Sorry, but its all too nice here. Everyone is banging on about what they had for tea and where they are going for the weekend, and its all really nice. But really, sometimes you just wanna moan - in a non-sexual way.

And I don't mean the DWYHIW thread!!!! Yeah - of course I hate it when my knickers get stuck up my bum or when I get a speeding fine. But that is NOT the sort of moaning I am driving at here.

I am, of course, talking about forum moans, as the title of the thread would suggest. I would ike this to be the place where you can all moan about SO. When you need to.

So, I'll start the ball rolling.........

What really bugs me about this forum at the moment is that is it really quiet and boring. All the activity seems to be happening in Dolores inbox and I don't have the equipment to get in there.

Anyone else like to muck in for a moan?

What is the bet that this thread dies like a duck....

What bugs me about this forum is nobody wants to know what I'm having for my tea....

What bugs me about this forum is nobody wants to know what I'm having for my tea....

Fek off TE. You know that wasn't the sort thing I was getting at.... :laugh:

I've mentioned it before and I'll mention it again .... It bugs me when people don't fill in their "profiles" more fully! Come on all you secret people out there at least let us know if you are a boy or a girl and how old you are!

btw - is everyone happy with my profile details ... is there anything you think I could add or takeaway? I notice in my likes it says "Survivor, Vodka and You Guys" ... obviously Survivor is now obsolete and to be honest I'm more often found to be drinking red wine rather than vodka these days. Of course "You Guys" are still very high on my list.


is that OK Karen? or were you hoping for something more controversial?!? I could always have cornflakes for my tea and really throw the thread into complete chaos and arnachy if you want!

Oh go flactulate on the head of a womble! :mad2:











And that is what I want to say when people start to get aggressive on the board!

excuse me Miss ... but errr ... how do we flactulate? and can we do it in public?


..and by the way ... wombles ... well ... how can I break this to you ... but Coastie ... wombles aren't real. It was a man in a costume.


Now we must stop this :offtopic: mularkey cos Karen will get very cross if she comes back and no-one's moaned about anything!

So get moaning everyone! :argue:

excuse me Miss ... but errr ... how do we flactulate? and can we do it in public?Oh go fart in a jar and sniff the contents!


..and by the way ... wombles ... well ... how can I break this to you ... but Coastie ... wombles aren't real. It was a man in a costume.Yeah right...you'll be telling me that Santa Clause isn't real next...gosh you are a one Dol...


Now we must stop this :offtopic: mularkey cos Karen will get very cross if she comes back and no-one's moaned about anything!

So get moaning everyone! :argue:

I hate people who winge when a post goes mildly off topc...what the fudge is that all about...the world is still gonna spin isn't it..eh...eh!

That'll stop em whining Dol...

I hate it when lovely people give me rep for posts, and I get a warm fuzzy feeling reading the funny remarks, BUT ONLY ILS GAVE HER NAME. I WANNA KNOW WHO'S BEING NICE........


SIGN YOUR REPS!!


that better K? :devil:

I hate it when lovely people give me rep for posts, and I get a warm fuzzy feeling reading the funny remarks, BUT ONLY ILS GAVE HER NAME. I WANNA KNOW WHO'S BEING NICE........


SIGN YOUR REPS!!


that better K? :devil:

Haydon will say ... pay your fiver if you wanna know!

Actually I usually put my name after a rep if that person isn't a sponsor. ergo I don't think I've given you good rep lately Tiger! :blush:

Dolores your profile says:


survivor>br>vodka>br>you guys>br.

So I am wondering what the 'br' means?? Is it 'I like my Voddy freezing', Survivor was quite cold [as in lonely] and you guys are frigid and unwielding??

Or does it mean something else??

And karen want some moans? - try the rampant rabbit!!:pimp:

Alright then Karenh...you want sh!t, I'll damn well give you sh!t. I was thinking about doing this but you have convinced me.

I am going to start a thread about potty training.

Yeah...see, rattle the cage and I hiss matey....don't play in my fire.


Oh YEAH!

Alright then Karenh...you want sh!t, I'll damn well give you sh!t. I was thinking about doing this but you have convinced me.

I am going to start a thread about potty training.

Yeah...see, rattle the cage and I hiss matey....don't play in my fire.


Oh YEAH!

What is it with people who say they are going to start a thread THEN DON'T!!!

I have waiting with huge anticipation for Cat's potty training thread for 20 minutes now! :mad2:

Oh go on then ... I'll break the habit of a lifetime and have a Forum Moan (me, Mrs. Sit-on-the-fence-and-don't-get-involved) :w00t: .

I think it's a shame when someone (Rob) goes to all the trouble of finding a pic for the Caption Competition and hardly anyone enters.

You're all very funny, witty people and I know you can come up with something good.

There! I've done it. Please don't throw rocks at me.

runs and hides

I hate it when lovely people give me rep for posts, and I get a warm fuzzy feeling reading the funny remarks, BUT ONLY ILS GAVE HER NAME. I WANNA KNOW WHO'S BEING NICE........


SIGN YOUR REPS!!


that better K? :devil:

It was me that gave you all the others :wink_kiss

Edited to add 'You ungrateful cow' just to keep Karen happy. Moaning minnie that she is...

My forum moan for tonight is that you all look seriuosly HUGE.
My new TFT monitor has increased you all by about 100%.
What do they say about how much weight you put on by being on screen:w00t:

is that OK Karen? or were you hoping for something more controversial?!? I could always have cornflakes for my tea and really throw the thread into complete chaos and arnachy if you want!

Well, I was hoping for something a leeetle more contraversial......

Th cornflakes idea was good - I admit - but Cat's potty training idea was a bit closer to the kinda stuff I was hoping for.

Failing that, a good old b!tch-fest would do. Y'know - a public one, rather than a behind the scenes one. That always raises the pulse on a forum I think.

Well I think it is a shame when peeps who haven't been around awhile come back and get very little response from the regular members. Recently 2 peeps have posted a "hello, I haven't been around for a while" thread and they hardly recieved any response, unfortunately that will probably mean they end up going away again.

Is that the sort of thing you mean Karen?

Well I think it is a shame when peeps who haven't been around awhile come back and get very little response from the regular members. Recently 2 peeps have posted a "hello, I haven't been around for a while" thread and they hardly recieved any response, unfortunately that will probably mean they end up going away again.

Is that the sort of thing you mean Karen?


Yep. Nail. Head. Contact.

SIGN YOUR REPS!!


that better K? :devil:

Yeah - that's good TE.

I'll have a Moan.

This is only really rears its head during the IAC season, but I assume it's still valid. I have a habit of picking on the Stupid Newbies Who Can't Spell and who post about the same bloody thing 24/7. I am told off for being naughty and generally revel in it.

My gripe is the way SO has this heavenly self-perception of being welcoming to all. Which is all well and good, but the reason I chase away the aforementioned urchins is because I believe (ho ho) that the average poster of SO should be able to string some form of sentence together. Otherwise we set ourselves up for a very dull time indeed.

For future reference, Peter Andre fans need not apply for membership.

cheerio!

Well I think it is a shame when peeps who haven't been around awhile come back and get very little response from the regular members. Recently 2 peeps have posted a "hello, I haven't been around for a while" thread and they hardly recieved any response, unfortunately that will probably mean they end up going away again.

Interesting.

See it irks me when folk who haven't been here in ages come back, make one post saying they are back, then disappear again, and that's why I tend not to post in the 'I'm back' threads. If you are back, then brilliant! pleased to see you, come in sit down and have tea, but if you are just back for 5 minutes, well then no offence, but I'll probably miss it.

I agree with 'er above ^^^^^^^^^^

If you're back and posting, people will notice soon enough. You don't need to start a special thread to trumpet your presence to the masses. In fact 'I'm back' threads would be one of my forum moans.

agree with Voicey too! those that set up threads themselves to say they're back and then post nothing else, baffle me.

Of course if someone else sets up a thread on their behalf it must be quite embarrassing for them especially if they've only popped back in to catch up on posts or read pm's!

i also get increasingly annoyed with newbies who register, get given a welcome thread and only ever respond in that welcome thread! Surely there was some allure to the board in other sections for them to go to the tedious bother of signing up in the first place! Obviously once they're in, we're not as interesting as they thought we would be!!

Whilst I agree in principle Dol about Newbies being welcomed and then not posting. It is a very slightly tad irksome that they don't reply to their spesh thread.

But sometimes who can blame them?

If people who join are forum newbies, we have to assume that they do not know the protocol or how to do things. So maybe should contact them directly and given them a friendly 'how to go about stuff' sort of pm. Other brave sorts dive straight in - and that is great, but not everyone is always as brave as regular members.

Whilst I agree in principle Dol about Newbies being welcomed and then not posting. It is a very slightly tad irksome that they don't reply to their spesh thread.

