SOS

[gfwgfw]

Hello Giant, I am still here, just about, how's tricks down your way?

Lubberly Helen

I am full of tricks and OKA1

Graham x

[gfwgfw]

Dear Shipmates

Nothing sinister in my thread

Just appreciative of many e-mails from the old confectio to lighten my days

PTE . . . my best mate has gone AWL


A very peaceful slumber to you all

The Well Hunged Giant of Cerne Abass

[Dark Knight]

Giant one
you are right. there are many people from the "old days" who either did not join or decided for whatever reason that the current format is not to their liking, there are also a good number who came and went, due to various reasons
this forum is stagnating and is only kept going by a limited number of regular contributors, sadly some people on here seem to think that new blood and new questions are a bad thing, which is made all the more stupid, by the fact that those complaining rarely post and have little or nothing to contribute in the first instance

a rather astute observation on your part really

[Silver_Shiney]

Giant one
you are right. there are many people from the "old days" who either did not join or decided for whatever reason that the current format is not to their liking, there are also a good number who came and went, due to various reasons
this forum is stagnating and is only kept going by a limited number of regular contributors, sadly some people on here seem to think that new blood and new questions are a bad thing, which is made all the more stupid, by the fact that those complaining rarely post and have little or nothing to contribute in the first instance

a rather astute observation on your part really

As a relative newby, it would sadden me greatly if this forum stagnated completely, especially after all the hard work David put in to set it up. Certainly there do not seem to be as many postings now as there used to be.

[Dark Knight]

SS
it is also made more off putting, when newbies try to inject some vigour into the forum and their motives are questioned and seen as sinister by people who contribute next to nowt

this is more of a private club than a forum , these days

[Silver_Shiney]

SS
it is also made more off putting, when newbies try to inject some vigour into the forum and their motives are questioned and seen as sinister by people who contribute next to nowt

this is more of a private club than a forum , these days

I fear you may be right, dear friend

[Jan Rosser]

I think it's a shame too that our travel writer friend has been subjected to such suspicion and questioning of his reasons for being on here - would put most people off - you are right DK it is becoming more of an exclusive club but I for one feel it provides a lot of very helpful information for cruisers and will continue to post when I have something to say

[oldbluefox]

A forum is only as good as those who post on it. We should be encouraging new blood on the forum to post and ask questions without fear of being shot down in flames. I suspect we have many members who read but rarely post. However unless members put up topics to discuss or ask their questions the forum will struggle.

[Silver_Shiney]

I think it's a shame too that our travel writer friend has been subjected to such suspicion and questioning of his reasons for being on here - would put most people off - you are right DK it is becoming more of an exclusive club but I for one feel it provides a lot of very helpful information for cruisers and will continue to post when I have something to say

I agree - John's been given an undeserved hard time and I feel he's made some valuable contributions.

[Dark Knight]

I f I may cite one of my own examples
I posted a 14 day report on my Caribbean cruise and got about 10 replies but hundreds of views, which makes me wonder how many do actively participate?
my guess would be about 20-30

[oldbluefox]

I think it's a shame too that our travel writer friend has been subjected to such suspicion and questioning of his reasons for being on here - would put most people off - you are right DK it is becoming more of an exclusive club but I for one feel it provides a lot of very helpful information for cruisers and will continue to post when I have something to say

I agree - John's been given an undeserved hard time and I feel he's made some valuable contributions.

His questions certainly do make you think and I hope he continues asking them.

[ChesterfieldJohn]

SS
it is also made more off putting, when newbies try to inject some vigour into the forum and their motives are questioned and seen as sinister by people who contribute next to nowt

this is more of a private club than a forum , these days

Agree completely, definitely happens.
By regular contributors as well.

John

[Kenmo1]

I will probably get shot down in flames for this remark but the middle of last week I seriously considered withdrawing from the forum because of what a couple of people were name calling a certain person. Their responses to one persons opinion, no matter how much they disagreed with that persons opinion, were virtually bordering on cyber bullying and it was disgusting. Luckily, David dealt with it quickly but any newbie looking in would have been totally put off by the name calling and wouldn't have dared to risk posting.

I may not put a lot into this forum but if the name-calling ever happens again, I will withdraw completely.


Maureen

[Delboy]

I think this forum is no different to any other cruise forums, it does not matter how many members they have, it's only a small proportion of members who post on a regular basis.

At least this forum is unlike a number of Facebook cruise sites, where the main objective at times seems to be a competition on who can attract the most new members. They seem to attribute success to the number of members they attract, even although again it's the same few who regularly contribute.

