One month on .....

[Meg 50]

There are many reasons for this:
Some just like to read the posts without posting themselves
Some are shy
Some just come onto the forum to ask questions and get information
Some take a while to gather their bearings before posting themselves etc etc

The forum means different things to different people.

and some can't get a word in edgewise

[wolfie]

And others for vicarious reasons/means.

vicarious..........'felt or enjoyed through imagined participation in the experience of others:'

Some join for the above purpose, make a few posts, and then disappear into the ether.

[Kendhni]

... And we currently have 397 active members ... who will be the 400th ?

Dear Ken

It would be nice if all 400 members were active. A quick scan of the membership shows me tha nearly 300 of our fellow forumeers aren't into double figure postings.

AOTH, that is a common pattern on most forums ... there will be a core of regulars providing the entertainment with many just making the occasional contribution or, as OBF says, reading. I am sure there are also a few duplicates in the membership list due to people forgetting their original sign on details etc.

But the main thing is that everyone is welcome and I hope more do start posting (I agree that variety is required). Unfortunately nobody can force others to join in but hopefully can provide some interesting topics that might convince them to dabble their tow in the water of chatboards.

Hopefully as/if the site develops we will see more cruise reports and feedback.

[Mo2013]

There will be different reasons why a lot of people don't post. One of them might be the fact that several times I have noticed that a thread has evolved into an interaction between just a couple of dominant posters or one-line retorts. I think this is off-putting. A forum can become stagnant if the same old people post.

[CaroleF]

I think the number of postings on this site shows how good it is. There are other sites that don't have anywhere near the number of postings in a day that this one has. one other site that I do look at has very few postings each day, usually from the same few people. This is technically the best site I've been on. Also isn't it amazing how quickly all the posters from the P&O site found their way on here and established a good and very friendly site. It is, I think, the only site that is mainly devoted to P&O although I know questions about other cruiselines are welcomed. It must show that us P&O cruisers are a friendly lot.

Thank you once again David, it's brilliant!

Carole

[Holiday Planner]

I'm one of those who doesn't post often (my total is now in the late twenites), but I tend to read a lot, and only post if I've got something specific to say. I also don't do the games (I never even look at them). I think the fact that there are so many who feel happy to dip in and post occasionally is good. Not everyone can spend 12 hours a day on here!
I do agree with Mo2013 .. I've noticed that there are times when some of the regulars are having one of their sessions of banter (sometimes only loosely related to the thread) When a less regular contributer makes a comment it can be totally ignored, with the 'in' joke picking up where it left off.

[Manoverboard]

... I do agree with Mo2013 .. I've noticed that there are times when some of the regulars are having one of their sessions of banter (sometimes only loosely related to the thread) When a less regular contributer makes a comment it can be totally ignored, with the 'in' joke picking up where it left off.

I both agree and disagree

The ability to engage in friendly banter without undue censureship ( hush DN ) is one of the best parts of this site for many Members, including me I would have to confess, but in an ideal World it should perhaps be restricted to General Chat ... as should any sniping that may arise from time to time.

[Holiday Planner]

MOB, I think you're absolutely right that chat should be allowed without undue censorship, but at the same time new posters need to be welcomed and encouraged - which I think they are most of the time. I meant a warning, rather than a criticism!

[david63]

I've noticed that there are times when some of the regulars are having one of their sessions of banter (sometimes only loosely related to the thread) When a less regular contributer makes a comment it can be totally ignored, with the 'in' joke picking up where it left off.

This however is the nature of fora in general

[Manoverboard]

MOB, I think you're absolutely right that chat should be allowed without undue censorship, but at the same time new posters need to be welcomed and encouraged - which I think they are most of the time. I meant a warning, rather than a criticism!

I do like to believe that most of the regulars are welcoming most of the time

HP ... your posting was certainly not seen by me as a critisism, the very opposite in fact because your views as a non confrontational regular Member are highly valued given that they offer a far more accurate picture than some that are posted.

[Holiday Planner]

MOB, I think you're absolutely right that chat should be allowed without undue censorship, but at the same time new posters need to be welcomed and encouraged - which I think they are most of the time. I meant a warning, rather than a criticism!

I do like to believe that most of the regulars are welcoming most of the time

HP ... your posting was certainly not seen by me as a critisism, the very opposite in fact because your views as a non confrontational regular Member are highly valued given that they offer a far more accurate picture than some that are posted.

Thank you MOB - very kind

[Mo2013]

Manoverboard, I wondered why you felt the need to make a comment about confrontational posters? I would have thought that any reasonable contributions towards this, and other threads would be welcomed? Personally speaking, my perfectly fair observations are an awareness of, and warning against, 'exclusive' exchanges. I hope that my comments are taken in the spirit they are expressed. I am sure that I am not alone in my views but whether or not people will express those views is a different matter, especially if they may be accused of being confrontational.

[Holiday Planner]

The difficulty with a written forum is that you can't 'hear' the tone of voice. Mo, I'm sure MOB was not directing his comments to you. Indeed, I had not taken offence at his original comment, but clearly from his response he wasn't sure about that. The trouble is, one person's 'confrontational' is another person's 'debate'. I'm not sure we'll ever solve it fully, but the best thing is to always treat other people's comments with respect, even if you don't fully agree. That's what I TRY to do, though not sure I always manage it!

[oldbluefox]

Fair post HP.
I saw nothing wrong with Mob's post to HP. He was merely assuring HP that their post was not viewed as being critical, that's all.

[Kendhni]

Mo, to be fair, the ratio of posters to members on this site is well above average for this type of site. That may be a reflection of its newness, its friendliness and/or its willingness to engage as many people as possible. It is up to people to join in.

[Mo2013]

Mo, to be fair, the ratio of posters to members on this site is well above average for this type of site. That may be a reflection of its newness, its friendliness and/or its willingness to engage as many people as possible. It is up to people to join in.

Ken, all I'm saying is that certain aspects may be off-putting to others, it is nigh on impossible to join in at times. You want people to join in but if any view is not in keeping with the mods, then it is considered wrong?

[Holiday Planner]

Those of you who wonder why people don't post ... this is the point where I give up on a thread

[Manoverboard]

Mo2013 ...

As a Member I will politely advise you that I have no intention whatsoever of justifying any of my postings to you and especially not when it was perfectly clear that I was addressing ' Holiday Planner '.

As a Moderator I will leave it to others to decide which, if any, posts should be culled.

[HK phooey]

No hard feelings mods, and I honestly wish you every success but I'm bowing out, for now at least.

[Kendhni]

Mo, then it is up to EVERYONE to portray a positive image of the site and make it more welcoming ... and cut out the negativity which makes it unwelcoming. Nobody can expect to join in on everybody's conversations all the time and half the time i have no idea what others are prattling on about ... on some occasions I feel like telling some to get a room. But that is them having their bit of fun.

My best advice to anybody is that it is always better to try joining in with a bit more positivity than negativity.

This has nothing to do about the moderation. Posts have generally only been deleted because they have been totally off topic or because they have been reported ... and in the main the reports have always been from the same very very small number of individuals. At no point, that I am aware of, has any post been deleted BECAUSE it is not in keeping with the mods .. that is a silly statement to make.

[Mo2013]

Ken, I am sorry if my posts are viewed as negative. I am joining in with a topic and it is not my fault if my observations are construed as negative. A debate is not everyone agreeing with each other. You yourself have said you have thought 'get a room' and it is this feeling of exclusion that I thought some may find off-putting. You have misunderstood my comments about Mods - if you only want 'good news' then fair enough, I will not feel as if I can comment then on occasions. But if you are sincere in wanting honest opinions then sometimes they will be on the negative side. I felt that MOB comments were regrettable because he obviously feels that some members are confrontational which is rather a contentious remark in itself. Making a forum a nice place takes effort from everyone.

[Delboy]

Mo, to be fair, the ratio of posters to members on this site is well above average for this type of site. That may be a reflection of its newness, its friendliness and/or its willingness to engage as many people as possible. It is up to people to join in.

Ken, all I'm saying is that certain aspects may be off-putting to others, it is nigh on impossible to join in at times. You want people to join in but if any view is not in keeping with the mods, then it is considered wrong?

I have never found a problem with joining in and posting on the forum, yes I have had some of my posts deleted by Admin, but on reflection, I could understand the reasons for there actions.

If I was not happy with the way this forum is moderated, then I would find somewhere else to post, not keep taking issue with them.

In my experience most forums, or fb pages, irrespective of how many members they have, have a nucleus of posters, who post regularly.

Unfortunately irrespective of how many posters post, you will always get one or two, who only seem happy in being confrontational, whether it be with Admin or fellow posters. it is not something new to this forum.

I am not talking about the tongue in cheek posts, and friendly banter that often takes place, between members and Admin.

[Kendhni]

Ken, I am sorry if my posts are viewed as negative. I am joining in with a topic and it is not my fault if my observations are construed as negative. A debate is not everyone agreeing with each other.

I think it is down to a way of expressing ... you are correct that debate is not everybody agreeing but it is also not about criticising everything .. I try to debate by putting the positives forward.

You yourself have said you have thought 'get a room' and it is this feeling of exclusion that I thought some may find off-putting.

I think you are misunderstanding what the phrase 'get a room' means

You have misunderstood my comments about Mods - if you only want 'good news' then fair enough, I will not feel as if I can comment then on occasions. But if you are sincere in wanting honest opinions then sometimes they will be on the negative side.

It's not about good news or bad news. Everybody will (or at least should) always be willing to listen to constructive criticism .. but sometimes people (accidentally or deliberately) come across 'destructively' which will not get the same response .. and causes others to become more defensive.

I felt that MOB comments were regrettable because he obviously feels that some members are confrontational which is rather a contentious remark in itself. Making a forum a nice place takes effort from everyone.

Some people ARE confrontational, so I would agree with MOB totally on that ... we are all different and we all have the choice, you either accept it, work around it or ignore it. I honestly believe that some people maybe do not realise that they are coming across as confrontational .. but as I said to you, over the weekend, I always look for the positives rather than the negatives in people.

Overall we are trying to make this forum a friendly and welcoming place and that requires dispelling what I believe is unfounded negativity.

[david63]

I am locking this topic as it is not going anywhere and just going over the same old ground.

I was asked if I would set up a forum as a temporary measure until the P&O forum was back up and running but the way that some on here are behaving I am starting have regrets that I ever did and I am seriously considering whether I want to keep it going ...