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 Shall we call it quits?

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Shall we call it a day?
Yes
Shall we call it quits? I_vote_lcap9%Shall we call it quits? I_vote_rcap
 9% [ 1 ]
Maybe
Shall we call it quits? I_vote_lcap0%Shall we call it quits? I_vote_rcap
 0% [ 0 ]
No
Shall we call it quits? I_vote_lcap91%Shall we call it quits? I_vote_rcap
 91% [ 10 ]
Total Votes : 11
 
Poll closed

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nordmann
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PostSubject: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 08:29

I'm thinking that people maybe might prefer that this discussion forum could possibly be replaced with a Facebook group (or similar), and I think I might have found a way of exporting the database content so it can be viewed from that kind of source.

Or maybe should we simply close the forum altogether?

Is this a good idea?

I'll run a poll (for all those still interested) over 30 days ... comments (and votes) welcome.
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Meles meles
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 10:06

May I ask why you are considering/suggesting this? I appreciate that you alone bear all the burden of maintaining and managing this site ... is it too much work? Or do you feel that a Facebook group is more appropriate or might work better and gradually get more members?

My initial, purely selfish, gut reaction is a simple "no" and to keep the site essentially as it is but if you perceive a problem or opportunity then I freely accept change might be needed. So for the moment I'll hold off casting a vote and consider a bit longer. But as I say what has prompted your thinking?
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Priscilla
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 10:13

If you shift res Hist to Facebook please remove all my posts. I do not do Facebook. Call it a day for Res His if you will - a dark and sad day but for my part it's no longer a place where I feel at ease - nor come to that, welcome. But of one thing I have to thank it for is making me reconsider things spiritual and to appreciate the source of it with renewed strength. 

I will miss my daily call in to see who is saying what and to learn something new - and  to read a bit of others lives too with silent empathy; I shall regret losing that. Time to end when the  warm laughter is become but a cold echo.
I deeply appreciate the  experience, the work that has gone into providing a very efficient site  and I am saddened by the thought of its closing - but yes, for me, I think it  time to loosen the last mooring rope
Regards, Priscilla
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ferval
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 10:23

My immediate instinct is to vote NO!, this is the first site I go to after checking emails and although I haven't posted a great deal recently I value it immensely. Not least of my reasons is that I'm not on Facebook, why I'm not entirely sure. It may be a kind of ignorant prejudice, a vague feeling of superiority and a general feeling that it's not entirely a very good thing. However, I then thought about just how much time and effort must go into administering and maintaining this site and perhaps I'm being selfish (as usual) so I will bow to the wishes of the majority and those of the most active members. And The Boss in particular. If needs be I would join that medium, muttering. Perhaps I do need to embrace what appears to be the rest of the human race in their membership?

i know damn all about it, how would a group work? Who can see it? Open or closed? Can you block ads? What's all this 'like' and 'friending' stuff about? I should ask my kids who use it all the time.
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nordmann
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 11:20

Hi MM - the administration bit of the site is down to about 1% of my time on it, so that's not the issue, no. It simply struck me, as Priscilla points out, that people aren't actually enjoying contributing much any more and, as she also says, wouldn't miss it all that much.

I've been looking at various options in which this site could be integrated into a wider use of social media which people might already be doing. A Facebook group is one alternative, but there are others too. The catch is if we can keep the content accessible.

And no, Priscilla. It is not really possible to excise contributions from one member. Or at least it is not an easy task. If I ban you from accessing the site it becomes easier actually. Is that ok with you? (sounds a little drastic to me)

PS: Your vote in the poll can be changed as often as you like within 30 days. It's not another Brexit fiasco.
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Triceratops
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 11:20

I'm not on Facebook either, and have never really considered joining it.

Just a thought, it hasn't been used in ages but the old ExBeeb site over on Historum should still be there.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 12:31

You say people seem not to be enjoying the site so much ... but for my part, and to echo Ferval's comments above, checking in here is still a regular habit, and one might even say the site is a bit of a lifeline for me ... the only communication I've had in English with anyone since before Easter has been here, and indeed, bar my passing the time of day with the checkout girl at the supermarket last Thursday, this site has been the only human communication I've had over the past week. I realise that's not typical for everyone else but yes I would genuinely miss you all if ResHis shut down completely.

