Other sites...

[Patcat]

I'm in one of my grumpy moods so perhaps I'm extrasensitive, but have others been disappointed in other LOCI message boards? The USA Network board has scarcely any activity on it except for the occasional troll. The quality of the discussion on the Universal board has deteriorated into a few people discussing personal stuff. I've been on other message boards, and I know this sort of thing frequently happens, but I'm feeling particularly annoyed about this right now.

Not to go into a superior dance (I certainly have NOTHING to do with the quality of this board), but the quality of this board has stayed pretty high, and that's to the credit of our monitors and founders.

I think I really need some new LOCI. Or at least the 3rd season DVD. I'm not usually such a cranky person.

Patcat (who begs the other members' indulgences)

[trisha]

Go ahead and toot your own horn, Patcat, you are very smart, and a lot of fun to chat with. I think that we are all above average in the gray matter category. That is not to say that I think that other posters on other boards are idiots or anything. Well, occasionally we have seen some idiots. I just think that we just set the bar a little higher here on what we thoughts we chose to post, and what to keep to ourselves, and that gives the impression of a greater sense of maturity.

There are a lot of immature people on the internet, and we can't expect them not to like LOCI- even if they obviously don't get it. I'm glad they like the show, and I'm interested in what they have to say about it, as long as it's, well, interesting.

Is that wrong?

[Sirenna]

"Have others been disappointed in other LOCI message boards? The quality of the discussion on the Universal board has deteriorated into a few people discussing personal stuff. I've been on other message boards, and I know this sort of thing frequently happens, but ..."

Pat: Oh the stories I could tell! Except, if I did, you'd see how trivial and OT some of the discussions can be. I haven't noticed any trollishness on Universal lately. The group over there seem young but sincere in their fanship of the show. But for meatier critical analysis and sheer originality, I still like Yahoo (unwieldy as it may be to navigate), and this one too, although everywhere is pretty quiet lately. We are in hibernation until Sept 26, I guess.

[domenicaflor]

Hey Pat,

I understand. I REALLY do.

I've been a fan of LOCI since about the middle of the first season, and I have passed through a number of boards since then. I have found that people tend to settle where they are most comfortable, and where their needs get met. For some folks, having a pleasant place to chat/gab and hang out with their buddies is what is most important to them, and LOCI/Vincent D'Onofrio is just the "icing" instead of the "glue" if you will. For some, interesting discussion is secondary to a sense of internet comraderie.

I've had to realize that what is important to me may not be what is important to others. That realization has meant that now I only really post on 2-3 boards primarily, with an occasional word or two on another. It's the choice I make that is healthiest for me.

I think the quality of any board depends on the moderators' leadership and the dedication of the members to growing the site, keeping it active, and maintaining a healthy balanced membership with a unified purpose. So, yes, big-time kudos to CM and MH and the CI-US membership.

I do think that 2004 has been a difficult year for many people due to financial, educational, or health reasons and that is preventing some folks I know from participating as actively as they once did since their personal issues have to be addressed first. I expect that with the advent of S4, like Sirenna says, we shall all be renewed with energy.

D.

[Patcat]

Thanks, everyone, for accepting my cranky ramblings (g).

The life of a discussion board is very interesting, and I've noticed they can degenerate if someone isn't watching over them (big "hurrahs!" to the board founders and moderators here).


Patcat (who's in a much better mood now, but really needs some LOCI!)

[velocity]

If I may add a thought to the mix regarding other Boards. I believe all boards tend to form groups of like mind, or forcus, and in turn create their own personality. Some are a bit gushy and light, others brutally sober and thoughtful, but does that make one board better then the other? I don't think so. I think we gravitate toward the ones that facilitate our preference.
A toast to diversity!

One thing I do believe, is that all the L&O's fly very low under the radar and have very little said about them. Because of this, summer is a tough time for fansters to find much to talk about. To keep the bond going, with little media nourishment, people will just chat for no other reason than they like their fellow board members.

I fully believe, if there was a bit interesting news to chew about, it would be chewed, IMHO

[Metella]

velocity: welcome, love your vocabulary.

Patcat, I echo most of what has been said & certainly we are basically like-minded cybercommunity; I think we are now very comfortable with each other & feel joy in sharing without fussing about if our thoughts will be torn down - but again, this is because we share thoughts are appropriate for the community we are in.

I still have harsh feelings for people who interloped on a well functioning board, did not try to become the community but to demand it change for their pleasure - then the rest of you bring up a big point that in my displeasure I overlooked for the most part ...... no overseeing from the moderator let that board slip. Our moderators are quiet - but always there.

I have been totally pleased with all the members of this board & want to take this opportunity to thank the members directly for all the time and sharing and thinking "out loud" that has made this board a place of refuge for me.

[Patcat]

I saw the "Giving up L&O for Lent" this past spring and thought it was hilarious.

I like the original L&O, but don't go out of my way to watch it. Well, you really don't have to go out of your way to watch it, since it's on so much.

