More than a one dimensional community.

[Mike1]

I really wish we had a "Basement" where any and all subjects could be discussed openly (except "adult content" of course). If a thread did get heated, it could just be sent there. If it were segregated from the "New Posts" option, then only people that wanted to participate could see the updates, via email notification; the rest could just ignore it.

You've already got it. It's called e-mail.

If you try to see it from this side of the table, you'll see how impossible this kind of an idea is, within a structured forum. The very first sentence I quoted proves the point.

It would be nice to have a place where 'any and all subjects could be discussed openly'. But then you already realize it really cannot be 'any and all subjects', because adult content would be inappropriate. So, already, there is a limitation.

Some people are offended by adult content, some are offended by religious discussion, some are offended by firearms discussions, some are offended by alternative lifestyle discussions, etc. So, where do you draw the line? What is appropriate and what is inappropriate?

Forum sections can be set up with limited access, but then the forum staff is spending all of its time trying to determine who has what access. Just as soon as you think you've got it all ironed out, somebody new comes along, or somebody decides that they want out and you're right back to it.

I hope this explains why we haven't already tried to steer in the direction you suggest. It keeps us on our toes, just trying to keep the kilt-related discussions on an even keel.

[Eujeankilt]

In life, I tend to classify others. Unfortunately, the more heated things become, the harder it is to see past the categorizing. Whjen I get to that point, I end up not really listening to the other's point of view.

In this forum, I have gotten a glimpse of what some of you are about and because of the moderation, things haven't devolved and I find it easier to listen to anothers point of view, even if I don't agree. In fact, I may have gone off and never returned, but I've stayed because I see real value in rational discussion. You know what - I learned a bunch from you lot, and not just about kilts.

Thank you to the moderators and to all X Markers.

Dale

[bubba]

All you have to do to see what comes for that "openness" is check out a few IRC chat channels. This is far better and much more pleasant.

[Mike1]

Hi Bubba! How have you been?

If IRC isn't 'warmed up' enough for you, might I direct you over to Usenet?

[bubba]

Hi Bubba! How have you been?

If IRC isn't 'warmed up' enough for you, might I direct you over to Usenet?

Doing fine Mike. I still occasionally drop into one IRC channel, but as for Usenet, been there, done that, didn't want the T-shirt. Like a few others here there have been posts I was very tempted to respond to, but refrained from doing so because it would likely have caused trouble. I have other outlets for raising hate and discontent.

[Moosehead]

It really kinda defeats the meaning of the word "Community" to have to self censor all the time.

Actually, I think that would be the perfect meaning for "community".

[Iolaus]

Actually, I think that would be the perfect meaning for "community".

My point was the one dimensional view we get of each other here. Yes, self-censoring ourselves for abusive and overtly offensive behaviour is an aspect of "community."

[cessna152towser]

I suppose we could discuss other subjects within reason in Off Topic. My experience is that this is one of the more civilised forums, possibly because we don't get into heated arguments about politics then start calling other forumites ignorant or short-sighted simply because their outlook is from a different colour of the political spectrum.

[Iolaus]

Well, it looks like my suggestion isn't getting a lot of support, so I will respectfully withdraw the proposal, slink off to lick my wounds, and come up with another plan to take over the internet.

Try FRAPPR, or something similar. The XMarks FRAPPR group allows you to build a circle of friends, blog your thoughts, post your pictures (even not kilt-related pics), etc. With an ADMIN, sub-groups of XMarks could be set up along whatever dimensions desired.

I guess Frappr is a lot like MySpace? Whatever, I'm on it now. (I'm on MySpace as well, with a basic page, but I only check it out every few weeks.)

All you have to do to see what comes for that "openness" is check out a few IRC chat channels. This is far better and much more pleasant.

I can't do chat rooms, I don't type fast enough to keep up, and I usually like to compose my responses carefully; real time chat doesn't allow that.

[CameronTaylor]

Not that it was a bad idea but a moderated society is a polite society .....
The other side is myspace where it's take your chances with what you get.
My kilt pictures are over there but good luck finding them.

CT -