Missing from TOTV forum

[ZMAN]

In continuing to stay in contact with the various threads I can't help but notice over time the disappearance of people that are no longer posting. I assume they are still checking as I am but was wondering the reasons that would stop a person from participating in the TOTV discussions.

[KathieI]

Zman, better correct the heading to TOTV forum... You know Tony gets upset!!

Since you posted it first, I'll let you change the heading. Kathie

[l2ridehd]

I can tell you why I stopped posting and why I now only check here if I am looking for something. Others will have to answer for themselves.

Number 1 reason is it has become a political rag dominated by a few who use it to push their point of view on others. It would be OK if that stayed just in the "political" thread so I could avoid it, but it spills over into so MANY others. Go check the statistics and look at the number of posts in political. Then go read a few others, the one on health care was in general discussion and a good example. There is actually a little more political discussion in other categories than in the designated one. Than notice that over 80% of those posts are by 4 or 5 individuals. When any media reaches a point where 25% to 30% of its content falls in that type bucket I stop supporting it.

I canceled my subscription to the Washington Post for the same reason. Sometimes I use it for the sports page or classifieds, but they lost my business because I refuse to support any forum that follows that trend and becomes so politically biased.

I am sure many will disagree and take issue with this view, and that is certainly their right, just as it is mine to stay away.

I hope this answers your question and I am probably the only one who left for this reason.

[handieman]

Nearly 500,000 posts, a near record, and we wonder why some don't post?? People come and go in this life and the forum is a perfect way to step in and step out as one pleases. The beat goes on and obviously the success of this forum shows that something. someone, somewhere always has a question or an answer whether it's right or wrong, this is the nature of a forum and free speech
Go with the flow
Handie :joke:

[SteveFromNY]

Handie I agree pretty much with what you said. But you gotta lose that picture, it's disturbing!!!! ;D
I don't think the number of posts is relevant to the question though, as it seemed to me the question was about why individuals come and go. And certainly number of posts isn't all that relevant when so many are really banter between individuals (not that that's wrong, by the way, just an observation / opinion)
I've found an almost cyclical nature to my posting on different boards I've been a member of. First there's the addiction phase, where I need to check every minute of every day, then a more or less indifferent stage, where stuff doesn't seem to matter much to me - I'll just read occasionally, then a phase where I'm sick of the board because I feel like it's all been said before and I'm bored with it, then some time, and I'm back again (but never like the first time). But that's just me.
But like you said, some come and some go in life, and the forum is no different.

[KathieI]

Handie I agree pretty much with what you said. But you gotta lose that picture, it's disturbing!!!! ;D :o

Steve, you think it disturbs you? How about meeee?

Kathie :redface:

[SteveFromNY]

I actually think it might scare me more!

(An actual example of the banter I was talking about above)

[PJ]

Noooooooooo.... I love the picture!

[another Linda]

I am still posting, but probably not nearly as much as I used to. Reason? For the month of March I've been in TV! Why would I want to read about it when I can live it? When I have posted this month, it is usually because I'm supposed to be working on a report that is due when I get back. (like now)

[Muncle]

In continuing to stay in contact with the various threads I can't help but notice over time the disappearance of people that are no longer posting. I assume they are still checking as I am but was wondering the reasons that would stop a person from participating in the TOV discussions.


I wasn't going to mention this because it really is in incredibly poor taste, but then I realized that had never stopped me before. Think of the age of TV residents and TOTV posters. A lot of them probably died. An old friend of mine, a Red Cross director with the Army in Europe, once told me that there are people dying now that have never died before.

[Boomer]

Another precinct heard from--

Not only do I like handieman's picture, I also like his comment, "The beat goes on."

la de da de de, la de da de da

Banter. Banter. Cocobop. Banter. Banter. Bop.

(Hey, could we get some little music things to pick from all those little faces up there?)

Sorry. I just gotta stop this.

Boomer

[Village Kid 2]

:dontknow: Missing? Who is missing? Did I miss something?? :dontknow: :o :o :o

[SteveFromNY]

I wasn't going to mention this because it really is in incredibly poor taste, but then I realized that had never stopped me before. Think of the age of TV residents and TOTV posters. A lot of them probably died. An old friend of mine, a Red Cross director with the Army in Europe, once told me that there are people dying now that have never died before.






