I'm replying without reading other people's responses. I don't want to e influenced by someone elses response.

I don't see internet communication, no matter what form it may take, any different then face to face communication. When we speak face to face we often stray from the original topic, and in groups many people will take up their own discussion.

We don't ask that people stop their individual discussions or to move away from the table or group, so I don't see why we would feel that way about discussions on the internet.

There is an exception though, when people are discussing matters that are not even an off-shoot of the original discussion I think they should take it to PM, e-mail, or a new thread, because at that point in does completely detract from what was being discussed.

As for your question about hugs - were the hugs for the original poster or for someone who commented? If they are for someone who commented then it possible that the original poster will feel as though someone else has taken attention away from their issues. When acknowledging the feelings and issues of someone other than the person who originally posted it might be better if it were done in PM.

This of course is only my opinion.