2000 AD Online Forum

2000 AD => Website and Forum => Topic started by: Colin YNWA on 22 August, 2019, 07:41:27 AM

Title: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 22 August, 2019, 07:41:27 AM
So a conversation on one of them there Faciebook groups has go me pondering about the future of the forum. It was basically asking is there any point in this Forum anymore from a once pretty regular poster. Things have been slowing down around here for quite sometime and a quick look at the usage stats

https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?action=stats (https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?action=stats)

shows the cold hard evidence of that. This year looks to be the slowest to date. Official comments are thin on the ground, to none existant and frankly as other channels of communication become more and more prominant who can blame them. I have no way knowing what plans, if any Rebellion have for maintaining this site but there may be something we can do?

Amongst all the usual claims that this is a horrible place on this Facebook chat, claims I just don't see, a few scraps aside I've always found this the most lovely oasis on the Internet, there were some very good points. Firstly is the format of forums just old hat and such places will naturally wither on the vine and slowly die off? Should I just accept our fate and enjoy what we time we have left together?

BUT as also pointed out the format of a forum is by and far the most useful, practical and well organised way of keeping the discussion we have together, certainly a LOT better to use than Facebook for such things - even Search has got better. I have to be honest I use this place as almost a journal of my comic nerding and such - in a way that other platforms just won't replace - as my friends in the 'real' world just aren't comic-positive.

SO TO A POINT AT LASSSSTTTTT

What can we do to get this place buzzing again. How do we make this forum I adore so much, that has given me so much pleasure of the last 11 years - longer for others - a place that Rebellion can't ignore. That becomes the defacto place of choice for 2000ad fandom as it once was...

... or do we simply hold its hand and sing it a soft tear filled lullaby as we watch it drift away into the next life?
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 22 August, 2019, 08:35:50 AM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 22 August, 2019, 07:41:27 AM
...Firstly is the format of forums just old hat and such places will naturally wither on the vine and slowly die off? Should I just accept our fate and enjoy what we time we have left together?

BUT as also pointed out the format of a forum is by and far the most useful, practical and well organised way of keeping the discussion we have together, certainly a LOT better to use than Facebook for such things - even Search has got better.

Yeah, I don't agree that it could be de facto replaced. How could you have stuff like Funt's '2000AD in Stages' thread work the same way in FB?

I also think the killing of the art comps was a bit of a nail in the coffin, even if they had already been growing a bit quiet. They created such a buzz, such a sense of community that's never quite been recovered.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Buttonman on 22 August, 2019, 08:39:36 AM
Male to female ratio 7.6:1? Hello Ladies! Unless they are counting Tom in his dress!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 22 August, 2019, 09:02:08 AM
Quote from: Buttonman on 22 August, 2019, 08:39:36 AM
Male to female ratio 7.6:1? Hello Ladies! Unless they are counting Tom in his dress!

I think we should always count Tom in his dress!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Bolt-01 on 22 August, 2019, 09:16:19 AM
On a personal note, as I don't do FB if this place goes I'll have no-one to talk with about 2000 AD or even many other things unless I'm at a gig.

Yes, it is a 'lot' quieter than it was but I still find it to be the only place on the internet I can go for a bit of 'mainly' intelligent discussion.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: maryanddavid on 22 August, 2019, 09:28:26 AM
I don't post often here, never did tbh, but I still visit every day.
Much easier to follow a conversation, FB and other 2000AD discussion places are fleeting. I have no real solution, other than perhaps those that do lurk become a bit more involved.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Proudhuff on 22 August, 2019, 10:12:36 AM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 22 August, 2019, 09:02:08 AM
Quote from: Buttonman on 22 August, 2019, 08:39:36 AM
Male to female ratio 7.6:1? Hello Ladies! Unless they are counting Tom in his dress!

I think we should always count Tom in his dress!

Only at the weekends, but thanks for the support (tights)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 22 August, 2019, 10:22:56 AM
Forum usage ebbs and flows. Unless this place becomes tumbleweeds, I'm not too concerned. Sure, some of the conversation has inevitably shifted to Facebook, but that only really works for immediacy. Facebook is a nightmare for ongoing conversation, deep threads, organisation, and search. Also – and most importantly – Facebook owns everything. You're one hack or ban away from everything being gone forever. (And I should know. I admin a band page that very nearly lost everything through a spam bot attack.)

As for claims this is a horrible place, I'm not sure where they come from. I dip into Facebook reasonably often, and I don't really see many comments along those lines on the official 2000 AD page. People are a mite grumpier in one of the groups I joined some time ago, but then half the time I wonder whether such things function specifically to gripe about everything 2000 AD and Rebellion are doing these days, having glued rose-tinted glasses to everyone's faces.

On the nice or nasty, I will say that of the forums of any size I've moderated, this is by far the least hassle. We've had very few bans here, and those we have had got discussed at almost agonising lengths, usually over a period of days. It's pretty rare that an admin/mod has to wade in and tell everyone to pipe down a bit.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 22 August, 2019, 10:31:33 AM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 22 August, 2019, 10:22:56 AM
half the time I wonder whether such things function specifically to gripe about everything 2000 AD and Rebellion are doing these days, having glued rose-tinted glasses to everyone's faces.

The 2000AD FB groups I've dipped into seem to largely consist of people who haven't bought a prog in thirty years complaining that the comic isn't as good as it was when they were 12.

As for the forum... I honestly don't know. Forums just aren't the thing they once were. A couple of tech forums I hang around have gone from so much traffic it was hard to keep up, to a handful of posts a day. I imagine we'll see an uptick in activity as the Rogue Trooper movie gets closer to being a reality, maybe another as/when/if there's substantive news about the Mega City One TV series...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 22 August, 2019, 10:45:51 AM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 22 August, 2019, 10:31:33 AM
The 2000AD FB groups I've dipped into seem to largely consist of people who haven't bought a prog in thirty years complaining that the comic isn't as good as it was when they were 12.

Yup. As Frank noted just yesterday(?), most of the traffic of those Dredd groups is just endless posting of covers and blokes called Dave commenting 'i remember 2000ad still got this in my mum's loft somewhere.'
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 22 August, 2019, 11:02:45 AM
There's also a fuck-ton of sniping going on in those Facebook threads. There are people that seem to delight now on wading into threads and having all their replies be accusing Rebellion of not paying royalties, while linking to that Mills blog post. Whereas here, we had a discussion. There was nuance, rather than someone blazing in, leaving the digital equivalent of a massive shit on the floor, and then running away again.

I like forums. I think they're probably doomed long-term, but they're a much better mechanism for actual discussion than anything else, bar possibly the paid (not free) version of Slack.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Proudhuff on 22 August, 2019, 11:47:09 AM
On possible improvements:
I think it would help if the forum got a bit more attention from Rebellion TBH, for example the Day Of Dredd could have been punted heavily here and a bit of buzz created, but that seems reserved for social media, it would be good if we weren't the poorer cousin when it came if promos and attention( sorry for the sour grapes) perhaps if some info came out only here (a bit like Talking Dead) it might enliven things?

Art Comps, the odd freebie TPB and maybe some creator input would be nice (if a bit of a minefield) it seems when a creator goes pro they withdraw from here, (with one or two notable exceptions).
I understand FB etc may bring in advertising and revenue etc, but I do get the feeling the Forum has been left to wither on the vine.     
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Dandontdare on 22 August, 2019, 12:06:32 PM
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 22 August, 2019, 09:16:19 AM
On a personal note, as I don't do FB if this place goes I'll have no-one to talk with about 2000 AD or even many other things unless I'm at a gig.

^^^ This. I am not signing my soul (or my data at least) to FB just to talk about 2000ad

Quote from: Proudhuff on 22 August, 2019, 11:47:09 AM
I think it would help if the forum got a bit more attention from Rebellion TBH, for example the Day Of Dredd could have been punted heavily here and a bit of buzz created, but that seems reserved for social media, it would be good if we weren't the poorer cousin when it came if promos and attention( sorry for the sour grapes) perhaps if some info came out only here (a bit like Talking Dead) it might enliven things?


^^^ This too - The first I ever heard about "Day of Dredd" was when Proudhuff posted about it the other day .... if only Rebellion could hire someone to publicise such events on their public forum, you know like a PR droid.

No disrespect to CFM who does all the boring slog of posting them, but the art comp thread doesn't feel like a forum thing any more.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Bolt-01 on 22 August, 2019, 12:32:15 PM
which is a shame. I know I have no legs to stand on here (can't remember the last forum art comp I entered) but they were always a lot of fun to join in with and watch.

I do think that a lot of former forum members still lurk here - even if they don't log-in with familiar user names anymore.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: sheridan on 22 August, 2019, 01:04:10 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 22 August, 2019, 10:22:56 AM
As for claims this is a horrible place, I'm not sure where they come from. I dip into Facebook reasonably often, and I don't really see many comments along those lines on the official 2000 AD page.

I did a double-take when I read that too - considering how much nasty, vindictive, sexist, etc stuff goes on in some of those groups.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: broodblik on 22 August, 2019, 01:33:59 PM
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 22 August, 2019, 09:16:19 AM
On a personal note, as I don't do FB if this place goes I'll have no-one to talk with about 2000 AD or even many other things unless I'm at a gig.

I also feel the same. This is the only place where I can talk too like-minded people about something I really like and care for.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Tjm86 on 22 August, 2019, 02:04:43 PM
Throwing in my tuppenny Ha'orth, I don't touch Facebook even with a barge pole, much less Twitter.  Events over the last few years have simply reinforced my antipathy towards anti-social media and the damage that it is doing to so many aspects of society.  Having seen it from its early days when it caused so much mayhem in schools to more recent scandals over the ways in which it has been weaponised by all manner of actors, you can keep it as far as I'm concerned. 

