We've all seen it. A topic is going strong, multiple pages, and then someone comes in and posts something that has nothing to do with the topic at hand.

Thats why I propose we have the default page set to the first page instead of the last page. This way, people are more likely to read the first post and contribute something that has to do with the topic.

Now, for people who have been posting on topic and have read through all the pages, we could have their default page set to "Latest unread post". This would mean that, if since they last looked at the topic, an extra two pages had been posted bringing the total to six, this person's default page would be four.

I don't really see any disadvantage to these ideas as they would generally help the progression of successful topics.

Thoughts?

I think Killer Pool should be added to the overall stats.. Would be great if that happened!!










Lmao I'm joking, thought i'd crack one and be off topic

But seriously, I never thought of it like that tbh, that's a pretty good idea..
Would help a fair bit I suppose, but not necessarily cut down the amount of off topic posts

Edited at 00:10 Thu 14/08/08 (BST)

I can't see how it will cut down the off topic posts for a couple of reasons.
Most of the threads that stray off topic are due to sarcastic comments, which inevitibly makes two posters exchange comments about one another, and that can then lead to about 3 pages of personal talk between two people, who are usually friends.
Another reason is that there may be a genuine question, where a couple of posters will answer, leaving the odd few come in and make jokes or put down the question, with posts such as 'Cap this now' etc.... Which sadly just leads to more bickering, adding even more pages to a thread that has a genuine question, all be it maybe a simple one for members who have been around for a while.
Another one is that most posters will just skip to the last couple of posts and will not take the time to read previous posts, and will just find a post that enables a sarcastic or derogatory reply.
......

Basically the posters are posters, and there is usally a trend that occurs when threads go off topic with certain posters involved more than others. I don't think there is anyway to stop threads going off topic other than the moderating scheme.
I do like the latest unread post idea, for the reason that it is more convenient for the returning poster. But I think that this should be the setting for people who have posted or are just reading the thread, not only for people who have previously posted on the thread.

Edited at 05:35 Thu 14/08/08 (BST)

that is a nice idea...and sometimes a bad post stops a very good forum discussion.

I cant see any hassles with it, but at the same time, its nothing that we need to rush in to.

That such a good idea many times i have had to to begining to see what is said at the start

How many? This is a awesome idea mate