A general comment from me

[Jojo]

Apologies if I offend anyone here, but its something that I've been feeling this for a while now, and I have to post my thoughts.

I posted a thread a bit like this, a year ago ish. Older members, who are still here, may remember.

I have always enjoyed coming here, enjoying friendly chat and banter with old and new friends. Sadly though, of late, things seems to have changed.

So many general discussion threads, end up embroiled in either an argument, or a political discussion and I don't come here for that. I come here for some light hearted chat with friends, not to get into political debates (or read political debates) about mine or other peoples opinions.

I've noticed a lot of members have gone very quiet, or have disappeared altogether. There aren't very many new posts each day either (I remember going through 1000 posts of a weekend if I hadn't visited, not 200 max like it is these days) and I'm starting to realise why.

I thought we prided ourselves on not being a bitchy forum, instead being a forum that enjoyed forging new friendships and firming up old ones. But, for me, this seems to be changing. Arguments, sarcasm (whether subtle or outright) to each other seem to be coming more and more frequent, and whether its because the posters don't realise their post reads in that way or not, I don't know, but I don't come here for this.

With 3 children and another on the way, I want to be able to sit and relax when I'm on here, enjoy myself, not find myself getting more and more upset or angry.

I'm probably the only one who feels this way, I don't know, but I'm of an age where I'm not going to keep quiet and I will say the above, as its how I'm feeling.

This isn't directed at anyone, its a general comment, so I don't want anyone taking offence to what I have said here. But I did always think that SB's was different to other forums (DS for example) because we didn't have the bitchiness etc that some others have. And I just don't want to see that change and would like to welcome back any members who have gone quiet, perhaps for the same reasons that I have given.

[Trinity]

I, too, have noticed a fall off in the number of posts here.

I would put at least some of the reduction in posts down to the gawd awful state of TV soaps over the last while

I hope that I haven't offended anyone - but if I have I am sorry. I agree with Emz, bitchiness is a turn off. The comments should be aimed at the TV shows we are discussing and personnal attacks against fellow Soapboarders.

[DaVeyWaVey]

I am also sorry if i have offended anyone with any of my posts. I know i've posted less and less in the soaps section of the forum now, down to me stopping watching most soaps bar Hollyoaks and occasionally EE.

[Chloe O'brien]

I tend to stay away from posting from the soap threads, mainly because I rarely watch them so I don't like to coment on something that I haven't seen, for example I wouldn't make a comment about Stacey's top in EE if I hadn't seen it just to boost my posts up.

I have noticed a reduction of post as well especially at the weekend I don't normally come on until night time but there may only be about 100 posts for that day. I have not been on SB as much as I used to be but that is down to personal circumstances. last year I was working almost full-time and there was just me and my boss in the office with him out at meetings most of the time, basically I used to be on here most of the day. Now I only work 20 hours a week but I still have a high level of workload so its not possible to get on everyday. This is the first day I've been on in four days because of the I've just not had the time.

As for the bitchiness I try to avoid it when possible, I'm not a nasty person until someone really hacks me off and as I said earlier if I don't watch a particular episode or programme then I'm not going to slag it or the actors off as I would hate for members to slag of the programmes that I enjoy without viewing them.

[Kim]

I've noticed that, too. I think there are a few more arguments these days, but I think the decrease in posting rates is down to the storylines of the soaps, and I think some joined around the dates of the more significant storylines, which don't happen often now. With a lot more of the members doing GCSE's, A Levels and degrees now, I also think that that could have had an influence, as well.

Just incase anyone was wondering why I hadn't been on for weeks; my internet messed up just after the MSN quiz that I took part in, and it only started working properly yesterday.

[CrazyLea]

I agree 100% with what you're saying Ems. I know that, although I have been here, I have posted less, due to worry that I may get criticised (sp?) or something like that. Which is not what I want from posting an opinion that I hold.

Well done to you for bringing this up by the way, can't have been easy, but I can tell from the number of thanks you've had, that you are not alone .

[DaVeyWaVey]

I have to say though, despite all the negatives, this is by far, the best board that i've joined. I've made so many great friends here and your all so kind, even if there is the odd disagreement or argument at times. I would never criticise someone of their opinion as i respect and i'm aware of myself and others viewpoints.

I didn't know i would get so attached to this board when i first joined, but i did, and this is purely because of the kind people and friendly and lovely atmosphere on here.

[Chloe O'brien]

On a positive note can I just say that yes I have noticed that although some members who were active posters in the last year have either disapeared or reduced their interaction, but on a possitive note there has been members who have been shy to talk in the past that have now become more involved.And I have made new friends to the ones I had. So some good has come out of your post Ems as it may give the members who are being bitchy a reality check or the newer members the courage to talk on shoutbox or post more. Whatever Ems you should be congratulated for speaking out.

[JustJodi]

To all of you who have posted, I want to thank you for saying what you did, and I applaud Em for having the cojones to speak out.
I know I post all the time, but that is just the episode guide, and once in a while I post a new thread..
I try to stay out of the political part, cos I am not a Brit and i do not really know the innies or the outties of your Political system. So I stay out of that unless it is something I actually know something about ( like the smoking ban )
I too noticed the amount of posts were down, I remember last year there was thousands of posts, could it be that the quality of the programs we have been watching gone down the tubes ??
I am so grateful for the wonderful friends I have made here and I cherish each and every one of you ( you know who you are ) And I look forward coming on here to see if those friends are here, if not I try to seek them out on MSN, granted we all lead different lives, we all may not have all the time to spare to chat with each other, but we do keep in contact..all I can say is I am thankful I discovered the SB's its by far the nicest site and some really nice folks who has put up with my rubbish
LONG LIVE THE SOAP BOARDS

[Katy]

To be honest i kind of agree, there has definitly been a reduction in posts, but that could be due to time of year. We have on MFF as well and people have gone on holiday but you are right in general theres less activity.
I'm sure it will improve.