see_r Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 There is in the "off topic" forum a recent topic entitled, "weirdest crop circles yet, caught on video." This blog is full of politically charged comments, some of which were NOT concerned with photography. It was my understanding that, at least at one time, such comments were not permitted on PN. Is this not still true? "Off topic" should still be about photography, NOT members' opinions about political candidates! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Kahn Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Actually, the off topic forum was created for non-photography subjects. But, I agree with you that politics should be verboten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 "But, I agree with you that politics should be verboten." Yes god forbid wwe talk about something that actually matters and prohibit people of all political stripes from making fools of themselves in public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshroot Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 OT forum information as announced in the initial forum post <a href="http://www.photo.net/off-topic-forum/00QoxE">here</a>, and the feedback forum <a href="http://www.photo.net/site-feedback-forum/00QsjU">here</a>, and in the September edition of the newsletter <a href="http://www.photo.net/info/newsletters/sept-08">here</a>. Also listed in the "about this forum" section (on the main OT forum page). <ul> <li><p>"Photo.net now has an off-topic forum. Feel free to post about any subject and discuss it with the photographic community. This is something new for photo.net. We've long been a site that kept it's focus (sorry about the pun) tightly on photography. But with the way online communities have evolved, people grow used to their online friendships and want to be able to veer into other subjects a little bit. Photo.net will ALWAYS be about photography first and foremost. But think of the Off Topic forum as a place to get away from photography for a few minutes and discuss other stuff with people who you have something in common with. <p> The forum is lightly moderated, but keep in mind that all of the typical photo.net policies are still in effect. This isn't the place to advertise your business for free, or to post about your ebay auctions, or to spread your religious message, or to to attack/insult other users. Political debates in particular will be watched closely to make sure they stay civil. In general, just keep in mind that there are a lot of people from a lot of different cultures on photo.net. The more aware we all are of that, the better place the site will be. <p> Keep posts PG-13 rated and "Safe for Work". Other than that, have at it. Ask people what kind of truck you should buy, or what they thought of the new Batman movie, or who is playing Tiger Woods golf instead of getting work done (hint..it's TOTALLY not me)."</ul> <p> In short, the OT forum is for OT conversation. Usual photo.net rules of civility apply, and if you see something that you feel is "over the line" you should contact a moderator or administrator. But in general, OT topics should be non-photographic in nature. General photographic threads not fitting elsewhere and other photo chitchat goes in the Casual Photo Conversations forum. <p> It is highly understandable that some people will not be interested in OT conversation. Photo.net is a photography website and some users only want to see photographic topics. That is why the OT stuff is placed in it's own forum and not allowed to be dispersed across the rest of the site. To avoid those conversations, all you have to do is not visit the OT forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walter_degroot Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 can I post that all politicians should be replaced every time they run for re-electionld, Enen on a lightly moderated forum it could get pretty .get hot and heavy. Of course I KNOW my opinons are right and only 40% agree with me. meanwhile ANOTHER 40% have a different view. Of course since I am RIGHT, then that 40% are crazy and 20% are sleeping ot unaware. I think that would make for some very lively discussions. BUT do we REALLY want to go there? Notice that no opinoins are expressed in this post and NO small furry creatures were harmed. ( nor were any fried baked or broiled or served with BBQ sauce) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
see_r Posted September 28, 2008 Author Share Posted September 28, 2008 "But in general, OT topics should be non-photographic in nature." Well, then I think we need yet another forum, perhaps entitled something like "tangential topic" (or "TT") forum, in which the topic is arguably related to photography, ie. political photography, or...yes, I am going to say it: AAAAARRRT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_gardner4 Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Oh God, this could get like some groups of people I know who arrange a meeting to organize a meeting about when the next meeting is going to be. As far as I know every few years, depending on what country you live in, people are publicaly asked what their political views are and I think I remember seeing a few minutes of American politics on the tv in the UK recently. I really dont mind what other peoples political, religous or other views are and if they want to share them politely, good for them. If I dont want to read about it I simply wont look at an OT forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshroot Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 As I said above, any photo-related topic that doesn't fit in any other forum goes in the Casual Photo Conversations forum. Depending on what your opinion or specific question is, a "art" based question could fit in the CPC, OT, or even Philosophy of Photography forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaglow Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 I think Lex is a trouble maker<g>. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walter_degroot Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 well lets wait and see. Josh can always change it if it becomes necessary. I like to see less conflict and polarization ( i don't mean partially exposing film during development) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jautey Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 I think more political discussion is needed. I SHUTTER to think that we can't discuss the CONTRAST of the candidates. Indeed, as the candidates DEVELOP their platforms it behooves us to look thru the LENS of experience and HIGHLIGHT those qualities. Otherwise we risk DODGING these important issues and not putting the proper FOCUS on them. In this DIGITAL age, neither should we ignore the SHADOW for the glitz, but instead insist on TRANSPARENCY. Nor should we rely on the NEGATIVE as PROOF of argument. Now is the time for OPACITY in politics and a firm RESOLUTION of solving problems not simply creating more NOISE. EXPOSURE to other opinions and thoughts can lead to DYNAMIC solutions. Its is against the GRAIN to think this way I know, But in LIGHT of the alternative what choice do we have? Let civility FILTER the rancor and not BLUR the purpose of democracy. As we SCAN the political LANDSCAPE its important that we FILTER the often conflicting DATA and draw our own conclusions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jautey Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Yes, I know its spelled shudder and that I used 'filter' twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Impaled again upon the thorns of my own sense of humor. Hoisted by me own petard. Yoikes! BTW, Chip, how did you find that thread? Via the Unified forum view, or by navigating to the OT forum? Not a trick question, just curious to see how folks are finding certain threads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
see_r Posted September 29, 2008 Author Share Posted September 29, 2008 " how did you find that thread" I navigated the OT forum. I must apologize for having not read the forum rules. Having read them the contents of that forum discussion, including your thorny comments (at least at the time I last looked) were valid! So then, I have some ideas myself (ah yes, with thorns indeed)...stay posted (or then again, maybe I won't follow up). Josh--thanks for all of the clarifications. Again, sorry for not having read the rules for the new OT forum. So then, those of us who might wish to discuss, for example, oil painting (I definitely plan to do this), could go to the OT forum! Alternatively, if one wishes to discuss something such as this (nonphotography) discipline as it relates to photography, eg. (color, composition, etc.) the casual photography conversations forum becomes appropriate. (I recall the title of this forum was once just "casual conversations" So then, the new forum structure can have added educational value for the photographer who wishes to "cross fertilize" And from another perspective, this sounds like these new changes could be an aspect of Namemedia strategic marketing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshroot Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 <i>"And from another perspective, this sounds like these new changes could be an aspect of Namemedia strategic marketing."</i> <p> Nope. Just my ideas moving the site in the direction I feel is best. If it hadn't been for me, these changes wouldn't have happened. Of course Namemedia wants the site to be successful, so ideas that increase activity or participation are thought highly of. But Namemedia isn't "scheming" to do anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
think27 Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Josh - Heads up in case you have not noticed... A few Feedback type questions are ending up in the Off Topic forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obakesan Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 <cite>Yes god forbid wwe talk about something that actually matters and prohibit people of all political stripes from making fools of themselves in public.</cite> <P> seems to be the new policy here at Photo.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim_Lookingbill Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Oh BOY! An Off Topic section! Just noticed this. Does this mean I can bring up issues about HDTV reception? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_dimarzio Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 It should have been named Perpendicular Points, maybe that would have been the place to ask Icon questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now