This forum: yea or nay?

[CoolidgEffect]

yup
now we start to be made fun of by the GB crowd

I hope the shit stires and discion makers are happy

Hah, I'm not making fun of you, just that it takes 3 or 4 clicks to get where I want to go now (If I'm lucky). My horse still wants to take me in 2 click to this spot.

I'd hardly call Curious George the GB crowd!

 

[catalina_francisco]

Okay, my last post here.

The comparison of this forum to the Playground is ludicrous. People have memories that go back to the fact that the Playground was created, but seem to forget the "why". Interesting, yes?

Okay, boys and girls, let me tell you a story....

A long time ago there was a forum here at Lit called "Personals". It was designed as a place where people could post an ad for friendship, email buddies, dates, meetings either in r/l or online. It really was not a place to "hang out", per se. People would post an ad, others respond, and eventually the thread would fade from sight. It worked. Well, for some. Okay, the women. But let's move along with our story, shall we?

Along come new people who can't quite get their brain around the concept of what a "Personals" board is all about. They begin one, then two, then 20 threads about nonsense. Now, this didn't bother the main population at Literotica, as most of us simply do not go there. No harm, no foul.

Until one day when a few people, having nothing better to do, wandered in and took a look around. WHOA! They cried! What is this? Nonsensical posting in a "serious" forum? No, no, no! We can't have that! That's against them thar rules! We need to get this out of here.

What to do? These posts really did not "fit" anywhere. If posted to the GB, they would have been torn to shreds. Now, that might have been a goodly amount of entertainment, but not even I would wish that on anyone. Dilemma, dilemma - what do we do.

Ah! Create a new sub forum! Put all the "fluffy" stuff there and keep the "Personals" only for the "Personals" ads! Yeah, people bitched and moaned and complained. But, in all seriousness, the "Personals" were, well, for personal ads. And the way things were, it was difficult to find them.

So the birth of the Playground came about.

This is a very different scenario than what has occured here. The "Personals" was never meant to be a community. It was never meant to be a place where people hung out and chatted. It served a specific purpose, and that purpose was being overlooked. The BDSM forum was founded to produce a community. Funny how people talk of the Playground conception and very conveniently leave out the beginnings of the BDSM forum. Very ironic, indeed.

You see, boys and girls. Along about that same time, a thread was begun at the "How To" forum for those who had questions about BDSM. It grew to monstrous proportions. I mean, no one could possibly keep up with it. I don't recall any complaints about its existance, just the fact that it was difficult to manuver through it to find an answer. So, the solution? Laurel was consulted and it was determined that a group could form another forum.

Now, having these issues discussed on the GB was tried - many times. And those of us who like kink were called freaks and poked fun at. Well, that wasn't going to work, now, was it? So the birth of BDSM Talk. It was made fun of, yes. After all, that was where all the "freaks" assembled. Jokes were made on the GB - still are - but people settled in there nicely. Well, until one or two people showed up who decided they weren't going to let anyone be happy. But that's another story, for another time.

So, the creation of this forum is not the equivalent to the Playground. The BDSM forum was doing what it was set up to do - create an atomosphere where those who shared a similar interest could talk and share information in a place that was comfortable to do so. The Playground was to free up a forum that had a very specific goal that was not met. The two are very different.

And that, kiddies, is the end of the story for now. What happens next has yet to be written.

Oh, and I voted "no" as well.


Ta, ta, all!

Thanks for having the patience and taking the time to fill the more recent comers such as ourselves in on the history being discussed here. Is welcome and adds to our resolve this is definately out of line with no real precedent so to speak.

Catalina

 

[navarre]

This place should have never been created.

It divides and ultimately destroys the Community.

I don't have a problem with Fluff...as part of the Community as a whole. I have a problem with a community of Fluff.

Any Community must have BALANCE to function...all serious one place and fluff another place makes for a cold, dead Community.

~anelize

What she said!!!

 

[lark sparrow]

I voted yes. Why? Because it's here. I'm a little surprised at the overwhelming and drastic gloom and doom when it has not even been tried at BDSM Talk. A subforum does nothing on it's own, people do. I'm a bit surprised that people are so close-minded and have given it a power they feel they have no control over. It hasn't even been tried for the simple length of a week.

Had there been a vote beforehand I also would have voted no, but the owner and moderator made this decision, and the bottom line is that we are guests here - we don't own the place. Personally, I feel it's best make use of both and support both so there is not a division between people, only a division for "serious" BDSM Talk, and talk that most BDSM-oriented people like to engage in that may not revolve strictly around BDSM.

