Author Topic: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section? (Read 307 times)

chilipepper · « **on:** February 27, 2018, 07:28:05 pm »

Should this forum have an "Off topic" section for possible discussion of politics, religion, gun control, etc.?

If Asher has already decided - he's the boss so I'm ok if it's already settled. Just asking.

HGMuller · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2018, 09:12:39 am »

Bad idea. Why should such things be discussed here? Aren't there enough places elsewhere to do that?

GothicChessInventor · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2018, 05:09:04 pm »

Quote from: chilipepper on February 27, 2018, 07:28:05 pm

Should this forum have an "Off topic" section for possible discussion of politics, religion, gun control, etc.?

If Asher has already decided - he's the boss so I'm ok if it's already settled. Just asking.

This is the quickest way to have an otherwise perfectly nice place to visit become a place I would most likely avoid into the forever future.

ebinola · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2018, 05:31:43 pm »

We can certainly have an off-topic board, but most of what you said should be off-limits in terms of discussion points. While I love a good debate on politics, religion, etc., it can prove to be very dividing, especially in places where people originate from all different schools of thought.
Asher would also have to assign moderators to handle the forum, since 'off-topic' will still attract political/religious posts regardless of whether or not it's stated that these are off-limits.

chilipepper · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2018, 09:27:35 pm »

My suspicion is that most people on this forum are sensible and reasonable, and have respect for one another's opinions. If a topic is labeled as "Off Topic" then people can choose to not go there, or if they visit they should know that differences in personal views should not be taken to the other topics.

If there is a thread where members become impolite and rude, then the moderators (I suppose it's only Asher currently) can delete the rude posts, or even delete the topic altogether.

Some ideas for an "Off Topic" section can be:

"Off Topic"

"The Chess Cafe"

"Anything goes"

"The rumble room"

"The Town Hall"

any others?

Asher Hurowitz · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2018, 10:20:54 pm »

Quote from: chilipepper on April 12, 2018, 09:27:35 pm

My suspicion is that most people on this forum are sensible and reasonable, and have respect for one another's opinions. If a topic is labeled as "Off Topic" then people can choose to not go there, or if they visit they should know that differences in personal views should not be taken to the other topics.

If there is a thread where members become impolite and rude, then the moderators (I suppose it's only Asher currently) can delete the rude posts, or even delete the topic altogether.

Some ideas for an "Off Topic" section can be:

"Off Topic"

"The Chess Cafe"

"Anything goes"

"The rumble room"

"The Town Hall"

any others?

I'm fine with whatever keeps the forum a healthy environment, I just don't want to open up a can of worms and deter people who would otherwise actively contribute. This forum is for chess variants. However, if there was enough support I would add the board. (Now that GothicChessInventor has left us I guess that gets rid of your most vocal opposition thus far).

joejoyce · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2018, 01:37:12 am »

While I am very different from GCI, I find myself agreeing with his sentiment about politics, religion, sex, or any other hot-button topics. The topics I want to discuss and/or argue about here are related to chess variants. If you wish to discuss politics or other topics with me, friend me on Facebook, if it's still there after its complicity in the Russian attacks on the US election. I'll cheerfully argue for fewer, not more, types of pieces in (very) large variants and the inclusion of crossover games here, like Tafl Chess or Battle of Macysburg. As a long-time editor at chessvariants.com, I can assure you that people will get more than passionate about chess and chess variants and need to be moderated. Others here can tell you that, too. I come here for the chess. Of course, all I have to do is ignore the off-topic area. But I wonder about how we'd all get along if we found we were bitter political/religious/ethnic/economic... enemies?

Grin, my 2 cents.

chilipepper · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2018, 02:09:03 am »

Good comments. To compare with other forums that I visit, the "Sudoku Players Forum" had a "Cafe" for any type of discussion. (Sudoku is another hobby of mine, but has mostly been superseded by chess).