Muncle, once again you've gone way, way over the line of good taste into the realm of HILARIOUS!!! ;D ;D ;D

[graciegirl]

:) ;D :o ::)OMigosh. OHMIGOSh. You are all way too funny. I am going to have to segue into DEPENDS if I keep reading this forum. YOU are the most fun Boomer. LORDEEE. That picture!!!!

Doo wap....

I can't imagine someone cancelling the Post because of...........

Oh well. Better be silent or you'all won't let me move down there.

As my sainted mother would say, " A closed mouth gathers no feet".

[gemorc]

I stopped posting as often as I used to because of the direction some of the threads take in discussions. Take this thread for example, four previous posts could be considered chat room material. A small number of contributers use other peoples threads to chat with each other. They usually do not offer any information on the topic, just chat among themselves.
I have expressed my opinion before about the size of some posts. After 15 responses, the topic is pretty much explained. Look into some of the posts that have a long history and you will see the thread usually becomes a chatty room.

[handieman]

Steve, you think it disturbs you? How about meeee?

Kathie :redface:

Forgive me butt I'm just having way too much fun in this life to sweat the small stuff
PS: I confess that pix is not me :redface: I know, I know your all shocked and surprised butt I can't let this charade go on, so there have I violated this thread so the topicop :cop: will ban me from smiling ever again??
Handie :joke:

[mom2five]

For me it is a combination of not having the time (while I am here in the Villages) and what Steve said about being over the initial addiction to the site. I still stop and read whenever I can in an effort to stay on top of the happenings in TV and try to make it out to the monthly lunch in order to stay in touch with the lovely people I have met here.

[Donna]

Mom..Love the haircut..Looks great!! :bigthumbsup:

[tony]

What in the world is meant by posters "pushing their point of view on others?"

I doubt that happens. We are free to reject any viewpoint and we do. We are free to bypass any post we think we won't like.

For goodness sake, instead of complaining about politics and posters and posts, use this forum for what you can. Enjoy yourself. Learn. Get political or don't. Make friends. Go to ToTV gatherings. Or don't. The choice is yours.

l2ridehd crossed the line, though when he said this has become a political rag dominated by a few. Well, listen. I used to work for a rag. Now I am here and I can tell you we are not a rag. We are state of the art electronic. What do you mean rag? :)

And dominated by a few? I have to go 44 pages into the member list to get to those who have zero posts. That looks like about 30 percent participation. That's wonderful, and I'd like to see more. Show me any publication that hears from 30 percent of its subscribers.

l2ridehd has 180 posts, about 40 down the list. Let's say we have about 4,300 members right now and l1ridehd is ahead of almost 1,270 posters. And yet he says the forum is dominated by a few. Keep going, l2. I wouldn't mind seeing you up there ahead of Taltarzac. Try it.

Disparage this forum if you like. No offense taken, but keep coming here and disparaging it so we can at least count you in the page views.

We have a forum here that people in The Villages love. And we have a forum here also loved by a lot of people looking to move to The Villages. TalkOfTheVillages.com is doing the job with help of active posters. If they banter now and then, damn them. I hope they stop it, but stop it when? Who can tell me when enough banter is enough? If you get to laugh at the banter now and again, then praise it and just laugh and enjoy the idiocy and verve. I see some excellent writers here. Appreciate them.

Banter? You want to see banter? We had a member, DickY, retire today. I counted almost 20 posts so far wishing him well, directly to him. Should I eliminate the posts? Or should I follow gemorc and toss all above post number 15? Think about what you are saying. Does this banter belong in the Chat Room? Yep. And DickY will get a good dose of well-wishes tonight there. Check in about 8:30 and watch. (And here's one from me, DickY. Congrats.)

Keep reading what your neighbors have to say here. Keep posting, but don't discount this group of Villages as being mindless zombies who are only going to say what you want to hear, or who will stop saying it when you think they should stop.

This forum is for all of us. Let's just enjoy the friendship and discussion.

[KathieI]

See, I told you Tony's was gonna get mad about this title, so I'm changing it, NOW!

Sorry gemorc: "A small number of contributers use other peoples threads to chat with each other. They usually do not offer any information on the topic, just chat among themselves."

Put earmuffs on cause here I go:

Handie, You sound angry today, is it because you realized that wasn't your picture?

Mom, your hair does look beautiful. Phantom won't recognize you!

Boomer and Muncle, you are such a pair, so hysterical!!

Donna, you are the most creative smiley poster on this earth.

JohnnyM, don't let anybody cause you to delete your posts. You've been a wonderful contributor to TOTV and we love ya!

DickY, congrats again, well deserved, enjoy your life now!

And on that note, I'm going into chat!!

[renielarson]

IMHO...I think ya all need to lighten up and chill...

Just my opinion

[Sidney Lanier]

I respectfully take exception to the position that issues like health care are political. Just because posters bring up Newt Gingrich and his ideas about health care or make comments about Hillary Clinton and her ideas about health care or allude to what the government's role should be in health care ranging from ignoring the problem (and it IS a problem!) to supervising the various aspects of the health care industry (and it IS an industry!) to actually creating a national program a la Canada and other countries doesn't make this serious subject political, IMHO.

When I posted on this subject, I specifically mentioned that, as I see it, it is NOT a political issue but a serious social problem, and I referred to my years as a volunteer with Hospice and seeing people victimized either by the insurance industry itself or by lack of coverage. I became involved in this in the late '70s and so have been involved through many different political administrations in DC, and the problem has only worsened during the 30 years that I've focused on it. This is NOT politics! What I wonder is if some people are just so focused on politics that they see it as the primary thing in every issue....

[conn8757]

I agree with I2-the topics become personalized chats between a few and get so far off topic you can't remember what it was about. Then there seems to be a few ready to"pounce" on anyone that has a different opinion and go off on there tangent of maybe you don't belong in the Villages. I enjoy reading the commentary but find myself coming to the site less than several months ago. Just my personal observations and opinion.

[TVQueen]

Sid -- you missed the whole point by focusing on healthcare, one issue. You pounced and made l2's, English & .

So, I agree with l2 and conn and some others here. You all get verrry defensive when challenged.

[Floridagal]

When a topic is posted, people do go off the topic and become a chat room. Chat should be left for the chat room and just stick to the topic.

[Donna]

Tony is right...""This forum is for all of us. Let's just enjoy the friendship and discussion.""

Amen Tony...http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/omsmileyf.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[mcelheny]

What does IMHO stand for?
I have found this web site very helpful and have met some great people because of it. Tony and all who set this up--thank you!

[renielarson]

mcelheny...
IMHO = in my honest opinion
hmmmm....as pointed out by Kathie...maybe "humble" :dontknow:

[KathieI]

Bright, I though "humble" opinion, but I could be very much mistaken, after all, I don't have one!!!

[Rokinronda]

IMHO=In My Honest (or humble) Opinion, read what interests you and skip what doesn't. This is the best Villages group with many of the friendliest people, willing to share opinions, facts, hello's, welcomes and many laughs!! I enjoy it immensly and am happy and thankful that we have somewhere to share Villages information, political info, restaurant info, etc... A great gathering of minds and a way to meet people with similar interests, differing opinions and common love of The Villages!! Thanks to the administraters for this forum, I am addicted and enjoy all the posts I've read and appreciate the responses, the smileys, the joking and the chattering!!

[Peggy D]

Tony, WOW!!!

I stand and salute you!!! VERY WELL SAID!! ( and I know I'm yelling!)

[samhass]

Hey Mom2five :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: Your hair looks great! Did you use HB's hairdresser???





Mom..Love the haircut..Looks great!! :bigthumbsup:

[jerseygirl008]

I think some of us need to take a chill pill, now. Life is too dang short to take a great thing like this forum and pick it apart so critically. GEEEEEEEZ. I love the information I've gotten from this forum. The threads sometimes do get a little chatty,and maybe some people feel left out. But come on, speed read past the chat. Life is full of a lot of chattering. That's what makes it so exciting. I, for one, would be bored to death to read only facts and straight information on this forum. Very well said Tony. Life is too short to be picking everything apart.

[l2ridehd]

TONY
zman asked what I thought was a legitimate question for which I provided my reason for not posting as much as I used to. And I defined it as my reason only. The fact that you didn't like the answer does not change it. And I never said one single word about threads becoming "chatty" as that will happen on any forum and something I can certainly skip very easy. As to the health care thread, I used that as an example only. To validate my observation, In less then 5 minutes this morning I again found 23 threads that were in other then the political section that were filled with political statements. I am sure there are many more.

I believe you created a political category so that those that wanted to post their points of view would have a place to do so. And that also allows us that want to avoid their views to also do so. However IMHO when they chose to not be satisfied with using only that category and using every opportunity to get their political views into any thread possible, I view that as becoming a political "rag" That is what I meant by "pushing their point of view" by not posting political statements in the political area. And for that reason I chose to stop posting here. Because when that happens I can't easily avoid it.

I still think it is a great place for information about TV and I will continue to use it for that as I am sure others who may have stopped posting for their own reasons do as well. I also believe there are a lot of really great people on here with lots of great ideas and information. I could have chose to take issue with all those posts and created a maelstrom of posting, or as I decided to do, minimize posting. Gives me more time to enjoy life anyway and I don't need to take a chill pill.

[Village Kid 2]

It seems the Forum is working just fine. Folks come and go. Some try it for a while and for whatever reason, fade out. New people come on. It seems analagous to the ebb and flow of life..............

It has been a wealth of information for many, especially those not YET in the Villages. It has been a way to connect for others, a community.

Enjoy it for what you get from it. Different strokes for different folks. :bigthumbsup:

Think of your life without the information gleaned here........

VK2

[beady]

At the risk of over simplifing the discussion on this thread ,my view is.......The forum is a place to exchange ideas, send messages, agree or disagree, use it or ignore it, send happy faces, get information, become a movie star, etc,etc,etc. We are each in control (well some of us!! :) :)) of how and when we use the forum.

So, what's the problem? :dontknow:

[jerseygirl008]

l2ride: Why so defensive? I for one, miss YOUR POSTS. You gave us some great info on moving: U-haul v. pods v. Smart boxes. I took notes and put your handle next to the notes. This is about sharing valuable information. If it's not valuable to you, just read past it. Would love to see you come back on.

[KathieI]

:agree: :agree: :agree:

Agree with everything Jerseygirl said. I too miss your informative posts.

Kathie

[Russ_Boston]

I second that thought JG.

[MinnieM]

Even though I log on a couple of times a day. I usually will post something if I have a point that was not brought up. As someone else has said by the time I get to read most posts the topic has been well covered.

Minnie M

[travelstiles]

l2ridehd ~
I don't think you're being defensive or unreasonable. In fact, I post a lot less than I used to for some of the very same reasons. When replies get nasty and get into name-calling I won't participate. And I also wish the political posts would stay in dedicated threads.
When I can offer some constructive input, I will. Otherwise, I just skim through most threads, take what I want and leave the rest.

[Taltarzac]

There were a couple of posters I do not mess all that much but in general it seems like the more posters the merrier.

I just ignore the posts that annoy me in some way. Too much to do in TV to read every post anyway.

[Boomer]

I just want to say that you're all OK with me.

Heck, it's not Stepford.

And I really like it when "sometimes" the men behind the curtain let us put our chairs in a circle instead of in straight rows.

But I have been compiling a list of demands. So far I have two things on it.

1. A little yellow guy to pick from above who is making music.
2. And maybe a little yellow guy who stomps out but can stomp back in, too.

Boomer

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hello All,

To me a Forum is an exchange of ideas, thoughts, information and a place to express ones feelings. No, there is not always total agreement in a forum. There can be yelling, shouting, laughter and tears.

Forums have been around since Roman times and before -

Tony, I disagree with you when you stated "Banter? You want to see banter? We had a member, DickY, retire today. I counted almost 20 posts so far wishing him well, directly to him. Should I eliminate the posts? Or should I follow gemorc and toss all above post number 15? Think about what you are saying. Does this banter belong in the Chat Room? Yep. And DickY will get a good dose of well-wishes tonight there. Check in about 8:30 and watch. (And here's one from me, DickY. Congrats.)"

To me this is part of what a forum is about - exchange of information. Yes, people on chat knew about DickY's retirement, but there are others in the forum who did not. By posting this info - it gave the opportunity to others to wish DickY Happy Retirement.

Also we still have a member - DickY.

I was glad l2ridehd felt free to express his feelings, it opened another round of discussion. Will we ever all agree on one subject, yes - Congratulations on Retirement, Birthdays, and other life's events - both happy and sad. On other subjects - perhaps yes and perhaps no.

l2ridehd I am pleased that you will continue reading the post, when you have time, and responding when you want to.

Numbers in any organization go up and down, participants also change, and life continues on.

Personally I feel it is important to read the post and respond. I feel for me - and only me - it is give back time. I have learned so much from this forum that I would like to help newbies and wannabes as much as I can.

HB

[tony]

Bucket,

Read again my paragraph you quoted.

I think you'll find we agree.

[Dutchman]

I usually read the posts twice a day, late morning and in the evening. I do not log on to do this. If I feel I have something to add to the discussion or, a question to ask, I will back-up, logon and make a reply. As a wannabe I appreciate and commend those that take the time to answer the questions and concerns expressed by us WBs. I have found much valuable info on this site and accept the dribble and off topic sidebars that take place.

[punkpup]

Well I visit ToTV as much as I did before but the frequency of posts has diminished. The majority of my posts were while I was ill and out of work for five weeks.

There are posts which may not interest me so I don't read them and occasionally I may encounter a post I don't agree with or god forbid may even find offensive. To each his own.

Idle chatter, chit chat, banter, cross talk, well I think it's in the nature of the beast. Just watch what happens at any social gathering. I understand that it may be disconcerting to some but it doesn't bother me. Politics well I feel the same way; I have noticed that no matter where I go it seems conversations eventually cover politics. How lucky we are to live in a place where we can exercise our right to speak freely on any subject.

I had a conversation with a colleague today who said something I really liked in reference to character assassination; "Everyone should drink a cup of tolerance in the morning."

I enjoy this forum and Chat immensely and am very much looking forward to meeting other participants while in TV this April.

[renielarson]

I had a conversation with a colleague today who said something I really liked in reference to character assassination; "Everyone should drink a cup of tolerance in the morning."




Gonna repeat that to myself every morning over and over again as I drive into work!

[chelsea24]

:agree: :agree: :agree: with VK, RONDA, AND BEADY!
Noun
Singular
forum
Plural
forums or fora

forum (plural forums or fora)

A place for discussion.
A gathering for the purpose of discussion.
A form of discussion involving a panel of presenters and often participation by members of the audience.
An Internet message board where users can post messages regarding one or more topics of discussion.

It's a place for discussion. It's that simple. And a forum can include an aside or chat at times. It breaths life into it. I have to agree with the "chill pill" idea. When too many rules and censorship sneak in, it is no longer a forum. Thank you Tony for stating it so eloquently. :clap2:

[Sidney Lanier]

IMHO = in my humble opinion. There's no such thing as an "honest opinion." All opinions are just that: opinions; they can't be honest or dishonest!

Thanks from me too, Tony! We should take what we like and leave the rest....

[Russ_Boston]

Great point SL - Another saying that is incorrect is "I tell it like it is!"

Not really, you are telling us how "You think it is!". Which again is your opinion and you are welcome to it.

My point on posting is that I feel that I can read a thread if i want to. I can ignore it if i want to. I can post a reply if i want to. I can start a new thread if i want to. I can ignore the Political forum (which i do) if i want to. I can PM someone if i want to. I can leave my 'i' in lower case if i want to. I can use spell check (please everyone?) if i want to. I can someday never return if i want to.Etc. Etc. Etc.

The point is - "I want to"!

[Boomer]

Russ,

I love what you just said and I love the way you said it.

Thank you.

[renielarson]

Now, now Sidney ::) ;D

Let's look at how American Heritage Dictionary :read: defines honest:

Marked by or displaying integrity---IMHonestO, my opinions are expressed with integrity.

Not deceptive or fraudulent; genuine---IMHonestO, my opinions are genuine, not fraudulent or deceptive.

Characterized by truth---IMHonestO, I speak my opinions truthfully.

Sincere; frank---IMHonestO, my opinions are sincere. Too many times, they are a little too frank though. :yikes:

Of good repute; respectable---IMHonestO, I have respectable opinions. (Although some may disagree!)

So, IMHonestO, this is my opinion. :hot: 040

HONEST! http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh96/renielarson/3_12_311.gif

[The Great Fumar]

12
See how many peeps came to your defence !!!!!!! Wish you could count me among them............Their is something comforting about fading into the sunset............ ;D ;D.

fumar

[samhass]

:agree: :agree: :agree: with Jerseygirl. Come on back. Come to Crispers. :welcome:

[nhsnowbird]

We were in TV for three months ... lots of things to do instead of sitting inside with my computer ... I was outside enjoying the great weather.

Sometimes it may just be personal stuff going on ... you know life does get in the way of play time.

:)