Wireclub looked good at first.

anym
anym: There are a few good & thoughtful people posting here but even as a recent new member I'm getting tired of Wireclub. There's no "user manual" and there seem to be many features I can only find out about by asking other posters - whose replies are not always helpful or even civil. Now as I'm realising, that doesn't exclude so-called moderators (Look up "moderate.")

A couple of bits of feedback I sent have resulted in zero response. "Is wireclub dying?" I don't know if it's past its heyday, or what that would have been like; but there seem to be very few people participating at present.

I'm looking around for a good alternative. When I find one I'll be moving on.

(Edited by anym)
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CoIin
CoIin: "I'm looking around for a good alternative. When I find one I'll be moving on."

Let me know if you find one. I'll be doing likewise.

As you say, very few people are participating, at least in the forums. And with good reason too.

I don't WANT to leave. I have almost begged Wireclub time and again : "Lead and I will follow."

Yet nothing changes. The wrongdoers thrive while those who actually DO try to construct something valuable on the site -- like yourself anym -- succumb to despair.
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anym
anym: Colin, let me know what forums you check, and how they appear to you.

Despite its militaristic banner and "kick ass" motto, canadaka.net may be OK; but you can't tell about a forum until you inhabit long enough to find out what the members and general atmosphere are like. Trouble is, although nearly all forums have TOS that say they won't stand for various kinds of bad behaviour, generally they have trouble making their ideals "stick." Even in some cases, they themselves can set a bad example. Maybe the internet just attracts too many people who love the anonymity that lets them verbalise their aggressive attitudes without risking a retaliatory punch on the nose?
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lori100
lori100: If you leave the terrorists win....
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anym
anym: "If you leave the terrorists win.... "

No they just have one less terrorree - but they still have each other
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anym
anym: democraticunderground.com is a US forum that looks interesting.
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No_User_Name
No_User_Name: Maybe your local community center could offer groups (bush-walkers, walkers, photography, book club, philosophy group), gym, church group, scrap booking, college/tafe/adult education center, volunteer somewhere might be a better option than online.

Family, work, friends, other ideas

Once you get that ho-hum feeling when online I don't think you-ll find what it is you're looking for unless maybe a specific online group, like cars, sport, gaming etc
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calybonos
calybonos: When I get that ho-hum feeling, I try to get her phone number.
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RUBYRUBY (Wireclub Moderator)
RUBY: anym I don't know what kind of help you need unless you send me a message or any other mod
you posted this thread
Topic: Wireclub Help
and we explained to you how to make emotes
than i posted on your profile how to find any other information you need
after 2 min was removed
you ask on forums any help and i've replied
sorry but I really don't know what else you'd want from wire
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Geoff
Geoff: While I concede that Wireclub isn't perfect, I have yet to find another site with such a broad range of personalities, ages, interests, geographical locations, and political views all combining together in such (relative) harmony. While there are countless sites where one can discuss particular topics, they tend to be restrictive to specific interests; which isn't always the best way to get a varied range of opinions on a subject. However, it does often serve to ensure discussions stay on topic and (largely) free from invasion from trolldom.

I know that Wire's diversity does mean that there are some less-than-salubrious characters lurking in the forums and (especially) chatrooms, I find that there are enough genuine people (despite occasional differences of opinion) that on the whole there is enough freedom to discuss what I want to discuss - either in the closed confines of my friends circle or in a more public domain.

And if you think there is another website out there where the staff wouldn't delete any content deemed to be troublesome then you are going to be hunting a long time.
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harlett
harlett: .....ANYM, there is no other social site laid out as WIRECLUB is...

when your here...you know that there are hundreds of folks here LIVE along with you... are they all wanting ta know you... probably Yes....they sorta do...& of course that answer changes to KNOW for some of us...

if you don't like how folks respond to you in forums or chat rooms... change their tune..by how you not being understood as you want...
...................
ANYM...you have been long enough to know.. that WIRE'S MODS always help out with technicalities.....and leave everyone to grow up and get a grip upon getting along socially...or at best they leave You to figure out how to live along side of who you can't and won't ever get along with...
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anym
anym: Ruby, I have read the responses about how to use your emoticons and have used them more than once; don't know why there'd be any complaining or criticism around that.

I have no idea what you mean by "posted on your profile." If you inserted something on my profile (can you do that?) and I deleted it I have no knowledge of either event. Whatever it was, why don't you repeat the information here on this topic? THAT would be helpful.

"...you ask on forums any help and i've replied..." I've asked you civilly and more than once what you meant by "dif sections" but you still haven't told me. Why? I'm guessing that "dif" is probably just your abbreviation of "different" but for all I know it could be a bit of wireclub jargon for something else.

You don't know what "else" I'd want from wire? For one thing, just answers - simple straightforward civil non-defensive non-accusatory answers from mods when I ask about things I don't know.

