What's the forum for?

[David]

This is a question I've been asking myself a lot over the past few weeks.

We set this up for a number of reasons...to give people the opportunity to discuss local isses, publicise events etc but at the moment it doesn't seem to be working.

I'm aware of a couple of events which have been organised by members of this forum which haven't been posted on here. Why? I have no idea as these same members have been eager enough to use the forum to publicise themselves in the past.

There are also issues with people posting. People complain (not to me) that there's too much negativity and sniping on here when people post things. Sorry but people have different opinions and the internet allows them (rightly or wrongly) to express these with relative anonimity.

People also complain about 'gossip' on here as well yet some of these people who complain also run establishments where I'm sure there's 100x more gossip spread every night. Double standards.

And finally, due to the 'slagging off' which some members do on here, the police are no longer allowed to respond to comments in case they are seen to be supporting this 'abuse'. Hence no police response for a good while.

So what do we do? We have almost 60 people who log on daily, of whom probably 10% post regularly and 70% don't post at all.

So what really is the point of the forum? Because I'm pretty disillusioned at the moment and not sure there'll be a forum much longer. It takes time and money to run the forum. The money comes from our generous sponsors but why sponser something that no-one uses? The time is mine and Mrs Jack's and we have better things to do with it.

So members it's over to you...convince me not to close the forum.

[g0p0]

Can understand as the administrator of the site the worries you have for its future direction.

I say the purpose of the forum is all of the points you mention in some form or other. I enjoy finding out about changes in and around LL and other peoples opinions on them whatever the bias. Which is essential what communication be it in print, internet or over-the-fence type gossip is, a basic human trait.

I have seen what you mean about the "slagging off" and "abuse" and it does drag down a topic but there are other members who often try and even things up or try and get either side to see the point of view of accept the differences. Eventually we are going to find topics where people cannot find an agreement on. Tbh, have seen similar online arguments end far worse than anything that occurred on here. Then again not being directly involved with any of them means I didnt get to feel any hurt or be put out by anyone. Arguments occur in real life too, its just that the "distance" between people when arguing online means they get carried away .. along the lines of road-rage (where you feel protected inside your car so can make whatever gestures you feel like).

As for the police not getting involved in all of the above, well, far enough. They have a job to do and we should understand how the media and the powers that be are driving everything to be politically, socially, religiously, ... and so on, correct. Maybe they would consider a weekly/fortnightly post which is just a general report on issues on the area or actions they have taken, which is then locked down.

I dont want you to do this if you do not feel like the forums are contributing in anyway. Honestly, I was glad when I found them and enjoy reading about events, projects, etc and other things going on. Number of times there has been a topic on here that has sent me on a wiki/google trail across internet providing me something of interest to read I cant remember. There is more news on these forums of interest than any free rag that gets posted through my letter box - you can tell that to your sponsors.

I have waffled to long.

[BARBARA]

Wow David you sound really ****** (fed up Ha) understand some of your points especially the time and costs but think a lot of people get pleasure , great gossip (the staff of life Ha)information ,a laugh and sometimes a little angry but thats all good isnt it ,would be lovely if we could have a few more members contributing ,lots seem to look but not post ,unsure how to get more people interested but please dont give up on us yet Barabara

[louiseogden]

i agree with everyone else. its a nice place to come on here and have a gossip, discuss issues going on and also find out about events.

so what if there is a bit of bitching! thats life, ya cant stop it (well ya can if the forum closes) but at end of day people are NEVER going to agree with each other all the time.

I am running a number of groups on facebook regarding Little Lever so i will post the link and some info to this site, and see if we can pull a few more people on here!

Your both doing a good job here. and ive met some nice people on this forum that i wouldnt have had i not joined. x

[derom1]

I like to log onto the forum, sometimes I will post a topic other times I will browse and if I think fit I will reply. some of the topics I will admit are not me, others are of interest whether it be gossip or not but all topics will of intrest to people.

[Greenqueen]

How about another leaflet drop to bring awareness of the site ? I often chat to people in the street who have not known this site exists.

[reddamo]

Sounds a great idea Greenqueen! I think more people, can do more for this site. I know many folk are not aware of it.

I do have a pop at folk, but if they put themselves in the public eye, is that not what they expect when they screw up? I don't mind some banter, and it looks like some people have had their mindsets changed by this forum. So I hope it lives forever!

[Mrs Jack Bauer]

Thanks for the replies...

We have advertised the forum on a big banner on the side of Berrys and also been in every Little Lever Local leaflet that had gone out.

