I am based at The University of Sheffield and conducting some research on Sheffield Forum. In particular, how information communication technologies have the potential to rejuvenate civic life and create more integrated communities. I hope the following questions will stimulate discussion.

-How do people use the Sheffield Forum?
E.g As an information source? A democratic public sphere in which to voice opinions? Entertainment? Communicate with friends?

- How does the website impact upon the 'sense of community' in Sheffield?

- How do users of Sheffield Forum evaluate its contribution to everyday life in Sheffield?

Regards,

Daniel Brooker

Overall I'd say we use the forum itself as primarily a means gaining information about key local issues, and having a good whinge about them, such as the forthcoming changes to bus routes in Stannington (damn you First! :mad: ).

As well as this we have a very communal feel on the site, most of the regulars frequent the chat room, and it's usually, like a load of mates sat in say, a pub having a good old natter about stuff.

It also provides a lot of entertainment for a lot of people as well, some very comical threads are posted by some of the members, such as myself and others.

Most of all, at least from my own point of view, SF seems to be a very friendly atmosphere when you come online, very welcoming to new people, unlike a lot of other forums which are very elitist and sort of well, "Kliquey" in that they only like certain people and certain other stuff, woe betide anybody that doesn't "fit in" with what THEY like and do... There's none of that here and that's how it should be IMO.

I started to use it before I moved to Sheffield to get an idea of what was going on. Since then, it has made me feel more in touch with the community, even though I know it is only a tiny cross section and I have never knowingly met anyone. I've mainly used it as a democratic public sphere, and to be honest, I've mainly enjoyed having discussions with people with such radically different ideas about the world than myself. In the case of some of the opinions posted, i've never heard anyone express in the 'real world'.

PM me if you want more...

It also easies the pain of work!!

I agree with Rich, SF is very welcoming of new members. I'd love to see the reaction if someone openly admitted to being a chav. All hell would break loose....

I used it to find out, the goings on regarding house buying in sheffield... Now... well now i am hooked. I like have discussions about anything really!

I like to think of myself as a 'veteran' of online communities, having started with BBSs in the 1980s, worked up through the WELL and CIX, then Compuserve and nowadays various web based forums.

SF is very friendly - if you behave yourself and don't act like an arse (and sometiems even when you do) then people are very welcoming. I'm a relative newbie here and enjoy the community greatly.

In terms of the 'spill' from online to offline, it's easier with this forum than with others I belong to purely because we're all in teh same place (mostly). RL meets with people on The WELL were nigh on imporrible due to the Atlantic Ocean! On Saturday evening just gone I met up with two folks from here for the first time and I'm sure that will become a regular event. I've also gained an 'in' into a community media group that was publicised on here, and have used the forum myself to publicise events I'm associated with.

So....it works!

Joe

It's like Rich says, to me it's like a natter in the pub with mates - who I've never met. I generally try not to rub people up the wrong way and respect differences of opinion (as long as my opinion is) and it's a good place to dip into during quiet moments at work.
I'm new here and SF has been very welcoming. I hope I contribute occasionally to some good threads.

Originally posted by oxbeast
I have never knowingly met anyone.
That's what I thought, but I found out yesterday that I've met and had a conversation with RPG's brother! Small world...

I use SF for fun, especially these days since I've moved away from Sheffield. I like to come here to voice my opinion about a variety of topics which most of the time are not specifically related to Sheffield.

I also use it to keep up with the local gossip now I'm not there any more.

I initially started using the Forum to advertise the pub, but it has become more of a place to natter about relevant topics to me. I still do humourously add the odd comment about the Classic Rock Bar on Ecclesall Road and the live music, entertainment and weekend BBQs available, but I think that has come to be expected.

I also started a thread about a year ago called 'help me find a pub' which most members of the forum have contributed to at some point.

The Forum crowd attend monthly/6 weekly meets at the CRB. :thumbsup:

Sheffield born and bred, and then left the fine city to work elsewhere and realised just how much I love the place.

I still live in sheffield and commute every day but miss the honesty and comedy of real sheffield people.

