2024 Improvement Ideas - "Off Topic" - 14 day poll

[Huzo]

Not sure what you are asking.
You already have off topic posts mixed in with Guzzi/motorcycle posts. Some use NGC, some don’t.
If you are asking should you have a separate section to discuss religion, guns, politics that’s up to you. There are already adds on the above mentioned that saturate this site.

This is a small post site, 7500 members, but pretty much the same 20 something who actually post.
If you want to increase that number then have a separate off topic section. I believe you’ll have more traffic but it will be from the current members, it’s not going to pull people in who aren’t already members just for an off topic section.

I have many interests and a one stop shop would be nice. I already ignore threads that don’t interest me and I can do the same with off topic. I’m 63 and been around enough that nothing offends me bit still young enough to learn something new.
You can try it and if it turns to shit, delete.

So why did you have to test the water with that last line ?

[Shiny Hat]

So why did you have to test the water with that last line ?

Luap, the quote is the answer to you question.
If my “last line” was a trigger that required a comment, then no, off topic should not be in this sites future.

[michaell32]

In my experience off-topic always led to politics and politics always lead to division.  I'm all for garage and non guzzi bike builds but an off-topic section isn't needed for that.

[tazio]

I enjoy the virtual campfire experience,
but I always thought of it as campfire being held at a Moto-Guzzi gathering with discussions into the night about riding experiences, opinions of past and present bikes, modifications done, hopes and dreams for the future direction of our marquee...
"Keeping the content motorcycle related" seems to have been one of the cornerstones of this sites original intent. How far it may or may not have
drifted only Luap knows.
Personally, I also enjoy hearing about our members "other" creative interests and accomplishments as well, TO A DEGREE.

...Pages of which grass seed to use at what time of the year, best zero turn lawn mower, plumbing questions, etc..
..there are many other forums out there for those things.
Maybe things have drifted enough to warrant an "off topic" area??

 

[Luap McKeever]

Really appreciating all the opinions here. They're all being heard.

Luap

[Chuck in Indiana]

I miss the old "campfire at a rally" feel of WG. (shrug) I realize it is considerably more work for the mods though.

[dguzzi]

  Can I change my vote from "either way" to "No" I am persuaded by the opinions above.

[Luap McKeever]

After careful consideration and discussion of this topic with several individuals, moderators, etc, I've decided that I'm going to not move forward with the Off-Topic board.

This seems to come around every few years and I always tell folks that I'll examine it. So, I've examined it and the need is not there.

Thanks for everyone and their participation. Stay tuned for other suggestions that I've been sent and to see how feasible some of those may be.

Luap

[Moparnut72]

 
kk

[s1120]

After careful consideration and discussion of this topic with several individuals, moderators, etc, I've decided that I'm going to not move forward with the Off-Topic board.

This seems to come around every few years and I always tell folks that I'll examine it. So, I've examined it and the need is not there.

Thanks for everyone and their participation. Stay tuned for other suggestions that I've been sent and to see how feasible some of those may be.

Luap

Some boards I visit have a almost wide open off topic board, and really a lot of the time I hate the place. It can be a free for al that rips the place apart. That being said, Im part of the staff on a board for tractor and outdoor equipment hobbyists, and we have set a strict "no politics" rule. We also are strong on the no bashing, and keep the place PG rated. Everyone in a great while you get the ones that need to push, and sometimes they need to be directed the right way, or to the door, but its really not that hard to keep the place humming. We are one of, if not the biggest garden tractor/mower board on the web so we got to be doing something right. We also see a lot of the membership that enjoy it step up to kind of self police the forum. It really helps us mods running the show. So just to show you that you can keep the content out that works to divide us and make a place people like to hang out in. In the end though, this is your house, and your rules. I think we have a pretty good group here, and im happy with hw its run. Thank you.

[LowRyter]

Some boards I visit have a almost wide open off topic board, and really a lot of the time I hate the place. It can be a free for al that rips the place apart. That being said, Im part of the staff on a board for tractor and outdoor equipment hobbyists, and we have set a strict "no politics" rule. We also are strong on the no bashing, and keep the place PG rated. Everyone in a great while you get the ones that need to push, and sometimes they need to be directed the right way, or to the door, but its really not that hard to keep the place humming. We are one of, if not the biggest garden tractor/mower board on the web so we got to be doing something right. We also see a lot of the membership that enjoy it step up to kind of self police the forum. It really helps us mods running the show. So just to show you that you can keep the content out that works to divide us and make a place people like to hang out in. In the end though, this is your house, and your rules. I think we have a pretty good group here, and im happy with hw its run. Thank you.

The board used to be a "campfire" open for all discussions.  The restrictions were politics and obscenity.   Given personalities at the time, it worked great.  But I understand, what's past is past.   

[rocker59]

I vote "no" for an off-topic forum.

It will be a shiteshow that will require extra manpower to moderate and will result in member banning.

The internet is full of places to discuss non-motorcycle topics.  It's full of "motorcycle forums" which have a majority of posts in their "off topic" sections.. 

For years I have advised the worst offenders around here to take the off topic stuff to ADVrider.com and their "JoMomma" section.  The biggest shiteshow in the motorcycle forum universe.

The campfire rule works well on Wildguzzi and we're only opening a can of worms with an off-topic section.

We don't need an off-topic section.  Well, unless that's what we want Wildguzzi to become...

[Moparnut72]

I find this site to be a great resource and just a interesting place to visit. When I had a Harley I used to visit three different forums. One I left soon after visiting because new guys or those that asked a "stupid" question were ridiculed beyond belief. Another was just ok and I left that one when I sold my Harley. Another, Harley Tech Talk is one that I still visit daily because I "met" a great bunch of guys there. I no longer go to the tech side but visit the social thread daily. We discuss all kinds of things and even bash HD for some of the stupid things the mother ship does. Even when I mention something that MG does right or wrong there is never a disparaging word about MG. One guy keeps saying that he would like to get a V7 and a lot of guys even have other brands in the garage, BMWs seem to be the preferred brand X. Like here, politics, religion etc is prohibited and warnings never have to issued. Nothing different here.
p.s. Can you post a link to your garden tractor site? I haven't looked for one but a good one would be a plus my cast off Craftsman may need some love soon. Runs and runs and runs some more with little care kind of like some Guzzis but will need some looking after at some point. Sorry for the thread drift.
kk

[Moparnut72]

I didn't finish even though I enjoy the social site on HTT I don't think we should go that route here. HTT has all kinds of tech threads for all models and subjects where off topic talk doesn't happen and no need. But here we allow lite off topic stuff to some degree but no one goes overboard just things that may be of general interest. I don't see much reason to change. We certainly don't need a JoMomma or whatever it is called. I went there once, once was enough. 
kk

[th_01]

Off-Topic?    For topics like a recipe, book club, politics, religion, sex, gardening, tattoos??????   Aren't there plenty of places for people to go for other topics?

Maybe a set of topic categories that are subsets of the general discussion relating to enjoying a Moto Guzzi?

After Market parts
Camping
Tow Vehicle
Trailers
Bike accessories
General bike models ambo , Eldo, t series, Lemans, ........V7, V85, v100
Rallies  Wht to bring, where to stay.....