In the index menus, there's a column labeled "Posts". I was noticing that the Café presently has 82877 posts. That's the most active forum on our board, with the General Flashlight Discussion forum trailing slightly, showing 82470. The other forums by comparison aren't even competitors. So, since the board's primary theme is flashlights, I found it interesting that the most used forum is not about flashlights. It's not that there's anything wrong with an off-topic forum receiving such heavy use; it's just interesting.
I became curious as to what attracts our members to our off-topic forum which we call The Café, thus the title of the thread. I thought it would be interesting to hear what the Café means to you, and what you might think it's purpose is, or for what you think it should be used. Since I started the thread, I guess I should go first.
I've no idea how many web-based boards there are, but their numbers grow daily. Very few are actually open boards of any-thing-goes. Instead, most have a specific theme, and as much as possible, the users are expected to adhere to that theme. As people become involved with the forums there is a common side-effect, so to speak. In addition to simply posting messages and reading, a social circle develops, with friendships and relationships that extend beyond the primary function of the board. In many cases these new relationships extend beyond the board. Sometimes there's meetings of the new friends, or possibly online relationships extending to other boards or net activities. Anyway, such a social atmosphere encourages discussions of more than whatever theme a board may profess.
Most boards, when recognizing the development of social relationships among their users, wisely attempt to accommodate them by permitting them to break free of strictly on-topic conversation. They generally establish a forum on their board, often called Off Topic that enables the users to relax in their efforts to remain on-topic and discuss other matters that may be of interest. Does this mean the board is expanding their objectives and incorporating new and additional themes for the board? Of course not. The board still has a primary purpose, but has simply provided a legitimate venue for socializing.
CPF recognizes the wisdom in this, and has provided an off-topic forum for us. Here the members can come and relax, and discuss subjects that aren't near as important or dear to our hearts as flashlights. But such discussions are still important to a circle of friends that do have an occasional stray thought outside of the realm of flashlights. Since we are among friends, we treat one another with respect, just as we would if we were physically together, recognizing that opinions vary, and that encroaching on other's convictions and political leanings is a very delicate venture.
There are some things an off-topic forum, or The Café is not. One thing it's not is a springboard for producing non-flashlight related forum topics within CPF. The forums of CPF are either flashlight related (or similar in interest), or it's a CPF administrative forum. Even our off-topic forum is related, in that it's "off-topic to flashlights" and not a specific topic to anything. Building a forum from an often discussed off-topic theme would be like having an off-topic forum dedicated to some sort of on-topic theme having nothing to do with the board's theme. (Try figuring out what that sentence means, and get back to me; I might need help with it the next time I read it). Another thing it's not, is a resource for a private highly controversial agenda. Just as in real life, a controversial agenda while not necessarily wrong, requires skill, diplomacy and an objective plan in order to do anything more than create conflict. Constant and non-judicious reference to a controversial topic would draw ire from most public settings, and The Café is no different. Readers of The Café are there for light, relaxing conversation. Light relaxing conversation can develop into something heavier, as can heavier conversation be introduced as a matter of interest. However, constant efforts to preach, condemn, convert, or browbeat is intimidation, and has nothing to do with the objectives or purposes of an off-topic forum. It's difficult to relax and enjoy friendly conversation while being told you're going to hell or your political leanings are the reason for the world's ills. It's also difficult to relax and enjoy friendly conversation while feeling it necessary to tell people they're going to hell or their political affiliation is the cause of the world's ills. Why bother?
Your turn.
P.S.- Disclaimer: This is strictly personal observation, and was not initiated as an administrative decision
I became curious as to what attracts our members to our off-topic forum which we call The Café, thus the title of the thread. I thought it would be interesting to hear what the Café means to you, and what you might think it's purpose is, or for what you think it should be used. Since I started the thread, I guess I should go first.
I've no idea how many web-based boards there are, but their numbers grow daily. Very few are actually open boards of any-thing-goes. Instead, most have a specific theme, and as much as possible, the users are expected to adhere to that theme. As people become involved with the forums there is a common side-effect, so to speak. In addition to simply posting messages and reading, a social circle develops, with friendships and relationships that extend beyond the primary function of the board. In many cases these new relationships extend beyond the board. Sometimes there's meetings of the new friends, or possibly online relationships extending to other boards or net activities. Anyway, such a social atmosphere encourages discussions of more than whatever theme a board may profess.
Most boards, when recognizing the development of social relationships among their users, wisely attempt to accommodate them by permitting them to break free of strictly on-topic conversation. They generally establish a forum on their board, often called Off Topic that enables the users to relax in their efforts to remain on-topic and discuss other matters that may be of interest. Does this mean the board is expanding their objectives and incorporating new and additional themes for the board? Of course not. The board still has a primary purpose, but has simply provided a legitimate venue for socializing.
CPF recognizes the wisdom in this, and has provided an off-topic forum for us. Here the members can come and relax, and discuss subjects that aren't near as important or dear to our hearts as flashlights. But such discussions are still important to a circle of friends that do have an occasional stray thought outside of the realm of flashlights. Since we are among friends, we treat one another with respect, just as we would if we were physically together, recognizing that opinions vary, and that encroaching on other's convictions and political leanings is a very delicate venture.
There are some things an off-topic forum, or The Café is not. One thing it's not is a springboard for producing non-flashlight related forum topics within CPF. The forums of CPF are either flashlight related (or similar in interest), or it's a CPF administrative forum. Even our off-topic forum is related, in that it's "off-topic to flashlights" and not a specific topic to anything. Building a forum from an often discussed off-topic theme would be like having an off-topic forum dedicated to some sort of on-topic theme having nothing to do with the board's theme. (Try figuring out what that sentence means, and get back to me; I might need help with it the next time I read it). Another thing it's not, is a resource for a private highly controversial agenda. Just as in real life, a controversial agenda while not necessarily wrong, requires skill, diplomacy and an objective plan in order to do anything more than create conflict. Constant and non-judicious reference to a controversial topic would draw ire from most public settings, and The Café is no different. Readers of The Café are there for light, relaxing conversation. Light relaxing conversation can develop into something heavier, as can heavier conversation be introduced as a matter of interest. However, constant efforts to preach, condemn, convert, or browbeat is intimidation, and has nothing to do with the objectives or purposes of an off-topic forum. It's difficult to relax and enjoy friendly conversation while being told you're going to hell or your political leanings are the reason for the world's ills. It's also difficult to relax and enjoy friendly conversation while feeling it necessary to tell people they're going to hell or their political affiliation is the cause of the world's ills. Why bother?
Your turn.
P.S.- Disclaimer: This is strictly personal observation, and was not initiated as an administrative decision