This Forum Has Been the Same for 14 Years

[Brickjectivity]

How do you know that it's not that you're fluctuation in tandem with the forum and that's why you can't detect any change?

I 2nd this remark, and I feel like over the last 5 years I have noticed the concentration of posters shift, and I think rule enforcement is becoming more strict. I think the advertising is the #1 reason for it.

Don't over-rate moderation. They are far too reactive in nature to hold quite that much power.

It is the ground level forum poster that makes the real difference.

I miss certain posters including Smart Guy. I think that various religions are currently not as strongly represented as they were 3 years ago. All changes create other changes which create more changes.

I've been on this Forum for about 14 years now, and -- myths aside -- the Forum has been approximately the same during that whole time.

The rules have not changed much, and I think change is very slow. I partly see what you are saying. I have not been around for that long. The long term members are always changing. I have changed, and while I'm not *that* aware I have marked changes in many other long term posters.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Unfortunately, some of our members have died. We only hear about a few of them -- I suspect many more than we hear about have died.

No memorial garden where their best posts might be seen? I think I might need that one day.

 

[Mock Turtle]

You know, I think that is the real charm of RF. So many other forums are just like a pack of hell hounds lying in wait for fresh meat to enter the game. At least here there is a modicum of self-restraint and quite often genuine curiosity. Granted, I've only been here for a mere 12-1/2 years, but so it seems to me.

There is, of course, a very simple way to get rid of those annoying ads. *wink, wink*

What are these 'ads' things?

 

[Revoltingest]

I 2nd this remark, and I feel like over the last 5 years I have noticed the concentration of posters shift, and I think rule enforcement is becoming more strict. I think the advertising is the #1 reason for it.

This might radically change. I recently considered buying a forum because the
return on investment is spectacular compared to stocks & other investments.
(There's a website for buying & selling them. I forget the name.)
My big initial concern was technical management & upkeep costs. But after
visiting a forum for administrators & owners, I saw a common view is that ad
blocking tools will reduce income to the point that forums will need donations &
subscriptions to survive. (One forum I frequent has a yearly fee which I gladly pay.)

Don't worry....there's no chance I'd ever become lord & master of this place.

 

[sun rise]

What are these 'ads' things?

I'm a relative newcomer but the value I see in RF is illustrated by my paying an albeit modest sum rather than using an ad blocker. And that is due to some wanting to discuss rather than pontificate.

 

[Sunstone]

No memorial garden where their best posts might be seen? I think I might need that one day.

No memorial garden of best posts, but look under RF memorials for the folks we know about who were once members here but died.

 

[Sunstone]

I think rule enforcement is becoming more strict.

I do too. And it concerns me that it might in some instances be becoming too strict.

There's always a balance to be struck between making the Forum as inviting as possible to as many people as possible, and keeping a lid on the abuse of members by those who would take advantage of too lenient moderation.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I'm a relative newcomer but the value I see in RF is illustrated by my paying an albeit modest sum rather than using an ad blocker. And that is due to some wanting to discuss rather than pontificate.

Well I decided to support RF because I like the forum, but my conscience wouldn't be pricked if I had used an ad-blocker in all my internet usage - *cough* - since I have got fed up of adverts in general (getting ever more frequent) and I have seen enough thank you to ever make an impact on me. I think I will be starting a campaign for us oldies to get a by on advertising in general - seeing as we have seen it all mostly.

What is the point of advertising when it turns people off and feels more like an intrusion?

 

[Revoltingest]

What is the point of advertising when it turns people off and feels more like an intrusion?

It pays the bills.

 

[Mock Turtle]

No memorial garden of best posts, but look under RF memorials for the folks we know about who were once members here but died.

Right. Found it.

 

[Mock Turtle]

It pays the bills.

True, but I'd rather just subscribe if I valued what they offered. Wired tried to block people, changed their mind it seems, The Daily Telegraph seem to insist on subscribing, and since I don't value right-wing opinion that much, I'm unlikely to subscribe and just dip in occasionally, and there are all sorts in between. Guess which sites I tend to view? Correct, the ones that don't tend to insist on forcing their ads down our throats. They should surely know that they will be turning off as many as they might snag. Plenty more fish in the sea is the reality. I mute all TV ads too.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

U know in some forums such a short answer is not allowed. See what we didn't miss bc of something u take to be self-evident.

You answered 'Not really' in this very thread!
Hypocritical much?

 

[Revoltingest]

True, but I'd rather just subscribe if I valued what they offered. Wired tried to block people, changed their mind it seems, The Daily Telegraph seem to insist on subscribing, and since I don't value right-wing opinion that much, I'm unlikely to subscribe and just dip in occasionally, and there are all sorts in between. Guess which sites I tend to view? Correct, the ones that don't tend to insist on forcing their ads down our throats. They should surely know that they will be turning off as many as they might snag. Plenty more fish in the sea is the reality. I mute all TV ads too.

Ads don't bother me.
Just in one eye & out the other.
The only reason I'm a premium member is a generous gift from another poster.
Alas, I'm a low ingrate because I can't remember who did it.

 

[Revoltingest]

Some moderation changes I've noticed over the last 8 years.....
- I can now post a picture without commenting upon it.
- I can now link an article without commenting upon it.
- The word, "fist" is no longer blocked.
- I can now post pix of shirtless males.

 

[Sunstone]

Alas, I'm a low ingrate because I can't remember who did it.

Most likely @Onyx, although I could be wrong about that. He passed out memberships to several people one Christmas -- and I seem to recall you were one of them -- without bothering to tell them who they were from -- just like him to be modest about it.

 

[Shushersbedamned]

You answered 'Not really' in this very thread!
Hypocritical much?

I'm demonstrating.

 

[Revoltingest]

Most likely @Onyx, although I could be wrong about that. He passed out memberships to several people one Christmas -- and I seem to recall you were one of them -- without bothering to tell them who they were from -- just like him to be modest about it.

Onyx is certainly generous with frubals.
But I once knew who bestowed the gift.
Should'a made a note.
Brain is leaky lately.

 

[Revoltingest]

U know in some forums such a short answer is not allowed. See what we didn't miss bc of something u take to be self-evident.

If short posts were prohibited, my post count would be in the single digits.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I'm demonstrating.

Your short post was before his. I mean...honestly...

Sheesh.

 

[Shushersbedamned]

Your short post was before his. I mean...honestly...

Sheesh.

So?