PS : I am "on" facebook in so far as I was encouraged to join just so I could see the pictures of a friend's new wife. I regret joining as I have since been innundated with requests to befriend people, and while they are nearly all people who I once knew well (and used to regularly go caving with) I'm really not interested in all the facebook stuff. They must all think I'm a rude, grumpy old sod because I've just ignored all these requests - now numbered in hundreds - as I can't be bothered even to go and adjust my facebook settings.

But maybe I should give Facebook another go ... it would also, at least so everyone repeatedly tells me, be good for my business.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 13:14

I've voted no - for pretty much the same reasons given by Meles, ferval and Trike. I'm pleased to say that the 'No' votes are currently registering at 100%.
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Temperance
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 14:54

Facebook? Facebook? I cannot tell you the horror I felt when I read that. Had you suggested that we all dress up as Tudor women or Roman soldiers and then posted selfies of ourselves thus attired on Instagram I could not have been more dismayed.


Priscilla wrote:
... a dark and sad day but for my part it's no longer a place where I feel at ease - nor come to that, welcome. But of one thing I have to thank it for is making me reconsider things spiritual and to appreciate the source of it with renewed strength.

I will miss my daily call in to see who is saying what and to learn something new - and  to read a bit of others lives too with silent empathy; I shall regret losing that. Time to end when the  warm laughter is become but a cold echo.


OK - to be serious. Priscilla's comments echo my own feelings, although, if I am honest, I do not want to cut the mooring ropes and am much saddened at the thought. I don't want to be set adrift in a world of mindless idiots. I am really surprised that no one has questioned why P. does not feel "welcome" or "at ease" here anymore. Perhaps that should be discussed?



Priscilla wrote:

I deeply appreciate the  experience, the work that has gone into providing a very efficient site.


I'm sure everybody would agree with that. Everything that nord has given us here is so very much appreciated. That's why, if things are going pear-shaped, I think we should look at why. Time maybe for us all to be brutally honest about things and about ourselves, even if it hurts. Are we boring one another to death now? Are we all - as P. herself once put it - "all historied-out"? Are we tired of being lectured as if we are brainless idiots? Are we sick to death of people endlessly wittering on about religion and moggies? All, some, or none of these? Are we simply not drinking enough in the bar?

If you transfer to Facebook I should like all my stuff deleted too - even if I have to be banned from any new group. I joined Res Historica, not Facebook.

I shall vote NON! and demand a second referendum if the vote goes against me. Democracy is for wimps. Not how we Brits do things, chaps.


Last edited by Temperance on Wed 26 Apr 2017, 01:35; edited 3 times in total (Reason for editing : did not close my inverted commas. Imagine that being seen on Facebook.)
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Temperance
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 14:59

Alea jacta est - well, not quite, but I've voted. The swingometer is set in motion.


Shall we call it quits? P01b3c2x


Gosh, this is exciting - nearly as good as having Brexit again.
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ferval
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 16:05

OK, I've committed to NO as well now.

It's not just here that is quiet, I have noticed that the few fora that I visit (I don't contribute to most of them, just lurk) are becoming less well used all the time, I blame bloody Twitter. It seems that the ability to write - or read - more than 144 characters is rapidly dying out. When the BBC closed its last site, the POV one, I looked for another where I could rant happily about their latest travesty but could find nothing that approached it for the variety and content of contributions or discussed anything other than soaps and reality shows.
I haven't looked on Historum for ages but I never felt really comfortable there, I'm a creature of habit and this is where I feel at home even if sometimes a bit like the child in the corner, listening to the grown-ups talking about things that I wish I knew more about.  
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 16:09

Temperance wrote:
Facebook? Facebook? I cannot tell you the horror I felt when I read that. Had you suggested that we all dress up as Tudor women or Roman soldiers and then posted selfies of ourselves thus attired on Instagram I could not have been more dismayed.

Pity ... I was rather looking forward to slapping the white lead make-up on, trussing myself into a fathingale and appearing as a slightly raddled and over-ripe Gloriana or some other camp old queen.

Shall we call it quits? 9b_queene%201_zpsnkdbemby

But more seriously ... I think Ferval is correct in what she says about online fora generally. I do still look at Historum quite often - though I very rarely post anything - and it noticeably has less postings these days compared to a year or so ago.
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Temperance
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 16:21

Smile Smile Smile

You'd look gorgeous, MM. Actually, Instagram aka Res His, could be fun. Can you imagine Our Nord as Pompey the Great?

Shall we call it quits? Pompey%20the%20Great

Just a little joke, sir - please do not take offence.

Here's me as the other MM.

