what do you want tbr to be? because i've thought about shutting it down

[LarryD]

this isn't going in the direction i'd like. it's not as much fun anymore. i'm just sick of all the crap.

what do you want this the be? a way to meet people? a sounding board? a gathering place? a place to talk about sports? a place to talk about relationships? a place to discuss current events? a way to help other people? a place to hurt people? a place to see naked people? a place to laugh? a place to learn?

send me a private message if you want. or post here. just give me feedback.

something needs to change.

i have my ideas, but that's all they are. i want to hear yours, no matter how off the wall they may be.

there are some really good people here and there has been a lot of good coming from this board. i just don't like the direction it's gone.

maybe it's just me, but i don't think so. maybe it's the state of the world.

maybe it's just time i turn the controls over to someone else.

i hate that i'm even writing that.

i'm genuinely smarter for the folks here and i'm a better person for having met you all. help me figure this out.



SUGGESTIONS SO FAR:

* You should add a file swapping service. Where we could upload small movies clips, pictures, mp3's, whatever.

* go worldwide with a new membership drive.

* contact the forums into just a couple of main ones.

* embrace the chaos -- it's what makes TBR fun.

[BearBryant]

Like you once said, Larry. TBR has some of everything. Just find your thing. I still say go world wide though.

[Farmer]

the quarreling and stabbing is normal for any family this size that spends as much time together as we do. While people bicker and cut down one another - I still feel like there is a comraderie here that I don't have the good fortune to enjoy anywhere else.

[LarryD]

Originally posted by BearBryant
I still say go world wide though.

i've talked with you about that before. i think it's a fine idea to throw into the mix.

[meatpile]

Larry - you OK?

It is what is is. That's what I want it to be.

[LarryD]

Originally posted by Farmer
the quarreling and stabbing is normal for any family this size that spends as much time together as we do. While people bicker and cut down one another - I still feel like there is a comraderie here that I don't have the good fortune to enjoy anywhere else.

maybe i just need to be re-energized and reminded about all the good parts of this. lately, it seems, all i've seen are the negative aspects.

when someone as genuinely nice, tolerant and helpful as putt says he's had enough, it's time to look in the mirror.

[LarryD]

Originally posted by meatpile
Larry - you OK?

It is what is is. That's what I want it to be.

like i said, maybe it's just me. i'm open to that.

i'm with you, though -- i've always wanted it just to be what it is.

maybe we need more people to help push it in a direction?

[NormanNiner]

Whoa. I didn't expect to see this coming from you Larry. To me, this board is just an amusement.

Simply put, TBR is a distraction, and a damn fine one at that.

[LarryD]

i really miss sadic, dave newman and putt.

[WilliamJ]

can you put your finger on what's got you bugged? The infighting, the gimp invasion, the cronyism? how about putting your ideas up for discussion, because it sounds like you want to. I kinda like things how it is, all the stuff you mentioned is why I joined.

[WYDD]

i'm with silver when i say that i think it's been broken up too much. Let sports be a different category. As far a pop culture, and news of the day, put them into rant n rave. I find myself visiting music and news of the day forums as almost a time killing thing instead of interest. Of course i may be the only one. But that's my suggestion.

I'm also arfraid it may have become to "clique-y."

[meatpile]

New people are harder to come by now that it's not a 'public' forum.

I doubt I would have ever bothered with it had it not been for the Charlotte.com boards.

So yeah, it has become a little incestual. I don't think that's a reason to shut it down, though.

[meatpile]

What happened to Dave Newman?

[builder]

Larry,

There are more than 250 personalities on this board that post on a regular basis. And as one of them, I'd like to say that you can't make us like one another. You can't inspire us to post mind-tingling thoughts with every response. You can't make us behave and you can't make us have fun. You can't tell us who our friends will be or who we'll have disagreements with. You can't make us post on one certain topic or make us stay on any topic that is started. You can't control who comes to this board (initially) but you can control who stays. You can't make us like anything that you do. But the controls are in your hands. SO do what you want. But a lot of us have made some damn good friends from this place and I'm sure they'll still have my phone number and my email address when it's over.

[LarryD]

Originally posted by NormanNiner
Whoa. I didn't expect to see this coming from you Larry. To me, this board is just an amusement.

Simply put, TBR is a distraction, and a damn fine one at that.

if it's to be a distraction, i'm down with that, too. i want it to be an enjoyable one -- not one at the expense of another member.

we all need distractions and this one can be a great one. i've never laughed as a hard as i have some days here. it's the kind of inside joke that you could never possibly explain to non-members.

[WilliamJ]

Originally posted by LarryD we all need distractions and this one can be a great one. i've never laughed as a hard as i have some days here. it's the kind of inside joke that you could never possibly explain to non-members.

that is the essence of TBR. If i have to explain it they won't understand.

[LarryD]

Originally posted by builder
You can't control who comes to this board (initially) but you can control who stays.

i think that's my problem.

hell, tell me you all still love (or at least like) this place -- i get the feeling that a lot of you don't. maybe i only get to read the negative PMs and never any of the happy ones.

let me know what you want to see changed.

[LarryD]

Originally posted by WilliamJ


that is the essence of TBR. If i have to explain it they won't understand.


but are people still laughing anymore? i'm not laughing nearly as much as i used to.

[WYDD]

i like it. I agree it's not what it used to be, but i like it. Maybe everyone is just a little bored of the rest.

[LarryD]

maybe i need to embrace the change more? that losing people i like is part of the process?

[NormanNiner]

Originally posted by LarryD



but are people still laughing anymore? i'm not laughing nearly as much as i used to.

I think one thing that is amazing about this board is that there really is no central theme to it. I mean, I belong to a board about Honda S2000s, and the theme there is ownership of a certain car. Without that theme, the place woudn't exist. This place exists despite no common thread or theme. We're just a bunch of random people. Gay, straight, black, white, male, female, etc. I don't know of many boards where a free-for-all thrives.

[BearBryant]

maybe some changes are needed but dont shut tbr down. What in the hell would i do at work for 8 hrs a day?

[WilliamJ]

Originally posted by LarryD



but are people still laughing anymore? i'm not laughing nearly as much as i used to.

i laugh everyday at something here....

Putt and I talked about the PM stuff last friday. Imean seriously, this an internet message board. It's like semi-real life. I want to fit in, I want to have fun, I want make jokes, but don't make fun of me?? If I were the one who got negative cry-baby PMs I would just deny them or simply delete them. Then again what do I know LOL What I don't understand is the tattle-tale mentality. Grow some skin and stand up and fight back, to me that is kinda funny sometimes too, but above all else we ought not take ourselves let alone what gets said here so seriously.

[builder]

My biggest problem is that people all want to be the most popular kid in school. And those that aren't "in" that crowd, they bitch and moan about it even though the invitations have been fully extended to EVERY person. The idea that anyone is excluded (save the gimps and my own personal tragedy) is absurd.

[LarryD]

i'm adding the suggestions to the initial post, at the bottom.

[flyfisher]

I think that climbing all over the backs of new comers is very destructive to the morale of existing "members" and prevents potential growth. There are folks from around the country that can give different perspective to many subjects but lawd don't get in a pissing match with the locals cause they'll eat you up shit is wearing.

Some threads are predictable. You know someone is always bored but why post the crap?

Combining some subjects to R&R where political discussions and current events can be mulled over is what was interesting in R&R1.

Allow newbies to do their shit and they will tire. Trolls eventually will leave or make themselves so obvious that banning can be expected. Remember Tupac? At least he tried to discuss current issues,but he couldn't express his opinions without disrupting the community. Banning him was exceptable.

There's more but I think what I mentiioned is what is eating you, Larry.

My nickel.

[mathmajors]

Originally posted by LarryD



but are people still laughing anymore? i'm not laughing nearly as much as i used to.

I'm still laughing, because I manage not to get my ass out of joint about things like I used to. You know, back when I was a newbie.

I still think a lot of the name calling is two-faced by some folks.

It's still a fun place to come, but I've learned to scale back my time on it.

[meatpile]

I don't care about any of that.

[slydevl]

First of all fuck Sadic.

Second, do away with the Top 10 posters list. People post crap just to keep their names up there and I for one am tired of wading through the crap. Take away the impetus for needless posts and the quality will improve. Don't tie anything at all to the number of posts a person has.

[LarryD]

Originally posted by BearBryant
maybe some changes are needed but dont shut tbr down. What in the hell would i do at work for 8 hrs a day?

i'm not going to shut it down. i've just thought about it.

it was hard for me to admit that i had those thoughts, much less tell you guys.

i really want feedback here.

[WilliamJ]

You have stirred up the natives with this one Larry, it seems most everyone is viewing this thread. That denotes a lot of love.

[VOR]

Well since the board was taken over by "Gentlemen" and it is no longer appropriate to call someone a cum guzzler, life here has suffered. It's turned into fayetteville on steroids. In short there is no forum merely a soapbox for conservativism and the most active members seem happy with that. You probably make a good case for shutting it down D, like any situation comedy the material is quite worn and nothing new has been presented. The first rant and rave was not comfortable, this forum is all about maintaining comfort, some jerk decided to elect himself chief of protocol, In general it hasn't been very rant and rave like in since the events of the day forum was added so people didn't get in the way of folks wishing each other happy birthday. There's turff here now there never was before, there was just people bullshitting; then when the whole thing goes through an I more southern than you are phase, it really gets to be a bit much, seeing as how mostly the outsiders are the ones that seem to keep things fresh. Generally when those times come I just quit posting till y'all get sick of yourselves, which is mostlikely what is happening to D right now seeing as how we're comming of a 3 week period of "real men post tbis way". In terms of everybody liking each other, it was never that way D.

[meatpile]

Hey Flyfisher - What was your name before flyfisher? Me and Putt were trying to remember and couldn't.

[Captain Morgan]

I totally ignore all the gimp stuff. Haven't even read those threads. I never go to news of the day and rarely to sports or football. I've never been to technology, and I could care less if cafe risque were to go away completely. R&R is the shit. There are some good people, some bad people, some interesting people, some boring people, some funny people, somebody named sandman, some genuinely nice people, some asses (bear), some hot chiks, some queers, but most of all...some people who feel like family to me now. I don't want it to go away.

I've met many people from here and have formed some pretty damn good friendships already. I get comic relief from the board. Sometimes it's theraputic for me. The board as a whole has been very supportive of my efforts to get Athletes 4 Children off the ground and I'd hate to think I'd lose that support. The PMs I got after Donnie passed from people I don't really know like Patti, Star, LadyJane, VOR, Fred, HoneyGirl, Voyer, etc., really helped.

Where else can a group of people so different come together to share ideas, laughs, tears, stories, experiences, jokes, etc. Say it ain't so, Larry. If it does go away, I don't want to lose contact with many of you, so here's my contact info:

Steve Nation
704-223-1230
steveatbai@aol.com

[muff_spelunker]

Originally posted by LarryD
but are people still laughing anymore? i'm not laughing nearly as much as i used to.

Me either, Lar. It's the same ol' stuff everyday. I can't put my finger on it, but something is missing from the original RnR. The interesting people don't post anymore (Sportsgirl, Miss_Tery, Dave Newman, etc.) but it's probably because there are no interesting posts to respond to. Whenever someone starts a topic that looks promising, it turns to name calling or sex. The old RnR used to be a repository for all subjects, now we have a forum for everything. I have been spending time in the other forums because I needed a break from all the whining and catfighting and ho-hum of Rant-n-Rave. I'm not sure there is anything you can do to rectify the situation.

Our virtual world has stopped spinning.

[builder]

Originally posted by slydevl
Take away the impetus for needless posts and the quality will improve.

Never having anything pertinent to say, I'm still going to be posting needless posts. That number has never mattered to me. But I agree that it should be taken away. Who needs yet another method of judging people. Keep only a member's join date visible.

