# What to do about long discussions in comments? And how to avoid?

For the question Example of non-locally integrable $$f$$ that $$\int_\Omega f\varphi=0$$. I had quite a long, but also quite a useful and insightful, conversation with someone in the comments of the OP about the question. After a few comments the message "Please avoid extended discussions in comments. Would you like to automatically move this discussion to chat?" appeared. Both probably thinking it wasn't going to be a much longer conversation, we kept on going. But by now it has definitely become an "extended discussion".

I understand in an ideal case, we would have moved the discussion to chat at a much earlier stage. However, I don't know if there's something we can do about it now. Since we came to a conclusion, I made an answer out of it, also summarizing the important points of the conversation. I then suggested to the other person to delete the conversation. He (in my opinion rightfully so) questioned my suggestion, stating conversations and thought processes can be helpful for others as well. I do not know what to do now.

I have one more question on this topic. How do you notice when a conversation becomes an "extended discussion"? When should you "move the discussion to chat"? I noticed the message only appears after a few comments have already been written. Is it always a good idea to "move the discussion to chat" when the message appears?

• "I do not know what to do now." I don't think you need to do anything. – Gerry Myerson Dec 25 '18 at 3:07
• I think you should move the discussion to chat when the discussion is getting the 'personal attention' style and would be unlikely someone else would find it helpful. Otherwise I think it's better to maintain the discussion visible to everybody. – allesia_b Dec 25 '18 at 6:27