Shall we call it quits? Mary-Magdalene-reni22
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 16:29

Pompey Magnus? Pompey Minimus surely with that tiny fig leaf! Wink
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Islanddawn
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 19:32

Well I selfishly voted no also, even though I feel guilty that it is Nordmann that has put in all the hard slog and cost and all I do is take advantage of that generosity and contribute next to nothing. Although I do check in almost everyday to read everyone's comments and like MM really enjoy the ability to communicate in English.

For me it is not disinterest that keeps me from posting more regularly, rather real life has taken over my time and I have to work these days and I also find myself needing to vent my spleen on current political and economic issues far more than historical. Sometimes I think a current affairs section would be good, but that doesn't fit with the historical theme I know.

I'm a little confused, surprised and saddened by P not feeling welcome, and Temp's brainless idiots comment as well. I don't feel that that was ever the intention of anyone, it is never good if anyone takes silly squabbles on the internet too seriously.
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PaulRyckier
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyTue 25 Apr 2017, 21:19

Nordmann,

I join all the others with a no at all. And I am not at facebook, what a nasty idea...What's wrong with posting in a small group? I really don't post that much on Historum, only once perhaps each fortnight for only things, who interest me...and it became that far on the French Passion Histoire too. If the Beeb board would still exist my hundreds of contributions, would also be reduced to a few each week. And I have to say, while this board is so challenging, it is each day the first to look at before my other regular ones.

And I dare to say that before I start on other fora I introduce my subjects here on this forum, because I know that I will have always an intelligent reply with which I can study further my subject, even discussing it here to the dead end.

What is wrong with a small open forum with some ten members? I prefer it to the closed forum of Jiglu where I sometimes also contribute to. Caro, Nielsen, Tim, Tas and my Dutch friend are over there too. But I prefer the open, while it is also as I write under my own name, an extra requirement to approach the touchy subjects with an open mind. And as I see there is interest in our little forum, while even when I am alone on the forum, there are most of the time more than twenty "visitors" on the site. That means that every time at least twenty people are reading "our" utterings. And perhaps somewhere they contribute on other fora with our "thoughts"?

I said it already, even after all those years my grasp of the English language is still not excellent and I need more time to compose my messages than the native English contributors. Therefore I would be grateful if English language natives can contribute more. There is no dumb subject. I am interested in them all...perhaps less in sport and modern music as they are unknown fields for me.

One last item. I am sad that Gilgamesh don't post that much anymore...it was a friend to  me from the early BBC messageboard times...and I always appreciated his (I suppose) English "dry humour".

Kind regards to all of you from your mutual friend Paul.
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nordmann
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 08:46

I'm not sure why anyone would feel "unwelcome" here - there has never been any intentional wish on anyone's part to make others unwelcome that I have ever noticed. Apart of course from some disagreement with points made by others - which is the general point of discussion after all. If people choose however to feel that way then I can only apologise if I have contributed to this feeling, but since it is obviously something over which I have no control on their behalf I do not see how to avoid it in the future without either stopping discussing things (a rather silly thing to do on a discussion forum) or imposing quite severe self-censorship while trying to anticipate such "offence" without actually knowing exactly where, when or why it arises. Therein lies madness, and my mental health is dodgy enough as it is. Nor do I recommend it for anyone else either.

I am encouraged by the vote of support for continuation of the site "as is", and to be honest it's also the easiest option for me too. However everyone who contributes here might, if they have the time and inclination, explore other possibilities to widen such appeal and function associated with the forum as exists. As others have said above, discussion forums are in general losing their lustre as viable websites in their own right, and while I don't endorse a complete conversion to what might be called the "twitter" mentality it is certainly true that popular social media sites like Facebook etc can be used to generate interest by association and links (eg. an active "Friends of ResHistorica" group with an attractively profiled Facebook presence etc).

On a slightly connected point, I have noticed within referral analysis reports that I can generate for the site in Google that we have particular topics which attract inordinately high attention from particular sources. For example the "what is art" thread has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times, and the IP referrals when investigated brings one into various websites around the internet dedicated to medieval, renaissance and baroque art, university sites, and others which obviously provide users with an embedded internet search function that frequently points them in this direction. Similarly, an old and short thread here about King George not giving the tsar refuge has almost as many incidental views as the art thread, and again tracing these referrals brings one back largely to academic sites (in the USA mostly, but in fact just about everywhere), I assume because the topic features in many current curricula.