[meatpile]

Originally posted by slydevl
First of all fuck Sadic.

Second, do away with the Top 10 posters list. People post crap just to keep their names up there and I for one am tired of wading through the crap. Take away the impetus for needless posts and the quality will improve. Don't tie anything at all to the number of posts a person has.

if you take this position of power away from me i'll feed your little dogs cat urine.

[vpkozel]

Larry,
I am fairly new, but I can tell you that I laugh like hell at many of the things on this board. But it is more than that, because there are people here who are haveing a good time communicating with other people. Hell you have a girl from NZ helping a guy from the States through a situation that I can't even begin to comprehend. But she has been through it and can talk about it. I think that right there should make you forget all of the negative PMs. As for the negativity/backstabbing, since I am new I don't really understand why the personalities are doing it, but I also just ignore it. There are assholes and nice people everywhere, and you can't control that. I have met quite a few people from the board and had a good time doing it. Hell, I am even thinking of going to a lesbian bar to watch line dancing. In the end, maybe none of this changes your mind - sometimes it is hard to be the organizer.

[mathmajors]

Originally posted by slydevl
First of all fuck Sadic.

Second, do away with the Top 10 posters list. People post crap just to keep their names up there and I for one am tired of wading through the crap. Take away the impetus for needless posts and the quality will improve. Don't tie anything at all to the number of posts a person has.

Well that's fairly direct, I'd say.

[WilliamJ]

Let's just embrase the chaos!

[flyfisher]

Originally posted by meatpile
Hey Flyfisher - What was your name before flyfisher? Me and Putt were trying to remember and couldn't.

spool. When Grid called me stool I knew it was time to change.

BTW Larry, take spool off the membership. I didn't pay 40 bucks for that name to be a member.

[NormanNiner]

I think Larry alluded to this before, but one thing that bugs me (and I might get flak about it--oh well) is when people post something like:

"Hey [insert name here]...."

You click it and it says:

"You're a [insert derogatory name here]."

To me, a newbie would see that and immediately feel like they are in the midst of a tight group that airs dirty laundry that only they understand. They may not feel inclined to contribute as a result.

[BearBryant]

TBR is just a mouse click of going away for anyone.

[Fred]

You want opinions? Here's mine.

-Drag Putt back kicking and screaming and give the Moderators more power- if they think someone is out of line, give them to power to boot them (after a warning.)

-Get a few people to look into new members. Example: SDS is the one-man welcoming committee already and Builder is the most posted member without Moderator power. Make it a referral-only forum. That way we know what kind of people we are getting in here. If we think someone would be a good addition to the family, notify one of the people assigned to this duty.

[WYDD]

what kind of negative pm's were you getting larry?

[magnus]

We've pushed a lot of people away in the Darwin idea that they're "just not strong enough to last around our pompous bullshit". We've been immediately rude to newcomers, we've got a lot of women who come and go because they just don't like the atmosphere. I've talked to my share. Sure, the strong ones are important and they're great but when you get rid of everybody's flavor except yours you have no flavor. We're seriously missing a lot of new blood and we're looking to kick out a whole group for being what - a cliquish group and insultive? What, are we worried about the competition?

I think R&R oughta be more open. There's gotta be a way to divide up the "fuck you bear" stuff (with no intent against Bear, or anyone actually) from the actual conversation. Right now this place is so damned divided...it's like a war's about to start. This person is aligned with this person so if this other person attacks him, the pervious alliance must be eternally bitter and hateful to those people and any who may be neutral but looking to clear things up.

We should probably build the sports side up some more, at least getting some others in that know what's going on. You already had an idea of who all you wanted in, and we need to possibly build up the basketball side as well. Hard to build up the Pop Cult side because it's mostly residual. But need something else that's a good anchor, because R&R as a stand alone is how most people see this place and it won't get any better that way.

That's all I can think of just yet, maybe have a fight forum so people can mouth off without shitting the place up.
On the other hand we have too damn many forums right now as it is.

The key is still beng careful who comes in but being inviting and welcoming. Yes, SDS, you're doing a good job. Now show us your tits.

[WYDD]

should i bring back the welcome basket?

[mathmajors]

I agree that we probably should consolidate some forums, but I do like being a moderator. Is it a bad idea to have more than one mod per forum? That would help out with coverage, I would think.

[NormanNiner]

Um......

How about beefing up the sports? Have a Panthers forum, an ACC forum, and yes, a 49ers forum?? :D Ahhh, those Charlotte.com days.

[builder]

Originally posted by magnus ver magnusson
We've pushed a lot of people away in the Darwin idea that they're "just not strong enough to last around our pompous bullshit". We've been immediately rude to newcomers, we've got a lot of women who come and go because they just don't like the atmosphere. I've talked to my share. Sure, the strong ones are important and they're great but when you get rid of everybody's flavor except yours you have no flavor. We're seriously missing a lot of new blood and we're looking to kick out a whole group for being what - a cliquish group and insultive? What, are we worried about the competition?

Ditto.

[Sportsgirl]

Originally posted by muff_spelunker


Me either, Lar. It's the same ol' stuff everyday. I can't put my finger on it, but something is missing from the original RnR. The interesting people don't post anymore (Sportsgirl, Miss_Tery, Dave Newman, etc.) but it's probably because there are no interesting posts to respond to. Whenever someone starts a topic that looks promising, it turns to name calling or sex. The old RnR used to be a repository for all subjects, now we have a forum for everything

What Muff said just about sums it up for me, especially the name calling and crude sexual references/taunting. This is a major turnoff.

A lot of the humor, like the gimp stuff, I don't understand and it doesn't interest me. Sometimes the subjects posted for new threads are so ambiguous that I don't even bother reading what they're about.

I'd prefer News of the Day and other forums to be included in RnR like the old days because more people hang around RnR and don't check the other forums as frequently.

[chipshot]

Theres just not much to do but fight in Rant n' Rave when there are seperate topics for Music, Food, Curent Events, Tech., etc.

[BearBryant]

Originally posted by chipshot
Theres just not much to do but fight in Rant n' Rave when there are seperate topics for Music, Food, Curent Events, Tech., etc.


bingo....

[magnus]

Originally posted by slydevl
Second, do away with the Top 10 posters list. People post crap just to keep their names up there and I for one am tired of wading through the crap. Take away the impetus for needless posts and the quality will improve. Don't tie anything at all to the number of posts a person has.

I agree. Granted, I'm partially guilty - the music thread has put up a lot of posts that wouldn't otherwise be there. It's there for a reason, though, and that was to share new music and discuss in an ongoing way in an otherwise dead forum. It's worked - it's one of the lively ones now.
But we've got all this smilie posting shit,

It's not that I care who has what number of posts. It's just tired seeing so much shit. The threads that have 25 pictures or more posted in a row when they're being found on a website and linked - they could easily be put in two posts and image tagged quicker. And it would keep us from needing a membership drive to replace bandwidth every few months so that we can post a little more shit.
There are some people that are just posting shit to have more posts, yes, and it's stupid.

I'm not looking to make nobody mad. If you do this, and you know you do it, I didn't do it for ya. I'll delete myself and start over and still post the way I do.

[builder]

If I want to Rant about a politician, I go to News of the Day. If I want to Rave about a restaurant, I go to Food. But if I want to tell Morgan that he's just a big silly jerk, then I come to Rant and Rave. That makes no sense.

[WilliamJ]

we will think ourselves into more chaos.....let's just embrace it.

[builder]

Good Things:


Ok. Enough of the bad. Larry, here's some good things about your baby.


I've met some of the nicest people I could ever find here. They are all my friends. And there are others I've never met that I still consider my friends. I know that some of these people I could count on for anything. Others, I know I can't. And in both instances, that's a good thing.

Yeah, we talk a lot. But isn't this really just one BIG conversation that comes and goes. It's small talk and if all of that were to end, there'd be fewer and fewer visitors until finally no one came around. That'd be bad. Way worse than what we have now.

[slydevl]

I think Fred should talk explicitly about his sex life more.

[WYDD]

scary sly, i was about to say the same thing.

[slydevl]

I think Stargazer should be less of a bitch

[Tiorted Snoil]

I've been bored with the board for a while now. It is the same old people doing the same old shit. We need new blood. Time to go global.

I've noticed that debates always turn to personal attacks...that didn't happen much on the old board. I don't mind it to a degree, but when you get three pages of the same people trying to out insult each other, well, that's just pathetic.

[BearBryant]

i think sly shoul post pictures of elizabeth on here.

[Fred]

Originally posted by slydevl
I think Fred should talk explicitly about his sex life more.

I'm not allowed to anymore. :mad:
But if you need a mental image to 'touch yourself' over, let me know and I'll PM ya what we did Saturday night! ;)

[meatpile]

Originally posted by BearBryant
i think sly shoul post pictures of elizabeth on here.

Have you seen that cool double leash that he uses on his dogs?

[BearBryant]

seen it? i used it on elizabeth....slys dogs are gay by the way

[slydevl]

Originally posted by meatpile


Have you seen that cool double leash that he uses on his dogs?

I invented that, I'm thinking of patenting it.

Have you seen the double headed dildo Meat uses on his dog?

[hasbeens99]

I'm pretty new here too, Larry, but I see the typical things that happen when you get a lot of people from different backgrounds and different mentalities together in one place. I see some really good things, some neutral and boring things, and some really bad. I think it's unavoidable.

And there are consequences to every solution. If you screen the members and thin the herd, you reduce the traffic and potential for new and different contributions. If you open it up all the way, you generally have to wade through a waist-deep river of garbage to get to the gold...that WILL be there if you look.

And the gold is here. I see it almost every day, whether it's in R & R, True Football, News of the Day, Fantasyland, or the HOF. God bless the HOF forum, Larry. I have laughed more and harder in the last three weeks than I have in probably 10 years. That's no exaggeration, either. And if any of you start to get to know me, you'll know that I need that in my life.

As for my personal take:

R & R: A decent forum, but I don't know if it's true to it's name. It's more of a catch-all or miscellaneous forum. Here's an idea, though. Split it into 2 forums: one for whatever's on your mind, but keep it respectful, and create a War Zone forum for everyone who want flame wars. There's a lot of fighting in R&R, and I get the impression most of us are getting tired of it. So give those who don't want to play nice a place to duke it out. And if a thread starts going in that direction right off the bat in another forum, move it.

News of the Day: I like this forum. With everything that's going on in the world, and particularly with the good ol' US of A, it's nice to talk to people and express thoughts and concerns. This is also the only news forum I've ever seen that isn't overrun with pompous know-it-all jerks.

Technology: Never gone there for more than a couple of minutes. I'm not smart enough to contribute, but I can see the value in it for computer gurus and wire-wigglers to exchange ideas and talk about new stuff.

TBR Hall of Fame: I absolutely LOVE this forum. I've never seen a board with a collection of it's best. Too bad most of the threads there died in March. I would've loved to be an active participant. Maybe over the winter some of those threads will be revived.

Cafe Risque: I try to avoid this one like the plague. It's bad for me.

Movies and Television: This one is pretty cool. I like talking about movies, books, and TV. It's one of those universal things that everyone does that anyone can talk about.

Food and Drink: Haven't spent too much time in this one. Most of it seems like drinking threads, which I don't really relate to very well.

Music: Seems like a cool forum, but I'm generally ignorant about music. I love to listen, but I literally don't have enough rhythm to sing and clap at the same time. Just don't have much to contribute to a musical discussion.

True Football: Now here's a forum I can post on. I enjoy any good, thoughtful football forum, and this is a good one. I spend a lot of time here.

Fantasyland: I play fantasy football, and I've gotten some good advice here. It's a keeper.

Sports Talk: I haven't spent much time here yet, but I look forward to talking some hockey in a couple of months.

