More than a one dimensional community.

**Mike1** · 30th March 06, 01:34 PM

Iolaus, your idea is not without merit. It's just that Hank has put considerable effort into making this a kilt forum and if we open up the guidelines for acceptable discussion, we begin to erode all his effort.

Most of us frequent multiple forums (I'm ashamed to say how many I participate on

), and if we see that someone might enjoy the discussion on another forum, there's nothing wrong with whispering that into that person's ear. I regularly see Colin on another forum, with a lot of emphasis on the restoration of Scotland's freedom. Bubba has been a regular visitor to my own forum. I'm sure both will agree that some of the topics that are off-limits on this forum are part and parcel of what make those two forums tick.

So, there are options available to all of us. And those options are what allow X Marks to remain the excellent kilt forum that it was designed to be.

**cessna152towser** · 30th March 06, 01:45 PM

Good point, Mike!, this is after all a kilts forum and many of us frequent other forums covering our other interests. As I use the same user name on all the forums on which I post, anybody who wants to find out what other interests they have in common with me needs only to look for search engine hits against my user name. Or they can look at my website.

**UmAnOnion** · 30th March 06, 02:13 PM

While I can see and agree with Iolus' point about the viewpoint you get of the others on the board being somewhat restricted by the limitations imposed on topics discussed on the board, I must acknowledge that this is a board for talking about kilts and kilt related topics, and that is where its focus should remain.
As an inveterate shi... I mean POT stirrer (sorry couldnt resist) and a member of a variety of groups that have been oppressed in all sorts of wonderful ways I am always ready to wage in swinging when I feel my rights are being disrespected. ANd being a little on the vocal side, i have found myself going toe to toe with similarly expressive folks time & time again...
I find that, by keeping the conversations kilt focused, this board is the ideal place for discussing KILTS. For the other topics there are plenty of other venues where one is free to climb as high on the soapbox as they like (which is not necessarily a good thing to do while kilted - imagine the view from below...) and where you can rant and rail with like minded folks to your hearts content.
This is a safe place to talk about KILTS, kilts & more kilts which is exactly the way it should be.

C.

**sorcererdale** · 30th March 06, 03:48 PM

Or you can join the Yahoo Kilt group, they discuss all sorts of things, especially if you mention one of the popular topics, the discussions can go on for days.

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/utilikilt/

DALE.

**Panache** · 30th March 06, 04:21 PM

I have never really been interested in joining an online before because it seemed so much of the threads devolved into foul language, name calling, and hardline stances on politics and religion. Last week, for my 50th post I composed a little poem about exactly why I like this forum. I offer it again.

From many different walks and many ages
We come to enjoy and contribute to these pages.
If in our other views we can’t find an accord
we will always refrain from the harsh or bitter word.

No matter who we vote for to rule our shores
or what goes on behind our closed doors
No matter what flags we raise
or when and what Gods we praise.

Away from all conflict and strife
We join here to celebrate the kilted life!

If elsewhere in building bridges we fail
Here, we let our better natures prevail.
Kindness serves to make amends
for us to disagree but remain friends

Where else to speak of pleats and belts?
Where else to talk of kilts and Celts?
Of sporrans, hose, and the sgian dubh?
Of glengarrys, kilt pins, and flashes too?

A cheer for the kilt pin and the sock knife
We join here to celebrate the kilted life!

If in our words on occasion we turn
for laughter ‘s sake to play the fool.
In our laughter we teach and learn
knowledge of the kilted school

Be our kilts traditional or contemporary,
be they made or bought.
We find them all exemplary
here at X Marks the Scot!

Let play the bagpipe, drum and fife
We join here to celebrate the kilted life!

**way2fractious** · 30th March 06, 04:48 PM

Like Panache,...

Originally Posted by Panache

I have never really been interested in joining an online before...

however, this is the dimension (all things kilt-related) that we all have in common. There is the natural tendency to "shop around once we're inside the store." That's the reason for the ocassional meeting between individuals and the existence of local kilt nights. Perhaps larger XMarks clan gatherings could be planned for the various highland games put on annually (by time zone, or country, or ???)

UmAnOnion's "20 Questions" post was a start, as I saw it, toward exposing ourselves (in a nice way) to the others on the board, but it's limited to a sequential read. 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.

By and large, I'm happy with this forum the way it is.

**Moosehead** · 30th March 06, 07:41 PM

Iolaus said:

My point was the one dimensional view we get of each other here.

Agreed, but isn't that a limitation of the 'net itself, as opposed to the board? With all the kilt nights and travelling around going on, I think many have had the opportunity to meet face-to-face. Alas, for me, unless everybody travels here (and I'm trying

), there won't be any kilt nights in PEI.

**longshadows** · 5th April 06, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by sorcererdale

Or you can join the Yahoo Kilt group, they discuss all sorts of things, especially if you mention one of the popular topics, the discussions can go on for days.

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/utilikilt/

DALE.

Well, the Utilikilt forum is unmoderated, that's for sure. A couple of weeks back, they spent several days discussing computer printers! I no longer bother. It's a "free for all," but I've never learned anything from it.

I'm sure there must be an unmoderated anarchist group out there, if that what someone wants, but if one want a bunch of (seemingly

) nice people, who primarily want to discuss kilts and things Scots (within reason) and don't mind a little shepherding from time to time by the moderators (who seem to try hard to be fair and objective), this is still the best place.

I'll drink to that!