SexyFighters.com

[Symphony]

It seems to me that I have lately been posting a couple of times with a request to get a thread back on topic. I think I may have appeared somewhat grumpy at times, so I'd like to explain why I care so much about keeping certain threads on topic.

I have never been particularly good at taking part in the various chat threads I've come across in the forums I've been a menber of. It's just not something that comes naturally to me, and I'm not that witty a person when posting online. But I like to talk about subjects that I find interesting. That's one of the things that actually made me join the PBB site. I thought it was great with this forum where people can talk about the comic or furry artwork, or interact with Vanessa.

I tried from the start to come up with ideas for threads. Preferably ones where as many people as possibly would want to respond. This is both because I prefer to have threads that are for everyone, but also because I'm interested in the views of others. This has been my main way of interacting here.

I've recently tried to come up with some more or less serious topics, like who your fursona would have sex with, whether your fursona has a mate, or what your fursona would be doing today. Stuff like that. Something I thought could get many different people to respond, and something relating to the comic or to our fursonas. That's what I like to read and post about.

I'd like to say now that I don't, as such, dislike offtopic posts. I think they can be great and that they can help create a nice community feeling. I do prefer though, when they are kept at a moderate amount, or when they are simply added to a post where another part of the post is on topic. What I don't like is when offtopic posts turn into a conversation. That is, in my experience, when people stop caring about the original topic. Sometimes there will be people who begin taking part in the offtopic conversation, who haven't even posted about the original topic at all. That annoys me.

Most of the threads I create to get people involved in, they don't become pointless after a while. A thread about people's fursonas is still just as good in a year, for example. It can be bumped to get members who have joined in the meantime to take part. While it may still be possible to do so after a thread has had a couple of pages of offtopic posts, the likelyhood of it happening is not good. Such threads are usually completely forgotten once no one cares to chat in them anymore, and no one cares to get them back on topic either. That's something I find unfortunate.

When a thread gets derailed, I lose interest in it. When a thread gets derailed, it means one less less thread for me to enjoy here. I don't read several of threads I used to anymore. Some of which are on the front page. Simply because they are now nothing but offtopic talk. Even the thread about Issue 7 of the comic is more offtopic than ontopic these days, and as such I don't really care to visit it except for right after a new page has been posted. So several threads have been more or less ruined for me, as there's nothing for me to post in them anymore, and nothing I care to read in them anymore. There have been times where all I've done is to take a single look at the front page, only to see that there aren't any threads for me any longer, and then I start to visit less and less often. And it's even worse when it happens to one of the threads I've created. Whenever I see a new post in one of them I go there first of all, because I'm eager to read what someone here has posted. To read the opinion of others. But when all I see are offtopic posts, that's when I get disappointed.

I know this has been quite a rant, but I felt that I needed to explain why I may appear as a bit of a killjoy from time to time when I ask people to get back on topic. I'm not looking to point fingers at anyone. I just wanted to explain why offtopics posts sometimes bother me and why I react the way I do.
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The Mayflower Diaries

[xivk]

Apologies if the derailing of threads loses your interest in them. Some of your threads I cant find anything to type a part in so the off parts(derailing) are kinda addicting once ya get into it. x_x
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Fursona Info.

I am the ghost of games... What i am, all i will be
-Xivk

[JohnnyPsycho]

There does seem to be a dramatic rise in thread derailment in recent weeks. Still, I usually only glance over threads normally anyway, so I've mostly gotten used to taking a cursory glance at a thread, seeing if there's any actual on-topic discussion going on or not, and posting or not posting accordingly. Of course, if I find myself wanting to get a thread back on topic, I simply post something on-topic, and that at least tends to get the ball rolling...
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Johnny's Fanfics (including Sureshot! A Bon Bon Tale)

Johnny's backstory
Johnny, Mark II (Project Aten character)

[Tadelesh]

I must admit to sometimes joining offtopic conversations, though several times I have tried to get a thread back on topic. However, my attempts seem to more often than not go unnoticed, and, like you, Symphony, several threads I used to be interested in I barely even look at any more because there's nothing new there of interest. It's disappointing and sometimes quite irksome, I agree.

Is there a solution to this? I really don't know.
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Wow, sarcasm! That's original.

[goddess-ofthe-night]

I'm sorry Symphony I think I'm one of those people who did, -_-
really, I didn't mean too, wont do it again though *leaves for a while*
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Dreams come True if you B E L I E V E in me...
- the G O D D E S S

[Chaosengine]

*looks embarassed*

I'm sorree, luv.

I jus wanna fit in, is all.
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"One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster.
The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free...
You'll find a god in every golden cloister,
And if you're lucky then the god's a she..."

[Lidia_Apricot]

*lets out a heavy sigh*

Ok, I was in deep debating with myself on whether or not type something about this topic, but every time I re-said my words in my head, I always think to myself, no matter what I say, it will come out offensive that some people here will treat me differently than before and I might have to be less active in this threads than before because I can not control my on-coming thoughts.