Beerbarian's Bandwagon: Seems kinda like a 'local' thing that I'm not privvy to. But that's okay.

I don't know how much power is currently given to the moderators, but maybe they should be given the ability or responsibility, whichever is appropriate, to do a little more quality control. But I guess that's ultimately your call. You run a good board, Larry. I was with you at Charlotte.com, and when you left the place went completely in the toilet. Please stick around and keep TBR going.

[PhotoGuy]

This place it a lot of things to a lot of people... and not just one thing to any person. Some days we all need someone to listen and some days we need someone to laugh at and some days, hell, it just feels damn good to be laughed at. I've said it before and I'll say it again, tbr is like family, though some people come and go. Change can be good. It keeps this place alive with different points of view contributing to good conversation and debate. I agree though, that we are spread out into several different forums and that hurts the closeness of RnR. I do think that people need to get over themselves and have fun. Don't get your feelings hurt over stupid shit. Come here and get away from the stress and monotony of the world and be whoever you want to be and say whatever you want to say. That is why I am here... because no one has to be afraid to be themselves (or someone else if they so chose). I think we need to have a big ol' shindig on Nov 9th. I have met some of y'all and there are many others I would still like to meet. I havn't been to a big TBR bash, but I enjoy reading about the shit that goes down during them.

Ya know.... I often look back on my college days and miss my fraternity brothers. I miss the closeness, hanging out, doing all kinds of stupid stuff all the time and it was a lot of fun. We all moved on and closed up the house and now no one keeps in touch. In a way, I often think of TBR a lot like that... like we're brothers and sisters in one big co-ed fraternity (Tau Beta Rho - unfortunately, the Greek letter for Rho is a "P", so that looks rather odd). I even thought about what it would be like to make it into one... where we meet on a semi-regular basis, party, do stuff, help others, and grow as a group. Whatever happens with TBR, I say hang in there Larry. You've done good work here and have brought a lot of good people together who would have otherwise never met. Thanks for everything you have done and remember, you are the man. :medal:

[Imonlyhuman]

Larry Dont close the board. I love it here. I may not talk that often but I do read a lot of the posts often and a lot have been a good laugh. But like someone said, with a family this large there are going to be arguements, name calling and and and, comes with the terratory. Just ask my family they will tell ya. It seems some have a good time meeting one another. Im just sorry I cant be at any of the get togethers some of you have. Im on my knees begging, dont close the board.

[mathmajors]

Originally posted by hasbeens99
I don't know how much power is currently given to the moderators, but maybe they should be given the ability or responsibility, whichever is appropriate, to do a little more quality control.

The mods can do anything they want - edit, delete, merge threads. It's a matter of whether they WILL do anything. I don't think anyone who is a mod is very heavy-handed, except Putt. Putt has to be because R&R was becoming a trouble spot for people at work.

[NormanNiner]

I have a feeling this thread might eventually be in the Hall of Fame. We seem to be at a crossroads here.

[WYDD]

math, if we end up merging some forums, you can have my testing forum. It's getting to be too much for me.

[slydevl]

You can't have any Rocking if you don't eat your meat.

How can you have any Rocking if you don't eat your meat?

I learned that on the Atkins diet.

[gutter]

Ok, I have been bored with the board as well. I'm not here near as much and I don't even have a job. I remember when I would be away from the board for two hours and be like three pages down. So I think the total number of posts a day are way down. No one has anything to say???


As far as banning people that just ain't right. Grid is ten times worse than the gimps combined and nobody says anything to him. Not that I care. It doesn't bother me. I take a lot of shit on the board but damn if you're gonna get all bent out of shape over a little hazing then go cry to yo mama.

As far as Rant and Rave, I think Larry should be moderator. It's Larry's board, he has always been very open minded and non-beauracratic. There are rules ot follow, but otherwise I feel you can post any damn thing you want.

I would like to see fewer forums.
1. Rant and Rave
2. Entertainment
3. Sports

That's really it.


As far as newbie hazing I think it makes them feel like a part of the team. I realize that Stephanie didn't like being told she looked like she had just swallowed a salty load, but still we aknowleged her prescence. This might not have happened on the old board cause so many people were signing in.


We need new blood here. Some people who are gonna want to become a part of our family, regardless of their opinions and if they hate the majority of us so be it. That's what makes it interesting. I say if the gimps want to be here let them be here. If they call a poster a name that said poster can go on a full Gimp ignore. That's what it's for.


No one on here has ever offended me. Some of you are dumb as dirt and I have absolutely no respect for your opinions, but you always have a right to post in my opinion and I have the right to call you a giant tool. So, people need to lighten up. Bottom line. Let's be respectful if possible, but your idea of respect may differ from someone eles's so don't have a cow when your little world gets stepped on.


Gutter Defacto Member, Long time asshole. Peace out.

[slydevl]

I think we should all become a roving band of gypsies.

Literally.

[BearBryant]

the only reason you are not here is b/c you have high speed internet and porn now, gutter.

[gutter]

Originally posted by BearBryant
the only reason you are not here is b/c you have high speed internet and porn now, gutter.


You are wise sensei.

[LarryD]

i've got it mostly all figured out. this thread has been great.

gutter, you're on target. so is vor.

everyone was on target to some point.

you'll see fewer forums later tonight. no bannings. and no moderator of the rant & rave forum.

im much happier.

[slydevl]

Originally posted by LarryD
i've got it mostly all figured out. this thread has been great.

gutter, you're on target. so is vor.

everyone was on target to some point.

you'll see fewer forums later tonight. no bannings. and no moderator of the rant & rave forum.

im much happier.

Didn't like the gypsy idea, eh?

[gutter]

Originally posted by slydevl


Didn't like the gypsy idea, eh?


I thought it was swell. I just don't like the way they dress.

[WYDD]

don't they have to play those finger cymbols too? that would definitely limit the gimps to their participation.

[WilliamJ]

Man I hate change...but if nothing changes, nothing changes

[VOR]

I thought that idea was great Sly.

[Superfluous_Nut]

The thing about having multiple boards instead of just one big one is that it's easier for people to get at what they're interested in. I honestly don't know anything about this gimp stuff or putt apparently leaving(?) or anything because R&R topics have gotten a bit stale.

Now, if we put everything into one forum, you're gonna have "serious" (about politics, music, sports, etc.) discussions mixed with gimp posts and insults. Which seems to me to be less interesting.

It's currently very easy to see all new posts in all threads by clicking on a single button. If the thread doesn't sound interesting because it's in the forum that isn't interesting to you, don't read it. I skip plenty of threads these days.

Also, by splitting up the forums, each has it's own sort of decorum -- you know what's acceptable and what's not. TBR is like a big party and some times it's hard to have a conversation at a big party. The seperate forums are people stepping into a quiet corner to talk about stuff, it seems to me.

One last aspect, is that in the case of trying to get new members, you're gonna have a hard time attracting people if you don't have something specific for them to get their feet wet in. For example, I was drawn to the old charlotte board because of the Hornets message forum. I'm guessing all of us started out in a specific forum where we felt more comfortable and ended up posting in the r&r forum as it took shape. I think a single forum would be very intimidating to a new member.


Anyway, that's just my feeling on that aspect of things. I do think R&R has taken a dive lately. Not sure why, tho. I always thought it was just me not being interested in it anymore rather than it being different than it used to be.

[reb]

stuff happens all the time. If your looking for "new and exciting" every day it ain't gonna happen. If you shut it down do I get a refund :D Less forums is the deal.

[mathmajors]

Originally posted by WYDD
math, if we end up merging some forums, you can have my testing forum. It's getting to be too much for me.

Golly Ned, widdy. That's awful kind of you.

The gypsy thing sounds great, but if any of us form a band we'll have to come up with a different name than the obvious.

http://www.vinylunderground.net/hendrix_band.jpg

[sds70]

This board needs an infusion of new members . . . I think its time to put this board up on search engines and make it more of a world village . . . I think arguing with the same folks everyday has made this board stale a little bit . . .

[mathmajors]

Originally posted by sds70
I think arguing with the same folks everyday has made this board stale a little bit . . .

Shut up, sds. Where are those tits, dammit?:)

[Stargazer]

Originally posted by slydevl
I think Stargazer should be less of a bitch

Dream on.

[Braves]

Originally posted by WYDD
i'm with silver when i say that i think it's been broken up too much. Let sports be a different category. As far a pop culture, and news of the day, put them into rant n rave. I find myself visiting music and news of the day forums as almost a time killing thing instead of interest. Of course i may be the only one. But that's my suggestion.


Ditto. I have felt this way since Day 1

R&R, sometimes becomes nothing more than a chat room.

As far as Putt is concerned, I probably should save this for a PM.

He is absolutely the single driving force in R&R that keeps it alive. But the fact that he is gone doesn't surprise me.

I ventured over to Puttland last week and had a good time discussing a lot of things including the board, it's members and other (things) :) I took away from this visit an amazement about the world of TBR according to garp(utt).

I was stunned!!!! The man receives PM's and phone calls all day and night from TBR members. Some to bicker, some to banter and some for consoling. Althought Putt has an interesting life, I couldn't believe how much of his time he consumed for this board.

When telling his stories to me, he kept his secrets with the posters, but revealed other important facts that had me shaking my head. I thought to myself ( Putt, you are getting too involved), but that's Putt. He genuinely cares about each member. He inititiated the person to person contact amongst some of the members. This took the board to a new level. Positives came out of it with new friendships, but a negative came out of it as well...familiarity on the board, cliques and " Hey......" posts.

They're a lot of great members on the board. So many to name, I would leave someone out (
even Mags would make this list :D, but to lose Putt would lose the Heart and Soul of this board. And lose another notch in the quality of the posters.

I have benefitted more than most from R&R and TBR. The characters, the comedy and the tears have made this board great. Hell, I am going to mention names. These are just a few of the people that make my day:

VOR- a smart, smart man..and funny as hell
Grid- see VOR
Shrap- see Grid
SLY- sharp as a tack, with a razor wit. Nicer when he was not so slim.
Silver- the nicest guy on this board
JB- my favorite poster
Lainey- I love her:mushy:
Sadic- the most interesting poster. He received the most responses to his threads.
Redcoat- the Blimey Limey;)
Fred- he doesn't want people to know he is the most caring member we have.
Reb- the coolest :cool:

There are others, so many to mention, but when I see those names online I stay on awhile.

I reserved this paragraph to the 2 most influential members.
Larry D- simply da man. The driving force who's vision for this board keeps it going. Without Larry, there would be nothing, zilch, da nada.

and Putt- simply the most entertaining, uncompromising character ever. Without him, TBR will never be the same. He's my best friend here and will miss him terribly.

Good Luck Putt in your next endeavor and good luck TBR

[Fred]

Originally posted by Braves

He is absolutely the single driving force in R&R that keeps it alive. But the fact that he is gone doesn't surprise me.
Ditto. I want Putt to stay with us. Putt has enough shit on me personally to have my big ass lynched and to the best of my knowledge, has kept his mouth shut. I think Putt probably just took on too much responsibility and burn-out was gonna happen eventually.


And thanks Braves. ;)

[Stargazer]

Beautiful post, Braves! Right on the mark.

[WilliamJ]

Originally posted by Superfluous_Nut
The thing about having multiple boards instead of just one big one is that it's easier for people to get at what they're interested in. I honestly don't know anything about this gimp stuff or putt apparently leaving(?) or anything because R&R topics have gotten a bit stale.

Now, if we put everything into one forum, you're gonna have "serious" (about politics, music, sports, etc.) discussions mixed with gimp posts and insults. Which seems to me to be less interesting.

It's currently very easy to see all new posts in all threads by clicking on a single button. If the thread doesn't sound interesting because it's in the forum that isn't interesting to you, don't read it. I skip plenty of threads these days.

