General Chat

I wouldn't like to see the chat board closed.

Don't post as often as I used to but pop on most days to read what's being discussed, joining in if I'm interested or feel strongly about certain subjects.
However,for me, it can get very off-putting (boring even) if important topics become nasty due to members getting too personal and aggressive to others.

There are lots of members on specific threads who seek out others for support and become friends so for that 'reason' alone I think the board should stay.

~~~~~ to members ~~~~ have a good day y'all :-D

Mau XX

How come I never seem to spot these spats on here.

My personal opinion is maybe they should clear the boards completely - close the Community for a couple of days and then start from scratch.

I haven't had a decent contact (re genealogy) on here for ages.

The only reason I re-subscribed was because I enjoy the boards, especially General Chat.

If this goes, so do I, and I think many others will too.

:-(

Where did the idea that the board may disappear come from?

Scozz, my idea that the board could disappear is based only on the supposition that as the Saga forum has gone due to 'trouble on the boards' it is not unreasonable to imagine the same could happen here.

It has been my thought that Bright Solid who own both FMP and GR 'might' try again to merge both into one site, and if they were to do that, keeping a chat area that has to be 'monitored' would not be particularly high on the agenda?

There are more threads that come and go on General than those where any spats occur, so I do not think GR would think it a good idea to get rid of it .

As has been said in another post there are some people who pay there money just to be able to contribute to it.

Rose. when did Brightsolid try to merge FMP and GR? and why didn't it happen?

I'd prefer GR went back to having 'general' and 'chat' seperate - not going to happen I know - but 'chat' hasn't been condusive for posting on (on and off) for a few months now.

I agree Island. I much preferred the two distinct boards...General was imo a more serious board for deeper discussions whilst chat had a more frivilous silly slant to it...I for one felt more comfortable (mostly) on chat.as I like to come here for a bit of humour and a break from reality. when the boards merged I think it caused a lot of friction between those who expect and use the boards for different purposes.

Island, Comment on when BS took on FR as welll as owning FMP can be read here.


http://www.macfarlanes.com/news--publications/publications/2010/friends-united-at-last.aspx

Although GR and FMP under the BS ownership have kept seperate so far, I wouldn't be surprised if from a financial point of view BS decided it would be more economical to run it all as one entity...it's only my supposition...depends largely on how well GR is doing financially I'd say...and I don't want to guess at that and comment, as the thread will then get pulled probably lol.

Island/Muffy I agree that the two boards were preferable but I have to add that I have 'met' a lot of people since they merged that I didn't really 'know' before. From the opposite view to you Muffy as I was usually to be found on Gen board, although did occasionally go on chat. I do think the one board can work though, it is possible to have a good serious discussion and also to have fun threads. People just have to learn to ignore what they don't like or understand. Tolerance is the key. :-)

At the time it happened, I thought it was a good idea to merge the two CHAT boards, but in retrospect, I don't think it was such a good idea, so would wholheartedly agree with Muffy. And, many is the time that it passes my mind to go from one to the other, even though I know it isn't possible. Just that old habits die hard.
I do so hope that the powers that be, do not decide to get rid of the Chat board, because, for myself, and many people like me, it is a life-line to the outside world.
As an aside, and slightly off topic, I too am sad that Sylvia felt that she needed a break from the board, but, I can understand how she must feel. It is not nice when 'people' have a 'go' at you, for whatever reason. If it gets to the stage that you feel that you are 'batting your head against a brick wall', then you have little alternative. It is all well and good others saying, "take no notice, just ignore them" but it does not change how you feel, personally.
I hope she will soon be back with us.


Julia in Derbyshire

I am increasingly weary of this board and don't come on here much. I think it has suffered mostly because of the relatively few members who post, compared to a few years ago. So it's harder to find people/posts to 'gel' with.

There have always been spats, arguments, bigotry, hysteria and attention seeking. What I don't like is the trend for 'liberalism' to demonise those whose opinions, for whatever reason, are entrenched or 'conservative'. Yes, outright racism/abuse etc. should be condemmned, but I don't like hounding, nasty sarcasm or sniping.

I prefer the serious-type discussions but there is room for both these and fun. I don't like every single thread to be taken over by fun-fests and 'in' jokes, though - just as some people don't like heavyweight subjects, others find 'trivia' boring sometimes!

Moan over :-D

I agree Sheila...like you...I believe that everyone should have their right to their say without being pounded. I also hate knee jerk RR's during a discussion because I would prefer to see the comment for myself and make my own mind up.

I understand the need for them to be done on occasions but I do think some are a tad *trigger happy* and it dilutes the debate.

Just my opinion.

Its like most things really, a few can spoil it for the majority, and that is what i think is happening here. :-)



Sue

How often to we have a serious debate up and somebody makes a nasty remark, usually, but not always, humour is brought onto the thread to turn it away from the nastyness.

I could really go OTT with my replies sometimes but have to rely on being rescued by friends and their humour to save me from a long period on the naughty step.

When chat and general were separate you knew what you were likely to encounter on each board. I was usually on chat, if someone had posted something interesting on general we were always notified and could go and read for ourselves.

Well said Supercrutch!!!!

Thats what I try to do, make something a little light hearted out of the situation, I know not everyone gets my wit or silly cyber attitude as I can be ignored and maybe I get on peoples bits but its just a simple excursion ;-)

Debates , chats, misunderstandings, disagreements, laughter and sorrow are all out there and it can get upsetting but there is the other side to it........

Im not the best at getting my voice or comments across like some on here, and I admire the people who can sometimes they become my voice but I also admire people who still have a voice and maybe whisper rather than shout, that voice is entitled to be heard as well....

Hope im making sence
<3

It should be kept, for the reasons already given,apart from that,How would we all have got to know about Merseys Dodgy Knees? :-D :-D :-D :-D and the way Supercrutch dispenses justice with her Supercrutches. :-D :-D :-D ;-)

Merls....il have you know my knees are in fine fettle the yoga is working miracles ;-)

Uh uuh....

When has "every single thread to be taken over by fun-fests and 'in' jokes"???

Never!

This is just the sort of dig that puts me off posting and a very good reason to have two seperate boards. Tolerant? Seems not. :-|


Rose, thanks for the link. I'd forgotten about that


;-) :-)

What have I said????? :-(

I didn't see it as a 'dig' Island, just an opinion. :-)