Arguably this is a growing attitude as the narrative turns against a lot of these actors. On the one hand you have relatively moderate users who have decided that they don't want to be conned.  On the other hand you have extremists and nut-jobs who are seeing the writing on the wall and migrating to even less regulated places than FB&T.  Any company who predicates their marketing strategy on these channels is likely to find them shortly about as well used as Channel 5.

For my money this is a healthy, vibrant forum.  It may go through lulls but that doesn't always last.  As has been oft observed, this is a great place to come for support when folks are struggling.  The few folks who do overstep the mark are given considerable lassitude to amend their ways before being politely informed that they are no longer welcome.  Even the more bizarre and outlandish political views are remarkably tolerated and engaged with (okay, maybe not Tory voters but there are limits!).   ;)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 22 August, 2019, 03:36:43 PM
I don't have Facebook and have no intention of feeding Zuckerberg's bloated monster. That leaves me with either here or nowhere in terms of discussing all things Tooth.

It's a bit quieter around here than when I was last super-active (about a decade ago), but it's still the place to go for answering pretty much any 2000 AD question you can think of. A creator droid popped in the other day for clarification on a piece of art design.  I love that sort of positive feedback loop.  (Then there was the MC-1 population thread ... happy days.)

There was a big barney back in the day (2008?-ish, maybe) and Tharg was on the verge of shutting down the forum due (if memory serves) to negative reviews and the effect they were having on droids' mental health.  I recall that all resulted in moderators and a set of reasonable forum rules. I have no idea if that negative feeling from editorial towards the forum still holds sway - and the only reason I bring it up is that someone mentioned that 2000 AD doesn't promote itself here (like with the Day of Dredd thing).

One thing I noticed is that the forum is pretty busy for a newcomer to navigate.  By that I mean that there are 21 thread buckets on the front page: so that's pretty intimidating in terms of information navigation.  Perhaps there's room for some pruning.  I almost exclusively go to "Active Topics" because I get bamboozled otherwise.  (Trailers was last used in 2016, Wiki in 2015: perhaps those aren't required or could be shifted down to the bottom under a different heading.)

All long-running forums suffer a bit from "been here, done that" syndrome.  So, someone new might try to start up a thread and they immediately get linked to a conversation several years old and (probably kindly) told that its already been talked about.  Someone the other day said that 99% of everything anyone said on the forum was just a repetition of things that have been said before (I'm paraphrasing): which is a bit of a downer if it's read as "there is no point in anyone talking anymore".  So, it's possible that we could be a bit more diplomatic (says me, completely lacking in diplomacy when my feathers are ruffled).

Also, there's no 'like' button.  :-\
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: wedgeski on 22 August, 2019, 03:57:31 PM
Too many sub-forums, I completely agree with that.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 22 August, 2019, 04:09:55 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 22 August, 2019, 03:36:43 PM
Someone the other day said that 99% of everything anyone said on the forum was just a repetition of things that have been said before (I'm paraphrasing): which is a bit of a downer if it's read as "there is no point in anyone talking anymore".  So, it's possible that we could be a bit more diplomatic (says me, completely lacking in diplomacy when my feathers are ruffled).

If a new poster simply asks a question that needs an answer, I don't see any harm in linking back to a previous post answering that same question, especially if the answer is detailed. If it's a broader discussion, I really don't seem the harm in discussing it again — different people with different views may contribute, or we may just have more information than the last time a subject came up.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 22 August, 2019, 04:10:36 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 22 August, 2019, 03:36:43 PM
All long-running forums suffer a bit from "been here, done that" syndrome.  So, someone new might try to start up a thread and they immediately get linked to a conversation several years old and (probably kindly) told that its already been talked about.

Hmm, that's a good point. For someone bursting with newfound enthusiasm, wanting a bit of discussion, being told 'We've already covered that' is probably not the best experience.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 22 August, 2019, 05:08:13 PM
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 22 August, 2019, 04:10:36 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 22 August, 2019, 03:36:43 PM
All long-running forums suffer a bit from "been here, done that" syndrome.  So, someone new might try to start up a thread and they immediately get linked to a conversation several years old and (probably kindly) told that its already been talked about.

Hmm, that's a good point. For someone bursting with newfound enthusiasm, wanting a bit of discussion, being told 'We've already covered that' is probably not the best experience.

Wow good to see that so many folks are interested enough to talk about this and there's a torrent of good points. This one though is really good. There does seem to be fresh blood here all the time and new readers are the life blood of anything thing like this, just like 2000ad itself.

Be good to hear from fresher eyes what they get, or don't get, about this place.

Maybe we can treat new folks with kids gloves, yep we can link to the old thread for context and history, but actively engage again to flesh out fresh views, changed opinions as Jim and Jimbo say.

I know sometimes I don't do this as I worry I've said all I will ever need to on some topics (sure as hell doesn't stop me on others) and stop myself wittering on again as who needs to hear it. The answer is of course folks who are trying to engage with us grumpy old clods for the first time that's who.

Also intrigued by the ideas the forum can be difficult to nagivate. Its so engrained in me I just don't have a realistic view of that as I find it easy. Newer perspectives would be useful. I just use 'Unread post' 85% of the time and see what I've not. Then dig when I need to.... well I say need, want to.

As so many have said this is my favourite outlet for my nerd and the folks and minds here are inspiring (group hug anyone). This place is precious and we need to work to keep it so.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: broodblik on 22 August, 2019, 05:47:21 PM
My biggest problem with the forum is that when I click on the Active Topics I would like then when I click on a topic to go to the last post I read.  But the forum is still quite easy to navigate for me.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Richard on 22 August, 2019, 06:14:22 PM
I don't use it a lot but I'd miss it if it was gone.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Magnetica on 22 August, 2019, 11:21:28 PM
This is still my favourite website, but it definitely seems to have a lot less traffic than it did when I first joined a few years ago. Then there seemed to be multiple genuinely interesting threads with regular comments throughout any given day. Now there seem to be fewer such threads and it can be days between replies, which is a real shame.

I have joined a number of the Facebook groups and quite like a couple of them in particular. As others have said there are some comments made to the effect that "I haven't read the Prog in decades and it's rubbish now" but there are also a lot of people who comment that genuinely like the Prog and some in particular who are unbelievably knowledgeable. One of the comments above in this thread was about a creator (Simon Fraser) asking for details about what a Lawgiver looks like and getting answers here, which is great. Almost the exact same thing happened on one of the Facebook groups last month - Dave Kendall asked about a rolling tank and got his answers including what story it was from and indeed pictures within minutes.

There is one person in particular who seems to be a walking encyclopaedia of all things 2000AD for whom no question is too obscure and he backs his answers up with pictures, usually within minutes.

There are however some comments made in the Facebook groups about this Forum that paint it in a negative light. As Colin has said, I also don't get that. Yes there has been the odd spat, but I'm sure that happens on Facebook too. Personally I don't like comments that criticise other Forums or groups - its really unhelpful IMO (both ways around).

I really like the structure of the Forum. I don't find it hard to navigate at all and just use the last post date as a guide to where new comments have been made. I also check into my favourite threads regularly just in case. I never use the the most recently updated topics link but can see how others would find that helpful.The Forum structure, as others have said, really lends it self to ongoing persistent threads in a way Facebook groups just don't - they are much more a topic of the day and in the groups I use, there tend to be a lot of replies in a short period of time (a few hours) and then it is pretty much done. Very rarely does anything last more than a few days. That is a Facebook thing, not a 2000AD thing (I am in other non 2000AD groups and they work the same way). I guess that lack of persistence encourages replies in a short space of time, because it you don't reply, you will have missed the boat.

Basically I use both Facebook and the Forum now and there should be room for both. One isn't better than the other, they are different. But both seem to have a relatively small hard core who do most of the posting (certainly of those that post frequently).

To pick up on the comment on the like button - I hardly ever use it on "normal" Facebook with regard to my friends posts, but I do think it is very useful in groups and helps avoid spats: someone might comment on your post giving a completely different view but you can see that they have already liked your post which helps you to see its is just that - a different perspective. Whereas here, there have at times been some misunderstandings (which is a bit of a shame).

I am not sure the lack of Rebellion input is the key reason for the Forum dwindling. For me it's more that we as a collective just aren't posting as frequently as we used to, and yes there have been people who have left and gone to Facebook, but there are still enough members that a vibrant set of conversations should be possible. I would be sorry to see the Forum end and we love it to get back to what it was.

I guess it's up to us to get posting
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Bolt-01 on 23 August, 2019, 09:27:16 AM
Good post. A lot to think about there and I agree that there should be room for 'all' methods of communication regarding 2000 AD.

I quite like the instagram posts Rebellion make - they promote the new books well that way IMO.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: MacabreMagpie on 23 August, 2019, 12:33:47 PM
Maybe a bit of streamlining would help, as mentioned. Condense the sub-forums down into fewer categories, reflecting which parts are still active. I think larger boards look worse for wear when the activity levels drop off, whereas adjusting to the frequency of participation can make it feel more occupied.

Also perhaps newcomers are put off by the format, since most are used to FB these days. The structure is not exactly difficult to figure out, but the number of sub-forums currently might be a bit overwhelming.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: DrJomster on 23 August, 2019, 10:33:45 PM
Quote from: Magnetica on 22 August, 2019, 11:21:28 PM
I guess it's up to us to get posting

*like*

Actually some forums don't list the number of posts members have made, instead they show the numbers of likes they've received! It works well on the unofficial Big Finish forum where everybody almost always gushes about Doctor Who. I'm not quite sure that would work well here, where we tend to have a bit more balanced views, but interesting nonetheless. Perhaps the number of likes minus the number of dislikes would be an interesting thing to show!

