General Chat

Please See Below. Pat x

Seen as people do this all the time with fun threads i.e. starting new ones, I am starting my own thread here as I don't want to take over Maz's but it follows from what East End Maz is saying. Which i totally agree with. I have been upto my eyeballs trying to sort out a Computer problem here, I popped in on GR a few times for a bit of relief only to find the general board been taken over and not only do I not know half the names but the whole front page has endless silly threads, instead of keeping a fun thread to one thread it seems everyone having a laugh on that subject has to have their own thread. We all like a bit of fun one of my favourites was the film thread but we kept to one thread we didn't spread the stuff like butter everywhere. People could sign a proper first name at the end of their piece so at least we know who the person is better than names of objects. This general board is naff its been completely taken over, there is very little to read or add of interest. Too many people are of the same opinion as me, they are fed up with it, but unlike me they are not expressing it they are just not bothering with the boards anymore. Well i'm saying it because I don't believe its right that this board has been hijacked PLEASE if you are having fun keep it in one place it makes life easier and upsets less people. Thats my opinion I am allowed to have it and express it. The sooner these boards get back to normal (whatever that is) the better. There is room for the fun as well as the serious stuff. Pat x

I too love the fun threads - in moderation! I joined in the Pink thread because it was actually making a point at the time (I think that was the reason it was posted anyway!) The same with the snottogram thread.... making a point! It seems to me at the moment the only way to have a thread last on page one with more than one reply is to have a fun thread! I also understand that in the present climate most 'serious' threads frighten people away in case it gets heated! Life is like that, not everyone can get on with each other, not everyone can agree with each other. There is room for both fun and serious but at the moment the fun seems to have taken over. Again just my opinion! Jacquie xxxxx

The general board is just a load of rubbish. I have a good sense of humour and love a good joke as much as anyone, but some of these threads are ridiculous, even childish,

Well said Pat ...i agree with every word you have said. Very rarely post on here anymore most things are sooo childish. I have heard that this board is going shortly anyway,such a shame as it used to be very good. Val

I don't often comment - but enough is enough! I used to turn the computer on for a good read - and the odd reply if I had anything to say....BUT there are so few threads worth reading, let alone replying to that it's about time someone said something - so thanks Pat! I think I had to go to page 7 this morning before I got past the rubbish! (birthdays and anniversaries excluded) I think the danger is that we miss the threads that we might be interested in - some news...a question...an announcement..help or support needed. I would imagine most people give up after the second page if not after reading the first! Mags xx P.S Who did you hear that from Val???

I agree with Devonshire dumpling I find that when the threads get serious arguements do occur, I much prefer happy ones that have a laugh I dont think anyone means anything offensive by them Keeley

Hiya Pat I agree with you a bit:) I don't like excessive name changing. I don't know if people are new or old and whether I like them or not:) I'm a bit fed up with the boards cos a lot of the stuff on here isn't my sort of thing. But if we feel like that ain't it up to us to post stuff that interests us? David

I feel there is room for everyone and all threads. People come on here for different reasons; fun, laughter, conversation, company, discussion, debate and to share news. Go to the threads you have an interest in, add to the ones you want and start a new one if you have something to share. We are all very different and that is what makes a general board. Sarah x

Well it had to be said Pat, and well done to you for saying it! You're speaking , IMHO, for lots of members who just don't bother posting anymore, who in fact don't even bother with GR now. After being away from the boards for a couple of months, I've come back to find the General Board changed beyond belief! Yeah it might be fun for some, but for some of us there's nothing worth reading on it anymore. I'm all for people having fun, as I know you yourself are Pat, but to find almost every thread following on from the previous one, same subject....same joke....well I for one am bored by it. As for anyone thinking it's sour grapes on your part....let me say, Pat would be the first to speak up for anyone having the right to post what they want, but surely it doesn't have to be thread after thread of the same thing! As for serious threads causing arguements, surely that doesn't have to be the case. Mike Chambers and several others (Pat included) had a great discussion the other night about the troubles in Northern Ireland.....a very contentious subject, yet not once did it become a slanging match. Christine

I agree with Curly Sue People come on here for different reasons - for some like the housebound it's their only source of 'light relief'. Depending on my mood - I post my own silly threads, serious threads, informative threads - and I join in all of those similar if I feel it appropriate. At the end of the surely it's better than all the arguments and mud slinging that often take over???? Anne :O)

