Is Answerbank going to the dogs?

[Lindy Loo]

I hate to be a kill joy, but are there a few too many 'chat' threads on here lately?

 

I enjoy a good laugh and have in the past joined in with some of them, but there were also stern comments posted by the Editor reminding the users that this was not a chat room.

 

That said, 

• Why have there not been any AB Editor comments made on some of the current ones
• Has the Editor changed?
• Is he/she snowed under with work?
• Or has AnswerBank been changed to AnswerChat and the name hasn't been updated yet?  

Just interested in other peoples opinions....

 

[AB Editor]

Interesting stuff: thanks to all for contributing, and please continue to do so. Between us, we can work out what's best for the site. Some thoughts from me - not sure if I reach any conclusions, so please respond:
Firstly, I apologise for taking two-and-a-half days' holiday at the end of last week (my colleagues edited in my absence but yes, there will always be an individual element to this job.) As for weekend editing, I'm here on my own time today just keeping an eye on what's happening because I don't particularly relish a Monday morning spent doing nothing but tidying up this site. I do not do it for fun.
And Yes, I am snowed under. The 'Report' system, still quite new, has made the job very much easier thanks to the way so many people have used it. Thanks.)
As for the chat/ serious balance: we don't seek to impose from above too stiff or humourless a limit on the nature of the postings (that would be impossible) and so the general atmosphere and tenor of the site evolves through you, the posters, regulars and irregulars alike. Within limits.
As is often the case in life, change is not welcomed by some. Ironically, they will themselves have contributed to earlier changes in the site which had caused earlier 'regulars' to move on.
Look at this very thread: some of the contributors have been here for several *years* and will remember a quite different Answerbank, different names and a markedly different atmosphere. Others have become prolific in recent months. Others still are irregular or very new ABers. Many people will read this thread without being prompted to contribute themselves. This is the way it has always been, and all are welcome.
But... what to do when 'regulars' start to get chatty (which is what appears to have prompted this thread)?

[...cont.]

[AB Editor]

[Part ii]

In one way, it's quite natural as users start to feel they 'know' each other. In cyberspace, at least, they do. The regularity with which some names see each other adds to that.
They start to push the boundaries, sometimes getting deleted by big bad evil AB Ed, sometimes not (as that evolution of the site takes shape). We try to judge what's what and, hands up, don't always get it right.
To speak personally for a moment, the threads that become long and chatty bore me rigid, but (professional hat on again) within reason they are as valid as the serious questions. Those who post them have as much right to be on this site as the next person, provided they are essentially Q&A.
Those threads that are nothing but chat, are and will be deleted. Those that turn into chat, from serious or not-so-serious beginnings, tend to remain. Such things can never be clear-cut and if my judgement has not matched your's, my apologies.
A thead like this can never be representative of everyone's opinion but gives my colleagues and I a better understanding of what we should be doing.
As always, my strongest advice is: if you don't like a question, you don't have to answer it.
And please remember: the silly stuff is and will continue to be removed. Serial and serious offenders are banned. This *is* a Q&A site and we continue to try to prompt informed, useful and entertaining debate. Like this thread, for example.

[Wraith]

Thank you for your answer AB ed.

[Lindy Loo]

Thank you AB Editor for taking the time to give up your weekend and for such a thorough answer. Your comments are greatly appeciated. I would have rated 5 stars for your reply but it's not there yet, so please accept the 3 stars as an alternative. You may now blush accordingly!!

[bernardo]

Ha ha!  I am glad that even the Editor got restricted by the 2000 character limit and had to do 2 separate answers!  Is there any particular reason for the 2000 character limit?  Could it be 5000?  Or unlimited?  It can be a bit awkward sometimes.

[booksworth]

What, 5000 characters of 2nd Row all in one paragraph. Steady on there!

[CliveB]

I think that the very easy option of ignoring questions you do not wish to answer is the best method. I think 2nd rows post was funny and a refreshing change from the norm. The ED could make a funny category for these posts as not to offend the regular members who just wish to answer or ask serious questions. But many regulars here are guilty of joining in and then complaining. Most categories are devoid of humour and the Body and Soul questions are just full of girls asking about sex which i am sure they have countless magazines for Bliss Just 16 and the like. So a break from this samey drivel is quite welcome.

[lookslikemik]

I've just found this now (I get weekends off too!), but I have to agree.  The Sport section is in danger of turning into a series of blindingly unfunny in-jokes.  And if there's one more thread along the lines of:

"My club's great, do you think my club's great?"

"No I don't"

"Well, I think your club smells of wee"

"Well, I think YOU smell of wee"

and so on for hours, I'm off to the kindergarten for some intelligent conversation.

[lookslikemik]

Sorry if that last post was a bit over the top, but have a look at the Sport section to get an idea of what I mean.  And it is beginning to dominate the category.

[Lucas2]

My god you're right!

[MORELLO]

What are the above 30 answers if not a 'chat thread', started by the one person who doesn't want them. Doh!

[sft42]

You could obviate a lot of the chat threads dear ED if you could see your way clear to promoting the Answerbook group http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Answerbook/ which was set up for this very purpose of allowing regular users a forum to chat away to thier hearts content and not clutter up the main site.

[Lindy Loo]

Morello this thread has not been 'chat'! 

It has been a debate to which even the AB Editor contributed, for which I again thank him/her.