Open discussion about the community.

[adamtemp64]

Leading on from a thread that was derailed after a member stated there views on the state of the community I am creating this open discussion.

I am also taking the view that was expressed in the thread from post 24 onwards http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/O2-Community-Rewards-April-2014/m-p/661441#M8644 that @Bambino made.

The discussion lead to hints that many long standing members of this community had left for the reasons as stated in the thread linked. I will not duplicate now as the comments are still there.

As this is a customer to customer community I feel it is time that the wishes of the community are acted upon.

This morning I clicked on unread posts and nearly all were in off topic with a few Questions about o2 that were buried amongst all the facebook like talk.

I am as stated before (on previous occasions) and after much concideration thinking of also withdrawing my support for this community as it is not the place it was. After this thread has been replied to I will make my decision on if I stay or go and will post an open letter explaining the reasons I can no longer support the community if I chose to leave.

[Anonymous]

I don't think we are missing the point here. The Community is for EVERYONE not just a select few who wish to follow one line of posts and follow the other line as and when it suits them.

If a menu was created whereby you could select not to see off topic that would solve the query surely?

[Anonymous]

Yes that should keep some people happy if they feel they need it

[Anonymous]

Ok you guys have made your opinions clear on this subject (and rightly so. kudo's a many) , @Anonymous , @Anonymous

Let's hope some of the newer members get involved in this very important discussion to gain more balance to the discussion.

I enjoy engaging in the Off Topic Boards - everyone knows that.

What I don't want to see is forum division happening with this. The forum is hard enough for some to fathom so introducing drop down menus may just be enough to put people off and leave. Some may accidentally filter a board and not even realise it's there.

The forum has to remain as simple to navigate as possible.

I believe what's needed if the site management to listen to the views and introduce more detailed guidelines on what the Off Topic Board is for or introduce a Lounge area.

[jonsie]

---

@Anonymous wrote:
Ok you guys have made your opinions clear on this subject (and rightly so. kudo's a many) , @Anonymous , @Anonymous

Let's hope some of the newer members get involved in this very important discussion to gain more balance to the discussion.

I enjoy engaging in the Off Topic Boards - everyone knows that.

What I don't want to see is forum division happening with this. The forum is hard enough for some to fathom so introducing drop down menus may just be enough to put people off and leave. Some may accidentally filter a board and not even realise it's there.

The forum has to remain as simple to navigate as possible.

I believe what's needed if the site management to listen to the views and introduce more detailed guidelines on what the Off Topic Board is for or introduce a Lounge area.

---

Exactly what I've been saying @Anonymous 

There is room for off-topic, I've said that I have even started threads on off-topic and participate in selected ones. There are some very good interesting threads in off-topic so I would hate to see it removed.

But...I also think that there should be guidelines. Some of the absolute tosh and drivel in them do not have a place on a serious technical support community and should be confined to PM or other social networking sites designed specifically for such exchanges between people.

Perhaps off-topic should have a subsection for off the wall topics?

[Anonymous]

I don't see what difference there is between an off topic area or a lounge area it is all for off topic which is what it says on the tin

[MI5]

Just maybe, if everyone thought about what they were about to post in OT and considered if it would be better done by PM, then there wouldn't be this divide of opinion and frustration to many of the old regular posters....?

[Anonymous]

Damien1 said "I don't see what difference there is between an off topic area or a lounge area it is all for off topic which is what it says on the tin"


Because some see the Off Topic Boards for a place where topics don't fit into the other boards such as gadget news and heads up for issues with software etc.

A lounge area would be a sole place for people to relax and discuss anything within reason.

If people posted via Pm that would IMO restrict the feedback and interaction. Another member would possibly find the topic interesting and engage.

If the discussion was behind a PM they wouldn't see it.

[jonsie]

---

@MI5 wrote:
Just maybe, if everyone thought about what they were about to post in OT and considered if it would be better done by PM, then there wouldn't be this divide of opinion and frustration to many of the old regular posters....?

---

My view point too. Some threads are just a private interchange between two people  and should be done by PM.

[Anonymous]

I buy that BoB. I see the logic of the idea.

Personally I think this thread has potential to get out of hand which no one wants.

There is a solution out there that suits pretty much all, we just need to agree it and see if O2 are able to deliver it.

[Anonymous]

Yes I agree with you there bob about hiding it behind pm I just don't really see why off topic shouldn't be just that