"KCat" , got just a tad shirty with:
Certainly not. Generally though,, you will find this NG has a varied and *healthy* scope of discussion. Being new you would not know that so I go to the trouble of providing a "quick start", for you.
..and most wise. Limiting your read serves *_you_* no good. The rest of us (collectively) get on with it..
..see above.
D R I V E L ....and puuurrleese be consistent. IE: If Dribble is" DRIVEL" then "can't" is carnt :-D
Scripted killfiles are a useful exercise in frustration, only. Particularly when the client does not support flexibility.
Just give me cause and I will prove that fact
The only filter worth having is right between your ears. Set miscreants (IYV) Headers to "mark read" . You may then keep an eye on their 'activities' whilst avoiding a download of the Bodys, simple and works.
FWIW ..if you want to lose the OT topics and the - as you say - meandering of threads, then convince the majority such practices are harmful and those of us who do enjoy them will move on. See who fixes your washing machine, toilet, motorcar, laptop, marriage, drug problem, then There are not a lot of healthy discussion groups - where everyone gets a go - left, in mainstream UseNET. This is one of the closer knit groups. Yeh there can be the occasional fascist attempt a chomp buut it lasts but two heartbeats. Thats a healthy group.
cheers.
jLb