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adam

Moderator

01/09/2011 07:49PM

Q: Hey what is this new tiny "OT" in the document image next to a post? What's changing?

A: We have added an option when posting a new thread to mark it as off-topic by checking the checkbox next to the subject. We also ask that you put OT in front of the subject.

An option will be added to your profile to hide or show off-topic posts.

Q: So what is an off-topic post?
A: The easy ones to identify are football posts, help me buy a new car, my kid just got accepted to Harvard, etc. The tough one are posts which are related to canoeing, camping, kayaking, general outdoor adventuring, fishing, etc. Use your best judgment.

Q: Does this mean I can/should post more off topic posts? Or posts which are political posts and other controversial topics.
A: No

Q: Will some off-topic posts be deleted anyway? And should I expect an answer as to why a post is deleted?
A: Yes and No respectively.

Q: What happens to posts which are marked OT?
A: The general thought is there is no archival value of off-topic posts so they will end up being automatically deleted after being inactive for a period of time.

Q: How will this impact my trees?
A: You may in the short term gain points toward trees for posts made in OT threads, but long term these posts will be deleted and your count lowered again.

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kanoes

01/09/2011 08:39PM

thanks adam. crystal clear now.

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg)

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sleepnbag

01/09/2011 10:09PM

Like,
Thanks adam!

"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105

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Minnesotian

01/10/2011 08:04AM

Excellent. Thanks much.

"We should go forth on the shortest walk, perchance in the spirit of undying adventure, never to return - prepared to send back our embalmed hearts only as relics to our desolate kingdom." - Thoreau

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solotrek

01/10/2011 08:23AM

Sounds good! Also sounds fair.

"It is in solitude, in quiet communication with nature that we reach most deeply into truth." Sam Campbell

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fisher

01/10/2011 10:08AM

i had to let you know this is brilliant. its a bit discouraging when "non regulars" post on here and the topic or thread gets side tracked by off topic discussion. sometimes it becomes a conversation that should be done between two or more in private and it loses all credible or related content.
i cant tell you how many times i have recieved the response, "i dont know" or "no idea" from users who have registered clout. not a big deal but whats the point in posting idk? (to get trees)
on the other hand there are users on here who's comments i search just to read what they are saying because thier comments are so straight forward and valuable.

dont get me wrong, i like the humor, but often pull back from participating on the forum due to the excessive amount of poppycock from some regulars.

i have not seen how this new feature has or will effect the threads but im guessing in the future, we will see less, frivilous comments when searching archives.

thanks adam, your always on top of it.

im the guy the forest service warned you about

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nojobro

01/10/2011 10:28AM

I like how you solved the problem for those who don't like off-topic posts without changing the board into different parts or disallowing off-topic posts. Thanks, Adam.

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AndySG

01/10/2011 01:26PM

I agree with your solution, but I will likely not opt to block the OT threads.

However, knowing your advertising revenues may be based on the number of "hits" the site receives, may I suggest that marked OT threads remain hidden when non-members or guest posters visit the site? If these folks see the site cluttered with OT threads, would they be less interested in retuning or becoming members? Also, if the OT thread is controversial, a troll guest would not be able to post a negative or threatening response.

Thanks again for addressing the concerns of the membership.

Sincerely yours, Andy

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nojobro

01/10/2011 01:45PM

quote AndySG: "Also, if the OT thread is controversial, a troll guest would not be able to post a negative or threatening response."

Very interesting idea!

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mocha

01/10/2011 02:30PM

Thanks Adam! Great solution.

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adam

Moderator

01/10/2011 04:18PM

The option is available to turn off seeing OT posts in your profile.

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Boppa

01/10/2011 05:07PM

Wow Adam,
Thanks for the option.
Boppa

"Yesterday is the past, Tomorrow is the future, Today is a GIFT, that is why it is called the present".

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lars54

01/10/2011 06:48PM

thanks adam, it sounds fair to me

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Merganser

01/10/2011 07:52PM

More nice work... thanks

"That sort of thing is my bag baby."

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inthewoods

01/11/2011 09:33AM

sounds good, but alot of work for the moderators

"ya like thats going to work"my wife

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fisher

01/11/2011 11:30AM

once again, your site is 'dope' dude. :)

im the guy the forest service warned you about

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dogwoodgirl

01/11/2011 02:57PM

Cool!

~On to Fort Chippewan before the snow flies!

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Bog

02/18/2011 01:42PM

Wow, you guys are awesome!

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Corndog

03/02/2011 01:44PM

This is the greatest idea since sliced bread!

OMG "Corndogged again!" My all time favorite quote.

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ladyspiller

04/01/2011 08:18PM

Thanks, Adam!!! We love all you do for us.

-Ed

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Frenchy19

07/19/2011 01:00AM

"He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious." Yogi Berra

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Hawbakers

10/11/2011 07:01PM

Hi. Question. I understand the need for this but I guess I'm wondering why one of my threads about meeting another member of this board would be an off-topic post. I don't recall marking it as an off-topic thread. Do the moderators have the ability to change a thread to be an OT one?

I'm assuming that someone did change it and I figure the reason is:

A: The general thought is there is no archival value of off-topic posts so they will end up being automatically deleted after being inactive for a period of time.

Not that it bothers me that it will disappear, I just wanted to be clear as to when I should mark my threads as such. Thanks. ~ Karen

"Far more interesting than the chase itself is the observation, the study of the life histories of the strange and wonderful creatures of the wilderness." President Theodore Roosevelt

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adam

Moderator

10/11/2011 07:38PM

Correct

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fitgers1

11/22/2011 05:46PM

I am seeing threads on my iPhone and my computer at work. But not here at home. Can't figure that out. Could it have something to do with OT?

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson...and...“Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

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Les Ismore

04/27/2012 03:32AM

That's a great idea. Hate people who post just for more trees.
By the way, can anyone help me buy a new car, as I just got accepted by Harvard to play football?

Build a man a fire, keep him warm for a night; set a man on fire, keep him warm the rest of his life.

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