I think it's understandable the use of Off-Topic Threads. It's easy to make and doesn't require a butt-load of work before hand to even make one (such as a map, assets or what not). With all the new members coming to TF2maps.net in hopes to contribute to the community and try fit in the TF2maps.net home, I'm not really surprised that is how a few spend their time on the site.
It's not like most of these users could have a riveting conversation with most of the staff here. They're only just learning how to create content for TF2, a game that some here have known and experienced for the nearly 10 years (once again, most I'll assume are staff at this point).
I always thought TF2maps.net was the place to see content be made and realised, so I'm happy for things like Off-Topic threads to disappear personally. Because then we'd probably see more creative posts that read like articles and case studies that people can actually learn a thing or two from instead of acting like a standard chat forum.
Why ANYONE would care what I think, but there are my two penny's.