Say Goodbye to the Forums

To be honest, I never really used the forums so it's not going to bother me too much!

Tinkerbell &hearts

Well. I mean - I like the forums, I'd like to think I used them responsibly in the past. It is fun and entertaining when the dramas occur, but I guess from a management perspective - it's not as fun. It's disappointing that they won't be there anymore - I'm still going to continue using bloop because regardless of the occasional drama - it's still a great community, forum or no forum. It's bittersweet - yes maybe they should go, but damn I'll miss them!! I hate change haha.

Kerri♥Blue

I've never used the forums because of the drama! I support this 100%

bella dama

I hope the forum trollz don't turn back into diary trollz :\

At least you'll be able to block them!

Steve

That's true! I think my block button has gotten a little lonely in the past couple of years lol.

I agree.

Mommy♥f2+1

*like*

Hidden Depths

i don't know why but it always feels odd when you take something away from us becasue of how other people react to it. like you have to be in charge of us. people know the forums are full opinions, so they have to know everyone wont agree with them. and at times topics will create heated conversations. but to take it away becasue there's drama just seems really lame. i don't mean to be disrespectful, its your diary site do what you feel is easiest. but just remember not all of us are under 13 or even 18. we can handle our selves with out you looking out for us =] ♥

♥DELB

I agree completely. xoxo,

bee♥ {+1}

Agree.♥ -

Lauren.

Agree.♥ -

Lauren.

i guess someone has to say that this choice is bullshit, might as well be me.

I like the forums a lot. They help me get news stories i would other wise never hear of, and they help me give advice (and get some) from people i didnt even know exsisted on this site.

i've also found some friends using the forums...

i know theres a lot of trolling/drama, but i guess i'm one of the lone people who actually LIKE the forums on here, rather sad to see them go

+*_Zombeh_Brainz_*+

I completely agree!!

Jessica

I agree also!

PS. i agree 10000% with DELB

+*_Zombeh_Brainz_*+

this kind of makes me feel like we're being treated as a group of children that are being disciplined.

the fact that the majority of people that frequent the forums seem like a group of children that need disciplined is the more disturbing part of this.

valerieeeee

Valerie I couldn't have said it better myself; I'm not 100% supportive of this idea.

queenbutterfly

i am so out of the loop i have enough drama in my life, i dont need the forumz haha

snapdragon

I personally think this is a good idea...
If people could have learned to use the forums without being so rude to each other, then they would have worked out well, but there are a LOT of people who just seemed to thrive in the drama. It's toxic.

Aubrey;

I rarely used the fourms. But I like how you put your foot down saying it is non- negotiable.

Jenna bean....

I'm happy to see them go. Hopefully the drama will depart with it.

Greta Garbage

i'd like to just add that getting rid of the forums does NOT get rid of the dramaz..... theres plenty to go around, and the trolls arent gonna stop trolling just because the forums are gone.

+*_Zombeh_Brainz_*+

Oh we know that but at least it will be where it makes it possible for someone to block that person. In the forums we have no privacy settings.

Greta Garbage

i think that the people in the forums who start drama/keep drama going need to get themselves in check. The forums would be a fine place to be if people would understand that everyone has an opinion and the right to speak it....i think a lot of people also have to realize this is just the internet....and just because someone "yells" at you and causes "drama"...doesnt mean you (anyone in general) need to fight back.... i think the whole "being the bigger person" idea has gone out the window here....

its sad that we have to get rid of a good thing around here because some people cant understand that other people have opinions

+*_Zombeh_Brainz_*+

That'll never happen - people will be people, and they'll argue, things will get heated, and people won't know when they're crossing the line. Thankfully, when someone is crossing the line in your diary, you can warn them and block them to protect yourself.

This site was much nicer when the forums weren't really used.

Steve

I agree, Steve. I think without the forums the drama will be minimalized. I know we cannot prevent all drama but at least it can be cut down considerably.

Greta Garbage

Yes it is sad and I completely agree with you on all points. Unfortunately, not a lot of people on this site can respect other people's opinions.

Greta Garbage

Of course everyone has a right to an opinion. But everyone also has a right to disagree. The people that can't handle dissenting opinions are the ones who fucked everything up and derailed legitimate forum threads.

Anonymous Source

bloop was better without them i think. i stopped going in there because it was the same old shit all the time.

& skull.

I think it's a good idea.

--

Love, Rebekah

i rarely go to the forums anyways and honestly i agree with you.

Blue.Eyed.Fairy

personally, I hardly go to the forums. Not really that sad to see them go. I think it is a smart decision. Running a site is hard enough as is, why deal with the excess childish drama. Keep doing that things you do! xoxo

I don't ever really use the forums either... SO I don't mind.