There are other examples of threads which are gaining a high search profile through viewing activity, but what had struck me was that such incidental referral demonstrates two things; some of the site's content is of more than general interest as a resource for the curious, and also that such curiosity (leading hopefully to more participation of a discussion forum nature) can in fact be encouraged and supported through participation in these referral sources. Any website with a particular historical point of interest, for example, probably also has frequent visitors who would also be interested in perusing the content here - so many topics have been raised here over the years. If there is a way of engaging with those viewers through that other site and helping them find Res Historica then this would help enormously give the forum a little more activity and a little more raison d'etre at the same time.

I'm open to ideas.
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Temperance
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 09:51

nordmann wrote:
 
I am encouraged by the vote of support for continuation of the site "as is", and to be honest it's also the easiest option for me too.


Oh good, that's decided then: we can all stop fretting and get back to normal.

Foreign Office Diplomog picture and a comment on the Jesus Myth thread coming up later. Perhaps we should have a Huff Button (alongside the "edit" and "quote" options) to click on when we feel offence and/or madness coming on: our post could then light up or flash or something to alert people... ( Smile )

Rule Britannia, Sanity and Res His - and God Save the Queen too (not you, MM)!  Cheers



PS Seriously - I'll certainly point people (on June 10th) in the direction of the Edward Thomas thread here, as well as other topics in the Literature and Language section. Perhaps a general thread there about how we can learn history from Literature - or not - might be worth a go. Not just the usual "Shakespeare maligned Richard III" stuff, but perhaps take a look at Milton, Blake, the great Victorian novelists - just a thought.


Last edited by Temperance on Wed 26 Apr 2017, 10:06; edited 1 time in total
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 10:05

I have no idea how the system works so am prepared to be shot into space on this one. If the varied content of this site gets picked up can its identity be more firmly fixed with the site name imbedded somehow into each reference? Perhaps it already is but is not prominent enough. What you mean is we need fresh blood. Yes, we do. I agree - the age old marketing prob, really.

On the subject of discussion - mmm, that is a sticking point. One enters the arena alone for the most part here and Thor's hammer often comes down hard. Leeway to disagree without being slapped for the temerity would be nice -  and a bit of support from the silent onlookers if they have a jot of agreement would be refreshing. On the other hand maybe I - and sometimes Temps too, are out of sync with the rest of you. That is the sense of unwelcome that I pick up. It is not a site for discussion if people venture in fear of a slamming for their opinion...... or if everyone is in agreement then it becomes a dull yes sir, no sir, three bags full, sir, sort of place and that is what is coming through......  a cosy place for leftish atheists who find much about the English to deplore. It is noted that there has not been  a site murmur about the astonishing things happening in French politics. If Mrs May only changed her shoe style there would be a rush to post.

Well you did ask and I might as well say my bit..... mooring rope on the slip knot, as it were. No one else seems to have much to say on any of this....... that does not surprise me. Temps and I  really are out of sync. I have yet to vote - or may go to Glastonbury for a month and be unable.
I expect someone to post with a smirk about my wondering  why I think I am unwelcome!
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Priscilla
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 10:09

Crossed posts with Temps. I shall delete mention of you, Temps, if you like. It was presumptuous of me.
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Temperance
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 10:16

I sometimes feel like a particularly stupid sort of Christian put in the arena with a very hungry lion - with the other - proper - Christians (who don't really like me) behind me deliberately pushing me towards it...

Shall we call it quits? 130325165145-christians-thrown-to-lions-story-topYou go first, Temp: you like cats. Try stroking it.


EDIT: Crossed posts with P.'s crossed posts post. Don't mind at all, Priscilla. Any mention is better than none (see Oscar Wilde). Smile


Last edited by Temperance on Wed 26 Apr 2017, 12:20; edited 2 times in total
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 10:39

Advice to trepid Christians. Never look cats in the eye, stay out of arenas. Stay quietly out of sight and sit and wonder about who Jesus was much as most teenagers think about the fat man on the new fiver. (Din't 'e make films about mad birds or suffink?) (Nah, 'e's an old Greek footer coach) (Wot's  'e on our fiver for then?) (Cos it's smart - like their yoghurt an' that.)
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 10:48

As to the question,why do all those visitors not contribute, what is it that is deterring them? Could it be the need to commit to membership: would there be any mileage in permitting visitors to post as 'guests' without signing up, perhaps for a limited number of times?
It's not those of us who do engage and contribute who have the answer to this, it's those who either don't or those who have joined but dropped off over time. Those who just look and go are unreachable but would it be worth pming the lost members to ask their opinions of the site and why they no longer love us?
Have you any way of finding out how long these viewers stay on the site when they happen across us? Do they look in, take fright and run away or linger to explore the site further?

