Why don't they do what I have seen on other boards (and occasionally the Dennis boards), split the thread?

Retains the existing topic and allows replies to the original topic easily

as this forum is custompc based people, most threads go offtopic all the time literally I dont mind it, all my cpc threads at the old place all went offtopic nothing anyone can do to change It IMO

Woah woah woah. Saw my name mentioned there. Can someone please explain to me how discussing life of Michael Jackson is 'off topic' on a thread entitled "RIP Michael Jackson"??

Point of order. This thread contains no poll, and therefore no pie option. Please strike it from the record.

Has this thread gone off topic yet?

My car's going to have it's MOT on Monday.
Fingers crossed.

Now you're just stirring.

Stirring what? Fuel additive?

That's unnecessary, just chuck it in and forget about it mate, it'll fly through the emissions test.

It can be done. It could be embedded in the forum, but for the amount of people we have it it probably wants some sort of external solution.

That's what IM was invented for, people.

Wow, I expected this to be completely ignored!

I know threads are going to go off-topic, it's going to happen and it's not a bad thing...Like I said, apple pie to apple crumble, it's along the same lines and people are mostly happy, apple pie could easily re-enter the topic, going form there and talking about cherry tarts, the topic might never get back, especially if the topic changes to roast dinners...

I think it's more of a shame that there is so much negativity where threads derail, mbm's thread is a good example of that, the MJ thread turned into this thread essentially...

I think it was Nick that likened the forums to a pub...It kind of is, but the medium is completely different, it's far more formal. How many people go down the pub and announce that the first topic of conversation is is going to be about haberdashery?
Or from the other side, if a forum was like a pub, surely it would be just one big thread with multiple conversations going on? Different threads may represent different areas such as "the bar", "the lounge" and "the beer garden", but wherever you were you'd catch snippets of other people's conversation...Would we all be kicked out at 10:30?

I don't want this place over policed, I'm really not saying that, I'm just asking people to think a little, is it appropriate for the thread to be derailed, then go for it, but some people ask general questions, or present a topic to see what others opinions are, and it can be kind of annoying when they derail.

Exactly!! We can't have rules on off-topic because it is hard to say what is off-topic and what isn't. We are all adults here and I am sure this can be dealt with as it comes depending on circumstances.

Just like everyday conversation

Ironically, this one has stayed very much on topic through three full pages now.

Pat on the back guys.

^ I tried. Pah.