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Off Topix: Embrace the Unexpected in Every Discussion

Off Topix is a well established general discussion forum that originally opened to the public way back in 2009! We provide a laid back atmosphere and our members are down to earth. We have a ton of content and fresh stuff is constantly being added. We cover all sorts of topics, so there's bound to be something inside to pique your interest. We welcome anyone and everyone to register & become a member of our awesome community.

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  1. Shawn Gossman

    Highest post count you've had

    I believe on my big board, I had around 30,000 posts. It was a weather-related forum. Tens of thousands of members and hundreds of thousands of posts. I lost it tragically and failed to make backups back then. It hurt because I also bought out my competition for over $1,500 and lost that, too.
  2. Shawn Gossman

    Staff that do nothing

    Most big boards tend to be like that. Not Off Topix of course :) But a lot of older big boards that have been around for 30 years develop cliques. Those in the cliques are top members, and they get away with anything. I typically choose smaller forums because of that.
  3. Shawn Gossman

    People you don't like

    If there is an ignore option, I use it. I'm too old to get into it with them anymore. I prefer to leave a forum happy rather than angry at someone else. I'm sure the forum admin would rather us use the ignore features, too.
  4. Shawn Gossman

    What are your favorite methods of link building?

    I like to focus on creating really good content and people finding it and linking to it. Those are the best backlinks.
  5. Shawn Gossman

    How long?

    My first forum was on phpBB1. Version 2 came out shortly after I started it, and I went to that for quite a while. I'd say I started messing with them about 1999 or 2000.
  6. Shawn Gossman

    When staff goes MIA?

    I try to reach out. You never know about life these days. If they don't respond, I'll demote them and send a PM letting them know to hit me up if they come back. Usually, they don't for whatever reason. I was a moderator on a cycling forum. The owner just got up and vanished but kept paying...
  7. Shawn Gossman

    What do you love the most about forums?

    I love meeting people and making friends. I like being able to log on and talk to people I see all the time. Social media content just goes away really fast, and a lot of your friends miss you and tend to forget you exist, but with forums, we all remember each other.
  8. Shawn Gossman

    Have you ever been banned?

    A few times. I've been banned for posting too much. Usually, it's a temp ban, but I never go back after that. I was banned from the Simple Machines Forum support community once. Another member accused me of being someone else and called me a thief. They went around and told everyone I ripped...
  9. Shawn Gossman

    Cross-site punishments

    The only way I would is if they did something illegal. I'd prefer to keep criminals away from my forum.
  10. Shawn Gossman

    Rules?

    I keep my short but to the point. A great idea if you need help with this: Create a long rules post and have ChatGPT shorten it up for you. Unless you like writing rules like me LOL
  11. Shawn Gossman

    Do You Think Moderators Should Tell Members (publicly) About User Ban/Warning History

    No. I feel like infractions and banning are a private matter. I feel like telling everyone can be embarrassing and cause the offender to offend even more. I've seen some forums that list infractions in public threads. I've even seen some that let members make fun of the offenders. I'm not cool...
  12. Shawn Gossman

    Annoying members

    I've been accused of being an annoying member myself. I tend to post a lot. I just like forums and the idea of being social on them. I can get into posting sprees. I always try to post good content, though. But some people don't like folks who post a lot. I've been threatened to be banned for...
  13. Shawn Gossman

    Smoking in Public

    I'm an ex-smoker. I smoked for 20 years. I wish I had never done it. After quitting, I started smelling it when I was around others. It's one of the worst smells I've ever smelled, to be honest; I can't believe I smelled like that at one time. I'm 100% against smoking now. I'd vote to outlaw...
  14. Shawn Gossman

    Spring Rolls, anyone?

    I love Spring Rolls. I could eat them all the time. I either dip them in soy sauce or sweet-n-sour sauce.
  15. Shawn Gossman

    What's Your Weather Like Today?

    Cold and windy. I'm sure it was mid to high 40s (f), but with the wind, it felt around 30. Going to be chilly tomorrow but with no wind.
  16. Shawn Gossman

    Christmas Menu

    We do a Christmas Eve Chili dinner with my inlaws. Then we wake up and have Christmas breakfast. Then, later on, we go to my mom and stepdad's for Christmas Dinner. The next couple of days is a required hike or bike ride LOL
  17. Shawn Gossman

    If Forums Were a Real Place on Earth

    A town created from a forum would be a town that I would go out of my way to visit :D
  18. Shawn Gossman

    The Toxicity of TikTok

    I don't trust TikTok at all. I used to use it. It targeted content that related to more than Google or Facebook has ever done. I think TikTok is an intelligence product but not for any free country. I'm glad I got rid off it.
  19. Shawn Gossman

    What do you hate about winter?

    The below freezing temperatures are what gets to me. When my nose hair starts freezing up, then it's really cold.
  20. Shawn Gossman

    Always on Your List

    Coffee. I have to have my coffee.
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