Should we have an OT forum?

[kiNGMak]

Since out of the top 5 most viewed threads.. 1,2, and 4 are OT subjects.

[scott540]

I would rather have it all in one like it is now. I come here for both on a nd off topic anyway.

[Erick]

Since out of the top 5 most viewed threads.. 1,2, and 4 are OT subjects.

I think that's a great idea. For those that want technical discussions they come to this forum, and for OT subjects they jump to the OT forum. It would help reduce some of the clutter when you are interested in one or the other but not both.

Erick

[Mr Project]

I like the idea of an OT forum too....maybe because I'm not really interested in the OT stuff usually.

[G Feller]

If you don't like the OT stuff, ignore it!

[Anton CH.]

I agree. Off topic stuff should be seperate from e34 related info.

[George M]

my bend on the OT stuff as an active participant on the early board is you will only create discontent when debating either religion or politics on a forum dedicated to
classic BMW's. It took me a while to learn this lesson but believe abstinence is the best practice when it comes to OT unless it relates to a little soft porn or computer related stuff which most of us are interested in :-)
Perhaps an OT dedicated board is in order so that Ed would have a place to discard a volatile thread. But egos and emotion are such that most want to air their righteous opinion in front of everybody and not on some more obscure back board.
There will never be unanimity when it comes to a complex subject such as Iraq for example. If you think you can change another members mind even with postulating a plethora of facts, you are seriously mistaken. Best to leave well enough alone has been my experience and if you want to actively campaign your cause, do so in a more proper setting.
Among my lessons learned but always tempted to get into the frey.
George

[Erick]

my bend on the OT stuff as an active participant on the early board is you will only create discontent when debating either religion or politics on a forum dedicated to
classic BMW's. It took me a while to learn this lesson but believe abstinence is the best practice when it comes to OT unless it relates to a little soft porn or computer related stuff which most of us are interested in :-)
Perhaps an OT dedicated board is in order so that Ed would have a place to discard a volatile thread. But egos and emotion are such that most want to air their righteous opinion in front of everybody and not on some more obscure back board.
There will never be unanimity when it comes to a complex subject such as Iraq for example. If you think you can change another members mind even with postulating a plethora of facts, you are seriously mistaken. Best to leave well enough alone has been my experience and if you want to actively campaign your cause, do so in a more proper setting.
Among my lessons learned but always tempted to get into the frey.
George

Great points, George.

The fact is, if there is a dedicated OT forum, then anyone can visit it any time they want. And if you don't want it, you don't have to actively try to ignore it - or have the number of technical discussions diluted by OT threads (and vice-versa).

[AA540]

I think we should seperate it. This is a BMW E34 board first, and a bs outlet for us regulars second. Those who visit us for advice might get buried with the OT stuff when they come back to see a response and may not be able (or willing) to look for a response. In my opinion if this is a forum to further knowledge and help other E34 owners or would be owners lets keep the main area for E34s and a seperate area for OT. The latest topics will show up on the main page anyway, just decide which forum to visit.

AA

[632 Regal]

The technical stuff has its own dedicated forums (archives) for those looking for the serious info. This forum is for all the other stuff, OT posts, quick replies to common problems etc.

just my 2¢

[warton]

A "Political Asylum" board where those who enjoy debating politics can go. Other OT discussions don't seem to be a problem that I've seen - they are part of what makes the board so enjoyable. But the political stuff just ends up in constant flame-wars, cluttering up the community with divisive - and usally offensive to one side or the other - posts. I'd hate to see people being told to "take it to the OT forum" for posting, say, a link to that laser game we all got so addicted to. ;-) Those kinds of threads belong here, IMO.

Peter

[AA540]

So you dont forsee any new problems or changes in repairs. Winfreds excellent transmission repair write up was not in the archives. Lets keep the OT and E34s seperate.

[632 Regal]

Peter, that is an excellent thought!!!

[G Feller]

A "Political Asylum" board where those who enjoy debating politics can go. Other OT discussions don't seem to be a problem that I've seen - they are part of what makes the board so enjoyable. But the political stuff just ends up in constant flame-wars, cluttering up the community with divisive - and usally offensive to one side or the other - posts. I'd hate to see people being told to "take it to the OT forum" for posting, say, a link to that laser game we all got so addicted to. ;-) Those kinds of threads belong here, IMO.

Peter

[G Feller]

But let's face it, what we have here are a few generous gurus and a whole lot of hacks who hate Roadflea. :p I think the masters enjoy a lot of the OT stuff as much as anyone.

I look forward to this board every day, but posts would be mighty thin if they all had to be related to an E34 maintenance, upgrade or repair issue. Unless we all decide to ignore Bruno's wonderful site, which if people always checked there first there would be even fewer posts here.


So you dont forsee any new problems or changes in repairs. Winfreds excellent transmission repair write up was not in the archives. Lets keep the OT and E34s seperate.

[AA540]

Ok, I have no problems either way, maybe Ed should put up an other poll and we can decide that way. There are probably some lurkers that are afraid to speak up either way on this debate. We all could probaly agree on having a fair and democratic vote on the issue, and live with the results. My point was the VB allows you to see the last post on the forum on the main page, so if you want you could respond to either once you hit the main page. I can live with either decision.

AA

[Bimmer Nut Ed]

I like this idea. An "Extremely OT" board I can move those long ass topics off to. Cause I also agree, normal OT discussions are part of whats nice on the board. But yeah, If I can have a dumping ground for some of those super long political discussions, I 'd like it. You may see one soon.


A "Political Asylum" board where those who enjoy debating politics can go. Other OT discussions don't seem to be a problem that I've seen - they are part of what makes the board so enjoyable. But the political stuff just ends up in constant flame-wars, cluttering up the community with divisive - and usally offensive to one side or the other - posts. I'd hate to see people being told to "take it to the OT forum" for posting, say, a link to that laser game we all got so addicted to. ;-) Those kinds of threads belong here, IMO.

Peter

[632 Regal]

I like this idea. An "Extremely OT" board I can move those long ass topics off to. Cause I also agree, normal OT discussions are part of whats nice on the board. But yeah, If I can have a dumping ground for some of those super long political discussions, I 'd like it. You may see one soon.

[shragon]

my vote goes for seperate OT and E34 forums. always has been.