Problems on the forums

[Krang]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

I personally stopped posting as much because I got tired of the fandom. There's only so many times I can read "LOLZ FF is sucks" or "Mikey be immature RAWR". It gets old really fast.

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I'm also sick of the constant nit picking and over analyzing.

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It's not just the new series where I see this endless complaining the movie section is full of it too.

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And the comic section...don't get me started. I'm guilty of complaining about Lawson's artwork or Laird being an ass but it's gone way overboard.

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The toy section, oh man. Playmates are dropping the ball so every topic ends up turning into "Playmates sucks" or "Laird is a moron for choosing Playmates".

You're right that there is a lot of complaining going on, but from what I've been seeing, there's just as much praise for these things you've mentioned, if not more. If you don't believe me, take a look at some of the episode, movie, and comic discussion threads, count the number of negative posts, and compare the total to the number of positive posts. But if all you're looking for is the worst, that's all you'll see. And sorry to say, but if you find complaining annoying, look at what you're doing right now. Sometimes, it seems that I see more complaining about complaining than complaining itself...

That and I'm sick of seeing people's crappy customs. I don't make custom toys myself but I know what looks good and a lot of the stuff people post doesn't. Yet I see numerous people rave about them no matter how bad they are.

Now you're complaining about people being positive?

The fan works section is just sad. Unless you write poorly thought out fan fictions or draw stick figures no one replies to your topics. I've noticed people on here have issues admitting when something is good. When something is terrible I see lots of posts however when someone puts up quality work people tend to ignore it. It's almost like complimenting something that's actually decent is like taking a **** the size of a large rock. Giving critique is pointless because your either ignored or get a shower of excuses.

Do you compliment works that you like? If not, you don't really have ground to stand on in expecting people to compliment yours. If you want something to change, it has to start somewhere...

Originally Posted by thebrownranger

Looking at countless threads from 2003 all the way to 2005, I'm just curious as to why so many users left or stopped posting. It seemed like there was a good number of Dromers when the 2k3 toon debuted or even before that. I really don't see myself using the forums or even being a huge turtles fan as I get much older. Did these people leave becasue the franchise started to suck, just grew out of TMNT, or just had to get on with their down-to-earth everyday lives?

Probably some of each. There was no mass exodus of people leaving, just people slowly dropping off as time went on, with new people joining to take their place. If you look at any forum that has been around for years, you'll notice the same thing. However, you'd be surprised how many of those people still post from time to time or at least still visit every once in a while.

Originally Posted by Spitfire

I don't really go into the general anymore. I got sick of it after awhile because people only post about dead celebrities or bad movies. I also see topics about TV shows and garbage coming out on DVD I don't care about. There used to be more then that. At very least people used to discuss good movies, or decent ones. Just another sad reminder that all people watch is crap.

Originally Posted by Peanut

The death of the VG section is pretty much the reason I stopped posting. Other than that, I would only rarely post in the TV & Movies section, and in EE if there was something interesting going on. All I really see anymore is a lot of people I don't know posting stuff I don't care about.

Originally Posted by gobo

So, I guess I'm seeing a bit of Anarky's point as the boards must be on the verge when I can't find a thread better than this to follow. Right? There should be intriguing literary analysis threads updated by the hour to satiate my intellect. So it has been written... er, typed. WHATEVER!

Here's a solution that will solve all of your problems...

Start more new threads!

Like I said to Anarky, sitting back and complaining about the state of the existing threads accomplishes nothing. The reason you people think there aren't enough interesting threads is that you aren't starting new ones that do interest you (this is starting to sound a little too familiar, right, Shredder and GK? ).

This is the General Discussion section we're talking about, so as long as a topic is within the rules, there's nothing preventing you from starting a thread to talk about it. Bored with talking about the movies, TV shows, video games, music, etc. that are currently out? Start a thread about an older one that is one of your favorites. Or just go to Everything Else and start a thread about anything, even Perl Regular Expressions (watch out, because I might actually start a thread about those if you people don't start posting ).

