Keep it, but narrow its focus somewhat to "The Place Where We Talk About Other Items Of Geek Interest, But Keep Your Politics And Your Religion To Yo' Damn Self".

I like that we have one here, rather than going off elsewhere to talk about such other stuff, because it's already part of the site - you already know who you're talking to. If you like shootin' the breeze with me about, say, D&D or playstyles, maybe you'll be interested in what I have to say about Neuromancer or Xanadu.

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!Keep it, but narrow its focus somewhat to "The Place Where We Talk About Other Items Of Geek Interest, But Keep Your Politics And Your Religion To Yo' Damn Self".

I like that we have one here, rather than going off elsewhere to talk about such other stuff, because it's already part of the site - you already know who you're talking to. If you like shootin' the breeze with me about, say, D&D or playstyles, maybe you'll be interested in what I have to say about Neuromancer or Xanadu.

I'd settle for this as a compromise but frankly I think the vast majority of us can talk politics and religion without it turning into a shit flinging contest.  There's no need to issue a blanketwide ban because of a vocal minority.

Quote from: James McMurrayIs there one where I can discuss religion with Pundit, Spike, Akrasia, Mr. Analytical, Beejazz, malleus, and many of the others whose posts on the topic I've enjoyed reading and (dis)agreeing with?

I certainly see your point, and I've also enjoyed reading some debates in OT from the posters you named and others.  My concern is that there are always going to be people like Nox who want to flame and spout banal jigoisms (great phrase Malleus) anytime you get into political and religious discussions.  There is far less of that in RPG discussions although it does occur.  

Monitoring OT uses up the limited time and resources of Admins (and posters as well) who feel compelled to respond to some of the crap being spewed by a few fucktards rather than engage in RPG discussions.  So I guess it ultimately comes down to a cost/benefit analysis by those in charge as to whether having OT is worth the time and resources it takes to police it.  Given Pundit's posts on Nox and now this one I'm guessing that OT is starting to look like more trouble than it is worth.  That is why I voted as I did although I do think Dr. Rotwang had a good suggestion.

Well, in fact the one problem us admins haven't had is "monitoring people's postings". Its not a very full time job, because unlike in other sites we aren't supposed to check their every words for signs of forbidden speech. Its only one or two individuals who can ever be considered to cross the very very very broad line of what might not be permitted here.

So please, don't vote against OT for the poor little admins' sakes.

RPGPundit

I say just rename it "Tangency" and be done with it...

Quote from: Tom BI say just rename it "Tangency" and be done with it...

I am going to hunt you down and kill you.

With a pie.

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!Keep it, but narrow its focus somewhat to "The Place Where We Talk About Other Items Of Geek Interest, But Keep Your Politics And Your Religion To Yo' Damn Self".

I like that we have one here, rather than going off elsewhere to talk about such other stuff, because it's already part of the site - you already know who you're talking to. If you like shootin' the breeze with me about, say, D&D or playstyles, maybe you'll be interested in what I have to say about Neuromancer or Xanadu.

Yep. A gaming forum is one of the last places where I'd look to discuss religion and politics.

In fact the Internet is one of the last places where I'd look to discuss religion and politics.

Quote from: StumpydaveI'd settle for this as a compromise but frankly I think the vast majority of us can talk politics and religion without it turning into a shit flinging contest.  

I agree - we can. We just don't have to. We can have an OT forum that doesn't discourage political/religious discussion, but how long before we're right back here again? That's really my concern.  

I mean, this site is built on a kind of freedom of speech/honor system mentality. Most of us have it down, some of us don't. I think if we say, "Let's stick to RPGs in the main fora and marginalia in Off-Topic", those of us who can't resist dooking in the sandbox will have to go in knowing that, hey, it's posted.

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!Keep it, but narrow its focus somewhat to "The Place Where We Talk About Other Items Of Geek Interest, But Keep Your Politics And Your Religion To Yo' Damn Self".

I like that we have one here, rather than going off elsewhere to talk about such other stuff, because it's already part of the site - you already know who you're talking to. If you like shootin' the breeze with me about, say, D&D or playstyles, maybe you'll be interested in what I have to say about Neuromancer or Xanadu.

This has my vote.  Discussions about comics, books and movies can add value.  Discussions about politics and religion add nothing.  Since I lack the willpower to stay out of them I demand the iron hand of moderation to compensate for my own lack of moral fibre.

Can we be honest here? The only reason we're even considering nuking the Off Topic forum is the rantings of ONE person, and that person is Dominus Nox. OT is a safety valve for the rest of the site, and gives us an outlet for the occasional rant and "off topic" discussion.

I'm also going to amend what I said earlier. Remember how before I was against a Nox ban?