This will be controversial but, maybe we should have some kind of Facebook presence? Is it possible to have a simple page with a link to the main forum? I fear our audience must be limited to those of us who shudder at the thought(and areof a certain vintage) but are we being a bit precious? I don't know.

There's some new posts I see but I will post this and then read them. Sorry of I'm crossing.
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Temperance
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 11:05

Irrelevant Comment:

I was just looking for a suitable Androcles and the Lion picture and came across this. I think it is beautiful, especially the lion's face. Might put it on the Moggy thread, as I have no idea whether it is Roman or Greek - if either. Or is it a Christian piece of sculpture from a church or something?

Shall we call it quits? Androcles-1024x768

PS I didn't know trepid was a word. Tepid and trepid - what not to be!! Let us fight on - one way or another.

PSS Crossed post with ferval. Fair point about the dreaded Facebook, ferval - I for one am such an old fogey where such things are concerned and the world has moved on - that has to be faced (no wordplay intended). Perhaps those bright young things who love Facebook might wander in here and learn a bit of summat from us oldies - you never know. And we, of course, might learn from them...

One former poster, Matilda, told me in a PM that we all terrified her. Good grief!
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nordmann
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 11:15

As a good example of how this referral things works here is a link to where you will find the origin of your Aesop's Fables relief, and it's actually fascinating.

More importantly, whoever owns that website will see that people dropped in via a link here, and this might even promote a bit of reciprocity down the line. Bear this in mind when linking to sites from here - try to give priority now and then to blogs and other sites with an obvious historical bent. It's far more likely they will appreciate the attention, and Res Historica becomes a registered referral site when they look at the analytical details Google and other search engines provide them with.
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Temperance
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 11:25

George III mantelpiece - who would have thought it! Didn't really think it was Roman - honest Embarassed . Many thanks for that link, nordmann - stuff there is indeed fascinating.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 11:32

nordmann wrote:
As a good example of how this referral things works here is a link to where you will find the origin of your Aesop's Fables relief, and it's actually fascinating.

More importantly, whoever owns that website will see that people dropped in via a link here, and this might even promote a bit of reciprocity down the line. Bear this in mind when linking to sites from here - try to give priority now and then to blogs and other sites with an obvious historical bent. It's far more likely they will appreciate the attention, and Res Historica becomes a registered referral site when they look at the analytical details Google and other search engines provide them with.

In that case, would a list of blogs that we favour be any help? I don't follow many but ones I do regularly read are:

Mary Beard

Guy Halsal

Kenny Brrophy

Gavin Macgregor

Quite apart from drumming up business. I would be most interested in knowing which ones other folk use, for my own amusement.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 11:52

Temperance wrote:

One former poster, Matilda, told me in a PM that we all terrified her. Good grief!

Temp, I can understand that, I'm not at all sure that, if I came across this place today, I would have the courage to jump in. The old BBC board was a nice, gentle way of engaging, in fact the sheer nuttiness of some contributors made it easier for newcomers - they could never possibly say anything dafter. I wonder if you all appreciate the depth of some of the scholarship here, the breadth of knowledge and, yes, the sometimes combatative nature of some responses.  There are no snowflakes here but some of the retorts - and yes, nordmann, I'm looking at you in particular - are quite stinging. Honestly, I think that the interested but inexpert passer-by would be intimidated. Surely the fact that not one new member has lasted and only those who served their apprenticeships on the old boards so knew each other before have hung on in, and even quite a few who used to participate have drifted off, must say something - so where are we going wrong?
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 13:36

ferval wrote:
There are no snowflakes here but some of the retorts - and yes, nordmann, I'm looking at you in particular - are quite stinging.

Moi? I float like a bee and sting like a butterfly, me!

The bottom line here - and in fact for all discussion forums - is that there is no middle ground between the tedium of everyone agreeing and the equal tedium of everyone disagreeing when membership remains static. It is not the potential to learn, to agree, or to disagree that matters in the long run as much as the fact that being able to predict the others' responses renders the exercise fairly meaningless. The solution - frequent injection of new input from new members - is not one open to discussion forums without an already large global reach belonging to their hosted environment. The challenge, as I see it, is to redefine the point of the site, one possibility being that it could be seen as a natural resource to use for those wishing to extend a debate prompted by another site's content but which isn't possible on the sites in question. For this to function the association has to be established and promoted so people know where to come if they so wish.

