I have a suggestion. It seems that several people are annoyed with the lack of swimming content in many of the threads (darn those thread hijackers). What if we created a section for Off Topic Questions and threads. It seems that would be an easy solution and make everyone happy.
Originally posted by some_girl
I've just started posting here, so my opinion may carry less weight than old timers'. That said, I really enjoy the silly posts and, more to the point, those posts are part of the reason I finally felt comfortable posting here. They make the board feel like a real community of genuinely nice people--they make it welcoming. I'd be really sad to see it move to email; that would only reinforce cliqueishness without the broader benefit of the board seeming friendlier. Or so it seems to me.
I realize this is a late response, but I agree with some girl..
I found it much more welcoming and easier to become a part of the swimming forums once I saw the fun banter on the boards. It's very nice to see that it's not all "super serious total badass individuals here on the boards." It can get intimidating when you're starting out and want to ask a question or post a response and the tone of all the threads is very serious, on topic discussions only. (though I very much appreciate all the advice I've received from others on swimming issues, as well as learning from others' questions)
I have noticed a couple of people who have specifically stated in their first posts that they joined the discussions (both swimming related) because everyone seemed very nice, helpful and fun etc... that's how I felt as well.
Anyway, I imagine there has got to be a happy medium here, and I'd hate to see ALL of the fun, light hearted, community feeling of this board just disappear.
just my two cents. :)
Originally posted by some_girl
I've just started posting here, so my opinion may carry less weight than old timers'. That said, I really enjoy the silly posts and, more to the point, those posts are part of the reason I finally felt comfortable posting here. They make the board feel like a real community of genuinely nice people--they make it welcoming. I'd be really sad to see it move to email; that would only reinforce cliqueishness without the broader benefit of the board seeming friendlier. Or so it seems to me.
I realize this is a late response, but I agree with some girl..
I found it much more welcoming and easier to become a part of the swimming forums once I saw the fun banter on the boards. It's very nice to see that it's not all "super serious total badass individuals here on the boards." It can get intimidating when you're starting out and want to ask a question or post a response and the tone of all the threads is very serious, on topic discussions only. (though I very much appreciate all the advice I've received from others on swimming issues, as well as learning from others' questions)
I have noticed a couple of people who have specifically stated in their first posts that they joined the discussions (both swimming related) because everyone seemed very nice, helpful and fun etc... that's how I felt as well.
Anyway, I imagine there has got to be a happy medium here, and I'd hate to see ALL of the fun, light hearted, community feeling of this board just disappear.
just my two cents. :)
