I don't understand why active threads need to be closed in the first place, especially when they have educational content. I can understand it if the discussion is off-topic, like "happy father's day", but an electrical discussion is not off-topic regardless of the original question that fostered it.
There is a lot that can be learned from these discussions. Not just the obvious learning by reading what others write, but in many cases even the writer learns something as they research their answers. These complex discussions are a great mental exercise to keep people thinking and reviewing their knowledge. If one doesn't continually challenge their knowledge, it will atrophy.
If a thread has runs its course, there is no need to lock it because there is nothing more to add. If a thread has not run its course, then locking it prematurely stops the active communication.
Have you been reading my PMs?:grin: Your post matches my sentiments as well.
I have seen many times that the over-played "sky is blue/grass is green" phrase gets painted over an entire thread even when it does not apply to the whole thread. If you (not you Rick, but the ones with a missing glass slipper) get bored with a thread, then quit reading it. Don't try to impress folks with your ability to point out that a thread, in your opinion, has run its course.
There are many threads, in my opinion, that are boring from the very first post. I realize the community at large finds the finer points of technical discussions boring and would judge them as being played out long before those still posting would reach their limits.
"Oh, but those points have already been made in earlier posts" some will say. Tell me in a real life discussion when points are not re-stated. Often times people have to hear something more than once before it begins to sink in. IRL, when both parties of a peaceful disagreement have run their race, they either reach common ground or agree to disagree. IMO, as long as the discussion remains civil, let the debate play out.
If emotions get out of control, either correct the offending parties or let the debate move to a different thread so people can cool off. I find it sad that a thread often gets closed because of a few offending parties. Why not put the offending parties in the penalty box (24 hour ban?) instead of punishing everybody in the thread?
As for charlie's proposed "solution", I find it to be weak at best. It invites the interested parties to make one final post to drive their points home, clarify issues, etc. The problem is, any great final post would be wasted in this thread. If it generates any value, there is no opportunity for further discussion in the thread.
I prefer an open discourse on topics, not posting a single bill with no opportunity to discuss further the ideas and questions the post may generate.
If this thread is to be closed, and some feel there are issues important enough to continue being discussed, let them start a thread dealing with that particular topic (like rattus did:
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=115308). At least there would be an opportunity for further discussion.
The mods seem worried that the discussion does not stick precisely to the question posed by the OP but I feel the discussion is related. It's not a completely unrelated topic like what someone is having for supper. Aren't we here to stimulate our brains? I can see starting a new thread for a completely different topic, but do we really need to generate a new thread every time a new idea pops up? I wonder how difficult it would make discussions when they keep branching into new threads. I would think many of the threads would not be followed, and it would actually quell some of the discussions.
I know the mods have to try to maintain some semblance of order around here. I just don't always agree with or follow the thought process (not that I have to). Nor do I think the rules are always applied the same or with even-handedness. But, overall, I do think the mods are doing a decent job given the circumstances.
I would like to see: 1) consideration given for a penalty box for offenders instead of thread-closing 2) quit thinking that on-topic must mean to stick precisely with an OPs post and that related thoughts (we are here to stimulate thought) are OK. 3)This one is selfish, and I realize I am more of a prude than most, but: Try to quell the influx of vulgarity. I see it becoming more and more of a norm in our society, but it does not have to be common to us unless we allow it. Why travel a low road when there is opportunity to take a high road?
Add:
While I'm here:
Although some refer loosely to any complex number as a vector, this is incorrect.
Now, back to phasors and complex power: This from a lecture by a prof at the University of Illinois. Check out slide 9 of this Power Point presentation.
courses.ece.illinois.edu/ece476/Documents/ECE4762007_Lect2.ppt
One prof does not a nail make.:grin: While I agree, you must also agree that your statement that an impedance is a phasor is also wrong. If you can bend the rule for an impedance, others can bend the rule for power. Power is not a pure sine wave because of the DC offset, but the shape is sinusoidal.
