Maybe it's just me but I like this site. I like most others followed it over from BBC606. I found BBC606 a b it frustrating due to many things being blocked etc and lots of posts angry about it. I know on here you are allowed a bit more freedom and I don't mind that. I swear a lot but I still have the anti swear thing activated. My kids do wander around in the background sometimes ( not at this hour though!). I've read a few things recently about dwindling numbers and a god loike Mike figure etc. People not liking the rep thing or the like/unlike thing. From what I can tell, I don't bother with rep and it doesn't bother with me. I wouldn't know how to do it and if people are negative repping me, bang on? I wouldn't know if you were anyway? Regarding the like/unlike thing, it's pretty much the same. I know some are saying it it will stop people commenting, but most posts are read by many and only commented by few. Perahaps the like thing gets the readers a bit more involved? Also you can know if you've hit the spot or not. Once again. I'm not pinning my every typed word on a couple of like or dislikes, it won't bother me at all. After all if you can't disagree withe people on here where can you disagree? So the main reason I like the site is the posters. There are some very good posters on here, from all walks of life, with different views on SAFC, on life, on politics, religion you name it. The vast majority of posters are friendly welcoming, open to newcomers and views and as such has kinda come my cyber home. I've never looked for another 606 spin off site. I've do visit the SMB but I much prefer here. I havn't met up with anyone from the site and I'm not as close as some are on here but I'm happy with my level, so to speak. I don't feel the site is dying, at least I hope not (maybe it's my fault and I should post less ha)but I still get my Sunderland kicks here no probs. I don't think I've ever fallen out with anyone. I know changes are made to the site and that things have to evolve. It's never the gadgets that make a site like this though...it you guys, now give me a hug and buy me a beer!
Tony, this site is going to hell in a rowing boat, unless Mick pulls his finger out. me starting to not give a ****,
I don't get that though Bill? Why do you think it's going to hell? I know there were more people on BBC606? Have you tried the other versions? Are they any better?
Personally, I think the site could be more interesting with more gizmos -not that we need to turn it into Facebook I think Mick is trying to make it more fun that's all. However, I do agree that this like/dislike/thank thing is a fail. Tags and rep was interesting, but the tags became childish-abusive and even racist rather than creative and funny, which it was for time. The same with rep, well for some at least -some of the more mischievous characters here can make the place fun, just as the OT posts and light-hearted comments add interest on this Sunderland forum making it a better place. The problem is these 'toys' such as tags and rep have become stale and limited. I think Mick is merely trying to appeal to a broader base and make the site a little bit more silly, so we should at least be grateful to him thank him for trying. If you don't like it, ignore it ...simples and life goes on
Tony you are spot on and Bill this site is not going to the dogs at all, you dont like the toys and neither do I so why not do what I and many others do, ignore them.
Tony sounds like we use the site in exactly the same way and I really enjoy it. However, those who spend more time on here have grievances I can't really comment as they put the hours in but I just ignore all the other toys etc.
I think bills point is. There are only about 25-40 hardcore posters on here, that make up 95% of the threads/posts He would like everyone to post on most threads. But with the thankyou/like/dislike buttons We are going to get even less posters posting as they will just like or dislike it without commenting. So the forum will go downhill as even less members will comment than before, and there was not that many before. Its not really the case of, its there, dont like it, but i will just ignore it, its its there, if lots of members use it, then the forum will get a lot quieter, and go dead. Not saying i entirely agree with him, but i am not sure how it will attract newer members. Personally I am more pissed off with the main page, the sub forums going down rather than accross, just a pet hate but i bloody hate it.
I call in here every day, and for me it has been the best Sunderland forum by a mile. We get lots of info from a lot of sources. Excellent. I don't mind the mag WUMS if they are witty and tongue in cheek. It does create excellent banter. I do dislike the inane 'put down' of all things Sunderland by some mags but I think it is the younger element .. late teens/ early twenties who are just showing immaturity. The charity appeals have brought the two sides 'together' and I think that was marvelous. Just my two penneth.
The rep thing is just childish bullshit and the thing I really dislike about this site is the format/layout, much preferred the old 606 layout. However, that is just my personal preference.
I just write words and the odd smiley. Don't post much and hardly start any threads but enjoy reading most articles and posts from most contributors. Not happy with the BNP crap that's has been appearing lately but as soon as I recognise I don't like where a thread is going I stop reading it. I don't use most of the 'toys' but don't mind if others do. I appreciate the efforts being made to update the site and make it relevant to new, and perhaps 'younger' members. For those who don't like the gizmos just be glad for all the positives of this site, rather than dwell on any negatives.
Never looked at the rep bars before, but looking through this thread, the only person without any red bar at all is Syd. Syd, are you a closet rep whore, or do you have special mod powers that allow you to remove all negative rep points? <wink> or is me who hasnt understood how it works?
Nah mate that's not the rep bars, the rep bars are the little green block on achievements... Syd's red line is full cos he is on level 100 and that's as high as it goes....
I have very similar thoughts. I don't understand or particularly care about Rep, and won't bother with like / dislike or anything else ! I check in frequently to read articles and comment where I feel moved to or can contribute something - but if I don't like a subject matter or the direction of a thread, or even some of the contributors I'll ignore it and move on ! My biggest problem with this site at the moment is some of the in-fighting (maybe I'm a sensitive soul !) and the politics that have crept in - especially the extreme stuff from Right or Left wingers !
I thinks the like/dislike thing will just get rid of posts saying "this" or similar stuff along those lines. Its a quick way to show you agree or disagree with something without clogging up the thread
Really don't get the fuss of this, like ir dis-like thing.. Take a look at this thread alone and see how many tines it has been used....twice so far.. It had it's heyday on the first day, and now will just die away.
I get what you're saying about the "hardcore posters" don't think the gizmos will change that. I think you will always have those "hardcore" posters and the others, like me, who read most threads but never really post. I cn't speak for all of us "lurkers" but personally, I came here the day 606 closed (was an avid reader but never posted there also), and come on here pretty much every day since, and read most threads. However, I'm a lazy bastard and rarely find I have much to add to the threads besides what's already been said. I also find when I do post, my opinion is pretty much ignored because I'm not one of the "hardcore" posters mentioned above. Of the 100 or so posts I've made I reckon maybe 5-10 have even been acknowledged so, coupled with my inherent laziness mentioned above I just think "why bother" lol. Anyways, I'm rambling, my point is, I'm sure there are many "lurkers" like me. I think the like / dislike thing is a good way for us lazy sods to show whether we agree or disagree with something without having to expend too much effort, or spend time posting something which will in all likelihood be glossed over by the majority anyway. I don't see the point in posting "this" just to confirm I agree with a comment, so the like function seems useful to me, at least. I can't really see how it would "ruin" the forum as bill implies?
Norfolk, get more involved, it sometimes takes people a few posts to get what you're about. I know what you're saying though. Sometimes a "like" is all it needs. Don't think people ignore u on purpose!
