Inspired by a conversation at the meet......

What makes a thread a success (more than 50 posts or so)?

It was Mellors (take a bow) who had us laughing away when he said about the times you start a thread and no one responds and after a while you realise that the only reason why the number of viewings has increased is because you're always nipping back in just in case.

Tis true.....I think many of us have created threads that have entered the black hole of moo moo land without the slightest bit of interest being shown....so begs the question:

What makes you want to reply?

Lol Coastie, it's so tempting to let this thread fall ironically to the bottom of the forum with no replies ;)

The thing that makes me want to reply is how 'hooked' I am by the question or the observation being made in the post. Sometimes I read new threads that are interesting but to which I have nothing to contribute because they are not relevent to me or my life, so those I view as an interested but detached observer. Then there are others on which I have a very clear opinion or point of view that I feel compelled to express. I rarely read the 'DYJHIW/DYJLIW' type of thread so don't often contribute to them either. But they'll always be popular because everyone can add to them pretty easily.

Mind you, I wouldn't agree that it's the quantity of posts in a thread that determines whether it's a 'success' or not as it depends on the nature of replies and whether they are on topic posts or not.

I don't think there's any one correct recipe to creating a successful thread, it just depends on how much others can identify with or care and want to talk about the subject.

On this forum the most popular threads seem to be what you might call the 'lightweight' ones, where people can pop off a one -or-two-liner without having to give it much thought. I think the reason might be that quite a few people post at work, and use the MB as a time filler, and don't really want anything serious, just something chatty.

Personally I don't find those threads of any real interest, because reading them is more like watching a chatroom, rather than a discussion topic.

The good thing about the site is that there is a separate bit for more serious topics and posters, which is where I prefer to go.

You might say the popularity of the threads here seems to work a bit like the press, where papers like the Times etc don't sell massive amounts, but the Sun is bought by the millions.

Good points both....I don't often get to involved in the debating threads as I come on here for a bit of escapism. However I do read those which catch my eye and if I do have a particular slant on the subject I will respond.

Like Voice said it isn't the number of posts a thread receives which marks it as a success (I was just suggesting that may be how some people view it) but oft times the quality of the posts....I have read threads once which were no more than three posts long but everything had been said that needed to be said and it was very insightful.

I suppose it also depends on the general mood of the individual as they log in....are they too knackered to think up and interllectual reply to a discussion topic but simply want a bit of company or to let off a bit of steam....or are they full of beans having just ahd a really good debate with someone or whatever and atre ready to take on the world!

Having been to other Forums (yes okay I confess I have visited other sites and joined other forums) I have only stuck with one ( a writers forum) as the others seem to have the same tone to every thread....I guess that's why this site is so successful. Lots of people with different views adds to the variety thus maintaining the interest!

Well that and this smilie: :heart:

I think in order to answer this question, you also have to ask the question: why do people here use message boards?

It's obvious that alot of members use SO to fill quiet parts of their day, be that at work or otherwise, it's a useful place to while away a quiet 15 minutes.

Then you have the members who tend to stick to the themed parts of the board, such as X-Factor or IAC.

When I joined this MB the general discussion parts of the board were hardly ever used, it was all survivor. I think that shows how far it's evolved over the years.

You also have people who pop in and out to keep up with their cyber mates and then you have the people who like to measure their intellectual abilites against the other members in the so called "heavyweight" areas of the board.

The biggest problem with those threads for me, is that I just dont have the time to get involved in either reading a thread that's full of long posts, or having done so, compose one myself, unless it's a topic that I feel sufficiently strongly about.

You do feel that there are one or two members who spend ages Googling whilst composing their high brow posts.

I take sf's point with his comparison to daily newspapers, whilst ignoring his inference. ;) It is a question of how heavy you want to be at a given time.

Personally I spend all day reading newswires from Reuters and Bloomberg, SO is a bit of light relief and a place to come and have a quick laugh when no one is looking over my shoulder.

I do think it's more complicated than saying "the people in these threads are the thinkers and the people in these threads are light and fluffy".

You can tell much more about a persons speed of wit in a rapid fire thread than you can when they've composed it on word, cross referencing all over the net over the course of a few hours, before cutting and pasting it.

Back to the original question though, I guess what makes me want to get involved in a thread is when you can see alot of people have replied to it, rather than a couple of people discussing something over and over from juxtaposed positions. That or a nice light fluffy one. ;)

I generally don't tend to read the lighthearted threads, such as those in 'avin a laugh etc, unless the title really grabs me. And much of the Coffee Lounge light hearted posts I won't bother to read for the same reason, those threads that have zillions of replies, such as what are you having for dinner. I might pop in there if I feel there is something I might wish to say, otherwise I don't really enjoy them.

The threads I do like are the ones in SO corner, that can be controversial, due to people's differing views. I find them quite interesting to read and I like to be able to see things through other person's point of views. I guess I don't reply in a lot of them as I tend to be a very black and white person, as well as being very religious, and sometimes feel I lack the insight to back up any arguments I might pose.

I guess as in any situation it would depend on how deep you were as a person as to what kind of threads attract you.

Basically, with me, it comes down to time. I dont have a great deal of time on my hands to go through every single thread in every section, so I glance at the Coffee Lounge Section and occasionally reply if I see a title that catches my interest, I never post in the debating section because I dont have the time or the inclination to get that serious. I mainly post in the TV section simply because its quick and easy.

What makes a good or bad thread is obviously down to the individual.

Imo, what makes a bad thread is posters who take it completely off topic and possibly make the thread starter wonder why they bothered.

I don't always post in threads that I think are 'good' I just like reading them. Usually this is because someone has said something which sums up the way I feel but in a much better way.

I usually read a thread because of who started it; who was the last to post in it or the title catches my eye.

I usually read a thread because of who started it; who was the last to post in it or the title catches my eye.

Wahey....looks good for you and I Pan! :D

Seriously though....I often look at who was the last person to reply and depending on how mentally agile I feel I do or do not read that thread.

Interesting :cool: .

I always come on and look in the Coffee Lounge first, X factor on a sat/sun. Then depending on what time I've got I mooch about....books particularly.

I read all the threads in the CL. I come here for pure escapism and havin a larf.

Interesting reading what other people gleen from here tho.
:shock:

Like you Groucho I NEVER used to come in Chit Chat when I first came here I just stuck to the Survivor related topics. In fact for a long timeI didn't realise anyone did post in Chit Chat - but apparently it was where a lot of bonds were formed.

I still never go into 'aving a laugh or the Games threads - I just know i wouldn't find them interesting.

Also like Maxine, I think keeping a thread vaguely on topic is important, very often these days threads just look like a spiel from a chat room between two or three posters. I'm not especially criticising that type of chit chat between posters but it can be annoying when a good thread goes bad because of it. (Cue some smart alec to start posting one word responses in response to this!! )

I agree also Dol, there is nothing worse than going into a thread that starts off well and is an interesting topic to find that one or two people have turned it into their personal chatroom and have gone completely off topic.

We have some interesting and informative replies here - actually I think this is a good thread. It is a thread that we all can have an opinion about, it acts as a forum to get stuff off your chest, it informs others about how you actually feel without offending.

Me personally, I prefer threads with opinions - and whether that be about X factor or World War III - I don't mind. I love to read through [when I have time] the long and protracted posts with personal experiences, personal opinions and guts. I sometimes feel moved to reply - other times I don't. If I do reply then that thread becomes a place I will visit first.

Yet at other times, when I am short on time - and just want to 'show my face', replying in a light-hearted thread is a quick and easy way to say to you guys 'I am still around, haven't fallen off a cliff or drowned in a glass of red'.

I have to be honest and say that when threads go 'off-topic' for some time - it does detract from the original thread - and it is often difficult to get back on track. As sometimes I feel I want to join in the distraction - but then I know I would be exacerbating the 'off topic' theme and as I know it irritates me very slightly, it must do someone else.

I love the witty threads and without a shadow of a doubt the bestest thread I have ever read on this forum was sf's 'threshold thread' - I can still hold an audience recounting this thread - of course I don't know it by heart - but I ad lib along a theme and I just loved it so much, it is worthy of an Oscar [of should that be Socar?]:laugh:

I also never realised there was anything more than IAC when I first came here.
I would now say that the coffee lounge is probably the place I most visit, but I do read pretty much all threads.
I enjoy the witty banter, quick replies of the coffee lounge, and the day to day stuff. It gives me a smile and a laugh after a day of looking after 2 very noisy rugrats.
But I also like the serious stuff as well. I really enjoyed the religious thread in the old forum. I often don't post in those threads because I'm not very good at expressing myself, and usually don't have any information to back up my thoughts. I'm useless at keeping any information in my head.
I suppose it really depends on what kind of mood I'm in as to what threads interest me on a certain day.