Ps. I do find this to be a very supportive forum btw. Something to be valued, that.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Fungus on 24 August, 2019, 02:28:15 AM
Fantastic thread. I like the positive comments on many threads here. Don't underestimate these.

But:
The prog's not great. I'm no Tharg, of course, but I have issues with much of the output. And sympathise with the artists who don't have great material to work with. Davis, Gallagher, Weston.

FB is an angry place. I have participated recently, and it's a mixed bunch. After some recent comments I found a kindred spirit. Then... was informed they hadn't read the prog for 20 years. Why pontificate?

I hope the prog and forum improve.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Magnetica on 24 August, 2019, 07:35:14 AM
Quote from: DrJomster on 23 August, 2019, 10:33:45 PM
Perhaps the number of likes minus the number of dislikes would be an interesting thing to show!

On the BBC website they often have a comment section (called Have Your Say) after stories and you can rate comments by effectively liking or disliking them. Interestingly the highest rated comments (the ones with the most likes) and the lowest rated comments (the ones with the most dislikes) are often the same ones (at least in the sports / football sections).
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: sintec on 24 August, 2019, 09:14:49 AM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 22 August, 2019, 05:08:13 PM
Be good to hear from fresher eyes what they get, or don't get, about this place.

Not sure what's considered fresher; having looked back at my posting history I realise that my first post was 2 whole years ago so not sure if I still count as a newcomer or not.

I discovered this forum during the run up to the Ultimate Collection release.  Discussions about what was going to be included in the run were really helpful in deciding to whether to subscribe or not. Since signing up for the Collection I've rediscovered my teenage passion for comics (mostly manga like Akira and Appleseed back in the day rather than the prog I'm afraid) and have now been reading the prog and meg for about a year.

Personally I've always preferred this kind of "old school" bulletin board style forum over the newer social media style. Used to hang around quite a few similar music forums in the 2000s (most of which are now far more dead than here) so the format is familiar to me. No idea what the "youth" make of these kind of places, are they seen as an anachronism populated by middle aged codgers who don't want to adopt the new formats like reddit and FB?

As others have said upthread the social media format is great for announcements and "thread of the day" type discussions. It's utterly useless for the kind of long form discussions like the UltimateCollection thread, the various prog slogs, or Funt Solo's 2000AD in stages thread. And tbh it's those long form discussions that interest me more than "isn't this cover cool". As a relative newcomer to the prog lurking in threads like Colin YNWA's "The completely self absorbed 2000ad re-read thread" has really helped place stories I'm discovering for the first time in the Hachette colllections into their historical context.

I've found this to be one of the most polite and respectful little corners of the internet I've discovered in quite a while. Sure people disagree and sure sometimes that gets a little overheated but largely it is resolved sensibly and without the need for the kind of unpleasentness often encountered elsewhere (for example I will never forget watching a game designer who took the time to regularly communicate with his players on BoardGameGeek being hounded off the forum by some incredibly vocal SJW type because of a dumb off hand comment he made. Was the comment a bit off, yes, did it require a witch hunt, fuck no). This has been an incredibly welcoming place where I've quickly found myself at home, it'd be a great shame to lose it.

Personally I don't find "We've discussed this before here" to be a bad thing. Often there's some really interesting stuff in those old discussions. If it's done politely and not as a means of shutting down the conversation then I think it's a positive thing. Where this can be unpleasant is when it become a form of gatekeeping, "shut up noob your opinion isn't welcome, see the wisdom of the inner clique", but that's not what I've seen here. Part of the appeal of this kind of forum over FB or similar is that history of past discussion and the ability to come back to a thread of conversation at an indeterminate future point when you have something new to say.


Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Definitely Not Mister Pops on 24 August, 2019, 09:49:15 AM
Quote from: Magnetica on 24 August, 2019, 07:35:14 AM
Quote from: DrJomster on 23 August, 2019, 10:33:45 PM
Perhaps the number of likes minus the number of dislikes would be an interesting thing to show!

On the BBC website they often have a comment section (called Have Your Say) after stories and you can rate comments by effectively liking or disliking them. Interestingly the highest rated comments (the ones with the most likes) and the lowest rated comments (the ones with the most dislikes) are often the same ones (at least in the sports / football sections).

BBC's Have Your Say is very silly and copying it in any way is a very silly idea.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Trout on 24 August, 2019, 02:16:16 PM
The goal of the comics' marketing team is to promote the comic, not this forum. The message board's relative success will always be secondary to attempts to reach new markets.

I know that's difficult to hear when we've been loyal for so long (it's irritating to see, for example, a phone company giving new customers a deal that isn't available to existing customers) but growing the customer base must always be part of healthy business planning if that business wants to continue to operate. It's not so long since 2000 AD had no marketing staff, and they still have a small team, so they have to put their resources where they consider they will be the most effective.

That said, this thread contains some good thoughts. I'd love to see readers on this board rewarded for their dedication with an exclusive now and then, and of course it can't hurt to remind Rebellion that we're here and we love what they create. Let's focus on the positives and accept that the comics' publishers are working hard to make it successful.

Also, bow down to me you land-dwelling scum, etc etc etc.

- Trout
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 24 August, 2019, 03:07:05 PM
But you abdicated your regal right quite sometime ago your exfishyness. I think its a little off coming here and trying to come all high and mighty now. Go try and change your name, go on, like to see you do so.

Ha! See.

In fact maybe the shift from a monarchy with a Major in a leadership role, to a republic was the start of our downfall? Mind it didn't do the Roman's any harm and its not as if we have any power mad Goths* around here...

... oh hold on...

*[Normalfontsize] And before Tordelback chirps up yes I know it was the Visigoths not the Goths but if I'd have stuck with historical honesty I'd not have been been able to be rude to two of our elder statefish/goths**

**In fact maybe being rude isn't such a good idea of a healthy board... oh sod it...[\normalfontsize]
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Proudhuff on 29 August, 2019, 12:40:24 PM
 How to make a healthy vibrant forum?

some sort of response to this thread?  :-X
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 29 August, 2019, 01:38:00 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 24 August, 2019, 03:07:05 PM
But you abdicated your regal right quite sometime ago your exfishyness. I think its a little off coming here and trying to come all high and mighty now.

In fact maybe the shift from a monarchy with a Major in a leadership role, to a republic was the start of our downfall? Mind it didn't do the Roman's any harm and its not as if we have any power mad Goths* around here...

Oh, gosh! You know you're right?

An abdicated(?) monarch and a Mayor in exile - no wonder the forum's felt rudderless. What we need is the strong, guiding hand of an Emperor...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 29 August, 2019, 03:01:07 PM

Facetube is the House of Commons, we are the House of Lords. Twitbook is Discworld, we are the Unseen University.

I love this place as it is. Niggles? Sure. I miss the writing comp. Plusses? Absolutely! To wit, the handful of GNs Rebellion gave me for winning the writing comp. Oh yeah, and the company. I love the company. Is that needy? It sounds needy.

Anyway, where was I?

Oh yeah.

Seven Links, damn you! It was Pat Mills what did it, guv!! Carlos, oh God - Carlos!!!

Seriously. Carlos. The way you're feeling now. That's why we're here. That's why we endure. Simple love.

As the Great Poet pointed out, it's all you need.

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Bolt-01 on 30 August, 2019, 08:39:31 AM
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 29 August, 2019, 01:38:00 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 24 August, 2019, 03:07:05 PM
But you abdicated your regal right quite sometime ago your exfishyness. I think its a little off coming here and trying to come all high and mighty now.

In fact maybe the shift from a monarchy with a Major in a leadership role, to a republic was the start of our downfall? Mind it didn't do the Roman's any harm and its not as if we have any power mad Goths* around here...

Oh, gosh! You know you're right?

An abdicated(?) monarch and a Mayor in exile - no wonder the forum's felt rudderless. What we need is the strong, guiding hand of an Emperor...

Ah Jimbo, the Emperor dissappeared years ago...

Maybe we need a Baron. Someone with a strong idea of the right way to do things that will further his (or her) personal agenda and social standing?

To the right honourable Huff - I'm not surprised that a representative of Rebellion hasn't spoken up here - this is not their discussion. It is ours.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: sheridan on 30 August, 2019, 11:50:10 AM
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 30 August, 2019, 08:39:31 AM
To the right honourable Huff - I'm not surprised that a representative of Rebellion hasn't spoken up here - this is not their discussion. It is ours.

Let's face it - if they said "we have no plans to close the forum" that would just make the nay-sayers make even more negative comments!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: DrJomster on 30 August, 2019, 11:15:43 PM
I take it somewhere we've mentioned directing people here from other parts of t'internet? I'd be interested to see the forum stats on new members per year...

But wait, I can use the members list.

Interestingly there have been about 114 new members this year, one of which has posted 70 odd times , which is excellent. The rest however are mostly non-posters with the next highest posts being 4. That's a pretty low new joiner to active poster hit rate.

2018 has nearly 200 new joiners, where one has posted nearly 900 times! The next highest posters are in decent numbers so a more active cohort than the year of 2019. Not sure why though.

More fun analysis may well follow at some point. I might go off and read the latest prog though instead for now if that's ok!

