Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2016 2:33:43 GMT
Don't know about the like button, but I like the concept of Karma or maybe a rating to say how helpful or unhelpful a member is? Would let u know who to trust and who not to.
|
|
|
Post by SlayerofDarkness on Mar 22, 2016 3:27:52 GMT
Forget needing karma for that, Asad. Just trust me and RicWilly! ....Never Sean, please don't listen to THAT guy, he'll get you hooked up on Fables, Odins, Atrims and flying laserkatanas and you'll never be the same again! No, seriously, I loved karma. But it is what it is. We can't have it, we can't have it. I think there have been a LOT of good comments and perspectives in this thread, and quite honestly, I'm ready to put some TLC into the ol' beauty and make SBG what it is. No need to 'make SBG great again', or to turn it into what it was- simply what it is- the best, friendliest, most enjoyable group of guys and gals commenting on things that could kill us but hopefully won't and cost a small amount to a large amount of money. We've always been evolving with the times, and IDK about everyone else here, but I freaking love you guys and this place in general. I learned SO MUCH on this forum back in the day, and not just about swords, about LIFE. Does anyone remember the snipe thread? Avery taking me on a legitimate internet snipe hunt, and SUCCEEDING? And curse you, Brenno, for those pesky Drop Bears you set on me.... *grumble, mumble mumble...* I have some ideas... Lurkers, get ready to post. Occasional visitors, add this site to your favorites bar. Old timers? Get your sorry internet selves back in the game and away from FB, because no one wants to see their second cousin's newborn while they're browsing longswords. Slayer is back. Muahahahahahahaa!!! Thus concludes the written rampage. Carry on. -Slayer P.S. Seriously, this place just needs more RicWilly. A RicWilly button *WOULD* be nice, but it's just not the same. Rick, buy a gladius or something before you make me do it for you. I want to see a new edible medium die on video!
|
|
|
Post by demonskull on Mar 22, 2016 15:16:45 GMT
There are a number of reasons SBG is different and to many of us better than other blade related forums.
First there is the lower end budget sword aspect. This is welcoming to many new collectors/practitioners and those whose finances don't allow them to purchase high end pieces.
Second and I don't believe mentioned in this thread thus far is the customization aspect. Not only do we encourage customization but we have a whole subforum on how-tos. Here the neophyte can take that sub $ 300 sword and make it into a stunning piece and learn new skills in the process.
Third the vast majority of members either go out of their way to either encourage new members or keep quiet if they are not impressed with a post/blade. Both go a long way to keeping the warm and fuzzy aspect of this forum over other sword forums.
Now to the point, I agree that the Karma feature was fun and rewarding and would like to see something similar here.
The other conjecture, that the forum is lacking because of it's absence is erroneous. The reason the forum feels stale to some is not the forum. It's the individual. This is not meant as a insult, it's a compliment, it means you have grown and learned. You have changed not the forum. Imagine taking your ninth grade history class for the fourth time, feels less exciting then the first go around.
You can do a number of things to rectify that feeling. Get more involved in customizations or the history of a particular sword type, then post a thread on what you've learned. Sharing your knowledge is just as satisfying as learning it anew.
The forum doesn't excite us, it's the involvement of our members, old and new that does that.
|
|
|
Post by Cosmoline on Mar 22, 2016 17:58:46 GMT
I think there are larger forces at work. These kinds of traditional forums have been dying off lately as Facebook and other social media take over. The various HEMA related forums are for the most part ghost towns. This one actually gets a lot more activity.
|
|
Sean (Shadowhowler)
VIP Reviewer
Retired Moderator
No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 8,828
|
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 22, 2016 18:39:15 GMT
I think there are larger forces at work. These kinds of traditional forums have been dying off lately as Facebook and other social media take over. The various HEMA related forums are for the most part ghost towns. This one actually gets a lot more activity. This is a pretty big factor for sure... although there are many other factors that affected my enjoyment and involvement on SBG in the past few years. A Rick Willy button would be awesome BTW.
|
|
|
Post by randomnobody on Mar 22, 2016 19:52:14 GMT
I propose we replace all emoticons with 20px images of RicWilly emoting.