Before I start ranting my head off, I want to say this: After some of you reads this post, I want you to tell me, as honest as possible, about my post. I truly want to know If I am really being offensive, unreasonable, mean, etc., etc. If that is true, then you all would know why I wished I was mute.

Symphony, this is not, I repeat, this is not directly to you, what so ever. This is directly to other people who as well, wants nothing more than get back on the main topic.

Here it goes:

SO, what if some of us gets off topic.

This is some of us chance to "come out of our shells." In an online forums, most of us wants to be active with our imaginations and share his/her personal/well-known knowledge with everyone. Yes, we all have to point out others and ourselves to limit our imaginations for it will annoy other forum members and he/she will might be ignored in the forums.

If a person wants to get back on the main topic, he/she just simply type something related to the main topic; then little by little, the other members will go back on the main topic, as well.

There will be some little roleplay here and there and some of us will either have fun with the mini-rp or some of us don't post anything until someone brings back up the main topic.

One more thing. This is my online pet peeve. When a person say or post: "Could we get back on topic?" Even if they use the word "Please." In my head, is like he/she is telling some of us to turn off our imaginations and get back what the topic is about or get back on topic or leave.

When I see or hear that, I have to cool myself down to not go writing a flaming post because I do not want to lose the person who I call friend and be mad for nothing!

Symphony, I mean it when I say before you have my respect and I want to continue being your friend here. You are good person. You are fun and you have a good personality that I enjoy talking to you. Please...don't think that I'm mad at you I'm not!

If you do not believe my word, then I understand.

Alrighty...that's it. I'm done with this ranting. I wouldn't be surprise if some here is surprise and upset of me for writing this kind of post. If I am make some of you uncomfortable of my post, then I would be less active here, but this would not stop me from continue supporting, loving, and admiring the main site of Pleasure BonBon where I will continue to support, to love, and to admire Ms. Vanessa and other artist's artwork!

[xivk]

Seems like this place could use one of those "what grinds my gears" threads.

or something to keep us from a conflict, hate to see people leave/not come as much. ~_~
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Fursona Info.

I am the ghost of games... What i am, all i will be
-Xivk

[Chaosengine]

You're not being cruel, Lidia, we simply have two different outlooks on the forum colliding.

Personally, I can do either one, "On" or "Off" topic.

I just hope nobody takes this stuff to heart and leaves...

*looks to GotN*

Too late...
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"One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster.
The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free...
You'll find a god in every golden cloister,
And if you're lucky then the god's a she..."

[JohnnyPsycho]

*rubs temples and sighs* Jeezus, I was afraid of something like this happening... sooner or later... I doubt I can do anything to soothe the troubled waters here, but I hope I can help...

There is nothing wrong with wanting to stay on-topic. Every forum has people who like nothing more than to discuss whatever it is that the forum was originally created for.

There is also nothing wrong with wanting to stray off the path, letting loose, and having fun with the people you meet in these forums. Every forum has these types of generally more "chaotic" characters as well.

Every forum has different conflicting personalities that come in, and with so many different viewpoints it's inevitable to for some natural conflict to occur. The "orderly" folks who want to stay on topic will quite naturally become annoyed by the "chaotic" folk who want to be free to take the topic wherever they want. The key is compromise... and patience.

I tend to fall into the more "orderly" scope of personalities here. I often don't have the time to read or participate in every single thread on the forums, I usually have to do my best to post whenever a topic seems interesting or the discussion gets fairly deep. Still, in the off chance that I find a topic that interests me, but the thread has strayed away from the topic a bit, I try my best to simply post on topic without trying to force anyone else away from their fun. It's a gentle game of give and take. We all have to do it sometimes.

I understand Symphony's reasonings for posting this, and I highly doubt he meant to demean or shame anyone who was just here having a bit of fun. He just wanted to honestly express his opinion without pointing fingers or calling people out. Just remember, while the forums are a way for people to discuss what they love about the comic, the site, Vanessa's artwork, and the ever expanding world of Bon Bon and its cast of characters, that the important element of fun and freedom of expression should not be infringed, as it is all of those elements (both on-topic and off) that bring people here and help them stay here.
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Johnny's Fanfics (including Sureshot! A Bon Bon Tale)

Johnny's backstory
Johnny, Mark II (Project Aten character)

[Marx-Paragon]

dont worry lidia. i actually understand what your saying, about imagination and expression and such. but i can also understand where symphony is coming from on this. all im saying is your not being as mean as you think you are, your just viocing your opinion which is fine cuase your within your rights to do that.

on a related note, i think i might have a simple way to possibly fix this problem. why not start a thread for offtopic conversations. that would allow those of us here who like to express themselves that way to do so without flooding the comic related and other threads with offtopic posts.
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marx's four step guide to being popular in the fandom

1 draw boobs
2 make comics
3 cuase drama
4 repeat

[JohnnyPsycho]

As per xivk's idea, I've started a "What grinds my gears" thread in the General Discussion board. Anyone wanting to vent a few frustrations can go over there.
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Johnny's Fanfics (including Sureshot! A Bon Bon Tale)

Johnny's backstory
Johnny, Mark II (Project Aten character)

[TheBashfulFeline]

I've posted on that thread, but back onto the topic at hand. Ive only been here a few weeks, but I have noticed the offtopicness. When I see them I am like Symphony, I sigh, then move on. Or I try to post an ontopic post. Just as an observation from other forums, everyone can become offtopic or crazy and sometimes, they might just lose what we even are typing and we get into the mood of the current conversation, or argument.
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I'm not dead, just.... Hibernating. ON the MOON. :3 Luna's bum.