As I said last night, at least give it a try, and then say whether you like it or not. A little open-mindedness, a little patience, a little support of decisions made and work put towards that end will go a long way. The posts that went to the sub forum are as much a part of this community as are more in-depth discussions of BDSM - most of us engage in both on one level or another. It's only the end of the world if you make it so.

 

[lark sparrow]

My 'no' is because as yet, some major problems remain unsolved.
I've listed them in the 'name' thread, and they have to do with what is now supposed to happen to certain kinds of postings in "Main",


Would the following be transferred from MAIN? ASSUME THEY GO TO "MAIN" initially:

1) Cym's original 'honesty' posting
2) Lances original"Should Cym stay"; Lance's new "Should cym shut up while being flogged"
3) Cheyennes original complaint re 'censorship'
4) A posting of someone saying the moderator is a stupid cunt
5) A posting of someone saying another poster is an asshole. One saying the other's postings are the work of a bum-sucking fool.
6) A posting of someone saying that the moderator, in the way she moderates, is acting like a stupid cunt.
7) A poster complaining that his posts in "Main" bdsm are ridiculed there.
8) A poster complaining, politely, that his posts to Main always end up in Free for all?

Sorry about the self-quote.

I agree with you, Pure. It's going to take alot of willing self-control, sound judgement and good will on the part of all posters - which is one of things lacking in those that brought this to a head. It probably won't address these issues. People who got along in this community fine before, will probably do okay now as well... but those who like to disrupt with monumentous displays of drama will not use the above anymore than they did before. People keep saying it is an issue of 'BDSM' talk and chatter, but I'm not so sure that's the case. In any case, I am still willing to see how it fairs, and support both the main forum and the sub forum and see how it goes... come what may.

 

[Quint]

I see two main issues at hand here: the creation of this mini-board and MissT's handling of the creation of said mini-board.

The second I see as an understandable conflict but one that should really not even be here...MissT has said that she merely brought up the suggestion to Laurel and Laurel took the matter into her own capable hands. Ergo, not MissT's decision. Would it have been a better idea to ask us first? I think we're pretty loudly declaring that it would have been. With all this talk about free speech, we'd damned well better be a democracy. To have the question posed after the fact makes me at least feel like a figurehead, somebody who must be placated or soothed, and quite frankly I don't have any idea if my voice matters at all.

However, the two facts are that this speculation is after the fact, and that it was not MissT's decision that this board be made immediately. So however poorly handled this was, it's useless to point the finger now.

As to the first: what is the problem with another board with the same members on it? I know I would never want a birthday thread on the GB; it'd sink and be lost and I would feel kind of silly. Likewise I don't want to share happy but meaningful moments of my life over there. I feel more connection with you than I do with you+everyone else. So I don't want the total moving or removal of all non-BDSM threads made by BDSMers.

So the problem with the board itself is that it's separate. Separate but equal. It's not mingled and mixed with the rest. I can see why that concept would be a problem for many people. As for me, I find that it suits my needs perfectly. I often feel guilty for inserting playful comments into a serious thread and so most of the time you don't get to see that side of me. I regret it. However, more unpleasant to me are the threads that do end up cluttered with chatter. I really don't like that sort of cross-pollination. This arrangement is much easier on the eyes.

I voted "I don't know" because I didn't, before I thought about it for awhile. I too was irritated with the way the board had been made and transferred that irritation onto the board itself. This was a fault on my part. Now that I see it, I kind of like it. I like knowing where to go if I want a serious answer and I still have a place to relax afterwards.

There's no reason why this board should be the diminutive, either. It is equally worthy of respect--if we make it so. Peace out, all.

 

[Cheyenne]

Re: This forum?

Thanks for giving a reason to stay away. I thought I was dealing with adults...my bad.

Ebony, you keep posting things like you're done with the subject, it is BORING, Lit doesn't mean anything in the scheme of things, so come and go as you please, you now have a reason to stay away, etc. etc. etc.

Yet you keep on posting and posting and posting...

If it didn't matter to you, you wouldn't bother posting about it so often. Nothing wrong with that, just SAY so. It matters!

 

[Cheyenne]

I see two main issues at hand here: the creation of this mini-board and MissT's handling of the creation of said mini-board.