I think the regular ones (i.e. the ones who bother to post) do.


If people who join are forum newbies, we have to assume that they do not know the protocol or how to do things.

In this day and age, I would disagree with that. 4/5 years ago, that statement would probably be accurate, but its 2005 now - everyone I know has accessed websites and navigated through them. A web-based forum is jut a variation on the same theme. Most people have a pretty fair idea of what to do.

Anyone who needs to be told how to navigate through a forum is either over 70 or under 6. Or they've been in a coma for the last 5 years.....
Think of some of our more recently joined regalar members. How many of them were asking questions about how the site operated in a general way? none of 'em, I'll bet.

In this day and age, I would disagree with that. 4/5 years ago, that statement would probably be accurate, but its 2005 now - everyone I know has accessed websites and navigated through them. A web-based forum is jut a variation on the same theme. Most people have a pretty fair idea of what to do.

Anyone who needs to be told how to navigate through a forum is either over 70 or under 6. Or they've been in a coma for the last 5 years.....
Think of some of our more recently joined regalar members. How many of them were asking questions about how the site operated in a general way? none of 'em, I'll bet.

We just live in different circles Karen, I personally 'face to face' know not one single person who has ever come onto a forum, and I only know a handful of people who actually use the internet.

We just live in different circles Karen, I personally 'face to face' know not one single person who has ever come onto a forum, and I only know a handful of people who actually use the internet.

Its not about the "circles" we move in. I too know people who have never used the internet or joined a web forum. But, face it those people wouldn't be on a forum, would they?

The point I am making is that - nowdays - if people join a web based forum in the first place, it is fair to assume that they are PC literate and can work things out for themselves pretty easily.

A newbie who is completely new to the internet would be quite a rare thing these days, I would think.

Its not about the "circles" we move in. I too know people who have never used the internet or joined a web forum. But, face it those people wouldn't be on a forum, would they?

The point I am making is that - nowdays - if people join a web based forum in the first place, it is fair to assume that they are PC literate and can work things out for themselves pretty easily.

A newbie who is completely new to the internet would be quite a rare thing these days, I would think.

Fair point!:)

But all I am saying is cannot assume that everyone who joins is forum/pc literate.

I could get on this site when I started out but didn't know about forum etiquette or PM's, posting piccies etc and initially I struggled to post....I am that I.T. guru, no it alls nightmare. Fair enough it didn't take me long to get the jist of things but quite a few peeps helped me out initially.

I think having a welcome thread thing (althouhg a bit dull for anyone other than those being welcomed) is a good way of showing newbies that they are welcome and if they have any questions they can ask.

those that set up threads themselves to say they're back and then post nothing else, baffle me.



Maybe they are nervous about coming back for some reason and are just testing the waters so to speak, to see if anyone remembers them or not. I know from what some have said that it can be difficult to start posting again after a long period away and maybe it is their way to see what sort of reception they get. Admitted some may just jump back in and start posting again as if they haven't been away but not everyone is the same and some may need a little bit more encouragement to get back into it.

I feel that just it doesn't hurt to encourage newbies to post by welcoming them, I feel it doesn't hurt welcoming back returning members.

A newbie who is completely new to the internet would be quite a rare thing these days, I would think.

:blush: that was me only a year and a half ago.

And look what you've done to me now:w00t:



But when I did first join, I think the "hello andrea" thread and all the replies is what made me stay.
Oh and all the witty posts of course:ninja:

When I came here in March I was constantly on msn to Crit asking her how to do this and that. I think I caused a bit of amusement when I saw the thing about number of posts and asked whether we were limited to the number of posts we could do in one day. So no we are not all forum literate
and that did worry me when I first came on here.

I did belong to another more genteel site but the posting system was completely different.

I am pleased to say that I was made so welcome that I didn't take long to feel at home here.

Thing is, people come and go all the time, and they'll either post, or they won't. Simple as that really. I doubt very much whether a 'hello' from me is going to influence them one way or another!

Edit: Sorry, I meant this to be in relation to returners who only post a 'hello' thread then disappear, not newbies :)

I agree with 'er above ^^^^^^^^^^

If you're back and posting, people will notice soon enough. You don't need to start a special thread to trumpet your presence to the masses. In fact 'I'm back' threads would be one of my forum moans. Well said.... its a weird thing to do.

Im fed up with the fact that noone seems to post !!! Everyone just lingers, reading thread upon thread and not writing anything.

I remember a time when you would be away from this site for 30 mins, come back and you had a page full of funny and interesting posts to read.

Not anymore.

Maybe everyone has gotten a little bored ?

I find threads such as "What are you having for tea?" and "What are you doing at the weekend?" and "Don't you just hate/love it when..." completely boring and it's annoying when only those threads have replies in them, cos I doin't even bother to read them now.
No offence intended to the starters of said threads.

No offence taken at all Peej, whatever rocks your boat. BUT why dont you start other threads on topics that interest you ?

I find threads such as "What are you having for tea?" and "What are you doing at the weekend?" and "Don't you just hate/love it when..." completely boring and it's annoying when only those threads have replies in them, cos I doin't even bother to read them now.
No offence intended to the starters of said threads.

You know, it's strange how other sites have similar threads, I visited the H*nt*d N*tterb*x today and we share the following threads with them:

Dopn't you love it when
Dont you hate it when
Dont you love it and hate it when
What are you doing this weekend
What are you doing now
What should you be doing now

and there are probably more.

So what I want to know is, are these simply things that people find interesting and appear spontaneously on all boards, or do threads somehow 'trickle' from board to board via some form of osmosis, or is there a Board Fairy who comes out at night and seeds all the messageboards she can find with magic thread powder?

PS I noticed that the N*tterb*x is lacking a 'used underwear' thread, so I shall write to its owner suggesting she starts one and ask her to send as many old pairs as she can spare.

Im fed up with the fact that noone seems to post !!! Everyone just lingers, reading thread upon thread and not writing anything.

I remember a time when you would be away from this site for 30 mins, come back and you had a page full of funny and interesting posts to read.

Not anymore.

Maybe everyone has gotten a little bored ?

:shocking: You don't think we've got to here (http://www.shibumi.org/eoti.htm) do you??

I hate it when you look on the who's online and you see that someone is replying to a hot topic, you wait with eager anticipation to see what they have written and then they just ****** off without having written anything!!

Slipper, get back here and finish off what you started! :w00t:

Well Well....a thread just for me??

I had to laugh a while back when the Masked Ball fiasco's where going on and my name was being spouted as a possible participent....KH - You now me too well.

I have to say that I now frequent another forum where you would be flamed beyond all levels of humanity if you started the Lunch/Tea/DYJHI/DYJLI/Wearing/Doing Tonight threads....They would physically come to you wherever you are and burn you....And I tend to agree.......hence I only tend to poke about in here these days when something is going on in the news. I really don't care and find my life is far too short and shallow to care.

The only thread that has been started that I thought...Mmmm good idea was the Photo Diary (blog). Trouble is you all use Photobucket so I can't see anything anyway!!! Good idea though Grouchie boy.

This site has essentially become a knitting circle with an "UN"-Reality TV show core. These are just purile twaddle these days and I for one do not watch them. As far as the chatter goes I'd have thought most of you would have been nattering on MSN/Yahoo by now anyway.

My interest in being here is really only to see what one or two posters thoughts and reactions are to current events and I must say that the news section is pretty sparse given the global events of the last month..

I don't wish to offend any specific persons but most of you from the very early days know me well enough to know I speak my mind.

The "Hi Newbie" threads are really patronising in my mind (unless you really are a very pink and fluffy person in which case may I suggest you are lost and that you typed survivor in looking for the Samaritans!! They served a purpose to some when getting banabas and palm trees where of national importance but these days....nah. I agree with Kazzie re the technical knowhow. Look at the FAQ's here or anywhere and you should be up and running before you log on/register.

The place I go to has a very active global membership and people really help each other out, they meet and socialise and will literally come to that creek you are up and chuck you a paddle...without a single "Awwwww, I'm really simpathising about the pickle you're in, here have a hug"..... No, they'll get in a car, on a plane and get there and take you for a beer and get you drunk, get a spanner/drill/pump out and sort it, open the door at 4 in the morning cos your girlfriend kicked you out and you've not got a floor for the night.

OK, they'd then rip the P out of you for days to come but as they say what comes around......

I think if people are honest, open and receptive they will get the support of strangers who will become very strong friends. On the web, banter then comes naturally and a dig here and a gibe there only adds to the spice of humour.




KH......Long I know but was that the sort of thing....??



editted for spoiling porpoises

:shocking: You don't think we've got to here (http://www.shibumi.org/eoti.htm) do you??

Lol - the end is nigh :w00t:

BTW......



This belongs in Soapbox..........Karen....I dispair!!!

Oh look!

