Back in October 2007 (a random choice - page 399) page 1 had threads started by:
Bad wolf
darvlay
Dr Strangelove
Dutch Defense
epic0002
fiesta
Gary Thomas
genius
Ice Cold 2
ivanhoe
Mathurine 2
mikelom 2
overbassj
Phlabibit 2
Red Night
reinfeld 4
Sicilian Sausage
Silverstriker
SirEthan
Sunburnt
Zadadka 2
Two copycat threads were included in the page listing. There were 23 different "thread killer" names and 21 different OP names. No thread killer achieved a count greater than 2. Total number of posts on the page 652.
Now we turn to the current Page 2:
ChessPraxis
divegeester
duck007
enrico20
Frank Burns
Grampy Bobby 4
Great Big Stees 1
MontyMoose
paulbuchmanfromfics
Pianoman1
Phlabibit 2
pierjdu43
Sicilian Sausage
sonhouse
tomtom232
trev33
Very Rusty
VinceNoir9 8
No copycat threads were included in the page listing. There were 14 different "thread killer" names and 18 different OP names. One poster has the dubious distinction of holding 9 thread killer positions out of a total of 30 threads, or 27%. Total number of posts on the page 739.
and my point is?
Almost as many people were involved in creating threads, and a quick look at the thread titles suggests that the content wasn't greatly different. Thread killer pattern change indicates that one poster is just spamming threads and not inspiring others to respond.
Too many topics of general non-chess interest have been removed into new spin-off forums, leaving the GF with a shortage of the kind of material which brought readers and posters in.
Originally posted by rookie54I liked it rougher too, even though some of it's a bit personal and vicious and nasty. I fear it's stagnation, not enough original posters left, although there are still plenty who regurgitate others' stuff or push their own self-promotion barrows. Look back at the early forum pages (page numbers above 500) and you may find a few surprises.
thanks...
in yer mind, kewpie, is there a decline, advances, or stagnation occurring in the gf???
i kinda liked it when it was rougher...
itz like a baby's crib now, pablum and soft blankies...
rookie
- Joined
- 16 Feb 08
- Moves
- 122153
The whole point of an internet forum like this one is to either have a laugh or have an argument, preferably both at the same time. At least that's my view.
I don't think the overall content value of the threads has changed (in my time here), just that the amount of time the internet itself and this forum particularly has been running, combined with the natural attrition of posters moving on or getting bored has tended to reduce the number of arguments and edgy banter.
There's nothing funnier (in a good way) than when after a big fight someone leaves in a dramatic hissy-fit but is back a while later like nothing has happened - good stuff I say! I'm always amused when I read of people complaining about how "it's not like the good old days" and yet can't be bothered to stay here and contribute. Social laziness.
Originally posted by KewpieSpeaking as someone who only discovered the forums (fora?) about 6 months ago, I am disappointed in them. The Sporituality Forum is dominated by two or three bigots, the Culture Forum has some interesting threads, but too few posters, likewise the Sports Forum and the GF too often descends to mud- slinging, playground name-calling and puerile tittle tattle.
Back in October 2007 (a random choice - page 399) page 1 had threads started by:
Bad wolf
darvlay
Dr Strangelove
Dutch Defense
epic0002
fiesta
Gary Thomas
genius
Ice Cold 2
ivanhoe
Mathurine 2
mikelom 2
overbassj
Phlabibit 2
Red Night
reinfeld 4
Sicilian Sausage
Silverstriker
SirEthan
Sunburnt
Zadadka 2
Two copycat threads were included eaving the GF with a shortage of the kind of material which brought readers and posters in.
I have fallen into the trap, for which i apologise, of starting threads with an overblown and lengthy first post which, I'm sure, puts people off from contributing, although i am gratified that my thread Political Systems Explained Using Cows has achieved 6 thumbs up. The ideal thread is, I suppose, short, pithy, intelligent, amusing and offering posters the opportunity of contributing their own angle.
Thank you, Kewpie, for this.
I admit that I'm not as prolific a poster and thread creator as I used to be. In my defence I plead a shortage of original ideas, and a reluctance to raise my head above the parapets due to past personal attacks by a couple of people on the site. I've actually ventured to start a thread in Spirituality but like you I've found the bigotry hard to stomach. Why is it so difficult for people to understand that you can't change a single human mind by argument alone?
Originally posted by divegeesterOh yeah?
The whole point of an internet forum like this one is to either have a laugh or have an argument, preferably both at the same time. At least that's my view.
I don't think the overall content value of the threads has changed (in my time here), just that the amount of time the internet itself and this forum particularly has been running, combined with t ...[text shortened]... od old days"[/i] and yet can't be bothered to stay here and contribute. Social laziness.
Put up or shut up! 😀
Originally posted by divegeesterThe General Forum is not without humor (or humour, for that matter).
The whole point of an internet forum like this one is to either have a laugh or have an argument, preferably both at the same time. At least that's my view.
I don't think the overall content value of the threads has changed (in my time here), just that the amount of time the internet itself and this forum particularly has been running, combined with t ...[text shortened]... od old days"[/i] and yet can't be bothered to stay here and contribute. Social laziness.
We have Very Rusty, VinceNoir9 and robbie carrobie -- RHP's answer to Curly, Moe and Larry.
What more could you ask?
Answer me this, please, somebody:
What threads should be discussed in the GF? If you take away Spirituality, Culture, Sports, Chess, Debate, Science, Site Development, Puzzles and Announcements there's not much left!
I tend to post threads in the GF which should probably have been put in the more specific sites because I figure more people read them.
Originally posted by KewpieKewpie, you certainly receive my nomination for RHP Librarian Extraordinaire
Back in October 2007 (a random choice - page 399) page 1 had threads started by:
Bad wolf
darvlay
Dr Strangelove
Dutch Defense
epic0002
fiesta
Gary Thomas
genius
Ice Cold 2
ivanhoe
Mathurine 2
mikelom 2
overbassj
Phlabibit 2
Red Night
reinfeld 4
Sicilian Sausage
Silverstriker
SirEthan
Sunburnt
Zadadka 2
Two copycat threads were included ...[text shortened]... eaving the GF with a shortage of the kind of material which brought readers and posters in.
Originally posted by Kewpieplease visit boohoo.com, your obviously having a bad hair day!
I admit that I'm not as prolific a poster and thread creator as I used to be. In my defence I plead a shortage of original ideas, and a reluctance to raise my head above the parapets due to past personal attacks by a couple of people on the site. I've actually ventured to start a thread in Spirituality but like you I've found the bigotry hard to stomach. W ...[text shortened]... ficult for people to understand that you can't change a single human mind by argument alone?
One needs a sense of humour in spirituality otherwise you are liable to get eaten by the
hungry wolves.
Originally posted by KewpieMmm why compare a page from 2007 with page 2 rather than page 1?
Back in October 2007 (a random choice - page 399) page 1 had threads started by:
Bad wolf
darvlay
Dr Strangelove
Dutch Defense
epic0002
fiesta
Gary Thomas
genius
Ice Cold 2
ivanhoe
Mathurine 2
mikelom 2
overbassj
Phlabibit 2
Red Night
reinfeld 4
Sicilian Sausage
Silverstriker
SirEthan
Sunburnt
Zadadka 2
Two copycat threads were included ...[text shortened]... eaving the GF with a shortage of the kind of material which brought readers and posters in.