Although the advertising on the forum does bring in money, it isn't enough to pay for 10K leaflets and distribution on top of our existing costs

[MDM]

Its a tough one. As a sponsor I can appreciate that what I pay to sponsor doesn't come close to covering the cost of the time you both put into it. I generally agree with the above about differences in opinion, and I don't think that'll ever change. But I think there are ways of expressing our opinion without being downright rude. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people are turned away by the way things are expressed on here at times.

I suppose its hard to constantly monitor this and clean up posts like such - and its something both of you shouldn't have to do. I visit another internet forum that's privately owned like this. The rules are simple. You are on THEIR site as THEIR UNPAYING GUESTS. You abide by THEIR RULES regarding etiquette. And if you don't like conforming to their rules, **** off - it's THAT simple! They understand everyone has their own opinions, and things will sometimes get heated, but it rarely crosses the line as the management step in. All in all, its a great site. The management stand for NO messing and why should they. It's THEIR site to do as they want with it. Not saying you're doing anything wrong, just trying to highlight (what I think) is one of the issues here.

Its a great community here when there's not so much flaming going on. I agree with people being in the public eye being open for criticism. But there's a line between opinion and conversation - and anonymously bullying (not accusing anyone in particular by the way, just something for all to bear in mind).

Mark

[Cllr Mary Woodward]

I get quite a lot of information from the forum (I really need to get out more) I also like the light hearted banter that goes on yes sometimes it gets a little heated but that is down to clash of personalities. It’s a place where you can have a lively debate on issues in and around L/L or about anything that’s topical.
I know you’ve been a little poorly lately and are probably feeling a bit down but I really hope you continue with the forum for all our sakes.
So buck up get over yourself and get on with it.

[David]

Thanks for the input so far...I'm sure you won't be surprised to learn that the people who have responded are the ones I expected!

Mark, we did used to clamp down more on 'abuse' (see jacko's early posts) but it's very time consuming, is open to claims of bias (see jacko's early posts) etc so we decided it should become self-regulating (with the exeception of racism and other -isms) and I believe it works pretty well...for every opinion there is a counter opinion and I've even stopped noticing the abuse!

Mary, I was going to post this last week before being just didn't get around to it. It's frustration at the actions of certain members...

[MDM]

David, I understand the position you're in with regulating the forum, its a job I wouldn't like to do. But it only takes a certain degree of courtesy from everyone here to regulate itself without problems.

[reddamo]

David, I see you relaxed rules, or kinda allowed self regulation. But, if I think, you are saying what I think you are saying, hasn't someone already mentioned it?

[IncaBlue]

I was full of enthusiasm for the site when I first joined however that has waned for the reasons I gave in this post, viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2802#p35996.

Folk just do not want to take part in a forum that can quite often be hostile, rude and insulting. I do not believe ’self regulation’ is the answer, whilst it’s been relatively quiet for a few weeks, that can change at any time. Some users would be spoken to or even asked to leave a public meeting if they conducted themselves as they do on here, so why should the internet be any different.

May I suggest that you delegate the ’supervision’ to those members who you trust and are willing to help, any ‘cyber bully’ can then be warned or even blocked, I supervise an International web site, with 2 very large forums and over 5 million registered users, it’s a different scale to a local ’community’ site but active supervision strictly enforcing the no ’cyber bully’ rule works well, both forums are very busy, very friendly and a pleasure to be a part of.

I have access to all the rules, definitions and pro forma warnings that we use, if you need help with any more information just ask.

[Paul Richardson]

I've thought hard and long before replying to this.

The values of many things in life are only appreciated when they are no longer there - and then it's too late.

The forum is one of the last vestiges of Community in Little Lever.

Community. There's a word.

Apathy - that's another.

The community traditionally has been centred on the Pub, the Church and the Post Office.

When any of these is under threat, the slogan 'Use it or Lose it' is trotted out.

I share David's frustration. For two years now I have been battling away about the Village Centre which is dying - with little success.

However my belief in what I'm doing is firm.

Take the Village Tea Room. In my mind it is not just a Tea Room. It's the VILLAGE Tea Room. It is hopefully part of the Community.

Ok, it's also a commercial enterprise and has to work as such.

Frankly it is struggling.

I could just give up, sell up and b***er off. Then I picture the Village Centre without it and again the Community is diminished - just as it was when the Village Butcher closed.

64 years old and I did 91 hours last week and for damn little return.

So, David, that's why you do this and that's why you should continue to do this.

As for leafleting, I've had 10,000 done for £99 ( Design by Mark) and am legging it round all 4,000 + houses myself. It's got to be done.

One thing that bugs me a bit is the use of nom de plumes. There are a handful of us who use our own names and wear our opinions on our sleeves so to speak. Others (Reddamo springs to mind) make snide remarks under cover of their usernames.

Nil desperandum. Fight the good fight.