Mommy♥f2+1

I think that the forums are a big part of bloop; I don't frequent them often, but I do however read them. They keep me entertained.

I really enjoy the news forums as well; keeps me updated on subjects and stories in my busy life.

queenbutterfly

Cool. I rarely use them and find most times its not worth it.

*-.Stephanie.-*

Totally agree with banishing the forums.. Too much dramas...

davidsengel82

჻ೋ჻ Maybe the circles will get used more if the forums are gone? I'm hoping! I feel bad the circles have died off, maybe this will get people using them to find the same info (the non-drama info) that they would find in the forums, like news and such. I'm sure this was not an easy decision to make, but you're in charge and we all need to keep that in mind, as well as the fact that you want to do what's best for the site and all of us ჻ೋ჻

Ashalicious

Is this because of Mod Chris's entry? The forumz are just the same as they've been for ages. Full of idiocy.***Click my eggz and baby dragonz:

la rana

The forumz are still there, yo! You need to zap them more effectively! ***Click my eggz and baby dragonz:

la rana

I never used it and when ever I hear people use it, just as you had said, it just stirs up drama that we do not need.

Bloop has been an amazing place for me which I have told you personally from time to time, which I am greatful for.

There are some amazing people on this wonderful site and I know that you will never ever ever comprehend the magnitude which this little comunity means to everyone who has stopped by but I am in favor of keeping it simplified to the title of this site, a bloop diary.

Jonathan

To be perfectly honest, it's been a couple of years since I've even GLANCED at the forums. If I hadn't seen this entry, I probably never would have noticed that they were gone.

I think this is a real shame. There's actually been very little drama in the forums as late as far as I'm aware, and I was bored of it anyway, as as Anonymous Source points out, the people in there these days creating drama are just very childish and aggressive. Once it was a place of actual educated debate.

But regardless of the entertainment that the drama provides, the bigger problem I see with this is that the forum served WAY more purposes than creating drama. People used it to post news stories which others wouldn't necessarily notice otherwise... people used it for advice on everything from homework, computer problems, what brand of laptop/camera to buy to caring for new pets (although i had issues with people seeking medical advice on there, but thankfully most Bloopers are sensible enough not to hand out such advice). I think losing that will be a real shame, because I know it helped me out a few times. And you can't possibly reach the same number of people through an entry. Honestly, taking away that seems unreasonable to me, and it may well make me look at moving to OD more permanently.

So I hope you reconsider.

~RedFraggle~

i couldnt have said it better myself!

+*_Zombeh_Brainz_*+

I think that's what will be missed the most, how you could reach out to more people by asking for advice through the forums. & the news stories!xoxo,

bee♥ {+1}

I understand, I hope to fulfill the pros of the forums in different ways. It's something I'm looking at, and one of the reasons I haven't actually disabled the forums yet. I just want to keep the community informed of what's going on.

Steve

I 100% agree with this.

♥ Ashley; a ~

It's unfortunate that you feel the need to act like a father scolding his children. Some of you can't behave, so guess what, now none of you can have the privilege of forum access.

I frequented the forums. Maybe I didn't post much, but I read a lot of it. I paid no attention to the drama because I know better than to get involved in that sort of crap. It's sad that you have to take it away from us simply because some people totally ignore the line between intellectual debate and childish trolling.

I agree with you.

Steve

I think this is a wise choice as it seems the forums just add drama

Meghans Follie

I don't often go to the forums, so I've been missing all that's been happening *shrugs* If Bloop is better without the forums then no argument. You know what's best for this site (:♥

CrazyBellatrix

I agree with DELB and VALERIEEE... Val said it the best, "we're getting treated like little kids.." yet the people who cause the DRAMAZ, nothing ever seems to happen b.c they still do it.

fearless♥love

Well that sucks. I enjoyed the ones that where just to be silly and fun. Yeah the drama ones are entertaining sometimes just do to the fact of how stupid the drama was, especially the reason behind why the drama started. The sad thing is that people thrive on drama whether it be irl or on the internet. If you ever decide to bring it back maybe you could look into denying a diary access if they cause drama but I guess you would need to troll the different topics because not everyone is going to report a person. *shrugs* sucks but not the end of the site, it's a diary site not a forums site.

~He Will For Ever Have My ♥~

♥Rust♥

I think it would have been a more appropriate choice to simply take the forums off of the Main Page. Not to remove them entirely.

The forums are the only thing that is really active on bloop. No one updates or comments like they used to back in the day. Individual diary interaction is completely lacking.

All I seem to do on bloop these days is lurk the forums. I like that you can't just block people on the forums, it makes things more interesting.