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: ZenArcade on 31 August, 2019, 11:58:06 AM
Maybe create Topics for discussion centred around characters and the world's they live in. Just leave them open-ended . Z
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Woolly on 31 August, 2019, 04:31:56 PM
I think the problem for most of us is that we've already had all the big discussions/arguements/space-maths-threads. We've already read thrillpower overload, and seen the future shock documentary.
And an art comp that leads to being printed and paid for it just doesnt appeal to me. It ends up being talent over concept in my eyes, whereas I used to love explaining just why I liked what I liked. (CFM is still a legend for his contributions though!)

Maybe go back to the Koom-Skree board style?
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 31 August, 2019, 08:35:07 PM
Quote from: Woolly on 31 August, 2019, 04:31:56 PM
...Koom-Skree...

Is that a war between two alien races in mainstream american comics?
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: NapalmKev on 01 September, 2019, 07:42:25 PM
Quote from: DrJomster on 30 August, 2019, 11:15:43 PM
Stats!

But wait, I can use the members list.


My memory may be faulty but I recall a significant period* when there were less than 160 visitors a day (Mostly Guests) but now we see upwards of 400 visitors a day. Again mostly guests but it at least shows a greater degree of interest, surely?

As for new members - If the Prog has attracted new, younger readers, maybe they're less inclined to post because their only experience of social media is the likes of Facebook and such. Grammar Nazi's and those who hold the truest of opinions rule the mainstream internet highway. Whereas this place, in my opinion, is a much more tolerant and dare I say it, Genial place!

Cheers

*More than two years ago as that's how long my phone has been broken. Good hunting!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 01 September, 2019, 07:55:34 PM
Quote from: NapalmKev on 01 September, 2019, 07:42:25 PM
Grammar Nazi's and those who hold the truest of opinions rule the mainstream internet highway. Whereas this place, in my opinion, is a much more tolerant and dare I say it, Genial place!

I for one am very happy the grammar nazis don't hold sway here... or at least are more tolerant... do you get tolerant nazis?
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: NapalmKev on 01 September, 2019, 08:01:38 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 01 September, 2019, 07:55:34 PM
Quote from: NapalmKev on 01 September, 2019, 07:42:25 PM
Grammar Nazi's and those who hold the truest of opinions rule the mainstream internet highway. Whereas this place, in my opinion, is a much more tolerant and dare I say it, Genial place!

I for one am very happy the grammar nazis don't hold sway here... or at least are more tolerant... do you get tolerant nazis?

Towards their ilk, probably. When it comes to anyone else though I would think not.

Cheers
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 01 September, 2019, 08:19:06 PM

"Grammando" sounds more heroical...

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Dandontdare on 02 September, 2019, 12:36:29 AM
I'm still seething about the apostrophe in "Nazi's"  >:( :lol:
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: sheridan on 02 September, 2019, 01:40:42 AM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 31 August, 2019, 08:35:07 PM
Quote from: Woolly on 31 August, 2019, 04:31:56 PM
...Koom-Skree...

Is that a war between two alien races in mainstream american comics?


I had no idea what they were talking about - answer here (https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?topic=38949.0).
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: sheridan on 02 September, 2019, 01:50:13 AM
Quote from: NapalmKev on 01 September, 2019, 07:42:25 PM
As for new members - If the Prog has attracted new, younger readers, maybe they're less inclined to post because their only experience of social media is the likes of Facebook and such. Grammar Nazi's and those who hold the truest of opinions rule the mainstream internet highway. Whereas this place, in my opinion, is a much more tolerant and dare I say it, Genial place!

Interesting, as I find I can understand just about everything posted on here, while the internet at large has a lot of txt-spk and incomprehensible spelling and/or grammar that still can't be understood even if you read it through a few times.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 02 September, 2019, 06:25:14 AM

IKWYM.

IAVC.

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 02 September, 2019, 05:27:00 PM
Quote from: The Legendary Shark on 02 September, 2019, 06:25:14 AM
IKWYM.

IAVC.

LMAO

Quote
incomprehensible spelling and/or grammar

RTFM (j/k)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 02 September, 2019, 08:03:44 PM
Acronyms - acronyms are the answer of course... or

Aaataoc
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: DrJomster on 03 September, 2019, 08:10:32 AM
Acronyms are the answer? Google is the answer, more like! :)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: CalHab on 07 September, 2019, 12:13:22 PM
I feel like Rebellion could pull the plug here at any moment. There are no announcements here any more, nobody from Rebellion answers on any of the forum threads. At some point there will need to be some kind of investment required to keep this place running and that'll be that.

It's a real shame because this forum is a big part of how I got back into reading 2000AD and British comics again. The Facebook stuff is just filled with folk who haven't read the prog in thirty years complaining that it's crap now. Or worse, weird guys in their fifties with tedious feuds. It's no substitute for this place.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 07 September, 2019, 01:08:29 PM
It requires bugger-all upkeep. There are admins here that look in when shit hits the fan. And the officials at Rebellion are increasingly burdened with work, and so don't have time to check in much. No-one is suggesting any plugs will be pulled. As for content plugs (as in, announcements), people here usually post threads. I'll ask Molch-R if admins can occasionally post important stuff in the actual Announcements forum, which might help bridge that particular divide.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: CalHab on 07 September, 2019, 02:52:20 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 07 September, 2019, 01:08:29 PM
I'll ask Molch-R if admins can occasionally post important stuff in the actual Announcements forum, which might help bridge that particular divide.

That would be good. It was the lack of any official posts about Day of Dredd and releases that led me to think that they've lost all interest in maintaining this forum.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: TordelBack on 07 September, 2019, 04:36:44 PM
Oddly I view this as a fans' (and pros') forum, albeit on the publishers' turf, and don't really expect much input from Rebellion. The prize support and Tharg's Choice were cool, but that's about it. I think commercial/brand/promotion/news stuff and creator portals  really have moved to the purer social media platforms, and as long as I get me comics and somewhere to enthuse/moan about them I'm happy.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: broodblik on 07 September, 2019, 05:06:55 PM
I agree with tordel. Most cases I actually read about what is going on from post of by fans, right here. You can ask any related question and you will always get an answer
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Frank on 07 September, 2019, 05:46:23 PM

All the posts on here going back to the early aughts were originally made on a fan site, created by Wake*, weren't they? Tharg only slotted those years of waffle into his spare USB port a short while before I joined (I think) - so it's a fan site gone corporate.

https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?topic=1.msg1#msg1


* The genius responsible for Barney (http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=covers&page=coversindex)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: TordelBack on 07 September, 2019, 07:05:40 PM
True dat.  And while we've lost a few big-hitters to life, death and/or Fauxbook, we can still boast the patronage of many absolute giants of the fan community, to pick just a few examples maryanddavid, Eamonn Clarke and Bolt01.

Now if we could just drive off that rump of diehard pros...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: sheridan on 07 September, 2019, 10:07:36 PM
Quote from: Frank on 07 September, 2019, 05:46:23 PM

All the posts on here going back to the early aughts were originally made on a fan site, created by Wake*, weren't they? Tharg only slotted those years of waffle into his spare USB port a short while before I joined (I think) - so it's a fan site gone corporate.

https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?topic=1.msg1#msg1


* The genius responsible for Barney (http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=covers&page=coversindex)

What a lonely thread - despite claims to Eternity, it hadn't had a post for seven years.

























Until today.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Tiplodocus on 20 September, 2019, 03:38:13 PM
I love this place. Have made some genukne real life friends here.

Having recently taken a step back from FB, I've found this place a lovely oasis again. Sure it's a trivial distraction but it's about trivia and distractions I like.

Frankly, my order of checking is FILM AND TV (I don't buy agazines like Empire or SFX anymore so it's a great resource), PROG and MEGAZINE (though being digital, I have to watch out for spoilers) and OFF TOPIC because the politics thread is a gold mine of hot takes and satire.

I'm glad we are a lot less laddish, sexist and objectifying of women then we (I) used to be but more diversity would be welcome. This place taught me how to behave properly on the internet after some foolish early years. (The secret? Not a secret really. Do as you would face to face).

But like the mark at a card game, if I haven't  figured out who the horrible bitchy person on the forum is... May be it's me? Actually I'm not sure that's true. I just think that some of the complainers on FB have mistaken being corrected for being persecuted and left.

So some good suggestions above: a cull or clustering of the less used topics and some new open ended discussion areas on characters, character types or themes  to encourage new people and debate.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Tiplodocus on 20 September, 2019, 05:22:16 PM
Quote from: Fungus on 24 August, 2019, 02:28:15 AM
But:
The prog's not great.

....


Except this. I really don't see this myself but each to their own and all that.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 20 September, 2019, 11:10:17 PM
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 20 September, 2019, 03:38:13 PM


But like the mark at a card game, if I haven't  figured out who the horrible bitchy person on the forum is... May be it's me? Actually I'm not sure that's true.


It's definitely not you.

I suspect it's me.

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Dandontdare on 20 September, 2019, 11:25:48 PM
You are definitely not "the horrible bitchy person on the forum" - you're regarded as a good dude*, and whilst many people are often exasperated at your idealistic naivety and refusal to accept factual rebuttals to your arguments, they engage with the debate rather than flaming or abusing you in the way that many other forums would. Even Jim Campbell who doesn't mince his words and regularly gets infuriated by your stance, never (okay rarely) resorts to personal abuse, and that's why this forum is so nice - multiple viewpoints, but reasonable behaviour when it comes to arguing them.