As for the "more educated/advanced" sharing what they've learned...they already have. There's not much more to add, and in too many cases, any time anybody mentions any part of "knowing more" they often get the ol' "snob" treatment. Kinda puts 'em off, ya know?
Oh, and Facebook (and its ilk) suck. Terrible forms of communication, lousy presentation of media; that whole "friends" thing makes it hard for people to see things posted by people they've never interacted with before. Heck, I don't know how I became a member of the All Swords Facebook group, but one in twenty or so posts will be blocked or outright invisible to me because I'm not "friends" with the poster. Just put it in a thread on a forum, geez.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2016 20:21:29 GMT
I regret to report that facebook sword discussions are a cess pit. Same for youtube commentary.
It's a shame. There's plenty of potential for conversation but it tends to either end up a ghost town or drowning in a sea of people who think this is the moment their stupid pommel throwing reference will be insightful and hillarious.
I spent some time on other venues like that "practical approach to japanese swordsmanship" facebook group some might remember either asking my own questions or trying to kickstart conversations and it ended up drowned in garbage non-content, cheerled by some of this boards members. There's only so much of it one can tolerate before realizing that you aren't actually getting anything out of it. If I run into something I feel like contributing to I will, but it's on off hours after I'm done with my daily training or bored at work and becoming increasingly rare. It's just not a priority anymore. If something happens to change it maybe I'll come around again but it's just kind of draining and there's better uses of time and energy.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2016 20:33:07 GMT
I was nominated for the All Swords Facebook group and immediately after accepting, was bombarded with emails every time there was a post. Maybe my settings but overall a grand waste of time. I prefer to leave my Facebook as a way for family and close friends to stay in touch. Even at that, unfollowing a great many friends (including a sister ). SBG has remained as a place where some can have some fun. Revitalizing groups goes way back to the old 1990s usnet groups. Interest falls off and a few try to "make things great again". You can't go home. One usenet group shined for a few years, as a getaway spot for ten of us. It grew to a few dozen in the coffee clutch. Now 18 years later, it is usually one indian (me) and the head chief that had originally nominated the ten. Another little indian checked in this past year with a single post. It is now just some of the holidays that may see a note on a tumbleweed roll by. SBG and other boards will continue to find new posters and some answering the smae questions time and again. All the boards have fairly dense and old information any can read. I will venture to guess though that many post through phones these days and have no interest in browsing boards back to their starts. I have been around here, in one fashion or another, since the start and the cycle continues. Color me a relic of the 8k and 16k modems, and cassette drives.
|
|
|
Post by RicWilly on Mar 22, 2016 21:13:09 GMT
Forget needing karma for that, Asad. Just trust me and RicWilly! :D ....Never Sean, please don't listen to THAT guy, he'll get you hooked up on Fables, Odins, Atrims and flying laserkatanas and you'll never be the same again! (rofl) No, seriously, I loved karma. But it is what it is. We can't have it, we can't have it. I think there have been a LOT of good comments and perspectives in this thread, and quite honestly, I'm ready to put some TLC into the ol' beauty and make SBG what it is. No need to 'make SBG great again', or to turn it into what it was- simply what it is- the best, friendliest, most enjoyable group of guys and gals commenting on things that could kill us but hopefully won't and cost a small amount to a large amount of money. We've always been evolving with the times, and IDK about everyone else here, but I freaking love you guys and this place in general. I learned SO MUCH on this forum back in the day, and not just about swords, about LIFE. Does anyone remember the snipe thread? Avery taking me on a legitimate internet snipe hunt, and SUCCEEDING? And curse you, Brenno, for those pesky Drop Bears you set on me.... B-| *grumble, mumble mumble...* I have some ideas... Lurkers, get ready to post. Occasional visitors, add this site to your favorites bar. Old timers? Get your sorry internet selves back in the game and away from FB, because no one wants to see their second cousin's newborn while they're browsing longswords. Slayer is back. ;) (:)) Muahahahahahahaa!!! 8D :D P-) 8-) Thus concludes the written rampage. Carry on. :P -Slayer P.S. Seriously, this place just needs more RicWilly. A RicWilly button *WOULD* be nice, but it's just not the same. Rick, buy a gladius or something before you make me do it for you. I want to see a new edible medium die on video! Good seeing you post, Slayer! I thought you might be in prison. I agree with everything you have said, especially about me. I do have some new swords I'd like to review, a trio of A&A's and a couple ZTs. I'm think a video review of each group.....
|
|
|
Post by whitefeathers on Mar 24, 2016 17:39:18 GMT
Blame Facebook groups. And social media
|
|
Avery
Member
Manufacturer/Vendor
"It's alright little brother... There are more!!!