Also, by splitting up the forums, each has it's own sort of decorum -- you know what's acceptable and what's not. TBR is like a big party and some times it's hard to have a conversation at a big party. The seperate forums are people stepping into a quiet corner to talk about stuff, it seems to me.

One last aspect, is that in the case of trying to get new members, you're gonna have a hard time attracting people if you don't have something specific for them to get their feet wet in. For example, I was drawn to the old charlotte board because of the Hornets message forum. I'm guessing all of us started out in a specific forum where we felt more comfortable and ended up posting in the r&r forum as it took shape. I think a single forum would be very intimidating to a new member.


Anyway, that's just my feeling on that aspect of things. I do think R&R has taken a dive lately. Not sure why, tho. I always thought it was just me not being interested in it anymore rather than it being different than it used to be.

thank for putting into words what i was struggling with.

[schoonie76]

Larry and all,
Just a few observations from a "newbie".. I believe I was referred here by sds70 originally. I thought it was a great message forum. Decent conversations, valid debating, and light hearted dumbass humor all in one. It was a little too close knit for me at first. Actually I've been a member for several months, but dropped it after a week for lack of energy to pierce the "inner circle" that exists here. Any rate, I started coming back last week because this board is a rarity(it's a word now). It's still cool that it's not WORLDWIDE. Thats when you start getting all the assholes that open thier mouth for no other reason than to spew whatever will disrupt a good conversation. I can go to yahoo if I want to have someone tell me how evil the whites/blacks/jews/muslims/men/women/paper boys are. And you also get the opportunity to actually speak with some of the same people more than once. The members post often, and it's all people you've seen before. The definition of online community. well, let me stop before this becomes a short novel.

[Sally]

Braves...I love you, too.:mushy:

[gladhatter]

TBR is fine! Most bickering is good natured and any that isn't fades in time. Don't let it get you down! This board ROCKS!!

Fucking gimps!! They did this to you didn't they!!

[wossa]

i haven't taken the time to read everything yet - but Larry - I say just keep pushing forward - if people don't like anmore - they can just leave - for good or for a little while - nobaody is force to come here.

It has been a little incestual - since it basically is just us.

I occasionally get pissed at some posters or threads - I ignore them - or sling mud back

I do think there is too much - wink,wink nod,nod posts between lots of members -too much "you're an ass - no you are a bigger one crap" that shit just ain't funny anymore - and it often takes over the board or takes over threads where it doens't belong.

but hey - thats the life of tbr - it is what it is.

I am addicted to this place - and I hope it and most of these fine people are here for a long time.'

I have met some great people here - and i hope to meet more.

It is NOT time to pull the plug yet. Leave it as it is - chnage it as you see fit - give it over to someone else - take it worldwide- ban the trolls - or not - get my point? Its yours - do with it what you want.

But word of advice - if you pull the plug now you won't have enough material yet for a good screenplay. :cool:

wossa

[RSgal]

Most of the thoughts I have on the topic have already been discussed, but Larry I just want to tell you that this board really is a good thing for a lot of people. The time and effort you put into it does make a difference in our lives...I've met so many great people in the few months I've been here, people I really enjoy the "company" of. While it will never be perfect and there will never be a point when everyone is happy, you've still got a really good thing going.

And I can't believe Putt is gone :( I hope he changes his mind and comes back...he's the main reason I stuck around TBR in the beginning, he always had something nice to say. Please come back Putt!

[jbghostrat]

Braves! i'm your favorite?! WOW! i finally beat out Dukie! and that stupid hotshot was moving up i'm glad he finally graduated and went to college!!


You mean people pm putt all the time to tattle tale? that's really stupid!!


i have a lot of opinions about this board. I think you should leave new members alone. alot of people like to ease in to posting, lots of people have said that too after they started talking, but you guys pounce on em and i think you startle them and scare em away. especially the woman, you guys are rude as shit.

We couldn't cuss on the old board but we could talk about anything! here, if you start talking the good stuff, it goes to the cafe. I bet chapter 17 has already been moved there.

and i really miss the debates we use to have. I learned alot about stuff happening today by reading those post but now they are hiding in the News of the Day forum and not many people post there not like the old debates we use to have.

I still can't believe people pm and call putt to complain. :rolleyes:

i have alot more but they are other threads i would like to check out.

[magnus]

>>if people don't like anmore - they can just leave - for good or for a little while - nobaody is force to come here.

Wrong attitude to have. Make it bigger or make it smaller, the solution isn't to weed out everybody who doesn't want to deal with the finest in bullshit and bickering.

[twentybelow0]

I agree with the others that cutting down on the different forums would help, but I still believe there should be moderators. If a post gets way out of hand simply lock it, no need to delete it. Remind people if they really want to attack each other go to a chat room. As far as the welcome commitee let the "person" at least get there feet wet before you ask them to strip:)

[gridfaniker]

This board gave me hemorrhoids from sitting for long periods of time posting and reading other posts. I mean, my asshole looks like a big old bunch of cauliflower. I can't ride a bike or a unicycle, and I had to strap an inner tube onto the toilet seat. Other than that, everything's been A-OK with TBR.

Seriously though. I don't think you could find any board members who are completely happy with the course TBR has taken. Everyone's gonna have their complaints. But on the whole, I'll bet 99 percent would say they're glad it's here.

It really is unique. People have made what appears to be real friendships. They've formed a softball team, gotten together for drinks, parties, etc. They've helped in other's charitable endeavors and offered genuine sympathy when a fellow member has suffered a loss. There may be a lot to gripe about with regard to this board, but I don't see it as coming close to outweighing the positive attributes.

I look at this board as a place to laugh and a release from what's going on in my "normal" life, such as it is. Sure, their probably has to be some tweaking done here and there, but all in all I think the board's fine. I'd miss it if it were gone and, quite frankly, would hate to have to go back to the Charlotte.com board.

That all said, I'm retiring to the kitchen to wedge a cold hothacky kizzazz compress between my miserably sore ass cheeks.

[reb]

I'm all for the hazing. On this board you have to be able to dish it out and take it. This is part of the weeding out process. People who join have lurked enough to know what the deal is.

I have looked around. This board, no matter how "boring" it is to some of you or how fucked up it gets sometimes is the only one like it in the cyber universe. I am against going Global. As the new guy said... "you think you got assholes now..." there is a shit load of gimps out there. How many more you want.

the "Raid" is the perfect place to get new blood. Only the ones who "dig it" follow us home.

Think about it.

[LarryD]

and out of chaos, comes order.


this is a very encouraging thread.

[bunkyboy]

i believe we lost a lot of the fun we had when larry moved. the cohesiveness that larry provided stopped. for a long time. i hope we continue to grow and have fun. there certainly is plenty to skip over anymore and there is certainly plenty to find humor in.

i've had a blast meeting many of you. i hope folks had fun with the beerbarians, cheering us on. each of you will always be welcome at my schlotzsky's deli, anytime.

keep up the good work, larry. we've all needed to step away from tbr from time to time, to revitalize. good times are coming back around.

[WilliamJ]

Larry,
Have you decided on what changes you are going to make? If I may make my one suggestion. Sit on your decision for at least 24 hrs. This way you can be 100% in the changes being made and you won't have any regrets. You might decide everything is ok as it is. But you will not have made a hasty choice. Anyhow, who am I but just another TBRer with an opinion that in the grand scheme is that, another opinion. Whatever you do I'll still be comin around.
WJ

[Patti]

I too love this board and would hate to see it shut down. There are some very good people here. I mean some of the most caring people you could imagine.

I have to apologize because I have been a source of the fighting recently. I kid around with a lot of the posters and I think most people know if I kid with you that means I like you. But sometimes the name calling and insults aren't kidding and me being more sensitive because I am a woman and more sensitive than a lot of women I get my feelings hurt and lash out.

People say don't take this board so seriously but when you consider all we have gotten from it, laughter, support, entertainment, encouragement, prayers etc etc. This board is real the people here are real.

I have noticed a lot of our star posters don't post as much as they use to. Morgan always had me rolling on the floor laughing, but I realize he has some serious stuff in his life lately and I can fully understand why he isn't on here as much with his hilarious wit.

Meat use to crack me up all the time too but maybe he's just bored with it all. Or maybe we just can't drag him out of the football forum.

Fred has always been able to make me laugh. He caught a lot of shit about what he posted though and he doesn't post as much. Plus the fact he has a new love in his life that is taking time away from us dammit!

I have always liked Sly's intelligent humor as well. He hasn't posted as much either. I thought he must have lost his sense of humor with all that weight he lost.

There are many many more here that have made me laugh til I cried. There have been times when I felt down and came on this board and just read, and ended up laughing my ass off and forgetting about what I was down about. You probably won't remember Larry but I told you about that once.

And Putt, my God no one has contributed more to this board than Putt. I can't even begin to mention the things he has done to make this board interesting. Think about it. Who in their right mind would dress up in a banana costume and go out in the middle of the street in front of God and everybody and do a dance for us. If we lose Putt it will be like losing TRB's right arm IMO.

As far as the gimps go they can be funny ever once in a while but their crudeness reminds me of something like rotten.com and while anything goes here at TBR ( which is what makes it so great ) it has a lot of class because I believe Larry is a class individual.

Sorry this post is so long and rambling.

[muc]

This board does rock. May it live long.

[Stargazer]

I just want to register my vote for cutting down on the number of forums. Having serious threads in R&R invites more people to chime in on current events. I also appreciate having several types of threads to choose from in one forum rather than hopping from forum to forum.

[Sally]

I really don't care what you do to the forum ~ except take it down. I don't agree with that at all.

As far as the quality of posts are concerned you have to consider who is posting them. Deleting forums, moving threads...these are all surface things, cosmetics, if you will. The substance has to come from all of us who post.

So, if you're smart you'll realize that Larry was just trying to pull us all together with this thread. The rest is up to us.

I'll start. Voyergirl, I was wrong in posting that thread about 'Fro. I apologize and I will try to refrain from such silliness in the future.

Next?

[slydevl]

Can people say more nice stuff about me? I like that part about the board.

[WilliamJ]

Originally posted by slydevl
Can people say more nice stuff about me? I like that part about the board.

no

[bunkyboy]

sly, you are a nice guy. keep up the good work.

[Sally]

Originally posted by bunkyboy
sly, you are a nice guy. keep up the good work.

Psst...bunky, don't feed the ego anymore.

[Imonlyhuman]

I just love everyone no matter who or what you are :1luvu:

[slydevl]

Originally posted by bunkyboy
sly, you are a nice guy. keep up the good work.

Have I ever told you what a fine sandwich you make Bunky?

See thats the key....this board needs to become a love fest.

Stargazer isn't half the bitch I originally claimed she was.

[PhotoGuy]

And I never thought I'd feel this way
And as far as I'm concerned
I'm glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you

And if I should ever go away
Well then close your eyes and try
To feel the way we do today
And then if you can remember

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for

[Coops Greatest Fan]

I'm not sure if I agree that we need to cut down on the number of forums. I agree with I believe Hasbeens99 when they stated that we should seperate the R&R forum into 2 seperate forums - include a War Zone where people can go make fun of each other. I also post on kstatefans.com and they have a warzone I rarely go to and look at. Threads that are started that get out of hand (off topic or he said/she said, name calling, etc) are immediately moved to the War Zone.

Larry, I also agree with whomever said you should wait 24 hours before making any changes to make sure you are 100% sure of the changes you want to make. Check out kstatefans.com and see how it looks and how it's run. shoot I'll even give you the name of one of the guys who helps with it. Just let me know.

[bunkyboy]

Sally, i find you to be an extremely funny and intelligent woman.

[Sally]

Originally posted by bunkyboy
Sally, i find you to be and extremely funny and intelligent woman.

Now, that's better!:D

[Patti]

We broke the record again today for most users on line!!

[bunkyboy]

sertainly, sally.

i hope you have a good day tommorrow.

[Sally]

Originally posted by bunkyboy
sertainly, sally.

i hope you have a good day tommorrow.

And you too, bunkster.

You a fine feller.

[Stargazer]

Originally posted by slydevl
Stargazer isn't half the bitch I originally claimed she was.
Where did I go wrong?:confused:

To tell the truth, I think Sly is very intelligent, except when he's judging bitchiness.

[bunkyboy]

i still got some nice, warm, freshly baked cookies for star and patti. :)

[Stargazer]

Bunky, you really take good care of us TBR ladies and we love you for it! You're the best!

[bunkyboy]

LLBunkyB

[Fred]

Star's not a bitch- you just gotta get to know her.

Sally has one of those phone-sex sexy phone voices

Bunky- you seem like a pretty nice white guy.

Sly........... uh...... you're tall! :D

[Patti]

Originally posted by bunkyboy
i still got some nice, warm, freshly baked cookies for star and patti. :)

Bunky it's people like you that keeps me coming back. Funny, kind and generous to the max.

I don't care if the Beerbarians go 0-1000. You all are my favorite team!
:D

[Superfluous_Nut]

does anybody think that meeting in person adversely affects TBR? when people meet face to face they conform to social norms a lot more. for example, everybody says sly is a really nice guy. i'm sure he is, but on the board he isn't (no offense, sly).

everybody here is anonymous to me. ya'll exist only here so conversations start and stop here. i can say what i want without awkwardness next time we see each other because we're not going to see each other.

would grid be the same poster if he met you all? would seeing that he's really just a normal guy and not really that interested in humping your leg affect an aspect of his on-line personality?


i don't want to sound like i'm condeming get togethers or something. i'm just wondering what other people think about this....

[ezy ryder]

Larry, I've been here a long time and come and go as I please. Here is what I remember about the original RnR.

The original RnR was place to talk about news, ideas, share a joke or whatever was on your mind. The quality of most threads was pretty good and 75% of people would reply to a given thread on particular day. A good thread would stick around for three or four days.

I liked the old days of talking about some news, talking about an idea, and talking about some dirt/giving someone shit at the same time.

Now, there are so many threads about crap, bull shit and more crap. By splitting up the forums, we've diluted the quality of the threads. If anything good is posted and I don't see it today, I have to go through five pages of BS just to find it.

I think this is also one reason people like having the News of the Day forum. It allows for a debate, and sticks around for awhile. Your ideas were heard and usually responded to within a day. If I post something now at night, someone tomorrow at lunch will never see it.

It's not about respecting each other, getting along and being moderated. There's just too much crap to look through to find any substance. People's ideas aren't being heard and responded to.

[sds70]

Originally posted by mathmajors


Shut up, sds. Where are those tits, dammit?:)


I thought you guys didn't like chick with the super sized tata's ;) . . . Everybody preferred the MAXIM/FHM/PLAYBOY Models instead . . .

[magnus]

Originally posted by Superfluous_Nut
The thing about having multiple boards instead of just one big one is that it's easier for people to get at what they're interested in. I honestly don't know anything about this gimp stuff or putt apparently leaving(?) or anything because R&R topics have gotten a bit stale.

Now, if we put everything into one forum, you're gonna have "serious" (about politics, music, sports, etc.) discussions mixed with gimp posts and insults. Which seems to me to be less interesting.



I agree. While music, food, TV, and God knows what else could go into one topic and probably make it on its own, the way people act around here there's no way that half of this will ever get discussed seriously if in R&R. Things aren't supposed to be serious out here.

[magnus]

Originally posted by Reb
I'm all for the hazing. On this board you have to be able to dish it out and take it. there is a shit load of gimps out there. How many more you want.

the "Raid" is the perfect place to get new blood. Only the ones who "dig it" follow us home.

In other words, "we only want people like us."

Sorry, no. That's exactly what this board's problem is. We scare off half the women just for sport. We run off the ones we don't like and the few that stay just get grudged for life.

We're looking to make things better, and damned if that'll work if everything just stays the same. New blood means new personalities. We're dying for new personalities and that's choking what was good.

[ezy ryder]

Originally posted by magnus ver magnusson


I agree. While music, food, TV, and God knows what else could go into one topic and probably make it on its own, the way people act around here there's no way that half of this will ever get discussed seriously if in R&R. Things aren't supposed to be serious out here.

It'll never change back, but that's not the way it used to be. We had it all right here. Better? Worse? Just different I guess.

[VOR]

Exanaplanetooch, a planet in another galaxy.
Exanaplanetooch, a place where all the people look like me.
A planet where the air is pure.
The river waters crystal bright,
The sky is green and in the night
Twelve golden moons provide the light.

The buildings in the cities shaped like hills,
Made of black and green and blue and yellow glass
With rivers running through them
Crystal bright.

Swim in the water, drink from the rivers.
Total beauty, total health.
Every man's an artist and a scientist-philospher,
No government and no police,
No wars, no crime, no hate,
Just happiness and love,

Fulfillment of each man's potential and ambition
With ever-widening horizons.

Exanaplanetooch, a planet in another galaxy.
Exanaplanetooch, would you like to go back with me?


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[VOR]

Though performed in the shakespere festival production, this song never made it to broadway.

[magnus]

No not really. If some of the more well known posters wanted to talk about something seriously it got done, but there was no room to stretch out and talk about various things. Like most things, it'd get pushed down the list fast and eventually people would be getting pissed off that it was getting pushed back up.

It has its place. Some forums can be consolidated but leave the serious talk and the raving to separate entities.

[Y2Buddy]

Here's my thing, if not for TBR, I'd get a lot more done around the house, but I'd rather do this. ;)

Suddenly though I realize what the Cleveland Browns fans must have felt :(

I like the fact this board is more of "invite only". We share things I don't want to tell the world.

If you want to change the look of TBR, that would be cool, but I don't like the thought of it coming down.

Just my take. I cetainly can appreciate the work you do though.

[T_Schroll]

In reading so far, there have been some good ideas thrown into the mix. Reducing/rearranging some of the forums seems to be a favorite among most people. I agree with it.

Reb, VOR, WilliamJ and I ( Nut also, but without the name calling)frequently have our throw downs when it comes to politics. Yes they do become quite caustic at times and we can probably do with less name calling. A Warzone or debate forum would probably be the best place for those posts.

R&R used to be a catch all forum. News, music, tv, etc. were all included. That kept it more lively. Reb's right about the invasions being a great way to pickup more people though. We'd go in see the lay of the land and pick off a few of their better posters and bring them home with us. We do need a few new folks to keep things fresh, just not all of them named gimp. Be original for God's sake,

Moderators should not be too heavy handed in deleting posts, but should be more active at moving them when they either get out of hand or show up in the wrong forum.

The sports forums may still need to be divided up as their are people who don't get into every sport or may only be interested in college or pro sports, I believe most people agree with having football, then everything else when it comes to sports, so that works. Return R&R to a catch all forum. Create a Warzone for the throwdown threads and keep the Hall of Fame Forum. Cafe Risque is altogether different, some people like it, some don't so it's up for grabs what you decide to do there. Send Reb on a few scouting missions to drag in a few newbies. I'd say it'd be better to give it a couple of months using a referral set up before opening things wide open, but I do agree we eventually need to get there.

AND DAMMIT I WANT MY PUTT BACK NOW!

[Superfluous_Nut]

I honestly don't understand the consolidation requests. I mean, I understand them, but I'm just not sure why so many people don't view all the forums if they want to see everything that's been posted. It's not hard at all. You don't need to go thru each forum and read it individually, you can very easily check all new messages posted to TBR with a single click.

View new posts (http://209.197.233.163/forum/search.php?s=&action=getnew) will look everywhere and show you the list of topics you haven't read, sorted newest to oldest. If there's something I'm not interested in (like a thread started by Fred in the Cafe) I'll skip it.

[ezy ryder]

I agree with not consolidating the forums.
But the main thing that's missing is many people like to participate in the "active" threads. Reply to a thread and get an immediate response. You don't usually get that in forums other than RnR.

[VOR]

Originally posted by Superfluous_Nut
I honestly don't understand the consolidation requests. I mean, I understand them, but I'm just not sure why so many people don't view all the forums if they want to see everything that's been posted. It's not hard at all. You don't need to go thru each forum and read it individually, you can very easily check all new messages posted to TBR with a single click.

View new posts (http://209.197.233.163/forum/search.php?s=&action=getnew) will look everywhere and show you the list of topics you haven't read, sorted newest to oldest. If there's something I'm not interested in (like a thread started by Fred in the Cafe) I'll skip it.

A lot of it was spontaneous nut. Most people responding to grid or me or dvl weren't looking to get into a row over whatever it was that was being rowed over. It was just there at the time.

[Inamorata]

I do like the idea of media sharing ... music and small files. That would be great. :)

And I would like more people on overnight. I mostly respond to posts and not activly 'talk'.

I really enjoy this place, it's great.

I do see all the inside jokes and comments, but sometimes they are funny bc I have no idea what in the world is going on. Don't bother me none.

This is most likely a growing pain and nothing more. We all need to reassess things in life from time to time.

[Inamorata]

Originally posted by Superfluous_Nut
does anybody think that meeting in person adversely affects TBR? when people meet face to face they conform to social norms a lot more. for example, everybody says sly is a really nice guy. i'm sure he is, but on the board he isn't (no offense, sly).

everybody here is anonymous to me. ya'll exist only here so conversations start and stop here. i can say what i want without awkwardness next time we see each other because we're not going to see each other.

would grid be the same poster if he met you all? would seeing that he's really just a normal guy and not really that interested in humping your leg affect an aspect of his on-line personality?


i don't want to sound like i'm condeming get togethers or something. i'm just wondering what other people think about this....


That is a very good point and I'm sure things do change once people meet.

But on the other hand it also allows growth.

Which is better.

Having a free environment with no strings attached or developing strong friendships over time???

[Superfluous_Nut]

I'm pretty rarely involved in an "active" thread since I'm 3 hours behind you guys, so I generally post and check back later to see what's happened. That's sort of a little treat, in a way, to see who's responded to what. I guess that's why I'm less inclined to have everything mixed together because if I miss a couple days, it's not hard to find the topics I was carrying on a conversation in....

[magnus]

well, friendships are fine. It's the back side of the coin, the alliances and so on, that aren't helping. If two people fight, that's their problems. When you get people ganging up on each other there's a whole second level of problems. People will inevitably find ways to dislike each other no matter what but grudges are the low point right now.

[Fred]

Originally posted by Superfluous_Nut
If there's something I'm not interested in (like a thread started by Fred in the Cafe) I'll skip it. :saywhat:

[LarryD]

damn good poop here, fellas and fellettes.

[Superfluous_Nut]

Originally posted by Inamorata



That is a very good point and I'm sure things do change once people meet.

But on the other hand it also allows growth.

Which is better.

Having a free environment with no strings attached or developing strong friendships over time???


Oh I understand that completely. I'm sure there are some great friendships that wouldn't have been without TBR... but keep in mind that there is the spectre of "or" in that question. You can have A or B. B may be much better than A, but just keep in mind your choice when you start wondering where A went. Not to imply that it's necessarily an exclusive thing (thriving friendships *or* thriving online community), but I just thought I'd bring it up....


I don't personally think there's much ganging up or cliquishness related to folks meeting in person.

My point was really more about how people act different when they're annonymous and how people respond to characters that exist only in their head...

[Superfluous_Nut]

Originally posted by Fred
:saywhat:


Oh c'mon now, Fred. Don't make me post pictures.... :)

[The Brain]

IMO something that has lacked from TBR is the fact TBR is BASED primarily on on section of the old Charlotte.com

the best way to continue is to have Rant and Rave be what it was before... base the board around Sports... push the Sports Angle as the primary angle... then at that point have ONE forum (not 8 seperate) be the escape forum... the place to get away and say or DO whatever you want to... that was the lure of R&R before... it was all solid sports and that was our ONE get away spot... I read stuff from Mike Pira on an everyday basis, but now he rarely posts in any threads other than the news... I spend most of my time in Football right now... but when I do glance into R&R its all fart jokes or somethinf along that line... there's no redeeming value to it as a forum any long... before if we told a fart joke it was in R&R, if we like a new TV show it was in R&R, if he had a computer question it was in R&R... when Sept. 11 of last year hit I read everyone's thoughts in R&R... I didn't have to go to 8 different forums to discuss it... people found R&R because they were sports fans or friends of sports fans that went through charlotte.com and found their way into Rant & Rave... ppl won't come for Rant & Rave... you can't market Rant & Rave... you market sports and the other grows around it... like Pro sports you put a new team somewhere new vendors and attractions pop up around it... TBR needs a base to sustain Rant & Rave... it doesn't need Rant & Rave to sustain TBR...

So my total suggestion would be this... develop this site into a sports based website... with all the knowledge between the tech nerds and the sports gurus here I'll bet you we could do a damn fine job... and don't say we're amateurs because we base our stuff on opinion... because that's all ANY sports analyst does... he says what he thinks... doesn't make them right... but they sale... market the sports out... bring ppl in for sports... preferably regional sports as a primary focus for now (South East)... eliminate the unnecessary forums... ppl will come for the sports... they'll find their way into the forums... and they'll talk about football and basketball and baseball and hockey... and then they'll read a stranger Chapter 21 by grid and be hooked on R&R much like I was

[wossa]

Can't anybody say something nice about me???

Where's LadyJane when i need her the most?

[Patti]

Originally posted by Wossamotta U
Can't anybody say something nice about me???

Where's LadyJane when i need her the most?


Wossy you are one good looking bad ass.

you are a pretty nice guy too but I won't tell any one and ruin your image

[Inamorata]

Originally posted by Superfluous_Nut



Oh I understand that completely. I'm sure there are some great friendships that wouldn't have been without TBR... but keep in mind that there is the spectre of "or" in that question. You can have A or B. B may be much better than A, but just keep in mind your choice when you start wondering where A went. Not to imply that it's necessarily an exclusive thing (thriving friendships *or* thriving online community), but I just thought I'd bring it up....


I don't personally think there's much ganging up or cliquishness related to folks meeting in person.

My point was really more about how people act different when they're annonymous and how people respond to characters that exist only in their head...


Oh, that's what I meant regarding people acting different.

I think you need to choose bc I don't think you can help acting different in some way even if it's a small thing once you meet face to face.

Everyone can have a choice. You choose not to meet and are more free to say things to people where if you meet them you might have worded things different.

Some choose to meet and use the board as a way to chat and talk with friends and to meet new friends.

I believe the board can thrive with each person choosing how they want to interact.

Both A and B can exist in the same place and work.

[Fred]

Originally posted by Wossamotta U
Can't anybody say something nice about me???

Where's LadyJane when i need her the most?
You missed her. She was here earlier.

I still think I'd have done you 20 years ago. feel better?

[The Brain]

Originally posted by Wossamotta U
Can't anybody say something nice about me???


You have less nose hair than some people I know.

That better?

Oh yeah and you like CAROLINA

[Inamorata]

Originally posted by Fred

You missed her. She was here earlier.

I still think I'd have done you 20 years ago. feel better?


:lol2: I think that should cheer him right up.

[reb]

Excuse me for breathing MVM. You are right maybe if we change it around enough you will finally make a list.

[chuckrichey]

Originally posted by LarryD


maybe i just need to be re-energized and reminded about all the good parts of this. lately, it seems, all i've seen are the negative aspects.

when someone as genuinely nice, tolerant and helpful as putt says he's had enough, it's time to look in the mirror.

here's an idea larry,why don't you wait until after nov.9th to make your decision,when you get up with us and hang out with us,you will be re-energized.i think you are having charlotte withdrawls,you can't just pick up the phone or post something about wanting to go out for a beer or twelve and just do it like before and it's getting to you.hang in there bud,you sound like your just in a rut!!:cool:

[muff_spelunker]

Originally posted by Sally
As far as the quality of posts are concerned you have to consider who is posting them. Deleting forums, moving threads...these are all surface things, cosmetics, if you will. The substance has to come from all of us who post.

Excellent point, Sally. Even this thread has had a couple of posts about tits and meat. It's male adolescent humor. I get it, but it's like watching hours upon hours of recent Saturday Night Live shows. Funny tidbits, but no substance which leads to disinterest after a while. I don't care what topic is started, at some point there will be inference to sex.

RnR is like eating the same food at the same meals every day.

[mathmajors]

Originally posted by VOR
A lot of it was spontaneous nut.

Yes. Many of our problems can be directly attributed to Super's evil twin brother.

[mathmajors]

Originally posted by Coops Greatest Fan
Threads that are started that get out of hand (off topic or he said/she said, name calling, etc) are immediately moved to the War Zone.


By the mod. Good idea. This is a lot of what Putt is doing now, except it's stuff that has to go to the Cafe.

[Redcoat]

Let me try and explain the problem LarryD.

It is a well known fact that most Americans have an attention span just slightly longer than your average goldfish.

Therefore the board has become stale and everyday.

We live in an age where new is good.

I for one am happy with the board, it is something to do between shouting at employees and clients.

Despite all the flaming Etc, I still like to take a look and sometimes participate.

I sometimes feel left out because obviously I am a foreigner and don't always get the "jokes" and everyday references.

Viva la TBR.
Plus where else can I go to communicate with so many geeks and nerds on a daily basis.



:cool:

[Sally]

Originally posted by Redcoat
Plus where else can I go to communicate with so many geeks and nerds on a daily basis.

Look out your office window. You ARE in England, aren't you?:D

Anyway, you are my favorite poster here named Redcoat.

[VOR]

He said geeks and nerds not anally fixated oedipal nut cases

[Sally]

Originally posted by VOR
He said geeks and nerds not anally fixated oedipal nut cases

What does "oedipal" mean?

[builder]

I keep hearing about people being excluded. And the reactions based on meeting people face to face. Well, I for one will no longer be inviting TBR to anything I have. I will resort to my former days of spam to alert my friends of the next shin-dig. So those of you that feel excluded from anything, you won't have to even know about it.
If you ever think you might want to join ME and my friends for anything, send me an email at cltbuilder@carolina.rr.com and I'll add you to my list.

[Sally]

Ok, I looked it up and it gave me "Oedipus complex". What does that mean? Or do I have to look it up myself?

[builder]

Originally posted by Sally
Ok, I looked it up and it gave me "Oedipus complex". What does that mean? Or do I have to look it up myself?

Oedipus killed his father and married his mother. Complex is a place where they have a bunch of apartments stacked on top of one another.

Sounds kinky to me.

[VOR]

Originally posted by Sally
Ok, I looked it up and it gave me "Oedipus complex". What does that mean?

Probably that you love being a real mother

[Sally]

Originally posted by builder


Oedipus killed his father and married his mother. Complex is a place where they have a bunch of apartments stacked on top of one another.

Sounds kinky to me.

Apartments for incest. OK. I feel enlightened.

[VOR]

Well red guess you were right about the attention span thing

[Stargazer]

Originally posted by Superfluous_Nut
does anybody think that meeting in person adversely affects TBR? when people meet face to face they conform to social norms a lot more. for example, everybody says sly is a really nice guy. i'm sure he is, but on the board he isn't (no offense, sly).

everybody here is anonymous to me. ya'll exist only here so conversations start and stop here. i can say what i want without awkwardness next time we see each other because we're not going to see each other.

would grid be the same poster if he met you all? would seeing that he's really just a normal guy and not really that interested in humping your leg affect an aspect of his on-line personality?


i don't want to sound like i'm condeming get togethers or something. i'm just wondering what other people think about this....

I think it depends on the poster and what he/she wants out of our little community. Sometimes I think it would be such fun to get together with some of the people on the board, but then I think that I probably would not be so candid if I felt like I was talking to people that I socialize with personally.

With work and family responsibilities, I'm afraid my personal friends don't get as much attention as I would like to give them as it is; so I think, for me, interaction via this board is all of myself that I feel I am able to wholeheartedly commit to TBR. (and financial support, of course--least expensive entertainment available, bar none).

[BearBryant]

If something nice can be said about Sly then surely someone can say something nice about me..... right?

[Sally]

Originally posted by BearBryant
If something nice can be said about Sly then surely someone can say something nice about me..... right?

Oops, sorry. Today is not your day. Check back tomorrow.

[builder]

Originally posted by BearBryant
If something nice can be said about Sly then surely someone can say something nice about me..... right?

Your skin tone really goes well with your hair color.

[VOR]

Originally posted by BearBryant
If something nice can be said about Sly then surely someone can say something nice about me..... right?

Yeah that Bear pays close attention to hygene knows his broadway trivia and is really into interior design.

[Redcoat]

You ARE in England, aren't you?

I must be in a nerd free zone.

Concentrate people concentrate now.

Thanks Sally for your vote.

BTW...where is Eastenders up to now?

[Stargazer]

Originally posted by BearBryant
If something nice can be said about Sly then surely someone can say something nice about me..... right?

Right, Bear--I really am glad you decided to stay.

[WilliamJ]

Originally posted by BearBryant
If something nice can be said about Sly then surely someone can say something nice about me..... right?

No.

[Sally]

Originally posted by Redcoat

BTW...where is Eastenders up to now?

Saskia is missing. Simon went off the deep-end and grabbed Courtney...we're up to 1999.:D

[LadyJane]

Originally posted by Wossamotta U
Can't anybody say something nice about me???

Where's LadyJane when i need her the most?

Sleeping, where you should have been. I can't say one nice thing about a bad boy like you :D

[Ice Man]

I find the topics in RnR to be rather uninteresting. Who care's if someone got a haircut. I see way too many pointless threads about stupid stuff. Plus I feel like there are little groups and I find it hard to add my two cents worth because everyone seems to know each other. I think the community is a bit too tight so to speak.

Another thing I've noticed is that if a new member joins and it's a girl the first thing that's asked is do you have a naked picture? Next thing you know you never see that person post, gee I wonder why:confused: . Same old same old.

I do enjoy the music, movies and TV board but there usually isn't much going on in there.

To sum up, if you close it down, it won't bother me too much. I don't post that often or visit that much anyway. Enjoyed it though!

[Inamorata]

Can Putt come back now???:(

[LarryD]

i've decided to take williamj's advice and hold off on any decisions for 24 hours or so.

what i'm leaning toward is restoring the substance to rant & rave by merging other forums back into it. news of the day is a great forum, so i'd like to get more folks looking at it. i don't want somone to have to think about where to post a topic.

i say we start with sports and rant and rave and work from there.

sports could possibly be divided into pantehrs and everything else.

what think you all?

[BearBryant]

gotta keep sports, football, and fantasy forums at least

[flyfisher]

I'll ride in whatever your driving.
:xyzthumbs

[NormanNiner]

Originally posted by LarryD

i say we start with sports and rant and rave and work from there.

sports could possibly be divided into pantehrs and everything else.

what think you all?

I agree. I think the simpler the better. If you merge most of it into RnR like it was on Charlotte.com, sure there will be lots of posts that will get run off the front page from the shear volume, but the good ones will stay near the top. The cream always rises.

I know there were reasons for splitting it all up into other forums once you struck out on your own, but I think that was more of a "hey look, we're free from Charlotte.com now!" thing. You had total control, the formula was mucked with, and now we are seeing the results.