*those of us who remember the Wednesday chat room and Supersquirrel undefeated would go further than that
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 20 September, 2019, 11:37:05 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 20 September, 2019, 11:25:48 PM
Even Jim Campbell who doesn't mince his words and regularly gets infuriated by your stance, never (okay rarely) resorts to personal abuse

No, I absolutely have, and far too often. I've been in places where I was an ugly stress monster who was drinking far too much and was pouring rage into my keyboard. That doesn't excuse anything that I said but I've been trying to do better in recent years, which is all I can do, really.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 21 September, 2019, 09:45:49 AM

Aww, thanks, DDD - I think you're a good dude as well. Most here are.

Jim, don't sweat it. Although we do seem to wind one another up from time to time, I don't hold any of our spats against you. I reckon that if and when we meet in real life we'll get on fine - so long as we don't talk about anything and just concentrate on the comics and the boozing :D

This is a grand place, stuffed with grand folk.

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: TordelBack on 21 September, 2019, 10:10:46 AM
Buncha soyboys more like.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Bolt-01 on 21 September, 2019, 10:17:15 AM
Having met both Jim and Shark in person I genuinely believe they'd be great company in a pub for many a night.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: TordelBack on 21 September, 2019, 10:19:07 AM
Sipping their soy lattes quietly in the corner.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 21 September, 2019, 10:36:07 AM
Quote from: TordelBack on 21 September, 2019, 10:19:07 AM
Sipping their soy lattes quietly in the corner...

...arguing about the merits, and otherwise, of GM soy and what it means to the future of humanity.

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 21 September, 2019, 10:53:55 AM
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 21 September, 2019, 10:17:15 AM
Having met both Jim and Shark in person I genuinely believe they'd be great company in a pub for many a night.

I've had some lovely times sitting around with droids and squaxx - I need a better paid job so I can attend more of them!

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 06 October, 2019, 08:29:58 PM
Quote from: The Legendary Shark on 21 September, 2019, 10:53:55 AM
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 21 September, 2019, 10:17:15 AM
Having met both Jim and Shark in person I genuinely believe they'd be great company in a pub for many a night.

I've had some lovely times sitting around with droids and squaxx - I need a better paid job so I can attend more of them!

I need to get myself some more free time, for the same reason. As far as I know, I've only met three boarders in person : Johnnystress, Richmond Clements and, er, Tharg the Mighty (so maybe I can say I've met Cyber-Matt too).  Johnny, it turned out, lived a few minutes' walk from my gaff at the time, and we had loads of fun collaborating on our Advent Calendar competition.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 06 October, 2019, 09:23:51 PM

Well, I live and work on a small campsite, so if any boarders with campers, caravans or tents fancy a weekend Squaxxstock kind of thing, I reckon I might have enough pull with the boss to get us a good rate. I might even be able to attract a droid or two - and you can have a look at the infamous Sharkshed...

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 19 October, 2019, 06:50:09 PM
Sounds brilliant. A springtime 2020 thing maybe?
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Bolt-01 on 19 October, 2019, 09:00:10 PM
A Lancashire shark-con? Sounds Zarjaz!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: TordelBack on 19 October, 2019, 09:30:29 PM
Does sound very tempting, doesn't it?
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 20 October, 2019, 03:00:27 PM
Perhaps with an invigilator present, to steer the conversation away from statism, climate change and vaccines ;)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: TordelBack on 20 October, 2019, 03:15:58 PM
So much for anarchy!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 20 October, 2019, 03:54:21 PM
Quote from: TordelBack on 20 October, 2019, 03:15:58 PM
So much for anarchy!

Only joking, of course. I was just entertaining myself by imagining what the Politics thread and the Global Warming one would look like played out in real life, with all of us staggering about half-cut  :)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 20 October, 2019, 03:58:12 PM
I'm quite guarded in non-Internet social situations so end up not saying much.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: TordelBack on 20 October, 2019, 05:01:28 PM
Whereas I am virtually incapable of communicating verbally at all these days - partly due to my CBT routine, I just keep keep my mouth shut and my grunts noncommital as much as possible. This camping trip is sounding great crack altogether!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 20 October, 2019, 08:26:56 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 20 October, 2019, 03:58:12 PM
I'm quite guarded in non-Internet social situations so end up not saying much.

This is why they invented beer.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 20 October, 2019, 09:36:58 PM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 20 October, 2019, 08:26:56 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 20 October, 2019, 03:58:12 PM
I'm quite guarded in non-Internet social situations so end up not saying much.

This is why they invented beer.

He's right, you know. Before teaching adults had more or less cured me of my chronic shyness, it was beer all the way.

Get the cans in, Sharky boy.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 01 May, 2020, 07:07:19 AM
Well I thought I'd resurrect this old lovely as I've become mildly obsessed with the data - arh data fills almost every part of my life right now - as it seems one of the key things to a healthy vibrant forum is a plague filled and locked down world. Now we're seeing baby steps I agree, but this year was already holding its own for the first time in gosh knows how long - posts wise - but this April while we've all been stuck at home has been very busy... well busy.

April typically is the quietest month on the forum (using 'Post' as the metric) in any given year, yet, not surprisingly, this month has been the busiest so far this year. Its the busiest April since 2017 - which doesn't sound much but that on a back drop of reduced posts year to year for a good few years now and a very significent one between 2017 and 2018.

So yeah in times of hardship looks like the forum has become a bit of a place to huddle together and check in and have a bit of fun, I salute you all.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: DrJomster on 01 May, 2020, 10:41:54 PM
Forum data? Where's that then? *potters off to investigate*... ... ...

Aha! What's this? Interesting stats indeed!

https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?action=stats

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Dandontdare on 01 May, 2020, 11:45:50 PM
Hey I'm only 380 posts from the top ten!

I always find this one fascinating: https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?action=who (https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?action=who)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 02 May, 2020, 06:43:59 AM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 01 May, 2020, 11:45:50 PM
Hey I'm only 380 posts from the top ten!

I always find this one fascinating: https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?action=who (https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?action=who)

Go Dandontdare go - you can break that top ten. Looking at Number 10 I don't think they post (alas) anymore so get wittering!

Oh I don't need more stat based rabbit holes to fall down but what folks (and so many guest!) have been looking at is very interesting...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: sheridan on 02 May, 2020, 06:41:13 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 01 May, 2020, 11:45:50 PM
Hey I'm only 380 posts from the top ten!

I always find this one fascinating: https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?action=who (https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?action=who)

Interesting - I've never seen that page before!  I had no idea there were so many unregistered viewers of the forum...

Quotepauljholden      18:36:39      Unknown Action

Ahh - if it had just said PJ was looking at a page that'd be one thing, but 'Unknown Action' adds that air of mystery!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: sheridan on 02 May, 2020, 06:43:18 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 01 May, 2020, 11:45:50 PM
Hey I'm only 380 posts from the top ten!

I always find this one fascinating: https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?action=who (https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?action=who)

I need to double my amount of posts - don't think that's going to happen, I've been registered for about fifteen years and only got 5,000 out!


That is interesting - most online was only last year - I was expecting 2012 for some reason...

Right, that's three posts in a row across two topics which both started with the word interesting...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 02 May, 2020, 07:58:03 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 02 May, 2020, 06:43:18 PM
That is interesting - most online was only last year - I was expecting 2012 for some reason...


I do wonder if this relates to Spambots? I don't know but we had a spat of them a wee while ago - first for a while - and I wonder how much this might relate to that? Guess work on my part entirely.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: DrJomster on 02 May, 2020, 10:33:00 PM
I think it must relate to spambots. If you look at the new members per month, it goes through the roof from August last year for a while. Very suspicious!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: staticgirl on 04 July, 2020, 01:02:24 PM
I have been coming to this site and the Fortean Times forum more often. I think it is because a) I am not stuck in a broken down commuter train stressed out, wondering if I am ever going to get to where I need to be b) not exhausted because of a) and c) need the social interactions of forums more often to balance not being in the office or out with friends. Forums are still my favourite form of chat because of the indepth nature of them and the way you get to know people over years. I use Facebook and Twitter in different ways because the contact tend to be more fleeting.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 04 July, 2020, 03:31:13 PM
I'm here most days, but I really should make more of an effort to post.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Enigmatic Dr X on 04 July, 2020, 04:32:49 PM
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 04 July, 2020, 03:31:13 PM
I'm here most days, but I really should make more of an effort to post.

Me too
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 04 July, 2020, 05:11:31 PM
Well the good news is that the forum is in rude health... well certainly compared to the last few years. We've seen a steady rise month on month, no doubt due to lockdown. The various comps have helped as well and while they might create an articficial boost - though is it fair to call it that when the whole idea is to get us talking about things, anyway I digress - they alone don't explain the increase.

We do need to make an effort to post more to keep this up and avoid this increase being a lockdown boost. But genuinely not wishing to be snarky but I do find the chat and discourse here so much richer than on the various Facebook Groups. In large due to the format I image.

Anyway more comps very soon to keep the boost (artifical or otherwise) up!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: judgeurko on 04 July, 2020, 06:42:35 PM
Needs a live chat room
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: sheridan on 05 July, 2020, 12:16:17 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 04 July, 2020, 05:11:31 PM
We do need to make an effort to post more to keep this up and avoid this increase being a lockdown boost. But genuinely not wishing to be snarky but I do find the chat and discourse here so much richer than on the various Facebook Groups. In large due to the format I image.

I certainly find this a more positive place than many facebook groups - some of which seem to be entirely made up of people who haven't read the progs since the eighties or if they have read more recently seem to hate everything about it!  I wonder why people like that join groups - there's lots of things in life I dislike, I don't feel the need to join facebook groups to rant about them all the time - I stick to things I like or people I want to support!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Tjm86 on 05 July, 2020, 04:23:55 PM
Just adding my tuppence Haworth here.  It does seem that folks in these parts are willing to engage a bit more with different voices.  Most folks who post here, especially newbies, will get some sort of positive response.  If anything it takes a lot to really get folks' backs up  (think of the likes of Thryllseeker for instance who was tolerated, challenged and supported for a long time before the banishment came).

