I think people need to relax here about topics remaining on topic.
Unless the original poster specifically asks for it, I think it's OK for topics to go onto full on tangents.
It's a discussion forum. The whole point is for it to have discussions. Yes, they can start in one place and end up somewhere else, that's how real life discussions happen too.
When I have people over for dinner, I don't tell them we can only discuss one topic and if they stray from it they have to leave my house.
It's not like people can't post about the original topic of they want to.
So my two cents is this:
1) if a topic is created by someone for a specific purpose and explicitly asks for it to remain on topic, then moderate it in that way.
2) in all other cases, let the discussions flow naturally.
Obviously within the TOS.
Will make life easier for everyone including the mods.
Unless the original poster specifically asks for it, I think it's OK for topics to go onto full on tangents.
It's a discussion forum. The whole point is for it to have discussions. Yes, they can start in one place and end up somewhere else, that's how real life discussions happen too.
When I have people over for dinner, I don't tell them we can only discuss one topic and if they stray from it they have to leave my house.
It's not like people can't post about the original topic of they want to.
So my two cents is this:
1) if a topic is created by someone for a specific purpose and explicitly asks for it to remain on topic, then moderate it in that way.
2) in all other cases, let the discussions flow naturally.
Obviously within the TOS.
Will make life easier for everyone including the mods.