Topic Abuse, Particularly Activism

[Admin Moderator]

Hi all.

When posting articles, please limit the topics to those which are apparent for the article. Do not go out of your way to put in more topics just to try to get more views for your thread. Doing so makes the topics less usable for everyone.

Possibly the worst examples can be found in the "Activism" topic. I think just showing some examples here will make the point:

Gov:(Mitt Romney of MA) Budget will change, taxes promise will not was posted to Activism. It is understandable that the poster wanted to see some activism result from the article, but this is not in and of itself activism. This article did not belong in the activism topic.

Transcript: Sen. Pat Roberts on Fox News Sunday (Are Republicans prepared to fight for Estrada) was posted to activism. Again, it is understandable that the poster wanted to see some activism result from the article, but this is not in and of itself activism. This article did not belong in the activism topic.

FReep this poll is an example of a type of thread posted frequently to the activism topic. While a very loose interpretation of activism might lead one to put these here, they really don't accomplish much and should probably be put in vanity.

How the Laci Peterson story has any relevance to activism is beyond me.

The Spoils of Glory (France) is not activism.

I am just giving some examples there from the most recent dozen posts. I would estimate that about 75% of what is being posted to the activism topic has nothing to do with activism of any sort.

Only you can prevent topic abuse.

Thanks, AM

[Admin Moderator]

And yes, I did remove those from activism. Thanks, AM

[Sir Gawain]

they really don't accomplish much

But if it feels like something is getting done, that's all that matters, right? ;-)

[dirtboy]

Yeah, but isn't this Breaking News abuse? :^)

[Hawkeye's Girl]

What are we, liberals? ;-D

[Oldeconomybuyer]

 

Speaking of tropics abuse ...

[GraniteStateConservative]

Why are posts on Laci Peterson allowed at all?

[11th Earl of Mar]

And how about making an 'Activism' sidebar, so the 'Breaking News' doesn't get clogged up with:

'FREEP Schumer at Noon Today!'

'Rally to Support the Confederate Flag'

'Patriot March For Justice in Minot, S. Dakota'

[Fractal Trader]

I have been unable to get the new "technical" topic forum to work for me in the last several attempts (It did work for me once, and some others still are able to post to it). The custom topic is a great idea, and would like to see it working and expanded.

Please tell me the status of this feature, if possible.

[Eala]

Question: Yesterday I posted a photo essay about Seattle's Million American March Saturday and included Activism. Does that fit within your definition?

[Neets]

ZOT is good activism.

[nicmarlo]

Brown-nosing is good activism, too, lol! : ) (Just kidding).

[Admin Moderator]

There is one. As a matter of fact, ANY topic can be a sidebar.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/@activism/browse?subscribe=yes is how to make the activism topic a sidebar for you.

Actually, that URL works for any topic in the News/Activism forum, just change @activism to @whatevertopicyouwanttobeasidebar

Similarly, you can add any topic from any forum as a sidebar. To add one from General Interest (aka chat), you would change /news/ to /chat/ in that URL and change @activism to @whatevertopicyouwanttobeasidebar. To add one from religion, /news/ would be /religion/ and so forth. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/my/subscriptions is a link to where you can change the order of your subscribed sidebars, and how many articles show up in each of them.

[leadpenny]

Does this mean I can't put "Michael Jackson" threads on the activism forum?

I AM HUMAN!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Why is this in Activism? ;0)

[Admin Moderator]

Are you putting in 'technical' as the topic? It goes by 'tech'. If you use 'tech' it should work. Thanks, AM

[ewing]

I think possibly some folks may be posting 'activism' after Laci's family put out the call for volunteers to search, just a guess.

[Admin Moderator]

Yes, reports about activism fit. Thanks, AM

[Fractal Trader]

I used "tech" this morning on an article and it did not show up on the "Technical" sidebar. Have tried many times, but did not work after the first couple of times (a week or so ago). Some are able to post to this forum and have it show up, but I don't know what they are doing differently. Haven't seen any new stuff, recently.

Why don't you try a test post yourself? -- Or I could, but that might be topic abuse : - )

[Mr. Bird]

Careful, I got my nads flamed off when I articulated a similar concern. Lots of people in Chandra-withdrawal out there.