DEBATE:What makes the CB great OR what does it lack?

[CheshireVal]

Here's the problem with the CB: take a look at Page 1.

Go on now, click on it. I'll wait here.



Done?

Good. Did you happen to notice how many "ongoing/games/clique" threads are on the front page? Did you happen to notice the ratio of those threads to all the others?


It's like every time I come to the CB, the exact same threads are on page 1 that have been on page 1 for the past week, or month, or year.

Other than that, I like the CB just fine.

 

[luvmydogs]

They had no choice if they got banned. They might be back again and we just don't know it. Did all of them get banned or just a small number and then their friends left in protest? If so, then they were to much into their small group and not the entire DIS, thus not a real community.

Some of those who get banned certainly do come back with a sort of a "see you can't keep me away" attitude, and they're style of writing is usually pretty easily detected. There were others, however, whether they were banned or left of their own accord in protest, who were definitely a huge part of the DIS community at large and were not at all exclusive or cliquish--as the word of the day seems to be. And they are greatly missed.

But, talking about banees is a bannable offense I believe, so I'll just leave it at that.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Down side - I'm on it

Rich,
I consider you a plus.

 

[simpilotswife]

I miss the debate board that was an actual community. You could want to throttle someone that is on the other end of the political spectrum, but yet know that person would also be cool to sit back and pop open a beer with and chat about things you actually have in common

 

[Blondie]

So why did the colorful charactes leave?

Only a few were banned, many left to start their own board. They were tired of getting warnings and having their hands slapped. The CB was moderated in a different fashion years ago. Much of what was considered risque and red button material then is posted on a daily basis now.

 

[grinningghost]

They had no choice if they got banned. They might be back again and we just don't know it. Did all of them get banned or just a small number and then their friends left in protest? If so, then they were to much into their small group and not the entire DIS, thus not a real community.

I really need to respond to this.

There are quite a few people who were banned that continue to return again and again under different usernames. You can tell by their personalities and writing styles. And if that isn't enough of a clue, there are other places in cyberspace to confirm it. And yes, there were some rogue types in that group.

But there are others who were absolutely, 100% a part of the CB as a whole. They were non-clique people who touched the lives of so many of us. When they were banned, well, we really lost something. I keep hoping someday, they'll be allowed back in.

 

[cardaway]

Much of what was considered risque and red button material then is posted on a daily basis now.

One of the good things IMO. Disney and family does not mena nothing can be risque.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I really need to respond to this.

There are quite a few people who were banned that continue to return again and again under different usernames. You can tell by their personalities and writing styles. And if that isn't enough of a clue, there are other places in cyberspace to confirm it. And yes, there were some rogue types in that group.

But there are others who were absolutely, 100% a part of the CB as a whole. They were non-clique people who touched the lives of so many of us. When they were banned, well, we really lost something. I keep hoping someday, they'll be allowed back in.

I do know of some of the ping pong users, but many I am sure I am oblivious to. If good members got banned for stuff that ok today, then is would seem logical that those bans should be lifted and we should embrase them here again. JMHO.

 

[simpilotswife]

When I first joined the DIS, I stayed pretty much with the DVC, Budget, DCL, Transportation and eventually the Debate Board.

For me, the CB was never really much of a community. Even back in its "heyday" it was exclusionary and cliquey. I never really posted much here because unless you were one of the "in" crowd I might as well have been posting to the walls.

I still mostly go to the other boards listed (except the DB RIP *sniff*) with an occasional read at the CB. But as a long time poster at the DIS, honestly to me the CB is still the same. The posters may be different and there may be more cliques but it's still the same sort of junk that's always been here.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Just a thought, but at one time, many of the moderators on the CB worked to start discussions that would include as many posters as possible.

Now if you look to see who the CB moderators are, "The DIS Moderating Team" is what you see. No names are listed of who moderates here so it's gotten impersonal.

 

[luvmydogs]

I do know of some of the ping pong users, but many I am sure I am oblivious to. If good members got banned for stuff that ok today, then is would seem logical that those bans should be lifted and we should embrase them here again. JMHO.

Not going to happen, as some were hurt very badly and won't return on principle. Agree or disagree that's how they feel, and I know I miss some of them tremendously.

And how many times do I have to beg catsrule for just one more Simba post? The Rubbable-Bellied One could certainly unite this place again.

 

[Aidensmom]

I haven't been here that long, but one of the things that drew me to the community board were the debates and discussions. There do not seem to be as many of those now, but I don't think it is because of the game/exchange/clique threads, but rather because a lot of those people that participated in those threads don't post on this DIS much anymore, if at all.

When there is a good discussion going, it does stay on page 1. Maybe the people who came up with the good topics are gone, and some of us need to take over and come up with the topics.

 

[Tinks]

When I first joined the DIS, I stayed pretty much with the DVC, Budget, DCL, Transportation and eventually the Debate Board.

For me, the CB was never really much of a community. Even back in its "heyday" it was exclusionary and cliquey. I never really posted much here because unless you were one of the "in" crowd I might as well have been posting to the walls.

I still mostly go to the other boards listed (except the DB RIP *sniff*) with an occasional read at the CB. But as a long time poster at the DIS, honestly to me the CB is still the same. The posters may be different and there may be more cliques but it's still the same sort of junk that's always been here.

Hmmm...I don't know about the "same". I don't recall posters using "code" talk directly on the boards about other posters in a very mean spirited and negative "wune-ish" way, do you? Even to the point of including it in signatures and tags.


Yuck. and laughing about it. Wow.

I so agree that there are way too many clique threads, game threads etc. I'm also voicing my opinion that those should be moved to a place of their own, whether it be a sticky thread or separate board. Preferably a separate board.

 

[grinningghost]

I haven't been here that long, but one of the things that drew me to the community board were the debates and discussions. There do not seem to be as many of those now, but I don't think it is because of the game/exchange/clique threads, but rather because a lot of those people that participated in those threads don't post on this DIS much anymore, if at all.

When there is a good discussion going, it does stay on page 1. Maybe the people who came up with the good topics are gone, and some of us need to take over and come up with the topics.

There are always good topics, it's just sometimes you need to dig back a few pages to find them.

 

[gina2000]

I think you bring up an interesting and valid point, Janice. Back in the heyday of the CB (2000-2003), people like WillyJ, Snoopy, CC, Dan Murphy and RobinRS were front and center in their posting and thread starting. They were some of the major personalities that helped shape and form the CB. There is no real guiding light, a manager or managers of sorts who shape the CB and gives it a spark. The mods didn't just police the joint....they contributed and made it fun.

It's been left up to the clientele to shape the CB and sometimes it gets onesided, lopsided and heavy. Right now it's all about group threads and groups gangbanging on other threads. In the past it was EROS destroying threads with anti-war talk. Some people found the big red button and many of those people pushed the envelope too risque (and these guys were innocent compared to what goes on here now). At one time every thread was a debate. And so on and so on.

The CB is off kilter....once again. One type of group is dominating it and shaping it to suit their needs, wants and desires. It's up to the community to bring it back to mainstream....with a little help from some participating mods.

That's how I see it. Oh, and if you're going to ban me for mentioning a few old members who are no longer here, so be it. They shaped and impacted the CB and it's fitting that they be remembered as such.

 

[pearlieq]

We have an "in" crowd??

Seriously? You don't see it? I suppose then just count yourself lucky. Because one day one of them might decide they don't like something about you and then *poof* Happens all the time around these parts...

I don't care really, except on principle, because I refuse to get personally involved with a message board. But it's definitley out there.

Darn. Now I sound like Agent Mulder.

 

[simpilotswife]

Hmmm...I don't know about the "same". I don't recall posters using "code" talk directly on the boards about other posters in a very mean spirited and negative "wune-ish" way, do you? Even to the point of including it in signatures and tags.

Of course they did. You probably never realized it but it has been that way for a very long time.

 

[Blondie]

Excellent post Gina!

 

[sydally9367]

Extremely well said Gina!

 

[hiwaygal]

I think you bring up an interesting and valid point, Janice. Back in the heyday of the CB (2000-2003), people like WillyJ, Snoopy, CC, Dan Murphy and RobinRS were front and center in their posting and thread starting. They were some of the major personalities that helped shape and form the CB. There is no real guiding light, a manager or managers of sorts who shape the CB and gives it a spark. The mods didn't just police the joint....they contributed and made it fun.

It's been left up to the clientele to shape the CB and sometimes it gets onesided, lopsided and heavy. Right now it's all about group threads and groups gangbanging on other threads. In the past it was EROS destroying threads with anti-war talk. Some people found the big red button and many of those people pushed the envelope too risque (and these guys were innocent compared to what goes on here now). At one time every thread was a debate. And so on and so on.

The CB is off kilter....once again. One type of group is dominating it and shaping it to suit their needs, wants and desires. It's up to the community to bring it back to mainstream....with a little help from some participating mods.

That's how I see it. Oh, and if you're going to ban me for mentioning a few old members who are no longer here, so be it. They shaped and impacted the CB and it's fitting that they be remembered as such.

I haven't contributed much to this debate because I figure most of the "old timers" would consider me too much of a newbie but I think gina2000 makes an excellent point.

IMO, the world is what you make of it...perhaps if someone wanted to post more substantial, thought-provoking posts those would be the ones taking over the board. So I guess, for me, the question is...how do we encourage those who feel there is such a change to continue to post those kinds of things?