But hey, no matter what, I'll still be around. I'm invested in it now, literally! :D

[meatpile]

Originally posted by LarryD
i've decided to take williamj's advice and hold off on any decisions for 24 hours or so.

That williamj is a sharp tack.

[ezy ryder]

The welcome threads and birthday threads are nice, but we could probably do without them. No substance.

RnR has always been a place to say whatever you want and even make a stupid post or thread. But they were at least creative at one time.

[Stargazer]

Originally posted by LarryD
i've decided to take williamj's advice and hold off on any decisions for 24 hours or so.

what i'm leaning toward is restoring the substance to rant & rave by merging other forums back into it. news of the day is a great forum, so i'd like to get more folks looking at it. i don't want somone to have to think about where to post a topic.

i say we start with sports and rant and rave and work from there.

sports could possibly be divided into pantehrs and everything else.

what think you all?

Sounds great to me, LarryD.

Uh oh--I forgot about the cafe (thanks, hasbeens). I don't visit often, but some do and I think it serves a purpose.

[hasbeens99]

Originally posted by LarryD
i've decided to take williamj's advice and hold off on any decisions for 24 hours or so.

what i'm leaning toward is restoring the substance to rant & rave by merging other forums back into it. news of the day is a great forum, so i'd like to get more folks looking at it. i don't want somone to have to think about where to post a topic.

i say we start with sports and rant and rave and work from there.

sports could possibly be divided into panthers and everything else.

what think you all?

I like the idea about what to do with the Sports forum. Split it into Panthers and Misc.

As a relative newbie, please Larry, I'm beggin' ya. Please keep the HOF just like it is! There are great threads there that new people would never be able to enjoy if they were lumped in with the rest. Please keep the gold in the chest!

Consolidating the rest into R & R? Hmmm. I can see a couple of potential problems with that, but maybe it's just me.

First, what are you going to do with all the porn? Do you ban it, or do you just let it mix in with everything else in R & R? TBR already has at least one young member that I know of that until now has been shielded from it. If we make it available for all to see, do we limit the age and make it members only? I think there may be some laws involved. Plus, a few members have stated how often women are run off from the crude remarks and insincerity. Having porn peppering threads in R & R won't help that situation much. Of course there are some exceptions.

Second, several of us have suggested a separate forum for flame wars and the like. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. To quote Patrick Swayze in Roadhouse, "Never start anything in the bar. Always take it outside." Not a bad policy to follow, I think.

Just my humble opinions, Larry. To quote Fly, "I'll ride in whatever you're driving." :xyzthumbs

[batgrafix]

I only post in the Panthers forum, I stay away from the other stuff just out of personal Preference, but I enjoy the discussions about the Panthers... that's about all I'm looking for anyways, but I appreciate all the diversity that this board has to offer.

[WYDD]

hey larry, while you're at it, is there a way for you to show the last thread posted on in each forum? Ya know like in RnR before it would have who posted last and what thread they posted on in each forum. It had that, didn't? :confused:

[LarryD]

so, what about this list:

rant and rave
panthers
sports
hall of fame
cafe (?) - certainly dont want it in rant and rave

i had thought about a 'welcome' forum for new posters and having sds in charge of it. maybe that would help the new posters get acquainted -- if they wish. dunno.

[gutter]

How about an entertainment forum for food, movies, tv, and music?

[hasbeens99]

Originally posted by LarryD
so, what about this list:

rant and rave
panthers
sports
hall of fame
cafe (?) - certainly dont want it in rant and rave

i had thought about a 'welcome' forum for new posters and having sds in charge of it. maybe that would help the new posters get acquainted -- if they wish. dunno.

Sounds great to me, Larry. I'd still like to see a War Zone, but that format would be an improvement, I think. :aok:

[magnus]

Originally posted by Reb
Excuse me for breathing MVM. You are right maybe if we change it around enough you will finally make a list.


See this is the kind of shit I'm talking about. I haven't the slightest idea why somebody's gotta be pissy just because I don't agree. If the idea is to make change, it's not going to work by just doing the same old shit and kicking out those that aren't "strong enough".

If that's so, Putt's one. Larry would be one soon, and then there'd be no board. So still want to try it your way?

[LarryD]

would having a war zone just encourage folks to fight?

could rant and rave handle all the entertainment topics? or should there be a separate entertainment forum?

[magnus]

entertainment of some sort would be nice.
No, a war zone isn't a good idea. Much like the Cafe, it has the possibility of only a small audience. Pushing all of Pop into one forum, keeping NoD, and having sports/football is 4 forums, maybe 5 since football/sports work well separately - IMO, we can keep FF in football anyway, but I'll tell you right now half of the threads will get merged together.

[barracuda]

LarryD
It took me a while to read this thread and there are some valid points here. I don't know how much changing categories will solve any perceived problems with this board. I think it has a lot to do with personalities and what each person wants to get out of this board.

I myself rarely use the categories and prefer to use the "view new posts" search link you have put in the test view. I don't know if everyone knows about these alternative ways to find threads they want too participate in.

I definitely think we should keep cafe as it is and only allow registered users over 18 view it. Further, it ensures that network Admins who check out our board for possible blocking won't see anything inappropriate unless they take the time to register.

I suggest you make any changes gradual to see how things are working out so you don't have to back track.

I was a little surprised to hear of Putts leaving but anyone can get burned out once in a while. I'm hoping to see him back eventually even though he drinks imported beer.

[Braves]

You can merge all Entertainment to R&R. It would help stimulate R&R during the time when it gets boring.

No War Zone....quite honestly, a good cat fight once in awhile is fun.

Believe me Larry, you need to add as much to R&R as possible sans sports. R&R is the bread and butter of TBR..when it gets boring, there goes the members. This is one forum you must keep fresh.

[WilliamJ]

here in lies the problem, our diversity of opinion....some say leave everything alone (i'm in this crowd) others want just sports, some want R&R and sports only, then there is the R&R, cafe, sports, panthers crowd.

Here is what I see and why i think it ought to be left as is for now. Being so divided on how to reset TBR's forums we have show the true virtues if it. We each have different needs so to speak here, and the way Larry originaly set it up works. I go to every forum everyday to check out who posted what.

If I want to see about music, I just go there and don't have to rifle through a billion threads unrelated to music, same for food and tv/movies. If I want to post or read about news well there it is, no problems. Porn hey check the cafe. And to just shoot the shit I got my R&R to fix my jones.

Like Superfluous nut stated it's like TBR is a big party with R&R being the main ballroom and the other forums being more intimate gathering places. So we have run dry on things to say, all parties have this happen, BFD. It's cyclical if you ask me. We just are in a dull phase and everyone got bored.

Larry, maybe an additional 24 hrs of mulling it over.

WJ

[WilliamJ]

oh and I forgot to add we can start any topic in R&R we want, it is up to the descretion of the mod to move it.

[hasbeens99]

Originally posted by magnus ver magnusson
No, a war zone isn't a good idea. Much like the Cafe, it has the possibility of only a small audience.

True, but consider the tastes of that small audience. Both are interested in material that the majority seeems averse to.

Larry, you asked if having a War Zone would encourage more flaming. I would answer that it probably would, unfortunately, but it would still be better than having flame wars break out in the middle of decent threads and kill them. Maybe the answer is to have a 600 lb. gorilla for a moderator in the War Zone to make sure nothing gets too far out of line.

[gladhatter]

Originally posted by LadyJane


Sleeping, where you should have been. I can't say one nice thing about a bad boy like you :D

...but then...to him "bad" is "good".

[Coops Greatest Fan]

I know there are a few who think we shouldn't create a War Zone, but I honestly think we need one so when people start calling each other names, etc in a thread, it can be moved to the Zone so I and many others don't have to read it. So basically the new rule would be, either take it to the War Zone or we'll move you there! I'm up for the other changes although I do think the Cafe should stay as it is.

Here is my list of forums:
R&R
HOF
Cafe
Entertainment
Panthers/Football (I'd put both of these together since many of us who follow the Panthers are also football fans of other teams i.e. collegiate, fantasy leagues, etc.)
Other Sports

You may want to consider keeping the test forum so people can try out their avatars or signatures etc in here - but only to be used as a test forum.

Just my 2 cents on the whole matter. I'm glad to see so many people not wanting TBR to be shut down. Even though Putt and I have had our differences in the past, I hope he considers coming back even if he waits until the changes are made. Things just aren't the same around here!

[Superfluous_Nut]

If a warzone is added, clearly it must be called "Fight Club"...

[Coops Greatest Fan]

Originally posted by Superfluous_Nut
If a warzone is added, clearly it must be called "Fight Club"...

As long as I have the option as to whether I want to read it or not!!!

Like I've posted before, another message board I post in (kstatefans.com) has a war zone and we don't have any problems in the regular football board with people bickering and etc.

[mathmajors]

Originally posted by LarryD
so, what about this list:

rant and rave
panthers
sports
hall of fame
cafe (?) - certainly dont want it in rant and rave

i had thought about a 'welcome' forum for new posters and having sds in charge of it. maybe that would help the new posters get acquainted -- if they wish. dunno.

No more M&T! :crybaby:

I like the idea of an entertainment forum, which would also include books. I also like the idea of a classifieds-type forum, where people can legitimately post stuff for sale or whatever (definitely would need a mod there to keep people from advertising sex, etc.).

I think R&R is good for entertainment discussion, but for some reason the normal conversations there don't include movies, etc.

[magnus]

Originally posted by hasbeens99


True, but consider the tastes of that small audience. Both are interested in material that the majority seeems averse to.

I want to consider the tastes of the small audience but if we're talking about getting rid of non-productive forums, we shouldn't create any.

But I don't feel like the forums are the problem. Bunching it all into R&R won't solve things. Creating some other creative outlets - making the middle boards so that they become more enticing, giving three basic flavors and an off-topic, that's the way to go IMO. R&R isn't an anchor.

[WilliamJ]

Originally posted by magnus ver magnusson
making the middle boards so that they become more enticing, giving three basic flavors and an off-topic, that's the way to go IMO. R&R isn't an anchor.

R&R IS the anchor of TBR. Look at the sheer number of threads posted and replied to. Like it or not that is the glue holding TBR together. The evidence speaks for itself.

[Fred]

Mag- Please take this with all the fellowship and respect it is meant with, but sometimes it's best just to shut the fuck up and leave well enough alone.

[Fred]

Originally posted by WilliamJ


R&R IS the anchor of TBR. Look at the sheer number of threads posted and replied to. Like it or not that is the glue holding TBR together. The evidence speaks for itself. Yeah- what he said!

[mathmajors]

Originally posted by Fred
Mag- Please take this with all the fellowship and respect it is meant with, but sometimes it's best just to shut the fuck up and leave well enough alone.

Maybe he would take that a little better if you followed your own advice.

[magnus]

I ain't hurtin nobody, so I'll kindly move on.

I don't find R&R to be that anchor. Like too many people have said so far, there are plenty of boards out there that had some common reason for being. This one was just there because of the group. No Charlotte, no overwhelming sports situation, no topic.
Not that it has to have already had one, but making the other forums as productive topics, rather than just cutting down for the sake of doing so, would seem to make sense as a way of bringing up topics that more people can actually reply to.

[Fred]

Originally posted by mathmajors


Maybe he would take that a little better if you followed your own advice.
On this whole 'shutting down the board' deal, I have made very short statements as to my input. Mag keeps trying to validate his point. :bird1:

[magnus]

has nothing to do with validation. I'm commenting on things being said. I'm far from the most versed in this thread, but if you have a problem with that, it'll pass in time, I'm sure.

[Fred]

knock yourself out mag

[Superfluous_Nut]

first takers in fight club?

