Your Opinion about threads.

[Carl East]

I've just realised that this is exactly the sort of meandering, complicated reply that makes you avoid threads with answers like this.

I'll finish here.

Gauche

P.S you know I'm joking about the fence-sitting right?

Actually Gauchecritic I honestly don't mind a large reply to my questions, unless they're insulting (which your's wasn't) and yes I did realize that you were joking. The thing is, I am a fence sitter. If the topic is an interesting one, I'll generally wait to see how others respond to it. Mainly because I've seen too many threads turn into flame wars, because other people cannot allow the thread starter an opinion of their own.

Also, some people take a political question way too seriously, and I have no desire to argue over something that's unimportant in the scheme of things. I enjoy reading your views, and others on this board. So, don't ever stop being honest.

Carl

 

[SensualCealy]

I tend to look at the title, then the author of the thread, if its someone I know that gives great advice or great responses then Ill read it.

I also think it depends on my mood, if I have lots of time, or Im bored, heck I read even the political ones when Im bored.

And lastly, if I see the author and know I like that persons perspective I click on just to see what AV they have up THEN read what its about.

I love your AV Carl!
C

 

[Guest]

What is it that makes a thread good or bad? Has it anything to do with who started it do you think? Or is it more to do with how interesting the topic is? I ask because when you look at the board sometimes, you see threads that are huge yet the topic is trivial, even boring in some cases.

...

Carl

Interesting questions, Carl, you fence sitter.

I think the reasons some threads get so big are varied, but all inextricably linked.

Some get big because the chatterboxes (myself included) start chattering. Others get big because the outrageous flirts (myself included) join in. Still more get big because the actual thread starter (myself included) maintains a vested interest in that thread. Several get big because somebody (myself included) started up that thread to get a group of writers writing together - be that the Lit Olympics and other chain stories, or something like NaNoWriMo. A few get big because something "controversial" is said.

I want to say a bit more about the third reason I stated - the fact that the thread starter maintains a vested interest in that thread. I see many threads here that wither and die within a few posts because everyone loses interest, or it gets hijacked and others give up on it for that reason.

It's quite a common occurance for someone to start a thread, people respond to the question(s), and/or give their views on the topic, but the original thread starter never comes back to post in that thread. Discussions are difficult when they're one way.

Also, threads do get hijacked (but nowhere near as many as used to, I don't think - maybe partly because those that had a tendancy to hijack (myself included) keep that inane rambling to other threads, started for just that - No Topic, for example). I think a bit of assertiveness from the original thread starter can work wonders there. Take the "Author Above Me" thread, for example - that began to lose its way a bit, so I stepped in and clearly re-stated the intentions of the thread. Now, I'm not one to blow my own trumpet (much!), but I'm actually liking that thread, a lot. It's great to see so many different authors posting in there, not just the same ones over and over again.

There is another reason some threads don't get many posts and that is because it asks very specific questions, or might only ilicit responses from a certain amount of people, who have an interest in that particular topic.

Some threads have a more general appeal (I won't say universal, because different people like different things), and everybody wants to chime in on those and have their say.

I have also noticed that the threads where we authors get to talk about ourselves, or "show off", even, often turn into fairly long threads.

Oh, blimey, there's many reasons! Anyway, yeah Carl, just cos you have put a ban on yourself for no more flirting, that's why you are noticing this now and not so much before. You used to be in the thick of it, now you have taken a step back. I try to do that from time to time, but not often enough, maybe?

Lou

 

[oggbashan]

I didn't expect my spider thread to run further than the spider.

He's still around.

Og

 

[Lisa Denton]

Sometimes I will look at a thread just because of the last person to post and maybe look at his/her hat. Is that a spider on the top left of Og's hat? I often hijack a thread, accidentally but after a few posts try to steer it back where it was.
Different threads for different folks and sometimes the little sidetrips, hijackings, and crazy POV's are half the fun.

 

[Carl East]

Re: Re: Your Opinion about threads.

Oh, blimey, there's many reasons! Anyway, yeah Carl, just cos you have put a ban on yourself for no more flirting, that's why you are noticing this now and not so much before. You used to be in the thick of it, now you have taken a step back. I try to do that from time to time, but not often enough, maybe?

Lou

You're right about me noticing because of my self impossed ban on flirting, but I still don't object to that. I think flirting is half the appeal of boards like this. My question was more aimed at what makes a trivial thread take off so much? Take the Lit Olympics thread for instance, I understand why that one has become a monster. It's because the authors are genuinely interested as to what happened next, or need to ask questions.

I've started off trivial threads myself, like the Marmite sandwich one. It must have peeked peoples curiousity, because it suddenly went to two pages long in the space of an hour. Even this one, which after all is no more than a general discusion, seems to be liked by those that want to join in on the boards.

Carl

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I jumped in cause I think your sexy.

Plus you haven't been around and we want an update on your sweetie. August is almost here!!!

 

[Carl East]

I jumped in cause I think your sexy.

Plus you haven't been around and we want an update on your sweetie. August is almost here!!!

All I can say to that ABS, is that I'm excited about meeting my baby and that we talk every night on yahoo with the aid of our headsets. If I feel half as much for her in person as I do online we have one hell of a future to look forward to. She's kind, gentle, loving and all mine.

I've told her I want to spend the first day she's here in bed, making love all day and night. She's going to get some of those pent up emotions cumming her way. lol

I never knew you could fall so heavily online, but you can. I wish you could see her and talk to her, but she's not into boards like this. In fact she's a lot like me and keeps herself to herself. That's one thing we both noticed straight away, the fact that we have so much in common. We like the same kind of films, music, books, and even share the same love for the best films of all time.

Sometimes we run out of things to say at night, but are just content to hear one another breathing. It's like she's a part of me that was missing and I've now found her. I just realized I'm waffling, it's just that I'm so in love.

Carl

 

[cloudy]

Carl, I met my soulmate online, sweetheart, and I know exactly what you're feeling.

We're still going strong, through thick and thin (and it's a little thin right now) after almost 4 years.

 

[Guest]

Awwww, Carl!!!!

 

[doormouse]

You have it bad Carl!!

When you start sleeping with the headset and webcam going, you know you have it BAD

(rubbing the indentations from sleeping with the headset on)

 

[SensualCealy]

Awe Carl, its adorable to see a man gush!
Glad to hear things are going so well for you, keep it up, just tell us before you ask her the big question okay?
C

another wedding to plan! yippee!!

 

[Carl East]

Awe Carl, its adorable to see a man gush!
Glad to hear things are going so well for you, keep it up, just tell us before you ask her the big question okay?
C

another wedding to plan! yippee!!

I will, and thanks Sensual.

Carl

 

[doormouse]

I didn't expect my spider thread to run further than the spider.

He's still around.

Og

Yours is my fave thread LOL

I cracked up reading the posts on there!!