Unacceptable Oversight - Fix at Once

Long have we forum-goers been plagued by what was a critical oversight by the administrators in separating the Off-Topic section into The Chamber and The Tavern. Although I understand the decision was made long ago, and the mods have received feedback to consider in approaching the issue, I must weigh in with my own concerns. I am unsure how hastily this was done at its inception, but ever since the split, there has been an ongoing deficiency that has been overlooked - either intentionally or not. I'm not here to lay blame on anyone, I just want this aberration undone.

My gripe, specifically, is in the naming of the two sections:

• The area for more serious discussion was named "Off-Topic - The Chamber"
• The area for lighter discussion was named "Off Topic - The Tavern"

It should be evident to anybody what the problem is here, but I'll spell it out so everyone understands. The Chamber uses a dash in the "Off-Topic" part, whereas The Tavern uses only a space for "Off Topic". This creates an annoying misalignment between the text of the two, where you would expect perfect alignment all the way up to and including the word "The". It just looks wrong.

As such, I'd like to create a petition to rename one of the forums to match the other. Given the predecessor name of "Off-Topic", I vote that the Tavern be renamed to include the dash between the two words "Off" and "Topic".

You know... if it isn't too much trouble?

...
I'm surprised the Grammar Nazi in me never noticed
i support them both being Off-Topic.

I support both of them being off limits.

I'm disappointed that this thread didn't mention that there are two sub forums both named "The Tavern"

The missing dash was permabanned.

Might have been intentional. The one is merely off-topic, the other's topic is just off

Another unacceptable oversight (and one which people have already asked to be fixed and it hasn't been) is this sentence: "Explore your creative side"... Considering that this sentence is used to describe what the Arts & Entertainment forum is about, and there are several threads there about the mechanics of writing, isn't it about time CFC set a good example and put a period at the end of this sentence?

The two most active admins are from England and New Zealand, which use full-stops, and not periods. There was intensive debate in the administrators' forum on whether a period or a full stop should be used, and unfortunately it was split at two-all. It was essentially an argument between Thunderfall and padma claiming that it was a US-based site and therefore should employ US grammar, and plotinus and i arguing that while the US adopted their own spelling, they did not adopt their own grammar and still use the same alphabet that they inherited from their english forefathers. Plotinus' command of Queen's English prose was just so darned eloquent and compelling, that it was a stale-mate (as I sided with Plotinus). No one was prepared to overall anyone else and make an executive decision (well, I tried, but at that point Thunderfall exercised his veto rights, but interestingly was only prepared to veto the use of a full-stop, but not prepared to executively enact a period). Lefty was approached to get a different perspective, but he only committed to supporting whatever decision was finally made.

Disappointing, but this is probably a typical insight into how decisons get made, and you must appreciate that we dont take any decisons lightly. If it is a decision worth making, it is worth taking our time on to get it right.

Anyway - that is where we are currently at, although a workshop is to be scheduled for as soon as we can gather a quorum. I'll let you know.

No periods at the ends of sentences, periods at the ends of sentence fragments, and you neglected to use a capital letter when typing Plotinus' name...

(I know you're joking, but seriously, it's a really easy thing to fix. And I support the inclusion of the hyphen to make both Off-Topic forums the same.)

ainwood said:

Anyway - that is where we are currently at, although a workshop is to be scheduled for as soon as we can gather a quorum. I'll let you know.

Click to expand...

I trust the dash issues in the naming of "Off Topic" will be at the top of the agenda, yes?

Glorious intervention!! It has been fixed!

Thanks, guys!

Valka D'Ur said:

Another unacceptable oversight (and one which people have already asked to be fixed and it hasn't been) is this sentence: "Explore your creative side"... Considering that this sentence is used to describe what the Arts & Entertainment forum is about, and there are several threads there about the mechanics of writing, isn't it about time CFC set a good example and put a period at the end of this sentence?

Click to expand...

Tim Winton (amongst others) would like a word.

Camikaze said:

Tim Winton (amongst others) would like a word.

Click to expand...

Who?


I see now that not only is the sentence finished, but we got an exclamation mark!

Thanks, ainwood.

ainwood said:

Plotinus' command of Queen's English prose was just so darned eloquent and compelling, that it was a stale-mate (as I sided with Plotinus).

Click to expand...

I can't let this pass without clarifying: it was not a stale-mate. It was actually a stalemate. Ainwood's attempt at flattering me in presenting this horribly biased account of the discussion won't prevent me from correcting it.

It is dawn, somewhere between New Zealand and London (or wherever Plotinus is at the moment). Ainwood and Plotinus meet in an open field, their seconds ready to act if needed. The two duelists shake hands like gentlemen, and take their places, back-to-back. Each carries a dictionary and grammar book published in his respective country.

At the signal, they each take ten paces forward, turn, and face their opponent. Opening their books, they hurl rules of grammar and forum management arguments at each other.

The spectators are silent, waiting tensely to see what will happen... and it is decided.

The petitioners of CFC have won.

Admit that you felt all warm and fuzzy inside, Plot.

I always feel warm and fuzzy inside.

I'd thought you were cold and rock solid?

On the outside.

Before I happened upon this today I never knew they existed