Although we are all united by a passion for a long lasting British Sci Fi anthology comic, there is a remarkable diversity of views, interests and backgrounds.  This is a place where folks can disagree passionately about pretty much anything.  At the same time though there will be an attempt to find common ground.

Sure there are peaks and troughs but as a rule this is an interesting and engaging place.  I do wonder at some of the criticism from those who have wandered into ZuckerbergLand ...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 01 January, 2021, 02:01:15 PM
Well the year is over and it looks like the forum is indeed now in rude health. Or at least ruder than it was. We got over 28000 posts this year. Still miles down from the highs of 2012, but for the first time since then we've seen a year to year increase. And not an insignificent one at that. Those 28000 post amount to a increase of 30% on the 21,500 from last year and is as close (almost) to the 35000 of 2017 as it is above the 22500 of 2018. So all in all we are posting more and lets see if we can continue and maintaine the boost into 2021.

There can be little doubt that the pandemic has played a big part in this boost BUT the pandemic can only account for the opportunity to get more activity here. The fact is all the fine folks of the forum have gasped that opportunity and helped by the Mods tireless work removing Spam (which has gone down significently since the spam plague of the Summer) - THANK YOU MODS - folks here have started, or continued so many fantastic and interesting topics, conversations and fun activities. This place feels more positive and engaging than it has for a few years now.

Of course quantity is only one metric and for me there's little doubt that the forum is also awash with the finest conversation in the whole of nerdsville. Its a great, friendly and genuinely engaging place that inspires fantastic chat about all sorts. Again I think the Mods firm but steady hand plays a big part in this THANK YOU MODS - that might sometimes mean we don't get to say all we otherwise might BUT it also therefore means that this place avoids some of the crushing lows and frankly sad comments and activity we see elsewhere. Its a justified exchange in my view.

I started this thread 18 months ago when I was genuinely a little concerned about this place. Its fantastic to see my favourite place on the internet start to bounce back. Need to watch it, there's much still to do I'm sure, but we're in as good a place as we could hope I imagine.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: TordelBack on 01 January, 2021, 04:02:47 PM
Gains are likely thanks to huge efforts from your good self, Colin, aided and abetted by high-quality discussion-provoking musings from Funt Solo, and never forgetting the off-site efforts of resource- and content-generation by folk like AlexF, Sheridan, Eamonn Clarke, Bolt-1, MaryandDavid, Cosh and Amstor that keep us all engaged with the issues that *really* matter (a non-exclusive list, 'natch).
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Tjm86 on 01 January, 2021, 04:08:13 PM
Quite possibly lockdown has played a part, as have the regular tourney's.  Some of the spam was 'interesting' to say the least.   :o  Glad that's died away though.

Maybe it's just perceptual but it does feel like the forum is moderated with a light but consistent touch.  Comments and threads are more self-moderated / collectively moderated than officially moderated? 

It makes for a far more civilised place though.  I would also say that it means that we actually have more space and freedom to say all we otherwise would.  There's little risk of sparking abuse and derision, thinking is legitimately challenged rather than simply attacked.

As you say, place is doing nicely right now.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 01 January, 2021, 04:41:16 PM
Bah. I liked it better when you could call someone an utter [spoiler]Pete[/spoiler] [spoiler]Wells[/spoiler] and get away with it...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: BPP on 01 January, 2021, 05:04:36 PM
I've been here about 15 years and barely found anyone engage with anything I say - honourable exemption to TordleBack who at least occasionally politely spars over our respective preferences for Dredd writers. 
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 01 January, 2021, 06:41:16 PM
Quote from: BPP on 01 January, 2021, 05:04:36 PM
I've been here about 15 years and barely found anyone engage with anything I say - honourable exemption to TordleBack who at least occasionally politely spars over our respective preferences for Dredd writers.

*engaging with what BPP has to say*


Actually, I noticed something about modern 'Net compared to olde 'Net, which is that people now tend to broadcast, rather than debate. I suppose treating most utterings as a broadcast rather than an invitation to a discussion might avoid otherwise circular arguments.

Is this due to the blog / vlog era? Or a result of the Facebook style of presenting what looks like headline click-bait as each post, on a popularity wall? Or am I imagining it?

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: broodblik on 01 January, 2021, 07:06:48 PM
One of the problems is how too debate with someone because I might have the best intensions but somehow I have offended someone that is not even part of the debate. We then try to give a neutral answer which does not help a healthy debate
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 01 January, 2021, 07:07:33 PM
Quote from: BPP on 01 January, 2021, 05:04:36 PM
I've been here about 15 years and barely found anyone engage with anything I say - honourable exemption to TordleBack who at least occasionally politely spars over our respective preferences for Dredd writers.

I'm still waiting for you to ressurect your excellent Futurshockd blog...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: sheridan on 01 January, 2021, 11:26:15 PM
Quote from: TordelBack on 01 January, 2021, 04:02:47 PM
Gains are likely thanks to huge efforts from your good self, Colin, aided and abetted by high-quality discussion-provoking musings from Funt Solo, and never forgetting the off-site efforts of resource- and content-generation by folk like AlexF, Sheridan, Eamonn Clarke, Bolt-1, MaryandDavid, Cosh and Amstor that keep us all engaged with the issues that *really* matter (a non-exclusive list, 'natch).


Aw shucks - that's an illustrious list to be part of, thanks!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 02 January, 2021, 11:29:11 AM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 01 January, 2021, 06:41:16 PMActually, I noticed something about modern 'Net compared to olde 'Net, which is that people now tend to broadcast, rather than debate.
There's definitely been a shift, although I suspect this is also in part due to the change in comms methods. In the old days, we'd use IRC to communicate, and that method tended to inform how we'd behave on early forms. These days, broadcast is often the default, although you do still get conversation-oriented outlets like Reddit.

As for this place, I see a mix. People do chat and respond, but in some cases just want to get their point across. Regardless, it all seems broadly civil, which is good; and apologies, BPP, if I've overlooked you over the years.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Tjm86 on 02 January, 2021, 12:01:04 PM
I suppose in some respects the asynchronous nature of forums can make debate difficult.  It feels a little at times like there is greater engagement when quite a few folks are lurking around and dipping in and out of various threads. 

When there are lulls between responses it can be a little tricky to keep track of things.  Especially if someone has taken the thread off in a different direction for a bit.

It does feel a little like places like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are all about 'oh, look at me, how wonderful I am' with a healthy dollop of abuse and vitriol if someone has the gall to mess up.

But yep, there is a sort of 'broadcast' / 'discuss' variation in some places.  It's also interesting how some threads can lay fallow for ages then suddenly reappear.  ... and of course there's always the good old flippant / sarcastic comment to keep folks guessing!   ;)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: DrJomster on 02 January, 2021, 10:07:17 PM
This is my go-to place for 2000AD discussion, beyond a doubt. Even if I really should post more, it's still good stuff to read... plus there're some good small press threads every so often too.

Sometimes, forums are closed and unofficial ones pop up in their place (https://notthebigfinishforum.freeforums.net/ for Big Finish or https://discussion.tekeli.li/ for Shut Up and Sit Down for example). In other cases the official forum is still there but has shrunk so much or has some hostile characters that it's just not a nice place anymore (REDACTED for example). Thankfully these things haven't happened here and we still have a lovely little place to call home. Plus everyone basically loves the Prog and the Meg, which is quite important in my books.

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Pete Wells on 03 January, 2021, 02:12:55 AM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 01 January, 2021, 04:41:16 PM
Bah. I liked it better when you could call someone an utter [spoiler]Pete[/spoiler] [spoiler]Wells[/spoiler] and get away with it...

Disgusting! No one deserves that!!!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: TordelBack on 03 January, 2021, 08:09:14 AM
Quote from: Pete Wells on 03 January, 2021, 02:12:55 AM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 01 January, 2021, 04:41:16 PM
Bah. I liked it better when you could call someone an utter [spoiler]Pete[/spoiler] [spoiler]Wells[/spoiler] and get away with it...

Disgusting! No one deserves that!!!

I can think of at least one.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 03 January, 2021, 11:27:08 PM
Quote from: TordelBack on 03 January, 2021, 08:09:14 AM
Quote from: Pete Wells on 03 January, 2021, 02:12:55 AM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 01 January, 2021, 04:41:16 PM
Bah. I liked it better when you could call someone an utter [spoiler]Pete[/spoiler] [spoiler]Wells[/spoiler] and get away with it...

Disgusting! No one deserves that!!!

I can think of at least one.

Don't beat about the butch. Say it to my face.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: paddykafka on 11 January, 2021, 03:14:05 PM
So just a query - I couldn't think of what other thread to post this in, so apols if it's the wrong one.

I can''t see any of the emoji's on my screen.

Any suggestions as to what I should do? Thanks! (As I've probably pointed out before, I'm technologically and computer challenged, so if you could explain like you're talking to a five-year old, that would be great. Cheers.)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 11 January, 2021, 03:19:01 PM
Its a browser issue as I recall. Something to do with the Security Certificates for Chrome. Its the same with the Avatars as well.

Amazingly if you want to see them you get a better result from Edge than Chrome... I know, I know I'm glad I'm sitting down as I typ e that!

