It's probably a good idea from an organizational standpoint, it's much easier for users to search topics of interest when there are specific forums. I know other forums have similar 'child boards'.
Second
^^ [thumbs up]
here's a suggestion (i know it's off-topic):
on another forum i mod for, if someone's posts go off-topic we delete said posts to keep the thread clean and on track.
sure, it's more work for the moderators, but it supports the intent of original author/s and helps the thread succeed as an information source.
a simple disclaimer is put on the first post of the thread: Off-topic posts will be deleted.
we've found that having the disclaimer alone is an effective deterrent.
if someone chooses to waste their time typing something that will be deleted, that's entirely up to them. also, the author of the thread will have to help control the content as well, e.g., notifying a moderator when a post needs to be deleted. when the discussion comes to a conclusion, the thread can be locked so that no one has to moderate it.
at least the original author/s and participants efforts will not be wasted.
i understand that the mods cannot provide this service to every single thread that is started on PA, but there are some threads that need to stay alive for the continued health of this forum as a whole.