Like it or not, Facebook actually presents the best possibility for this to happen. It already has several groups of "friends" defined who have as a common link a particular interest or a particular affiliation to another web resource. Even better from an administrative point of view Forumotion facilitates hosted site membership and access via Facebook identity - so that it is easy for people who come across the site on Facebook to then "hop" into this one, and so on. Once here, then I sting them and they can never leave again - or something like that.

A "Friends of Res His" group with high visual content and frequent links back here is what I'm thinking, which has the added bonus of advertising site content with a friendly bias without a compunction for people necessarily to be members to "dip in" frequently. It doesn't mean either that we all have to participate - just enough to keep the content fresh. Because of the way the "friend" thing works on that site then it gets advertised all the more as time goes on via indirect association between users etc.

Mary Beard's blog is always good value. I'll check out the other ones you listed.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 13:51

Nordmann, don't misunderstand, I am not complaining personally, I have never felt 'stung' and if I were to, I would respond in best Glaswegian fashion. But I know others have felt like that and I wonder how these interchanges might appear to anyone hesitating about joining. They would certainly discourage me.

I can see advantages to a facebook presence, I must comandeer one of the kids' devices and explore properly.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 14:09

A sentimental little moggy postcard from circa 1908.

Shall we call it quits? Il_570xN.509675888_ayiq

Oh, sorry, wrong thread.

Bees are OK, but wasps are bad news. Telling the difference is sometimes difficult. I wish I had the knack of responding "in true Glaswegian fashion" when I suspect there is a hornet on the loose. Just swat the blighter very hard, I suppose? But then you can just enrage it more if you miss. Bug-Off spray is usually effective, but then nasty chemicals should be avoided if at all possible. No environmentally friendly - or just friendly - answer to this, is there? A problem for the philosophers, I think.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 14:31

I was tempted to use a gory one but this will do.

Shall we call it quits? 14909

The Facebook thing is about meeting people half-way. If a few of us build a group and get the network thing going then it should hopefully take on its own momentum with other people's participation etc.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 14:39

Shall we call it quits? Tumblr_o8vclxJfMA1s6dcs3o1_1280 This should be on the "What Is Art?" thread.


Right, enough silliness for today - proper grown-up and serious post coming up later.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 14:40

Maybe.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptyWed 26 Apr 2017, 14:40

Some species die when they sting - not immediately in a satisfying roll for the stung, a bit later, I think and probably slowly.

Face book for a page link that does not engage us there might work. I dislike Facebook because of the rather sad and urgent need for people to have friends and communicate. It is all around me here which led to a death hence the wariness. At least I never got a  post sharp   enough here to top myself.

And another thing. If the No vote is only six ahead surely there should be a recount?
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 04:16

Well, now it is 8 ahead!  I meant to respond to this before now, and that is one of the reasons I don't post much here.  Time restrictions - I never understand how working people can fit in such detailed responses as happens here and on other boards - and the fact that my husband thinks I should have better things to do. 

But I do feel a bit intimidated by everyone's detailed knowledge about things I have often absolutely no  knowledge about and certainly not enough to have anything to contribute.  That is often the case on the Jiglu board too, especially since it frequently concerns military matters. The other problem is the tone of this board - I am a bit timid and have great admiration for Temperance and Priscilla who don't mind Nordmann's sharp tongue, or at least are prepared to write knowing it might attract his scorn. I think twice before plunging in - and usually don't since I don't have the information or the argumentative skills for the bout. 

And I don't bother with the cat videos - I don't think I have ever opened a cat video, probably due to snobbishness, and I don't really enjoy stoushes over religion.  I do enjoy This Day in History and biographical entries of individual people (especially women), the Deaths of famous people and the Tumbleweed Suite.

I open this site every day.  I think though mostly it is just the fate of message boards now to have fewer and fewer people.  (Some of them die!)  All of them come across, I am sure, as a bit cliquey.  That doesn't worry me specially if I come across a new blog or similar and want to say something.  I just plough in but I'm sure it is off-putting for many people.  Though I very much enjoy seeing old "friends" here.  Thank you all for your time and efforts to unwittingly making my life much more enjoyable.

I haven't done Facebooking till very recently when my family was overseas and they set us up with a Facebook page under an assumed name (which I didn't like, preferring to do everything upfront with my real name, but my husband didn't want to be inundated by previous students wanting to befriend him).  I didn't enjoy it at all; even though we hardly had any contacts - just the family, West Ham, and the Otago Daily Times, my kids' contributions and photos got lost among all the other stuff.

Well, I think that's the most I've written for ages!
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 08:37

Caro wrote:
The other problem is the tone of this board - I am a bit timid and have great admiration for Temperance and Priscilla who don't mind Nordmann's sharp tongue, or at least are prepared to write knowing it might attract his scorn. I think twice before plunging in - and usually don't since I don't have the information or the argumentative skills for the bout.



Oh, I mind all right, Caro, but, despite often lacking "information", and always lacking "the argumentative skills" to take on the likes of nordmann, I still go on plunging in, attracting scorn and most recently a bullet through the head. I think it's called being an idiot.

I was horrified to read that you think the Moggy Thread is all about "cat videos". Oh, Caro, it is so much more - and not about ridiculous pictures like the foolish and tasteless one posted above (not mine - mine was dead arty and witty, of course). No - as I once had to sternly point out to LiR - the Moggy thread is erudite and rather deep. It is really only for us informed moggy experts, as it often addresses much that is political, historic and philosophical. Probably does scare people off.  Smile

PS
Napoleon Bonaparte - Napoleon was once found sweating with fear and lunging wildly with his sword at the tapestry-covered walls. The source of his fear was a small kitten.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 11:25

Deleted - a silly cat comment in what is a serious thread.


Last edited by Meles meles on Sun 30 Apr 2017, 11:58; edited 1 time in total
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 11:42

Caro wrote:
Nordmann's sharp tongue ...

... is never evident except when non-historical assertions are presented as historical fact, and even then normally only in response to an ad-hominem remark directed personally at me when the above is politely pointed out by me. That won't change, and I would expect no less from anyone else here whose respect for historical veracity is matched only by their impatience with needlessly personal slurs.

However if the consensus is that the person who "runs" the site is merely using it as a vehicle for abuse then, despite what the poll might indicate but based on the discussion beneath it, I would recommend for everyone's peace of mind and personal mental health that it should be disbanded, and the sooner the better. It is not my intention to cause offence and I had naively assumed it wasn't anyone else's either. However if more offence is being taken, whether justified or not, than pleasure gained from participation then there is only one logical and decent thing to do.

Re Napoleon's alleged ailurophobia, and incidentally also regarding the aforementioned difference between historical assertion and fact - there is a good description of how the internet has accelerated the belief that pseudo-historical canards are factual on this Regency History blog "Regency Redingote" run by Kathryn Kane and always well written and interesting, this article by Kathryn addressing this very allegation, when it arose, who it really applied to, and why it has proliferated as pseudo-fact in recent years.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 12:12

I see Temp had also linked to the above blog on another thread. I have posted my comment there regarding encouraging readership of such well written blogs when we find them.

As an extension of that, and following on from Priscilla's mention of local historians, I suggest also that we should do the same for local history websites deserving of such attention. There is a mistaken belief that local history is of interest only to the locals - so if for no other reason than to disabuse people of that notion we should actively encourage readership of those we think deserve it.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 13:12

nordmann wrote:
However if the consensus is that the person who "runs" the site is merely using it as a vehicle for abuse...


Oh, for goodness' sake, nordmann - nobody said that. And "slurs" is such an emotive and unnecessary word. How you do overreact at times - you are worse than I am.

But at least this has stung you enough to get you to post something on the Moggy Thread - that's a first and a bit of a triumph in itself.

I've tried to keep my comments here fair and good-humoured - I wish you would do the same.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 13:37

I checked "slur" in the dictionary, and also the incidents on previous threads I was thinking of. I was correct in my use of the term and will point it out the next time it occurs to save confusion.

Thanks for trying to keep your comments fair and good-humoured. That is always appreciated.

I will also post further on the cat thread if you wish. But I really don't think you would appreciate my contributions, fair and good-humoured as they might also be intended to be on my part. Do not count it as a triumph just yet.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 13:47

nordmann wrote:


I will also post further on the cat thread if you wish. But I really don't think you would appreciate my contributions, fair and good-humoured as they might also be intended to be on my part. Do not count it as a triumph just yet.


Oh heck - I think that's a bit of a warning, if not a threat. I'd better shut up for a bit.


Last edited by Temperance on Sun 30 Apr 2017, 15:36; edited 1 time in total
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 14:00

Oh, for goodness' sake, Temp - nobody said that. And "threat" is such an emotive and unnecessary word. How you do overreact at times - you are worse than I am.