[GK Punk]

Originally Posted by Krang

(this is starting to sound a little too familiar, right, Shredder and GK? ).

Man even before you said that, I was thinking "This sounds way too familiar."

[Anarky]

The problem here is that we have a lot of people who visit the GD sections regularly, but not as much posting as we should have. In my opinion, the main reason for that is that people aren't starting enough new threads. Sure it's much easier to sit back and complain about the existing threads (or lack of activity in them), but that accomplishes nothing unless people start new threads about things they find interesting in order to help get some conversations going.

I tried opening one. You closed it within hours. That was not particularly encouraging.

How would insulting people help any? If people are insulted, they aren't going to say, "Oh, you're right, how stupid of me, I'll do better from now on," they're going to either fight back or stop posting, both of which would cause far worse problems than what we have now.

Do you have a better solution? And I'm not saying that we should insult them, maybe just giving them a heads up and say "Hey, look, that's just rubbish." in a nicer way. There's no use in sugarcoating things here, since people wouldn't get it otherwise. Naturally, I would be nicer when doing it to others. As much as I would like them to stop, I don't want them to leave either since this isn't about me or some sort of vendetta. This is about me caring about the one place where my entire internet journey started.

And once more, my dear Krow, it is not about your yellow font. You can rest assured that it isn't. I'm not going to say it anymore as I've said it twice. If you choose to believe it is, then I'll let you. But don't tell me I didn't make myself clear.

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by Krang

You're right that there is a lot of complaining going on, but from what I've been seeing, there's just as much praise for these things you've mentioned, if not more. If you don't believe me, take a look at some of the episode, movie, and comic discussion threads, count the number of negative posts, and compare the total to the number of positive posts.

Well your right I don't count the posts I just go by what I see which to be honest lately hasn't been much since I don't float around here much.

But if all you're looking for is the worst, that's all you'll see. And sorry to say, but if you find complaining annoying, look at what you're doing right now. Sometimes, it seems that I see more complaining about complaining than complaining itself...

Complaining isn't what annoys me. Over analyzing a children's program and repeating the same issues over and over is what annoys me. People can complain all they want but I'd prefer people give things more of a chance. The complaining I'm complaining about is a different kind of complaining. That's a mouth full haha.

Now you're complaining about people being positive?

I complain about people being rude to good artists and overly nice to ones who aren't as good. In my eyes it's sad but this is more of an opinion based issue and I don't feel like getting into a debate about it so I'll just let that go all together.

Do you compliment works that you like? If not, you don't really have ground to stand on in expecting people to compliment yours. If you want something to change, it has to start somewhere...

I don't care if people look at my stuff. I go to school to get feedback on my work from professionals and peers in my chosen field. I don't even post turtles related art anymore and haven't for awhile. I was speaking in general every time I go into the fan works I see the same thing.

I know it's your forum and you feel you need to defend it. I wasn't trying to bash you or even the forum I was simply pointing out some things that bother me. It's not a crisis in my life or something I terribly care about just adding in my two cents. Also you have to keep in mind my tone of writing can easily be taken as a lot harsher then I intend it to be. That's just my style and I've never,and won't, alter it to avoid hurt feelings.

[Krang]

Originally Posted by Anarky

I tried opening one. You closed it within hours. That was not particularly encouraging.

The fact that it was a nonsensical rehash of a joke someone posted earlier didn't help things. We're looking for threads that leave room for interesting discussion, not stuff that looks like it came out of a chat room.

Do you have a better solution? And I'm not saying that we should insult them, maybe just giving them a heads up and say "Hey, look, that's just rubbish." in a nicer way. There's no use in sugarcoating things here, since people wouldn't get it otherwise. Naturally, I would be nicer when doing it to others. As much as I would like them to stop, I don't want them to leave either since this isn't about me or some sort of vendetta. This is about me caring about the one place where my entire internet journey started.