I think one of the reasons I love this forum so much is the fact there is something for everyone, from teenagers to the more mature person. But IMO the reason it is still running 2 years after the show that it was orginally started to discuss finished, is that that we have moved on from just discussing Reality TV.

For me it is a place to catch up with my cyber mates, have a laugh and read the views of others on many different topics.

I love chit chat for keeping up todate with other posters news, and generally having a laugh. These topics often go off topic because like in real life when you are talking, you do go off on a tangent and end up talking about something completely different to what the conversation started about. I personally don't have a problem with that, and often it makes me laugh, in the end chit chat is chit chat and that is what happens when you are chatting.

I agree it can be very annoying if you are trying to discuss something more serious and that is why we have the SO corner section. And although I don't often post in this section, because like others, I don't express myself as well as I would like, often don't have the information to back up my thoughts, and often someone has already posted my thoughts in a far more articulate way than I ever could. I do love to read the differing views of the posters that regulary post in there and often I have changed my views after reading someones post.

I think if this forum was just chit chat, just reality shows, just gaming, just serious debate etc, it would have folded a long time ago, but because there is something for everyone, that is why it goes from strength to strength, and we often have new members staying after the initial reason they joined has finished (you know who you are!)

Anyway I have gone :offtopic: a little here :opps:

I too like the fact that there is something for everyone and you can choose to read and contribute to whatever you like depending on your mood at the time. I'm another one who does however have a bit of a problem with threads that go off topic and turn into a conversation because to me that's what the chat room and PM system are for. I think if someone has gone to the trouble of starting a thread on a particular subject then in as far as it's possible, it should stay pretty much on that subject. There are chatty threads (Coastie's bar etc) for the conversational moments after all. SO corner isn't always an appropriate place to post a subject that perhaps you just want advice/different views on but isn't especially debateable so such 'topic driven' threads do have a place in the Coffee Lounge as well.

On the whole I think the variety of SO and it's members is one of it's greatest strengths.

I'm another one who does however have a bit of a problem with threads that go off topic and turn into a conversation because to me that's what the chat room and PM system are for. I think if someone has gone to the trouble of starting a thread on a particular subject then in as far as it's possible, it should stay pretty much on that subject. There are chatty threads (Coastie's bar etc) for the conversational moments after all. SO corner isn't always an appropriate place to post a subject that perhaps you just want advice/different views on but isn't especially debateable so such 'topic driven' threads do have a place in the Coffee Lounge as well.


On the whole I agree with the above, there are some topics of conversation that are not really suitable for SO Corner but are not just the 'fluffy chatty threads' that would be better kept as near topic as possible although as I think we have all seen that that sometimes is easier said than done. I think almost everyone here has been guilty of chatting in a thread to another poster and taking it off topic at one time or other. And although sometimes the conversation would be better off in the chatroom, there is the difficulty that not everyone can get in to chat or if the conversation is between 3 or 4 posters the pm system is not really suitable.

I don't know what the solution is though, or even if there is one! Maybe if someone feels that a thread is going off topic they could either ask a mod to make a post to ask to bring it back on topic or make a post bringing it back on topic themselves.

I agree with more or less everything that ILS has said, and I dont want to get into a them-and-us situation, I've seen it happen on another board with disastrous results.

All I will say though, is that after reading the comments on this thread, I cant help but notice how many posters feel intimidated by the gravitas of the debating forum. People with valid opinions, personal experience and interesting tales to tell are actively not posting in "serious" threads as they feel they lack the intellectual wherewithal to do so.

Personally, that wouldnt worry me in the least, but I have seen several occasions where posts from "regular" people have been dissected to such a level that the inapropriate use of a single word has brought scorn and disdain from the big guns, causing the original poster to feel belittled and foolish.

Now I could understand that if this was etymology-online or smartarse-online, but it's basically about reality TV.

