things we like/dislike about online communities...

[torn asunder]

i would like to start a discussion about the things we appreciate about the various online communities we all visit, and the things that we don't particulalry care for. i'd personally love to hear your thoughts, and i welcome dissenting opinions, provided you can voice them in a respectful, constructive, mature manner.

i'll start - i'm on several online boards, and one thing they all have in common is the vast differences in life experiences of its members. one of the things i look forward to is learning about new, interesting, and sometimes even taboo topics/experiences i might otherwise never have an opportunity to explore. another thing is the amazingly intelligent conversations/debates that can develop, even from posts that might at first seem mundane. philosophy, politics, the goth scene and how it's changed, the list is endless! even if sometimes i don't have the mental energy to enter the discussion, i still enjoy reading them.

one of the things that makes me tend to avoid certain communities is the intentionally disruptive post/thread, the ones specifically designed to start trouble. another thing is when things seem to slow down a bit, when nothing appears to be interesting anymore - at that point, i'm no longer excited about seeing what i missed that day, and i tend to visit/contribute a little less often.

ok, your turn! remembering to keep with the spirit of the DGN rules, let's have your opinions! i'd love to hear your thoughts on both the good, and the not-so-good aspects of online communitites. (not necessarily just DGN - keep in mind tho, if you're going to comment on a negative aspect of something, not to "name names", etc... let's keep this discussion friendly!)

[Onyx]

Many things I like.

- music! I've discovered much of the music I listen to now through this message board.

- intelligent conversations

- networking (I've met some amazing people here and elsewhere on the net)

My life has been enriched by the net. I've met some of the actors and actresses from one of my favorite sci-fi shows and snagged an invitation to a private party where I was able to meet them (so fun!) I've chatted with band members of some bands I like. I'd never have had this chance in my little crappy town without the net and message boards.

Art, poetry, many heartbreakingly beautiful writings.

Many more things I like, too many to list in the few minutes I have right now.

What I dislike can be summed up in one sentence - I dislike it when anyone anonymously posts unpleasant things they would never say to my face.

If you want to fling insults, at least have the courage to stand behind your words by making it obvious who you are. Of course, it's usually cowards who do this, thus the reason for hiding identities.

Overall I would say message boards have enriched my life because of the people behind the message.

[phee]

It is hard to say what I like about online communities in general because each one is different from one another, I could probably talk about myspace and this board in detail if you would like

[torn asunder]

I could probably talk about myspace and this board in detail if you would like

i would - please do!

[phee]

Things I like about this board:

Like minded people, and people who can disagree but still be respectful

!!!Sense of Community!!! I feel like I belong here, to put it simply.

Event notification

The people.... nuff siad

-----

What I don't like:

Intolerant divebombing, the people who are bored and want to start shit to feel important.

Flamewars

[HipsterDufus]

Things I like:

-Meeting people of similar interests (this is, by far, the best). I work with a bunch of 50 year old women in an office environment. You don't exactly hear about how much they love VNV Nation or anything.... Talking to you guys makes me feel like I'm not so alone in the world; that there's a place for me and that it's okay to be who I am. I don't have to be assimilated into "normal" (read: boring) American life.

-Learning about new books/music/places/things to do. I had never even heard about Luna until the Depeche Mode show. That turned into one of the best experiences I've ever had. Also, I've read some great suggestions on reading and movies (especially horror!).

-Reading differing opinions. As much as I may dislike what some other people may say on this (and other) message boards, it helps to remind me to remember that there are other people out there with perfectly valid opinions that just happen to differ from my own.

Things I dislike:

-People taking things too seriously (myself included). There's no sense in being a drama queen about an on-line discussion. I got way too wrapped up in that San Francisco gun conversation and had to just stop myself before it got out of hand. Sometimes, people just need a reality check. Luckily, Zhuk helped me out with that one.

-Baiting. Saying something just to piss someone else off. Everyone has fallen prey to a little bait every now and then and it serves no purpose but to anger everyone and alienate members.

[The_Dark]

I like that I can talk to people with diffeering views without getting smacked up side the head.

[phee]

*Phee smacks Dark upside the head*

[Rayne]

Recently, I am extremely thankful for DGN.

... That's all I really have to add here.

[Wounds Within]

Recently, I am extremely thankful for DGN.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Me as well.

[Guest Game of Chance]

Like:

Events...

Dislike:

The fact that there is so much garbage posted on much of this board that I would be embarrassed to recommend it to a friend.

Censorship...but having said that, personal attacks.

Also, replying in a thread as an "expert" when it is soon obvious that you have no clue what you're talking about. I see this quite a bit on here.

[Msterbeau]

I like that I can talk to people with diffeering views without getting smacked up side the head.

Does that happen often? :blink

I like:

1. Post Whoring - In other words: expressing myself through silly and/or creative banter...

2. Not just "people" but the dynamics that happen between us all and what happens when new people join the mix.

3. Events... A great way to know what's going on around town.. and also have a clue who's going.

4. Information/Points of View: I think I've gained a lot of insight into a broad variety of topics here... I've gained an appreciation for the level of intelligence many here possess... and I've grown a bit as a human directly because of my interactions with board members here.

