Yes, I was very upset about the meme wars being locked and told Puffin.
The general chat section of the forums should be used for communication not discussing in-game issues.
The In-Game issue threads should be locked after the problem is solved but most of the time aren't and that's how chatting is started and post whoring.
So in the end -
General chat - okay to chat if appropriate.
Suggestions - okay to chat if staying on topic of said suggestion.
In-game issues - not okay for chatting.
Ban Appeals - not okay to chat.
Bugs, etc - try to refrain from chatting.