We haven't had this in a while. Somebody who never bothers to post, then has a good old moan about why the site has gone down the sh*tter. This, incidentally, would be one of my forum moans.

So, in a sense Mr Slipper, I don't really know whether it is a thread just for you.

cheerio!

Oh look!

We haven't had this in a while. Somebody who never bothers to post, then has a good old moan about why the site has gone down the sh*tter. This, incidentally, would be one of my forum moans.

So, in a sense Mr Slipper, I don't really know whether it is a thread just for you.

cheerio!




May I suggest you read the post before you comment?!

I have not condemned the site to the toilet AND I explained my reasons for not posting...

I would have thought your earlier comments about the way you yourself dislike the self-proclaimed friendlyness would have seen commonality with my position....had you read it!!

Oh and the proud manner in which you flame newbies who have a differing opinion....Mmmm Big of you!!!

I hate it when you look on the who's online and you see that someone is replying to a hot topic, you wait with eager anticipation to see what they have written and then they just ****** off without having written anything!!

Slipper, get back here and finish off what you started! :w00t:


Patience dear, Patience!!!

I didn't start the war........Karen did it!!!!!

Dim question from dim member coming up....


What exactly is "flaming"?

Serious question, so serious answers please!



btw - Slipper great post! :thumbsup: ... me being serious again ... twice in one post!

May I suggest you read the post before you comment?!

I have not condemned the site to the toilet AND I explained my reasons for not posting...

I would have thought your earlier comments about the way you yourself dislike the self-proclaimed friendlyness would have seen commonality with my position....had you read it!!

You're right, I actually completely agree with you, believe it or not. However, I disagree with contributing sod all to the site for ages, then complaining about it. Everyone's got something to offer, so I guess I see it as a bit unfair attacking people for the banality of the threads without doing a lot to rectify it.

Oh and the proud manner in which you flame newbies who have a differing opinion....Mmmm Big of you!!!

BOTHERD.

cheerio!

BOTHERD.

cheerio!


B
O
T
H
E
R
D


Nah, not an acronym I recognise.....could you kindly fill it in so I can enhance my text-speak?!


Or

I mean I should be bothered, but I'm not.
Am I though?
Am I bothered though?
Do I look bothered?
Face?
Bothered?
Do I look bothered though?
Am I bothered though?
Do I care?
Do I care though?
Am I bothered?

B
O
T
H
E
R
D


Nah, not an acronym I recognise.....could you kindly fill it in so I can enhance my text-speak?!


Or

I mean I should be bothered, but I'm not.
Am I though?
Am I bothered though?
Do I look bothered?
Face?
Bothered?
Do I look bothered though?
Am I bothered though?
Do I care?
Do I care though?
Am I bothered?

I think you are.

KH......Long I know but was that the sort of thing....??



Atta boy Slipps! :thumbsup:

I think you are.

I guess the ironic aspect of someone being proud of flaming younger and less literate members of a forum passed you by there Cat?!

This site has essentially become a knitting circle with an "UN"-Reality TV show core.
I don't think we pretend to be anything else to be honest.


The place I go to has a very active global membership and people really help each other out, they meet and socialise and will literally come to that creek you are up and chuck you a paddle...without a single "Awwwww, I'm really simpathising about the pickle you're in, here have a hug"..... No, they'll get in a car, on a plane and get there and take you for a beer and get you drunk, get a spanner/drill/pump out and sort it, open the door at 4 in the morning cos your girlfriend kicked you out and you've not got a floor for the night.

OK, they'd then rip the P out of you for days to come but as they say what comes around......


How odd! I'd run a mile if I thought anyone on here was going to come across country cos my return button was sticking on my computer keyboard!

My interest in being here is really only to see what one or two posters thoughts and reactions are to current events and I must say that the news section is pretty sparse given the global events of the last month..


I take it you were disappointed then, but you really must pop into the DYJHIW thread to vent your frustration or better yet the "thread to say something to another poster" thread so that you can alert those two elite posters that you are about and are ready to read their words of wisdom!


You made some valid points, Slipper, and yes sometimes this board does slip into medocrity, that's life, but on the whole it's a jolly good place to come for a bit of relaxation.

btw - what is the address for your global site and could it do with a bit of mindless banter!!!!:kid:

I guess the ironic aspect of someone being proud of flaming younger and less literate members of a forum passed you by there Cat?!

I also think a pop cultural reference might have passed you by. Oh well.

cheerio!

I also think a pop cultural reference might have passed you by. Oh well.

cheerio!


psst Scooby! I think you spelt it wrong and confused old Slipper!

I also think a pop cultural reference might have passed you by. Oh well.

cheerio!


Passed you by too then.....

The cultural reference I assume you are refering to was incorrectly spelt (a la the point you made about young newbies and their forum dyslexia) and I had picked it up and quoted it in full......





Must try harder!!

psst Scooby! I think you spelt it wrong and confused old Slipper!

Well, yes.

But, had he been in-keeping with reality television pop (as, of course, everyone is) he would have known that BOTHERD is, in fact, cross-referencing Ginger Nicola from Girls Aloud who famously paraded the word on a pair of hotpants one evening. Bad spelling and all. Aha! And here it is.

http://www.parallaxview.nu/botherd.jpg

Nicola is a cultural ambassador, I'm sure you'll all agree.

cheerio!

psst Scooby! I think you spelt it wrong and confused old Slipper!

I thought he was just being welcoming by matching the bad spelling Dol.

Well, yes.

But, had he been in-keeping with reality television pop (as, of course, everyone is) he would have known that BOTHERD is, in fact, cross-referencing Ginger Nicola from Girls Aloud who famously paraded the word on a pair of hotpants one evening. Bad spelling and all. Aha! And here it is.

http://www.parallaxview.nu/botherd.jpg

Nicola is a cultural ambassador, I'm sure you'll all agree.

cheerio!


As I thought...you hadn't read my post as I had said

These are just purile twaddle these days and I for one do not watch them

I can not see how we still allow this tripe to manufacture these minor celebs (celebs insofar as they appear in tabloid photo sets) and that the public will still tolerate the airtime they give to it.

BB over, X Factor starts, Come Dancing then IACGMOOH.....Fame Academy, celeb Fame Acadamy, Come Ice Skating..........It goes on.

Then people watch the behind the scenes shows and come onto the twiternet to discuss it......

Davina said that BB represented today's society...I think it is turning the other way and modern society is starting to reflect BB et al...All want to be loud, loaded and noticed.....It's a shame!!

Reality TV has taken a plummet into driveldom in many ways Slip (hate BB and tolerate IMCGMOOH, detest wife swap and the like) ... but with X-Factor now on the screens things aren't so bad (although X-Factor is an aquired taste...as is the Apprentice (which I didn't bother with although I love the Rebel Billionaire)) and well there is Bad Lads Army - Officer Class (which is getting a bit tired and I think they ought to do Bad Lasses with PMT Army since gobby 'am I bovered' bitches are far less amicable than slightly aggressive and gobby blokes...ooooh what a challenge that would be for Cpl Murray and the team!).....Unfortunately the closest we get to Survivor these days is Lost and well the last series over here of the real Survivor was a huge disappointment as they chose pants contestants....

I guess Slip until another really high calibre reality show reaches out and grabs you by your alien balls along with the rest of us the threads on this forum will leave you more than a little unsatisfied....shame cos I like your dagger like quips! :sad:

The only thread that has been started that I thought...Mmmm good idea was the Photo Diary (blog). Trouble is you all use Photobucket so I can't see anything anyway!!! Good idea though Grouchie boy.



drat that confounded Groucho ... he gets all the compliments! Personally I thought it was a terrible idea .... :bag:

I have to say that I now frequent another forum where you would be flamed beyond all levels of humanity if you started the Lunch/Tea/DYJHI/DYJLI/Wearing/Doing Tonight threads....They would physically come to you wherever you are and burn you

I'm intrigued now to find out if it's the same one I belong to. I don't frequent it much because it's mostly full of earnest discussions based on somebody's conspiracy theory, with a lot of contrived controversy to prove that superior to lesser mortals. Bless.

Personally, I like it here because my real job involves me enough in the serious stuff so I don't need it for recreation. But I suppose some do, so horses for courses!

Puerile telly is an art form to be appreciated. I watch what I want.

My forum moan is this new inverted snobbery about what makes a 'good' forum.

Personally, I like it here because my real job involves me enough in the serious stuff so I don't need it for recreation. But I suppose some do, so horses for courses!.

Same here. I might not be a lawyer or a barrister, but i am a PA, and spend my life looking after others - and 'trying' to be organised. I love coming on here to discuss my dinner, and see what others are having as its escapism - like watching Eastenders. Sometimes an indepth thread does come along i.e. the religious one ..... but its a bit too heavy for me, and not something i know a great deal about.

