Information and Our Online Community

[NemoAlia]

Hey everybody,

I know we've spent a lot of time talking about the purpose of this forum. (witness KillerMuffin's thread from so long ago)

So... we've decided (yes?) that BDSM Talk is a place for open, honest, friendly, reflective conversation about BDSM-type stuff.

Okay, so how many of us come here for information? My thought is that most of us come here for the community, for the exchange of ideas (rather than simple information) and for the subjective opinions that would never occur to us but seem quite plentiful in the other characters surrounding us here.

If this is true, what is the purpose of the Library? For me, it is sort of a nostalgic thing... and a good way of dealing with minor trolls. But how much should we allow our painstakingly maintained Library to influence our everyday interactions on this forum?

I feel like we're getting overly concerned with thread proliferation -- as though new people's opinions (especially if the opinions aren't new) are somehow less valuable than old people's opinions in old threads. Of course, I'm one of those who doesn't really believe in new opinions, so I'll admit I'm a little biased. But still, sometimes I feel that we're doing a little too much squelching of baby threads with our enthusiasm to show people to the Library and prevent the repetition of a topic.

Are we doing ourselves more harm than good?

**Edited to change a word. I think my post makes at least a little more sense now.

 

[MissTaken]

Hmm, interesting question

I am thinking about offering a well thought opinion, but wanted to pop in and tell you I just checked on something.

Since you opened the original library thread, between the two threads, there have been over 10,000 views placing those threads (if combined) in fifth place for viewing, since the beginning.

So, definitely the threads serve a purpose and are being used.

You both have done a great job.

Now, for the question, are we too quick to disrupt a conversation and refer someone to the library?

I dunno.

I would like to hear from everyone, including new folks who may have had that happen to them.

 

[NemoAlia]

True dat on the high traffic! I know that the Library has definitely gotten some good PR and lots of good use.

But I keep thinking there must be a way of referring people to it without making them feel like they'd better sit back, seen and not heard, until they have learned the lingo.

Or maybe I'm just oversensitive. Perhaps nobody but me has ever winced at the way we direct folks to Anelize's thread. Thoughts?

 

[slvjenn]

I am of two minds on this...

First, for the record, I feel pretty new based on my post count. However, I have done much more lurking than posting so I have been around for a while. (about a year now registered, and prolly a month or 2 before that)

I think that people can tend to be a bit quick to refer to the library thread.

But at the same time, many people who are new to the forums do not know about it. Sure, it's sticky right at the top, but when was the last time you went into a library?

Maybe a more baiting type of subject for the thread would entice new people to look there before posting.

Perhaps also start yet another thread for each subject in the library. Use it to merge all threads that people post on that subject. That way when people ask the same thing all of the time, it can just be merged into the proper topic.

Aside from all of that, remember that if everything gets refered to a library thread, there won't be much to talk about anymore since NEARLY every possible BDSM topic has been covored at least twice.

 

[Mr Blonde]

The bar isn't set that high.

This forum is very friendly and welcoming to semi-lurkers and newcomers. But when someone registers and ten minutes later starts a thread firing off very simple questions and demanding instant answers, that is sort of rude to the community. A newcomer never deserves to be flamed or ridiculed, but a polite reminder to do some reading and check back with followup questions is very fair.

Just out of courtesy, I think an established poster should spend a few minutes setting up the first post of a new thread to provide the audience with a logical starting point for discussion. If someone spends 30 seconds starting a new thread on a very familiar topic, how can they expect their thread to blossom into a meaningful discussion?

The way I see it, a reminder to check the library is sometimes merciful to the thread starter.

 

[AnelizeDarkEyes]

Speaking as the other Librarian, I'll stick my neck out here.

First of all, I don't consider it "my thread". The Library belongs to the Community as a whole, and I maintain it for the Community. The fact that my AV and nick are there are for that reason alone. I'd like to speak to a couple of your points Nemo. I have the utmost respect for you and your opinion, and I want to preface my comments with that statement.

On thread proliferation--

I have, on occasion, posted to a repeating thread and referred someone to a recent thread on the same subject. Vixenshe's recent painslut thread would be a good example. These are my opinion's of course, but two or three weeks prior to the posting of that thread we had a very active discussion on another thread almost identical to what she was asking for. TO ME, it doesn't make sense to discuss the whole thing, over again, and that is what I posted. Of course, others didn't feel the same way, and there was discussion on the thread. I personally enjoy bringing up some of the great threads in the Library and hearing our new voices added to them, but that doesn't preclude a new thread from being started on the same subject by a different voice.