Oh, and there's the slight matter of not completely deleting topics that interest several people who have invested quite some time making thoughtful input to them.
(Edited by anym)
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anym
anym:
Geoff: "....if you think there is another website out there where the staff wouldn't delete any content deemed to be troublesome..."
Not sure why you say that. I'm not aware anyone on here has suggested there's any such website. OF COURSE troublesome content should be deleted.

"...you are going to be hunting a long time..." I can do that
(Edited by anym)
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anym
anym: xox G xox: Yes face-to-face interaction with intelligent people would be far preferable and you make some good suggestions for seeking them. My own social & geographical situation (isolated redneck small town) - my "milieu" (sorry!) not to mention maybe my personality make it difficult to find such people. I went to a meeting of folks who advertised their group as "Freethinkers." It turned out that their definition of freethinking began with being an avowed atheist and a couple of them spent most of the meeting mocking and badmouthing Christians. How disappointing. I'm distinctly non-religious myself but I understand the meaning of the English word "Free" even when it's applied to thinking. My atheism (if that's what it is) isn't the focus of my thinking and it doesn't prevent me wondering "Why IS there anything?" Anyway I digress (as usual.) I cite this as an example of the fact that most of the poeple I run into have very fixed ideas and little or no intention of questioning them; no curiosity about the possibility that other ideas could have merit.

Thought I had found a "Philopsophy group" as you suggest, online here; but the thread I was interested in got trashed which began my disenchantment with the forum. That has since then been somewnat reinforced in other ways.

I've seen a reference to wireclub "groups" but if such exist I don't know how to find or acccess them. A comprehensive detailed explanation of how the forum works is something I haven't found which is a disappointment. There are FAQs and the like but there seem to be lots of things they don't explain.

My feeling is not Ho-Hum. It's frustration bordering on anger. What led me to join was, when browsing posted material, seeing that there were some courteous and thoughtful contributions on various threads. I'm very sad to find - as I now judge - that they belong to a small minority and are not always respected.

I guess I sould apologise for being so long-winded! - Sorry.
(Edited by anym)
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Geoff
Geoff: Anym; perhaps you see "troublesome" in a different fashion to those that run such a website.

Justice isn't the same as "peace and quiet while this website that fails to actually pay for itself isn't sold to the highest bidder".
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anym
anym: Geoff, you seem to be "responding" to things I haven't said or expressed any opinion on.

If as you suggest, the forum doesn't pay for itself (how would I know?) then it would make sense to have a constructive "community" discussion about why that is and what could be done about it.

By the way why would the people you mention be bidding against each other to buy something that can't pay for itself? Are they really? I don't understand that; unless of course they see things wrong that they think they could fix.
(Edited by anym)
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CoIin
CoIin: Anym

I have found a kindred soul. You echo my own sentiments almost exactly.


1. You said -- "You don't know what "else" I'd want from wire? For one thing, just answers - simple straightforward civil non-defensive non-accusatory answers from mods when I ask about things I don't know."

Exactly! And if the more sensitive among you will forgive me for being blunt, I would also like not to be treated like dirt, and not to be lied to on a habitual basis by certain parties.


2. You said -- "Oh, and there's the slight matter of not completely deleting topics that interest several people who have invested quite some time making thoughtful input to them."

Exactly! The act itself was entirely unjustified (and I can prove it). And the handling of the aftermath was a disgrace. Not a hint of remorse has ever been expressed by those responsible for the wanton destruction of the painstaking work of members WHO WERE TRYING TO CONSTRUCT SOMETHING VALUABLE FOR THE WIRECLUB SITE.

Ask why and don't expect to hear any truths. On a good day, you might be given a PRETEXT for their action (violation of ToS, which is so vague as to cover anything), but not the REASON for their action.


3. You said -- "Thought I had found a "Philopsophy group" as you suggest, online here; but the thread I was interested in got trashed which began my disenchantment with the forum."

Exactly! I also thought I'd finally found a safe haven where thoughtful people could interact in peace without fear of troll interference, and -- who would have believed it -- SABOTAGE BY THE VERY PEOPLE ENTRUSTED WITH THE WELL-BEING OF THEIR MEMBERS.



The owner of the site stresses that he is determined to secure peace for the site. Annihilating the entire population is certainly one way to do that.

I'll refrain from questioning the justice of wholesale slaughter, as any talk of justice seems only to inspire giggles around here, but I would suggest that indiscriminate massacre of the peace-loving as well as the belligerent population is hardly likely to conduce to that other less irenic and more pragmatic goal of any commercial enterprise.
(Edited by CoIin)
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CoIin
CoIin: In response to another issue addressed above, I'd add that there are other more specialized sites out there. I contribute to one myself which specializes in science and philosophy. Members are generally civil, while trolls are dealt with severely.

Heaven!

Well, not quite. The members are largely professionals in their field, which is marvelous in terms of potential for personal growth. The drawback, though, is that much of what is discussed goes over my head.

I'm not a professional, just an interested layperson. And it's interaction with other non-professional, but intelligent and thoughtful laypeople -- people like anym -- that I enjoy here in Wireclub....