[Wallstreet]

I agree with Symphony. Its nice to be able to read a title and enter a conversation related to it.

I have shied away from communicating in some threads due to the lack of "on-topic-ness" and I don't like that because I really like participating on the forums.

In any case, I do think a slight silly comment and random *RARGH TACKLE GLOMP CAKE* here and there are fun and help remind people about how friendly we all are and it shows a more relaxed comfortable forum. I do however think that when those things take up two pages or more, ect, that it more or less completely derails the conversation.

So yeah, I agree, Symphony. Im glad you brought it up.
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Ewan's Golden Glass
Fine Alcohol and Good Times

Who the hell is Ewan Bushmill?
A reference: http://forums.pleasurebonbon.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7319

[goddess-ofthe-night]

[Lidia_Apricot]

[Tursi]

Well, I'm going to repeat some of what people said, too.

I don't have time to keep up with this forum on a regular basis, likewise, I had to give up the one RP I actually managed to get started in.

Many of the threads are hard for me to participate in. Talking about my sexual preferences isn't my thing, a brief comment on a story doesn't really generate any discussion, and in all honesty, even though I'm a paid-up royal member, nine times out of ten I haven't even looked at the main site in weeks when I come here.

So a random diversion is sometimes the only way I get to post anything and hang out with the 'cool' kids. Likewise, I'll sometimes post on topic, weeks after a thread has diverged. Yeah, I feel silly doing it, but then, I figure it doesn't really matter, right? It's participating.

That said, threads that have explicitly requested to stay on topic I'll try to avoid derailing.
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http://harmlesslion.com

[Symphony]

When I posted this thread, I had no idea how people might react to it. I have sometimes felt like I was the only one who thought as I did. When looking around the forum, I have wondered if it was just me who didn't fit in here, since so many were having fun while I was just feeling more and more frustrated.

My intention with this wasn't to make anyone feel bad or ashamed. It was just to explain why I have recently reacted the way I have, and to let everyone know that there have been a couple of things that were bothering me. So I wanted to get this out in the open, so we can talk about it and express our views.

I think there's room for all of us here. The trick is just to be aware of other people's likes and dislikes, and I'm glad for the many views being presented here.
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Constance Mayflower's bio

Constance Mayflower's diary

The Mayflower Diaries

[Lidia_Apricot]

[Symphony]

Of course we're still friends.
*gives Lidia a big hug*



These last couple of days I have posted some things here that weren't pleasant for me to write. This thread and my opinion of the side comic that Vanessa has planned. I don't like to post such things. I prefer to keep it all positive. I have in the past been too open with such opinions in other forums, which hasn't always turned out well, but I just felt that I had to tell how I felt.
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Constance Mayflower's bio

Constance Mayflower's diary

The Mayflower Diaries

[Lidia_Apricot]

*big hug back*

Thanks, Symphony. ^w^

Well...I'm sure I'm speaking for Vanessa and for everyone else here is OK is give an opinion when you want to point out what you read or see something that does not please you. Of course, we all have to think how we want to words our sentences before we even press a letter from the computer keyboard. As some people say, "A person's word is almost painful than a person's weapon."

Or maybe is just me...^^!

[LabrnMystic]

*Enters the scene with a chainsaw, tearing through the drama llamas*

Oh you guys. *Gives the "pshaw" look and hand gesture* I leave for a convention and pack up for a new apartment, and you all go wearing your shoes on your heads.

Symphony, as much as it urks you, the threads will always get derailed. Its the way of the internets. Just take the wheel and steer it back is all. If you look back at many of the threads, they do eventually get back on track, even if you do have to jump 1 or 3 pages worth of silliness.


However, to some who manage to meet on here at the same time and instant-reply one another, why not just open up a thread to converse back and forth in, hmm? Either here or in the General forums.
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The suspense is killing me. I hope it will last.

[Symphony]

[Chaosengine]

I tried putting some of your posts back on track, Symphony, but I'm having a really bad day and feelin' about as wanted as a leper.

Sorry...
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"One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster.
The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free...
You'll find a god in every golden cloister,
And if you're lucky then the god's a she..."

[JohnnyPsycho]

Hey now, don't feel so bad, Chaos. Lepers are nice folks too... when you need it, a leper will always lend you a hand. And a foot. And a nose...
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Johnny's Fanfics (including Sureshot! A Bon Bon Tale)

Johnny's backstory
Johnny, Mark II (Project Aten character)

[LabrnMystic]