Question: Do we still have access to the old forums? (Page 2 of 2)

I can't compete with this sort of impenetrable analysis. I withdraw my remarks.

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Yurp

Best thing you can do is to read the entire thread three times over and then complain about reading it.

I don’t understand your point. I didn't actually realise we came from a centralised forum.

On the old tNBW it was called ‘The Forums’ and there were four Forums entitled  ‘thenextbigwriter:’
‘your writing’ ‘writing groups’ and ‘general’

http://old.thenextbigwriter.com/forum/index.php

For me the subject threads were like groups.

I interacted mainly within community threads of specific interest to me - like the 'Shred Thread' and Threads within the ‘books and reading’ section. I totally ignored those threads and groups (the majority) that I had no interest in or commitment to.

I much preferred the ‘specific areas of interest threads and groups (workgroups)’ rather than the ‘general forum (spats and announcements) ’
I can’t see how that is functionally different to this site?

All I miss from the old tNBW are the writers themselves (their personality, knowledge, wit, spirit of comradery and sense of community; the banter). I hanker after that. I miss that.

The forums/forum is merely the paper to their page. The page was their voice.

Like a Christmas party, I know it is gone and I understand that it can’t be brought back. I was merely reminiscing, not asking for anything to change.

I don't understand why you voiced your strong opposition towards a change to the forum mechanism of this site when no such change had been suggested, requested or demanded at that point? (post number six of this thread)

Nice to hear from you, Max.
Max, you always have a lot to say, and far be it from me to interrupt when a man is waxing strong with -ate word endings, but I did discern a kernel that I can address. You say we lack a spirit of community, but how can it be otherwise when we're all over the place? We just may have to be satisfied with the connections we make that do work. I live in a small town, but even here I don't know everybody, and it doesn't bother me. Maybe I'm a prickly personality.
I have met people on site about whom I care, and their well-being concerns me, and from time to time, we communicate. I have met others with whom I found I shared no interests, and still others who are no longer here. And extremely rarely, I came across someone who just pissed me off, and after an initial exchange, we both went on our way, happy not to be friends, connections, or even reviewers of each other's work. And that makes me feel fine, too.
Sounds like a community to me. I think our spirit is fine.
JP

Seems to me that the community is fine. People came and went from the old site all of the time also. I think issues with the forums are vastly overblown. If you want to post something, there are plenty of places to do it. Some people are getting tied up in the changes to the site when the functionality is the same, or even better. On the old site, you needed to go to a totally separate tab to view the forum, here it is on the homepage. Now if I want to send someone a private message, I can. If I want to communiate with a broader group, I can.

I realize some people define community as having every communication and conversation out in the open where all can see. I think this was more a limitation of the old site than a benefit. The site has matured. Not everyone likes it. Oh well, when did everyone like a change?

My guess is that a big majority of those members labeled Founders who were also active in the forums on the old TNBW are the ones who miss the old forum page. I will liken the old forum page to a marketplace with stalls labeled according to the ongoing discussions.

One could at a glance see something they might want to read or comment on.

With the new system, I feel like I'm walking into a marketplace of ideas that are all being discussed behind closed doors. Practically the only time I will read a conversation is if I see a familiar name from the old gang. I wonder how many of the old gang is even a member of the new TNBW.

And how do I get a glimpse of a new member without seeing examples of their critical thinking in the forums?

I've belonged to another site like TNBW for almost 2 years now while the new TNBW was getting up to speed. I feel that site is a much more vibrant community, reminiscent of the old TNBW. I have maintained my membership in both sites because I have ongoing conversations with several folks on the other site: and hope very much to renew old acquaintances and start new conversations on the new TNBW. I will likely renew my subscription for another year because I hope the new TNBW will once again become an open marketplace for literary and life discussions.

Memphis Trace

It seems to me that the people who didn't indulge in within the interactive writer community and workshop groups and threads of the old tNBW, don't miss them. No surprise there.

It would also seem that the people who did indulge in within the interactive writer community and workshop groups and threads of the old tNBW, do miss them. No surprise there.

And obviously a few of the people who didn't indulge in said workshop groups and threads, but are vocal and hold opinions upon them, have little respect and no empathy for the sentiment of those who did.  Not surprising; they weren’t involved so how could they know?

The links to the interactive groups /threads in question upon the old site are available I can list them all if required  -- and I've scanned them for Dagnee and Cobber and I didn't remember you in those communities and I don't see you in those communities.

What I don't understand is why the two of you are commenting upon the pros and cons of an aspect of the old site that you never indulged within?

It's really disheartening to know that I spent a ton of time and effort to upgrade the site and all you really wanted in the first place was a message board, which can be bought and launched for about $200 in two weeks. Perhaps I will shut this down and go back to the old site and the old message board. That seems to be the message here.

I haven't heard that message at all. What I've heard on numerous occasions is for suggestions to improve the site and the subject of this thread was one which came up many times and you have stated clearly is not going to be changed. Practically everyone who has voiced an opinion has accepted that and stated so within these forums at one time or another and the only reason it is being discussed in comparison to the old site is because someone accused the people involved in this thread of trying to change things back to the way they were. Of course such nonsense has been shown to be totally incorrect if one read the posts up to the point that the irrational logic entered the picture. But then that shouldn't be a big surprise since you dealt with it on the old site. The reoccurrence on this site might indicate it wasn't the arrangement of the forums on the old site that created the problem, it was and always will be the irrational use by those so inclined.

I have stated before that there are many improvements on this site and have also stated before that I accept the fact that the forum format is not going to change; no big deal, I'm flexible. Most people involved in this thread are also flexible and have learned to make the most of the forum situation as it exists. We shouldn't, however, be expected to turn the other cheek when someone jumps into a perfectly innocent discussion and tries to torpedo it. That's my opinion and if history is any guide, will bring forth a new deluge from the one whom the shoe fits. Take care. Vern