Open Threads

by Snuffleupagus on Aug 11, 2009 12:35 PM PDT

I have been thinking that this site could benefit from Open Threads.

I thought there was some particular place reserved for recommendations for improvements to the site, but I couldn't find it and I apologize if it is still around.

Most political bloggers will be familar with what an Open Thread is. It's just a thread on the front page where people can discuss any topic relevant to the site. In this case, the Mariners. There are a lot of potential discussion topics that aren't big enough to justify a fanpost. Recently I've been curious about this community's take on a particular subject or wanted to make a post-game observation but there isn't really a place for these general discussions.

Generally the game-notes thread can fill this role, as small observations or questions are often game specific. But when there isn't a game-notes thread, or when there are gaps between games I think that an occasional Open Thread would see good use.

I'm relatively new here, so I apologize if this has been discussed and rejected in the past.

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http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2009/8/10/984225/otfpotw-8-10-09

by Aaron Campeau on Aug 11, 2009 12:37 PM PDT reply actions

Hehe

The Yankees suck-a-doodle-doo!

by JamMasterJesus on Aug 11, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah we call those Off-topic threads.

Or OTFPOTD, OTFPOTW, OFFTOP. There’s one two fanposts right below this.

angels fan in seattle

by Eyebrows on Aug 11, 2009 12:54 PM PDT reply actions

Wouldn't discussion about the Mariners be on-topic?

by Zack on Aug 11, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Nah.

We talk baseball. It’s just not confined to a single topic within the fanpost.

angels fan in seattle

by Eyebrows on Aug 11, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions

However, if it's something specific, it can always go in a Fan Shot or, if it's something big enough to merit it, a Fan Post.

by Aaron Campeau on Aug 11, 2009 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions

On-topic is relating to the written article if it's on the front page

OT discussion there is forbidden if it’s not at least about the Mariners, and even OT discussion about the Mariners is frowned on if the conversation doesn’t get there naturally.

by seattlebruin on Aug 11, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd hate to miss out on a good baseball conversation because I didn't venture into the wild world of the OFFTOP thread on a certain day.

Fanshots seem like the best idea, though it takes a while to train yourself to look that far down the page.

by Teej on Aug 11, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I still don't!

by Robert on Aug 11, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, but unless you read literally every comment on LL, you'll miss good discussion

the OTs are pretty open in terms of posting everything, and I don’t think it’s worth our effort to have a separate OT for baseball and non-baseball related topics

by seattlebruin on Aug 11, 2009 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions

you don't?

especially when Jeff is gone and the game notes threads aren’t around, or during the All-Star break, I would like to see one or two front page on topic open threads. But maybe that’s just me.

by Snuffleupagus on Aug 11, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Here's something else to keep in mind.

The moderators put a lot of time and energy into making this community a reflection of what they would like it to be. They receive very little (of any) tangible compensation. It is almost exclusively a labor of love.

And I’m not just talking about the content; this goes for the community and the commenting as well. I get the impression that they are more than willing to put effort into the moderation of comments related to a diary/fan shot that a reader put some effort into posting, and that they recognize that the OT posts keep the front page posts uncluttered and free from unrelated discussion.

At some point though, people need to realize that in order for the moderators to not become overwhelmed, LL cannot be a one-top-shop for all Mariners discussion people might want to have. This weekend was a busy one for the mods, and I would imagine that the last thing they wanted was to have to worry about a front page open thread going to shit and having to deal with a bunch of flame wars/inappropriate posts/whatever come Monday morning.

I think the mods want this to be a place where intelligent discussion the Mariners and baseball at large can take place. They’ve shows that they’re more than willing to make some concessions to the community, but at some point you’ve got to realize that they need to keep a lid on the number of comments/discussion they have to monitor for the well being of themselves and the community as a whole.

by Aaron Campeau on Aug 11, 2009 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs

thanks

the point about moderation is a good one that I had never considered. I really appreciate the work that the moderators put into this site and I honestly considered an Open Thread as a good way to take the pressure off when they are busy. Keeps the site active during down times.

But, I hadn’t considered the amount of time/concern that must be involved in policing the threads around here. There isn’t a self policing mechanism available and so your point makes sense.

by Snuffleupagus on Aug 11, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

I took those to be off topic threads

for discussions un-related to the Mariners. Maybe I should just go there for Mariners related discussions too.

by Snuffleupagus on Aug 11, 2009 3:01 PM PDT reply actions

On occasion some interesting baseball discussion gets going. Random questions about sabr, game theory for manager decision on other teams

If it is news regarding a major trade or regarding the results of Bedard’s latest MRI then a fanshot. If you make a fanshot I’d recommend mentioning it in the OT.

by Kermit. on Aug 11, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Typically, the OT is the best place to discuss other teams

and if something really interesting comes up, it’ll invariably result in a FanPost.

There’s just no need for two OTFPOTDS. Like Aaron pointed out, the mods have enough work trying to moderate one OFFTOP – why double their trouble?

by seattlebruin on Aug 11, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes. Or no? I would not advocate more off topic threads

I was having a thought there about the interesting baseball discussions, they seem to be kind of rare lately. Since around the time you posted the last sabr open discussion fanpost. Also when I said fanshot, I was considering the 75 word minimum on fanposts, and how most breaking news on players arrives in the form of a link to a newspaper article. Trying to keep the nice fellow out of trouble, I’m such a considerate person

by Kermit. on Aug 11, 2009 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions