General Chat

As a relative newcomer to the boards, can someone explain to me what types of threads used to be on the general board and why it is so different now?

I am not asking to cause any arguments, but I don't understand why so many people are cross about the boards now.

Bear in mind I speak as someone who never used the single thread chat room so have no idea what that was like either.

xx

In a word interesting unlike the boring rubbish posted lately

That's not really a lot of help Paul :))

I honestly would like to know so I can understand why people are unhappy......what type of topics were on here for example.


xx

Morning Kitty

I think one of the differences was that there used to be more of a feeling of camaraderie. There were a lot more debates and discussions that developed and lasted for months and a lot more variety of threads. If anyone attempts to introduce anything more serious now it gets pushed down very quickly, unless it's contraversial. There was even evidence of wit sometimes....

As we can now access the GR archives, maybe people can nudge up old threads for you to see.

Deb (off to bed now)

Hi Kitty,

It was a much smaller "family" then and most names were familiar to the regular posters, which has made a big difference, I think.

There have always been rows and disputes, it certainly wasn't Utopia. But there seemed to be more of a willingness to agree to disagree and a lot less aggression.

There were many debates about items in the news and they rarely turned nasty as most people didn't post aggressively.

There were very few direct "attacks" on individuals on the boards and I have seen some very nasty stuff posted lately just to get at people the poster doesn't like - who is then joined by others of the same view.

We didn't all like each other but had the good manners to avoid those we didn't get on with rather than posting pointed remarks.

Sometimes the boards were as dull as some people say they are now but there were also some hysterical ongoing threads - the SS Utopia, The Village, Wendy's Pink Plots for example.

I always used to feel comfortable posting on the boards and I don't any more. I have seen so much unpleasantness and aggression that I'm very wary. Those who know me may find that hard to believe but I really don't want to become a victim of a spite campaign. I suppose saying this means I probably will.

I have always tried to be fair and to look at all points of view and I have also avoided those I think are just out for trouble.

As I've said twice already, I don't feel there is a place for me here any more, although I will stay and post from time to time.

Gwynne

I agree with David's point about camaraderie. I think that was put paid to by the actions of some of the members from here both on and off the this site. That caused such bad feeling that it lead to constant arguments that still flare up from time to time. And alot of the fun members have left because of the constant arguments.

Plus there seems to be an awful lot of mindless posts on the board these days whereas folks generally had something entertaining to say in the past.

This is only my opinion though Kitty ;-))))))

Thank you, I do see people supporting others on this board, but no really friendly debates, sadly.

I wonder what went wrong then?

Jeanette your post crossed mine......that answers my last question, thank you:))

xx

Unsurprisingly, I agree with everything Jeanette and Gwynne have said.

Gwynne..thank you

I can see your point about a smaller family of posters and agree that there are some spiteful posts which make me wary too.

I have had nasty pm's and I go out of my way to be as polite as possible and include everyone.

xx

Yep, I also agree with Jeanette & Gwynne but ain't that eloquent.

Just seems like more spite is around.

:-(

Jen

Thanks CC.........maybe it's because more new ones are on here now, just a settling in period.

I find the boards better now than when the change first came............that was very disjointed.

xx

You should have seen it 5 years ago Kitty. We only had one board for posting look ups, genealogy queries and general chit-chat. As the site got busier it meant that threads were soon disappearing off page one without being answered. It was us 'oldies' that requested all the different boards you see now...but that was in the days when the GR owners were interested in what their members wanted! ;-)))))))

I don't agree, Christine, sorry, I really wish I could.

I doubt the Gaynor Bear relay would have got off the ground (and succeeded) if it was proposed now.

I don't think the Sahara Trek would attract the interest it did at the time.

The Utopia would never have sailed because it would have been pushed down the pages very quickly.

I used to open GR every morning with a feeling of anticipation of something interesting, witty or amusing. Now, it's often with a feeling of dread of what has happened over night.

At one time the battles were between those who could look after themselves in a fight. 3 weeks ago someone was the victim of some nasty spite who has never posted anything nasty, ever.

That's what's changed.

Gwynne

Hello Kitty:o)

Gwynne has summed it up really!!
As she says there has always been disagreements but things were'nt taken to the extreme as they are now, or very rarely. People get too personal now, accuse you of things that are'nt neccessarily true - make's you very wary to post.
l don't remember feeling that l had to ignore threads or names - where as l do now - very sad:o(((( but then perhaps people feel they have to ignore me and my threads, spose it goes both ways (but then l usually talk a load of rubbish - lol)

Have a nice day:o))

jude sarf wales :o) x
PS l think the changes to the boards have definately helped. But the owners are really only interested in making ££, where as before we the members counted!!

The early mornings were really nice and chatty too, usually just a thread that most of those who were up added to.

Gwynne, how long did the Agnes thread last for? lol

Hello Jude.......you don't talk rubbish.......not always, anyway :)) lol

xx

Wasn't it Dave Bennettt who added the good morning thread? We all used to add to that, instead of there being several.

I took it over for a while, then Em.

And we used to have the Sunday morning breakfast club but that withered away as well, after Paul left.

Gwynne

Good point Uggers and Gwynne.

I have only ever known several good morning threads on general, but since the changes we now have half a dozen split between general and chat.

xx

Think it was mostly Dave, Gwynne, cos he was usually first about:) There was usually a good morning thread and a breakfast one, as you say, both of which would last a few hours. I don't see the point of 20 people all starting good morning threads but it could be that those who start them know or get on with those who've already started them.