:wink2:

People with valid opinions, personal experience and interesting tales to tell are actively not posting in "serious" threads as they feel they lack the intellectual wherewithal to do so.
:

I think the problem is often where what is personal opinion is presented as set-in-concrete fact, and opinions are wielded as a kind of weapon to beat other people over the head with.

Is that always the poster's intention though? Or just a lack of judgement/experience of the tacit rules of debate?

Don't know - it's the kind of thing that might put people off, is what I am thinking.

Put which people off? I'm not sure people would feel intimidated by that.

I can see that it may be an annoyance to confident debaters, but those people are happy and able to argue their case. Some people, I guess, just want to share their opinion/experience of a given topic without having to justify or defend those experiences.

Well it's a shame that people are put off expressing their views for fear of being questioned about them.

Maybe they could still put forward their view, and if they get some kind of cross-examination, just say that they are expressing a personal opinion and don't wish to justify it.

The trouble is, as in any conversation, people do tend to question, or simply disagree with, other people's viewpoints.

I think one area where things can get confused is whether you are discussng a matter of opinion, or one of fact.

For instance if you say you prefer watching X-Factor to River Cottage Revisited you are simply expressing your personal taste and that's about the end of it.

On the other hand if you say X-Factor gets 5 times the viewing figures of River Cottage that's a matter of fact and I suppose someone could argue with that if they could be bothered to go check the figures.

But then you get views expressed where it's not clear if you are talking about a matter of opinion, or a matter of fact, and I think it's those ones where people really are going to argue with you.

Like, if I said that X-Factor is a better programme than Riverside Cottage. Or that sending more troops into Iraq is a bad thing. People are bound to respond to views like that, or ask for an explanation.

There's nothing wrong with the What Have You Eaten Over The Weekend And Don't You Just Love It When It's How You Feel When You Say Good Morning Or Good Night threads, but my heart sort of sinks when I go onto the forum and there is nothing else apart from them.

It's like somebody has come in with a great big grenade launcher and blasted apart people's lives so none of makes much sense and everything's a bit incoherent, really. Even though conversations go a-wandering, it's nice to have a bit of focus.

I'd like to see how we coped without those threads, really.

cheerio!

Good point Scoobs. I think the threads you have mentioned are needed however as they enable a poster to simple come and pass a harmless comment and stay in touch with the community. Yes insightful threads are good and can encourage healthy debate but after a long day it's nice at times to simple gob off somewhere in a thread which doesn't require much thought.

Haydon with his new 10 characters rule is trying to stop alot of the chit-chatty one liners which is a good thing as a thread can expand by pages in a few minutes just from a few people bouncing OKAY...YES...NO etc back and forth. I have noticed that because of this the posts are becoming more interesting to read.

I like to simply gob off sometimes (not that any of you have noticed I'm sure) and yet at others times a deep thread will come up which will tweek my interest and I'll respond to that but most of the time it's all the harmless twitterings of everyone which keeps me smiling!

What did we do before we had these threads?

I'm sure they didn't just exist before the dawn of time. Maybe we actually started proper threads back then.

Although I really can't remember.

cheerio!

I'm sure they didn't just exist before the dawn of time.


I think they did Scoobs - Scary isn't it? :wacko:

What did we do before we had these threads?

I'm sure they didn't just exist before the dawn of time. Maybe we actually started proper threads back then.

Although I really can't remember.

cheerio!

We had Survivor back then Scoobs...it gave us sooo much more to talk about!

I dont think those threads have always existed (im talking about the 'question and answer' and 'dont you just love it when' threads). Im sure they came from GD when a few of us posted over there .... or i might be talking b*llocks :wacko:

I think we did used to start more threads back in the good old days. They werent highly intelligent ones, but threads like "what car do you drive" or "what do you do for a living" threads. It did make people post more.

I sometimes find that people will start an old fashioned type thread, which would make people post good answers - but they soon dissapear off the bottom of the page.

I think the trouble is, we all know one another too well now, so there isnt a need for some of the 'interested about each other' threads. We need some new blood so we can start being nosy again :ninja:

This is a great thread, and obviously makes for very interesting reading for me personally.
The whole issue of different forums having different types of discussions is not something unique to SO. IBM have recently conducted some research into this very subject and published this paper (http://domino.research.ibm.com/cambridge/research.nsf/0/3c2d348e19ccb86e85256f0a00554777?OpenDocument). (yes I really do try and keep up with research into forums and community building!) They have identified that forums have different characteristics and I guess our Coffee Lounge could fall into the "flash forum" category (although a lot smaller). They have even come up with a new tool to try and improve flash forums.

