> If the idea (which is and should be) that thi...

# meta

[okarm]

If the idea (which is and should be) that this Slack remains focused on Kotlin, I’d rather we avoid random or general channels on any topic.

There are measures to be taken then. People posting offtopic in #android are mostly ignorant of the rules. The vast majority of them do not post with malicious intent, rather they didn't read the channel purpose. The Slack mobile application is especially damaging in this regard as it doesn't display the channel purpose. One has to actively search for it.

I theorize that they are also encouraged to post offtopic when they see that offtopic messages are not deleted from the channel, sometimes even answered.

What can be done? Here are some ideas in no particular order:
1) If Slack has such functionality, send each new member of #android a message via Slackbot reminding them that it is not meant for general Android questions.
2) A weekly/bi-weekly reminder can be sent to #android, a short message thanking members for respecting the rules and reiterating that general Android questions are not welcome and should be directed elsewhere (links to SO or other relevant places)
3) Do not dignify the offtopic messages with a response. As I suggested previously, it is particularly damaging when a Google employee answers offtopic. Mr. Lake, Mr. Powell - please redirect the people to StackOverflow instead.
4) When everything fails, swing the banhammer.
5) If and when a privileged member feels like it, replace an offtopic question text with a short statement that the question has been removed due to violating the channel purpose. This should serve as a warning, discouraging other potential polluters.
6) Since people do not read the channel purpose, they are tricked by the generic name into thinking it's a general purpose channel. Therefore the name #android can be changed to something that discourages general questions by itself. (kotlin-on-android or whatever else)