I have started a number of threads on here over the past 3/4 weeks.

The thing that puzzles me is what makes a thread engaging. Why do some threads attract many replies, and others hardly any?

Are there taboo subjects? And if so why?

I tend to look at new posts. I read avidly, and learn an awful lot. Sometimes the title of the thread is a little off-putting, but sampling has shown me that some of them are indeed witty, educational, interesting, etc. So, now I tend to read everything regardless of thread title.

If it isn't interesting enough, I look at the next set of new posts on another thread. Time permitting, I eventually scroll down to threads that I know I've already read, after which I then know it's time to hit the sack.

I've never started a thread though - it's just too aborbing reading what interests other forummers at the present time.

Red Robbo, I trust you didnt work in Coventry during the 1970s and was someone I have met many times. But thank you for your reply. Perhaps you should start a thread and see what happens. It can be very interesting. Give it a try. I look forward to it.

I just read the latest threads, all the interesting ones have been done already thats why most ones now seem uninteresting, evryones running out of new ideas i guess, so how long can thew Forum last ?

i flick through the titles of the days new ones and reply to any that look interesting

New things happen everyday in Sheffield and in the wider world world so potential new topics arise every day. New members join and bring new questions, some of which are interesting, some trivial. New members also resurrect old threads and start a frenzy of posts. What is interesting to one person may not be to others. I personally quite enjoy the trivial humorous posts. My trivial thread about bringing back the real Kristian attracted about 20 posts within 30 minutes yesterday. I expected a few respones but nothing like that level so BoppinBruce if you do start a thread and nobody shows interest - don't worry!:)

i dont read any threads

I just tend to hit the view new posts button every 5 minutes....some threads get longer because of ongoing 'banter' like the limerick thread etc!!

I don't read all posts though in the same way I don't read every printed word in a newspaper!

But I say I've read it if you get my drift!!

:D

Originally posted by drolnhoj
New things happen everyday in Sheffield and in the wider world world so potential new topics arise every day. New members join and bring new questions, some of which are interesting, some trivial. New members also resurrect old threads and start a frenzy of posts. What is interesting to one person may not be to others. I personally quite enjoy the trivial humorous posts. My trivial thread about bringing back the real Kristian attracted about 20 posts within 30 minutes yesterday. I expected a few respones but nothing like that level so BoppinBruce if you do start a thread and nobody shows interest - don't worry!:)

One thing I don't understand on the Forum is why there is often so much criticism when an old thread gets resurrected?

I don't see any problem with reviving old threads if they're still relevant or interesting, especially as newer Forum members won't have had an opportunity of contributing to an old thread.

But sometimes people can be downright snotty about old threads re-appearing. Why is this??? :confused:

StarSparkle

I have not seen that happen anywhere...except the Sheffield Forum Story which was just getting longer and longer...ha ha!!

In fact you are encouraged to search before posting a new topic in case it has been done before!!

:D

Originally posted by StarSparkle
One thing I don't understand on the Forum is why there is often so much criticism when an old thread gets resurrected?

I don't see any problem with reviving old threads if they're still relevant or interesting, especially as newer Forum members won't have had an opportunity of contributing to an old thread.

But sometimes people can be downright snotty about old threads re-appearing. Why is this??? :confused:

StarSparkle

As a relative new forummer (joined 06 March this year), can I echo StarSparkle's sentiments. I have often been surprised at old threads suddenly reappearing. I read them from the beginning, making a careful note when the thread died off and was then resurrected. Some of them can be terribly long - but the ferocity of debate, and/or the wittiness of the posts makes the effort worthwhile.

If you are on the forum in the wee small hours, as I often am, there are a couple of forummers* who occasionally resurrect a one-off old thread and add a witty comment. By mid morning though, they'll have vanished once more through lack of posts.
(*you know who you are!)

Hello Bruce. I read the threads which catch my eye, and have posted a few myself. If (as usually happens), only about four people seem interested, I find a flimsy pretext to add to the thread and bump it up to the top, so that if anyone I would like to have read it hasn't yet, they may get the chance to marvel at the wit from the quill of Snooty! Of course, I am always grateful when people help me out such as yourself - thanks awfully! I have even 'cross traded' posts for a laugh. I was highly alarmed recently, for example, when what I imagined to be a gem of wit was ignored in favour of 'bloke killed in Rotherham', or something! Anyway, I like your posts and find them very entertaining, so keep at it. I used to get a bit naffed off when no-one seemed to get the joke (I've never written a serious post other than a heartfelt rant at the BNP), but you can't please everyone!

Personally, I think the Forum is better than TV (television, not transvestitism - though I have no problem with that). I don't think it could ever run out of steam either, surely there will always be something to say, forever, and ever. (I do get a bit weary of the, 'Does Anyone Remember Spangles' variety, though).

Cheers!

Lord Snooty

PS Did you get my PM?