The trouble is, when you said about the people who started the yawn threads like 'what are you having for tea' it made me scan down the page to see if i had started any as i felt embaressed. But then i thought "fu*ck it, why should i care what anyone thinks, if you dont like it dont post in it ... which you dont".

My name is Dolores and I started the "What's for tea" thread.



any more confessions for banal thread starting?!

any more confessions for banal thread starting?!

Hmmm yeah. "What are you wearing" and "what are you doing tonight" are mine :bag:

Guilty as charged - chuck me in a cell and throw away the key *hangs head in shame*

Dol - I think that merits a thread all by itself :laugh:

If I could be ar$ed I'd start one, but I can't so I won't!

I agree with a lot of what Slipper said (surprise, surprise).

Personally, I don't have anything against the "What did you eat for dinner last Wednesday" type threads - they have their place and they are popular - but I sometimes feel that the forum lacks balance. This is not "inverted snobery about what makes a good forum". Its just that sometimes, it seems those lighthearted threads are all that the forum has to offer. It pains me to say it, but it reminds me of the Forum whose name shall not be mentioned. :ohmy:

This forum was once a hive of different opinions, with varied and interesting subjects, personality clashes and the odd heated debate. Once upon a time, the Soapbox was the first place I would visit when I came online. Nowdays I barely visit it 'cos there is nobody there.

To be honest, I think it is largely down to the membership. No offence to anyone here, but we have lost a great many of our more opinionated members who used to be up for a good old debate. I didn't necessarily like all those members, but there is no denying that whether I liked them or not they kept the place interesting. I'm talking about the likes of Lucy, Normal1, Witchie, Woodstock, Legaleagle, Huge Ass and Slipper. And even the great villian of the forum - Gneiss - was bluddy good value when he was all revved up for a hearty debate. A lot of those people either got banned or driven off the forum, and those that didn't just drifted off with suspected......dare I say it.......boredom.

But frankly, I miss those guys and their contributions.

Don't get me wrong - believe it or not I am not advocating all out aggression. I have seen other forums where all the members seem to do is argue and fight, and that is equally as bad as a forum where no-one does.

Like I say, it all comes down to balance.

I think that's what prompts me to start threads like thees sometimes.

Karen, I'm saying this as some one who thinks you are a national treasure on the board, but I think you will have left a sour taste in the mouths of a few posters on this board with your last message.

I'm big enough and ugly enough to accept what you are saying, but I still find it quite a hurtful post you've just made. Now I know that wasn't your intention, but it was quite hurtful all the same.

This thread has turned out to be quite a revealation of how seriously some posters are taking themselves.

I have no problem with people expressing their thoughts at all Karen please don't think that I do. But these are my thoughts.

btw... I find some of the short sharp quips on this board the most entertaining!

Karen, I'm saying this as some one who thinks you are a national treasure on the board, but I think you will have left a sour taste in the mouths of a few posters on this board with your last message.

I'm big enough and ugly enough to accept what you are saying, but I still find it quite a hurtful post you've just made. Now I know that wasn't your intention, but it was quite hurtful all the same.

God Dol - no, it wasn't my intention to hurt anyone's feelings. What part(s)specifically hurt you? :sad:

I'm not saying that those members who have left provided more VALUE than the current membership - but that their presence provided more BALANCE to the forum.

The What did you do last night threads have always been around and they continue to be. So, I don't miss them. I contribute to them myself and might have started one or two if all the good subjects hadn't been taken.

But, what I do miss are the old heated debates. Once or twice members have tried to start such debates, but the people who used to really get stuck into them and keep them going are not around any more.

Phew - I had no idea that anyone would take my opinion on the matter so much to heart. I wasn't trying to insult anyone.

Best I just sut up, I think.

Why shut up....it's a thread that does what it says on the tin.

OK so today we've moaned about the current content and balance...The thread will die off for a while and then some other subject may spark it off...

For example...the old SOMs/palmtree/bananas thing to me was a real pain as it generated one word posts so people got the recognition they felt they deserved.....sorry but I'm an advocate of quality rather than quantity.

Take the past issues of sculduggery in the PM's, the gang of four, the rights and wrongs of peoples ethical/moral stance.....all added balance IMHO..

Dols...don't take K's comments too personally or you are in danger of taking yourself too seriously....A lot of you guy's have met each other and should have some sense of when someone is being personal or not....me...I've not met anyone and have no desire to do so but then again my morbid interests lay elsewhere.

take from the forum what you will but in counter to Scoobs...if we don't post except when there is an issue...maybe our fingers require a different form of stimulation before they will react/respond.

I'm not saying that those members who have left provided more VALUE than the current membership - but that their presence provided more BALANCE to the forum.


well that's the way I read it! maybe I'm just a tad sensitive.

I'll have a glass of wine! :wine:

Dols...don't take K's comments too personally or you are in danger of taking yourself too seriously....

I can assure you one thing I would NEVER do is take myself too seriously! or is taking out the one bit of your thread that is relevant to me classed as taking myself too seriously!

I'd say .... possibily! :w00t:

I agree with a lot of what Slipper said (surprise, surprise).

Personally, I don't have anything against the "What did you eat for dinner last Wednesday" type threads - they have their place and they are popular - but I sometimes feel that the forum lacks balance. This is not "inverted snobery about what makes a good forum". Its just that sometimes, it seems those lighthearted threads are all that the forum has to offer. It pains me to say it, but it reminds me of the Forum whose name shall not be mentioned. :ohmy:

This forum was once a hive of different opinions, with varied and interesting subjects, personality clashes and the odd heated debate. Once upon a time, the Soapbox was the first place I would visit when I came online. Nowdays I barely visit it 'cos there is nobody there.

To be honest, I think it is largely down to the membership. No offence to anyone here, but we have lost a great many of our more opinionated members who used to be up for a good old debate. I didn't necessarily like all those members, but there is no denying that whether I liked them or not they kept the place interesting. I'm talking about the likes of Lucy, Normal1, Witchie, Woodstock, Legaleagle, Huge Ass and Slipper. And even the great villian of the forum - Gneiss - was bluddy good value when he was all revved up for a hearty debate. A lot of those people either got banned or driven off the forum, and those that didn't just drifted off with suspected......dare I say it.......boredom.

But frankly, I miss those guys and their contributions.

Don't get me wrong - believe it or not I am not advocating all out aggression. I have seen other forums where all the members seem to do is argue and fight, and that is equally as bad as a forum where no-one does.

Like I say, it all comes down to balance.

I think that's what prompts me to start threads like thees sometimes.


Trouble is, what can you do about it?

I think the reason it's useful to have 'anti-social' members is that you can argue with them without worrying if you upset them or not, it's not the done thing when everyone are 'mates'.

But then when they leave, it feels a bit bland.

A bit like having problem neighbours, getting up in arms against them, then the street suddenly goes quiet when they are evicted for unruly behaviour. It might be peaceful, but suddenly you don't have an enemy around to slag off or fight with any more.

Just a point of observation.....

If the heated debates were so good why didn't the people who enjoyed the heated debates stick around and continue their discussions.... I remember a few posters who enjoyed posting in such forums and it was always the same names...the ones that have left because of er...boredom was it you said KH...I think those that have been banned are those that took the idea of a heated 'healthy' debate and turned it into something personal.

Just because a majority of members come on the site for a chin wag about all manner of fairly meaningless nonsense does not make this site any less important in the spin of the globe than one that feeds on the deeper more philisophical questions in life.

I rarely get involved in many of those topics which require deep thought and well structured posts since I work in a job which requires my mind to work at a zillion miles an hour at times, I am surrounded by the news (press calls etc and discussions amongst work mates) and I like to switch off and chew the gentler fat which manifests in the coffee lounge part of the board.

There is nothing stopping those that want, having the same discussions they have always had, just don't be disappointed when not everyone wants to get involved.

I didn't take offence at Karen's post at all. To me a forum should be all things to all people, so we can each take out of it what we want.

I did disagree with a couple of the names she mentioned (I might have disagreed with all of them had I been around for longer :laugh: ) because the two in question resorted to personal insult as opposed to arguing an issue.

Keyboards make people 'brave' because they don't have to look the person in the eye, and that I don't like. It's a personal viewpoint, but it always summons up for me a rather weasely type of individual who wouldn't say boo in real life, but gets some sort of kick out of being 'big' when they are safe at home. For me it adds nothing to the debate. (One of the reasons I rarely post on another forum I joined). You can't argue with a jackass.

And when it gets personal, it gets *whispers* cliquey, with folks taking sides based on personality rather than their own belief in a topic.

I know what SF means with the 'neighbours' scenario though. It's the same in pubs and offices and families and anywhere else people gather. If it was always exciting, it would become, well, routine and mundane.

We'll just have to wait for the next bust-up.

and if you pick on me, I will probably descend into a nightmare world of paranoia and end up destitute on the streets, so you will all have that on your consciences :laugh:

I guess the ironic aspect of someone being proud of flaming younger and less literate members of a forum passed you by there Cat?!

