm saying that with the resurgence of on-topic threads and with the (hopeful) influx of users whenever we can get our grubby mits on Rover, I can see merit in the argument of getting rid of the off-topic threads from the "Active" box.

But I rarely look at it (I'm a "New Posts" kinda guy). To generalise the big argument for keeping them: it keeps the community looking active to new joiners when there are lulls in Maemo-related stuff.

Now, hopefully we'll never have the same length of time between major Maemo releases, and there's been some very big & important stuff happening (e.g. Mer); so purely from the point of view of that argument, dropping the off-topic threads allows a clearer view for an outsider/newbie to see what exciting things are happening.

But I've now expended far more energy on this topic than I have care for it! ;-)

Re: Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

This should be user selectable option.

Re: Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

Unfortunately, filtering (or not) a feed is a lot simpler than adding new options to the UI, flags to the user's record in the database, handling defaults, testing and filtering (or not) a feed.

So, whenever someone says "should be user selectable option", I think "egads, is there nothing better for $DEVELOPER to do?" IME, there usually is! :-)

Re: Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

Yeah I know this, but it's still only sane solution (if not counting the man hours). But this is just a weakness of a web forum. Change the system to NNTP and it will just work :)

Re: Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

Yeah but hmm that could be noise, but so could something posted in forum Games or Bora be. It is a personal preference and is therefore best to treat it like that with sane default option; if possible software-wise give the user control over this.

Also if it stays like it is now I suggest to reevaluate this when the forum is more active again which occurs for example because of product launch.

Re: Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

Hiding off-topic discussions would be one more step in getting this freedom of expression thing under control. We want everyone to appear to be supporting Maemo even if they don't, and we don't want a bunch of radicals discussing just anything they feel like discussing. We can't come right out and ban them -- too obvious -- but we can do what we can to hide their discussions so other radicals don't know they are happening.

I of course don't agree with the above, but I think this idea of not listing off-topic threads among the most active threads is one more logical step in trying to control and minimize the ITT crowd, because, after all, they are irrelevant now.

What remains of ITT is slowly being killed off. As Hal would say, "I can feel it...I can feel it."

Re: Is it possible to prevent off topic threads from appearing on "Active Topics" bar
 

Can you please stop the paranoid FUD? Matan isn't part of our global conspiracy to take over ITT, so it's unfair of you to lump him in with "us".[1]

It's also ironic to talk about free speech, but then state that someone making a suggestion is somehow part of a wider agenda and should be labelled as such, rather than debating the idea on its merits.

Overreact much?

[1] (Please note, this is me being facetious, not admitting that there is a global conspiracy behind a specific agenda focused on disrupting the oh-so-precious ITT status quo)