[ghporter]

I'm not sure how common my own ideas about starting a discussion thread are; what it means to start a discussion thread, or how a thread I may have started should progress. So I'll ask some questions and see if what I think is at all similar to what our revered membership collectively thinks.

First, what does it mean to you, a MacNN forum member when you start a thread? Does that give you "ownership" of the thread? "Authorship" of the thread? Does it give you any special privileges over the thread aside from the expectation that the staff will try to keep the thread fairly on topic (unless that's obviously not the point)?

Does having started a thread mean you might have a say in who participates? Does it mean that you may want the option of narrowing the focus of the thread, or of shifting it to something suggested by the other participants?

Finally, does starting a thread mean that the progress of the thread must be about the author and/or the author's intents and desires, or should it progress the way the discussion participants jointly lead it?

<Sits back to see what happens with the above posers....>

[brassplayersrock²]

It'd be nice if the thread creator had the ability to delete/hide any posts in the thread that they feel as derailing.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Does that give you "ownership" of the thread? "Authorship" of the thread? Does it give you any special privileges over the thread aside from the expectation that the staff will try to keep the thread fairly on topic (unless that's obviously not the point)?

No.

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Does having started a thread mean you might have a say in who participates?

No.

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Does it mean that you may want the option of narrowing the focus of the thread, or of shifting it to something suggested by the other participants?

No.

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Finally, does starting a thread mean that the progress of the thread must be about the author and/or the author's intents and desires,

No.

Originally Posted by ghporter 

or should it progress the way the discussion participants jointly lead it

Yes.
It's called "having a conversation".

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock² 

It'd be nice if the thread creator had the ability to delete/hide any posts in the thread that they feel as derailing.

That's what Hitler said.
Did I win?

[Face Ache]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

First, what does it mean to you, a MacNN forum member when you start a thread?

It means "Have at it, ya scurvy rats!"

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Does that give you "ownership" of the thread?

All contents of these forums © 1995-2011 MacNN. All rights reserved.

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Does it give you any special privileges over the thread aside from the expectation that the staff will try to keep the thread fairly on topic (unless that's obviously not the point)?

Off topic is often more interesting.

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Does having started a thread mean you might have a say in who participates?

There should be no limitations on who participates.*


* Except for cripples, and maybe the Irish.

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Does it mean that you may want the option of narrowing the focus of the thread, or of shifting it to something suggested by the other participants?

I'd like this thread to be about blue cars. Small blue cars. With dents.

Unworkable.

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Finally, does starting a thread mean that the progress of the thread must be about the author and/or the author's intents and desires, or should it progress the way the discussion participants jointly lead it?

Wait! I start a thread and people on the internet will fulfil my desires?! FOR FREE?!!!

<off to start a Lederhosen and Jelly thread>

[jmiddel]

When I start a thread I'm asking for advice, amd hopefully knowledgeable folks will post their ideas. I do not believe that I own a post simply because I started it, this is a public forum, so no, I don't expect to have any more privileges than anyone else. Of course I can always write a new post asking folks to stay on topic, say, but that's just a request. Regarding the author's intent and desire, well again no control on the OP's part, but the expectation would be to stay on topic for technical stuff, and free associate in the Lounge and in more general posts that just comment about things rather than needing a solution.

[subego]

I iz in ur forum, pwning ur bitz.

[Doc HM]

So who likes cheese then?

[ghporter]

Wensleydale? I love Wensleydale!

[BadKosh]

Chedder!

[dav]

so i'm finally retiring the PowerMac G5, and purchasing a new iMac. Lion, and i7, and SSD - oh my!

[mattyb]

Doof for Pres !!!!

[mattyb]

But this should have been in the Feedback forum. Or is that going to move/be merged as well?

[ShortcutToMoncton]

I can't even imagine the lunacy that would occur if some of you crackpots were able to delete posts and control thread discussion...

[Spheric Harlot]

I suggest Free-for-All Fridays, in which two random users (must have been active within the last 72 hours) get full mod privileges for 24 hours.

[mattyb]

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton 

I can't even imagine the lunacy that would occur if some of you crackpots were able to delete posts and control thread discussion...

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot 

I suggest Free-for-All Fridays, in which two random users (must have been active within the last 72 hours) get full mod privileges for 24 hours.

Some in the legal profession might say 'Case Closed' about now.

[andi*pandi]

Originally Posted by jmiddel 

Regarding the author's intent and desire, well again no control on the OP's part, but the expectation would be to stay on topic for technical stuff, and free associate in the Lounge and in more general posts that just comment about things rather than needing a solution.

I would add however, that members who have disagreed in one thread on say, cars, should not bring that animosity into say, a thread about blu-ray players. It wrecks the thread for everyone not just the OP.

[Tiresias]

Speaking of cheese, does anyone know a home remedy for restless leg syndrome?

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Tiresias 

Speaking of cheese, does anyone know a home remedy for restless leg syndrome?

Sledgehammer.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by mattyb 

Doof for Pres !!!!

Now you're talking!

[Leonard]

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot 

I suggest Free-for-All Fridays, in which two random users (must have been active within the last 72 hours) get full mod privileges for 24 hours.

Why do I hear a villianous laugh in the back of my mind when I read that one.

Maybe we should title it "MacNN Blackout Day", because by the end of the day, there might be no MacNN forum left.

[el chupacabra]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Does that give you "ownership" of the thread?

No

"Authorship" of the thread? Does it give you any special privileges over the thread aside from the expectation that the staff will try to keep the thread fairly on topic (unless that's obviously not the point)?

No

Does having started a thread mean you might have a say in who participates? Does it mean that you may want the option of narrowing the focus of the thread, or of shifting it to something suggested by the other participants?

No, there is no such thing as thread derailment, because everyone is capable of going in their own direction at the same time, or bringing back to the original direction. I dont know why this is ever an issue.

Finally, does starting a thread mean that the progress of the thread must be about the author and/or the author's intents and desires, or should it progress the way the discussion participants jointly lead it?

No

[Tiresias]

^ The last is not a yes-no question.

[SSharon]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

First, what does it mean to you, a MacNN forum member when you start a thread? Does that give you "ownership" of the thread? "Authorship" of the thread? Does it give you any special privileges over the thread aside from the expectation that the staff will try to keep the thread fairly on topic (unless that's obviously not the point)?

Does having started a thread mean you might have a say in who participates? Does it mean that you may want the option of narrowing the focus of the thread, or of shifting it to something suggested by the other participants?

Starting a thread means I choose the initial topic. If the thread is boring, runs out of steam, or the question is answered, then derailment is fine. No special privileges, no say in who participates, but yes clarification and narrowing or shifting of the original topic.

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Finally, does starting a thread mean that the progress of the thread must be about the author and/or the author's intents and desires, or should it progress the way the discussion participants jointly lead it?

Depends on the thread. There are many posts where the intent of the author is only to share a news event. In those cases, the intent is usually complete in the very first post and then the discussion goes wherever it goes naturally.

[Ω]

Sometimes I think a thread is created with tight parameters so it doesn't get post crapped.

Case in point was always the Tour de France threads where people wanted to discuss the race only and not the doping allegations that always ensue. In this instance I think the respects of the OP should be respected and a new thread created to remove the controversy to a separate thread where the allegations can be thrashed out.

Only an example but shows how ownership could be moderated to try and ensure that the thread lives up to the OP's expectations.

[ghporter]

So it seems my thoughts were indeed pretty common. Except for some edge conditions, we all seem to feel that starting threads gets the ball rolling and that's about it. Recent discussions in the Feedback forum, and some rather angsty reports of supposed "bad behavior" made me wonder.