On Using the Library for Information--

I'm losing count of how many 'subs' have wandered in here in the last several weeks with the statement "I'm new and I want to find a Master" or "I'm new and I don't know what to do?" or "I'm new and where do I go from here?" Again, in my own personal opinion, it might be nice if they had a clue about some of the basics of BDSM before they get out there in the big "bad" world. What better place to send them, than Pure's essay? The Library with it's category on Online Experiences, Safewords & Safecalls, Submission, etc? IMHO, if they are truly interested, they'll put in the effort, come back, and engage us in discussion.

~anelize

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Hey everybody,

Okay, so how many of us come here for information?
If this is true, what is the purpose of the Library?
But how much should we allow our painstakingly maintained Library to influence our everyday interactions on this forum?
Are we doing ourselves more harm than good?

Okay speaking as a semi Newbie..i thought this was a good topic of conversation and so I am gonna just jump right in and put my 2 cents up.
For me, The Bdsm forum is a place to have intelligent conversations about what i find to be an integral part of my life. It is also a place where i can learn things that help me understand my position in this lifestyle and what makes others, like myself, tick. The library has been very helpful in meeting some of those aforementioned goals. I do not have to contribute to a particular thread...instead i can look for threads which have all ready done that particular topic and read up on what others have thought.
Do i feel that inviting people to the library is done too hastily? No i really do not. Especially since most of the newer threads are just a rehash of older threads no longer available (on the board). That said, i do think that some threads should have a chance to shine on their own. I believe certain threads are worded differently to bring about a different conversation. The problem is not that of the LIBRARIANS. In my humble opinion, offering a semi-newbie a link to the library is simply a helpful gesture so that we don't get 40 threads dealing with the *Joys of Ass whipping*...

Anyway...here's my opinion...hope you don't mind...

 

[bunny bondage]

i come here mostly for the friendly little community. if i need info, i can just ask you guys! i don't use the library that often. however, i do point someone to it almost every day when they want more information about bdsm, be it a newbie here or someone in real life.

 

[bunny517]

I to am new to this sight.I have found so many nice helpfull people here to help me in my search.I use both to gather my information I have learned many things about myself and our lifestyle since I have been here.I want to thank everyone for all the help I have been given. Also thankyou all for the warm and wonderful greeting you all gave me when I first came here....

 

[Justina123]

Personally, I think it is great to tell someone "There was some interesting information and discussion on this topic in such-and-
such a thread."

I do NOT lke it when I see someone say (which has only happened a couple of times), "This has already been discussed in such-and-such a thread." As if that means that the person must be a jerk for bringing it up again, or as if there couldn't be a new, renewed, interesting discussion of the topic. Those who don't want to discuss again, hey, they should just not read that particular thread.

It's all in how the reference is made.

- justina

 

[Temptress_1960]

Good point, Justina.

I would see this forum as a good place to discuss those concepts explained in the library - not limited to that, of course.

For basic explanations, refering someone to the library saves a lot of time and effort. Why reinvent the wheel? If there's a good explanation available, that's the best starting point.

I usually appreciate being referred to an already existing thread - as long as the referral is friendly and helpful, not impatient and condescending.

 

[NemoAlia]

Heh -- again, we agree on our increasingly familiar "It's not what you do, it's how you do it!"

Yes, I too believe that's true.

And Anelize, darlin', you're very generous to suggest that this Library is not your sole responsibility -- but we all know who's masterminding the day-to-day catalogings of our conversations.

Hey, folks, I have another thought on the subject: I think that BDSM Cafe threads should be just as eligible for inclusion in the Library as Talk threads. I mean, there's a "humor" category and a "personal" category for a reason, right? Of course, not every thread needs to be immortalized, but maybe there are some that we know we'd like to be able to find again. Yes?

 

[MissTaken]

Old questions with new posters may sometimes bring in new insights adn is a great way to get to know the new folks.

Also, I know that when I first ventured out, having some place to talk about all those crazy feelings, wierd situations etc was a very helpful to me and instrumental in my growth.

I dont' believe we are too hasty in referring newcomers to the library thread or to recent threads on the same topic. I do think that if we are cognizant of the tone our posts take when referring someone, that would be helpful. To do so in a tone that is welcoming and encourages returning to discuss the topic rather than posting the message like a dismissal would be good, but I have only seen that happen a few times.

Oh, and did anyone notice that I posted to the library thread reminding people they can post to the threads in the library? I was concerned that people thought they were "dead threads," which they aren't.

 

[MissTaken]

Heh -- again, we agree on our increasingly familiar "It's not what you do, it's how you do it!"

Yes, I too believe that's true.

And Anelize, darlin', you're very generous to suggest that this Library is not your sole responsibility -- but we all know who's masterminding the day-to-day catalogings of our conversations.