I log on to the forum every day at work to cheer myself up and get ready to cope with the sad non-sheffield people I now have to work with.

SO- for me its a connection to my roots until I get back home !

I just think it's great fun, informative, entertaining, usually honest and addictive.
I'm hooked.
I wasn't born in Sheffield, though I spent most of my 'growing up' years here and many of my friends still live here.
I don't live far away and come over regularly, but it gives me my fix of sheffield in between times.

Love it!:thumbsup:

same as classic rock i joined the forum to drum up buisness for the boozer,now i pop on most days just to see whats going off and where.My favourie pass time on the board though is seeing our resident bus drivers bite and go on the defensive when they are getting a bad deal,true to life............. grumpy buggers.:)

I want to pick up on some of the point s about use of Sheffield Forum. There have been some replies suggesting that the forum provides entertainment; that people log-on because some replies are funny and light-hearted.

I am interested in whether people take seriously the information or advice given on the site and whether any information impacts upon their everyday lives. (E.g. going to restaurant recommended on here).

Regards,

Daniel

Originally posted by ggp03db
I want to pick up on some of the point s about use of Sheffield Forum. There have been some replies suggesting that the forum provides entertainment; that people log-on because some replies are funny and light-hearted.

I am interested in whether people take seriously the information or advice given on the site and whether any information impacts upon their everyday lives. (E.g. going to restaurant recommended on here).

Regards,

Daniel

I think it serves both purposes - entertainment (whether through humour and the more light-hearted threads or the more serious discussions that come up) and information. I find out more about whats going on in and around Sheffield from here than anywhere else. Just this weekend I'll be going to the continental market because I found out about it here, and in the past I have chosen restaurants and pubs to go to on the strength of recommendations made here. I'd also be inclined to use a builder, plumber etc from a recommendation here and likewise would avoid any that have been slagged off here for poor service etc.

You get the most out of this site once you've been reading regularly for a while and have a feel for the characters of the core of people who make the bulk of the postings. Then it's no problem to parse out when somebody is just taking the mickey or being serious, which posters you can safely disregard for whatever reason, and who is most likely to come up with stuff that fits your general outlook on things.

Originally posted by ggp03db
I want to pick up on some of the point s about use of Sheffield Forum. There have been some replies suggesting that the forum provides entertainment; that people log-on because some replies are funny and light-hearted.

I am interested in whether people take seriously the information or advice given on the site and whether any information impacts upon their everyday lives. (E.g. going to restaurant recommended on here).

Regards,

Daniel

I go by what I know (if anything) about the poster. If respect their postings, opinions and attitudes on the forum then I'll certainly weight the suggestions and views higher tahn I would if I didn't have that respect.

Note I didn't say AGREE with someone - that's not a necessary thing in many situations. I'll respect the views of people I don't agree with, provided that the views are delivered sensibly.

You get to spot the posters who're posting to start flame wars and general trouble.....you also get to spot teh people who's postings you read on any subject because they're worth the time and effort of doing so.

Joe

I originally came to this forum when Geoff (the site admin) and a former moderator spammed various usenet newsgroups that I read. :o

After posting a few times here, Geoff persistantly emailed me day after day asking me to become a moderator.

The terms of this position were 'Long hours', 'No pay', and continual abuse from disgruntled forum members.
In addition, he said that he knew where I lived, and if I didn't do it he would hunt me down like a dog and feed me 'piece by piece' to his pet badgers.

It was an offer I couldn't refuse.

Nomme

I was informed of this place via forum member PaulCocker like nomme I was approached by Geoff to become one of his many minions, I'll never forget the initiation ceremony.. that poor elephant :cry:

I rented a car from Arnold Clark, reccommended by someone on the forum.

I joined origionally to find out more about nightclubs etc in Sheffield and looking for some help to get a girlfriend.

However, i often find myself moving away from this and getting into debates about a whole variety of subject, eg buses, passive smoking, Saddam Hussain and much much more. As an argumentative sort of person this can be quite time consuming, but often fun.