:offtopic:

I think there are lots of different sections of people on this board. I sometimes (shock horror) mentally divide them up into groups.


Re: banned controversial members, I'm not saying they shouldn't be warned etc but sometimes I've been quite baffled by some bannings as sometimes all they did was offer up arguments that some people took too personally.

I think this board continues to evolve. I agree Karen it is sad that the likes of Lucy, Normal and others don't post anymore, although I was often not up enough on the subject to intervene in a meaningful way I used to enjoy reading their opinions. I know the above two mentioned pop on now and then and I would love to know what the reason they don't post so much anymore is as they all seemed to give up at the same time.

I have to say if you want to know one of my real gripes then it's people who deliberately go off topic when someone has gone to the bother of typing out a well thought out thread. it is just rude sometimes. and smacks of the poster saying "look at me, mum, look at me", so all eyes turn to the adorable little poppet who is being cute with only the most courageous having the courage to ignore them and carrying on with aforementioned well thought out thread! We have plenty of "banal" threads to put in whimsical postings!

gosh! that felt good!

Trouble is, what can you do about it?

I dunno SF. It might be nice if sometimes people were prepared to stick their heads above the parapet, but I do accept that not everyone is made that way.

I think the reason it's useful to have 'anti-social' members is that you can argue with them without worrying if you upset them or not, it's not the done thing when everyone are 'mates'.

Yeah - that's a fair point SF, but not all of the people I mentioned were anti-social types. What they were was opinionated and a little bit mouthy. :laugh:

A bit like having problem neighbours, getting up in arms against them, then the street suddenly goes quiet when they are evicted for unruly behaviour. It might be peaceful, but suddenly you don't have an enemy around to slag off or fight with any more.

I disagree with that. I personally didn't fall out with most of the people who I mentioned in my above post so I don't miss them because I miss arguing with them. Frankly, with some of them I never quite understood why they were banned in the first place.

I think often its more of what goes on behind the main forum that causes people to get banned and unless you are directly involved you never fully understand why such action had to be taken.

People can seem 'safely' opinionated on the main forum but when their opinions start to get directed at individuals under the cover of PM's or via the chat room it's out of order. I feel this is where those who have been banned have fallen foul. :sad:

Shame because as has been said much of what has been said by those members on the main forum has been like you say, quality in many respects, but to start victimising people under the cover of PM's and the chat room is bang out of order!

in that case you have the ability to "ignore" posters so they can't send you pm's. i happily had *** on ignore for ages once, didn't detract from the "board experience" at all!

If the heated debates were so good why didn't the people who enjoyed the heated debates stick around and continue their discussions....

I think it might have been because a lot of the people they were discussing stuff with got banned.

I remember a few posters who enjoyed posting in such forums and it was always the same names...the ones that have left because of er...boredom was it you said KH...I think those that have been banned are those that took the idea of a heated 'healthy' debate and turned it into something personal.

I'm not sure that all those people who got banned necessarily did turn things into something personal, although some of them did for sure.

...the ones that have left because of er...boredom was it you said KH...

Yup Coastie. That is what I said. I'm sorry if the if the offends you, but to some people this place might seem less than stimulating. Sorry.

Ah yes but 1st people need to know how to set up the ignore thing...2nd the damage is often done before the ignore is deemed necessary... :glare:

And I did notice you not responding to my PM's! :boxing:

KH - It would take a hell of a lot to offend me...believe me another persons wish to post or not to post on this site is one of the things that I worry about least in my life...in fact I couldn't give a fig as far as I'm concerned if you like it here post if not go it's of no consequence to me..I will still have air to breath and much to read here!

I was just offering an insight as to why I think some of the more serious posters don't post anymore....add the reasons in the post you've responded to to the comments about the lack of quality reality TV at the mo and well I think there's alot to that theory....if you disagree then so be it it's just a theory I have which is not a foundation to my existance to tear it apart and I'll simply move onto another one...go on I love thinking up theories conspiracy or otherwise...it's a sad little hobby of mine that I tend to keep away from this site most of the time! :shocking:

I did disagree with a couple of the names she mentioned (I might have disagreed with all of them had I been around for longer :laugh: ) because the two in question resorted to personal insult as opposed to arguing an issue.

To be fair, I disagree myself with some of the names I mentioned because one or two of them were downright offensive, but the point I was making is that those were the people who brought a bit of heat to the forum on ocassion.

And I miss that sometimes :sad:

Don't these things go in cycles? Maybe this is just the lull before the next storm.

I know what you mean though - it's great reading! Couldn't keep off the forum a couple of weeks ago :laugh:

to some people this place might seem less than stimulating. Sorry.

So why only post on here ?

Im a regular poster on Digital Spy - now, if you want an arguement head along to there. They have a good mixture of indepth analysis and light hearted stuff. There is something for everyone.

I post here Mon - fri as a release from work, but sometimes this place isnt quite 'enough' and so i head over to DS and post a bit over there.

So if this forum isnt stimulating enough, why not post in a couple of other places too ? Members havent signed a contract to say they must stay here and only here.

[Quote]To be fair, I disagree myself with some of the names I mentioned because one or two of them were downright offensive, but the point I was making is that those were the people who brought a bit of heat to the forum on ocassion.[Quote/]

And I miss that sometimes


Couldn't resist this KH....I expect repurcussions...

http://www.metrotimes.com/sb/51022/FP-HogRoast.gif

Well it's hot enough for one of your pigs!

Im a regular poster on Digital Spy -

OMFG

Have we fallen out over there yet ? :w00t:

Do you use different usernames there then?

OMFG

Have we fallen out over there yet ? :w00t:

More than likely :w00t: About a year ago now i was roasted good and proper and slunk off with my tail between my legs. I re-surfaced as someone new ...... me a coward, nah :bag:

Do you use different usernames there then?

Oh yes :naughty:

I do :bag:..................

Ooooo a bit of detective work for you both then.... :naughty: Unless of course you cheat and PM each other with your user names now!

Go on have a guess of the people you banter with over there who do you think each other is? :cool2:

I think often its more of what goes on behind the main forum that causes people to get banned and unless you are directly involved you never fully understand why such action had to be taken.

Yeah thats a fair point.

Shame because as has been said much of what has been said by those members on the main forum has been like you say, quality in many respects

That is the real tragedy, I think.

So why only post on here ?

Well, the main reason is that I barely have time for 1 forum, let alone several. Although I have joined several forums in my time, it is only ever 1 at a time.

Im a regular poster on Digital Spy - now, if you want an arguement head along to there.

Well - I am a member of DS and sometimes use it for info. I never post on it though. Its too large and unless its changed these days - its too heavily moderated. Frankly, I have seen people get banned from there for giving a dirty look.

Frankly, I have seen people get banned from there for giving a dirty look.

That is indeed very true :boxing:

Shame I like the dirty look! :naughty:

http://extratv.warnerbros.com/images/02/08/02clooney_200.jpg

Shame I like the dirty look! :naughty:

http://extratv.warnerbros.com/images/02/08/02clooney_200.jpg

see now you've gone off topic!!! d'oh! i hate that! (but I love George) ... Slipper will be vexed when he comes on tomorrow!

I'm off to do a course in how to win friends and influence people...I have taken it before but misunderstood it and wound up learning how to lose friends and confuse people! :bag:

Ooooo how exciting!! A debate of earnest and honest proportions. Thanks Slipper!

I can't see what was wrong with Karen's post made at 3.46 pm today, I can see no offence meant or why it would be taken. Dol you lost me there? And I agree to some point - some good debaters have been lost by the wayside. And one wonders why? Is it because the conversation over here is too banal and fluffy? Is it because of their opinions they were hounded out of here? Is it because they thought those who stuck around were too boring to even bother debating with??

I don't know. I will always probably always harp back to this particular debate, but sf and I had a mega 'set to' about hunting, it was me against the world premiered by sf - it was superb, stimulating and informative. Neither agreed with the other and probably never will. But it brought forth everyones opinons, thoughts, preconceived idea's, etc. And I loved it - and I hope the earth moved for you too sf???

Anyway my point being that it is sooooooo possible to have a meaningful debate and remain firm and solid friends before, during and afterwards - without the inbetween bit getting messy - I don't think it ever did. I never ever lost one iota of respect for him and I don't think he did for me either.

So it is possible and it is great fun and informative and superb - to discuss an emotive subject - so why can't we do it more often??

Do people here have strong feelings on a subject - I know I do? So why can we not discuss stuff without it becoming personal, or insulting or offensive - I wonder is it a reflection on us as people? Are we incapable of holding these sort of discussions? I jolly well hope not.

