Question: What is meant by 'on topic'?

[Amoeba]

When you'reposting in a thread, and you're directly responding to another thread poster (but not the OP) about something they said... is this still going off-topic? I always thought it was still on-topic but I need to make sure.

If so, does that mean we can't respond to something another member said unless it directly relates to the OP? I just want to make sure, because I always believed that on-topic meant we had to post something related to what another member said, but it didn't necessarily mean it had to be about the OP's post.

 

[マツバ]

As far as I know, you're free to reply to another user's post within a thread as long as it remains within the realm of the overall thread discussion, goal, topic, etc. I think of posts as contributions to the thread, and think about that when you reply. "Does my post contribute to the thread?" even if you're just replying to another member. If it doesn't then I don't know if it's worthy to mention, but maybe that's just me. XD;

Off-topic would be running off said course, and then it just becomes a random mess where the staff have to clean up. Overall, in my eyes, on-topic is a post that contributes toward the overall goal of the thread.

That's just how I go about it.

 

[Amoeba]

Thanks, I understand now. Pretty much has to be relevant to the OP. Just wanted to make sure. :)