The drama is half the fun.

Jessica

I think stricter forum moderation would have done, but getting rid of it completely works too.

Anonymous Source

I didn't know there was any moderation on the forums. Seems like if there was, a lot of past threads wouldn't be just labeled "bloop drama", they'd be locked.

Emily the Strange

THANK YOU!!!!! A million times, THANK YOU!♥.Audrey.♥

Steve, I agree that shutting down the forums will help stem drama. However, someone above me mentioned that they liked the forums because it was a way for them to receive news stories - and so did I!

In keeping with that idea, how about we set up an 'In The News' diary? Bloopers would be able to submit news stories to it, and a volunteer from the Bloop community could help run and moderate it.

To be honest I don't mind if the forums stay or go. I don't use them much. Maybe relegating them to a separate section of the site, or just taking them off the main page, might help.

lithium layouts.

this is a good idea =] ♥

♥DELB

This is exactly what I've been thinking while reading through the comments - bringing other ways for people to interact that are easier to manage.

Steve

I just can see it now... 'In The News' on the Bloop main page, under Bloopin' Good Content. =D (And, NoJoMo should probably be removed from there since November *was* 3 months ago. xD)

Also (just randomly), my boyfriend is slowly teaching me php. =D It is such a cool language!

But back to the main topic... There have been mixed responses to this... and I agree with both sides. It's a real pity that people's hankering for drama has ruined it for everyone else. I agree that the forums are not moderated enough, and that implementing moderator abilities would also help stem the drama and make them less of a cesspool of crap. There are repeat individuals whose bickering, back-and-forth conversations span pages and pages of forums, which I think is a bit ridiculous. If staff were able to issue warnings of some sort to these individuals, the drama would be stemmed then and there and everyone else could continue to use the forums civilly.

lithium layouts.

I was thinking of that idea, Teresa, earlier! Wish I could like your comment! lol

Greta Garbage

I think that's a good decision and I disagree that we are being treated like children.

This is Steve's site and he has to look out for everyone - not just a certain group of people and the site will probably be a lot better off without the forums and the drama that goes on in them. Maybe people will learn to keep their drama issues private or just between one or two people instead of involving a lot more people.

You can't say that this hasn't been a long time coming. If people could just learn to respect each other and that everyone has their own opinion (it's what makes us different!) and the RIGHT to have that opinion and share it without being made to feel like an idiot, maybe this wouldn't have happened.

If you want a forum, go to an actual FORUM site. I think it'd be a good idea to have a separate forums area that's not linked to Bloop.

To clarify - this is not a punishment. I'm not a dad looking after kids, I have enough of that with my 3 year old daughter!

This is simply a decision for the site, I don't believe that the forums represent what I want Bloop Diary to be. As Redsox fan said, he welcomes the idea of Bloop Diary being exactly that - a bloop diary.

Now, there are benefits to forums, such as In The News, and of course being able to ask questions... but these are things we can find other solutions to. A diary on the main page with In The News would work well, and would welcome discussion. Enabling discussion in your entry means that discussions would be brought to your diary - but with a touch of moderation. Run your diary how you want to run it, block who you want to, this will stem drama or at least isolate it to where it's actually welcome.

Steve

But it IS punishment. You gave us something and took it away like you would take something away of your 3 year old for punishment. It's silly. Instead of punishing those that DESERVE punishing because of their childish dramatics in the forums, you just take it away from everyone. It might not be what you think Bloop "is", but that IS part of what Bloop has been for YEARS and all of those "parts" is what has kept me here going on 8 years. I find it weird that this is coming now when the forums are FAR less dramatic and argumentative than they have been in the past also. I really hate this child on the school ground feeling.♥ -

Lauren.

I agree, however, it only takes a few people to ruin things for everyone. ♥ Ashley; a ~

'It might not be what you think Bloop "is"' ---- that isn't what I said, to restate: I don't believe that the forums represent what *I* want Bloop Diary to be. As the owner, I have to lead it.

And no, it isn't punishment. I'm not punishing anybody, forums are forums, heated debates are to be expected - but it's not right for Bloop, it isn't right for the kind of trust people need in their diaries. I want energy focused on diaries, not in the forums.

I'm sorry that you feel like I'm treating you like a child, but I must insist that it isn't the case. I am simply shaping the website to what I believe it should be.

Steve

So basically you're saying it's completely irrelevant what the people who use the site want?

Gotcha.

Jessica

You mean some of the people, because not everyone wants the forums. But frankly, yes, if I believe it is not in the best interest of bloopdiary.com, I'm going to let go of it. This site is meant to be a diary site, and I think the forums take away from that experience.

