Am I the only one who feels this way...or has PT really changed recently?

[DogLover9501]

I already said this, but this isn't a cat side vs. dog side thing, it's simply the way I phrased it.

Also the greyhound thing didn't end *that* good, I couldn't even post a picture of my new greyhound cousin without things starting.

Originally posted by cloverfdx
Unfortunatly i have to disagree with you there Robyn, last time i posted something about my dear Yumi cat (Who i am crazy about and LOVE dearly) i got about a 3 whole replys , and it was something quite important to my myself and to Yumi.

I have plenty of photos and videos of her that i am going to post in the next couple of days or when i have the time . And Robyn i LOVE seeing photos and hearing/ reading about your pups *Couch* Jasper especially *Cough*.

Thanks Rhiannon

Also, sometimes you just need to bump your thread up in CG, and also your time zone is alot different than a few people's(like mine), and so I didn't even see the pictures of Yumi But I will be looking out for them through out the next couple days

[Randi]

PCB, I too feel that PT has changed in the three years I've been here - and of course it has! New members join and some leave. But I also know that some people have lost interest in PT for the reasons mentioned in this thread - and what a shame! I won't say I've lost interest, however, as PT grows, it is timeconsuming to keep up with all the threads I'd like to, so I have chosen to use my time mostly on the CAT and General sections. I have not been posting much lately for two reasons, I haven't felt very inspired and when I'm tired I don't express myself too well. I also got a job which took most of my time.
Growing as big as PT has, it's enevitable that some members are forming cliques, and that's OK, as long as we also keep our eyes open for other posters and newcomers.

It's sad to see the "oldtimers" leave. I miss some of them - just to name a few .... Sirocco, C.C.'s mom, Bisi.Cat, Gio, Yorkster, AntiPam, Wayne0214, and now also Pam - but I do enjoy a lot of the newer members posts.

It seems that many are very cautious about posting, and that's a pity, but at the same time, I also think the below quotes are valid.

When you post a thread, it should be of interest to other people, that's why it's a forum - for discussions! If there is nothing to say, do not say it. Sometimes I go back to check threads I've missed and I see many interesting threads go to the 3rd or 4th page because some people start threads just to keep themselves busy and the first page is just full of them.

We have people posting "I’m bored" threads. We have people who respond to a post with a smilie or some silly comment, just cause it will make them a pillar quicker. We have people creating threads with the same subjects over and over.

This, I'm sure, is one of the reasons that many just ignore these posters - and will keep doing it, even if they should post something interesting later on. Some are posting like there's no tomorrow. I definately prefer quality over quantity, and I think most do.

Concerning "trolls", I haven't noticed many, but in any case, if you don't "feed them", they won't think it's so funny, and they'll probably leave.

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by DogLover9501
Also the greyhound thing didn't end *that* good, I couldn't even post a picture of my new greyhound cousin without things starting.

Like I said, you've got to understand that a lot of the Greyhound stuff was because of the people from another forum. I do believe it would have ended very nicely, quicker -- but, a whole other forum jumped in on it. I do believe now, it's ended fairly well, but it was carried on and on by those who were just merely visiting PT for the first time.

[DogLover9501]

Originally posted by Randi
Some are posting like there's no tomorrow. I definately prefer quality over quantity, and I think most do.

I agree-Quality over Quantity! There are/were a few members who acted like PT was a GAME, and that their post count were like POINTS and they'd reply to threads JUST to move their post count up, and that definatly would make people avoid this poster, thinking that all their posts are just posted to bring up their post count.

Originally posted by Kfamr
Like I said, you've got to understand that a lot of the Greyhound stuff was because of the people from another forum. I do believe it would have ended very nicely, quicker -- but, a whole other forum jumped in on it. I do believe now, it's ended fairly well, but it was carried on and on by those who were just merely visiting PT for the first time.

That's true, everything was alot worse when someone dragged a whole other forum into our discussion, so yeah that's true-the PT side of that discussion ended well, it was just the other forum that kept it going, sorry.

[ScantyNebula]

Wow, that was a lot of reading! There's really nothing I can add that would be different from what everybody else was saying. I do agree that things have changed and I'm not 'addicted' like i used to be .. I just check in every now and then. Its unfortunate cause I used to have such a blast here ... but its a new year .. things may change for the better.

And I am all for adding new Moderators .. a board of this size could certainly use them.

[Corinna]

I beleive Karen tried it for a while and . Becouse we are each different . She chose to pull the plug on it. I remember being admonished for a small offense by a subsute and I left for about 6 months . Karen and Paul I think are the only ones who should moderate and its their site . They started it and pay for it. We need to remember that point we all get this for free. Anyone haveing a website knows how much it costs , can you even imagine how much it runs them . It seems they have to upgrade their searving stuff about evey 6-8 months.
We shouldn't fight over the site just use the shopping store method you don't want it don't buy it. But its there for someone else who might need it.

[Cataholic]

I agree with the other Johanna (Scanty Nebula...he he he). I am just not into it like I used to be. For several reasons, some PT related, some personal.

Like most people, I am most comfortable with that which is familiar. So, I go to the threads of people I 'know'. I dislike intensely those that post just to get their counts up. Now, while I can't say for certain that is the reason they post- but, when I read the thread starter, that is the ONLY thing that comes to this 39 y.o. mind. I hate to wade through all that junk (that is my word choice, I have used it before, and gotten the flack already ) to get to the beautiful pics of the pets, or the funny stories, etc.

I do think PT has changed over the last year. Good? Bad? I don't really know. But, it isn't the same to me anymore.

[carole]

It saddens me to read so many of you are dis-satisfied with PT, I myself still enjoy it just the same, I take the good with the bad, regardless I would not miss coming online for the world, Johanna maybe that little cutie pie of your's is one big reason you don't stop by as much.

Well I can only hope old members will continue to stop by from time to time, and new one's will find PT the special place that I do. cheers everyone.

[LoudLou]

Originally posted by RICHARD
...It's just too bad that immature people, people who cannot handle some jokes or topics outside the realm of animal issues,
cannot skip a thread that they may think might not be their cup of tea...

Richard, once again you have taken the words right out of my mouth... Thank You.
I have been a member of this board for a few years now, and I have to say that this is the one thing that bothers me most. It's seems so simple, If you don't like the thread why post in it?

I may not post a lot here. I have to admit that it's mostly because this board has almost become like "Walking on egg shells". Do I post some witty come back to this or that or do I join this conversation, only to have someone get offened at something I thought was funny but they didn't... and so on. There have been many funny entertaining threads on this board, I love to read them. Unfortunately, about the time I get around to wanting to join in on them or have something to say, they get deleted or they seem to turn in to a heated mess. So, I stay out of it.

I appreciate Karen and Paul for ALL the things they do for this site, It IS VERY HARD WORK. BIG Kudos to them!

I know from my own experience though that you can not be everything to all people, and sometimes that is just what some people do not understand. If there are many people having a good time in a particular thread or talking about something you don't like... MOVE on to something else, I don't know Why that is so hard.

Whew! Ok I think I've said my peace on this...

[sasvermont]

I do believe that forums such as Pet Talk have a life of their own. Of course there is a change from time to time. Can you imagine what it would be like to have total agreement and everyone thinking the same.....sort of the "Stepford Website" as in Stepford Wives".... everyone thinking the same, saying the same thing...posting the perfect reply.

I think that this forum resembles much of life.....constant change....just like all relationships....

I post less often because I am very busy..... and I do still enjoy reading many of the posts....

Has it changed? Yes, was I surprised, of course not!

Love to all - even though they have changed!

SAS

[dukedogsmom]

I agree with Richard and Loudlou.

[aly]

I think the reason why some people complain about threads is because this is a family site. I have posted in a thread a few times politely suggesting that it may not be for kids (at least I thought it was polite every time, some may not agree). I only post because I know for sure I wouldn't want my child reading stuff like that and I know that there are children reading it. Although I'm not a mother, I have such a strong motherly instinct, I can't help it. I ignore threads that I find annoying or really don't like myself as long as they don't have something offensive in them. I have never posted in a thread simply to say I don't like it personally if it was a clean subject and not offensive to children.

[Twisterdog]

...It's just too bad that immature people, people who cannot handle some jokes or topics outside the realm of animal issues, cannot skip a thread that they may think might not be their cup of tea...

Exactly. This is the main reason I don't post or read nearly as much as used to here. I understand that this is a family oriented site, and that's great. But, IMHO, things are censored a bit TOO much at times. I am hesitant to post ANYthing that might be even the slightest bit questionable; even though, in the opinion of probably 90% of the people who might read it, it would be rated PG at the worst. Between the ultra-puritanism that sometimes seems to prevail here, and the general lack of maturity and empathy that often presents itself, I grow weary of feeling like I'm either in seventh grade study hall or in the principal's office.

[LoudLou]

Originally posted by Twisterdog
Exactly. This is the main reason I don't post or read nearly as much as used to here. I understand that this is a family oriented site, and that's great. But, IMHO, things are censored a bit TOO much at times. I am hesitant to post ANYthing that might be even the slightest bit questionable; even though, in the opinion of probably 90% of the people who might read it, it would be rated PG at the worst. Between the ultra-puritanism that sometimes seems to prevail here, and the general lack of maturity and empathy that often presents itself, I grow weary of feeling like I'm either in seventh grade study hall or in the principal's office.

EXACTLY!

[aly]

Well some look at it as ultra-puritanism, but there is a time and place for everthing. A family pet site is not the place for adult humor (which I happen to enjoy very much OFF of this site - ask any of my AIM buddies. I just refuse to make light of that while children read it).