I'm just bein' sociable

Like myself some of you probably received a warning about off-topic chat.

I have a forum which is doing nothing.
Where folks can chat and have fun without any problems.

I hesitated before posting this as it may be seen as 'poaching' - it isn't.

"Talk Graphics" is probably the most useful forum for graphics folks ever and for the reasons as stated by Risto 'tis right that things should be kept on topic.

I offer the forum facility as an accessory - NOT in competition in anyway whatsoever with the TG forum which I whole heartedly support.

Such a forum is needed, I think, judging from messages I have received.
After spending hours on an illustration one often sits back and feels a sort of anti-climax and needs to unwind with a bit of frivolity.

This forum is not the place for sillyness and over-a-cup-of-coffee random chat.

The url: http://www.intbel.com/forum

Incidentally, I have nothing to gain from this other than the facility itself.
I'm just bein' sociable.

Thank you for your offer, but there is already a forum for that purpose which requires no further registration or even going away from TalkGraphics. It's called the off-topic chat forum.

I know for a fact that you were not asked to not discuss anything off-topic, you were merely not asked to do so excessively in threads of other topics. There is a difference between talking off-topic and taking someone else's thread off-topic. The former is fine, the latter is not.

So I'm sorry that you feel TalkGraphics doesn't allow you the flexibility to discuss things as you wish, even with the off-topic forum But your posting habits caused concern amongst the moderators, and the decision to private message you was taken (and the oddity of telling people they are being too friendly is not lost on us, and it was not an easy decision). But it was our hope you'd see what we were trying to achieve, and that is why the message was sent privately.

I thought you guys were adapting fine when you continued the topic of Ginkgo on the OT-board. Though I can imagine that it's hard if a thread is going off topic and you're supposed to say something like "we'll continue the discussion in the OT board".
I can imagine it's similar to being in some kind of official meeting and when the discussion starts getting lighter and off-topic, everyone decides to exit the conference room to the cafeteria to continue the chat. It kinda takes away the mood and motivation to continue...if you can follow me there :)
For the same reason, I think it's even a bigger obstacle if the users were to continue the chat in a whole different forum, but I'm not here to stop anyone to register at your forum :)

I think Antony means you can post an off-topic message in a thread, but you're not allowed to hijack entire threads. See Thread hijacking

We can split topics too, so if users or moderators feel a thread split is require it can be transported to another forum. So if anyone ever wants this, please PM a mod of that forum.

I have no probs at all with TG or the way in which it is managed.
The problem is my natural ebullience which takes some willpower to control at times.

Sometimes one has an automatic reaction to a post and that reaction may not be appropriate. 'Tis at these times I need to exercise control.

Generally I solve more problems than I make ... mind you, most problems I experience are of my own making.

In addition I have never taken life very seriously and I tend to forget, at times, others have not a similar outlook.

From now on I'll count to ten before clicking the 'submit' button ...

I too got one of those PMs.

Unlike you, intbel, I was and still am highly insulted.

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From now on I'll count to ten before clicking the 'submit' button ...

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Party Pooper! There's a bunch of us that keep loosing ourselfs in the threads but the moderators have said they will split these when we get too bad....fair enough. But it's the spontontanity and humour that I enjoy so much on the forum. Yes, people come in and ask questions and we should all be trying to help these people, but a lot of "newbies" are asking the same question over and over again, instead of playing with the program, reading the help and watching the movies and it gets a bit repetitous (?). The good questions come from experience users running into a problem or looking for a solution and that's where I learn the most.

And diverting on a thread sometimes works out really good. On Nancy's thread "Vase", Egg posted a xara file of a vase with a blend that I downloaded and took apart, tried to duplicate and posted my poor results. Egg wrote back explaining what I did wrong but he also started creating his most excellent tutorial movies, the first one explaing how to create the blend. "EGG" the movies star owes his career to a small diversion and I think we are all better off for it. I think you and I have a very similar outlook on life and where I am trying to be good, "really, I am", I'm afraid Risto and Anthony and the others are going to have thier work cut out for them. I may be silly at times but at least I'm not mean or snot ass and I do not try to embarass, demean or put down any other members, not deliberatly anyhow. Keep on posting cause I really enjoy your work and have even learnt from you, if you call burning you learning (again, my warped sense of humour)........frank

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Originally Posted by -=Drifter=-

I too got one of those PMs.

.