I'VE CHANGED MY MIND. LET'S BAN NOX.

Please give me a minute to explain. Within six months, we'll have more posts on the OT section than in the rpg section, and that's because of NOX. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I've finally come to the conclusion that he's poison to this site. Even when people call him on his shit, he just ups the ante, and escalates the situation.

Senor Pundit, we fully empathise with your situation. You have no wish to become the stereotypical "ban-happy mod from Hell". You didn't want it to come to this. But honestly, you KNEW a day would arrive in which you'd be forced to ban someone to ensure the health of this website.

Off Topic isn't the problem here. Nox is the problem. Please, keep OT. It's NOX that's the true source of this discussion. Everything OT is NOX. Everything at the help desk is NOX. The major conflicts on the site revolve around.....guess who? That's right, our resident troll, NOX. This ENTIRE THREAD is an indirect response to Nox's bullshit. Let's just nip this in the bud, and prevent Nox from polluting the site. Not reason, nor threats will tame him, so I say, to Hell with it. Just ban the fucker.

Quote from: RedFoxI don't see the problem with having an off-topic forum.  It's not given special protected status or anything.

I'd rather see the Amber forum go / get merged than to see Off Topic go.  And I don't even post to Off Topic.

I seriously think people here sometimes engage in shadow boxing.  Stop picking fights and just talk about RPGs.  Sheesh.

Fox is right. It isn't Off Topic that needs to go; it's the Amber section that should go. Why? Because this place is (hopefully) a site that is NON-DENOMINATIONAL when it comes to rpgs. I'm afraid a newcomer will see the "Amber" section, and think this is an Amber site, not a general rpg site.

I don't know about you guys, but I HUNGER for the presence of "system-neutral" rpg sites. d20 is great, and Amber sounds interesting, but a GENERAL rpg site should focus even wider than that. That's what rpgnet is (or was), and that's what therpgsite should be.

Please kill the Amber section. No offense to the talented Mr. Wujcik, but it would probably be best for the long-term health of the site.

I hope I haven't stepped on anyone's toes. I just thought I'd share my thoughts on these various subjects here. I'm hopeful that things will work out for the site, and that it'll be around for many years to come.

I didn't come here to read about the lastest rhetorical volley in the war against pet subject X, so for me the RPG stuff is the meat and OT is the gravy; nice but not necessary. As far as keeping it or dropping it goes, I guess it's okay to have it around, but you guys at the top shouldn't be afraid to narrow or outright nuke the forum if it is necessary to protect the actual intent of this site: Low-moderated RPG discussion.

Another option is a suggestion JimBob made in the past. Make OT posting a privilige, and not be afraid restrict access to it for those who can't control themselves.

You know what?  I voted and I voted wrong.

Put a bullet in Off Topic's head; it's time to put the old girl down.

Uh... Pundy WON'T take down the Amber forum. It's his fucking baby. And hey, you know what? I think that's good. One more thing: IF something has to be done, the privilege system is the best one, IMNSHO (in my not so humble opinion, 'cause if there's something i'm not, it's humble). But I really think the OT doesn't harm a thing, the vast majority of us still read the RPG sections first, and I have to say I like to have a little laugh now and then with some asshole's opinions 'bout teh life. But as always, DocRot nailed it down greatly:

Quote from:  Dr Rotwang!Keep it, but narrow its focus somewhat to "The Place Where We Talk About Other Items Of Geek Interest, But Keep Your Politics And Your Religion To Yo' Damn Self".

I like that we have one here, rather than going off elsewhere to talk about such other stuff, because it's already part of the site - you already know who you're talking to. If you like shootin' the breeze with me about, say, D&D or playstyles, maybe you'll be interested in what I have to say about Neuromancer or Xanadu.

I'm either with it going privy, or just guided by common sense.

Pfft. Dunno why we're being asked, anyway.

Prediction: nothing will happen. Nox won't be banned, or topic-banned, and Off-Topic subforum will remain, and remain open to the public.

Nox will remain untouched because, as the Geek Social Fallacies essay put it (go google for it!) "geeks don't ostracise." We already saw this with Balbinus saying that asking for Nox to be banned was "bullying." Yeah, and asking my players to put deodorant on is bullying, too! Oh, the humanity! Expecting people to be not extremely offensive, oh no!

Off-Topic will remain because that's the thing with rpg forums, geeks like to talk religion and politics.

And then a few of your more active roleplaying-oriented posters will drift away, and a few of the posters who rarely post about rpgs will say, "good!"

So that's my prediction, on which I'll bet money: nothing will happen to Nox, or the Off Topic subforum, and you'll lose a few active posters.

Bully all you want, but don´t ban.

Banning is for feminized puritans.

Real men punch idiots, wussies run to mommie and complain.