Myself and the mods have been discussing the subject of 'chit chat' threads for some time. I don't think there is any solution, other than us stepping in every now and then to pull things back. Part of the solution is that the community is aware of it and self govern themselves.

What makes a good thread - I think it depends on the subject. For a start, it obviously needs to be understandable, thought provoking maybe, respectable to others views and a touch of humour goes down well.
Anyway, enjoy the site folks. :)

What makes a good thread - I think it depends on the subject

Very true but what is a good thread to one person would not necessary be a good thread to another.....

IMO - I think we all need to accept that just because we don't like certain topics, not everyone feels the same and they may really enjoy them.


I personally don't go into the gaming forum as it really doesn't interest me but I know others enjoy reading and posting there and that is great.

I am not sure why there is such a big thing about the fluffy lightweight subjects, if you don't like them don't read them, start threads about something you are interested in and if they go off topic bring them back by posting something on topic.

IMO this mb would be very quiet without this type of topic inbetween the reality shows. I remember between the S1 & S2 series, this place was deserted and only a handful of people still posted (Coastie, myself and a couple of others) as the majority of posters went to another site.

I am not sure why there is such a big thing about the fluffy lightweight subjects, if you don't like them don't read them, start threads about something you are interested in and if they go off topic bring them back by posting something on topic.

I don't think a big thing is being made of folk not liking the more lightweight threads, it's just that this is a thread in which people have been honest enough to say what interests them least and most about the site and so, naturally, the subject of 'fluffy threads' has come up for discussion. I think people do decide either to read or ignore them, and have said so in this thread. But that doesn't mean that they can't have an opinion on them either.

I don't think a big thing is being made of folk not liking the more lightweight threads, it's just that this is a thread in which people have been honest enough to say what interests them least and most about the site and so, naturally, the subject of 'fluffy threads' has come up for discussion. I think people do decide either to read or ignore them, and have said so in this thread. But that doesn't mean that they can't have an opinion on them either.

The very fact that chit chat has been under discussion for a length of time between Haydon and the mods, comes across that there is a big thing being made of the more lightweight 'fluffy' threads - just my opinion of course.

And I certainly didn't mean to imply that anyone was not intitled to their opinion - I'm sorry if my post came across that way.

I just feel everyone should live and let live a bit more !!! Again just my opinion!

The very fact that chit chat has been under discussion for a length of time between Haydon and the mods, comes across that there is a big thing being made of the more lightweight 'fluffy' threads - just my opinion of course.


It's not a big thing. All sorts of things are discussed. I'm always looking at the dynamics of the site and at ways of improving it and I often put those ideas and thoughts to the mods and other members as well.

Anyone read the IBM paper? Could our Coffee Lounge be called a flash forum?

The very fact that chit chat has been under discussion for a length of time between Haydon and the mods, comes across that there is a big thing being made of the more lightweight 'fluffy' threads - just my opinion of course.Chit chat as in off topic posting, not lightweight threads.

Anyone read the IBM paper?


I went to have a look but it was 11 pages long so I didn't bother reading it....

Chit chat as in off topic posting, not lightweight threads.

Sorry my mistake ;)

Now, I'm fully prepared to be shot down here, but I keep looking for all these serious threads that have been taken off topic and I cant find any.

Would some kind soul please give me an example, so I know what we're talking about?

Could our Coffee Lounge be called a flash forum?

Actually, a seperate section called flash forums is a great idea Haydon.
That way, people who dont enjoy them could avoid that section and we could all live in peace, harmony and love with one another :)

I agree Groucho, i cant see that any serious threads have been mullered and gone off topic. Only the fun threads do occasionally .... but hey - thats life.

Very true but what is a good thread to one person would not necessary be a good thread to another.....

IMO - I think we all need to accept that just because we don't like certain topics, not everyone feels the same and they may really enjoy them.

Yes, but it's a bit rubbish when said topics replace more interesting threads, which people can't be bothered to start, because they think, 'hey! I hated it when this happened, so it should go in here really.'