Hey, folks, I have another thought on the subject: I think that BDSM Cafe threads should be just as eligible for inclusion in the Library as Talk threads. I mean, there's a "humor" category and a "personal" category for a reason, right? Of course, not every thread needs to be immortalized, but maybe there are some that we know we'd like to be able to find again. Yes?

Definitely!

 

[MissTaken]

And finally, one of anelize's posts from the "New faces" thread....very nice.

Morning,

I just wanted to drop by and welcome MasterNJS, Master Bill, and mastersprincess to our Community.

Nice to have you!

I'll be on the look out for your posts, and hope you'll check out our wonderful Library while you're here. If you ever have any suggestions regarding the Library, just drop me a PM, or post to the Library Suggestions thread.

Enjoy your stay here, we're glad to have you.

~anelize, "submissive librarian geek"

 

[AnelizeDarkEyes]

Heh -- again, we agree on our increasingly familiar "It's not what you do, it's how you do it!"

Yes, I too believe that's true.

And Anelize, darlin', you're very generous to suggest that this Library is not your sole responsibility -- but we all know who's masterminding the day-to-day catalogings of our conversations.

Hey, folks, I have another thought on the subject: I think that BDSM Cafe threads should be just as eligible for inclusion in the Library as Talk threads. I mean, there's a "humor" category and a "personal" category for a reason, right? Of course, not every thread needs to be immortalized, but maybe there are some that we know we'd like to be able to find again. Yes?

Who ever said that the Cafe was not eligible for inclusion? Not I. I look at the the entire sum of the BDSM Community....both the Talk Board threads and the Cafe Board when I'm evaluating threads for inclusion into the Library. During my last Library addition (last week) the following threads from the Cafe were added to the following categories:

Personal Threads

Bunny Goes to Japan

so i just got back from my first date

Humiliation

Peeing in front of your new Dom

Online Experiences

New sub Haven xrefd to Humor

Humor

New sub Haven xrefd to Online Experiences

New sub Haven was put in two categories because of it's usefulness as a potential teaching tool about what NOT to do in an online relationship. Hence the cross reference.

I still have more threads to look at in the Cafe, this month's Library addition is not yet complete.

And what else can I help you with today?

~anelize

 

[Johnny Mayberry]

Heh -- again, we agree on our increasingly familiar "It's not what you do, it's how you do it!"

Yes, I too believe that's true.

And Anelize, darlin', you're very generous to suggest that this Library is not your sole responsibility -- but we all know who's masterminding the day-to-day catalogings of our conversations.

Hey, folks, I have another thought on the subject: I think that BDSM Cafe threads should be just as eligible for inclusion in the Library as Talk threads. I mean, there's a "humor" category and a "personal" category for a reason, right? Of course, not every thread needs to be immortalized, but maybe there are some that we know we'd like to be able to find again. Yes?

Some of the Cafe threads ARE in the Library, actually...

you have been gone awhile, haven't you? Miss things being the way they were?

 

[Ebonyfire]

I have said it over and over again

I have no intentions of spouting the same things over and over again.

If a person does not want to read the library or search for knowledge, then that is their problem.

I am not here to make anyone feel warm and fuzzy. That is or was your Mother's job, not mine.

I expect adult behaviour from adults.

If that is too much for the newbies, then I will leave their education to more intrepid souls.

 

[Johnny Mayberry]

And Anelize, darlin', you're very generous to suggest that this Library is not your sole responsibility -- but we all know who's masterminding the day-to-day catalogings of our conversations.

*Pictures a submissive woman in a leather harness and a Darth Vader helmet, masterminding the takeover of the BDSM board*


LMAO, someone's a bit paranoid?

This is a catfight, isn't it? Woohoo!

 

[NemoAlia]

Oh, duh... Silly me. A long time on the uptake. I was just recalling WriterDom's concerns about his thread in the Cafe, and I ASSumed that the discussion was still open. Never mind... carry on. Wonderful job, Anelize!

 

[NemoAlia]

*Pictures a submissive woman in a leather harness and a Darth Vader helmet, masterminding the takeover of the BDSM board*


LMAO, someone's a bit paranoid?

This is a catfight, isn't it? Woohoo!

Dude -- a catfight? I mean all I've said as a compliment. (Wonders if Anelize knows this, or if I really was that unclear.)

And, well, I haven't really been "gone." Just lurking. Still reading a lot, posting less.

 

[NemoAlia]

And what else can I help you with today?

~anelize

I can think of something... Oh, but we're both subbish, aren't we? Darn.

 

[Impish]

both!

I think reminders of previous threads and our wonderful library AND a statement encouraging continued discussion.

 

[Croctden]

I actually like the library, I can thumb through an idea/question without having to post and wait for responses.

Plus it made me a man

 

[NemoAlia]

Plus it made me a man

*fanning herself*

My goodness!