and this suggestion has been raised before...I guess it doesn't fly due to the fact that it's involvement with the graphics that brings on the communication or "chit chat", as you call it, that is both on topic and off topic at times. I have to deal with a modem and slow connections just like you...but it doesn't seem too bad---the forums were slower in the past few weeks for some other reason, but are apparently back up to speed again and moving right along. The text loads fast---the graphics are what really are slow. Even if there were a forum just for discussions I'm not sure it would get used---the test forum could be used for that, but you see it rarely is...as the graphics which get things going aren't there as in the other forums. The length of threads varies widely and there's no way to predict which way topics will go---often it is surprising, this spontaneity is interesting and leads to creativity.
The "chit chat" is more meaningful to some than to others, it's hard to please everyone all the time... [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] part of what makes these forums so "friendly" and welcoming to new users is the fact we do share and it's not an antiseptic or business-atmosphere place...people feel they can express themselves and it's worthwhile too. If you don't like the things others have to say then, as was decided upon by the moderators and many here, just ignore it. The current threads don't look to be any more "chatty" than threads of the past...take a long look at some of the older threads, infact...novels have been practically written !!! Ross even had a good one going that could have been a screenplay!!! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] (Pretentious...). It's just too hard to rule out all chat---and I don't think it would be a good idea, personally...I've never been one for censorship even if I didn't care to hear some views...and not all things can be wrapped up in two sentences. I don't think there's anything wrong with replying to others comments on works, offering ideas, comments, brain-storming ideas, or visiting with others you enjoy and expressing support for them, their work, or just being "human" towards others...it is part of why these forums are different---and are better than many that just die on the vine. No communication often spells non-involvement and tends towards being pretty boring pretty fast.
Just my thoughts---if they'd give us a forum for it it could be tried, but I have a feeling they would say we already have one (the Test Forum), and like I said, it doesn't work because the action is elsewhere and that is what gets people involved and want to be involved...and that involvement is partly what makes this place special.
[img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]
http://talkgraphics.infopop.net/1/Op...&ul=3121905805
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover."
-Mark Twain
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks