Quote Originally Posted by Wildor View Post
The problem is one of balance between rule enforcements and tolerance.

To be sure, there are threads and even a whole section where looser interaction is permitted, even at times encouraged, compared to the rest of the forum where somewhat stricter enforcement of rules is applied. And I don't personally believe we staff members can be accused of dereliction of duty in seeing the rules observed here.

But this isn't a lab and people aren't white rats that can be forced to behave in a certain way at all times in all circumstances. If what you seek is not to be found here, I must say I'm sorry. But this place, and the people in it, will not, and should not, change to suit your idea of good posters and a good on-line forum.
You're missing the point. While relaxed banter should be allowed in OT, I fail to see how thread derailment and trolling are acceptable, which I get the impression you're promoting by trying to place it under the umbrella of looser interaction. Maybe I just haven't made myself clear enough; I don't think threads topics here should be rigidly adhered do considering it's the off-topic forum, just that when a serious topic is made it shouldn't be flooded with spam. That way we can get rid of SOT and merge it back with OT.