Often you find a genuinely interesting and funny post in the midst of the humdrum of daily life that populate the topics which you feel had the potential for greater discussion. But, as we've seen, many don't read the threads - what to do?

I think this flash forum seems like a good idea. Let's become interesting again.

cheerio!

Often you find a genuinely interesting and funny post in the midst of the humdrum of daily life that populate the topics which you feel had the potential for greater discussion. But, as we've seen, many don't read the threads - what to do?

Actually Scooby, I'd disagree there.

I think on the old forum some of the most interesting threads were lifted from comments people made in other threads.

cheerio!

Im getting a tad confused here (i know, its easily done).

So we are considering having our normal coffee lounge forum where we can talk about things more seriously, but things that arent serious enough to go in the serious forum.

And then have a fluffy thread where people can talk absolute rubbish and 'chat' all day :huh:

If the above it right - i cant see it working as noone will post in them both, and i dont think we have enough members to populate them :huh: Also - if you want to start a thread about *off the top of my head* washing powder, you will have to think which forum to stick it in, and if its the wrong one face the wrath of the other posters.

If im wrong, will someone correct me please.

Ta :)

If im wrong, will someone correct me please.



The washing powder thread would clearly go in Coffee Lounge, level 2, sub-section domestic detergents discussion forum!

It's bleedin' obvious isn't it Bonnie? :glare:

It's bleedin' obvious isn't it Bonnie? :glare:
Hmmmm ........... no :blush:

Oh well, we will have to suck it and see.

Chit chat as in off topic posting, not lightweight threads.

I suppose that however you set things up, there will be people who like to have a 'chit-chat' exchange with each other and use whatever thread they're in to do it. You might say why not do that in the chat room or use MSN messenger, but I think there must be an element of wanting to do it in the public eye.

The Coffee Lounge
The place for idle chit chat. Yack about anything.

And as per the title of this particular forum, that would be wrong why exactly sf?

I think the best idea would be for each person to have their own personal thread where they can do whatever they like in, everyone moderates their own threads and people can come and chat/discuss/snipe at will. Kind of like a virtual office.

That way you can totally avoid everyone if you so wish. :blink:

Yes, but with 3309 members, that section might take up a bit too much room on the server. :glare:

Anyway, you can already avoid the people you want to. It's just some people seem reluctant to actually press the button!

Well, as the Coffee Lounge is by far the most post-populated place, why not consider expanding the remit of the debating bit (cant remember the name)to encompass more than just debate. Maybe it could also include topics where the originator wants fairly serious replies only, but for open discussion rather than serious debate.

I like the idea of the Coffee Lounge for discussion based chat and a seperate flash forum for repeating threads.

I think that would work and keep almost everyone happy.

Well, as the Coffee Lounge is by far the most post-populated place, why not consider expanding the remit of the debating bit (cant remember the name)to encompass more than just debate. Maybe it could also include topics where the originator wants fairly serious replies only, but for open discussion rather than serious debate.

I think you mean SO Corner/Soapbox Floops :)

I like this idea :)

Im still confused :wacko:

Im still confused :wacko:


Oh Bonnie - what are you confused about? :confused:

Oh Bonnie - what are you confused about? :confused:

Everything :blink: I dont know what the different sections are for !!!!! Will this definately be happening, or are you confusing me for no reason :mellow:

No, we're just chatting about it :wink2:

Im getting a tad confused here (i know, its easily done).

You're not the only one Bonnie! I don't really have any intention of adding new sections at the moment (unless anyone persuades me otherwise). I was just comparing the Coffee Lounge to what IBM categorises as 'flash forums'.

Having read that link, I would say that the busiest parts of the coffee lounge are flash forums. (fora?)

They are also significantly busier than any other part of the MB with the exception of the reality bits during show time.

Personally, I cant see anything wrong with the status quo, but I'm more than happy to go with the flow.

You're not the only one Bonnie! I don't really have any intention of adding new sections at the moment (unless anyone persuades me otherwise). I was just comparing the Coffee Lounge to what IBM categorises as 'flash forums'.

Phew, im not alone. I thought all you were doing was comparing ... and then this unruly lot started to mess around with my trillions of brain cells.