I agree with you Starsparkle. I am a Newbie and spent hours scrolling thru old threads when I first came across the site, mainly cos I'm new to Sheffield and I learnt a lot about diff places / facilities etc.

Also, I found it amusing and intriguing cos after a while you feel as though you are getting to know the some of the "characters" of the Forummers.

Going back to 2003, the same characters still keep popping up, with their blue-print personality traits. Mentioning no names, there are those who love to play Devils Advocate, others who always have to bring politics into every argument and those who always have a funny one-liner.

Those who don't want old threads resurrected, needn't read them again. To me, the old threads are the living history of the Sheffield Forum.

I once asked how does one hire a hitman :suspect: i wasn't very surprised when it was removed from the forum

Originally posted by Bobbit
I agree with you Starsparkle. I am a Newbie and spent hours scrolling thru old threads when I first came across the site, mainly cos I'm new to Sheffield and I learnt a lot about diff places / facilities etc.

Also, I found it amusing and intriguing cos after a while you feel as though you are getting to know the some of the "characters" of the Forummers.

Going back to 2003, the same characters still keep popping up, with their blue-print personality traits. Mentioning no names, there are those who love to play Devils Advocate, others who always have to bring politics into every argument and those who always have a funny one-liner.

Those who don't want old threads resurrected, needn't read them again. To me, the old threads are the living history of the Sheffield Forum.

So who's the Devil's advocate? Go on please tell us?
I never look at any threads especially this one. I have very bad reading habits and i usually fall asleep after one post......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz What? Mummy! I don't want to go to school I've got a tummy ache!

Originally posted by Jon
I once asked how does one hire a hitman :suspect: i wasn't very surprised when it was removed from the forum

PMSL

:clap: :clap:

Originally posted by poppins
I just read the latest threads, all the interesting ones have been done already thats why most ones now seem uninteresting, evryones running out of new ideas i guess, so how long can thew Forum last ?

Funny, I had a chat with Geoff about this earlier last month shortly after I joined the forum.

Too often when we ask a question we are directed to a thread that occurred a year ago. I said to him, 'If I were to meet you in the street and say hello, nice day isn't it?, would you tell me that this topic has been discussed in length here?
I was quite drunk (sorry Geoff).

On saying that, I am a devil for trawling through old threads and then posting my own views, which give them some new life for a day or two before they drop back into the 8th page and beyond...

But what else are you gonna do when you're an insomniac who has become an SF addict???

Originally posted by StarSparkle
But sometimes people can be downright snotty about old threads re-appearing. Why is this??? :confused:

StarSparkle
Because t020 gets cranky around the time I start running out of 'new posts' to read and start digging up property price threads with seemingly alarming prices quoted :D

I've just come back from a holiday in Wales and am trying to catch up on events whilst I've been away.

Despite a whole week of new threads, and new posts to existing threads to catch up on, for some reason I found an old thread of 26 pages which was started over a year ago - but I still read it! Fascinating reading, but this hasn't helped me find out what's been going on for the last 7 days!

Anyone got any pointers to what I ought to concentrate on catching up on? I've read Plain Talker's thread on her one-woman, sit-down, bus protest (good onya PT!) - but what else have I missed?

Loads of accomodation ads, Red :D

I had this problem at the end of March. 2 weeks with no forum :shocked:

Ignore it and get stuck into what's on here now, and you'll soon forget you might have missed something :thumbsup:

The other thing to try is 'search site' and stick your own name in the keyword box. Click 'show results as posts' and read all the 'replies' people have given you in threads :thumbsup:

Hey Strix - brilliant idea! Thanks mate :thumbsup:

Red

Hi redrobbo, welcome back. What have you missed? The usual...

There's 'angry with the police',
there's sad about an ex,
Someone's asked how do you do something,
There's a helicopter over building X in town,
another pothole in a road,
does anyone remember?
oh, and a massive new thread on Big Brother 6 ...

Don't you just love it?

Originally posted by Deavon
Hi redrobbo, welcome back. What have you missed? The usual...

There's 'angry with the police',
there's sad about an ex,
Someone's asked how do you do something,
There's a helicopter over building X in town,
another pothole in a road,
does anyone remember?
oh, and a massive new thread on Big Brother 6 ...

Don't you just love it?

Yep.....I really do love it all Deavon! But, as I've got to go to bed early tonight.....I'll catch up on all these tips later today!

Thanks for the pointers Deavon!

Red

Originally posted by redrobbo
I tend to look at new posts. I read avidly, and learn an awful lot. Sometimes the title of the thread is a little off-putting, but sampling has shown me that some of them are indeed witty, educational, interesting, etc. So, now I tend to read everything regardless of thread title.

If it isn't interesting enough, I look at the next set of new posts on another thread. Time permitting, I eventually scroll down to threads that I know I've already read, after which I then know it's time to hit the sack.

I've never started a thread though - it's just too aborbing reading what interests other forummers at the present time.

Very interesting. Very interesting indeed...