I’ve belonged to many internet forums from the early 90’s on. Everything from science to Paranormal investigation. I think I can honestly say I’ve seen it all. Well, in this case, read it all. Watched huge forums of 1000’s of active users vacate in a matter of days. Belonged to forums that were toxic and cruel. Been accused, verbally attacked and even come close to being banned a few times. Joined small forums and watched them grow into huge communities. I joined one at it’s beginning. Watched it grow into a mess of depressing posts. Then slowly die off. Been on a few that have always stayed small. Like going to see old friends. You know who’s going to be there. In all of this I’ve met a huge amount of great people. On line and in the real world. Been to conventions, talked in groups and even on the phone with them. In all this time I’d have to say this is the first time this has happened. 

It all started about three years ago. I joined a forum. Got my conformation email. And logged in. A new community of like minded people. New ideas and a place to share mine as well. Now it’s no surprise to anyone here I’m really into Christmas. See pic below of this year’s living room. Yep, this post is about a Christmas forum. Not the only one I belong to. So my first day I was like a kid in a candy store. I read through posts. Then went to reply. I’m logged in but couldn’t reply. Looked at my stats. Dis allowed to do anything. Can’t reply, can’t add content and so on. So for three years I’ve been emailing this forum. Trying to find out why I’m logged in but can’t join in. And wouldn’t you know it, for three years I’ve gotten no reply. So i finally deleted all my info off the site. Now I’m still a ‘registered user’. But possibly like so many others. I can belong but can’t join in. Just like this forum, it’s the members that make the place. Because the content that comes in all the time keeps the place a fun forum to belong to. If the powers to be ditched new members this place would become stagnant. Then, like the not mentioned forum, become smaller every year. You would think they’d know something was wrong. Disappointed?  Yes. Hurt and angry? Nope. It’s like when I go to a convention. Be a room full of tables. Each table full of people. We’re all there for the same reason. Striking up a conversation is easy. So if one table doesn’t seem friendly enough I can go and enjoy the company of another. I do. And have a blast. 

So not all forums are created equally. Keep all good company. Rock on and keep being you.