5. Through this forum, I've met many people in person and made a bunch of new friends. It's easy to live in a cocoon in the online world. But I think the overall experience is orders of magnitude better when you get to experience people face to face, as well.

[Msterbeau]

Like:

Events...

Dislike:

The fact that there is so much garbage posted on much of this board that I would be embarrassed to recommend it to a friend.

Censorship...but having said that, personal attacks.

Can you define YOUR version of garbage? Everyone's is different.

[Guest Game of Chance]

Can you define YOUR version of garbage?  Everyone's is different.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its hard to say to someone..."Join up. There are a couple of people on this site whose ideas I think you might enjoy. Ignore the rest."

Also...I really don't care who fucked who's boyfriend...save that for 8th grade study hall...

I also don't care whether or not you dislike someone or not...even if its me.

That being said...there are occasionally interesting/fun threads...its just a matter of wading through the bullshit to get to the ones that are actually good.

[phee]

I like post whoring... and I would appreciate it GOC if you would stop telling your friends to ignore me

[Guest Game of Chance]

I like post whoring... and I would appreciate it GOC if you would stop telling your friends to ignore me

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

heh...

[Msterbeau]

Its hard to say to someone..."Join up.  There are a couple of people on this site whose ideas I think you might enjoy.  Ignore the rest."

Why not? I'd do that. If there's worthwhile stuff... at least you've warned them about the fluff. Let them make their own decision.

[Msterbeau]

I'd also like to say I really love Phee's everchanging sig pics....

[phee]

I'd also like to say I really love Phee's everchanging sig pics....

Aw thanks :blushing

[torn asunder]

Why not?  I'd do that.  If there's worthwhile stuff...  at least you've warned them about the fluff.  Let them make their own  decision.

i very much agree with this, myself!

oh, yeah, one thing i forgot - one of my faves here are some of the most meaningless, frivilous, goofy posts that just get me rotfl. so many times, when i'm having a bad day, i'll come here & see something so ridiculously silly, that i can't help but laugh, and that can and has turned my day around on several occasions!

thanks, you silly, goofy fucks!! :grin

[Guest Game of Chance]

Why not?  I'd do that.  If there's worthwhile stuff...  at least you've warned them about the fluff.  Let them make their own  decision.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Simple. I can't, in good conciense, subject my friends to stuff that sucks. If someone on the street asked me how I felt about the board in general, I would say....it sucks. Even though I like some things about it. I couldn't honestly tell someone that the site is "good." Hopefully, they would have the clear head and good heart to do the same for me.

[phee]

Could you give an example of "fluff"?

[NickolausPacione]

shmucks who go around posting the contents of every short story in an anthology or a short story collection. Then coming to another forum to stir up drama from other boards. Especially right before the book was ready to come out. Then they would go to the blogs and steal every post from a blog that you keep, or message board you post. It is like you're not allowed to say what you're going to say. It is another form of censorship.

[Fierce Critter]

Dislikes: Post whoring within meaningful posts. Sorry, but what makes me bored with this site are the ways people like to take a post about, oh, global warming/political injustice/alternative medicine/the newest lipstick on the market/etc. and take it on a chatty, flirty off-ramp. Once a thread goes down that road, I stop reading it altogether. It gets frustrating trying to read a post, but having to scroll down past: GUYGOTH: Oh, I bet you'd like me to warm YOUR globe, wink wink; GIRLGOTH: Anytime you'd like, baby! - and so on. Yawn.

I'm on the bandwagon with people sick of anonymous hater postings, baiters, too much fluff.

And what I mean by "fluff" is the sort of thing described above. I don't like a TOTALLY serious board, and I like some fun, goofy posts, too - particularly when kept within the confines of a thread created SPECIFICALLY for that purpose. Just not the proliferation that seems to be the norm these days.

I dislike intensely the drama that ensues from miscommunications - including my own.

I dislike the judgments some place on others based on opinions & preferences.

I HIGHLY dislike the behind-the-scenes backstabbing, lying and misdirection that I hear about through conscientious channels. And the Jr. High drama that goes with it. That alone has made me seriously consider dumping DGN like a skanky, hot rock.

What I like: Everything else.

I've always loved the conversations here.

I like the games threads for on-topic "fluff".

I like the pictures forum.

I like meeting new and interesting people via this board - and taking that further to a face-to-face basis.

I like benefitting from the education & new information I get from people who know more about a given subject than I do. I like helping people & offering advice based on my own knowledge and experience.

I like a LOT about this board. And it's enough to keep me here - for now.

And one final thing: I really like Troy, and seriously miss his input, and his guidance of HIS board. More and more, I feel the "Troyness" of this board dissipating little by little. It'd be hard to put a finger on exactly what that is if you were to put me on the spot and try to make me explain it. But I've seen this board go through a lot of changes in the 4 years I've been here, good and bad. But there was always a certain "sameness" about it brought on, I believe, by Troy. That's just not here much anymore, and I lament that. And fear it may never return. =(

[torn asunder]

Like:

Events...

Dislike:

The fact that there is so much garbage posted on much of this board that I would be embarrassed to recommend it to a friend.

Censorship...but having said that, personal attacks.

out of curiosity, what would be something (traits) that would make you want to recommend a site to a friend?