Discussion forums take the turns the members wish to take. In order to have "open" discussion, we can't really "outlaw" certain topics. It goes in waves, and the iPhone is a hot topic right now. It'll pass.

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Visit The Graphic Mac for graphics and Mac OS tips, reviews, tutorials and discussion.

topics like the iphone topic don't bother me. we can all skip topics that don't interest us, it's not like the board is flooded with them.

spam topics, on the other hand...

So, does that mean I can't discuss the new handbag I just purchased? LOL

Just kidding. Just trying to add some humor to the thread.

suzanne maestri-walters :: graphic designer :: www.onegirlcreative.com

is it a really creative handbag?

I suggest starting a cool thread. Change begins with the individual.

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Powerpoint is not a design application

Cause you know what they say, all work and no play...
I like knowing what peoples' opinions are on different subjects, I see it being in a room with you guys, we aren't just gonna talk about design! People can come vent, chew the fat and kill time in the forum.

Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com

I agree 101% with Leaky Penny. I've come to enjoy many of the people within this site and knowing how a person not only reads and deciphers design, but also having minor glimpses into their personal lives, is...well...kind of fun. ESPECIALLY for those of us who work on their own. It's a nice break and helps me to refocus on current creative dilemmas.

Now in regards to cool threads, post some. I would love to be involved with those type. And if I can think of any, I will do so as well.

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
— Frank Zappa

Ta for all the honest responses!

I'll go away now and try and think of a cool thread.

(Might take a few years).

:)

Actually, I contribute to a number of creative forums and CB is probably the least offensive and stays on-topic the most out of all of them.

Example: Peruse the forum threads over at www.gigposters.com (a flatstock gigposter silkscreen printing forum) if you'd like to see how good we have it here. Those guys are freakin' brutal.

Terry Thornhill

e-zign Design Group

Part of the creative life for me is needing advice sometimes on the many left-brained things I need to use in my work. I like getting that advice from people who are also creative, but better balanced in the left/right-brain department than I am :-) So while we do sometimes get away from purely artsy-fartsy discussion here, I don't mind at all. It means I can feel comfortable asking about the relative advantages of printers, digital cameras, and other do-dads, as well as technical tips 'n' tricks, from fellow creatives, many of whom feel like actual friends. (Suzanne, you really should go out and buy yourself a new purse. I hear hot pink is really "in" right now.)

But your point's well taken. It does seem a while since we launched into a purely artsy-fartsy discussion. I'm all for it. But right now, I'm more tied up with this @!@&^#%$ printer ... anybody know where I can get Phaser 8200 Inkstix really cheap, and fast?

Mara

I'm probably very guilty of posting many of the so called 'off topic' threads, I posted when I got my iPod touch as it literally changed the way I organised my notes, calendar and I used it daily in my work as well as play.
Same goes when I upgraded to the iPhone, although I don't think I started that thread.

Threads today concerning the red light on the audio port, sure it's one that could easily be solved by using Google, but as an online community people post things they want help, advice and/or opinions on.

As creativebits bills itself as an 'Apple oriented design community' threads about Apple products are inevitable. I've posted enough including reviews of new Apple products and the latest version of OS X or Adobe CS.
In addition I've posted a lot of questions, experiences and advice on general employment issues, including many of those that are totally non-design related. Currently I'm not working in design full time, I freelance for what I've been using as 'play money' for a while and have a full time job alongside it.

Every community needs variety, this forum has been a bit quiet of late, but apathy begets apathy, I've become a bit bored of the topics and pace of the site recently, no posts for hours at a time and slow changes on the blogs, along with an oversubscribed critique section, I can barely be bothered to post in the critiques any more if I'm honest as the standard of work is often so appalling I just can't be bothered even attempting to explain where people are going wrong.

But back to the off topic threads, a community is only as great as it's members, if you want to bring us back on topic, post something interesting and start a debate on a design related matter.

:o)

I guess when it all comes down to it, if you don't like the topic of a thread, the option is there not to click on it.

I didn't come here to read about the rice crisis in the Phillipines, so I didn't. Everybody else has that same option.