Posts: 1,826
|
Post by Avery on Apr 2, 2016 16:31:12 GMT
Does anyone remember the snipe thread? Avery taking me on a legitimate internet snipe hunt, and SUCCEEDING? ....wait, when did I do that? I'm sure alcohol was involved on my part...
|
|
|
Post by randomnobody on Apr 2, 2016 17:13:28 GMT
I remember that. It was many, many years ago.
|
|
|
Post by Owlski on Jun 24, 2016 2:53:53 GMT
I have recently re-created my account from soo long ago. (Either I forgot my login password, or the forum changed sometime during the years to opt. me to recreate it.)
Though I haven't been active in these forums, I used to always visit them to look up all the neat custom creations people have made on swords they have purchased or forged themselves, as well as to read-up on some of the guides and reviews on various swords and customization tips. (I still recall that I learned how to electro etch using a 9V battery, some salt water, and some q-tips from this very forum.)
I am not a veteran to these forums, so my word holds little merit in this regard. However, I believe I know what Chrisperoni feels as I've seen beloved communities and groups I have partook in feel as though they're fading. The energy, the liveliness, the synergy of what you formerly known, now feels like a distant past. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong in that assumption Chris.)
I may be but a novice, but take it from me; One of the many silent readers. I would love to see this forum continue to grow for many more years. As the people and all the info shared in this community has proved helpful to me, as I'm sure it has to many others. If that means bringing back the old in order to help the future of this community, then I'm all for it.
EDIT: Aaannnd, I just realized I'm necro'ing a post. x.x
|
|
|
Post by pellius on Jun 25, 2016 0:50:07 GMT
Okay, so this is an antique thread. So maybe it's appropriate for me to slip my 2 cents in here - as one of the new and low-budget and low-knowledge members.
I got my very first sword only a few months ago. It was an inexpensive but "legitimate" Chinese longquan sword. I was very happy with it, and went looking on the Internet for like minded folks.
Of the various online forums, many were either high end oriented or they were expert oriented where serious collectors, practitioners and craftsmen congregated. In either case, my humble sword and experience would, at best, be ignored.
Without getting too touchy-freely, I must say that the members here were very encouraging to me in my new sword related endeavors. The low-to-mid level orientation meant the archives were stuffed with tons of info actually useful to me as a beginner, as well as now that I'm (already) looking forward to taking a step up in quality. The community has also been patient and forgiving with my noob attempts to contribute something (anything) useful.
So, great job, and thanks.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Jun 25, 2016 1:24:25 GMT
I'll admit that the general feeling of the SBG forum is different from many years ago when I first discovered it and before I joined. Yes, FB and other social media like it opens up lots of "competition" for the lack of a better word, and people do tend to run by different rules there. But, I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing for this forum, I think it's a good thing, seeing as there's less drama (for the most part) than social media, which is built for instant gratification.
As for M&V posting more, I'd also like to see that. But as for myself, I try my best, but sometimes my job, plus my store, my family, and my training makes it hard to do so, not to mention specific rules we have to abide by. I'm sure others are in the same boat as I am or even more so.
In any case, when in doubt, I always return to this forum when I need new information, or to search for info that others have already stated before, even from years past - social media is light years behind with that function, and I don't see it changing any time soon.
|
|
|
Post by Timberwolf on Jun 25, 2016 4:13:09 GMT
Hello, Chris P.
Having been gone for so long I wasn't aware that the karma and likes were gone.
Yes, we need to have them back. Even with my few posts back then, I felt great about having a lot of points associated with that small amount of posts, and that isn't the best part of it all.
The bottom line is trust in someone's words. If there are a lot of karma points and likes coming from the most experienced of us, a NEW guy can RELY on that post as being ACCURATE. Even us older guys can say, "Yeah, this is correct and educational/entertaining", and then give our appraisal of the post with our own accolades.
Aw, hell. You know where I'm going with this, I've said enough ... :D
|
|