...when it's not thwarted by hooligans or mods, that is. Or, for the sake of parsimony, let's just call them mooligans.
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anym
anym: I don't pay Colin to say nice things about me !

And by the way I don't do the friend / unfriend thing either; reminds me too much of silly pre-teen schoolgirls trying to decide whether they're "going steady."
(Edited by anym)
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Aura
Aura: user tips

anym, I am sad to say, if you are not friending (and inevitably defriending sometimes) people you are missing out on the more pleasurable and easily modified wireclub experience.

One way for users to deal with the troll problem is by controlling their friends list. And yes, the word 'friend' is starting to change it's meaning in context of social media. Some sites go with other words like followers, circles, watchers....it all comes down to the same concept though.

To begin with, you can modify who interacts with you and how they interact with you here: http://www.wireclub.com/settings/privacy They "everyone, only my friends, nobody" options are pretty self explanatory. There are some exceptions. Mods can view and post on (or remove) profile, pictures and blogs even if you do use the 'friends only' or 'nobody' settings. If you go into the private chat lobby chat room, everyone in that room can send you private messages even with the 'friends only' or 'nobody' settings (because that's what the room is for)
In general, I keep an open profile, I keep an open inbox (messages) but I keep Private Chat to friends only. My blogs (that tend to be either very personal or controversial) are friends only too. But that is just me. Any mix that works best for you.

Once you start adding people to your list, their status updates will start showing up on their wall. And here is where the modification comes in, it is possible to fill your list with people who post the trivial, like what they had for lunch. It is possible to fill your list with people who fill your wall with news articles making Wire more of a alternative news site. There's people who focus more on politics, or arts, wild life, deep thoughts, jokes, music....Whatever you want from wire, you need to find the people who sort of think like you, ad them to your list, and the things they feel like sharing will start filling up your wall.

You certainly can find people acting like silly pre-teen school girls as well. And if one happens to make it onto your list, that's where the inevitable unfriending comes in.

Most people I know on here only move to the forums or chatrooms when their walls seem slow, or when they are bored. Which is why it seems such a large portion of people on here are only out to make trouble. They have nothing better to do. Or, those who are trying to have actual conversations, tend to post topics in the forums that they think need a larger audience or are trying to find interesting new people to add to their lists.
9 years ago Report
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calybonos
calybonos: Hi. Long time member, first time poster.

I had fully intended to post a long, carefully constructed dissertation on both the merits and wickedness of the Wireclub, when it occurred to me that, the two are inseparably intertwined. Forever dependent on each others survival for a realistic representation of society.

Isn't that what we want? - or are we here to escape into some sort of idyllic world?

I too have been the victim of comment deletion, thread deletion, suspensions, and even the cold shoulder Wire relationships gone sour....sniffle sniffle....I'm sorry, I told myself I wasn't going to cry!

I'll try and push on...

For me, the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" on a chatsite are something to be used as an opportunity for growth. A trial by fire of the spirit. A non-invasive surgery on my own character cancers. Not a personal assault, (unless you let it become one) but a playground of possibilities.

A cyber-baptism, if you will, where whatever your belief system, you can be born again....and again....and again, until you get it right. ...or until your computer crashes and you have a real reason to curse the heavens.

So, what's the lesson here?

Don't ask me. I never was good at summing things up, so I'll just say something stupid, like..

Wire is a blank canvas. Fill it in, or pass it on to an artist who will.
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CoIin
CoIin: Yes, ladies of Wireclub, don't talk to me about the pain of childbirth. After all, I had a tooth removed once.

Well, not to be overly melodramatic, but the point to be made here is that not all thread removals are on a par. I submit that the deletion of a thread which was clearly intended to be serious given its location in the forum as well as the content of the thread itself; a thread that HAD been treated seriously by a small number of people who had devoted several months of effort to its development; a thread that served as a model to the Wireclub community of civility and mutual respect until it was ultimately vandalized by trolls and destroyed by a heavy handed moderator...

... is not to be trivialized by comparison with the grief felt by another member over the removal of his, say, "Let's Talk Boobs" thread in Off Topic.


Gotta go. I think I'm having a baby.
(Edited by CoIin)
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calybonos
calybonos: Hey!

I'll have you know my "Let's Talk Boobs" thread was an insightful look into the role mammaries play in the development of women's place in today's job market, as well as how useful they are for imitating a motorboat sound.

wait a second....I never wrote that thread!

Must have been some other genius with a double D degree.
9 years ago Report
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Corwin
Corwin: Is this the Wireclub Complaint Department?

I have only two minor complaints... first of all, in the Wireclub Cafeteria I think they should serve the good chicken fingers made with real strips of breast meat, not the cheap kind with the minced chicken and filler.
Also, every time Caly uses the Wireclub Men's Room it stinks to high heaven, and the toilet paper dispensers are all empty.

That is all.
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anym
anym: Corvin:
"That is all. "

Promise?
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Outbackjack
Outbackjack: You have my attention.I take it back anym.You aren't a fence sitter you are a first class sh*t stirrer!
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