Has Pet Talk Changed?

[lynnestankard]

I wasn't going to reply to this - and even PM'd Gini and told her why.
But Zippy has encapsulated it so well - I'll just throw in my twopen'orth (two cents!!). I think the tolerance level has fallen dramatically - often when reading a thread from the beginning you suddenly come upon a reply from someone who has taken umbridge at someone else and WOW - sparks fly so quickly. I can't quite understand if they feel so hurt why can't they just PM the other person and do it politly and calmly. It's all a case of I feel this and I say that, so I'm right - everyone's on their high horse and unable to discuss calmly.
Why? Maybe age does have a lot to do with this. Sometimes I just lose patience and log-off.
Let's all try and keep cool and talk to each other - properly.
I do miss some of the 'older' - not age wise!! - members who don't come round all that often.
Having said all that I must just add that I feel Karen and Paul do a great job in moderating and always seem able to pour oil on troubled waters. It must be a thankless task. SO - Thank You both

Lynne

[Cookiebaker]

All I can say is that I love PetTalk...I love this family & have met a lot of new friends. Paul & Karen do a wonderful job at moderating!

It must be a thankless task. SO - Thank You both

Yes...Thank You for opening & providing this forum. We appreciate it!

[RockyRoad]

I love Pet Talk, I've met so many new friends. I know a few people who are still angry with me for how I behaved a few months ago. I think I've matured a lot since then though!

If I could change one thing about PT, I would make another forum for testing pictures, signatures, and maybe Phred's picture instructions could stay as an announcement at the top for the newbies who are learning.

Also, I wish some people had better grammar, spelling and punctuation. Not out of snobbery, but there are some posts on here that are barely comprehensible.

Agreed

And thank you Karen and Paul for doing a great job!

[lbaker]

I guess I qualify as an "old" one who doesn't post as often but it's for several reasons...some personal and some because some of the weird threads that had nothing to do with our furkids. I still lurk though. We did have two alternative moderators for awhile, Phred and SpencerTheLion. It worked great, especially when Paul & Karen had to be absent for whatever reason (they DO have a life you know). But when some of these threads started to get out of hand I can't blame anybody for not wanting to play sheriff. I now try to only participate in the positive, fun, informative threads and leave the controversy to others One of the best times I've had in many, many years was the first PetTalkMeet in Texas with Karen,Paul,Sammi,Mike,Aly (and ReeceMan & Lolly of course) Chuck (and Ms Vicky & the almighty Spencer)Augie (from TX) and her son et al and all the good vibes we had there. Here's to many more
Laurie

[Ann]

Hard to say really... I think it's changed both for the better and the worse.

Better in the way that "controversial" threads are more allowed nowadays, and worse in the way that more people retort with personal flaming in said threads (like for example how some people called me a "sick freak" for posting about the kid who killed himself).

Purely technically I would like to see HTML allowed; I really miss that.

[aly]

Originally posted by FloppsyLadySally89

If I could change one thing about PT, I would make another forum for testing pictures, signatures,

You can always test them in a normal area and then delete the test post after you see if it worked.

[shais_mom]

Originally posted by zippy-kat
I
Negative:
I'm going to step outside of my comfort zone to say this (and will probably receive some nasty PM's but...) I also disapprove of the 'newer' kids of pettalk. If they have something to say and can contribute it a positive manner, I'm all for 'em being on the board. But there are those who continually 'get my goat' by posing under different names/ages/etc. or joining in just to fight/argue/ridicule. (I think it's only fair to add that --while I don't have solid proof-- my instinct tells me not all the 'posers' on here are children.) These are the members I would like to see relocated to other areas of cyber-space.

As Aly said, a growing community cannot exist without a few tempers flaring. And there's not an easy solution to making it all just "go away."

But all-in-all, I think Karen and Paul do a marvelous job moderating esp. considering they have 'other' jobs, families, concerns, and one heckuva cute bunny to take care of! Kudos to you guys!

I totally agree Tonya!! WELL SAID!!!
And with that I first and foremost want to say that I LOVE PETTALK!!! If I didn't I wouldn't come here several times a day!!
Yes, the forum has gotten HUGE which I good in a way, and Yes we have lost some of the familyness.
B/c of the more stressful threads and some of the younger members that DO come on DO stress me out quite a bit.
BUT with that I have met some of my closest, dearest friends here. And with that I wouldn't change for the world!
And thru here I have met other people. Like Thru Amy (Cincy'sMom) I met her mom, and now Keegan and I have Dog Park Buddies.
Karen and Paul you have definately made a very very special place here on the web that we can all get together and meet. THANK YOU!
There are some changes that should be made but I would have NO CLUE how to even begin to make them

[Randi]

I joined PT the day after the new layout, so I don't know what the old one looked like. I like everything about this layout, it's very pleasant to look at.
THANK YOU KAREN AND PAUL FOR THIS WONDERFUL BOARD!

Concerning changes, I'd like that signatures was limited to a certain size, many of them I find way too big, they take up so much space in some posts. Some of them are very nice, but still ...

It would also be nice if newcomers knew that posts can be edited - instead of posting 3-4 posts right after the other.

I also believe it would be a good idea to delete members who has joined in 2000 or 2001 and never posted.

Also, it would be nice to have a search feature where you could search for where the members come from - it could be country or state, but I realise that it would have to be typed into the members profiles.

Lastly, I'd like to say that I too agree with Zippy on her views!

Oh, and I also miss some of the oldies - like C. C.'s mom!

That's my 2 danish kroner.

[Jessica12345]

I joined around Christmas time, and havnt seen much change yet. I hope im not anoying anyone But i love PT! I guess Im really addicted, I finnaly found a place where I can go on and on about my pets and hear about other peoples pets! Glad i found this place. Thanks again karen and paul for making such a wonderful board! And thanks to all the great PT members for making it feel like home! lol

[catland]

Gee - call me clueless, but I wasn't aware of people registering under multiple names. The only time I've seen someone with a new name was when something went haywire with their old name.

I like some of the "new kids" - I wouldn't ever want Pet Talk to get too cliqueish with just the same group all the time. New people introduce us to new points of view, new locations and experiences and even religions and I'm ok with that. It's really fun to know that I'm chatting with people from all over the world

I also like hearing from our younger members. I enjoy their youthful exhuberance. Also, some of them occasionally have some serious problems and I feel like we're able to comfort them and help them.

My solution to Pettalkers that annoy me? I ignore them. I don't respond to their posts and don't even bother to open new threads started by them. This works for me. But hey, we're a community, there are always going to be personality conflicts - that's a part of life. Just as long as we keep our main focus - our love of our pets, then we all have common ground.

[Ann]

Well said catland!

[anna_66]

but I can't quite explain it. I guess it's because of new member and new thoughts. But this is good, change is good even though most of us don't like it
I'm glad I've found a place that I can share my dogs (problems or not) and share everyone elses pets too! I've found some of the most wonderful people here & wouldn't trade it for the world!
Here it seems everyone is not out to judge you, they like you for who you are (or should I say like your pets for who they are )
I love when we can talk and people listen to others views without the "flaming" that others have talked about. We are all different, we have different views on things. Isn't this what life is all about? Just think how boring Pet Talk would be if we all talked about or liked the same things!

Thanks to our founders Karen & Paul

[Cataholic]

Well, I am a 'newer' member, having joined in September, I think, but a fairly regular poster. And, I am one of the ones that could be accused of being a flame thrower. I don't know what the old PT was like, and I like the format currently.

I would probably stick closer to the age limit, as I find some of the younger posters irresponsible at best. I don't like the blow by blow account of some of the more youthful posters. But, there are some youthful posters that I don't have any concerns with. So, I don't know how you make the judgment as to who is too young, and who isn't. I admit that youth isn't always the dictator. I can state with certainty that the one thing that peeves me to no end is someone with 5-10 posts to their name coming in and stirring up all kinds of trouble. I don't mean to imply that just because someone has a certain number of posts they have unfettered discretion, BUT, it is the same on the 'net as it is in real life, you gotta test the waters before you start screaming shark. ( I just made that phrase up!!).

But, on the other hand, I can say after getting to know some people, and I hope they won't be offended by me referencing them, cause I mean it in a complimentary way, like Popcorn and Floppsy, I have a different level of respect/admiration for them. Should I have had that initially? Sure. But, I now see things that I might disagree with, but, because I have some history with them, I am soooo much more tolerant, and able to 'listen' to their side. But, that does tie in to my statment that people with 5-10 or so posts should sit back and develop a relationship with the board before insulting half of it's members.

And, another thing, I think when I write as much as I did on this post, it should count as 10 posts, so I can catch up to Jen!!!

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by wolf_Q


Yeah, this thread has me thinking about it.....it seems since the new year everyone's been even more angry....well, at least it seems that way to me.

I'll admit, I'm one of them that's been on the crabby side lately. I'm sorry. It's just that some people drive me crazy....and I'm sure I drive others crazy too! Anyway, I think we *all* need to start being more tolerant of eachother.

Let's make Pet Talk the *happy* place it normally is!

Well said Amy. I think I have been crankier then usual, and I also apoligize. Maybe it is "winter blues"? Hopefullt spring will be better for us all

[primabella]

thanks to all those who complimented my signature and who sai di don't piss them off. glad i don't nobody gets me mad here unless they are posting under different names ect. nothing personal, it just aggravates me.

sarah - i'm 15 i thought you were much older than 12!