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[dbug]

Never found it cliquey.  Do find that there is a core of users who post regularly - would think that is normal for forums.  Anyone can of course post as often as they wish - look at TBs post count!

[beemerdevil]

have to say......i dont find it cliquey.........great bunch of guys and gals...........sometimes i havent had replies or only one - depends on topic, people are busy or not, but on whe whole i find the forum BRILLIANT  

[TheBoy]

It is a critism I have heard rather too often, so hear what you are saying.

In some respects, I would have to disagree - any query in Omega Help, and lets not forget that its that section that the entire site was set up for, gets answers within hours, even if its a Q back to OP for additional info.

Newbie's in chat section, I would have to accept the critism, and even accept some personally - sometimes its all too easy to misinterperate the written word, esp on light hearted subjects. I do tend to treat people I don't feel I know well slightly differently in the chat areas - if I feel they may take offence, I keep quiet.  I make the assumption that by the time I start to feel I know them, they know what I'm like as well, so then anything goes!  I guess that is cliquey.  Not sure there is an easy answer to that one, as I have upset too many new members before.


Somebody posted about making the titles more descriptive - that is key, particularly in help sections.  To be honest, I personally can only give a max of 2hrs per evening to OOF (and I'm guessing thats more than most people), and that has to be shared between being on the forum, and dealing with back end stuff.  Its not enough time to read every single post, so in the help sections, I'll look down the index, and only look at the ones I think I may be able to add something useful to.  I'm sure many others are the same.


Kris - I'm concerned you feel like this yourself, as you are a well known member here anyway  :-/

[Markie]

Got to say i feel that OP has got some of this on the button.

Think its inevitable though that any group of people will form alliances and friendships, but, too the outsider the forum, like any, can look cliquey.

For that reason i have voted in the poll in agreement.

However it doesnt mean there is an issue, uneasy vibe or anyone doing anything wrong.

When you join a ew club, job or move to a new house there are cliques that take time to get into. Its human nature.

[jjleonard]

I was thinking about this earlier. Does the fact that there is a post count next to the posters name matter?

Perhaps it's paranoia, but it would be easier to 'dismiss' a newbie poster because it's clear that they are new. If a post count wasn't displayed, then it would not be easy to work out who is new and who isn't.

Just my 2p. I personally, in my short time here, have found the forum very helpful and friendly.

[STMO123]

I was thinking about this earlier. Does the fact that there is a post count next to the posters name matter?

Perhaps it's paranoia, but it would be easier to 'dismiss' a newbie poster because it's clear that they are new. If a post count wasn't displayed, then it would not be easy to work out who is new and who isn't.

Just my 2p. I personally, in my short time here, have found the forum very helpful and friendly.

It doesn't matter to me whether a member has got 1 post or 10000 posts, I will reply if I feel I can take the piss contribute to the thread. But I will not contribute, because I feel it's expected of me, if I have nothing to add.

[Tresvant]

As someone who does not post very often or has absolutly no knowledge about cars to be of any help to anyone i kind of get the point of the subject. Sometimes i feel that the general chat area is difficult to get into but i think thats more about me being wary of what i say rather than the other members on here
I have to say that when i have posted in the general help section i have always had a great response and even so far as to have members on here coming out to my house to help me out (one of them being Mark DTM).
This is a great forum with great people and i would be lost without it and over time i will no doubt feel more comfortable with posting.

 

[LJay]

Where as i don't fully agree with Kris' comments i do think that OOf can appear cliquey!
I don't believe that its an intentional thing, just a result of comfort levels between members.
Well known issues aside, I felt that i really had to fight for my identity on here, not sure if its a personality, gender, newbie thing. So i can see how he feels.
I have walked away a few times, vowing not to come, back but given a chance its strangely addictive.

Kris' is there something or someone specifically thats made you feel like this, maybe it can be addressed.
Don't give up on OOF, our hearts are in the right place really!

[bob.dent]

Like any forum or chatroom on the Internet, in most cases you're talking to people that are just a name on a computer screen, however, you do get to know these people over a period of time and some you tend to hit it off with more than others for reasons such as being like minded or the same sense of humour. Additionally, many of us on here have met up at various Meets and become firm friends, as indeed I have on a several occassions. For these reasons I can understand that there may appear to be a bit of clickyness between some members, but in reality it is because they are good friends.

However, I don't think newer members get ignored intentionally. More often than not, the number of replies you get to a thread will depend if it's of interest to you personally. For instance, I tend to ignore threads on computer problems because I know sod all about them, but you get my drift.

I hope this kind of explains things a bit Kris and that you continue to join in with us. Don't forget, we were all new here at some point.

BTW you've not done too bad with this thread - now on 4 pages!!

[Kevin Wood]

I've never felt this place cliquey, however, cliques, by definition, are only visible from the outside. The fact that someone has made this comment should give us all food for thought.

I guess there's some banter between members who know each other well that might be intimidating when observed by newcomers, but I'm sure they would not be the target of it until they are equally well established. However, because they don't know the background the perception might be that they are likely to be on the receiving end of something they find offensive.

Not sure if there's a solution to it however, I will say that this is one of the most friendly internet forums I have ever participated in.

Kevin

[gwa]

The question could not be further from the truth. As a newbie, with the help of forum members I have managed to take a 'bag-of-bolts' to a good running motor. I would say that maybe you have not expressed yourself correctly in your postings, thus minimal responses.

Strange really, I'm just creating a 'Lessons Learned' report for one of my projects and will definitely use this topic as an example. Cheers  

[cem_devecioglu]

Nope..not cliquey..

I think I'm a real proof to that..And obviously I never physically meet

somebody from the forum..But its been more than 2 years I'm here..

And talking too much


At the beginning , people dont know who you are , dont know what

you like..You need to talk with them by posting to  their threads..

So in time they learn some details about you and your reactions..

All comes after..


And I must note that its normal for the forum people to chat with the

known friends more than the others..Same is true also for my country

forums..if somebodys close to you , you can joke even make debate

to have good time..(and sometimes goes a little deeper   ) But

you cant do that for somebody stranger..

Stay..you will see in time..

[The Barge Captain]

I agree to a point that it is slightly cliquey, but then although a regular browser and poster myself, there are members who are far more prolific and probably read far more posts so they have a higher awareness of what's going on which keeps banter high between them.  If you are here all the time then you know everything, otherwise it can be hard to keep up.  It doesn't mean you are unwelcome.

Interesting that Kris hasn't responded to anything that's been said though.

[TheBoy]

Now Kris has replied on another thread, I was going to close the poll.  But I won't, as I think it still serves a useful purpose.

[Lazydocker]

Missed this discussion last night but still want to have my say, although I have seen Kris' other post.

I have found this site, and (more to the point) the people here a great help. Yes, there are people who know each other well and therefore take the piss more than an "outsider" (and I use the term loosely) would find fair, but that happens everywhere, even in the local pub!

I have only been a member since April (I think) but have gained some very good advise and people I would call friends. I enjoy the banter, and I think most people will have realised that I like a good wind up as much as the next person (those who met me in Thetford will vouch for that! ) but I am still aware that I may upset someone with my comments... If that happens ten I apologise!

This is by far the best, most useful and least cliquey forum I have ever been a member of and I have posted far more here than I have on another forum I joined 3 years ago.

Keep up the good work boys and girls