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I am most surprised to see that Bob. I know nobody is above the law as it were but when one thinks of all the contributions and IMO one of the longest and most interesting/successful threads by you, they might have sent you a gold medal as well, no wonder you feel hurt, never mind the gang still love you and your work. I am sure the PM was couched in diplomatic terms and nothing personal but we artists? are such sensitive people (Just Kidding).

'''''''''''Norman

thanks norm, you are such a nice man

Sorry Bob, I guess we posted at the same time. I guess I'd rather take a small reprimand than get my mouth (or should I say mouse) washed out with soap so I really do try to watch my language. If we are not careful we may end up grouped as a renegade gang called "a bunch of silly old men". And if worse comes to worse, I'm rather partial to the brand "Sun Light". Why do you think I'm so good a drawing bubbles now?...........frank

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hahahahahahaha


awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww


that's okay, i've been put in my place (for WHAT i don't really know)

"Personal is personal" - there is no personal here... It's a forum... Yes, over time we get a connection with people, but really it's not the same as having a family friend show up at your door, volunteering to watch your kids (when you plan to spoil your wife for your 10-year wedding anniversary (yesterday.... thank you very much! :p )

This particular PM about general forum "courtesy" was a pointer to show that something is "off course" and should be looked at... Really... There is nothing sinister going on here - people that moderate do their darndest to keep Talkgraphics for everyone. You have to keep in mind that just because members don't post their displeasure on the board, it doesn't mean that they aren't telling moderators and administrators what they aren't happy with using PMs and emails...

Me personally - I'm 38 years old - 3 kids - 1 wife - 1 messed up heart that caused 1 stroke 5 months ago. I work by the computer on average 10 hours a day... So when asked to moderate - I happily volunteered as I sit by the computer anyway... Zipping over here once in a while is not a bother. I agreed because I really love this place and I think that the people that unselfishly help people are amazing individuals. On a a personal note - if it wasn't for Gary's, Ross' and Egg's kind pointers (initially... many people have been kind to me over the years) many years ago, I would still be making a mess with ink, brushes and over-priced paper. (Ok, I still make a mess with Xara - but there is less clean up involved - and it's cheaper... :) )

Yes, it's the moderators and administrators that get the "spit" when something is perceived as "wrong"... The funny thing is that we never get "applause" when we clean up so that members don't have to wade through off-topic-ness - and more seriously - filth and muck. Here's a tidbit - just because you don't see it - it doesn't mean it wasn't here - it was cleaned up by the time you got here...

For being "insulted" - I'm insulted - this is not an ego trip... Believe me - I have things to do (my wife wakes me up with a slipper smack to the head every morning...) I'm simply here because of the amazing people that make this forum the most unselfish on the Web. Yes, so in that sense, I'm very selfish - I want to see what everyone has their say - and that everyone has a chance of being heard, and seen (in terms of their art work).

*Disclaimer* Risto is not perfect - I have had my knuckles slapped more than most... This "instructional PM" was just that...

In terms of gold medals awarded - how about the people that have contributed their time and knowledge - for the last 7 years (Talkgraphics - and even more so years with ("Talkgraphics" + i-us?) What about those members and medals? You know what - if you really care - a personal email or PM will go further... If I had to hand out medals for "contibuting" - it would be a really, really big bag that I would have to dig in to

Looking at this thread - it's so "off-topic" that is almost on another planet! (And I contributed a fraction to make it happen). But seriously, we are not kids fighting over Lego pieces here... Why not trust that the moderator and administrators are trying to make it work for everyone? Why not? I just don't get it... :confused:

Oh, lots words there... And if it's too many... Spend a day at least trying to read them all before posting, and no, English is not my first or second language, so I'm sure there are many things to correct for an English professor - but ft it's something you don' really "get" in terms of the message - feel free to PM me, and I will do my best to help you on the way.

As with everything else that I write at TG - I don't work for the Xara Group - I'm just a member (asked to help out) just like you are.

Risto

Well I guess I'm convinced by what you say Risto, I don't always see the broad picture and get carried away. Let me say thank you, to you and all the other "helpers " it is often taken for granted and not enough credit given. I hope the other "strayers" come to see the full picture unfolding as I do now.
On a lighter note please ask your dear wife to give you an extra "skelp" for me with that slipper.

Norman.

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Originally Posted by Seagull

Keep on posting cause I really enjoy your work and have even learnt from you, if you call burning you learning (again, my warped sense of humour)........frank

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Have you seen this:
http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthread.php?t=6661

Thnx for the positive comments - I knew I wasn't all bad.

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Thnx for the positive comments - I knew I wasn't all bad.