I offered suggestions for the issues you raised about each section. If you think your method would be more effective, though, you're welcome to try it (as long as you do so through PM as opposed to on the forums).

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Complaining isn't what annoys me. Over analyzing a children's program and repeating the same issues over and over is what annoys me. People can complain all they want but I'd prefer people give things more of a chance. The complaining I'm complaining about is a different kind of complaining. That's a mouth full haha.

I see what you mean, but it's going to be the same for pretty much any fandom. For overanalyzing, the best you can do is just skip the stuff that goes more in depth than you'd care to read. As for giving things a chance, I'd say a good number of people are doing just that, and the remaining few probably aren't going to be swayed easily. Stating your own opinion and asking others to consider giving the show a chance is the best you can do here, I'd say.

I was speaking in general every time I go into the fan works I see the same thing.

Why not take the first step by picking out some fan art you like and telling the artists that they did a good job? Like I said, it has to start somewhere...

I know it's your forum and you feel you need to defend it. I wasn't trying to bash you or even the forum I was simply pointing out some things that bother me. It's not a crisis in my life or something I terribly care about just adding in my two cents. Also you have to keep in mind my tone of writing can easily be taken as a lot harsher then I intend it to be. That's just my style and I've never,and won't, alter it to avoid hurt feelings.

Fair enough, no offense taken.

[Magdolin]

I agree with you Krang. *Nods*

[KROW]

Originally Posted by Anarky

And once more, my dear Krow, it is not about your yellow font. You can rest assured that it isn't. I'm not going to say it anymore as I've said it twice. If you choose to believe it is, then I'll let you. But don't tell me I didn't make myself clear.

I gathered that when you said it the first time and even made it evident in my reply. Granted, I put it in parentheses, but it was still a valid agreement.

[Ra]

*trots back in* Cripes, aren't we full of sunshine today?

I'll be honest and try to be frank - the Technodrome has changed. I've stopped posting on here as frequently because of a lot of things mentioned already - Tired of the fandom, tired of the negative atmosphere, core members just going, life issues, etc. I am one of the many old guys who is slowly dropping off the radar. Even if it's against my own will. Now that we've got most of the big players dissapearing from sight, change is taking place. It's sad, but inevitable. I have seen many forums change over the years. Like simple, small knit forums exploding with anime fan girls and 13 year old girls. As much as most of us don't really want to admit it, we are no exception. It's is the natural course of life.

If you are sad seeing how that we have crazies on here...what can you do? They will change. I've gone through many transformations here. From simple young fan, to kind caring soul, to a bitchy/kinky/casual Video Gamer. Thanks to this, I'm now considering going into video games as a career. No one can not change. As you grow, you mature and mellow out. Things lose their appeal. They gain interest in other areas. That being said, things right now are a bit...overbearing for my tastes.

Like Spitfire has mentioned, over analysing. That's the one thing that made me drop right back from the TMNT franchise. I think it was some really, REALLY over-critical topic a few years ago that made me think "...yeah, we've hit rock bottom" to myself and jump on over to the GD. It's a children's show. I've mentioned it many MANY times before, but we are analysing and trying to find the meaning of life...through...a kid's show. I didn't like Fast Forward, but I didn't ram it down everyone's throats (at least I hope not). I just voiced my dislike for it and went elsewhere. However, those that joined in or stayed behind tried to figure out the meaning of Don eating a pork sandwich or something...IT'S JUST INSANE. I'm not that game to go in and talk at the New Toon discussion right now, but I'm sure things would be pretty much the same. Fun for a while, but it gets stale when people take, and took, the fun out of it.

Well, I don't really have much else to complain about, since I love this place to death and would do anything to save it. I owe a lot to the forums (then again, I guess everyone feels that to the first forum you sign up on), and I hate seeing it in such a state. I doubt it is as bad as some (or even myself) make it out to be, but one thing is clear - things are very different from when I joined up here five years ago.

