MODS: What is "On Topic?"

[Silent Method]

We all know that every time a thread is moved or deleted people bitch. Perhaps defining just what "on topic" is in regard to the "Anabolic" board is in order.

The board description reads "Anabolic Discussion Board, A forum for anything related to bodybuilding."

"Anything related to bodybuilding" is a pretty hefty category, yet it seems many members and mods feel that the content posted on the anabolic board should be restricted to that which deals with anabolic and other drugs.

Granted, Elite has boards dedicated to training, diet, miscellaneous chat, and many other topics. A considerate user should make an attempt to place threads in the most appropriate section. However, I feel that as long as the thread is tied in with bodybuilding in some way, the actions of deleting or moving the threads has nothing to do with them being "off topic." Instead, the subjective tasteat best, or personal agenda at worst, of the given mod determines whether the thread will stay or go.

I understand that this board is not subject to the whims of it's users. The mods have "mod power" for a reason. However, I think it would cut down on SOME of the whining if;

1. Mods worked to better coordinate the criteria for which they move or delete posts, and post a list such criteria for the users.

or

2. The Anabolic board description "A forum for anything related to bodybuilding" was modified to represent the "true intent" of the board.

 

[THE BOUNCER]

good point. i feel the description should be change to "a forum to discuss anabolic steroids" but that's just me.

 

[panerai]

Anabolic discussion board...so Off Topic means anything not related to anabolics.
You must be very bored SM..

 

[WARBIRDWS6]

Anabolic discussion board...so Off Topic means anything not related to anabolics.
You must be very bored SM..

yeah, but you can relate just about ANYTHING we discuss to anabolics. like i need valium to calm down due to anabolic usage, or i can't get it up with my g/f due to anabolic usage. or i broke up with my g/f cuz she found my gear. i weigh 230 cuz of anabolics (there you go SM, lol). i can find a relation in some way to anabolics for just about any thread on this whole board. change it to "anabolic drug specific discussion forum" if that is the case.

 

[Silent Method]

Anabolic discussion board...so Off Topic means anything not related to anabolics.
You must be very bored SM..

You kidding bro? Did you read my post? Go here and read the part about "A forum for anything related to bodybuilding."

In addition, "anabolic" simply means constructive as opposed to destructive metabolism. The word does not carry with it the intrinsic implication of anabolic compounds.

 

[Silent Method]

i weigh 230 cuz of anabolics (there you go SM, lol).

Thanks for the plug bro!

 

[WARBIRDWS6]

You kidding bro? Did you read my post? Go here and read the part about "A forum for anything related to bodybuilding."

In addition, "anabolic" simply means constructive as opposed to destructive metabolism. The word does not carry with it the intrinsic implication of anabolic compounds.

yes that is why the food posts are "anabolic" i challenged a few guys who said food/diet posts should be moved, and they had NOTHING to say. lol. food isn't anabolic? lol. i agree. there are a few really stupid ass posts we all post when we are high, or mad, or whatever.....but most of the ones that get moved are the legit posts dealing with "anabolic" type stuff that isn't necessarily roids.

 

[Silent Method]

^

 

[WARBIRDWS6]

^

lol. stop bumping this post that has nothing to do with anabolics! or else banishment!

 

[bbkingpin]

LOOK. I don't jump from one board to another to another to another. If something is funny and the other people on the Anabolic board can appreciate it, I don't think it is off-topic.
But maybe serious off-topic threads should be kept off here. I just have to get used to checking out the Chat & Conversation board more ofter. I just started and noticed that a lot of the names I recognize on Anabolic Board are also on Chat & Conversation. So, maybe I should jump around more often. After all, I am usually on-line here because it is more intellectually stimulating than watching the television.
I don't think and talk exclusively about steroids, and I don't think anyone else does, so people are bound to get off-topic now and again. I think what SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED is that the Chat and Conversation board is only a click away. (But I have a cable modem connection so it isn't that inconvenient.)
I think so long as the THREAD is on-topic, you have to expect people to go off on tangents when they post replies. That is the way human beings converse in person, after all. Some more than others.

 

[Riker29]

I hardly read and post here anymore, and its due to this very issue.

My OPINION (and before one of the pissy boys rants about this, its my OPINION, so setlle down)

Its an Anabolic board. The topics should be restricted to that, and arguably, maybe training, diet, and bodybuilding.

But what is tolerated?

