I cannot stand to have it said of me that I don't have "a clue what is going on". It is my position that I ALWAYS have a clue what is going on.
Here is my view on the matter:
1. This forum was established by a decorating magazine and they have invited all of us, who buy their magazine and patronize their advertisers, here. Are they policing what we speak of? As I understand it, they are not, unless we swear or type too fast. I imagine that H & H is pleased with the patronage of all of us dedicated consumers, though I wonder if the expected this success!
2. I became registered to use this forum for the purpose of discussing decorating and design. I wish to continue that pass-time. I prefer not to be "kicked off" the D & D forum and risk missing out on DecorGirl's latest purchase, or the rest of SuzieG's house photos when they are finally posted. The reason we have so much in common is that we are like-minded, to at least some degree.
3. Some of the other forum users are offended when we go from paint colours to licking spiders, birth parents or the 1980's. I regret that they feel annoyed, but I would not be offended by a decorating topic of no interest to me... I would simply skip that thread. I have skipped many threads. I can censor my own reading and I am surprised that some find it an inconvenience to scroll past a topic, though I realize that it would be time consuming to have to go through all comments that diverge from the topic looking for posts on the topic of the thread.
4. I do not consider my chats with Artsy, or with anyone, to be private. I know I am on a forum and I expect others may read our posts and might join in. If I have ever made anyone feel unwelcome, that was an oversight and not an intentional slight.
I think a MSN chat on the Members Album would be fine, but we would all have to agree to go there! I don't want to give up my association with the people that are here!
It does not seem necessary to me that anyone should devise a complex solution. It seems to me that we need to be a little more conscientious, that is all. We will title our threads with more care, and we will move off a decorating thread and start our own thread if we start to banter or veer wildly off topic. If I ever want to have a private dialogue with someone - and IF they are willing to have such a dialogue with me - we will get off the forum!
You know, some people say I talk too much.
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you can see how much these individuals loved this forum.
there is a way to read every post submitted by anyone...just click at the bottom where it says....more posts by......it shows all the posts they have made...it will even show which forum they responded to
Thanks for your comments. Despite all that you do, you also make time to share your beautiful home (and that GARDEN) with the forum, as well as your decorating wisdom and I know I am not the only one who appreciates that.
As for your English, you do not post with an accent, and to me your command of the language seems excellent! You flatter me too much!
I find there are so many kind, thoughtful, caring, knowledgeable and helpful people on this forum and if some of you feel like chatting, you should be able to do so! Unfortunately my time is limited regarding the access to the computer (DH + 2 adult kids at home and we are all sharing 1 computer).
Dreamer, you are an inspiraton, your spoken word is superb, English is not my first language (but you probably noticed that) Thanks for enriching my vocabulary.
BC
in no way have u ever been "inconsiderate" in any of your posts...and a pox on anyone that says so :D
You know I find you hilarious. Spider conventions indeed. You have given me many good laughs and I thank you for that. I wish there was a feature that enabled us to see the name of the person who writes each post... I would read every single thing you submit!
Thanks for your comments... I have laughed aloud while reading some posts on the forum. I was having a rotten weekend and that 1980's chat really made my day. It was like going out with some girlfriends!
This forum is really for recreation, after all, and certainly no one meant any harm or to interfere in the learning experiences of others. I am going to just try a little harder to be considerate, once I have the heart to jump back in with both feet, er, hands.
artsy...dreamer...elise...AAN...all of you brighten my day...hey this is real life...for 5 yrs i was on the MIRC chat rooms and there was always one or two that didnt like something or other and ruined it for the rest of us...please dont let that happen with you...I would dearly miss all the subjects we cover :D
Nobody is going to kick you off any forum. I stand behind you, or type behind you all the way.!!! It's the really creative people that go off topic anyway, and in the long run wouldn't you rather have their advise to begin with.
I will post a thread, as soon as I take care of a couple things... perhaps in the morning.
Have a good sleep.
I just read what you wrote. That is very sweet, even for someone with a unibrow.
If you asked DH, he would tell you that I don’t typically do things 1/2 way. He is probably surprised at how much time I have spent here with all of you. I can’t put my finger on it exactly - but it is very rewarding.