[mathmajors]

Originally posted by Fred

On this whole 'shutting down the board' deal, I have made very short statements as to my input. Mag keeps trying to validate his point. :bird1:

I'm thinking in more general terms, Fred. And that's all I'll say about it because we have enough of this crap going on as it is. Saying one's piece is one thing, but going on and on about it is another.

[Fred]

i'm a lover- not a fighter. (at least when i have dabbed a layer or two.) i'd rather take on miss tery. she could be a bitch, but she was fun. she'd get so mad, she'd start spitting and sputtering. on a good day, i could even get her so mad, she'd spell words wrong! i sure do miss her!:(

[Fred]

Originally posted by mathmajors


I'm thinking in more general terms, Fred. And that's all I'll say about it because we have enough of this crap going on as it is. Saying one's piece is one thing, but going on and on about it is another. ah, bless your heart. you miss vg, don't you?

[WilliamJ]

first rule of fart club, no talking about fart club.

[mathmajors]

Originally posted by Fred
ah, bless your heart. you miss vg, don't you?

:rolleyes:

[SandMan]

First off... I hang here because I laugh more than any other emotion.

2nd I find that 50% of my football news is here before elsewhere.

3rd I have found a few people to interact with via email and PM's.

4th I post here more frequently than any other message board on the planet.

The bottom line it that the top 200 people "probably" make up more than 70% of your post.

Hell, tell us all to go out and sign up for a message board and invite everyone there to TBR. That alone should generate many newcomers.

Secondly, I appreciate most of what all the moderators have to say in their forums. But the bottom line is that you have a few Mods that think their opinion should overrule and delete someone's thread because it makes them look bad.

3rd, I'll send you a PM, the rest is ????

[lj4three]

Originally posted by The Brain
IMO something that has lacked from TBR is the fact TBR is BASED primarily on on section of the old Charlotte.com

the best way to continue is to have Rant and Rave be what it was before... base the board around Sports... push the Sports Angle as the primary angle... then at that point have ONE forum (not 8 seperate) be the escape forum... the place to get away and say or DO whatever you want to... that was the lure of R&R before... it was all solid sports and that was our ONE get away spot... I read stuff from Mike Pira on an everyday basis, but now he rarely posts in any threads other than the news... I spend most of my time in Football right now... but when I do glance into R&R its all fart jokes or somethinf along that line... there's no redeeming value to it as a forum any long... before if we told a fart joke it was in R&R, if we like a new TV show it was in R&R, if he had a computer question it was in R&R... when Sept. 11 of last year hit I read everyone's thoughts in R&R... I didn't have to go to 8 different forums to discuss it... people found R&R because they were sports fans or friends of sports fans that went through charlotte.com and found their way into Rant & Rave... ppl won't come for Rant & Rave... you can't market Rant & Rave... you market sports and the other grows around it... like Pro sports you put a new team somewhere new vendors and attractions pop up around it... TBR needs a base to sustain Rant & Rave... it doesn't need Rant & Rave to sustain TBR...

So my total suggestion would be this... develop this site into a sports based website... with all the knowledge between the tech nerds and the sports gurus here I'll bet you we could do a damn fine job... and don't say we're amateurs because we base our stuff on opinion... because that's all ANY sports analyst does... he says what he thinks... doesn't make them right... but they sale... market the sports out... bring ppl in for sports... preferably regional sports as a primary focus for now (South East)... eliminate the unnecessary forums... ppl will come for the sports... they'll find their way into the forums... and they'll talk about football and basketball and baseball and hockey... and then they'll read a stranger Chapter 21 by grid and be hooked on R&R much like I was

:applause:

i agree with brain.

i've only been here for a day- but i'm pretty acquainted with how the old clt.com board was and that thing was masterful. we had the sports debate, and the R&R was a side bar to loosen up and have some fun- and R&R grew to become the main attraction of the board, even though the sports sections were still populous.

here's my suggestion:

R&R


Panthers
College Football
College Basketball
Hockey
NBA
Fantasy Sports
Baseball
Golf
Soccer

FAQ/TESTING


I think that is a solid foundation.

[WilliamJ]

If R&R is not the cornerstone of TBR why does it have 10 times the number of posts than any other of the boards.

[LarryD]

Originally posted by lj4three

i agree with brain.

i've only been here for a day- but i'm pretty acquainted with how the old clt.com board was and that thing was masterful. we had the sports debate, and the R&R was a side bar to loosen up and have some fun- and R&R grew to become the main attraction of the board, even though the sports sections were still populous.

here's my suggestion:

R&R


Panthers
College Football
College Basketball
Hockey
NBA
Fantasy Sports
Baseball
Golf
Soccer

FAQ/TESTING


I think that is a solid foundation.


i think this only works if we have double the amount of members -- at least. it's not an "if you build it they will come" thing, i don't think.

[RoncoGimpOMatic]

Are you kidding? Can you be more one sided and selfish. Screw sports, I mean I don't need to watch so called adults run around a hit balls, each other and anything that moves Getting paid outragous amounts of $$$ to do this. I mean crap, lets not feed the hungry with this money, or house the homeless. Instead, how about we give it to some over grown watermellon head that might be able to count to 10 (if sober). Seems like a good investment in our fellow humna beings.
You like sports, great. Sport away, but don't shove them down others throats for your own selfish needs.
WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON WITH THIS SOCIETY? Is everyone so fuckin blind as to now want to debate issues, learn from each other how to better live beside each other? No lets sit down in front of this stupid fuckin box and let it dictate to me, how I should dress, what car to drive, what is sexy, and so on. Hey idea, lets just let it raise the children too! Oops already there....

[gutter]

Can I call you RNO for short? Anyway, you have some good points. But I like me some football so deal with it.

[BearBryant]

Originally posted by RoncoGimpOMatic
Are you kidding? Can you be more one sided and selfish. Screw sports, I mean I don't need to watch so called adults run around a hit balls, each other and anything that moves Getting paid outragous amounts of $$$ to do this. I mean crap, lets not feed the hungry with this money, or house the homeless. Instead, how about we give it to some over grown watermellon head that might be able to count to 10 (if sober). Seems like a good investment in our fellow humna beings.
You like sports, great. Sport away, but don't shove them down others throats for your own selfish needs.
WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON WITH THIS SOCIETY? Is everyone so fuckin blind as to now want to debate issues, learn from each other how to better live beside each other? No lets sit down in front of this stupid fuckin box and let it dictate to me, how I should dress, what car to drive, what is sexy, and so on. Hey idea, lets just let it raise the children too! Oops already there....

you obviously were the last guy chosen

[VOR]

I just noticed that your gutter seems to be full of floatsum and jetsum.

[RoncoGimpOMatic]

Actually so do I. I just get pissed when I see society put sports before human need. Yeah, we throw them bones, it makes us feel better but if the tables were turned how would you feel?

RHO (i like it)

[gutter]

I meant to type RON. sorry. But anyway, the public are the people that pay the salaries so you give up 15% of your salary to the homeless people standing on the corner.

Can I call you RON or should gimp always follow?

[VOR]

Originally posted by RoncoGimpOMatic
Actually so do I. I just get pissed when I see society put sports before human need. Yeah, we throw them bones, it makes us feel better but if the tables were turned how would you feel?

RHO (i like it)

Society doesn't do that, it just works out that way. Sports makes money, feeding the indigent hungry and sick doesn't. That's the downside of capitalism. Charging to accomplish those goals elicits cries of of foul from those who are barely making it, or bottom feeding, or just greedy in the system. You have to learn to accept that's how it is or you'll go nuts.

[WilliamJ]

Originally posted by VOR


Society doesn't do that, it just works out that way. Sports makes money, feeding the indigent hungry and sick doesn't. That's the downside of capitalism. Charging to accomplish those goals elicits cries of of foul from those who are barely making it, or bottom feeding, or just greedy in the system. You have to learn to accept that's how it is or you'll go nuts.

capitalisn will make you go nuts only if you are a pinko communist.

[Stargazer]

Originally posted by magnus ver magnusson
I want to consider the tastes of the small audience but if we're talking about getting rid of non-productive forums, we shouldn't create any.

Mags, I know people perceive things differently, but I don't see that anyone is talking about getting rid of forums because they are non-productive, rather that they are SO productive that they have taken many of the substantive posts out of R&R, where the majority of posters will see them (for whatever reason).

[WilliamJ]

Originally posted by Stargazer


Mags, I know people perceive things differently, but I don't see that anyone is talking about getting rid of forums because they are non-productive, rather that they are SO productive that they have taken many of the substantive posts out of R&R, where the majority of posters will see them (for whatever reason).

another example of how R&R is the cornerstone of TBR.

[barracuda]

Originally posted by Fred
knock yourself out mag

I don't believe I'm backing Fred but MAG please knock your self out literally. You’re the only one who doesn't see R&R as the anchor to this board.

[magnus]

Originally posted by Stargazer
rather that they are SO productive that they have taken many of the substantive posts out of R&R

They're not that productive, but productive enough that they need a separate group. If that's just one, that's fine.

Y'all don't seem to get the idea of a board having a theme, do you? That's what I'm talking about. Most boards were put there for a reason and then an off-topic brought up the most talk. Even Fayettenam has one main topic and it brings people in.

[Piper]

I look at it this way. Do we want to be a Wal-Mart, with everything in one place, or do we be a shopping Mall.

R&R is the biggest board, it grew that way. I personally like the seperation though. Lots people like to buy their CDs from Wal-Mart, I'd rather go to a music store.

[Fred]

Originally posted by barracuda


I don't believe I'm backing Fred ...... :bird1:

[WilliamJ]

Originally posted by magnus ver magnusson
Y'all don't seem to get the idea of a board having a theme, do you? That's what I'm talking about. Most boards were put there for a reason and then an off-topic brought up the most talk. Even Fayettenam has one main topic and it brings people in.

I think you are not getting it, or at least your idea of what TBR is and should be are not thatr of the mass. That's ok, it again points out the diversity here. As far as them, our theme is THIS BOARD ROCKS because of the types of forums and what get's posted. This isn't charlotte.com or fayettenam.com it's www.thisboardrocks.com !

[magnus]

again, that's not the idea. The idea isn't to change things about the people here. It's that "bring people in" part. It's to bring a diverse group, rather than the idea that people should just "toughen up" and "deal with how we are".

[WilliamJ]

so Mags and all you other sports guys for that matter. We should use the Sports message board hook as our gimmick to get more poster when the facts of TBR reveal that only 10% of all posts are sports related?

[hasbeens99]

Originally posted by WilliamJ
so Mags and all you other sports guys for that matter. We should use the Sports message board hook as our gimmick to get more poster when the facts of TBR reveal that only 10% of all posts are sports related?

I don't know if that should be the main draw or not, but I think it is a draw. Sports is just one of those general topics that people like to talk about, no matter where they are. Sports is what led me here, FWIW.

[lj4three]

Originally posted by WilliamJ
so Mags and all you other sports guys for that matter. We should use the Sports message board hook as our gimmick to get more poster when the facts of TBR reveal that only 10% of all posts are sports related?

i dont know, i kinda agree with mvm. sports was the lure point of the old clt.com- a plethora of people joined b/c:

a) it was a local forum to talk about big time sports
b) it was very easy to use and efficient

that drew the initial base of people in, from my understanding.. i started posting on the old clt board in the summer of 2000, and saw how the nba talk, nfl talk and other sports boards really drew in a lot of personalities to the clt.com forum. then, a lot of sports guys seemed to find there way over to R&R. soon, R&R became its own animal, but the other facets of the board will strong and active.

[WilliamJ]

understood and we have 3 solid sports forums but they are not the meat and potatos of our little corner of the cyber world. If TBR were to turn into a mostly sports board I bet a good portion of posters would beat feet to another forum somewhere....just MNSHO :)