The second I see as an understandable conflict but one that should really not even be here...MissT has said that she merely brought up the suggestion to Laurel and Laurel took the matter into her own capable hands. Ergo, not MissT's decision. Would it have been a better idea to ask us first? I think we're pretty loudly declaring that it would have been. With all this talk about free speech, we'd damned well better be a democracy. To have the question posed after the fact makes me at least feel like a figurehead, somebody who must be placated or soothed, and quite frankly I don't have any idea if my voice matters at all.

However, the two facts are that this speculation is after the fact, and that it was not MissT's decision that this board be made immediately. So however poorly handled this was, it's useless to point the finger now.

As to the first: what is the problem with another board with the same members on it? I know I would never want a birthday thread on the GB; it'd sink and be lost and I would feel kind of silly. Likewise I don't want to share happy but meaningful moments of my life over there. I feel more connection with you than I do with you+everyone else. So I don't want the total moving or removal of all non-BDSM threads made by BDSMers.

So the problem with the board itself is that it's separate. Separate but equal. It's not mingled and mixed with the rest. I can see why that concept would be a problem for many people. As for me, I find that it suits my needs perfectly. I often feel guilty for inserting playful comments into a serious thread and so most of the time you don't get to see that side of me. I regret it. However, more unpleasant to me are the threads that do end up cluttered with chatter. I really don't like that sort of cross-pollination. This arrangement is much easier on the eyes.

I voted "I don't know" because I didn't, before I thought about it for awhile. I too was irritated with the way the board had been made and transferred that irritation onto the board itself. This was a fault on my part. Now that I see it, I kind of like it. I like knowing where to go if I want a serious answer and I still have a place to relax afterwards.

There's no reason why this board should be the diminutive, either. It is equally worthy of respect--if we make it so. Peace out, all.

I would say you could hold your own in any debate on the GB. You write well (better than quite a few on theGB ) I hope to see more of you, and some of the others over here, on the GB, too! Maybe you need a break from posting all about bdsm and could use a good thread on politics, religion, who is fucking who, etc. Seriously, I think many of you would LIKE the GB as long as you use the ignore button freely (I do.) We have our share of assholes, no doubt about it. But it is a great place to discuss just about anything you can think of.

 

[Netzach]

I voted ....

I don't give a flying f.


I drop in when I have time. I'll plop a post on any thread I find interesting, wherever I find it. I would seriously begin to worry about my own priorities if I were to honestly get bent out of shape about the creation of a subforum on a list I post to. Please, bullshit at work consumes me more and I should not let it. This crisis ranks with "solid white or chunk?"

I don't mean to shit on people's feelings and opinions. That said: I'm new.

I don't particularly care for ancient politics from before my time taking up airtime, and people with old cybergrudges whining on and on and on.

So far the only thing I have added to this board is the fact that I am a closet player of a crack-laced video game. So there.

 

[AnelizeDarkEyes]

Could also make the librarian's job easier, as she doesn't have to track the fluff.

The Librarian has no problem whatsoever tracking through the Board Fungi.

Thanks for thinking of me.

But you know my position. I've made it QUITE clear.

~anelize, "BDSM Librarian"

 

[serijules]

I voted "Don't Care" cuz, well, I don't care.

Just as easy to read the threads here as where they were.

 

[redelicious]

Voted that I don't care.

This whole drama has been so silly from start to finish, but what's done is done. I can be fluffy (God knows) and I can also be serious. I'll post if I feel like it and lurk if I don't.

Whatever.

 

[redelicious]

Oh yeah

Hello CoolidgEffect . . .

Thought you might like an av for when you find yourself lost at BDSM land.

 

[incubus_dark]

What does it matter? What difference does it make? An extra click of the mouse to find a thread? People are complaining about it causing division and killing the community, but division already exists, obviously, so is recognising that division automatically bad? Why? As for killing the community; it'll only die if it's regulars get all snooty and put out and stop playing nice, rather than just getting on with what they obviously enjoy doing.

 

[Zaudika]

IMO

I voted 'yes'..

Without getting long winded about it. It seemed there was just to much fluff in BDSM.
It's nice to have the seperation. When I want to come and read about information specifically about the BDSM lifestyle, I can go to one area, when I want to just fuck around, I can go to the other area. It seems like a pretty straightforward and intelligent move to me.
And on another note... newbies that come here looking for information about the BDSM lifestyle shouldn't have to sift through 30 fluff threads to find one thats a direct discussion or information about BDSM.
Just my thoughts.

 

[DreamWeaver]

I don't know

 

[catalina_francisco]

I would like to make a suggestion.

If it has been Laurel's decision, why is she not explaining it to us? Why is she not telling her reasons for it?

Is not much to ask is it now. If you support free speech then you also support free discussion and that means you support explaining your reasons for doing something.

MissT has stated several times that she has been forced by laurel do this, well in that case I for one would like to hear the reasoning of Laurel.

I mean she has created a wonderful site in Literotica, so why not explain to us her reasons for splitting up our community. If she has her reason for it and she can explain it to all of us it would certainly help the acceptance of the new forum.

Francisco.

 

[catalina_francisco]

I would say you could hold your own in any debate on the GB. You write well (better than quite a few on theGB ) I hope to see more of you, and some of the others over here, on the GB, too! Maybe you need a break from posting all about bdsm and could use a good thread on politics, religion, who is fucking who, etc. Seriously, I think many of you would LIKE the GB as long as you use the ignore button freely (I do.) We have our share of assholes, no doubt about it. But it is a great place to discuss just about anything you can think of.

Have visited the GB out of curiosity in the past and found an overabundance of degenerates and outright boring. Please don't try to make this forum the same.

Catalina

 

[Lancecastor]

I would like to make a suggestion.

If it has been Laurel's decision, why is she not explaining it to us? Why is she not telling her reasons for it?

Is not much to ask is it now. If you support free speech then you also support free discussion and that means you support explaining your reasons for doing something.

MissT has stated several times that she has been forced by laurel do this, well in that case I for one would like to hear the reasoning of Laurel.

I mean she has created a wonderful site in Literotica, so why not explain to us her reasons for splitting up our community. If she has her reason for it and she can explain it to all of us it would certainly help the acceptance of the new forum.

Francisco.

Sorry to report...Laurel died last October.

Hanns Schmidt macked her with his gat.

 

[Richard49]

Re: IMO

And on another note... newbies that come here looking for information about the BDSM lifestyle shouldn't have to sift through 30 fluff threads to find one thats a direct discussion or information about BDSM.
Just my thoughts.

newbees did not have to
thanks to our librarian

 

[Richard49]

I would like to make a suggestion.

If it has been Laurel's decision, why is she not explaining it to us? Why is she not telling her reasons for it?


Francisco.

I will be glad to supply her rational as she wrote it

It still does not cover what REALLY happened here
Miss T will not own up to
Others are relishing in it

so as long as are FORCED to live in others fariry tale
well...............

 

[Richard49]

Sorry to report...Laurel died last October.

Hanns Schmidt macked her with his gat.

yup just as you stired up shit on the GB telling everyone
she sold the boards to some German compnay

 

[ammre]

On the other hand, it doesn't hurt either. I know, the comment about "divides the board", but it appears under the main board, and it's easy enough to track both. And if we kind of combine the fluff into one easy place, it makes it easier for those who like to use the board as a "chat room."

I couldn't help but add along with him that when i first came here i did so for information and it was rather annoying have to sift through all the flirting to find it. (yes, i know there's a library thread but alas when i was new here there's still hijacked threads and i wasn't always sure waht i was looking for) Now that i've been here longer i realize the flirting is part of the fun, but at the same time i will have occasional bouts of frustration on the matter. I think having a "fluff section in the BDSM forum is good becasue if you were to have "fluff" elsewhere you woulnd't not be as comfortable as you would around other peers of the same intrest, while it maintains the immediate informative aspect as well... just a little more of my 2-cents.
*shrugs*

 

[Richard49]

I couldn't help but add along with him that when i first came here i did so for information and it was rather annoying have to sift through all the flirting to find it. (yes, i know there's a library thread but alas when i was new here there's still hijacked threads and i wasn't always sure waht i was looking for) Now that i've been here longer i realize the flirting is part of the fun, but at the same time i will have occasional bouts of frustration on the matter. I think having a "fluff section in the BDSM forum is good becasue if you were to have "fluff" elsewhere you woulnd't not be as comfortable as you would around other peers of the same intrest, while it maintains the immediate informative aspect as well... just a little more of my 2-cents.
*shrugs*

and you think threads will not be hyjacked now ?

 

[FungiUg]

and you think threads will not be hyjacked now ?

Sadly, probably not. But we can hope that the hijacks will be reduced and frequent hijackers can be encouraged to use the Free-For-All.