And one other point whilst I am at it. This talk [and I am probalby aiming this at you Slips] about SO being all pink, fluffy and sweet - well it isn't! I can see where you are coming from - but as much as I hate confrontation for the sake of it - and quite frankly there is no real need for it - it is not a fluffy site. Yes here are threads here that may give that impression - but can I explain?

Those mundane 'Whats for Tea', 'What are you wearing', 'DYJHIW' etc - are really just an extension of the likes of Bella, Best, Womans Own - which a lot of people pay good money for - why pay when you can come here for free and pick up next week's supper menu's??? Or see what people are wearing so you can avoid the same fashion faux pas or see what really you should be wearing - blah blah blah??!!??

*bump*

while we're here, might as well bring all the old laundry out for an airing

*bump*

Did you fall, dear? :unsure:

What really bugs me about this forum at the moment is that is it really quiet and boring. All the activity seems to be happening in Dolores inbox and I don't have the equipment to get in there.

Anyone else like to muck in for a moan?

Thinking that the forum is a bloody Agony Aunt's corner where it's main purpose is to provide tea and sympathy. Then wondering why you can't attract newcomers who have something interesting to say.

Thinking that the forum is a bloody Agony Aunt's corner where it's main purpose is to provide tea and sympathy. Then wondering why you can't attract newcomers who have something interesting to say.

You could start the ball rolling and show us how its done with a new informative thread ?

I'd like to moan about the absense of KARENHINTON!

Anyone seen her lately?:ninja:

No, I'll let you do that.

No, I'll let you do that.

But why rely on everyone else ???? Your topics would be really exciting im sure.

Come on ..... get ya thinking cap on, suprise us.

In fact, i think i might have a look at some of the threads you have started in the past - it might give us all some inspiration.

I'd like to moan about the absense of KARENHINTON!

Anyone seen her lately?:ninja:

Nope. Not me. No sirreee. Never met her. Uh-uh. Nope.






























:unsure:

I think the cliqueness (is that a word, well it is now) and the constant infighting between members that is a big deterent to Haydon recruiting new members!

Just my opinion!

I think the cliqueness (is that a word, well it is now) and the constant infighting between members that is a big deterent to Haydon recruiting new members!

Just my opinion!
But there hasn''t been anyone to fight with for ages....

and is it really fighting if you can't punch them??

But why rely on everyone else ???? Your topics would be really exciting im sure.

Come on ..... get ya thinking cap on, suprise us.

In fact, i think i might have a look at some of the threads you have started in the past - it might give us all some inspiration.

I guess it has to suit everyone, I'm torn between 'My Grass Needs Cutting What Should I do?' and 'My Budgie Has An Abscess' - any preference?

I think the cliqueness (is that a word, well it is now) and the constant infighting between members that is a big deterent to Haydon recruiting new members!

Just my opinion!

Is that why you left? Couldn't stand the competition?

I think the cliqueness (is that a word, well it is now) and the constant infighting between members that is a big deterent to Haydon recruiting new members!

Just my opinion!

So ya don't like clicqueyness so you started your own forum with only your mates as members? :mellow:

I guess it has to suit everyone, I'm torn between 'My Grass Needs Cutting What Should I do?' and 'My Budgie Has An Abscess' - any preference?

Nah, i think a thread about soft furnishings would be good.

B*gger, you've already done that :huh:

Is that why you left? Couldn't stand the competition?
What competition is that Pasty?

Nah, i think a thread about soft furnishings would be good.

B*gger, you've already done that :huh:

From what I remember it was a very popular thread. WOuld you like to revive it?

From what I remember it was a very popular thread. WOuld you like to revive it?
whatever - it would save you starting a new one.

whatever - it would save you starting a new one.

OK - here's the link http://www.survivor-online.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=1764&highlight=soft+furnishings

What competition is that Pasty?

To become champion fight starter. Oh sorry, I forgot, you are a follower not a leader.

Baaaa!

To become champion fight starter. Oh sorry, I forgot, you are a follower not a leader.

Baaaa!
You see, personally im a lover not a fighter :ninja:

So ya don't like cliquishness so you started your own forum with only your mates as members? :mellow:


No,I don't like obliqueness floopy, when it excludes certain people/groups on a open forum such as SO.


My forum is not an open forum, I started my forum to keep in contact with people who wanted to keep in touch with me, when I stopped posting on SO, as you well know. So it is not really a clique in the same sense, but I guess some will see it as that I suppose, and that is their prerogative.

No,I don't like obliqueness floopy, when it excludes certain people/groups on a open forum such as SO.


My forum is not an open forum, I started my forum to keep in contact with people who wanted to keep in touch with me, when I stopped posting on SO, as you well know. So it is not really a clique in the same sense, but I guess some will see it as that I suppose, and that is their prerogative.

See! Definitely can't be the real ILS.

To become champion fight starter. Oh sorry, I forgot, you are a follower not a leader.

Baaaa!


Fight starter, what is one of those?

You see, personally im a lover not a fighter :ninja:


Oooh, I bet you say that to all the guys Bonnie don't ya?! :w00t:

This isn't a moan, more like an observation. When someone leaves the board because they don't like it, then rejoin some time later to take a swipe at what's going on.

What it makes me think of is someone who walks out on their husband or wife and goes to live somewhere else, but comes back to the house at night to peek through the windows to see what they are getting up to and who with.

Then when they see them having a row, rings the doorbell, walks in, tells them that's exactly why they left in the first place - oh and by the way I'm moving back in with you.

Who are you talking about Swerve?

This isn't a moan, more like an observation. When someone leaves the board because they don't like it, then rejoin some time later to take a swipe at what's going on.

What it makes me think of is someone who walks out on their husband or wife and goes to live somewhere else, but comes back to the house at night to peek through the windows to see what they are getting up to and who with.

Then when they see them having a row, rings the doorbell, walks in, tells them that's exactly why they left in the first place - oh and by the way I'm moving back in with you.

Yoo hoo, :wink_kiss Just a cheeky little thought, but how do you know 'ils' left in the first place. Maybe she just took a break and since then has decided to visit us on a few occassions just for noseyness. :)

I've been a fly on the wall a few times this year. :wink2:

Maureen
Northern angel.

Not you if that's what you're thinkinG!

edit - replying to last but 1 post

Yoo hoo, :wink_kiss Just a cheeky little thought, but how do you know 'ils' left in the first place. Maureen
Northern angel.

I was speaking generally, and not referring to one particular person.

I was speaking generally, and not referring to one particular person.


Ooops so you were. Apologies Survivorfan for having misread you.Slap wrist. I'd make a terrible mind reader.

Maureen
Northern angel.

Never mind Mo! We all get things wrong sometimes! We all only human after all!

I knew SF couldn't have been refering to me, as I know how grateful he was when I advised him about Water Meters :D

I was, I took your advice and decided to stay on the Water Rates system.

Question, I have yet to have it off on a laminate floor, so are the burns worse from a laminate floor than a carpetted one? :yahoo:
Just getting naughty.

:oops: :offtopic: Wrong thread Soft furnishings needs livening up.

Maureen
Northern angel. :devil:

Having just really woken up...there's my brunch ruined!!! Really Mo, save that for later...or never.:sick:

Question, I have yet to have it off on a laminate floor, so are the burns worse from a laminate floor than a carpetted one? :yahoo:
Just getting naughty.




I have yet to find that out too, Mo, do let me know, if you find out!:devil: ;)

I'll have a forum moan, and that is that I think the forum can become too personalised. What I mean is that people can start getting so involved in other people that it stops becoming a 'discussion forum' and turns into something quite different - a sort of 'friends group' where alternative views/opinions can be seen as a kind of threat.

It's a bit like Big Brother - it starts off as a game, then people start forming bonds/allegiances etc, and reach the stage where if they are nominated, they get all uppity and demand to know who has it in for them etc.

Mind you, the site has always been like that as far as I know, so I guess it's just human nature to do it that way.

Sweeping statement here - I think it's a woman thing, the need to get friendly/fall out even on a discussion forum.

I'll have a forum moan, and that is that I think the forum can become too personalised. What I mean is that people can start getting so involved in other people that it stops becoming a 'discussion forum' and turns into something quite different - a sort of 'friends group' where alternative views/opinions can be seen as a kind of threat.

It's a bit like Big Brother - it starts off as a game, then people start forming bonds/allegiances etc, and reach the stage where if they are nominated, they get all uppity and demand to know who has it in for them etc.

Mind you, the site has always been like that as far as I know, so I guess it's just human nature to do it that way.

Sweeping statement here - I think it's a woman thing, the need to get friendly/fall out even on a discussion forum.

Hello Survivorfan,

You know I'm inclined to say I agree with some of your comments here and I'm also prepared to admit, that for me things have occassionally become too personalised. However, I don't feel alternative views are a bad thing. What I feel to be a bad thing is when someone either inadvertently insults you or deliberately insults you. As we are all human I'm sure that you would tote up and remember a number of insults before feeling that you simply have to say something. Forgiving and forgetting is not easy to do, especially if you feel wronged.