I'm also a member at an astronomy forum, and I believe they don't have a forum for off-topic. (correction: actually they do and it's very popular).

chess.com has many provisions for off-topic discussion. They have both a public forum called "Off-topic", and also allow private (unmoderated) clubs to be set up. One club is "free speech" (115 members), and another is "open discussion" (837 members). I'm a member of both clubs, but only visit them occasionally. I've seen anything and everything discussed in the private clubs.

My personal preference is more options for people to communicate rather than less.

I've seldom had a conflict with anyone, and in one very rare case where I did, I challenged him to a chess game. (tension can make game-play more fun and intense). But he declined.

joejoyce · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2018, 01:52:43 pm »

In general, I'm in favor of more communications, and I, too, have challenged more than one politically opposite person to a chess variant, myself. I usually suggest hyperchess:

Off-topic posts are sometimes great for building community. I would just suggest another section, the Netherworld, where discussions that get too heated, polarized, or just too generally outrageous can be consigned, so they may be continued without intruding on the larger community. In any case, I withdraw all objections.

chilipepper · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2018, 10:05:23 pm »

Quote from: joejoyce on April 13, 2018, 01:52:43 pm

...I too, have challenged more than one politically opposite person to a chess variant, myself. I usually suggest hyperchess...

Oh boy. I think it might be better if people don't get in an argument with you.

Slight correction on my former information. The off-topic section at the Sudoku Players' Forum is called the "coffee bar". If anyone is interested in seeing it, it's here (near bottom):
http://forum.enjoysudoku.com/

joejoyce · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2018, 11:57:04 am »

Quote from: chilipepper on April 13, 2018, 10:05:23 pm

Quote from: joejoyce on April 13, 2018, 01:52:43 pm
...I too, have challenged more than one politically opposite person to a chess variant, myself. I usually suggest hyperchess...
Oh boy. I think it might be better if people don't get in an argument with you.

It's amazing how, and how often, that works! It's actually a fairly easy game, certainly the easiest and closest to standard Western chess 4D variant I know of. Grin, if you're ever interested, I'll cheerfully play a game, even if not very well. I've never claimed to be any good at it. In fact, it's about the only 4D vriant I can play and understand what I'm doing and even what my opponent may be doing.

chilipepper · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2018, 05:58:05 pm »

Quote from: joejoyce on April 16, 2018, 11:57:04 am

It's amazing how, and how often, that works! It's actually a fairly easy game, certainly the easiest and closest to standard Western chess 4D variant I know of. Grin, if you're ever interested, I'll cheerfully play a game, even if not very well. I've never claimed to be any good at it. In fact, it's about the only 4D vriant I can play and understand what I'm doing and even what my opponent may be doing.

Thanks for the offer. I might like to play sometime but unfortunatelly I'm a little too busy right now to add any more games to my roster. But one question I have - if we did play, at which website would you suggest playing?

chilipepper · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2018, 06:01:20 pm »

Also, a more general question (to anyone). Is chess considered off-topic?

If we would like to discuss chess (that is orthodox chess and not variant chess) at what forum category should we use?

HGMuller · « **Reply #13 on:** April 18, 2018, 04:00:01 am »

Orthodox Chess is a variant of Chess (known as the Mad Queen variant).

Asher Hurowitz · « **Reply #14 on:** April 18, 2018, 08:27:39 am »

Quote from: chilipepper on April 17, 2018, 06:01:20 pm

Also, a more general question (to anyone). Is chess considered off-topic?

If we would like to discuss chess (that is orthodox chess and not variant chess) at what forum category should we use?

If you want to discuss Orthochess then I always thought you could either do it in General Discussion or if it really became very popular I would create a separate board for it.

The Chess Variant Forum

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Author Topic: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section? (Read 307 times)

chilipepper

Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

HGMuller

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

GothicChessInventor

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

ebinola

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

chilipepper

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

Asher Hurowitz

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

joejoyce

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

chilipepper

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

joejoyce

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

chilipepper

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

joejoyce

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

chilipepper

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

chilipepper

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

HGMuller

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?

Asher Hurowitz

Re: Should this Forum have an Off-Topic section?