You're not the only one Bonnie! I don't really have any intention of adding new sections at the moment (unless anyone persuades me otherwise). I was just comparing the Coffee Lounge to what IBM categorises as 'flash forums'.Good to hear, Haydon, I think if it aint broke, dont fix it. :wink2:

Good to hear, Haydon, I think if it aint broke, dont fix it. :wink2:

Excellent point Pandora...I have only made a brief post here way back but I feel I now should expand.

This is a great forum as it is, I feel it pretty much does cater for everyone within the realms as is possible with the human personality. The thing I especially like here is the diversity of character and age. There is a lovely celebration of differing personanities pooled together.

Any conversation shifts off topic now again, a serious becomes light hearted by a throw away comment, and vice versa.

Even if huge DON'T YOU DARE GO OFF TOPIC OR WE WILL SHOOT YOU signs got up, it will still happen, it is human nature and some people just cant help it.. :wave: .

But maybe if it was made clear this could be avoided...I personally tend to avoid the SO Corner for just this reason.

This is a great site, Haydons a god, and Groucho's got pants to die for.

The end.
x

Haydons a god



I think you need these 2 smilies Cat http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ilovesurvivor/smilies/king.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ilovesurvivor/smilies/notworthy.gif

Now THAT is below the belt you tramp.

:offtopic:

But how could I not defend myself, she knows I want more smilies and just keeps on flaunting them.

See

:oops:

Any conversation shifts off topic now again, a serious becomes light hearted by a throw away comment, and vice versa.

Even if huge DON'T YOU DARE GO OFF TOPIC OR WE WILL SHOOT YOU signs got up, it will still happen, it is human nature and some people just cant help it.. :wave: That's very true Cat. I think the problem in the past has been that people who have little spare time have visited the forum, chosen a topic that interests them and started to read, only to find the topic peters out and becomes someone else's conversation half way through. I can see how this could be irksome. It doesn't occur in every day life because the people involved in the conversation are all steering it, here it's written down and people view it later/the next day or whatever. It's not a huge problem and it's only come up because people in this thread have voiced their opinions. But at the end of the day it's a good forum with good folk posting and I should think we can all ignore the bits we have less interest in and enjoy the ones we do :)

Now THAT is below the belt you tramp.

:offtopic:

But how could I not defend myself, she knows I want more smilies and just keeps on flaunting them.

See

:oops:

I was only trying to be helpful :ninja: :wink2:

That's very true Cat. I think the problem in the past has been that people who have little spare time have visited the forum, chosen a topic that interests them and started to read, only to find the topic peters out and becomes someone else's conversation half way through. I can see how this could be irksome. It doesn't occur in every day life because the people involved in the conversation are all steering it, here it's written down and people view it later/the next day or whatever. It's not a huge problem and it's only come up because people in this thread have voiced their opinions. But at the end of the day it's a good forum with good folk posting and I should think we can all ignore the bits we have less interest in and enjoy the ones we do :)

Exactly.

I do read the other threads with more serious debates and enjoy them, but I don't generally post on them as I am not an articulate debater. I like to shoot from the hip as it happens, I am better at that.

:unsure:

One other thing, left to itself a forum will come to reflect the majority of its posters. If this forum was mainly populated by teenage computer addicts, most of the threads would reflect that. As it is, you might say this forum consists mainly of women members with no specific common interest, and so the general posting area is likely to have most of the characteristics of a ladies' coffee morning (or maybe an Anne Summers party) which in fact it does.

One other thing, left to itself a forum will come to reflect the majority of its posters. If this forum was mainly populated by teenage computer addicts, most of the threads would reflect that. As it is, you might say this forum consists mainly of women members with no specific common interest, and so the general posting area is likely to have most of the characteristics of a ladies' coffee morning (or maybe an Anne Summers party) which in fact it does.

Never having been to either, I shall take your word for it sf. :)

......the general posting area is likely to have most of the characteristics of a ladies' coffee morning (or maybe an Anne Summers party) which in fact it does.In your opinion :glare:

I've never been to either, either (so to speak) and I actually find that comment quite patronising and a touch offensive.

Is your implication that men do serious discussion and women do fluff?

In your opinion :glare:

I've never been to either, either (so to speak) and I actually find that comment quite patronising and a touch offensive.

Is your implication that men do serious discussion and women do fluff?