Also how do we assess whether members are contributing or not, is it just in regards to this general chat and non cruising section, or the forum as a whole.

I also think David needs praising for keeping this forum going for so long, when originally it was only for a temporary period.

[ChesterfieldJohn]

I think this forum is no different any other cruise forums, it does not matter how many members they have, it's only a small proportion of members who post on a regular basis.

At least this forum is unlike a number of Facebook cruise sites, where the main objective at times seems to be a competition on who can attract the most new members, even although again it's the same few who regularly contribute.

Also how do we assess whether members are contributing or not, is it just in regards to this general chat and non cruising section, or the forum as a whole.

I also think David needs praising for keeping this forum going for so long, when originally it was only for a temporary period.

It must surely be on the forum as a whole.

I dont think anyone is having a go at David, he has done a brilliant job creating this.

John

[Quizzical Bob]

I also think David needs praising for keeping this forum going for so long, when originally it was only for a temporary period.

Yes indeed. Thumbs up from me too.

[Jonty S1]

As a relatively new member, have not found it particularly easy to fit. My humour may not always suit, also as a first attempt at any form of forum membership don't find this style of communication comes naturally. Sending posts into cyberspace can cause an echo in ones brain.

Some long standing participants seem to get away with delivering regular abuse which can also be off putting. On the positive side have made a couple of friendships and communicate regularly by e-mail.

When John ITWA joined the forum it appeared he would be a major asset. Many of his posts have been extremely interesting and ( to me ) educational. I am aware that some members find the number of questions a little intrusive, however there is always the option not to respond. Certaingly read nothing sinister behind it.

Off course many members may just be enjoying this lovely weather which yours truly will now be doing.

[Dark Knight]

I don't believe for a second anyone is aiming criticism at David
as said previously it is the nature of forums/chatrooms and yes there is strife from time to time,

I think gfw is pointing out the fact, that the forum has lost some of it's members for what ever reason, nothing more

[Boris+]

Hi Jan,

I take your valid point about the way people - including me - have responded to John ITWA. It's a poor excuse I know, but I was very downhearted last week and had unfortunately taken to questioning when I shouldn't have, and I apologise for that.

I also think that David and the Mods do a stirling job, and I can only hope that they continue so to do. I am very grateful.

Em

[Delboy]

I don't believe for a second anyone is aiming criticism at David
as said previously it is the nature of forums/chatrooms and yes there is strife from time to time,

I think gfw is pointing out the fact, that the forum has lost some of it's members for what ever reason, nothing more

Again I think it's the nature of all forums, some members decide to leave for whatever reason, and new members arrive, with just a small nucleus of regular members remaining.

It's the contributions of posts whether they be from new or old members which keeps the forum active and alive.

[david63]

Just to add a bit of a positive - we have an average of around 900 visitors a day to this forum and so far this year the forum has had almost seven million "hits" (small when compared to the likes of Facebook I know)

[Dark Knight]

Smurfy
Facebook is much the same, made up of lots of people but a core of posters and all they do is post pictures of ships and ports, the Pando official page is the comedy channel of cruising, 90% are just moans and people having a tantrum

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Just to add a bit of a positive - we have an average of around 900 visitors a day to this forum and so far this year the forum has had almost seven million "hits" (small when compared to the likes of Facebook I know)

David,

Is it 900 different people visiting or can it be the same person visiting numerous times?

Is it possible to say how many people actually post on here please?

Thanks John

[towny44]

Just to add a bit of a positive - we have an average of around 900 visitors a day to this forum and so far this year the forum has had almost seven million "hits" (small when compared to the likes of Facebook I know)

That's interesting to know David, but are the 900 seperate individuals, and are they contributing members or just passing visitors?
We do seem to have only a small nucleus of regular contributors and not everyone is taking regular cruise holidays, which obviously limits the amount of genuine cruise discussion. There are of course other cruising forums with larger membership and more active cruising discussions, but I would be sorry to see this forum disappear since, cruising apart, it is normally a friendly forum with its fair share of eccentric as well as egocenric posters.

[Delboy]

Smurfy
Facebook is much the same, made up of lots of people but a core of posters and all they do is post pictures of ships and ports, the Pando official page is the comedy channel of cruising, 90% are just moans and people having a tantrum

Not only ships and ports, but some have this obsession of posting photo's of their family, which I always thought was a no no on Facebook, especially where children are concerned.!!