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. :)
See Ande's message on Seagurl's new thread about an NSR board....Apparently it's all set up now....so we can resurrect some ot these NSR threads over there that the MODS have now ended over here.
newmastersswimmer
I belong to an audio forum that uses this same software, vBulletin, and we have an "Off Topic" Forum. The forums on that site are divided up by topics that would be analagous to our "Workouts", "General Discussion", and the LMSC forums. Take a look at how it works:
www.stevehoffman.tv/.../index.php
I'd like to be able to get to the swimming discussions without having to sift through personal topics, but I'd like those members to have a place to interact too.
Separate forums would allow me to get my swimming fix, and the folks who feel they need to give spiritual advice, debate nicknames or pass on the news of the moment would have a forum here to do that, and everyone's happy.
OK, leaving on the top!
Take a look out on the Runner's World Forums forums.runnersworld.com/eve and you'll see that there is a much more specific organization for training, equipment, types of runners, races, etc. AND a forum entitled:
Letters And Opinions
A general running forum for all topics. Not for the faint of heart. For mature or very immature audiences only.
Ok, not enough-- Look out on the Cool Running Forums www.coolrunning.com/.../Ultimate.cgi and AGAIN :dedhorse: you can find a section:
Clubhouse
An anything-goes gathering place for discussion of all things: great thoughts, jokes, philosophical musings, silly questions and high-test camaraderie.
.
I had mentioned these two forums in another thread as examples of having an off topic category but I also thought that they had a good layout of topics and compartmentalization of specific areas related to their sport. So a blend of these 2 forums would be pretty cool with those types of areas for the users. :groovy:
Your opinion should carry as much weight as any other dues paying member of USMS, whose membership dollars are paying for this site, regardless of when you joined or stated posting.
Apparently not.
I think this is the best summation of the frivolity debate I've read thus far:
part of being a swimmer is the social aspect
friendships develop because of swimming
all kinds of conversations between swimmers take place
on the wall betwen sets,
on easy kick sets,
in the weight room,
in the locker room after practice
at parties, bars, coffee shops and restaurants after practice,
in the stands at meets and
many other places and situations
some swimmers are chatty,
others show up for practice and don't talk to anyone
can't we all just get a long?