There are plenty of forum sites out there that people can migrate to if they feel let down by the decision - that isn't to say I won't be sad to see them go, but I think to provide the quality I want to provide I need to be focused on the right areas of Bloop. Most of my time seems to be filled up with Bloop drama at this point.

Steve

If people don't like the forums, it's simple enough to avoid them. Even with them being on the main page.

While yes, this is a diary site - the forums provide a place for people to interact with others on a broader scale. To meet other diarists they wouldn't have met otherwise.

I don't really understand why this is all coming up NOW, when it seems to me that the "drama" is at a lull.

Jessica

The reason the drama has reduced is because the size of the community has reduced. It also isn't a matter of avoiding the forums: people like the forums, they just don't like being attacked in the forums.

Steve

From what I noticed, people only get "attacked" when they call people cunts for no reason. (:

Jessica

There have been many cases where people have been attacked for their opinion, it's too complicated to work out where the drama comes from - the point is that without privacy controls in the forums, drama runs rampant.

Steve

I like them, I don't like them. I'm here mostly for the writing medium...when I have access to internet lol.

i agree that there is more the the forums, but i think you can implement that in other ways.

or keep the forums but actually do some proper modding on there. if drama starts, then lock the thread. part of the frustration i had in the forums is that they don't function like any other forum i've been on. you can't edit, no one's monitoring anything, threads that should've been mod-locked eons ago are still having shit fights in them.

& skull.

I feel like I'm being reprimanded like a child.

I do think that before shutting them out that other strategies could have and SHOULD have been put in place, but if you don't want to take that path then that is your business.

My opinions

1. Keep them open but implement mods. If that means actually having mods that frequent bloop then so be it. Things don't get "stomped on" quick enough by mods (ie: quick note to say if things are inappropriate/don't get back on topic etc, that the thread will be locked and moved to graveyard.

2. Keep forums locked to public. Make them accessible for members only.

3. If you must close them, which I get that you will, maybe consider keeping open 2. One for technical advice (re bloop) and another for the suggestion box. These aren't heated topics and would be easily moderated. I find that sometimes people can quickly flip up a "How do I do "this" on bloop?" topic and can get an answer much quicker than going through the support section which would also free up your time not answering questions where other users can give them the quick 2 second answer they are seeking.

.Blue Bella.

"If that means actually having mods that frequent bloop then so be it."

/snicker
Because that's going to happen.

Jessica

I don't actually mean it to be snide. I am quite serious. There is a very minimal mod presence here and for whatever reason that is (I don't really care what the reason) is their business. I don't think it would hurt to put 2 or 3 more mods on, that are frequently around, and even delegate 1 or 2 of them specifically TO forums.

I am sad to see the forums go because I have made friends here BECAUSE of them. Diaries I may not of read or even noticed because of FO settings or whatever (Jess you are one of them!)

Sad to see the negative ENTIRELY weighing out everything. What is also sad is I still think that they are quite tame to what they were a few years ago. We're clearly all get old and sooky.

.Blue Bella.

Lol, I wasn't implying that you were trying to be snide. I can't even COUNT how many times I've said how helpful more mods would be. I feel SO bad for the one mod that always answers my tickets. They're the only mod I ever see active, and I don't even want to know how much is on their plate because of it.

I've always said a little forum moderation would be helpful. Some people DO take it a step too far. I don't get what's so bad as of recently that's been a big deal. I mean, minus that one chick calling me a Cunt. But I wasn't even upset by that sooo... who cares about it?

I've made a lot of friends because of the forums. (as well as the chat room, but on last check it didn't even work?? or no one's ever in it.) that I wouldn't be able to make by just going and commenting some random FO person.

I know I personally think it's creepy as hell to get a comment from some random going 'HEY JESS, ADD ME!' when I've never even spoken to them before The forums were a nice way to chat about something and make new friends, without feeling like you're exposing your entire life to the masses.

Jessica

As far as I'm aware, the only person with power to mod the forumz, other than Steve, is Doc, and he seems to be in charge of this. His modding has consisted of putting some threads into the 'Drama' forum, and locking some threads.

If forums were to be properly modded, it would have to be decided exactly what this modding would consist of. I personally don't think it's worth it, considering how small the forums are. The sites I use with modded forums are way bigger, and the forums are the main part of the site, and there is a very organised structure regarding how modding works, with specific rules, which are clear to everyone, because the sites consist of a lot of people who've been there forever. Bloop forums tend to consist of a couple of oldies and a lot of random newbies. They are very sporadic. I think if they were modded, they'd become even more annoying than they already are!***Click my eggz and baby dragonz: