Off Topic Posts - Why they are bad...

[Wayne 962]

Ok, this BBS software is not really designed to handle the amount of traffic that we have here. Every time the number of posts reaches about 45,000 in the 911 forum, I have to delete half of them to get the server to run properly again.

POSTING OFF-TOPIC POSTS IN THIS FORUM CONTRIBUTES TO THIS PROBLEM. It may be harsh, but I will be giving warnings in the future, and those who continue to post OT comments in this forum will have their accounts suspended for several days. There is an OT forum for these posts, and that is where they belong. Everytime I have to 'prune' this forum, valuable information from the search engine disappears. I am archiving this info, but at this time, I don't have a way for you to access it.

-Wayne

[82SC]

yeah it really sucks that some of my bookmarked posts about important things gets deleted.

Can you periodically make a CD like your original pelican CD so that we can get archived posts...and you can include them in people's orders...

you can release them periodically that would be helpful and a small incentive for people to order to get a archive of knowledge

MJ

[old_skul]

This post is off-topic and should be deleted. Admin...admin please....

Wayne, I think the addition of a great big 100gb drive (for a measly $200) and another 512mb ram (for under a hundred dollars) would solve your problem. Asking people to not post off-topic is contrary to the nature of the internet bulletin board. Not trying to say you don't have a problem or a point - just offering the devil's advocacy.

Thanks for the BBS otherwise.

------------------
Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2
1987 Escort 5-speed 1.9 RIP
The Porsche Owners Gallery

[82SC]

I think one other reason is that most people only come here and do not visit the other boards...

Is there a way that this BBS software can allow people to look at 2 or more boards at once?

To clear things up...if I could have a way to check off 911 tech forum and 911 classifieds and off topic then that would cover everything....other can mix and match...

and the screen I look at would be a mixture of all the threads in those boards...although they are physically located in the separate thread...just a suggestion

[AirCooledExcellence]

Hi 82SC,

Why not just do a 'file/save as' on any topics you wish to reference in the future?

Cheers,

Tim.

[82SC]

just cuz sometimes they are ongoing and get updated...but that is a good idea

[beepbeep]

Hey Wayne, something must be wrong with your database...

I've seen Ultimate BBS's with 100's of thousands of posts...w/o problem.


What database are you running? Don't tell me you are using Access or something like that... ?

[orbmedia]

I agree, this software can handle this load and alot more. Something is wrong.

[cabman]

This is simple.

Nobody visits the off-topic forum, that's why we post them here.

I agree you need better systems to handle all this data...

[IMONBOOST]

I personaly like the OTs here, It gives me the opportunity to keep an eye on the good technical information while I can read some OT that helps me get a good laugh( stress relief)

[Clark Griswald]

Wayne,

The archiving has diminished the value a good bit. Since I have been hanging around here for pretty long, I remember and often go looking for information in old posts. That doesn't work anymore.

Limiting OT posts seems like a band-aid. If you reduce total posts by 10%, how much time does that really buy you? And you'll burn much time and effort trying to enforce the new rules.

Seems a solution to expand the capacity would be more effective.

Just my un-solicited 2 cents.

[GIBSON]

Wayne, I think what is being expressed here is that OT posts bring some value to the BBS. Obviously, most of us feel this forum provides a great source of information that sometimes goes a bit beyond hardcore technical information. For example,the topics on honesty with our spouses really touched a chord with many members and speaks to some real interst and concern. Is there anyway we could place a lifespan on these topics and clear them after 2-4 days, freeing up space yet giving memebers a chance to comment on issues that may be a bit removed from the specific topics this board tries to address? It would be nice to work out some solution.

Bruce Herrmann

[Saffs]

That's fair enough, Wayne. Even, if the BBS needs updating, or whatever, it's up to you to tell us what you want us to do. I can understand that you don't want to be spending your time maintaining the server because of OT posts - like not having too many OT posts reduces the amount of deleting old posts you have to do. I'd rather have the old posts.
It's you server and telling us what you want us to do isn't something we should grumble too much about.
Also, I don't think posts like "Hey from the War" by rcilurso are really OT as they say what a BBS member is doing in these hard times - I notice you didn't move it, Wayne.
Thanks for the BBS, Wayne!

[Saffs]

GIBSON,
I think the, "Honesty with....Wife" thread probably wasn't OT: it concerned Porsches. I'm sure Wayne means the ones that have nothing to do with cars, even. And, there is an OT Forum. I don't get why people don't use it - and go there often if they want too.
Generally, all Wayne is asking us to put OT posts in the OT Forum, or it will limit the database of posts we have on tech. info. on the 911 Forum. I'd rather have that there and talk about Windows XP in the OT Forum, myself.


[This message has been edited by Saffs (edited 11-05-2001).]

[GIBSON]

I agree, clearly there are OT posts that are way out there, put those in the proper forum.
I just hope we can have a BBS that allows some latitude on issues that may not reflect just the "how do I fix this" issues but promotes a discussion on many areas of Porsche 911 ownership. I find myself reading both types of posts and I learn a lot from each. This is a great BBS, let's fine tune it and keep it great.

[Rollins]

I think it should be more clearly defined what is an acceptable OT topic and what is an unacceptable one. Like Saffs said, ones from people like Leland and rcilurso telling us how they are and what's up over in the middle east are (in my opinion) acceptable. But what isn't acceptable? Why don't you give us a better idea Wayne?

[Joe Bob]

Rules suck....

One of our Computer Gods we have on this list should send Wayne a big memory and anything else that will help....kind of like the wizard of oz and the scarecrow thing.....

[speeder]

Sounds simple to me- moderaters move OT posts to OT forum immediately and eventually everyone will learn that is where they go,(sort of like training a puppy), and fix your software. This is an extremely valuable resource FOR PELICAN, the bigger it gets the better for everyone.

I should also add that I believe in a pretty liberal topic policy in general. This is a community of (somewhat) like-minded people.

[This message has been edited by speeder (edited 11-05-2001).]

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by IMONBOOST:
I personaly like the OTs here, It gives me the opportunity to keep an eye on the good technical information while I can read some OT that helps me get a good laugh( stress relief)

I agree! (Edit P.S Wayne, don't even THINK of messing with Leland or R.J.'s posts!

[This message has been edited by pwd72s (edited 11-05-2001).]

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

How about a small one or two dollar contribution from the BBS patrons to help Wayne pay for the increased space on the 911 board? We all use it, and could all benefit. Wayne is in business to make money (as are most of us whether we work for someone else or ourselves).

Wayne: Can you set up such an account in your system?

Members: Is this a good idea?