Off topic Hot Topic

[saif]

Maybe there should be an Off Topic Hot Topic of the week. Seeing as we have a hot topic every week in general disscussion (disscussing runescape), why can't we have a Hot Topic every week in Off Topic (disscussing things not related to RuneScape or ArenaScape).

 

 

 

Post your thoughts :twss:

 

 

 

~saif

[dsavi]

First of all, this has been discussed before. The conclusion (This was a while ago, you don't need this locked) was that it probably wasn't necessary and RLP was attracting too much spam anyway.

 

And right now I think that OT has to grow up a bit before this happens. There simply aren't enough mature, interesting and popular topics in OT.

[pryomancer]

Tip.It is a RuneScape related fansite and forum, the hot topic is debate about RuneScape. I don't really think we need an off-topic one.

[InkofDeath]

There simply aren't enough mature, interesting and popular topics in OT.

 

And let's apply those to General, and Off-Topic looks like a god, doesn't it? Also Dsavi, if you aren't wanting spammers or immature posters in OT, or 'bland' posters in OT, you aren't going to get any new members in there, or you can get that odd 3-4 new OT regulars that might spring up every other week or two.

 

 

 

@Pyromancer: It may be a Runescape forum, but rejecting new ideas because they aren't Runescape related isn't going to help grow and even 'nurture' the forums for far better or far worse communities/discussions/users. This is a good update for Off-Topic, something probably needed as well for it. It would bring in new users to the forum, keep some of the regulars interested just a bit more (even I have gone through almost every topic in there and am awaiting something 'new' to come). I'm probably not the only one who feels this way, but Off-Topic does kind of move slowly once you've caught up with it. This suggestion would even give an incentive to post new topics. Now that alone should be a good enough reason.

 

 

 

But still, this may be a Runescape board, but there's still users around here and probably even some staff who aren't playing Runescape. There are entire communities, friendships, or bonds on this forum that do not relate to Runescape at all.

 

 

 

Now, ask yourself by RSC is so much larger? They have events & have kept these non-runescapers occupied in their forums, or discussion areas. They haven't kept improving their Runescape area to the limit like Tip.It has (Tip.It probably has the best Events Team and other information/activities compared to other sites), but things like that OTET, or the total loss of having no clan related events at all (Look at Pure Community, they have a PCL, they have clans there, but are smaller than Tip.It is and less known, put two and two together), even having 1 or 2 'events' or 'activities' within each major forum (OT, Gallery, CD...etc) if that, isn't enough for these different communities to thrive or grow. Perhaps there isn't enough numbers or users in each of these forums, put events in, and keep them for a year, and you'll have increased numbers, probably won't be drastic, but it's a long-term plan. It's exactly what RSC did and that's how they got so many users, as all users can have an appeal to something on the forums. A little off-topic but my point was made I think.

[n_odie]

I don't think hot topics should be for OT in the same concept. I don't think it should be announced on main site and all that, it is a rs "Website."

 

 

 

However, the OT community is a part of Tip.it. I think staffs support is mixed. I know the OTET was tried and it really didn't work. I do think that the community could use some fun activities tho. I would rather see a monthly OT Rewards where mods and others decide what topics they liked best for that month and what users caught interest. It would be like the MTV rewards. :P

 

 

 

This would encourage people to think a little before they made a "Omg are your boogers green?" thread. :lol: (Exaggerated Example).

 

 

 

This would take involvement of the community and demand more of OT moderators. So it would be up to them, admins and community to decide.

[pryomancer]

I do see your point, Skatedog, nurturing the forums is a good idea.

 

The thing is, in my view, forum users and website users are a totally different breed.

 

 

 

People on the forums are chatty, friendly, use off-topic and other areas of the board.

 

Website users do exactly that- they use the website for information and tips etc.

 

 

 

I know of course that forum'ers use the website a lot and vice versa, but it seems like this update is aimed at getting OT more popular and mature, by targeting the website users, which probably don't care.

 

 

 

I think this idea has potential, please don't think I'm getting angry and having a bash. :)

[InkofDeath]

by targeting the website users, which probably don't care.

 

 

 

I think this idea has potential, please don't think I'm getting angry and having a bash. :)

 

So wouldn't the goal of the forum administration to get these people to care, so they do come into the forums? Wouldn't somehow advertising Off-Topic or areas of the forum that aren't Runescape related (Currently there's only Runescape related announcements regarding the forums on the main site) on the main site or at least give it a try?

 

 

 

Those people that don't care, why do they not care? Perhaps they don't know that there is an Off-Topic, or a Gallery on here, as all that is advertised on the larger area is the Runescape 'events' or 'activities', nothing else is. So while General is by far the most active forum, you have others not getting that attention that General is. I know General or other Runescape related boards should give a lot more attention or advertisement than non-runescape related forums but right now OT and others aren't even getting a slice of the cake. Heck once in the 30-40 times (or more) that the main page is updated each month could include something to bring the Non-Runescaped related areas to the light.

 

 

 

But anyways, best course of action would be to have a poll, and have it ask, why people don't use the forums, I'm sure someone could come up with statements like 'I Didn't Know There Was A Forum,' 'They Are Too Runescape Based,' 'They Aren't Appealing (Don't know how to make it seem more specific...),' 'Forums Don't Interest Me,' 'They Are A Waste Of Time,' 'I Use Another Forum,'...might be going off-topic here but I think this is the right way to go, just look at this poll:

 

http://tip.it/runescape/?poll_id=31

 

 

 

5081. Would really be interesting to know why they don't use the forums.

 

 

 

Also I didn't think you were angry or bashing, sorry if my response gave that impression.

[tripsis]

If I remember correctly, many Off-Topic "regulars" were against this idea in the past because they didn't want to draw attention to Off-Topic. Many of them didn't like the attention they received from even the Real Life Pictures thread, and felt it drew a lot of immature users to the forum. They didn't seem to want a repeat of that.

[D. V. Devnull]

Even though I'm only part of maybe a few threads in the "Forum Games" zone of OT, I will support this idea. Given what I'm seeing above, it might finally stimulate those zones back into a 'magnet for proper fresh blood', per se... As for those who would block the inflow of new people, I think they need to get their heads out of the gutter and back up on the curb with the rest of us. Trying to prevent change will only kill those areas, or cause them to become stagnant "elitist-only" piles of total closed-mindedness that no one needs/wants... :(

 

 

 

And BTW, I think I remember voting in that poll that Skatedog mentioned, probably one of the 25% of actives. :

 

 

 

~D. V. Devnull

 

 

 

(Author's Note: I'm probably being a little extreme here... LOL... :lol: ...)

[Mercifull]

If I remember correctly, many Off-Topic "regulars" were against this idea in the past because they didn't want to draw attention to Off-Topic. Many of them didn't like the attention they received from even the Real Life Pictures thread, and felt it drew a lot of immature users to the forum. They didn't seem to want a repeat of that.

 

Hear hear