I'm posting this because I've just read on another 'controversial' thread that all the old posters no longer want to come on here because this place is so awful.
Well I'm and old poster (in every sense of the word!) and I've been meaning to say this for a few days now.
I can honestly say that the last couple of weeks or so have been as good as any I’ve known on this forum.
There’s been a good mix of threads – a lot of fun and some really constructive talk.
I wouldn’t analyse things in this way normally and I don’t intend to go into reasons but I do think it is worth mentioning.
There are plenty of people who will moan when things get depressing that things ain’t like what they used to be – well this at the moment is in my view pretty good. So let’s remember it - it may get worse again :scared: .
This is unlikely to generate much quality debate so I’ll be happy for it to be locked.
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I do agree to a point Tune, but there are so many people not posting, agreed there are also other reasons that we don't know about so it's hard to change them.
Whilst some are the threads are up there with the "classics", some people have been banned and are missed.
It's definitely not all bad though, the clouds just need blowing away and the sun shine through more often, for the majority of the forum not just the minority.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Actually Tune I hope that this thread is allowed to run as I think there is an interesting debate to be had on this sort of subject.
We all know that forums, by nature, wax and wain, and with different influxes of people will always change. Change is not a bad thing but often nostalgia takes over.
One thing I have noticed lately (and was considering posting about) is that there is very much a 'new' group of people in the forums, and whilst they are very welcoming to new members, old members seem to get ignored a little. It is almost like people think 'oh well they've been about for ages so they've got all their own mates and there's no reason for me to speak to them' and therefore the 'old' member gets sort of ignored.
I'm not sure if I'm really putting my point across that well but I just feel that this forum thrived on the fact that people felt part of it and now so many people no longer feel part of it.
Now my normal reaction to something like that would be to tell them to post more and get back to being part of things but in reality I can see that actually it is very difficult to re-integrate into something that has moved on so far from what it first was.
I guess I'm just rambling now and I don't have any answers for it but I think this could become an interesting debate.
Ive noticed similar happenin in the chatrooms. new ppl come and old ppl move on its not bad its just different !
I pretty p'd off with the Cafe at the minute, I'm posting crap most of the time just to keep my hand in so to speak.
I'm also pretty p'd off that long standing decent lovely people are disappearing too.
:cry:
I don't see a problem with the forum. People can post whether they are new or old, why should it make a difference? Anyone is free to read the forum or to post it’s their choice, I don’t see old members getting ignored, if they don’t wish to post then that is their choice.
Well the truth is we only come back here because we want to. Some just don't want to and good luck to 'em - it takes all sorts.
This thread is supposed to be celebrating something that is actually quite good at the moment.
We've all had our golden moments on here and things 'will never be better than that' but I'm sure we can enjoy something that is different but also good.
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I find myself in total agreement with Tune it is how I see and feel about the place. There are people who have made this the place it is and people still to come that will continue in that vein. A personal thank you from me to some that have been and gone for helping form such a unique place. That and just as a big thanks to the people here and now.
Rock on S-H
if anything lately i spend more time in these forums reading and learning about other peoples experiences.
Its all very interesting and rewarding when you see a post that you can discuss or relate too.
I have found the chatrooms to be boring and a bit of a timewaste lately so thats why im here in this part of the site at the that will change and i'll think the other way round but i do enjoy reading what is posted.
I have posted on here a few times though I haven't for a be honest it seems pointless as whatever I post is misconstrued, misquoted or of late totally ignored. I think forums only work if people are prepaired to discuss issues even if it means ones which cause us to question our beliefs. If people would rather recycle the same 4 conversations with the same people and exclude people who have an alternative point of view then any forum will degenerate. When people reply to your post privately rather than on the forum it can lead to the impression that open debate within that forum is not welcome, so what's the point?
we have to accept things change and move on....some people think for the better..others think for the worse. But my view on it..is if you don't like something..then do something about it. If the content of threads is not to your likeing..then start a thread yourself about something you like...that is better.
I do have to confess i miss some of the more lighthearted threads...we used to have the dress up as someones avatar thread....the old take a pic by a signpost thread..etc etc....but that indeed is one of the other problems...does there come a point where we have discussed almost every topic around !!
It might be that one's 'on line life' is only be a short lived thing. That in order to achieve the same sense of wonder and belonging and intellectual stimulation you have to move on and find new sites and forums.
But actually I would say that in the last year there has been less in fighting, but also less inquisitiveness and argument. People are more careful to avoid an unnecessary fight. Several of the old battlers have moved on and there is less falling in and rallying around for the kill, because of that.
And recently the same old debates have run quite pleasantly. I think the newbies have picked up on things very quickly and there have been less incidents of people putting their foot right in it. We don't seem to have had visits from deliberate pranksters, but maybe that's due to having to pay a fee to join.
So I am not dissapointed or bored.
)
To all those who haven't yet and fancy a chat in these here forums get tapping 
