In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Probably because you are viewing it through your rose-tinted specs Neilo! I dont believe you are really settling down to a complacent old age at all.
A
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Ah Agnie I think you have your threads in a bit of a twist.
Even my complacent old age and rose tinted specs can't disguise what has become of this forum, and how many interesting and informative members seem to have jumped ship. I wonder where they have all gone and why they left?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Was there a great difference between this forum and others? What made it so? Was it more informative than it is now? Being a newbie to THIS forum, but member of others I personally cannot see any difference. i find this forum very interesting and informative...
Bunch
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nielo;90625]
Newbies will not notice the difference and will still find this forum a valuable resource :[/quote]
As I said, and to know the difference...well you had to be there:laughs:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nielo;90636]As I said, and to know the difference...well you had to be there:laughs:[/quote]
Yep - I was there - and I remember it well - and it's much more civilised now - and, IMHO, just as useful and informative.
[and now I've run out of 'ands']
.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=alan h;90638]Yep - I was there - and I remember it well - and it's much more civilised now - and, IMHO, just as useful and informative.
[and now I've run out of 'ands']
.[/quote]
"Civilised" You could indeed say that "Just as usefull and informative" Not by a long way, when i think of the names missing,and how quickly they gave usefull informative info,! then the five or six people that spring to mind,have not been replaced by a long way.Thankfully there are still some who offer good sound advice,but that cannot componsate for the ones who have moved on.
Its quiet for sure, but then its summertime,and may be more people are out and about doing stuff.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Giovanni - 'Magari' is my response...but, as they said (say), not a lot of people know that...
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Can't we just leave the recriminations of the past behind now? If you want to keep in touch with the "old hands", they have (or is it now had?) a perfectly good chat site of their own - sadly no one seems to use it much though. Perhaps that is your answer?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nardini;90663]Can't we just leave the recriminations of the past behind now? If you want to keep in touch with the "old hands", they have (or is it now had?) a perfectly good chat site of their own - sadly no one seems to use it much though. Perhaps that is your answer?[/quote]
I have read this thread through and I don't see any ‘recriminations of the past’. ( Recrimination- mutual and/or counter accusations) IMHO some of the people who no longer post on this forum were very interesting and informative. Others do not share my opinion but does that mean I am not allowed to voice it on a ‘civilised’ forum?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
some of the people have gone. much of the knowledge (and some of the attitude) has gone with them, though there do appear to be several newish 'regulars' with a lot to offer. Most of the banter has definitely gone.
A fairly long term member here (who will remain nameless) but who never got involved in any of the old in-fighting etc. recently described this place to me as being 'stuffed shirt' by comparison with a typical forum.
In fact, they went on to say:
[I]
"I am not my natural self on the board and feel as if I am an intruder into a party of friends at times so am polite and boring!!!! In turn how many others are exactly the same?"[/I]
Now, they also conceded that it's a useful repository of info and therefore well worth remaining involved to contribute & benefit from that. But if it gets too 'stuffed shirt' or 'civilised' or whatever it will definitely suffer eventually.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=pigro;90669]...But if it gets too 'stuffed shirt' or 'civilised' or whatever it will definitely suffer eventually.[/quote]
I'm not sure that I agree with you, Pigro. There are many, many fora where people gather and chatter on about all sorts of things. They do, in the main, an excellent job of enabling people to socialise and shoot the breeze, etc. Perhaps this one is a place for information exchange though, rather than long diatribes? I sometimes go on about politics, as you know (!) Some people like it, some hate it - but I try to keep a very Italian "feel" to my chatter. Rather like it is in our local bar, in fact. However, I try - not always successfully - to keep it away from the nasty chatting that has caused so much grief in the past here and elsewhere.
On balance, I believe that the balance is fairly reasonable here as anyone that wants to network socially in an ex-pat in Italy sort-of-way, has a couple of other places to do that, without affecting the rather more serious side of sharing experiences with new and intending-soon-to-be dwellers here in Italy.
Horses for courses and all that, si o no?
By the way, does anyone know what happened to the "Wikki" idea?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nardini;90676]I'm not sure that I agree with you, Pigro. There are many, many fora where people gather and chatter on about all sorts of things. They do, in the main, an excellent job of enabling people to socialise and shoot the breeze, etc. Perhaps this one is a place for information exchange though, rather than long diatribes? I sometimes go on about politics, as you know (!) Some people like it, some hate it - but I try to keep a very Italian "feel" to my chatter. Rather like it is in our local bar, in fact. However, I try - not always successfully - to keep it away from the nasty chatting that has caused so much grief in the past here and elsewhere.
On balance, I believe that the balance is fairly reasonable here as anyone that wants to network socially in an ex-pat in Italy sort-of-way, has a couple of other places to do that, without affecting the rather more serious side of sharing experiences with new and intending-soon-to-be dwellers here in Italy.
Horses for courses and all that, si o no?
By the way, does anyone know what happened to the "Wikki" idea?[/quote]
ye can take away ma long diatribes but ye'll never take away ma freeeedom!!
Sorry, shirt back on now ... I'm not remotely looking for an ex-pat networking type of thing, I'm not an ex-pat and have no plans to be one in the foreseeable future. Anyone who wants that on here can easily accomplish it via PM's (and I think many do). I do however enjoy giving or receiving any help on here with a bit of levity and personality thrown in, and some sense of a dialogue between users rather than just a question->response->end of thread pattern. The legal, tech, rennovation stuff can be quite dry and questions, to be addressed properly, often do need a lengthy response. If they become discursive as well as factual I firmly believe that a lot more interesting & potentially useful info tends to emerge, however unintentionally ... but don't confuse that with a banal need to chat.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Dont think I agree with you either Pigro, and who is their "natural" self on a forum anyway.?
I think there are new members who have alot to offer, as well as some of us "older" more established people, we have discussed before the need to evolve and change and new blood if you like helps the process, there are still funny posts and banter, but it is good natured, I liked your comments re cucumber and am sure Nardini also took it in the spirit it was intended.
I also think the information and advice when asked for is still of a high quality, and I enjoy logging on these days, something that was not always the case previously, and for those that prefer a more joke,banter whatever atmosphere perhaps more matey (not sure if I am expressiong myself too well here) then there must be sites that suit their needs?
A
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Hi Angie. I do try to be my natural self, at least those facets expressible in this situation. In fact that's probably the problem in a nutshell. I kind of expect the experience I have here to meet the same criteria that I'd apply in my 'real' life but of course it doesn't .. and the general view appears to be that that's normal & to be expected. I just have trouble maintaining separate (double?) standards.
I said specifically that there are newer members - Nardini certainly amongst them - who are freshening up the forum in terms of style & substance. More power to his elbow. We'll have to agree to differ (as usual!) on the overall fun:fact ratio on the forum these days, it is clearly subjective & very personal.
I'm dissapointed that the solution being offered to those who feel it's got a bit dry is simply to walk away and find another place - I think too many of us are still viewing this discussion in polarised terms based upon personalities & events of a year ago, which is not what I'm talking about.
But, fair enough, there does seem to be a consistant message from the majority that all is well, and the forum IS its members. Only time will tell whether that attitude, taken to its conclusion, will leave this place resembling the research area in a private library - where you get shooshed or shown the door if you're too loud.
Funny how these debates end up in analogies either to pubs or libraries ... final thought from me: my local library (The Mitchell, a fine old institution) has a rather nice bar, in addition to the largest public reference library in Europe :-)
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Angie and Robert;90679]Dont think I agree with you either Pigro, and who is their "natural" self on a forum anyway.?
I think there are new members who have alot to offer, as well as some of us "older" more established people, we have discussed before the need to evolve and change and new blood if you like helps the process, there are still funny posts and banter, but it is good natured, I liked your comments re cucumber and am sure Nardini also took it in the spirit it was intended.
I also think the information and advice when asked for is still of a high quality, and I enjoy logging on these days, something that was not always the case previously, and for those that prefer a more joke,banter whatever atmosphere perhaps more matey (not sure if I am expressiong myself too well here) then there must be sites that suit their needs?
A[/quote]
Can anyone explain to me why it is not possible for this forum to fulfil both roles and why members who enjoy a bit of witty banter must go somewhere else to find it?
Has it really reached the state where if you are not of the same opinion as one particular group (clearly identifiable by the grazie use) you should take yourself off to another forum…isn’t that what was wrong here in the old days?
How about a bit more tolerance of people with other views and an acceptance that everyone’s opinion is valid, whether you agree with it or not, and that people have a right to express alternate opinions on the same forum.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Tolerance of others peoples views, Neilo you could not have put it better! oh that was me being witty just incase you thought I was being serious.
But banter aside, sure there is room for everyone and as Pigro and I have not always agreed, we have always agreed to differ.
What I do find interesting is the "natural" side presented to the forum, you sort of get an idea from the posts but .....bet you would never guess I was a 20yr old bubbly blond who likes dirty jokes?, no thought not.
A
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Angie and Robert;90686]Tolerance of others peoples views, Neilo you could not have put it better! oh that was me being witty just incase you thought I was being serious.
But banter aside, sure there is room for everyone and as Pigro and I have not always agreed, we have always agreed to differ.
What I do find interesting is the "natural" side presented to the forum, you sort of get an idea from the posts but .....bet you would never guess I was a 20yr old bubbly blond who likes dirty jokes?, no thought not.
A[/quote]
I think you have hit the nail on the head so to speak. We all (I think, IMHO) form an idea as to what other members are like, and having done that we react to their posts with that image in mind. Quite often the reaction is not to what has been said, nor even to who has said it bit whether we have decided we like or dislike the person saying it.
It is very difficult not to react like this and I’m sure that I am not always as objective as I could be but I am also pretty certain that if I posted that I though it would get dark before tomorrow morning there are some here who would take the opportunity to disagree with me.
I really don’t think the clique atmosphere has changed, just the clique.
And I don’t expect you believe that I am a male with previous experience in the SAS even though my profile clearly states I am a retired test pilot.:laughs:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Moved to : Italiauncovered.co.uk
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Moved to [url=http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk]Italia Uncovered[/url]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Moved to : Italiauncovered.co.uk
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nardini;90663]Can't we just leave the recriminations of the past behind now? If you want to keep in touch with the "old hands", they have (or is it now had?) a perfectly good chat site of their own - sadly no one seems to use it much though. Perhaps that is your answer?[/quote]
Utterly amazing response! Clearly you feel that you know the persons to which i am refering!
Yet your answer would suggest you only know half of the people i was refering to.
So in your case regardless of recriminations, you have now learnt something new....
No need to thank me..Glad i could be of help!!!!!!!!!
As to your quote " if you want to keep in touch with the old hands"[ which frankly i take it as it was meant]
Let me piont out to you,i was discussing what had been lost to this site, and its members, not anything that has been lost to me personally.
Which actually proves my piont! your post was of no help what so ever!
Regards Gio.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=giovanni;90697]Utterly amazing response! Clearly you feel that you know the persons to which i am refering!
Yet your answer would suggest you only know half of the people i was refering to.
So in your case regardless of recriminations, you have now learnt something new....
No need to thank me..Glad i could be of help!!!!!!!!!
As to your quote " if you want to keep in touch with the old hands"[ which frankly i take it as it was meant]
Let me piont out to you,i was discussing what had been lost to this site, and its members, not anything that has been lost to me personally.
Which actually proves my piont! your post was of no help what so ever!
Regards Gio.[/quote]
A little less of the personal attacks would be the adult approach, Gio. It is precisely these sort of attacks that caused the problems before Christmas.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nardini;90701]A little less of the personal attacks would be the adult approach, Gio. It is precisely these sort of attacks that caused the problems before Christmas.[/quote]
Come, come now, it takes two to tango.
Let’s not spoil what has been an interesting exchange of different opinions.
Gio feels that the forum has lost some valuable people, Nardini doesn't. That is fair but to then suggest one group of people should find another forum is really very silly because it is just the sort of spark which starts tit for tat arguments and the we will end up with the aforementioned recriminations which were not evident before.
Can I suggest that we all try to put prejudice aside and read what is actually said rather than start aligning into the cliques, which do so much damage to this forum.
The whole topic is academic anyway, the people who have gone, have gone and are not coming back (well I don’t think so anyway) It is now up to those of us left to decide whether there is room for discussion or if this forum is just an information exchange. Whether the members are able to tolerate different characters and personalities without reaching for the soap box.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nardini;90701]A little less of the personal attacks would be the adult approach, Gio. It is precisely these sort of attacks that caused the problems before Christmas.[/quote]
Actually, it is your earlier type of responce that leads to all sorts of problems!
You actually did not reply to any post specifically[by quoting why was that?]
If i am wrong,Maybe you would like to enlighten me as to your earlier post,as to how it fitted in,to what was actually being discussed?
You know the loss of many well informed and helpfull persons.
Instead,You deem it fit to reply with a personal manner,as to say"you know where they are! if YOU mis them that much! Afterall that is what you meant,and do you actually think that was a constructive response to the subject being discussed politely?
Was it not meant that way?considering we know full well were some of them are,and indeed visit that place often,how could you advice be taken any other way...
In otherwords it would be usefull if you heed your own advice concerning the adult approach.rather than take the condesending approach to start with!
Regards Gio
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I agree in part with what you are saying, Nielo. You say to, "read what is actually said" - which I agree with. I have not suggested that "one group of people should find another forum", though. My comment was that "If you want to keep in touch with the "old hands", they have (or is it now had?) a perfectly good chat site of their own - sadly no one seems to use it much though" - which could be construed as a suggestion to chat with old "friends" freely on the website that they have been using. I did not suggest that anyone should go away and leave this site at all. Now, I am aware that that site is not functioning at the moment - which could easily be seen as part of the reason for this "conversation" here today. On the other hand, it could just be a coincidence that this has surfaced today.
Certainly, the unpleasantness which was apparent here in the past (I actually was a member here for a while about 3 or 4 years ago) has reduced and it is a far better place for people to ask questions and find out a little more than they knew before using this site. I have no problem with banter at the right time and in the right place. As I said before, "horses for courses" - which, do I need to add, is not an invitation to anyone to go forth and multiply. I would be very surprised if there were many people that use this website on an exclusive basis, eh?
Anyway, "trolls" aside, this site is, as has been already said, the result of the people that use it. It is not something that will vanish into the mists of cyberspace should any particular poster get cross/bored, or even banned for some transgression of the rules. It will continue for as long as the webspace continues to be made available by the magazine publishers - which is something that seems to be overlooked by some posters, some of the time, sfortunatamente
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nielo;90702]
Can I suggest that we all try to put prejudice aside and read what is actually said rather than start aligning into the cliques, which do so much damage to this forum.[/quote]
And just for once just all admit, that deep down ( and even some on the surface ) we just hate the French.
:laughs::laughs::laughs:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
The thing that is being overlooked as the same old battle lines get drawn again is that in the past there were active arguments between specific cliques, and the majority of members stood to one side and let the sparks fly until they burned themselves out. Now, there are no real sparks but there ARE quite a few ordinary members (with no axe to grind) who have started to post "where has everybody gone" and "its awfully quiet here" and who, in private say that there is a very formal and stuffy atmosphere.
OK, not everyone. Not a majority (though who knows home many others are silently in agreement?). But the point is, these are perfectly nice & mild mannered folks, who have no interest in past bust ups or the personalities involved. so, don't turn this into us vs. them Part XII as its not that simple..
The thread kicked of with a fairly reasonable question (albeit it's a bit off topic now, having zilch to do with eating, drinking or Calabria!). It quoted a specific time frame (3 months - during which time I can't recall any significant argy bargy at all, and during which the old italiauncovered crowd were simply not a factor). So, it's not about that. It's about whether the forum is healthy, vibrant, fun, useful, accurate etc. in general, and the prevailing direction of any trend in those attributes.
It is of course not going to make one whit of difference to anyone's behaviour here no matter what any of us post - we're all entrenched in our own postions. I just wanted to point out that the people questioning the forum's state aren't just malcontents.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=daniel.wyckoff;90538]I have been recuperating for the last 3 months and when I finally came back to the forum , I found it had changed a bit. I also noticed that no one has been on this Compania forum for months. Where did everyone go? I hope they didn't get taken out with the trash!:laughs:[/I]
ciao, Dan[/quote]
Grazie Daniel. Whether by intent or not you have managed to create one of the livliest debates on the forum for a while. For the first time I found myself wanting to 'Grazie' every contribution. The only thing missing at the moment is a joke from Deborahandricky!
I agree that the forum has changed a bit from where it was, but at any one time it will reflect the mood of the members. If you scan through the 150 or so pages of the members list you will see that the forums thrive at the moment on the contributions of a very few regular contributors who are prepared to offer advice,
create a bit of controversy and a bit of light entertainment..( you all know who you are!!) for the rest of us. I am one of those amongst us who really enjoy and benefit from their efforts ( and their lack of finding anything better to do:laughs:)
I dip in when I can or when something 'rattles my cage' and perhaps the rest of us should all make a bit more of an effort.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Moved to [url=http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk]Italia Uncovered[/url]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Eh by gum J&C, and if its the same old how old are you to this forum?
Whoops sorry dinner with friends , should know by now not to post after the watershed of 10pm.
A
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Angie and Robert;90714]Eh by gum J&C, and if its the same old how old are you to this forum?
Whoops sorry dinner with friends , should know by now not to post after the watershed of 10pm.
A[/quote]
Angie, lets not bring ageism into the equation! Julian has been here since Join Date: Jan 2007, so is well qualified to note the changes and the same old same old.
Hope you had a nice evening::smile:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[QUOTE=alanj;90711] The only thing missing at the moment is a joke from Deborahandricky!
QUOTE]
Go Back two posts, do not collect two hundred pounds, and head to the naughty step, for not reading posts..........thanks for the mention..............its good to know that my time [B]is[/B] misspent :laughs::laughs::laughs:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Moved to [url=http://www.italiauncovered.co.uk]Italia Uncovered[/url]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=juliancoll;90719]If I answer the question, would I get any thanks, or be set upon by a pack of wolves in the rainforest? BTW, it was only 9.27pm when you posted Angie, so you were well within self imposed limits. Mines a double. Cin cin. :bigergrin:[/quote]
surely that would depend on time zone though ... 9.27 UK = 10:27 Italy? Wakey wakey!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=pigro;90720]surely that would depend on time zone though ... 9.27 UK = 10:27 Italy? Wakey wakey![/quote]
damn......is the exchange rate that bad...........I thank youuuuu.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=deborahandricky;90721]damn......is the exchange rate that bad...........I thank youuuuu.[/quote]
if I was getting 11 italian hours for every 10 UK ones, I'd be over there like a shot! That's an extra hour in bed every day, I'd bite your hand off for that exchange rate thank you very much!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=juliancoll;90722] They could be Jedi Knights from Brixton for all we know. :yes:[/quote]
Or they might have a
Time And Relative Dimension(s) In Space..............now Who said that .......?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=pigro;90723]if I was getting 11 italian hours for every 10 UK ones, I'd be over there like a shot! That's an extra hour in bed every day, I'd bite your hand off for that exchange rate thank you very much![/quote]
But surely we do , have you never had an itemised invoice from your geometra .........right off thread..........heading to get my coat ......:SLEEP:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Excuse me J&C I am from Derbyshire via Sussex (wheres that?) and think I am here though thats only relative as well I suppose, and that dratted clock I still dont know why its wrong , should I have adjusted it or something,
The time here now is 9.12am, just dont believe everything you see.
A
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=pigro;90710]The thread kicked of with a fairly reasonable question (albeit it's a bit off topic now, having zilch to do with eating, drinking or Calabria!). It quoted a specific time frame (3 months - during which time I can't recall any significant argy bargy at all, and during which the old italiauncovered crowd were simply not a factor).[/quote]
I don't believe that there was anything more sinister taking place than a couple of bored posters trying to spice things up with a spot of trolling.
[quote=daniel.wyckoff;90538] I hope they didn't get taken out with the trash!:laughs:[/quote][quote=Nielo;90625]...a lot of the old names have disappeared, some were banned, others left ...[/quote][quote=Nielo;90632]...many interesting and informative members seem to have jumped ship. I wonder where they have all gone and why they left?[/quote][quote=giovanni;90639]...when i think of the names missing,and how quickly they gave usefull informative info,! then the five or six people that spring to mind,have not been replaced by a long way.[/quote] amongst other, more pithy comments.
I am not part of any clique here, so I comment only on what I see. I do not care even one fig what group you want to be seen to be in, but I certainly still say that if anyone dislikes the way this forum is now, they are perfectly at liberty to entertain themselves in as many other fora as they have room for in their bookmarks folder. There, you see! I have not suggested you go away. I have not suggested you be quiet. I have not suggested you become as boring as, no doubt, I am. I am suggesting that you add a few more chat boards to your list of places to visit. Get out more, in a cyberspace kind of way and enjoy yourselves. Capisce?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nardini;90736]I don't believe that there was anything more sinister taking place than a couple of bored posters trying to spice things up with a spot of trolling.
amongst other, more pithy comments.
I am not part of any clique here, so I comment only on what I see. I do not care even one fig what group you want to be seen to be in, but I certainly still say that if anyone dislikes the way this forum is now, they are perfectly at liberty to entertain themselves in as many other fora as they have room for in their bookmarks folder. There, you see! I have not suggested you go away. I have not suggested you be quiet. I have not suggested you become as boring as, no doubt, I am. I am suggesting that you add a few more chat boards to your list of places to visit. Get out more, in a cyberspace kind of way and enjoy yourselves. Capisce?[/quote]
Nardini would you like to say exactly who you are accusing of trolling when you say “couple of bored posters trying to spice things up with a spot of trolling.”
[I]An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial and usually irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the intention of baiting other users into an emotional response[1] or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.[/I]
If you really believe that anyone has been off topic or just posting to disrupt normal on-topic discussion then rather than accuse them of such things here you should have reported them to the moderators for breaking the rules.
And although you may say that you don’t belong to a clique (as I would also say for myself – but no one would believe me) once you express an opinion and people agree with you and grazie you, it begins to look like a clique and try as you might to remain independent others will perceive you as being in a clique.
Now this thread is about how Italy Mag has changed and how people are no longer here. It is not the first thread to say such things and as Pigro points out these things are being said by ‘ordinary’ members who have not yet been categorised as belonging to any clique, so perhaps, just perhaps, it is a genuine feeling.
As you say there are many, many forums out there and it could have been said to those that did not like the atmosphere here before that they could go elsewhere to find a more comfortable place to chat and exchange information in cyberspace, as you say it is ‘horses for courses’, but I would also say ‘what’s sauce for the goose’.
Now I enjoy Italy mag – must do to have stuck it so long –and I do belong to other forums too, each with its own distinctive character, I believe that this forum has changed its character, through loss of regular posters and that we who are left have the opportunity to change it further and bring it out of its dull and uninspiring stuffed shirt mode to a more tolerant and lively place. Obviously this will only happen if the majority of members also want it to change and if they don’t then I will continue to wish it was different, but accept it for what it is.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote] am not part of any clique here, so I comment only on what I see. I do not care even one fig what group you want to be seen to be in[/quote]
Is this responce not being condesending or what!
You feel it is your place, to assume people belong to one group or another!
Maybe i should have explained myself better when describing the usefull people who have gone missing,as they did not ALL dissapear in the same direction.!
[quote]but I certainly still say that if anyone dislikes the way this forum is now, they are perfectly at liberty to entertain themselves in as many other fora as they have room for in their bookmarks folder[/quote]
And i say people,all people are entitled to an opinion on whatever subject is being discussed.and i say they are free to give there opinions on everything,even their dislikes....
Its the people who make the forum, any forum. your approach seems to be if you don't like it move on! Whilst at the same time it would seem you want to freely give your opinion on what others should do,or for that matter not do on this site.
IE. Its OK for you to give your opinion on a subject, but others should be quiet or try somewhere else. If they should feel the need to post on a subject where you clearly have a different viewpiont!
[quote]I am suggesting that you add a few more chat boards to your list of places to visit. Get out more, in a cyberspace kind of way and enjoy yourselves[/quote]
And i am suggesting that clearly if you do not like a certain way a thread is going,you too are free to get out into cyberspace,rather than tell others where to go.......
You say you do not belong to any clique group, but your suggestions remind me strongly of how this forum was 3 or 4 years ago,the names may have changed but the mentality alas has not.
regards Gio
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=alanj;90711]Grazie Daniel. Whether by intent or not you have managed to create one of the livliest debates on the forum for a while. For the first time I found myself wanting to 'Grazie' every contribution. The only thing missing at the moment is a joke from Deborahandricky!
I agree that the forum has changed a bit from where it was, but at any one time it will reflect the mood of the members. If you scan through the 150 or so pages of the members list you will see that the forums thrive at the moment on the contributions of a very few regular contributors who are prepared to offer advice,
create a bit of controversy and a bit of light entertainment..( you all know who you are!!) for the rest of us. I am one of those amongst us who really enjoy and benefit from their efforts ( and their lack of finding anything better to do:laughs:)
I dip in when I can or when something 'rattles my cage' and perhaps the rest of us should all make a bit more of an effort.[/quote]
Nothing further to add - this post just needed quoted again to keep it prominent as it captures the essence of the situation itself and accurately represents both main schools of thought without any knees being seen to jerk. In fact the mod's could lock the thread now, as we could post ad nauseum for another week and we wouldn't come anywhere near to improving on AlanJ's summing up - except for the bit about D&R's cheezy jokes, maybe :-)
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Oh and there was I thinking that Nielo was a retired Munchkin...
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=deborahandricky;90716][QUOTE=alanj;90711] The only thing missing at the moment is a joke from Deborahandricky!
QUOTE]
Go Back two posts, do not collect two hundred pounds, and head to the naughty step, for not reading posts..........thanks for the mention..............its good to know that my time [B]is[/B] misspent :laughs::laughs::laughs:[/quote]
D&R I did say that it was a 'joke' from you that was missing! I took your quote about our opinions of the French as just a statement of the bloomin' obvious... But I quite like it here on the naughty step, I might try it more often.:wideeyed:
Alanj
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I seem to have hit a nerve for some. I don't mind the change, change is constant. I noticed that some who responded to this don't live in Campania. I lived in Naples for 3 1/2 years and my wifew and I miss it very much. This forum is still very good and if you want to know what happened to some of the Ole Timers, I believe I have seen them on other Forums on Italy.
So, are there any Neopolitans out there ?
Ciao,Dan
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Napolitan..no from campania. Yes
[url=http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.sanbartolomeo.info/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=2&ct=]Translated version of http://www.sanbartolomeo.info/[/url]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Noble;90759]Oh and there was I thinking that Nielo was a retired Munchkin...[/quote]
I guess you are not a Jedi Knight then?:laughs::laughs:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I'll probably never get a sensible answer to my question, but it seems there are an awful lot of people with nothing to do. Go outside and enjoy the weather and life! Eat some Mozzerrella and drink some wine for me!! Please??
You are right Dan the forum has changed and a lot of the old names have disappeared, some were banned, others left and even the most prolific posters seem to have stopped posting.
Newbies will not notice the difference and will still find this forum a valuable resource but for oldies like me it is all very dull and uninspiring now. The moderators must be bored rigid.:laughs: