Has the forum become too silly?

[observer]

[bellybabe]

Hi there Observer and welcome, even if you have been around a while.
I think that was a brave first post!
But to answer it, or rather, not to, because I'm not going to venture an opinion, to state the obvious, the forum content depends entirely on the forum members - and all of us, not just the few of us who have verbal diarrhoea. If you're not happy with the current themes of the forum, the answer is fairly simple - start talking about what does interest you. If you want more local discussion, then why lurk and wait - why not simply post about local things?
It's your forum. If you're happy to say you're not happy with it - and I'm glad you felt able to - then be happy to make it what you want it to be. We all make this forum what it is; you have the power to make it about whatever you like. And whilst some of us will no doubt continue to be a little frivolous, we can all also be serious, and would be happy to see more people contributing relevant local material. However, I always find it a little strange when lurkers say they don't like the discussion if they won't actually contribute to making it what they do like.
Just jump in!
Bellybabe

[Beach Babe]

Observer

There are serious threads on the board. Admittedly they do sometimes get hijacked with less serious chat which may be annoying for some people but those threads imparting information do exist

the Virtual BB thread is fun and is in a totally different character. However, you don't have to read it. That applies to every thread here. I'm sure many lurkers limit themselves to only what interests them

but in the end, if you're wanting to have more serious debate, then perhaps you should consider participating yourself

[Guest]

It's an interesting question, and I'm not sure of the answer. I think what I take out of the forum is the social angle -- I've made some real-life contacts through the board, people who I probably would never have met otherwise, and I enjoy the chat both face to face and online.

Is it trivial? Yes, undoubtedly. But it is also forging social networks which survive into the real world -- and that can only be a good thing.

Can I ask you a question? Do you think it would be better to have separate forums for serious debate and general chat? uses this approach very successfully, and I think the Portobello forums might be busy enough now to try a similar approach.

[ecm]

Yes, it's getting very silly, isn't it?
Is the Observer an alias?
My money's on Bob.
Or Mr. Huffy?

[Beach Babe]

I use another forum and in one area of that the threads are prefixed with "serious" or "fun". That way people can choose what they wish to read. This works as there's a separate area for chat which can go in any direction

however, the danger of doing that here is that the natural flow of a thread may be disrupted. But the other side is that some people may get irritated by general chit chat

Most people who post regularly would never post idle drivel in a serious thread such as the supermarket one so I guess we should maybe just wait and see for a bit before making any big changes

*sits on the fence*

[wangi]

[General Tactifer]

[rathbone]

[Porty]

[quote="ecm" ] Or Mr. Huffy?[/quote]

I don't do aliases, they are just too silly. I have been Internet Porty for some considerable time now, much longer than ive been a poster on POL. I really wouldn't be comfortble pretending to be anyone else.

BTT. The forum is silly from time to time, however it is also tremendous for forging links. For example there are people who post on here who live in my very short street. We now converse having been largely oblivious to each other only a few weeks ago.

I don't think Big O was being negative at alll. It was a fair question, the trouble is, now O has spoken up its only a matter of time before he/she is stranded in rosefield Park as a participant in Portobello Celebrity in the Jungle.

Just realised that its exactly 3 months since I made my debut. Does this coincide wioth the start of the silly season? I do wonder.

[bellybabe]

Only three months, dear? Feels like you're one of the foundation stones... (Beach babe will understand that better than anyone)

And how did we manage without you?

Sorry, being a little frivolous on a serious thread.

[Epykat]

I'm glad it's become a bit more fun! I like reading through the serious issues too and putting in my oar but let's face it, in a town as small as Portobello serious things just don't happen every day!
Therefore, on the days that nothing serious has happened we just have to make up other things - and I love it I do serious at work all day (well... okay.... maybe not ALL day) so when I get home I like a bit of frivolity and sheer, unadulterated nonsense!

[Guest]

Oi, aren't you supposed to be in the house?

[Epykat]

[Sandra]

[Sandra]

[Poppy]

[ecm]

[bellybabe]

[Porty]

[ifstar]

[bellybabe]

[wangi]

[rathbone]

[Epykat]

[Guest]

[rathbone]

[Epykat]

[Porty]

[Porty]