[ZariusTwo]

Originally Posted by The S

Oscar's a truth-sayer y'know...

[SassyGal]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Complaining isn't what annoys me. Over analyzing a children's program and repeating the same issues over and over is what annoys me. People can complain all they want but I'd prefer people give things more of a chance. The complaining I'm complaining about is a different kind of complaining. That's a mouth full haha.

I totally have to agree with you on that. It's the pointless rehashing of the same complaints over and over again or just hating on something with no real reason other than it's different. I admit I did with FF. I didn't like and I didn't have a reason, but after reading some posts about the good things, I watched a few more eps and found out it wasn't as bad as I thought. Complaining can be good if something good comes out of it, but the complaining that's annoying is the complaining that is done just to complain and be a negative nancy in general.

I've met some awesome peeps I never would have known without this place and learned a lot I didn't know about the comics and other areas of the fandom I wasn't familiar with. I like creeping in the VG section to see what everyone's playing and how they like the various systems, and I practically live in the GD area. On the whole, I find the forums still a good place to go.

[gobo]

Originally Posted by gobo

So, I guess I'm seeing a bit of Anarky's point as the boards must be on the verge when I can't find a thread better than this to follow. Right? There should be intriguing literary analysis threads updated by the hour to satiate my intellect. So it has been written... er, typed. WHATEVER!

Sorry for not being less cryptic. That was a bit of satire not meant to be taken seriously. The hidden idea in there I was thinking is that you can't always expect others to keep you entertained. If you do, you're just setting yourselves up for disappointment. Lead by example, friends.

[Magdolin]

Okay. I think I can fix the last problem here. The fan characters that is. How about this: When we make an RPG, we won't use any fan characters. And if we do, we will limit it to just two. And if anybody else asks if they can join in with a FC, then I, or whoever makes the RPG, will kindly tell him, or her no.


Sound like a plan?

[Krang]

Originally Posted by gobo

Sorry for not being less cryptic. That was a bit of satire not meant to be taken seriously. The hidden idea in there I was thinking is that you can't always expect others to keep you entertained. If you do, you're just setting yourselves up for disappointment. Lead by example, friends.

I see, thanks for clearing that up.

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Complaining isn't what annoys me. Over analyzing a children's program and repeating the same issues over and over is what annoys me. People can complain all they want but I'd prefer people give things more of a chance. The complaining I'm complaining about is a different kind of complaining. That's a mouth full haha.

Originally Posted by Ra

I'll be honest and try to be frank - the Technodrome has changed. I've stopped posting on here as frequently because of a lot of things mentioned already - Tired of the fandom, tired of the negative atmosphere, core members just going, life issues, etc. I am one of the many old guys who is slowly dropping off the radar. Even if it's against my own will. Now that we've got most of the big players dissapearing from sight, change is taking place. It's sad, but inevitable.

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Like Spitfire has mentioned, over analysing. That's the one thing that made me drop right back from the TMNT franchise.

[...]

I'm not that game to go in and talk at the New Toon discussion right now, but I'm sure things would be pretty much the same. Fun for a while, but it gets stale when people take, and took, the fun out of it.

Well, I don't really have much else to complain about, since I love this place to death and would do anything to save it. I owe a lot to the forums (then again, I guess everyone feels that to the first forum you sign up on), and I hate seeing it in such a state. I doubt it is as bad as some (or even myself) make it out to be, but one thing is clear - things are very different from when I joined up here five years ago.

Well, ok, we've established that some think we have a problem with people overanalyzing the cartoon. But what can I do to fix that? Lock all the threads that overanalyze the show? Make it against the rules to go too in depth and warn/ban people who do? Start a second 2K3 cartoon section for more casual fans? Close down the 2K3 cartoon section entirely?

I split off this thread so that we could hear what problems people have with the forums and what their suggestions are for fixing them. I didn't do that so that people could tell me that the forums that I've poured so much hard work and money into all these years have become worthless.

