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Ratman · 02-03-2007, 03:30 AM

I joined the TFP in version2.0, and honestly the thing that brought me here was a link from fark to the porn. However, I found an engaging range of individuals, young and old, that could actually discuss issues, give advice, comfort console and congratulate each other as the situation merited. There were only 5? or 6? different forums. There were a few IT geeks , but most of us answered computer questions based on personal experience or trial and error. I learned a lot in those days about many things, including the value of human compassion from strangers.

I am not a regular contributor now for several reasons. First, there are too many boards. I regularly visit 7 or 8. That limits the sense of community of the TFP as a whole. I don't know a lot of the people here, because I have no interest in gaming, and never go there. Not even once. In real life, your friends have a variety of interests, and you accept them as such- multi-faceted - even if you don't share all of thier interests. As it is I have no idea if Bill-O-Rights has any interest in gaming, because I have never read those threads, and they don't crossover.

Second, I have no interest in trying to communicate with people who feel they have nothing to learn. Every forum is populated by the experts that express thier opinions so strongly, have so much to personally lose by giving an inch in any discussion, that it becomes a flame war in all but the profanity. Nobody grows or changes their view. Members with valuable experience are shouted down by these people, regardless of the topic, and it becomes intimidating to post. If you know you are going to be persecuted for saying "I like Brittney Spears. She makes my butt move." on the music forum, you probably won't say anything.

Third, many of the "old regulars" have either given up or gone to TFP chat. I am not chat saavy, and have no desire to become so. My time is limited and valuable, and if I can't get the gist of a thread, and reply quickly if I want to, I'm not interested. I am surprised when I see Halx and some of the other Mods contributing to threads other than to warn or close them. Chat has become the TFP of old for those who have the desire and skill to go there. I know there are several of the people that I respected on TFP 2.0 that now only show up in chat.

I know that things change and evolve. I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't think it need be Darwinian, or limited to those that can take a punch. Discussion on the internet is fine, arguing on the net is a waste of my time. When arguments further devolve into attacks on semantics and grammer and spelling, it is truly ridiculous. I still come here, I still contribute. Sometimes it is really interesting, sometimes I'm gone in five minutes. I wouldn't be posting this if I didn't think it could be improved more, especially with guidance. I would suggest that the powers that be get off the chat channel and into the threads as contributors more often. Become one of "us" again. Then you will truly know the state of the TFP.

Respectfully,

Ratman

02-03-2007, 03:30 AM	#24 (permalink)
Ratman Addict Location: Somewhere... Across the sea...	I joined the TFP in version2.0, and honestly the thing that brought me here was a link from fark to the porn. However, I found an engaging range of individuals, young and old, that could actually discuss issues, give advice, comfort console and congratulate each other as the situation merited. There were only 5? or 6? different forums. There were a few IT geeks , but most of us answered computer questions based on personal experience or trial and error. I learned a lot in those days about many things, including the value of human compassion from strangers. I am not a regular contributor now for several reasons. First, there are too many boards. I regularly visit 7 or 8. That limits the sense of community of the TFP as a whole. I don't know a lot of the people here, because I have no interest in gaming, and never go there. Not even once. In real life, your friends have a variety of interests, and you accept them as such- multi-faceted - even if you don't share all of thier interests. As it is I have no idea if Bill-O-Rights has any interest in gaming, because I have never read those threads, and they don't crossover. Second, I have no interest in trying to communicate with people who feel they have nothing to learn. Every forum is populated by the experts that express thier opinions so strongly, have so much to personally lose by giving an inch in any discussion, that it becomes a flame war in all but the profanity. Nobody grows or changes their view. Members with valuable experience are shouted down by these people, regardless of the topic, and it becomes intimidating to post. If you know you are going to be persecuted for saying "I like Brittney Spears. She makes my butt move." on the music forum, you probably won't say anything. Third, many of the "old regulars" have either given up or gone to TFP chat. I am not chat saavy, and have no desire to become so. My time is limited and valuable, and if I can't get the gist of a thread, and reply quickly if I want to, I'm not interested. I am surprised when I see Halx and some of the other Mods contributing to threads other than to warn or close them. Chat has become the TFP of old for those who have the desire and skill to go there. I know there are several of the people that I respected on TFP 2.0 that now only show up in chat. I know that things change and evolve. I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't think it need be Darwinian, or limited to those that can take a punch. Discussion on the internet is fine, arguing on the net is a waste of my time. When arguments further devolve into attacks on semantics and grammer and spelling, it is truly ridiculous. I still come here, I still contribute. Sometimes it is really interesting, sometimes I'm gone in five minutes. I wouldn't be posting this if I didn't think it could be improved more, especially with guidance. I would suggest that the powers that be get off the chat channel and into the threads as contributors more often. Become one of "us" again. Then you will truly know the state of the TFP. Respectfully, Ratman __________________ The difference between theory and reality is that in theory there is no difference. "God made man, but he used the monkey to do it." DEVO Last edited by Ratman; 02-03-2007 at 03:55 AM..