Well said brother Ed. In agreement with you. People see a thread with 20 pages, they don't want to read all that. However, the posts can be kept on topic and reduced to only on-topic responses if people pay attention and try to be considerate of others. Sounds a bit strange, but its true. Each thread covers its own topic.

When people come and start going off track, they practically start ruining the thread and its discussion. That is not acceptable and annoying to say the least. Its like interrupting someone will they're talking. Its rude, just impolite.