General Chat

Because I don't want to hijack that. The group Maz referred to is the reason why Lou Sharpe has removed herself from GR. I realise there will be some that say 'what, again?' but Lou was used very badly by that group and they set her up to take the fall for something that never even happened. There is a whispering campaign going on that has no substance or truth to it but leaves members feeling vulnerable and paranoid and causes mistrust and suspicion between people who were once friends. One particular member of that group was copy pasting my msn conversations with her to the other members. She also sent me a message saying she was going to remove herself from the site but leave one big explosive thread before she left in order to set everyone against each other. I found it very difficult to believe that this woman was the same one I had found to be so amusing on the boards. I know for sure that at least two members of this group have more than one log in and appear as very different characters each time, from being youngish and funny to an elderly lady and have seen a thread where she has actually had a conversation between her alter egos. Every time someone has said there are groups and cliques but have been shouted down - you were right. It wasn't the people I expected it to be, in fact some of them were a complete shock. Beware of the dear little elderly lady you confide in - she may well be 40 years younger and sharing your innermost thoughts on msn.

Wendy - I think a lot of us a bit more cautious these days than we were a few months ago. It all got very tiresome to be honest. Things have been a lot better lately, in my opinion, its a shame yesterdays events have started up all this talk of cliques again. Incidentally I have my opinions on the suspension but I'll keep them to myself I think.

Wendy, I know for a fact that what you are saying is absolutely true. Bev

crikey Wendy... that's opened my eyes!! thank goodness i dont go on msn!!

Spooky that Wendy.I prefer the straight talking people who call a spade a spade you know where you stand with them dont you? Davex

OMG (again) I just wanted some friends that's why I joined !!!!! Now I have to say anything I say on here or MSN can be copied and pasted to Times Square if they like I stand by my opinions I am not 12 anymore I am 39 and would never pretend to be otherwise (except maybe if a nice man were to show interest LOL) Julie xxx

Thank you for that Wendy, can't say I am surprised to find out that some people on here are that sad - just worried that so many others may have been sucked in by these pathetic losers. Maz. XX oh and if anyone thinks I am part of a clique - I'm most definitely NOT. I have just made the effort to get to lots of meets and through that have made lasting friendships with some of the other members.

Thanks Bev. When I first joined I was struck by the forceful personalities of some people and had it whispered to me that one particular member was the 'gang leader.' Although she and I have never got on and probably never will see eye to eye it was most certainly not the person who has so obviously sprung to the front of a lot of peoples minds. It has certainly taught me to make my own opinions now.

Wendy, although somehow I have registered onto MSN, I don't know how to use it and, after reading this, I shall never try. In fact I shall do my utmost to delete whatever I did to register onto it. Joy

Wendy, I find the content of your thread quite frightening and disturbing. It makes you realise it is not just young children and teenagers who are at risk on the internet. Can I suggest that if you do know that people have more than one identity on these boards, GR are informed with details and are asked to act for the protection of their many members. Jacky

By the way, can we make it clear that using MSN isn't a bad thing ? I've been using it for about 5 years, it's a valuable tool. MSN isn't the problem, it's the people using it, and if they didn't use MSN then they'd use email, or the phone...

Will do Jacky.

That's right Paul.

Crickey.,...i only started using MSN (My god....typed MEN 1st then lol) yesterday and i was really enjoying it, but's made me think again 1st to late again! c x

Hi Wendy, Well said. I wonder if people think I'm in a clique, sometimes. The trouble is if you are in harmony with some people's views it can look like you are. So for the record (I hope they don't mind me mentioning their names) off site I talk via email on a daily basis with CB, who I have come to view as a friend and confidante. She and I will never see eye to eye on politics but apart from that we have a lot in common. I'm also in frequent contact with circular Pat with whom I share political views and she has become a friend as well. I always talk to Dave Bennett on site because his threads amuse me and we shared a warped sense of humour and sometimes we talk via email and once, maybe twice on msn - about kids, if anyone is interested. There are a few others I have talked to on email and msn and am getting to know them better but it isn't fair to mention them, they may not want to be associated with me. I do not know if any of these people talk to each other off site I haven't asked them. I enjoy nearly all the threads on here and ignore those of no interest or to which I feel I cannot contribute. Wendy, when you first joined I thought you were a pain in the butt. I have changed my mind 100% since your return. Gwynne

I am so glad i dont come on here very often now, i can deal with some things,but all of this on here is behond me. i thought i was a sad old lady(53) but i realise now i am not. Helen

I have about 30 people from here on my MSN, I'm not going to list them all lol The only people I talk to pretty much most days though are Bec and Sheila from northumberland.

This is very disturbing to hear but surely if the bright, funny, sensible, intelligent members ignore all the backstabbing and bitching this troublemaking group will become the minority. I've just joined msn and hopefully i'll be able to decide for myself who is worth talking to and who to avoid. Please don't desert all us good, friendly people. Sarah xxx

well msn scares me. people from all over the world can see that youre logged on. too much big brother for me. as for the cliques, they need reporting and disbanding. or some people might not even know if they are part of one and need telling?

Wendy, I can't believe what I have just read. I joined GR (when it was GC) in 2003. I became a member because of my hobby of genealogy. I am 67 years old and new to computers. I had never been on message boards before and was absolutely thrilled to find how entertaining and informative they could be. (I've even given up the tele for GR). I have been given untold help from so many people on the different Boards and I hope made a few friends. In the past I have been very open about my life and maybe said things on an open forum that were too personal but at times I just needed people to talk to that did not have any involvment with me. I am not part of any clique and would hate anyone to think I was. I have not joined MSN because I already spend too much time on my computer and now I most certainly won't. I shall be very careful in future what I say on these boards. I am sorry that Lou was 'hounded' off GR. Can we all try and bring back the General Topic Board back to the lovely, entertaining Board it was when I joined. Sorry for going on at such length but I am distraught to think that some people can act in such a dispicable manner. Jean x.