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Online Community and "Thread Ownership"
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Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
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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....>
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Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
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It'd be nice if the thread creator had the ability to delete/hide any posts in the thread that they feel as derailing.
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Clinically Insane
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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?
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Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
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Addicted to MacNN
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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>
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Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001
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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.
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Clinically Insane
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I iz in ur forum, pwning ur bitz.
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Professional Poster
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So who likes cheese then?
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This space for Hire! Reasonable rates. Reach an audience of literally dozens!
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Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
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Wensleydale? I love Wensleydale!
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Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
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Professional Poster
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Mac Elite
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so i'm finally retiring the PowerMac G5, and purchasing a new iMac. Lion, and i7, and SSD - oh my!
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one post closer to five stars
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But this should have been in the Feedback forum. Or is that going to move/be merged as well?
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Addicted to MacNN
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I can't even imagine the lunacy that would occur if some of you crackpots were able to delete posts and control thread discussion...
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Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
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Clinically Insane
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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.
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Addicted to MacNN
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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.
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Moderator
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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.
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: South Korea
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Speaking of cheese, does anyone know a home remedy for restless leg syndrome?
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Clinically Insane
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Originally Posted by Tiresias
Speaking of cheese, does anyone know a home remedy for restless leg syndrome?
Sledgehammer.
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Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
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Clinically Insane
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Originally Posted by mattyb
Doof for Pres !!!!
Now you're talking!
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Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
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Professional Poster
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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.
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Mac Pro Dual 3.0 Dual-Core
MacBook Pro
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Mac Elite
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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
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Registered User
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^ The last is not a yes-no question.
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Professional Poster
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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.
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AT&T iPhone 5S and 6; 13" MBP; MDD G4.
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Mac Elite
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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.
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"angels bleed from the tainted touch of my caress"
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Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
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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.
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Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
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Forum Rules
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