Sad ass jokes from Seinfeld wannabees (most of which are not funny at all)
People whining about their girlfriends.
Sob stories about people's lives (my mom is sick ...my dog died)
Local discussions (Hey Bros I am in Jersey what club do ya'll go to!)
Rants from little boys (This one dude at the gym really pissed me off)

.. and tons of crap like this that is tolerated WAY too much, and ruins the board.

Most of this stuff should be sent stright to that "chat" board. Oh - the chat board does not have enough traffic so people can see your lame joke? Well boo-hoo for you! Maybe if "chat" stuff was all sent there, it WOULD have more traffic!

Yes, I know the next argument "well Riker, THAT post was a chat-type post>'. I agree. I just had to say this stuff.

Its a shame there are some guys on here that know a LOT and spend a LOT of time helping others, and its a shame that one must wade through tons of off-topic crap.

And yes, sure, I understand that people have problems (I DO some counseling with people, so I know what its like for peopel to be upset and need to talk) but lets face it .... an Anabolic board is NOT the place to whine about your girl or to look for a shoulder to cry on when your dog has died.

And yeah, I am sure that a lot of guys will whine about what i have had to say - they are just proving my point. Thanks for the help.

Its a shame really. This is a good board, has SOME great knowledgebale guys (and a few that THINK they know about but dont - that another problem) and its a shame that the tolerance of off-topic stuff is allowed to continue. Its one of the major problem with Elite, and why I spend no where near as much time here as I used to.

The bottom line though? This board is part of a business, and it comes down to whatever George wants for his business IS the way it will be. My opinion would be that keeping the boards on-topic a bit more would ultimately help keep more people (a lot of good bros have left becuae of this problem) but ultimately, its George's call.

Be well. Have a good T-Day.

Later for now.

 

[Zyglamail]

I feel as Ryker does but of course you guys all knew that. Ive been telling you a lot of people leave because of the offtopic BS but everyone argues otherwise.

Silent, since the forum definitions on the main forum page does leave one wondering where certian posts should be, here is how I like to look at it.

If a post is better suited to another forum it gets moved. Sure food can be considered anabolic, but if its a simple diet question in my opinion it belongs on the diet board. Another example would be a diet/food question but in regards insulin use. That I would keep here because of its drug undertones.

More examples.....General lifting question, off to the training or PL board they go. Lifting questions specifically asked with regards to being on cycle (ie should I up sets, reps etc when on cycle) generally stay because of the AAS undertones.

One can concievably argue that nearly anything is anabolic or related to bodybuilding so instead of argueing perception I simply ask the question, is there a board better suited? Most of the time yes. Last week or so I havent moved as many off topic posts(ie diet, lifting questions etc) for a couple reasons. First im tired of listing to you people piss and moan about and actually contemplating stepping down so I dont have to waste my time with incessent chatter. Next because I figure if I let shit go long enough we will either start to see a rise in complaints about off topic stuff or we will see more vets leaving and not comming back.

In the end, there is a TOS for this site and when every one of you registered you agreed to it and that TOS basically give George and his representatives power to move/delete as we see fit so if you dont like you have a couple choice. E-mail george with specifics of your complaint, or simply deal with it.

 

[WARBIRDWS6]

I feel as Ryker does but of course you guys all knew that. Ive been telling you a lot of people leave because of the offtopic BS but everyone argues otherwise.

Silent, since the forum definitions on the main forum page does leave one wondering where certian posts should be, here is how I like to look at it.

If a post is better suited to another forum it gets moved. Sure food can be considered anabolic, but if its a simple diet question in my opinion it belongs on the diet board. Another example would be a diet/food question but in regards insulin use. That I would keep here because of its drug undertones.

More examples.....General lifting question, off to the training or PL board they go. Lifting questions specifically asked with regards to being on cycle (ie should I up sets, reps etc when on cycle) generally stay because of the AAS undertones.

One can concievably argue that nearly anything is anabolic or related to bodybuilding so instead of argueing perception I simply ask the question, is there a board better suited? Most of the time yes. Last week or so I havent moved as many off topic posts(ie diet, lifting questions etc) for a couple reasons. First im tired of listing to you people piss and moan about and actually contemplating stepping down so I dont have to waste my time with incessent chatter. Next because I figure if I let shit go long enough we will either start to see a rise in complaints about off topic stuff or we will see more vets leaving and not comming back.

In the end, there is a TOS for this site and when every one of you registered you agreed to it and that TOS basically give George and his representatives power to move/delete as we see fit so if you dont like you have a couple choice. E-mail george with specifics of your complaint, or simply deal with it.

ok so what i got out of all this is that if we all piss and moan enough....you won't move our shit??? lol. :havoc:

 

[Silent Method]

Silent, since the forum definitions on the main forum page does leave one wondering where certian posts should be, here is how I like to look at it.