Well, if you want to take it that way - what I mean is that a MB will be a reflection of the people who use it, and in the same way that a women's coffee morning is a group of women doing by and large rather bland chat (I am told), so by and large is the general area of this MB. It's even called the coffeee lounge.

edit to add:

Admittedly the very title of this area suggests that is what it is intended for. I agree with your earlier suggestion that the Debating section could be extended to cover more mid-range topics, but for that to work you need a fair few people who would want to use it.

It's even called the coffeee lounge.
Uhuh, but the debating forum is called the Soapbox

Idiom:
on (one's) soapbox
Speaking one's views passionately or self-importantly Does this sum up your posts, by and large?

Uhuh, but the debating forum is called the Soapbox
Speaking one's views passionately or self-importantly
Does this sum up your posts, by and large?

It might do - I did not mean my earlier comments to be offensive, just an observation on the general posting section. I have heard other people liken it to a coffee morning too.

What we don't have is something between yick-yack and things you feel passionate about.

The thing is sf, you cant force people to argue with you if they dont want to, even it is what you want.

As you can see from the SO Corner/Soapbox forum, it's not very busy.
Either the bulk of members dont want anything that heavy, or you haven't found the right buttons to press yet to make people care enough.

As you said yourself "a forum will come to reflect the majority of its posters".

You cant force people in a direction they dont want to go.
They will ultimately just drift away if the MB doesn't reflect what they want from it.

Never having been to either, I shall take your word for it sf. :)

Me neither....are they good? :)

Me neither....are they good? :)

Well, I've never been to one either! It must depend on who is there. But you know what I mean - it's used a derogatory term for gossipy chit chat - to tell you the truth I've heard women use it that way more than men.

I think tbh, I was more upset by the women-only implication of fluff. I'd say the propotion of female/male posters is the same in both the fluff and the yawn threads, personally.

And I think there's a big difference between gossipy chit chat and off-the-wall-knife-edge-rock-and-roll-humour. :cool:

I still think the MB might benefit from a general topics section. At the moment there's this forced polarisation between fluff (Idle Chit Chat) and yawn (Soapbox). In my opinion, most interesting and entertaining stuff falls somewhere between the two.

I tend to avoid the fluff threads unless I'm really, really bored. Which doesn't strike me as a good thing.

The Top Five Threads this morning are all fluff threads. And as much as I find and believe that the people on this board are jolly interesting people, I don't really find these threads very interesting. But granted, it is nice to have a bit of a moan in the Don't You Just Hate It When, so to deprive this from people would be a bit silly.

I was trying to place myself in the position of a newbie, looking at the Coffee Lounge. What would this newbie think? I'd find it a bit... nothingy, if you know what I mean. A bit incoherent (and not in a "look at us! we're so whacky and kerazy!" way) and difficult to gauge people's personalities. As Bonsai said earlier on, we do know each other rather well by now so maybe it's something we should consider.

I am going to make an effort to be incredibly interesting from now on. God help you all.

cheerio!

The problem being (if there indeed is a problem) that everyone finds different things interesting, not only that, people will find different things interesting dependant on their mood.

Sometimes I want/need fluff, other times I'll venture into more serious thought (those times are quite rare though :wave:).

Contrarily, I shan't make an effort to be anything in particular :ninja:

I personally think that this has all come about from the move to the new forum and the old threads being lost in the move.

The soapbox/so corner has taken a while to get some threads on it, whereas the coffee lounge didn't take that long to get quite a few threads on it.
On the old forum there were quite a few debates ongoing, and interesting ones at that. I think its just going to take time for the so corner to get those debates going again. And often these are sparked by news interests of the day/current affairs etc.

In my real life I never really talk very deeply with my friends about topical issues. That is mainly discussed between my husband and myself.
So I guess I'm the same on here as in real life.
But I do find it interesting reading about different peoples attitudes to different things because that is only a good thing. Introducing yourselves to others opinions allows you to make an informed choice of your own opinion, and often something that you would never have thought about previously.

As Bonsai said earlier on, we do know each other rather well by now so maybe it's something we should consider.

I am going to make an effort to be incredibly interesting from now on. God help you all.

cheerio!

Look people, im in bold. BOLD. People actually read my posts :p

How honoured am i :)

Look people, im in bold. BOLD. People actually read my posts :p

How honoured am i :)

As from now you will be know as

BONSAI THE BOLD