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Good grief! I'd either depress everyone or bore them
by MonSTeR
Why don't you, yes YOU NOT post on your journal for a whole month?
Posted: 00:44 Dec 10 2005
T21..."Where do we go from here"....
This may turn into a mini rant but it's not supposed to. This isn't a pop at the moderators or admins of the site, just something which has been brewing in my head for quite a while that I wanted to throw out to the crowd and get there opinions on.
There is a sticky thread at the top of this forum title "T21 is dead, Long live T21". Sadly I think that the first part is true and that the chance of the latter part occuring is slowly fading away. Recentley I've found it really difficult to post on T21. T21 was one of the first websites I used to visit when I would turn on my computer, now it's one I barely glance at and I've been trying to think why?
One of the reasons is due to what's posted nowadays compared to back in the hey-days of T21. Looking back at some of the earlier posts and 95% of them were <b>FUN!</b>. Posts about potatoes, what band you were really into, what you were putting on top of your christmas tree through to discussing last nights episode of some TV show were all there. Nowadays we're treated to left-wing socio-econimic rants
. I joined T21 because I wanted to continue the experience I had on BuffyUK and the primary component of that experience was <b>FUN</b>. I don't want to come home from work and be greeted with political drudgery(I'd join a polotics board for that) I want to log onto T21 and have <b>FUN</b>.
There are a couple of reasons why there are no <b>FUN</b> threads on these boards. The first is that blogs/journals have seriously taken off over the last 2 years and a lot of people will post in there blog instead of on a site like T21. Another is that T21 has no new members to encourage and develop discussion. <i>We</i> all know each other. I would say that most of the active members of the site have probably met each other at least once and many socialise regularily. An insurgence of new members would revitalise the site. But will new members be attracted to a site like this? A site where the live discussions at the moment are whether we should be jailing muggers or 2 threads that Miss_Corrupt created in an effort to balance out the politics threads that seem to be the mainstay of the site just now. I think not.
The T21 discussion as it stands just now <b>will not</b> attract new members. T21 needs something fresh and interesting linked to todays big events to bring it to more mainstream attention and encourage new members. Something I suggested ages ago was that 'Lost' should have been used to gather more members. There are plenty of people on here that watch the show and some have fabulous knowledge on it. Episode guides, MSN Avatars could all have been created by some of the more creative people on this site which would have dragged in new members looking for info on that series and encouraged discussion not just about 'Lost' but also on other subjects. Yes perhaps even the dreaded politics threads, which while I can't stand them, some members do find interesting. At least they'd be balanced out with more fun topics. Now it looks like a lost oppurtunity(pardon the pun).
I wish I had an answer for all this, it really sucks that a site I once thoroughly enjoyed is in such a slow decline. Then again perhaps you don't agree. Perhaps you think that T21 is great and long may it continue..maybe I'm the only one that see's T21 slipping away. Perhaps someone has a bright idea to bring in the crash cart and revitalise the site. I hope so..until then...
"Charge to 200...STAND CLEAR!!"
There is a sticky thread at the top of this forum title "T21 is dead, Long live T21". Sadly I think that the first part is true and that the chance of the latter part occuring is slowly fading away. Recentley I've found it really difficult to post on T21. T21 was one of the first websites I used to visit when I would turn on my computer, now it's one I barely glance at and I've been trying to think why?
One of the reasons is due to what's posted nowadays compared to back in the hey-days of T21. Looking back at some of the earlier posts and 95% of them were <b>FUN!</b>. Posts about potatoes, what band you were really into, what you were putting on top of your christmas tree through to discussing last nights episode of some TV show were all there. Nowadays we're treated to left-wing socio-econimic rants
. I joined T21 because I wanted to continue the experience I had on BuffyUK and the primary component of that experience was <b>FUN</b>. I don't want to come home from work and be greeted with political drudgery(I'd join a polotics board for that) I want to log onto T21 and have <b>FUN</b>.There are a couple of reasons why there are no <b>FUN</b> threads on these boards. The first is that blogs/journals have seriously taken off over the last 2 years and a lot of people will post in there blog instead of on a site like T21. Another is that T21 has no new members to encourage and develop discussion. <i>We</i> all know each other. I would say that most of the active members of the site have probably met each other at least once and many socialise regularily. An insurgence of new members would revitalise the site. But will new members be attracted to a site like this? A site where the live discussions at the moment are whether we should be jailing muggers or 2 threads that Miss_Corrupt created in an effort to balance out the politics threads that seem to be the mainstay of the site just now. I think not.
The T21 discussion as it stands just now <b>will not</b> attract new members. T21 needs something fresh and interesting linked to todays big events to bring it to more mainstream attention and encourage new members. Something I suggested ages ago was that 'Lost' should have been used to gather more members. There are plenty of people on here that watch the show and some have fabulous knowledge on it. Episode guides, MSN Avatars could all have been created by some of the more creative people on this site which would have dragged in new members looking for info on that series and encouraged discussion not just about 'Lost' but also on other subjects. Yes perhaps even the dreaded politics threads, which while I can't stand them, some members do find interesting. At least they'd be balanced out with more fun topics. Now it looks like a lost oppurtunity(pardon the pun).
