Your definition of being on-topic

[-Apples-]

When it comes to posting on forums, or talkng in conversations, what do you think would be the definition of being on-topic means? Does it mean it is related to the topic, or does it mean it directly follows the order of the topic?

If you don?t know what the latter means, here is an example.

Example: Disney to replace California Screamin? with Incredibles-themed coaster
On-topic: I think it would be interesting to see an Incredibles-themed coaster.
Off-topic (1): I like it that Disney is replacing Paradise Pier with Pixar Pier.
Off-topic (2): The Incredibles wasn?t a good movie.

If you thought being relevant in general is considered on-topic, then all three of the sentences would be considered on-topic since they are 100% related. But if you think you have to direcly follow the order of the topic, then even discussing Disneyland?s plans on refurbishing other rides or attractions is considered off-topic, which is a stricter means of on-topic. Of course that discussing your achievements in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp would be considered off-topic if the discussion is about how good Chick-fil-A is (which is an extreme case BTW), but if the rules mean the latter, then even just being related in general would still be grounds for a warning.

And no, I don?t like the idea of replacing California Screamin? with an Incredibles themed ride or replacing Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror with a Guardians of the Galaxy themed ride, but that?s not what this thread is about. It?s about what you think is considered on-topic. So do you think being on-topic means to strictly follow the order of a topic, or does it mean you have to be relevant in general?

?My Take?

I honestly believe that if your post is related to the topic in general, it should be considered on-topic, whether or not it follows the order of the topic. If you have an opinion on something related to the discussion, you should be allowed to state it as long as it relates to the topic. However, there are some limits. For instance, if the discussion is about In-N-Out Burgers (a California-based fast food chain), you can discuss other fast food chains in comparison to In-N-Out, but if you?re going to bring up something else related to the fast food chain other than In-N-Out (like discussing the connection between McDonald?s and Supersize Me), then that?s when it?s considered off-topic. If the discussion is about comparing In-N-Out?s burgers to Whataburger?s burgers, then it would be considered off-topic to discuss the expansion of In-N-Out since it?s related to the business and not the burgers.

 

[Antonio]

Did you get an infraction for being off topic?

Anways, off topic is basically talking about something that isn't related to the current topic/subject or it could also mean off topic from the main subject at hand, not just towards the latest post.

 

[-Apples-]

Did you get an infraction for being off topic?

Anways, off topic is basically talking about something that isn't related to the current topic/subject or it could also mean off topic from the main subject at hand, not just towards the latest post.

No, when I come up with something to discuss, I make a thread about it. I did want to create a discussion on “what you think is considered on-topic” for a long time ever since my posts on another site got deleted for being “off-topic”, even when it is related in general.

 

[carp]

something that is directly linked is on topic. if you were writing an essay and you gave a vague statement about something rather than a direct point, you're not going to get the mark.

 

[cornimer]

In forums like this I think it's best to follow the order of the topic of the thread. In the examples you gave, I would only consider the one you labelled "on topic" as on topic. In other situations I think that on-topic has a more broad definition and can include the other examples you gave, but on forums it is best to stick to the exact content of the OP.

 

[mitfy]

with the examples you gave, i think it's best to like, connect your random (though technically "on-topic") thoughts to the actual discussion topic. like, off topic (2) is following the subject but isn't really relevant. but if you say "i don't like how they're replacing california screamin' with an incredibles themed ride because i don't think incredibles was really that great of a movie" that ties your opinion in with the topic much much better. cuz no one really cares if you just pop in to say something like that, especially if it's negative.
i think "off topic (1)" is pretty on topic, imo.

so basically, i think as long as it can be tied back to the original intention of the thread then it's fine.

(also, off topic (? ) note, it's pretty cool that pixar pier is a thing, i didn't even know about it. it's a shame that they're getting rid of tower of terror over there, since it's my favorite, but i live in florida and im pretty sure the one in hollywood studios is staying. i'd be super upset if they got rid of it.

 

[nintendofan85]

I say somewhere in between. I honestly have trouble figuring it out myself.

 

[-Apples-]

with the examples you gave, i think it's best to like, connect your random (though technically "on-topic") thoughts to the actual discussion topic. like, off topic (2) is following the subject but isn't really relevant. but if you say "i don't like how they're replacing california screamin' with an incredibles themed ride because i don't think incredibles was really that great of a movie" that ties your opinion in with the topic much much better. cuz no one really cares if you just pop in to say something like that, especially if it's negative.
i think "off topic (1)" is pretty on topic, imo.

so basically, i think as long as it can be tied back to the original intention of the thread then it's fine.

I remember from ten years ago, TV.com (another forum I went to) was really strict about this. If something you posted is considered off-topic, then you will be moderated for it. Even if part of your post is considered off-topic, it doesn't matter if you're staying on-topic or not. You're still going to get a warning for posting something off-topic. What's even worse is that if you're talking to other users that are posting something off-topic, not only they get warned for being off-topic, but you'll be in trouble for their behavior too. I can totally bet that if the site rules on any forum in particular requires following the order of the OP or thread title to be considered on-topic, they consider posts that are partially off-topic as forum violations, and part of your post is relevant, but not following the order of the thread (while the rest of the post is following the order), then your 100% relevant post where the majority (but not the whole) follows the order of the topic title will still be moderated as off-topic as you'll receive a warning or infraction for it. It is rude and inconsiderate to go off-topic, as it would be nice to follow the order the order of the topic title rather than just be relevant, but whatever I highlighted in italics shouldn't be considered an off-topic violation. If even part of the post is on-topic while the rest is still relevant, but not on-topic, you're at least staying on-topic. And you should never get in trouble for someone else's violations, especially if the case marked in italics is involved.

Sorry for the rant, but I wanted to share what you reminded me of.

 

[Keldi]

Even if it's slightly related, it's still worth mentioning. On-topic means it's related, even if only slightly ^_^

 

[KaydeeKrunk]

I think as long as it's related it should be ok. If it actually involves the topic at hand and isn't making a crazy leap it should be ok. I mean most topics aren't super "closed" and should leave room to expand the topic in my opinion. Any good conversation should "develop" and not just stay straight as an arrow, that would be boring as heck! In most conversations you start with a topic and then it slowly morphs into something else, and on a site like this, if something like that happens in a back and fourth that's when you'd have to either take the convo to VM/PM or make a new thread.

 

[visibleghost]

in this example i’d say that as long as the discussion stays around disney parks or related to it (so no essays on why olaf from frozen actually is not a feminist icon or whatmstever) it’s on topic. the discussion doesnt have to stay around the exact thing the op was about, but it still has to somewhat relate to it.

sometimes i think people get wayyyyy too picky about off topic things, especially in discussion threads where many issues are related to each other and some people think it’s off topic to bring it into the discussion. if the discussion turns into something that is only about the related issue theb that’s off topic, but as long as the discussion stays somewhat close to the track it’s fine and a few posts mentioning different things aren’t off topic enough for repercussions