Hope on there was a thread about this I'll see if i can dig it out...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 11 January, 2021, 03:22:27 PM
There's some discussion from here. Scroll up (or down depending on how you have your posts displayed) and you'll get the full story - not certificates but http vs. https

https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?topic=46349.msg1041897#msg1041897 (https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?topic=46349.msg1041897#msg1041897)

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: paddykafka on 11 January, 2021, 03:48:55 PM
Thanks for that, Colin.

Couldn't make much out of what was being said - for previously cited reasons - but appreciate you posting anyways. I'm guessing then that it's some browser related issue outside my control.

Which now begs the question: What if someone posts up a reply to me and I wrongly assume - without the benefit of being able to see the attached suitably sarcastic emoji - that they completely agree with everything I say, and think that I am a wonderful person, when in fact, what they were saying was that they completely DISAGREED with me and think me an utterly awful person?
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: broodblik on 11 January, 2021, 04:12:33 PM
Opera also works fine
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Barrington Boots on 11 January, 2021, 05:25:10 PM
Quote from: broodblik on 01 January, 2021, 07:06:48 PM
One of the problems is how too debate with someone because I might have the best intensions but somehow I have offended someone that is not even part of the debate. We then try to give a neutral answer which does not help a healthy debate

As a newcomer to the forum, I have to say that I've generally shyed away from too much engagement because of my relative new-ness. I'd be happy to debate, disagree and explore ideas with people I know, but years of exposure to the internet shows me that the pitfalls of engaging with those you don't know so well are numerous. An attempt to strike up a debate can be easily interpreted as a challenge and lead to all sorts of issues and I'm not really interested with actually arguing with anyone at all on the internet.

I wouldn't have started posting here unless I thought the atmosphere was both comfortable and interesting, but it's a case of waiting not until I know you guys (as I was a longtime lurker) but more until you know me.

In my experience as a newcomer, it's a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and I was certainly made to feel welcome, so something's definitely going right.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 11 January, 2021, 05:35:33 PM

Jump in, Bootsie - we don't bite.

Some of us occasionally suck, though...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Barrington Boots on 12 January, 2021, 09:41:22 AM
Ha! You, Sharky, are someone I both fear and look forward to debating with when I do get into the politics thread.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 12 January, 2021, 10:07:26 AM

Fear? Don't be daft, I'm a pussycat really. Isn't that right, guys?





Guys...?


Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Bolt-01 on 12 January, 2021, 02:24:45 PM
Barrington - when conventions are once again taking place, or even one of the boards meet-ups, come along. I've met many of these folks in the real world and it is never anything less than entertaining.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Tjm86 on 12 January, 2021, 02:28:56 PM
Flatterer!
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Enigmatic Dr X on 12 January, 2021, 02:53:27 PM
Quote from: The Legendary Shark on 12 January, 2021, 10:07:26 AM

Fear? Don't be daft, I'm a pussycat really. Isn't that right, guys?





Guys...?

Firm. Fair. Occasionally Delusional. :lol:

EDIT: And, to be fair, kinda optimisitic.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 12 January, 2021, 03:26:51 PM
In the olde forum someone would definitely have posted on this thread by now that everyone's a c...


Ah - we're not allowed to say that anymore. Probably for the best.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 12 January, 2021, 04:08:49 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 12 January, 2021, 03:26:51 PM
In the olde forum someone would definitely have posted on this thread by now that everyone's a c...

Next best thing. (https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?topic=46003.msg1048646#msg1048646) ;-)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Tjm86 on 12 January, 2021, 05:37:06 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 12 January, 2021, 03:26:51 PM
In the olde forum someone would definitely have posted on this thread by now that everyone's a c...

Jeremy?  [Hunt]
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 12 January, 2021, 05:44:39 PM
Sweet Violets

There was an old sailor who sat on a rock, teaching the children to play with their
Toys and marbles in the old days of yore, when along came a lady that looked like a
Decent young lady - she walked like a duck and said she could teach them a new way to
Educate their children, to read and to write, while the boys in the cow shed were shoveling the
Muck and the mire, and the Lord in the manor was pulling his
Horse from the stable to go to the hunt, and the Lady in her boudoir was powdering her
Cheeks and arranging her vanity box - it was a long time since she'd had a dose of the
Sweet violets.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 12 January, 2021, 06:06:48 PM

"...after which, the Reverend Spooner was blacklisted from ever again addressing the ladies of the Carey Hunt."

Albert Einstein's Big Fun Encyclpoaedia of Bollocks, (Wibble & Poon Press, 1929).

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Legendary Shark on 12 January, 2021, 06:27:35 PM
Quote from: The Enigmatic Dr X on 12 January, 2021, 02:53:27 PM
Quote from: The Legendary Shark on 12 January, 2021, 10:07:26 AM

Fear? Don't be daft, I'm a pussycat really. Isn't that right, guys?





Guys...?

Firm. Fair. Occasionally Delusional. :lol:

EDIT: And, to be fair, kinda optimisitic.

I'll take it, delusions and all! Thank you, Sir!

Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: milstar on 25 February, 2021, 10:08:54 AM
I know it probably won't make the forum vibrant and healthy, but it could be nice if a user can modify his/her comments that go way beyond around five minutes limit or delete comments.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 25 February, 2021, 10:50:50 AM
We've had too many incidents in the past where actionable content was posted here, albeit from a very small number of accounts and users. On that basis, the existing edit function was the biggest compromise Rebellion was willing to take, at least giving people the chance to read over their post and make corrections.

Should anyone want a post removed or edited, they can contact an admin and it might be dealt with accordingly. (For example, if someone accidentally posts a duplicate or mucks up some quoting, we will likely fix it.)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: milstar on 25 February, 2021, 10:57:41 AM
Yes, I sent recently an appeal as I accidentally quoted my own comment and made the post.
Thx for answer.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Enigmatic Dr X on 17 March, 2021, 06:04:28 PM
While the spam above this will undoubtebly be removed, I am keen to retain for posterity that it included a link to:

"radioactive dating in the Antartic"

Now, of course, that could be a reference to working out the age of prehistoric objects.

However, on a first read, I wondered if there was a futureshock pitch in it...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 17 March, 2021, 09:05:16 PM
Quote from: The Enigmatic Dr X on 17 March, 2021, 06:04:28 PM
While the spam above this will undoubtebly be removed...

Perhaps it was the word "vibrant" that attracted them.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 02:02:59 PM
I've noticed that people like to use the word "scotch" instead of "Scottish" on the board - presumably because it's hilarious, or something. I mean, it's not hilarious to me, but I've heard other people say it's just the cornerstone of bonhomie.

Given that we're open to this sort of casual cultural denigration I was wondering what else was acceptable?

Presumably, we can use "paddy" for the Irish, and "taff" for the Welsh. That's not going to offend anyone, is it - because everyone here is such a jolly japester. And, anyone with red hair we could call "ginger" with a hard middle-G, I suppose. I know they find that *endlessly* amusing. And why stop there? There are all sorts of words we can use for people with different cultural histories or skin pigmentation.

The only thing I'm missing is something for the English. I have some ideas. I'm just worried, though, that if I actually type them out maybe people won't find it hilarious when I do it. I even worry that if I were to tell you all my ideas I might get ejected from the community. Because it's okay to denigrate some cultures and not others. I'm still trying to figure out the exact rules.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: I, Cosh on 18 March, 2021, 02:41:56 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 02:02:59 PM
I've noticed that people like to use the word "scotch" instead of "Scottish" on the board - presumably because it's hilarious, or something. I mean, it's not hilarious to me, but I've heard other people say it's just the cornerstone of bonhomie.
I'm Scottish and I sometimes use it because I find it amusing. Primarily because it's exactly the sort of thing which would aggravate my mother's agressively "Wha's like us?!" new partner.

I don't see much difference between the way I use it and these examples.

Quote from: Funt Solo on 13 March, 2020, 06:16:13 PM
Mad Max
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (featuring Mad Scotch Mel: The Woad Warrior from Braveheart)
...and the third movie in the saga:
Mad Max: Fury Road

Quote from: Funt Solo on 14 October, 2009, 11:26:07 PM
Quotei am vaguely aware of some kind of animosity/rivalry between the Campbells and the Mcdonalds who were Scottish clans apparently
Ah, yes - all Scotch kids get taught about this in primary school, and if you fail the subsequent tests you get thrown off an oil rig and have to swim to the shore.

The basic story is that the Campbells stole the Mcdonalds soup recipe and got rich from it.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 02:46:15 PM
What can I say - I was an Uncle Jock - but I have awoken. You have to allow me room to grow, Cosh.

Edit #1: I like my joke about the oil rigs, though.
Edit #2: I thought it was too obvious to mention the corollary with the n-word and it being okay to use it if...
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: I, Cosh on 18 March, 2021, 09:02:05 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 02:46:15 PM
What can I say - I was an Uncle Jock - but I have awoken. You have to allow me room to grow, Cosh.

Edit #1: I like my joke about the oil rigs, though.
Edit #2: I thought it was too obvious to mention the corollary with the n-word and it being okay to use it if...
Wow. I've been thinking about this all afternoon and I need to ask how serious you're being here as I can't judge it from what's written.

On the surface it seems like a staggeringly misjudged attempt at exaggeration for comic effect. However, you've come back to edit it twice and kept it in so that suggests you really mean it.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 09:27:51 PM
Well, I'm not sure what's so shocking. I'm not equating the two terms. I'm comparing the situations.

I am suggesting that someone who's the target of derogatory terminology can often get away with using it because they're not punching up or down - they're reclaiming part of the territory. I thought the n-word was a good example because lots of people tend to agree that it became something that was reclaimed by the targets. Thus the whole argument between Spike Lee and Quentin Tarantino.