Thoroughly agree, David! I've noticed a deterioration in the Board in recent weeks. In fact, since I got caught up in the Bear Relay! LOL We should bear in mind too that lots of people have been away recently on holidays. As you all know, I can do 'serious' or 'silly' to order, but I must say that the serious threads I've started have never attracted nearly so many replies or interest as the silly ones. I know we don't all have lots of time to spend on here, but surely more people could start serious threads, and then there would be a good mix of serious AND silly. We all have a choice, but if we don't add the type of threads we like, nobody knows what we like, so START SOME SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS ... but you'll have to start without me, as I'm busy with GB until mid-October. CB >|<

Isn't there room for everyone? I've joined in with some of the utterly stupid threads - and they are just that... Thay have, however made me laugh. The one thing that they havent done is provoked arguement. The ONLY one i thought mis-placed really was the little miss thread, not really appriopriate ,but .... Who is the judge of what is important anyway? Jess x

Thank you to those who added constructive comments. I have had private emails about this, and I find it very sad very worrying, people who agree but don't feel safe adding that agreement here. Yes we all come on here for different reasons so please can we remember that, Dave I tried putting a serious topic on here and you were one of the very few people who added to it, I got so few replies (what's new?) I thought what's the point. Those sort of threads get buried very quickly amongst all the others I am talking about. Yes and thank you Christine I was going to mention that thread, that was one of the most enjoyable reads I have had here in months, we used to have many threads like that, many where there was NO personal attacks on people with different views. I think its a cop out saying the serious threads cause the trouble on here, many people who are on this board now do not remember how things were and the trouble that went before and that trouble was NOT caused by serious threads, so that theory is out the window. We are all adults we are all entitled to an opinion and having endless nonsense on general board is not everyone's cuppa, and its NOT the answer to the problems on general board. People are getting what I have said wrong its not a moan about fun threads I enjoy them myself I have said in my initial statement its the ENDLESS follow on ones that bug people, how can any other threads be found when you have to go through so many pages Like Mags said of the same stuff. Being more thoughtful is the answer remember others would like to read threads not have to go through pages and pages of stuff to find something different. Sorry I am late back but the nice man in Dell was restoring my Microsoft Word for me and I couldn't get back to answer, thank you once again. Pat x

I too don't bother much with the general board now. I had a break when my husband was off work, came back a week later and didn't know most of the names. I like a joke as much as anyone. I also like a serious thread sometimes. But just lately the general board has changed. I hate it though when things get nasty and I keep out of it. Enough trouble in the world without making more on here. I am seriously thinking about staying another year when my subscription is due. Shame because these boards have been a help in so many ways. Jane

Pat, I couldn't agree with you more. The last few weeks this board has changed out of all recogition. It is full of inane threads which to my mind aren't even funny (I obviously have had a sense of humour bypass without even noticing). It used to be very enjoyable reading different people's perspectives on situations. I think this board should now be renamed Chat Board II. Jean x.

Pat i understand your feelings on this....i add to both serious and fun threads, sometimes when my illness is bad the fun threads make me forget the pain.......surely there is room for both. I have been on here nearly a year now and usually serious and fun threads have managed to go hand in hand. Cant we get the balance back. Wendy.xxx

Pat - I too agree with you. So many times recently I have come on here and gone again almost immediately and last night was the worst yet. I do agree that everyone is different and entitled to talk about whatever they want, but there needs to be a balance as not all of us want to join in the silly/fun threads. It would be nice to see a few more interesting threads again. Kaye x

i have to say I like to do both, but good disscusions seem to be a thing of the past, I wish there were more!!!

Hi Pat and everyone, I've lost count of the number of times I've said that I think there is room for everyone on the General Boards. I still believe this but perhaps we all need to be considerate of others and not fill the front page with threads on the same subject and to let the fun threads die a natural death. Some do seem to go beyond their sell-by date. We are all amused by different things some 'funny' threads haven't even raised a smile as far as I'm concerned but that doesn't mean that people shouldn't post them - just, perhaps, not fill the board with them. I've been a member a long time and have, at times, found the boards tedious and at other times I've laughed aloud. I need to remember that my idea of tedious is another person's enjoyment and be tolerant. And those who do not share my sense of humour and find my humour tedious should alllow me my mad half hour in return. It's a shame that people have pm'd Pat and don't feel able to comment 'aloud.' It is possible to disagree without name-calling and falling out as many of us have found. I'm not around much at the moment because I have loads of work on and do feel a bit left out, what with identity changing etc, but as long as I know 'who' I'm talking to I can catch up. I have known GR much 'worse' than it is currently ................... lol, Gwynne