It was though a warning, yes; you might not appreciate my comments about cats.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 14:08

I, for one, am perplexed by the apparently contagious psychosis on this thread relating to the 'stinging' or 'sharp' replies which reportedly nordmann (uniquely!) has supposedly issued. This just simply isn't evidenced-based. Where's the evidence? And this on a history board.

If anything it is nordmann who, more often than not, has been on the receiving end of banter, be that joshing or ribbing, often progressing to carping, scorning and sneering and sometimes even escalating to outright baiting and trolling. And yet has born it all with a remarkably thick skin and indeed with good humour.

Time to quash this contagious psychosis before it develops into a mass hysteria. A modicum of perspective is needed here.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 14:43

Hear, hear Viz ... I was contemplating posting something similar but was wary of wading in and anyway you've said it better.

Just please, all of you, don't be so sensitive and hufffy. Frankly most of the time I haven't even been able to see what people have been upset by ... and the few other times I have just accepted it as things said in haste, either because people were passionate about the subject or hadn't considered their reply, or indeed were simply joking. Hey, it's a discussion forum: it would be very boring if we always agreed with each other. However I can well see how new-comers to the site might easily get put off when they see people continually harping on about some perceived slight and how they feel they are being victimised.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 15:54

I acknowledge the wisdom of your comments - seems best I withdraw, certainly for a while, and allow feelings - certainly my own - to settle down.

I had actually decided this before reading the latest posts - those from nordmann, Viz and MM. I have edited my last post, removing only the silly "pale" emoticons: they give the impression that I was treating nordmann's "warning" as a joke. I was not. To do so would be a serious mistake - that I fully understand.

Kind regards to all.

Temp.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 16:15

Temp wrote:
I have edited my last post, removing only the silly "pale" emoticons: they give the impression that I was treating nordmann's "warning" as a joke. I was not. To do so would be a serious mistake - that I fully understand.

It seems a little extreme (withdrawing, I mean - not removing the emoticons, which is always to be encouraged), especially since, as said already, my "warning" was only that I shall very probably speak disparagingly of cats on the thread, if encouraged to contribute to it, and notice has now been duly served to that effect.

Thank you, Vizzer, for mentioning something I was beginning to believe that only I could see. I was almost doubting my own faculties to the drastic extent that I was even beginning to consider watering my whiskey - thank heavens you intervened in the nick of time.

MM, I concur wholeheartedly. As the person who stands perpetually accused of being the bully around here, and as a person who detests bullying in all its forms, you can understand why I despair at times. Not quite enough to add water to the Jameson, mind you, but boy it was a close thing!

I cannot control perceived slights, as is evident, but unfortunately as both the guy keeping the site going and as the only one who apparently stands accused of doing the slighting (so badly it seems that two contributors have publicly stated on more than one occasion that they will not contribute any more), it leaves me rather in something of an invidious position regardless of how I myself should react. Hence the thread, I suppose. Which has at least helped me make up my mind about my own future involvement.

It seems to me that the least offence will be caused by shifting the emphasis from "discussion" to a less problematic level of contribution from everyone. It's a shame, but I really see no other alternative if the site is to continue and retain some point to its existence.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 16:54

nordmann wrote:

I cannot control perceived slights, as is evident, but unfortunately as both the guy keeping the site going and as the only one who apparently stands accused of doing the slighting (so badly it seems that two contributors have publicly stated on more than one occasion that they will not contribute any more), it leaves me rather in something of an invidious position regardless of how I myself should react. Hence the thread, I suppose. Which has at least helped me make up my mind about my own future involvement.

It seems to me that the least offence will be caused by shifting the emphasis from "discussion" to a less problematic level of contribution from everyone. It's a shame, but I really see no other alternative if the site is to continue and retain some point to its existence.


That is very clever, as we would expect, and neatly shifts all the blame for the possible demise of the site - or its failure as an interesting discussion forum - onto me and possibly onto one other contributor. I cannot tell you how distressing - and unfair - I find that.

I do not want to do this, but perhaps you, Viz and MM would prefer that I delete my membership now, and allow you all to continue happily as before.

I knew all this would end in tears - and it has.
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PostSubject: Re: Shall we call it quits?   Shall we call it quits? EmptySun 30 Apr 2017, 17:01

And why ever do you think I want you to delete your membership, Temp?

As I said above I wish everyone would stop all being so overly sensitive.
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