I can't agree with you that its a woman thing, I gather just as many men have had some humdingers of arguments and fallen out in the past on this forum.

I will give you this though because I feel you are hinting strongly towards this. That more women who are inclined to discuss things more openly than men and may have a willingness to fall out easier then men. I have also had it on good authority that women who have formed allegiances either on the forum or in person will be tempted to pm more often those they have that link with.

I think if Blink were on line here he'd refer to this as the male and female pysche, which in this day and age we are inclined to deny its existence, as it somewhat flies in the face of men and women being of equal psychological aptitude.

Maureen
Northern angel.

I think if Blink were on line here he'd refer to this as the male and female pysche, which in this day and age we are inclined to deny its existence, as it somewhat flies in the face of men and women being of equal psychological aptitude.

Maureen
Northern angel.

I think you don't have to look to closely to see that, by and large, and of course there are exceptions, men and women do tend to behave differently, and you can see this from an early age when children begingn to socialise. The girls have a different (closer) way of interacting, and you see this continuing into adulthood - their 'feeling' function seems better developed (but often at the expense of 'thinking')

Hello survivorfan,

By jove you've got it. Yes. I would say this was true, post 138. It is also true of arty farty people and the effeminate male. The person with the increased level of sensitivity or feeling function is also prone to acting on impulse, can be quick tempered, as anger is an emotion that can be triggered. But dependent on what there strengths are, will have a high degree of expertise in those areas and a minimal amount in others and this increases with age, and the anxieties of age. Maturity therefore only teaches you to hide some of your feelings but not all. There are also issues for menopausal women and how this affects the feeling function. In legal history Menopausal women have been recorded in court records as having committed crimes against the person as a result of temperament. A historical bitch fest I would say could be typified by female juries. Reading court records is like reading some modern Shakespearan text for a play of insults. Women against women. A Jury of Matrons, etc.
Hence today, some women who are exceptions to the rule prefer working with men or in mixed environments.

My forum moan is that there are not enough male fests! :naughty: :devil: :blush:

Maureen
Northern angel.

Sweeping statement here - I think it's a woman thing, the need to get friendly/fall out even on a discussion forum.

I think this is probably true, because women are naturally more sociable, but ultimately more paranoid, generally.

Although you boys are, on the whole, far more unsociable, some of you do like a bit of a ruck. ;)

So I'm unsociable and I like a bloody good ruck. What does that make me? :w00t:

So I'm unsociable and I like a bloody good ruck. What does that make me? :w00t:

Can I get back to you on that?

Just working through the PMs at the moment! :thumbsup:

So I'm unsociable and I like a bloody good ruck. What does that make me? :w00t:

John Prescott?

Just working through the PMs at the moment! :thumbsup:

Oh, what it must be to be popular! (Or is it mainly hate mail?)

John Prescott?

:mad2:

See that's another forum moan - people trying to be clever when they obviously aren't.

:mad2:

Oh, what it must be to be popular! (Or is it mainly hate mail?)

They're mostly from the same person actually. :huh:

Ooh. YOu've made a friend at last!

Not exactly....:unsure:

Ooooooooooooh! May we guess?

Ooooooooooooh! May we guess?
Ooooooooooh! How polite you are Fee...:laugh:

Ooooooooooooh! May we guess?

Can I play? It could be lots of people, so

eeny...
meeny...
miny...
...

er, no, no idea.

:mad2:

See that's another forum moan - people trying to be clever when they obviously aren't.

:mad2:

Made me laugh.

Not a moan but still I'll put it here.

There's a certain touchiness about other people having a MB (see lost/gone).

Is that because we must be so loyal to SO that it's a taboo subject, like B. Fawlty's "Whatever you do don't mention the war"?

If so, does that mean that there's a certain neurosis at work here? If so what might be at the root of it? Or are we simply being polite by not talking about certain things?

PS genuine query, not intended as a snide dig etc.

Honestly? I've sensed a feeling amongst a couple of members (not me) that you chased ILS off the forum, so she had to start her own place because she didn't feel comfortable here. I'm sensing they still feel that cos you've had a few barbs aimed at you lately which imply that.

So, for you to ask if Dol and Max are over at ILS's place may have appeared to have been a dig from you at her, implying her her place was some kind of shelter for the abused. :nerd:

This is my reading of the sitch. I may be very wrong.

Ah. I get you.

edit to add: I don't see D and M as 'abused' though. I too have wondered about them and thought they might have started using another board.

Well I'm sure they're contactable via PM if anyone's concerned.

Dol isn't available by pm or e-mail, I have pm'd Max but if they are not around she won't see it to read it.

When I have pm's I get a message in my e-mail, so if she still has the same e-mail she should get the message but may be choosing to just ignore it...I dunno, that's just my 2 cents and sticking my nose in.

I see Max'x 'last visit' date is showing N/A - any idea what that means?

I'm thinking it might be no coincidence they went missing when Critique did and I'm beginning to feel responsible.

last date visit of N/A shows when a member is a Sponsor - i.e. they're so special the rest of us have no business knowing their comings and goings.

I'm thinking it might be no coincidence they went missing when Critique did and I'm beginning to feel responsible.

You think Critique's holding them hostage in a disused warehouse until you pay her £1,000,000 ?

SF, everyone gets their toes stepped on in the from time to time and if they aren't tough enough to let it go, then it's not your fault. Now the deal with Crit...you may have to deal with that as y'all were evidently having miscommunications according to Maz's (and floppy floopy's) take. Again, my 2 cents.:sun:

Ah, come on, where's the fun in nicey nicey :bag:

You think Critique's holding them hostage in a disused warehouse until you pay her £1,000,000 ?

Oh I doubt it. THe thing is, people have friends here and seem to be affected by what happens to their friends. A while back, Critique said she had no idea why I was here. I have been thinking about that since. In effect, she was saying, if I understand it right, that I don't fit in with the ethos of the board, and in a way she is right. Tonight I took a look at another board, one that a few people have mentioned, Digital Spy, and compared that with this one. D Spy has masses of members and is a very broad discussion forum, and the difference it seems to me is that SO has a much smaller and tighter knit membership, mainly women, and is more like a support group than anything else - at least that's how it strikes me. So probably she is right, and perhaps I don't really fit. Couple that with the fact that as Floopy mentioned, I caused ILS to go, and now Critique (and maybe her mates) it seems that I'm probably causing more harm than good and disrupting something that has taken people's time and effort to create.

I haven't posted this to get 'don't be silly SF' or 'yes you're right f*** off' responses - please don't, but just to say how I see it now.

Dave, I 'd like to think that the IQ was a bit higher on this board!

I wouldn't insult you with a 'please don't go' post, but I'd miss your humour.

Are you sure you're not just menopausal?

SF, I didn't say you drove ILS off the board, just that some people may have seen it that way. I wouldn't want to put words in her mouth, but ILS is back now anyway.

I know you weren't posting for effect of sympathy, but I'd absolutely hate it if you weren't here, it'd be so incredibly dull without someone who's prepared to take an opposing view sometimes. It is like a support network on here, and personally I don't like that aspect of the board. If I have a problem in my life, I might discuss it privately with friends, but if was a real life serious personal issue, I wouldn't put it up for public scrutiny.

If people don't like the place as it is, they don't have to stay, I've got issues of my own with people on here and I've taken time out recently and in the past to get over myself, and them, but I haven't signed up for life by any means.

Please don't let it become a virtual coffee morning, any of you. If you look back over threads like this in the past you'll see that one of the major moans has been exactly that, that it's all too 'nice' and that people are afraid of disagreeing with their mates.

Re Digital Spy, it's got a huge membership, but you'll still find that outside of Big Brother times, there's still only a handful (albeit a larger one) of regular posters in the General Discussion and Chatter sections, just like here; people who get to know each other and become friends. There's a large amount of useless chitter and a large amount of arguments and heated discussion.

That's what makes a good forum, IMO, that mix of people and attitudes. What the heck is the point of a discussion forum with no discussion? And what the heck is the point of discussion if everyone agrees all the time.

I love you Swerve, and I love Critters too.

:sniff:

Crit hasn't gone she is just taking a break as Floopy said sometimes it is better to do that for a while. Dol and max had disappeared before that so it has nothing to do with it. I don't know why they went but I wish they would come back and Cat too as she has ben gone for ages.

I hate the fact that people are leaving the board left, right and centre. It makes for a dull board when people leave. I'd hate to see you leave SF, you have been here longer than a lot of us. I don't want Crit to leave either. I find the board has become a bit coffee morningish and I for one find it boring. Don't mean to offend anyone here, but I hate going into a thread and find it a conversation between three or four people. It makes very boring reading. The people involved may be enjoying it, but the rest of us ain't, otherwise we would join in too.