I wish I had an answer for all this, it really sucks that a site I once thoroughly enjoyed is in such a slow decline. Then again perhaps you don't agree. Perhaps you think that T21 is great and long may it continue..maybe I'm the only one that see's T21 slipping away. Perhaps someone has a bright idea to bring in the crash cart and revitalise the site. I hope so..until then...
"Charge to 200...STAND CLEAR!!"
25 Replies and 39652 Views in Total. [ 1 2 ]
Posted: 00:44 Dec 10 2005 A few of us were made semi-mod type persons of various sections of the forum but since the new look it seems to have disappeared!
by MonSTeR
Why ISN'T G a staff member to be in charge of loads of meets every year?
Why isn't Maff a staff member with his insighful movie and game posts?
Posted: 00:55 Dec 10 2005 
OK Mon, I've been taking time out for myself and I must admit it takes me an awful lot before I have to react when it looks like I'm having fingers pointed at me. As you pointed out other members of staff left when they felt no longer able to spend time regularly on the site, but did manage to take some time out once in a while.
by MonSTeR
Tam stpped aside when she didn't have teh time and effort to dedicate to the site. If the staff didn't have time to organise the party this year, they should have found someone who did and not flaked out on it like they did.
What exactly does Sam do as a staff member other than update the meets forum once in a while? Is that enough? Maybe it is? maybe she does more than I see these days of remember from yonks ago?
Hey why not have site elections every year to see who should run the place - Personally I nominate Wo, as he cares more about this site than anyone, and the techies too who've stuck by this site through thick and thin!!!
For the record, I am and always have been extremely dedicated to organising a Tparty for those who are interested. You can ask anyone who personally knows me. However, as pointed out to the rest of the staff back a minimum of 6 months ago, I am personally unavailable to organise one in the first quarter of the year. I did say that I would be 100% able to move the party to the summertime even if it was for 2006, but was open to alternatives if someone else wanted to temporarily takeover, or if we could rearrange other related events into the slot.
I think it's great that Ethan wants to organise something and had absolutely no problems with this. It never ever took a staff member to solely organise meets - there were always school discos, pub meets, theme park meets. I've always had a passion for the varied membership and think its great when people get the chance to organise their own events. Everyone has different ideas to what they hope will appeal to members in an outside of their own group and I wish him the best of luck with it. As the event was settled on as April, I was even hoping to pop by if I was in the area and able to do so as a party is always a welcome party if you can get there
At the relaunch adapting the site with an After Hours forum was to help cut down on the modding that was required for keeping excessive swearing at bay. Everyone is capable of holding conversations without *too* many insults
and it was thought that all the passing membership would appreciate the site running more discretely. The forums are now clearer to prevent the need for posts falling into the wrong areas (which used to require moving) I think it's a wonderful idea and if something can rival the old potato threads then fantastic
Why don't you, yes YOU NOT post on your journal for a whole month? Just put a link to this site on your blog and someone start a daily T-Journal thread. Everyone here will then reply to your post, all your blog-friends will come here to see what's going on? Give it a go, you know you want to
But honestly, I'm not posting regularly on my journal either so I won't be joining in. I'm making the most of having friends visit in real life right now. The facility is still there to stick and unstick posts. If you need pointers then I'm sure the techies can help
by Jola
A few of us were made semi-mod type persons of various sections of the forum but since the new look it seems to have disappeared!
(Edited by Samphirette 10/12/2005 01:45)
Posted: 01:29 Dec 10 2005 They exist? (In my life not yours
by Samphirette
I'm making the most of having friends visit in real life right now.
) Posted: 01:33 Dec 10 2005 I'm making the most of it
by Teresa
(quotes)They exist? (In my life not yours
Posted: 01:43 Dec 10 2005 
To be honest, the thought of 'taking over' the T-Party so to speak never crossed my mind. I've helped (kinda) to organise certain things in the past and I'd be more than happy to take on the T-Party proper, wether that would be allowed or not, is a different matter.
With regards to the site I think a 'T-Journal' is an excellent idea, I mean I've got a Deadjournal as well, but have been rarely publicly posting in it recently. Hence the 'Net Hiatus'. But as far as ideas to increase the member base are concerned, I'm coming up short. Other than all out advertising, I dunno.
I must admit, that recently, it's turned into a 'glorified meeting place for the core membership' (For want of a far better term) as said above. I'm all for trying to save this place, and dammit I won't let it go down without a fight. To come to the realisation that a place I know and love may not be here in X amount of weeks/months/years is crippling.
I've got a myspace page, would there be a possibility of making some sorta small pic that I can link to on there? It's a start I spose.
With regards to the site I think a 'T-Journal' is an excellent idea, I mean I've got a Deadjournal as well, but have been rarely publicly posting in it recently. Hence the 'Net Hiatus'. But as far as ideas to increase the member base are concerned, I'm coming up short. Other than all out advertising, I dunno.
I must admit, that recently, it's turned into a 'glorified meeting place for the core membership' (For want of a far better term) as said above. I'm all for trying to save this place, and dammit I won't let it go down without a fight. To come to the realisation that a place I know and love may not be here in X amount of weeks/months/years is crippling.
I've got a myspace page, would there be a possibility of making some sorta small pic that I can link to on there? It's a start I spose.
Posted: 13:42 Dec 10 2005 [ 1 2 ]