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I don't know about you but I was refering to your artisic ability. I have no idea about your personality:) And yes, I have visited that thread several times but that takes too much patience.

I'm feeling sorry for Risto today, sounds like he's having a bit of a bad day. I will admit, I misunderstood also when I though he cut Norms thread, but after visiting his site and seeing his sense of humour, I realized he's not an ogre and that I am probably heading towards getting my wings clipped pretty soon also. God, if that happens, will I have to change my name from Seagull to something like Snake, or worst, Worm.....well maybe Wormtail might be okay. Antony saids the boys and girls could use a good cheer, well, I don't mind saying I appreciate the work they do cause I really, really enjoy this forum and someday, maybe, I will fully understand the rules and regulations, but don't hold your breath boys and girls, don't hold your breath. And I would like to wish him a belated happy 10th aniversary. Maybe I'll even send them a wedding present......for when the slipper finally wears out perhaps a nice pair of steel capped boots ought to do the trick (hob-nailed steel capped boots):D..........frank

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Originally Posted by Seagull

I don't know about you but I was refering to your artisic ability. I have no idea about your personality:) And yes, I have visited that thread several times but that takes too much patience.

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Dunno about artistic ability - I have this neato piece of software which mostly does it all for me. Personality ain't so bad ... got software in me head for that. (Soft being the operative word)

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Originally Posted by Seagull

I'm feeling sorry for Risto today, sounds like he's having a bit of a bad day. I will admit, I misunderstood also when I though he cut Norms thread, but after visiting his site and seeing his sense of humour, I realized he's not an ogre ...

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Yup I had a look-see, spent ages scrolling thru' all the images. Anyone that nutz canna be all bad, I reckon. Some good stuff in there.

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Originally Posted by Seagull

. . . and that I am probably heading towards getting my wings clipped pretty soon also. God, if that happens, will I have to change my name from Seagull to something like Snake, or worst, Worm.....well maybe Wormtail might be okay.

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Stay with 'Seagull' - no bird does it like a seagull. On folks heads especially. And cars. Sure they do it deliberately. 'Tis a fact that they do it on white cars more than any other. That is not chance, so it must be deliberate.

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Originally Posted by Seagull

Antony saids the boys and girls could use a good cheer ...

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I hear some folks are working on it ...
Just don't fly away, okay?

Look guys, I have always liked to maintain a family kind of atmosphere, but you need to consider that many people who visit and participate in the forums do not have fast connections and a large percentage speak English as a second or 3rd language.

For these people, having to weed through a lot of off topic chit chat is annoyinbg and off-putting. And most of these people are coming to the forums to find an answer to a specific question and not for a chat room experience.

There is also no necessity to merely rubber stamp what someone else has posted, for example, "Yes Gary, that is a good solution." If you have something constructive to post, by all means do.

There is an off topic conference where you folks can go and feel free to chat to your heart's content. But please keep your comments on topic in the Xtreme Conference.

We are not trying to rain on your parade, we are just trying to keep the dialog flow free and uncluttered.

Thanks for your understading and help here.

Gary

Done.

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There is an off topic conference

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Is this where Bob Hahn posted his thread "what is this bug"? I always click on todays thread and and start reading and answering here, very rarely bother going into specific forums to find articles unless I'm searching for an older thread, since they all end up right here anyway. Is Gary saying that if I restrict myself to the Off-topic forum, even though it ends up here, I can't get into trouble. If so, sounds fair to me. See, I am trying to be good: I just have 59 years of being meself that is screwing me up. Once I install my new linux, I can ask questions there, I can post threads like "silly old men" there an nobody minds. I've already posted several threads there and if I can post my feeble drawing efforts and idiot babbling there with nobody getting annoyed (????) and the moderators don't mind, I will start all my new threads there. Just waiting for an okay from somebody............frank

p.s. I start very few threads; my ambition in life is to annoy, not stimulate:D
Maybe Anthony can start a thread there so people can vote.....Is the Seagull 1. Annoying, 2. Very Annoying, 3. Intolerably Annoying or 4. Maud, go get my shotgun, thay silly seagull is buzzing overhead again

5. He's okay in my book!

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Originally Posted by gwpriester

There is also no necessity to merely rubber stamp what someone else has posted, for example, "Yes Gary, that is a good solution." If you have something constructive to post, by all means do.

