[SOLVED] Some threads should be banned?

I've been seeing a lot of trolling lately when it comes to controversial topics like GIMP vs. Photoshop, GNOME vs. KDE, GTK vs. Qt, etc. Shouldn't some of these threads be banned? It seems like these threads don't contribute a great deal and actually just increases the admin's work here.

Gimp versus Photoshop etc, etc are legitimate topics, isn't trolling a form of abuse and reportable via the report function ?

It is the trolling that is the problem not nessecarily the topic.

That's what recurring discussions is for ;).

howefield said: Gimp versus Photoshop etc, etc are legitimate topics, isn't trolling a form of abuse and reportable via the report function ?

It is the trolling that is the problem not nessecarily the topic.

True, and I have been reporting the tolls, but since they are controversial in their nature (many people on either side of the argument won't agree), wouldn't it be better to have the topics banned?

smartboyathome said: True, and I have been reporting the tolls, but since they are controversial in their nature (many people on either side of the argument won't agree), wouldn't it be better to have the topics banned?

The forum council decided that controversy was fine if it was related to software/technology issues. That's not specifically something we're trying to avoid. As it says in the Cafe topic header, though, threads that become a problem will be shut down. While you may be right that these topics are more likely to cause problems, they are also legitimate areas of discussion, and people would be right frustrated if we banned these topics completely.

Of course if a thread is no more nuanced than "which is better, Photoshop or GIMP? Vote pls!", I probably wouldn't hesitate to close it immediately. Most threads are a little more complicated than that, though.

p_quarles said: The forum council decided that controversy was fine if it was related to software/technology issues. That's not specifically something we're trying to avoid. As it says in the Cafe topic header, though, threads that become a problem will be shut down. While you may be right that these topics are more likely to cause problems, they are also legitimate areas of discussion, and people would be right frustrated if we banned these topics completely.

Of course if a thread is no more nuanced than "which is better, Photoshop or GIMP? Vote pls!", I probably wouldn't hesitate to close it immediately. Most threads are a little more complicated than that, though.

Ok, thanks for clearing this up p_quarles!

you can always use the "report" button and ask a thread to be moved to the recurring discussion section :)

hyper_ch said: you can always use the "report" button and ask a thread to be moved to the recurring discussion section :)

I know, I've been using the report button. Thanks to all the answers, marking as solved! :)