I think of anyone, people would miss YOUR clever sly wordy messages the most! I can’t count how many times people say “funny” when referring to my wise old friend.
relevant! I have to take down my hated vertical blinds because the garden doors are installed tomorrow. I am so glad.
DP is whining, in his own inimitable way "you have been on there for hours" "you should get a life"... this really means "you should pay attention to me".
Not the stalker type so you have nothing to worry about.
Goodnight...
but I am happy to help. Nice try sweetie.
Glad to pay you back for your help... you are one of the most generous people on the board, Artsy. I notice that you offer well thought out (and good) advice to many posters. You are my nominee for Chairwoman of the Board.
us... after all you might start looking for Artsy and I! We will have to start being even more anonymous!
Have fun, firsthomegirl.
what do you charge as your hourly rate.? Seriously,you have made me feel much better. I KNOW that others have similar feeling to us but at the time there were only a couple of us huddled around together. My good old Edmonton girls are taking care of me! :)
Hi ....I was not offended at all. I really do believe most posters are really happy with the way it is now. I just was noticing that some posters were bothered and I was thinking about some of the posters we don't see here anymore and it was just the 'Mommy' in me coming out and trying to find a solution...haha! Really, no offence taken. I just thought better to delete them than have Jason working on it.
Well, have a good night everyone. Off to bed then up early to finish helping with my twin sis's wedding plans for next month.
I "met" a few new people last night. They obviously found our topic so entertaining they were motivated to join in! Today, those posters had "relevant" posts. Artsy started a good time and I loved it.
...too nevrotic and impulsive for that, however, I think it was Artsy who mentioned something about people daring to come out more in the looser topics. Not too mention, why would one want to keep giving the help if one doesn't feel there is some kind of reward, namely laughter?
Just deleted my posts under the other thread (Jason and Jody will come up with something if they feel the need to change this site in any way)....I agree that it would just be easier to remain status quo and that maybe we can all just be clearer about our topic header so others can just bypass it.
By the number of posters on these forums it seems as though most people are generally happy.
you make a lot of sense!
you are the greatest too. Are you a professional rationalizer, perchance? If not, you should be one!
I feel like such a lurker, but this is what Jason responed to mmcormi's post "Hi mmcormi, we've noticed the wonderful direction our Forums have taken, of course we're ecstatic."
From what I gather, they are thrilled the way this forum has become such a success.
The happy banter lets people get to "know one another" better, which ultimately I think is for the benefit of the board. People keep coming back here, and getting to know the person behind the decorating I think will only ultimately help in the advice we(well, not me so much yet but..) all give eachother about design dilemmas.
When the board takes the direction of unpleasant posts to one another I think that is an issue that should be addressed somehow.
This place is a happy break from real life, and it should stay exactly the same..Never been much for change :)
If you think about it, licking spiders has a lot to do with interior design, because it could in the worste case scenario mean your house isn't properly sealed, which will eventually cause some great reno advice.
I meant no slight to you. I just selfishly want to stay on the D&D forum, and am willing to try to be more considerate.
please don't feel this way! I think your ideas are fine and you should NOT delete anything!!!! You are a guru after all - HA HA! By the way, thanks for being here with me today. I guess some of us needed to talk, right? Nothing we are discussing had ANYTHING to do with you ... really!
In Calgary, but just thought I'd check in.
As I am reading, I am getting the idea that adding a messenger type forum was a bad idea. I was just hoping to offer a suggestion to help those bothered by the chatting aspect on a decorating forum and find a way for others to keep chatting. If everyone is happy with the way it is then that is perfectly fine. I don't even think Jason has read my posts so I can even delete my post that suggested it so he doesn't waste any of his time trying to set anything up.
I think we can all co-exist peacefully together.
so I am new to this forum stuff and I am hooked. it was by accident that I found the free for all/general. in the few postings that I have done, you have probably noticed I babble (my DH is very happy that I found you because I am not babbling at him constantly) Which by the way I am hoping I am guessing what DH stands for.
Anyway, (this is when he rolls his eyes). I am in complete agreement with what dreamer said.
I went on the forum to get info, but it was all of the chatter that made me feel welcome and more comfortable to post questions/answers.
Anyway I am having fun writing babbling and reading it!!
it was another day that I was actually required to work.
and I hear you loud and clear. I think that many of us are on the same "page" regarding this. :)