[TurnedTheCorner]

I'd like to preface this by saying that I have served as a moderator on other online forums in the past. I've moderated them for years. I understand that moderating can be a thankless duty, and I don't mean this to come across as hostile or disrespectful to the moderator team here at CP. I think the moderators here do a great job, and I've never had any problems in my dealings with them or discussions with them in the past.

So, my question for this thread and what I would like to discuss is:

The downside of 'chat threads' is...what, exactly? I've posted questions about this in a couple of discussion topics, but I haven't seen a straight answer from a moderator.

I've seen some remarks about a chat thread having an adverse effect on the quality of the OT Forum. I've seen suggestions that the Chat Room could be used. I've seen it suggested that the enormous, multi-thousand replies and multi-hundred page threads cause server strain.

Is there a definitive answer to this? Or if not, at least a clear subjective explanation? The participants in the 'chat threads' seemed to enjoy them - they can foster a sense of community and comraderie amongst members.

Chat threads seemed much more likely to be used that the chat room, which has been underutilized in every incarnation of FOI that I can remember. And they also were typically highly rated threads.

In terms of having a meandering, ever changing topic - I don't see the harm in that. Threads often can contain very interesting discussions and exchanges of ideas that have very little to do with the original topic. I don't see a thread being "derailed" or "hi-jacked" as a negative thing - these discussions can evolve organically and often take unexpected twists and turns.

If concerns about "quality" or "server strain" are legitimate -- surely they would equally apply to Game chat threads as well? With 5 or 6 "Iggy scores!" posts or "McGratton owned in that fight" for every highlight? Perhaps I'm exaggerating or underrating the quality of discussion in the game threads. For reasons that community members avoided the multi-page OT "chat" threads, I avoid the multi-page FOI Game "chat" threads. I don't see one being inherently better or worse than the other.

I checked the board guidelines, I checked the OT forum description, and I didn't see anything approaching a policy or direction that was laid out with regards to "chat" threads. If such threads are to be discouraged, surely there is room for an explanation or update to the guidelines, descriptions or policies?

Again - I've moderated for years. I have towed the company line and locked many, many, many of these kinds of chat threads in my day. Because it was clearly spelled out in the board guidelines and terms of service that such threads were not allowed. The owners and administrators of those forums eventually changed their minds and the policies, and when that happened I no longer had to close them on sight. So I get that as a moderator, you're acting on what you need to act on and that personal preference, sensibilities or criteria rarely (if ever) enter into the moderation decision.

But if these decisions are being made because of the company line, could the company line be laid out for the users and participants in these forums?

Thanks for your time. Sorry for rambling.