I will edit to say that when I say conversation between people, I mean meaningless chat that really has nothing to do with the thread.

Well, tiggs, the thing is, that if the few people who are posting at the moment didn't reply to each other, then **** all would be happening at all.

You make it sound like people should be here to entertain you, but if the people finding it boring actually chipped in an put in an opinion, it wouldn't just be 'reading' would it? It'd be taking part.

People do put in an opinion floops, or have done I should say. Or could it be that people generally got fed up with the chatty threads? I would never say that is definitely the case of course.

I just want to say Floopy that I actually do agree with a lot of what you said in that post. But in order to stop it from being a coffee morning, people have got to be allowed to post their opinions, without being made to feel bad for them. I think in some cases that people have took things the wrong way and have become offended for no reason, I can't speak for the recent cases because I have not actually spoken to the people involved. I would say this in the majority of cases. But there has lately been one or two people, none of whom are mentioned in this thread lately, who have been made to feel unwelcome, because they don't quite 'fit the mold'.

And another thing. It's not surprising the amount of people that have left this forum due to the veiled digs that take place. Like it or not, there have been digs going on around here whether anyone wants to admit it or not!!! I'm about fed up with reading it all. I'll probably regret posting this later, but right now I've just had enough.

Ya know what? Tiggs is right about one thing for sure - it isn't surprising that people are leaving left right and centre - I have certainly felt the urge to do so recently.

One of the reason is I despair of people having a go at us so called coffee morning chatters. The coffee lounge is titled 'chit chat, a place to yak about anything'. So fekkin' what if I want to talk about my dog, my weekend, other peoples fekkin' bit's and bobs of trivia - stay out of the threads that don't interest you and stop making blitherers feel uncomfortable...

One of the reason is I despair of people having a go at us so called coffee morning chatters. The coffee lounge is titled 'chit chat, a place to yak about anything'. So fekkin' what if I want to talk about my dog, my weekend, other peoples fekkin' bit's and bobs of trivia - stay out of the threads that don't interest you and stop making blitherers feel uncomfortable...

I agree with this. Just lately i have had quite a few issues with my own health, the dog is about to have an op tomorrow which is worrying me etc etc .... but i havent mentioned it for fear of ridicule which is a shame. I used to like sharing issues with you guys, but now i keep things to myself.

I think the previous 3 posters make some very valid points, the veiled digs at others, the constant critisism of the coffee morning chatters and the off topic posts, were the main reasons that I stopped posting for a while earlier this year.

One of the reason is I despair of people having a go at us so called coffee morning chatters. The coffee lounge is titled 'chit chat, a place to yak about anything'. So fekkin' what if I want to talk about my dog, my weekend, other peoples fekkin' bit's and bobs of trivia - stay out of the threads that don't interest you and stop making blitherers feel uncomfortable...


I have absolutely no problem with the coffee lounge being used that way. I don't have a problem with what are you doing this weekend, DYJHIW and other threads that have a similar vein. They are fun and interesting and it's lovely to hear what is going on in people's lives. If you wanna talk about your dog go ahead! I like hearing about people's dogs etc.

What I have a problem with is when the threads get hijacked by two or more people holding their own conversation in them that really has no interest to anyone else except those involved. People are getting bored with that. Maybe I'm the only one who will say it out loud, but I know I'm not the only one.

Right, so out of the few of us that there are left, we don't want chit chat, we do want chit chat, we don't want confrontation, but we do want confrontation, we don't like off-topic posts, but then again we do like off-topic posts.

Hardly any wonder people are giving up really is it?

You know what really, really annoys me? People who complain about what they don't like but then don't do a damn thing about it except moan whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Moaning never solves anything - it doesn't even make you feel better, and it makes everyone else feel bad too.

We all have a different idea about what we do or don't want from this site. Maybe, instead of focussing on the negative all the time, we could exploit the positive. Find what you do like and carry on doing it and encourage other people to do the same. Bonnie, if you get ridiculed by one person, but encouraged by 6, who gives a flying **** about the one?

A place like this is doesn't exist in its own entity, it's a product of its members. If you like something, it's up to you to encourage that aspect, if you don't like something, leave it to someone else who does. Basically, take some responsibility for making things better. Post more, start more threads, put a bit of effort in for fecks sake.

Think of ways of attracting new members and instead of posting your ideas on here, actually do something about it!

You can't change other people, I've had that drummed into me so many times recently. But what you can do is ignore those people, and carry on doing whatever it is that you do and don't give a flying **** about the rest.

And if you don't like me - tough, cos I ain't going anywhere :cool: .

I personally can't see a huge problem with the ways things are. (Maybe I am just a bit dim).

The board is quiet at the moment, people are away, kids on hoidays from school, until this week the weather has been great so people are not sitting at a computer all evening.

We have lost certain posters, but they have not deleted their accounts have they? whose to say they won't be back once the summer is over and then things may get going again.

We have lost certain posters, but they have not deleted their accounts have they? whose to say they won't be back once the summer is over and then things may get going again.

Good point - lets hope they do come back as i miss some of them.

I'll continue using this board the way I always have done thanks very much.

And if you don't like me - tough, cos I ain't going anywhere :cool: .
Good, cos we dont want anyone to go anywhere.

I'll continue using this board the way I always have done thanks very much.
Good, and so will I!!

Erm, good.

We're sorted then, yes? :blink:

I personally can't see a huge problem with the ways things are. (Maybe I am just a bit dim).




Well if someone who has been here as long as TE has , has felt the urge to leave then there must be something afoot!

Is your button stuck ILS :huh:

Is your button stuck ILS :huh:


I think it was Bonsai :huh:


I managed to delete the duplicate post, I think!:applause:

You know what, maybe you all are right. Maybe it's me, maybe I just don't 'fit' here anymore.

Not a feeling sorry for myself post, just a reality check.

My moan is that I wish people would stop posting things like they feel they don't "belong here" any more or that they don't "fit in" anymore.
Tiggs, I ain't trying to single you out but it's just cos you've just posted this. I think you fit in here very well and always enjoy reading your opinions, so don't even think about buggering off!

I have to say though, for some reason I just don't think this place is as fun anymore, which is a shame.

It will be fun again, I promise.

I agree with most of the recent posts and Floopy is right when she said its up to us to make the effort to make it more interesting again. Off to try and think of an interesting topic.

Floopy is right when she said its up to us to make the effort to make it more interesting again. Off to try and think of an interesting topic.



But surely unless the underlying problems are dealt with first, new topics won't make an difference.

But surely unless the underlying problems are dealt with first, new topics won't make an difference.
How do we do this?

How do we identify what the underlying problems are?

How do we do this?

How do we identify what the underlying problems are?


I think listening to other posters opinions in their posts, would be a good start, don't you?

I think listening to other posters opinions in their posts, would be a good start, don't you?
So is this the underlying problem then? That people don't listen to other people's opinions? Is this the only problem that you can see?

But surely unless the underlying problems are dealt with first, new topics won't make an difference.

I disagree actually (there's a surprise) :bag:

I don't think the underlying 'problems' can be dealt with. Everyone has different views on what the forum should be like, so there's no way it can ever be perfect. What you might dislike about the board may be the very things that attract others. You may really dislike one or two people, but other people might really like them.

As I said before, you can't change people - that's what makes us all interesting - the fact that we're different. All any one person can do is deal with their own issues as and when they arise, in my opinion.

No-one can say we should all behave in such and such a manner - this isn't a schoolroom, we can behave any way we like within the forum rules. I've been part of a forum in the past that only had good friends as members and it was lovely for a while, but after a couple of months it died a death cos it was so deathly dull. Once everyone's agreed about the same thing in a nice polite manner, there's nowhere really else to go.

Diversity is the key.

I'm sure this post will come back and bite me on the **** the next time I lay into someone, but hey, sue me :w00t: .

Diversity and tolerance is the key.

I disagree.

I agree with you Floopy (and Haydon) on this I really do, it's great to have healthy confrontation and it's great to have diversity, But I will use the 'how do you solve a problem like Maria' thread as an example of what I feel is out of order. NA hadn't even posted so there was no need for any comments to have been made at all. Can you honestly say that is acceptable?

Sorry Tiggs, I'm not going there.

I agree with you Floopy (and Haydon) on this I really do, it's great to have healthy confrontation and it's great to have diversity, But I will use the 'how do you solve a problem like Maria' thread as an example of what I feel is out of order. NA hadn't even posted so there was no need for any comments to have been made at all. Can you honestly say that is acceptable?
But Tiggs, haven't you just done the same here? You've expressed a view about an incident involving another member who isn't currently contributing to this thread! As well as drawing attention to it, which might in turn be embarrassing for the person on the receiving end.

And now I've kind of done the same thing :wallbash: Oh B***x.:laugh:

19-08-2005, 03:45 PM
What really bugs me about this forum at the moment is that is it reall