Gary

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Hi, Gary, I wonder if this refers to praising someones posting as several of us may do this Ad Nauseum. I realise it adds no further information but everyone likes praise etc . Thank you for your patience.I look forward to your reply. Norman

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Originally Posted by parahandy

Hi, Gary, I wonder if this refers to praising someones posting as several of us may do this Ad Nauseum. I realise it adds no further information but everyone likes praise etc . Thank you for your patience.I look forward to your reply. Norman

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I think you're looking for rules. That you want a claaar defined boundary, and that it can either be 0 or 1. But all the mods is asking is to use your common sense. A bit of chatter and a bit of praise is fine. Just don't turn entire threads into, that's all. When in forums like the Xtreme one, just think before posting of whether your post will add something worthwhile to that forum.

Seagull, you're not annoying. Don't take things personally or feel persecuted. No one should be coming away from this feeling bad. You have to remember all this started from some PMs. Private messages are like a word in the ear. It's what friends do.

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Seagull, you're not annoying. Don't take things personally or feel persecuted. No one should be coming away from this feeling bad. You have to remember all this started from some PMs. Private messages are like a word in the ear. It's what friends do.

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Hi Antony

My goodness, I don't feel bad, last thing from it. But since I didn't get a p.m like all the good artist, I might be feeling rejected, but definitly not bad. No, no, when I am refering to myself as annoying I am just refering to my everyday character. Ask my daughter, ask her if she finds me annoying......no, lets not do that or she may never shut up. But I would seriously like to thank you for your kind words, they did make me feel good.

And as for the off topic forum, I really don't mind posting there, it's just as good of a place as any other, but are we allowed the off banter chatting and teasing there, keeping it under control of course?, while checking the regular forum to see if we can offer help to those in need.......frank

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Originally Posted by -=Drifter=-

hahahahahahaha


awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww


that's okay, i've been put in my place (for WHAT i don't really know)

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Same Here Drifter...I Just Stopped Posting and Just Read Now!....lol...Except for this Post.....

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Originally Posted by AntonyF

I think you're looking for rules. That you want a clear defined boundary, and that it can either be 0 or 1. But all the mods are asking is to use your common sense.

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Thanks for the reply AnthonyF. Yes I suppose in the end it all comes down to commonsense.

Norman.

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Originally Posted by Seagull

No, no, when I am refering to myself as annoying I am just refering to my everyday character. Ask my daughter, ask her if she finds me annoying......no, lets not do that or she may never shut up. But I would seriously like to thank you for your kind words, they did make me feel good.

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My pleasure. Besides, I would guess I'm much more annoying. :)

And thanks for removing the surgically removing the H. :D

I think this thread has got various people's views on the matter. I'll close it tomorrow, unless anyone else has anything to add? And remember you can always PM me, Risto or the mod in question.

I just wanna say that IMO, it's not worth it to ban someone because he/she posted off-topic on several occasions. OT posts don't cause any damage or offend people (not me anyway). Although I'm not sure you currently ban people after several thread derailments. I'm assuming this for the rest of this post.

As it's been said, it's very easy (and sneaky) for a thread to go off tracks. You can hardly blame the members, cause they can't help it. They (we) are human :confused:
IMO, mods should just PM the person in question to remind them to stay on topic and split the thread.
I think the members in question will learn eventually to think before posting. If you ban them after like 4 incidents, you don't give them some time to adapt their behaviour and you'll lose otherwise talentful and helpful members :)
I think the mods can handle that much load (of repeatedly warning members). You could even give them a standard text to put in their PMs to spare them the time to type it :D

I'm just giving my opinion - as in the way I would have handled these situations. It's not to flare up the discussion again. I don't know if you've based your current rules on prior complaining of people who had to go through lots of OT posts in a thread.

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Originally Posted by AntonyF

I think this thread has got various people's views on the matter. I'll close it tomorrow, unless anyone else has anything to add? And remember you can always PM me, Risto or the mod in question.

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Yup - about time it was closed.
Keep it available though, if you would, 'cos the contents say a lot more than the rules. More explanatory in a way. Gives folks more of a feel of how things are.

And yes, mods' time is appreciated - not all folks realise 'tis a daily chore deleting spam an' suchlike. Even banning IPs doesn't stop 'em.

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Originally Posted by The Alien

I just wanna say that IMO, it's not worth it to ban someone because he/she posted off-topic on several occasions. OT posts don't cause any damage or offend people (not me anyway).

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Who mentioned anything about banning? And they do cause damage, and that is why this whole topic has sprung up and we've had a lot of discussion on the subject.

I will close this thread now. But remember you can PM the mods and admins if you want to talk about anything further.