I have the best of intentions when it comes to the journal... I'm just not doing so well at writing into the void right now.

I'm not doing so great at email either - too many places where I'm having to have the same conversation, when it's difficult, and I wind up just 'sitting on it' until I'm ready.

So... a forum. I had one a million years ago, and it helped. Maybe it will again?

It'll be posted on the site and on the weblog... hoping to maybe stir up some talk on some of the things going on over there.

(and yes, I know it looks like bandwagon jumping, and maybe it is, in some sense of the word. I just realised a few days ago, when I posted in another forum that I'd been thinking about it, but refrained because that is what it would look like, that not doing something I want to do just because of what it might look like is not the way I want to live... have no worries, there is no way I'm equipped or inclined to compete with Beth, Pamie or Rob. Whatever this will be, it won't be in that league...)

So... talk to me, people? What would you like to see here?

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2000

Answers

I guess this forum software doesn't support posting your naked picture, so perhaps a good flame war?

This is too tacky, I shouldn't post it. But if I do I may be the very first post! What the heck!

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2000

I don't think it's "bandwagon jumping" at all. I think it's an effective way to carry on a public dialogue, and while I wonder if your discussion list doesn't already serve that purpose, the forum is a different format that maybe some people are more comfortable with or find more satifying, less trouble, whatever.
So what would I like to see? I don't have particular topics in mind, but certainly things that matter to you and are prominent in your life at any given time. Right now it seems like that might include grief, career advancement, coping with life demands. But knowing you as I do, it's a sure bet that new topics will come and old ones will fade fairly regularly.
As you know, my interest in forums is sporadic at best. But this one I'll read and take part in happily. :)


-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

I'm sorry, but I don't fully understand the point of this forum. If it is help you need, I would be more than willing to help...but...um...I don't quite understand what this forum is about. :I

Perhaps if you could explain it a bit....?

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Oh dear, I hope I don't have to have a point to it! At least not yet - right now it's just a whim (which I am prone to).

I suppose if I have to invent a point, it's to talk. I like watching people talk, and it gives me a excuse to engage in some two-way conversation, instead of tossing things out into silence or, as I mentioned, having the same conversation simultaneously 20 times over in email.

...If I can babble on that subject for a second, it's something that happens a lot. Person A, B, and C will all write about the same subject (which I love), and Person A will say something that is just perfectly suited to a comment Person C made or a question Person B asked... except its all in separate email conversations, and there is no polite way that I can think of to say "Oh, you should talk to THESE guys, cos they said..." It isn't private things being said, but the conversations themselves are private, so everyone misses out on the wonderful play of ideas happening.

I just think some conversations work better in groups...get a better riff of ideas.

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

I like forums sometimes, and I agree that they often give people a chance to talk about some shared experience or to offer a thought about something which may be triggered by an entry. People do like to share, and that sharing is sometimes healing and/or helpful. While I like your lists, I think forums offer a slightly different or maybe just an additionl option. Did you intend for us to create our own questions/topics? Or do you have something specific in mind? Or should we just yak as we feel inclined?

I think it's sort of silly for anyone to be worried about whether others have forums and what those others might think about it, or to worry whether or not their noses will get out of joint because they had forums first. Everyone is using the greenspun boards...and it's also totally contrary to the whole philosophy of the greenspun philosophy for anyone to take such a selfish and proprietary attitude about who's entitled to have a forum, and who isn't. Greenspun makes this system available as an option so that everyone can make maximum use of the web's resources without investing an arm and a leg in software.

Why would someone be jealous and protective about whether others have an opportunity to discuss different subjects on bulletin boards run by you or me or anyone else for heaven's sake? People have a wide variety of interests and different topics are discussed anyway. Forums have been around in many different forms on the web for a very long time...isn't that what AOL is based on entirely?

How really silly and sorority girlish if those who already have existing forums take offense about it, especially if they are running greenspun's boards.

I say if anyone feels like opening a forum, go for it and if people get bent out of shape, screw'em.

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2000

Forums are fun. I've got one too!

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000

Hey Jo, thanks! I want to make sure I'm not leaving the wrong impression - no one whose got a forum has so much as hinted that I therefore shouldn't, and I can't imagine anyone doing so.

It was purely an instinctive (and foolish) reaction on my part. I get those a lot about some very irrational things - that's why I make it a point to plow forward when I realize I'm doing that.

It's the same dumb thinking that makes some folks have fits if they show up somewhere wearing the same dress (which is NOT one of my insecurities - I think I had that one burned out of me when we lived in Germany where everyone shopped at the same BX and out of the same Sears catalog, so it was pretty well expected).

And yep, if you guys have a question or a comment, I'd love it greatly if you'd come on over and start up a thread yourself!

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000

Oh and *pppssstt*, Ornery... don't feel shy about leaving behind an URL! Greenspun works just like a web page - wrap it in code and feel free to pimp your sites here!

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000

Okay! My forum is an Asiaco forum and it's accessible on the bottom of my Demented Diary page. (Also from several other pages round and about my inflammatory web site.

-- Anonymous, May 19, 2000

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2002