If a post is better suited to another forum it gets moved.

I think this is an excellent point, and the right way to go about moderating the boards. However, in regard to the practical application of this policy on these boards, I see two problems.

The first is simply that the definition of the anabolic board as "A forum for anything related to bodybuilding" IS so indiscriminate. If the board is meant first and foremost as a forum for the discussion of anabolic drugs and related issues of bodybuilding, why not redefine the anabolic board as "a forum for the discussion of anabolic drugs and related issues of bodybuilding?" Arguments of what is on and what is off topic would not (and will never) be eliminated. However, I feel that redefining the anabolic board with a more discriminate definition would surely lessen the confusion.

Secondly, as I stated before, I think that the mods themselves need to better coordinate the criteria for which they move or delete posts. In addition, and perhaps of more importance, I feel that many mods need to make a greater contribution to the moderation of the board. Using Zyg's criteria of "if a post is better suited to another forum it gets moved" is fine. However, I believe only a small number of mods actually take the time to do it.

One or two mods like Zyg, working as best they can to keep board content organized in a more desirable way can't cut it. A common argument I often see with the whiners is "why'd you move my post when this more off topic post wasn't touched." I feel that if more mods took the time to MODERATE and move posts to the board where they best fit, over time the users would get the hint and start taking advantage of the multiple boards as they were meant to be used.

 

[Zyglamail]

ok so what i got out of all this is that if we all piss and moan enough....you won't move our shit??? lol. :havoc:

Basically yes, I wont move them because I wont be a mod so if your goal is to drive me away then keep it up. I dont get paid enough (ie nothing) to deal with your posturing.

I think this is an excellent point, and the right way to go about moderating the boards. However, in regard to the practical application of this policy on these boards, I see two problems.

The first is simply that the definition of the anabolic board as "A forum for anything related to bodybuilding" IS so indiscriminate. If the board is meant first and foremost as a forum for the discussion of anabolic drugs and related issues of bodybuilding, why not redefine the anabolic board as "a forum for the discussion of anabolic drugs and related issues of bodybuilding?" Arguments of what is on and what is off topic would not (and will never) be eliminated. However, I feel that redefining the anabolic board with a more discriminate definition would surely lessen the confusion.

I totally agree board definition on main page should be a tad clearer, but ultimatly thats out of my control all I can, and will do, is bring it to Georges attention.

Secondly, as I stated before, I think that the mods themselves need to better coordinate the criteria for which they move or delete posts. In addition, and perhaps of more importance, I feel that many mods need to make a greater contribution to the moderation of the board. Using Zyg's criteria of "if a post is better suited to another forum it gets moved" is fine. However, I believe only a small number of mods actually take the time to do it.

Granted a lot of posts do slip through the cracks and as all of you know some mods contribute and are on more frequently than others. Once again this is out of my hands.

One or two mods like Zyg, working as best they can to keep board content organized in a more desirable way can't cut it. A common argument I often see with the whiners is "why'd you move my post when this more off topic post wasn't touched." I feel that if more mods took the time to MODERATE and move posts to the board where they best fit, over time the users would get the hint and start taking advantage of the multiple boards as they were meant to be used.

Once again a good point but I cant force mods to do their job. Not long ago there was a similar thread and from the users who dislikeall the off topic discussion I asked for their help. This help was in the form of using the karma system to politely notify people their post was off topic. There is more to this than simply mods moving posts its about the community as a whole and the vets play a huge rols in setting the stage for what is and is not acceptable. In the mean time though, it seems the more agressive the stance I take the more flak I get, this also is seen by members and simply encourages more off topic chatter about posts being moved etc. Its all kind of like shoveling water.

 

[WARBIRDWS6]

Basically yes, I wont move them because I wont be a mod so if your goal is to drive me away then keep it up. I dont get paid enough (ie nothing) to deal with your posturing.

oh for the love of GOD...i am the least of the problems with off topic posts. getting pissed off every once and a while and posting this guy is an asshole, or why did you move my post, happens with me once every few months if that. so stop yer crying lol

 

[Silent Method]

In the mean time though, it seems the more agressive the stance I take the more flak I get, this also is seen by members and simply encourages more off topic chatter about posts being moved etc. Its all kind of like shoveling water.

I hear you. However, I think we'd both agree that if these policies were practiced quite aggressively by a greater number of mods on a more frequent and regular basis, over time most of the users would get the hint, whine less, and use the boards as intended.