You know, I'd rather not even mention this, but if people think these forums are beyond repair, I suppose it would also be an option to close them down for good. It's a shame, since Shredder and I had some fun ideas that we were ready to implement soon, one of which was planned for the site's anniversary later this month. But if people barely have anything positive to say about this place anymore and would rather abandon it than try to help, I guess I would rather pull the plug than let them get even more unbearable. And for anyone who doubts that I mean this, maybe this and this will change your mind. Personally, I'd rather try to fix the problems and make things better, but the option's on the table if everyone thinks this place is hopeless.

[Jon]

Good lord, no. Don't let it come to that worse-case-scenario.

Frankly, these negative nellys need to cool their jets. The boards are still doing good... maybe some minor issues (that some folks seem to overblow), which can most likely be fixed if need to.

[Cure]

These threads pop up every so often, anyway. We'll complain, hug, and move on like it's always been done.

[Jester]

Originally Posted by Krang

You know, I'd rather not even mention this, but if people think these forums are beyond repair, I suppose it would also be an option to close them down for good. It's a shame, since Shredder and I had some fun ideas that we were ready to implement soon, one of which was planned for the site's anniversary later this month. But if people barely have anything positive to say about this place anymore and would rather abandon it than try to help, I guess I would rather pull the plug than let them get even more unbearable. And for anyone who doubts that I mean this, maybe this and this will change your mind. Personally, I'd rather try to fix the problems and make things better, but the option's on the table if everyone thinks this place is hopeless.

I kinda find this ironic. (Sorry Krang my wacky sense of humor.) Fans are scared that the TMNT franchise might croak before the 25th anniversary mark, but it'd be double suck if one of the biggest fan forums bit it, too, right before it's anniversary.

[GK Punk]

I think everything will be cool. sometimes people just need to blow steam and say stuff to get it off their chest and out of their system. I can say for sure that I at least would be really sad to see the forums go. I love this place.

[Jester]

Indeed. The Drome is my freakin' home page. I check it evry time I go on-line...and sometimes stay there cause it's warm and inviting, like a blanket.

[GK Punk]

yeah I always have at least 1 tab opened at the forums index.

[Ra]

Same here. Always, there will be a Technodrome bar open whenever I open Firefox. Even when I'm meant to be staying away from it.

Originally Posted by Krang

Well, ok, we've established that some think we have a problem with people overanalyzing the cartoon. But what can I do to fix that? Lock all the threads that overanalyze the show? Make it against the rules to go too in depth and warn/ban people who do? Start a second 2K3 cartoon section for more casual fans? Close down the 2K3 cartoon section entirely?

No. That's not what I'm implying. Not at all. The forums are still good, and they are fine. I just said that they are changing. I just mentioned the thing that made me step back from the fandom a bit. There will always be people who overanalyse things. I did too, believe me. I just thought one day that there was nothing left for me to discuss and just moved back to the GD. I would have posted more last night, but I was too tired to continue. I wanted to give myself time to think on how we can help.

I would suggest the things we could do to "fix" things, but I don't know any more. It's just a natural course. People will drop off on their own accord. The RPG people know where they are meant to stay. Fanworks change over time. You know? Give it a matter of time and things will even out. Sure, the Video Game section is now not the hip and happening place, and people talk more about gossip in the news section now, but hey, that's what change is, isn't it?

I've made a new topic to try and breathe new life into the place (oh look, it's working!), but that is really all you can do. You can try your hardest to keep change from occurring, but sometimes you just can't go against change. The people will still come, people will still be critical of the fandom, but isn't that why we all joined up in the first place? Because of our love of something created for our enjoyment? I think everyone is starting to get a bit too worked up over this. It's been happening for ages now, and only now did we realise what was really going on. All we can do is try and get involved again, maybe even back with the TMNT discussion, and try and make the changes we want to see. All it takes is a little time, a little thought, and a simple post or a new thread.