That's not to say I would equate the term I complained about with the n-word, or my feeling of being got at with the experience of black people. Because I don't, and wouldn't. I'm not even sure if that's what's shocking you, though, because you didn't explain.

Interestingly, you said you use the term to deliberately aggravate someone you don't like. That seems to clarify that use of the word is to irritate on purpose. I used it in the past to try to fit in. Now I don't care to. Your mileage may vary.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 10:03:15 PM
Ah - light dawning slowly - you meant me saying Jock. That just means "Scottish man", though. Still not sure why you're staggered.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: I, Cosh on 18 March, 2021, 10:46:53 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 09:27:51 PM
That's not to say I would equate the term I complained about with the n-word, or my feeling of being got at with the experience of black people. Because I don't, and wouldn't. I'm not even sure if that's what's shocking you, though, because you didn't explain.
Yes, it was this. Everything in the post I quoted reads to me like you are drawing an exact equivalence between the use of the two words. The Uncle Tom/Jock wordplay was a key factor.

If that's not the case then I apologise for misunderstanding.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: I, Cosh on 18 March, 2021, 10:55:18 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 09:27:51 PM
Interestingly, you said you use the term to deliberately aggravate someone you don't like. That seems to clarify that use of the word is to irritate on purpose. I used it in the past to try to fit in. Now I don't care to. Your mileage may vary.
Yes, because to me it seems the exaggerated offence that some Scots will take to hearing the word is mostly manufactured and completely out of proportion to any actual intended insult. I'm happy to accept that most people who say it do so without any real malice beyond ignorance. Your mileage may, of course, vary.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: sheridan on 18 March, 2021, 11:05:16 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 02:02:59 PM
I've noticed that people like to use the word "scotch" instead of "Scottish" on the board - presumably because it's hilarious, or something. I mean, it's not hilarious to me, but I've heard other people say it's just the cornerstone of bonhomie.

As somebody with only tangential scottish ancestry (nowhere near as strong as my Irish and Welsh ancestors, who are within living memory) I won't comment on most of your post, other than the only time I'd purposefully use 'scotch' instead of 'scots' is with close (Scots) friends or with Squaxx (amongst the latter merely quoting from Zenith - who admittedly isn't the best role model).
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 11:24:12 PM
I'm painfully aware that I'm probably out on a limb in my opinion on this one, so I'm appreciative of your patience with me. I'm not super-nationalist and I don't want to piss anyone off.

Maybe if it is ignorance, rather than malice, there's room for education? Jock's affectionate (y'know, unless it isn't), and Scotch is ignorant (or an egg, or a drink, or a tree, or a pie, or broth). I'm getting hungry now.

I once called my friend Frank, Frankie. He let me know that made him feel as if I didn't respect him. I made sure to only call him Frank after that. I didn't really see what the big deal was, and I thought I was being affectionate, but I didn't want to lose him as a friend. He wasn't super-touchy about anything else.

On sheridan's point, there is something to be said (as always) for knowing your audience. I used to work bar with a jolly scouser and this rather large woman walked up to him one night and said "Diet Coke, please" and he responded "It's a bit fucking late for that, isn't it?" She burst out laughing - and I was left with my jaw on the floor wondering how the fuck he got away with it. I would simply never have the nerve, and assume I'd get slapped, at best.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Enigmatic Dr X on 19 March, 2021, 12:47:11 PM
The word "Jock" is affectionate in that ever-so-endearing English way of coming up with harmless collective nouns for non-English people.

You know, like "Mick" or "Sambo".



Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: I, Cosh on 19 March, 2021, 06:25:59 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 11:24:12 PM
I once called my friend Frank, Frankie. He let me know that made him feel as if I didn't respect him. I made sure to only call him Frank after that. I didn't really see what the big deal was, and I thought I was being affectionate, but I didn't want to lose him as a friend. He wasn't super-touchy about anything else.
So this has given me some quite conflicting thoughts. The story of our man Frank is clear and there is only one reasonable course of action. In the same, if someone on this board says that something which doesn't affect me is upsetting them - referring to Irish as "Paddys", let's say - then there's no question about it: I wouldn't do it.

Now I get tied up in knots though. What upsets or annoys you should clearly be treated the same way. However, in this case, it also applies to me. I don't have the same feeling about it so should I support you or say what I think? Nobody can tell you that something shouldn't bother you if it does. Equally, it's not on for anyone to tell me that I should be offended by something just because they are and we share a birthplace. 

The parts about knowing your audience are well observed. I still think you need to consider the intent of the performer as well. The only post I could see yesterday that might've prompted this was Tordelback's about "the 50% of the board who are Scotches" and I personally can't read that in any other way than affectionate: it's a question about buying drink and so already leaning into the anticipated, rote reply about what Scotch is and is not. Maybe I missed something else though as there are threads I don't bother with regularly.

Don't really have a conclusion here so I'll just stop.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: I, Cosh on 19 March, 2021, 06:27:37 PM
Anecdotally, I find "Bloody Jock!" much more intentionally insulting than "Bleedin' Scotch git!" but that's probably more to do with times and places.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Funt Solo on 19 March, 2021, 07:12:39 PM
Quote from: I, Cosh on 19 March, 2021, 06:25:59 PM
Don't really have a conclusion here so I'll just stop.

I'm willing to accept that I've possibly misconstrued intent and am perhaps over-sensitive to that word-use. It still comes across as willfully ignorant (to me), but I don't want to bog the board down in any long-winded negativity (despite any appearances to the contrary).

I could easily just block people who insist on using it - although I'm aware that, over time, I might find myself whistling alone on a desolate island with only a (gagged) coconut for a friend.

I also have no conclusion and will stop.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Definitely Not Mister Pops on 19 March, 2021, 08:39:21 PM
Quote from: I, Cosh on 19 March, 2021, 06:25:59 PM
In the same, if someone on this board says that something which doesn't affect me is upsetting them - referring to Irish as "Paddys", let's say - then there's no question about it: I wouldn't do it.

I honestly can't imagine myself giving a fuck while still taking myself seriously.

Mind you, ye should hear what we say about the English.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: The Enigmatic Dr X on 19 March, 2021, 11:01:43 PM
A lot of it comes down to whether the person speaking is an arse or not.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Tjm86 on 20 March, 2021, 08:37:10 AM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 18 March, 2021, 02:02:59 PM
... And why stop there? There are all sorts of words we can use for people with different cultural histories or skin pigmentation.

[...]  Because it's okay to denigrate some cultures and not others. I'm still trying to figure out the exact rules.

I think this is where I was aiming for when I started the "are we allowed to question 'woke'" thread a while back.  We do seem to be in rather curious territory in terms of what is/nt acceptable. 

Having grown up in a forces family and served myself, I find it even more peculiar since the cultural makeup from different parts of the UK meant that regional nicknames were a part of the squadron landscape.  So Jock, Taff, Brummie, Paddy, Geordie, Scouse etc were ever-present.  It wasn't denigration, just a recognition of their roots.

I'm with Dr X in terms of the intent / persona of the user.  As a general rule an arse will look to cause offence intentionally.  Not really something I see as a problem on these parts.

I think the bigger issue we have round here is that there are some strong and passionately held beliefs around certain issues.  Sharkie's position on government and politics is generally well enough known and 'understood' that most of us don't generally tend to engage with it too deeply.  That's where he comes from.  We may not agree with it / accept it but he isn't going to change in a hurry.

I know a lot of folks round here have an issue with most religious groups and Christianity in particular.  Understandable to my way of thinking.  So religion is generally a topic that is best left alone.  it's just not worth getting bogged down in clearly well-defined positions. 

I've made the mistake of misjudging people's sense of humour on these parts myself.  This is something I've learnt from and take care when I interact with some boarders.  This isn't judging them as hypersensitive, rather as treating them with respect.  So I do think that a lot of these nicknames that I grew up around and used myself quite freely back in the day are ones that I would not choose to use these days.
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: Dog Deever on 27 March, 2021, 01:36:15 AM
I'd say context is everything. When the intent is to belittle it's belittling, when it's done in ignorance it's ignorant and when it's an elbow-in-the-ribs joke it's just banter.

I find 'Jock' more irritating than 'Scotch'-'Scotch' seems like standard issue banter with the expectation of some sort of pseudo-angry reply about Scotch being a drink typed in faux-Scotch by at least one itinerant Jock. Like a ritual jokey piss-take on the entire concept by both parties.
Back when I was a window cleaner, the general reply would be "shut it ya Guffy prick" and everyone would laugh and move along, the ritual enacted for the day and there was no malice to be found at any point.

But I do hate 'Jock' - it's irrational, it just reminds me of 'Stop Your Tickling Jock', grainy black & white film of an old guy in a kilt with a ridiculous hat, tweed jacket a massive brogues, or The Goodies- I've only ever seen anyone looking like that on TV and I'm a sheepshagger (by birth, not by practice- that was never proved).
I don't know I just find it denigrating for, admittedly, completely incoherent reasons. It just seems heavily laden with negative, sneering national stereotyping, where as 'Scotch' has none of that baggage, IMO.
But it's unlikely to get a reaction out of me, except a fleeting look of minor irritation.

I don't have a conclusion either, I just thought a couple of Sweaty Socks drunkenly swinging their sporrans at each other about haggis or chips or whatever was too hilarious to miss out on.

;)
Title: Re: How to make a healthy vibrant forum?
Post by: CalHab on 27 March, 2021, 06:27:37 AM
I'm a bit late to this, but I'll say that using Scotch for anything other than a drink is usually a sign that the user wants to niggle, offend or irritate a Scot. It's part of "banter" culture now, which I despise.

I personally don't like it and people who use it go way down in my estimation.