I admire SVU, and think it's extremely well-acted. Benson is a terrific character, and I think Mariskia Hargarity is splendid in the role and very deserving of the Emmy nomination she got this year. But I do find some of the characters' angst hard to take. Now, admittedly, they have to face terrible things. But Stabler seems to spend a lot of time complaining about his family, and Cragen whines an awful lot about his lack of promotion. Again, I generally like these characters, and really like the actors.

And there are just some nights I can't bear to watch SVU because of the subject matter.

Patcat

[Techguy]

Without getting all the nasty details about what occurred on other boards, I can relate to what has been said about new members trying to mold the community to their liking instead of trying to fit in.

I also belong to a sports related message board, and if I had the time and inclination, I could give everyone here an earful and eyeful of the goings on there. Without getting too...colorful...let me say that I never cease to be amazed at new members coming on and posting about how the board sucks, and then start complaining about the posts and posters there. Talk about trolls--this type unfortunately is everywhere.

I have become convinced as a result of these experiences that there are people in this world who join fan sites and message boards for the sole purpose of imposing their view of the world and how the board should run on everyone else there. Trust me, they don't like being called to task for their behavior, and then a cyber shouting match inevitably ensues between the combatants.

Fortunately, I have managed to ignore or avoid such posters and posts, and stay in touch with other board members like myself who--get this--actually want to discuss and debate sports and teams in an intelligent and non-threatening manner.

From what I've seen here, the members respect one another and, even if they disagree, don't resort to childish antics to get attention and monopolize the conversation. Bravo to everyone for maintaining a mature and respectful approach to public forums and the other members.

[trisha]

Heh, velocity got got by the editing program ;D

I totally agree with you velocity, and welcome, btw. It's not that I (or anyone here, I'm sure) look down on other boards or posters, I'm just not personally invested with them enough to want to read their ramblings on everyday life. I do enjoy the ramblings of the posters here, though. What makes one persons ramblings any better than another's? Maybe chemistry.

And in the spirit of not thinking anyone's thoughts or opinions are any better or worse than anyone else's, the mods set up the editing program to keep all opinions equal. So, J-M-O and I-M-H-O show up as "in my voice of false modesty." It's not to insult or play tricks on you, it's just to say that your opinion will not be bashed here, not even by you

[Sirenna]

I am not going there.

But I have PM'ed you, Trisha.

[trisha]

Well, that statement touches too much on the issue we had on the other board for it not to feel like a personal attack on a closed issue, Sirenna.

I don't think anyone here wants this or any other board to feel clique-ish, and a little guidance about trying to fit in does not equal admonishment. Were some people admonished? Yes, eventually some were. Key word: Eventually. And even though that happened, we're the ones who left.

And while I believe it's in no ones best interest to have message board cliques, I do feel that before someone jumps into an established "community," they should first take the time to get to know the community to see if they'll fit in. And I don't mean to say that we should all hang out with people just like us, or any of the like. I mean, it's one thing to become a member on a board where you don't exactly fit in with the norm and add your opinion where relevant, and it's totally another to actively refuse to fit in, which is, in my opinion, what was going on over there.

[Sirenna]

Er, I never said this board admonished or pressured with respect to the content or that anyone here has abused their posting privileges. I certainly have not seen that - at least not yet, but the TV season's still young, and so is this board, and I'm sure coming season's LO:ci subject matter will be as thought-provoking as it has always been. I expect discussion from the people here and I hope it will be given with courtesy, intelligence and humour and the ultimate objective of agreeing to disagree.

But it's cliquey in that some posters are invited in and others are avoided. I have no intention of changing that part. I like it.

As for the incident you're referring to, it is best forgotten. It's obviously still sensitive to many people. My comments referred to all the 'incidents' that happen on many message boards not just LO ones and certainly not that one in particular, since it wasn't an important enough issue to me to bother me. I still use the board - although I'm sure it was hurtful to others, including the newer people there. These things happen when a variety of people get together. Hopefully compromises can be reached.

Now I'm in a grumpy mood But I'm taking my niece to the beach (and she's grumpier at the mo) which is now making me laugh.

[velocity]

Thanks for the welcome, I think?

I do not quite follow where this thread has lead, but it appears there have been issues somewhere and it has left some suspicion or scars?

If the chit chat over newbies coming in trying to change a site refers to me - the rookie, please relax. I have no intention of changing anything and I do not come in toting baggage. I merely commented on the subject.

Boards come in different flavors that is how I look at it. Right now, as a newbie, I will follow the flavor of this site. I came in with no opinion, since I have never been here before; should I have? Did I step on someones protocol?

I gather, from reading some of your stuff, you are a serious bunch, and take no nonsense, that's fine with me. So, the white flag is up.

[Sirenna]

Welcome to the board, Velocity!

Please don't take Trisha and my curmudgeonliness (sic) to heart. We have known each other a long time in cyber years.

As for your comments, post away.They were measured and thoughtful. I don't think you were under fire here.