Is forum losing members? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Arwen Imladris · 06-12-2005, 08:23 PM

Yes, I'm afraid I'm also one of those members that has sort of ghosted away. I do still drop by occasionally, but I generally read much more than I post. I am in constant fear of being repremanded for saying something that has already been said! So I try and keep my mouth closed and let people think I'm an idiot instead of opening it and leaving everyone with no doubt of my lack of intelligence. I am still deeply interested in Tolkien, and am currently still working my way through some of the HoME books. I have a lot to learn, but I have learned a lot reading the posts here.

Personally, I like forums with few members. I think that this forum has staying power. Another forum that I used to be on had an administrator type who was easily swayed by the newest fads. The forum quickly switched from a purely LOTR forum, to one devoted to Harry Potter. That is one of the reasons that I left it. Now that I have left it, I hope to spend more time here, where people are truely devoted to Tolkien. This forum has been around since before the movies, and it will last long after the movies are considered out-of-date.

By the way, I'm single.

VanimaEdhel · 06-13-2005, 09:44 AM

Arwen! A name I recognize - you know, it's amazing how many new members that I've just never met before are around here now.

How, may I ask, did a purely Lord of the Rings forum become one devoted entirely to Harry Potter? But, I suppose that's a question for another thread...

I agree - it's gotten to the point that I have missed so much in conversation, I don't know what has already been said or what points have been made. Also, the new forum I go to has very few language restrictions (they just ask that you don't swear in the title of the thread...and don't use derogatory language towards one another - and they hardly even enforce those rules), so when I do come in here to post, I have to be very careful how I type. My typed dialogue is far more "colorful", shall we say, at the moment than my spoken. It is actually interesting - I have to proofread all of these posts far more than I ever had to when I was on here, simply because I'm afraid of slipping up and putting in some four-letter word when I did not even mean for it to be there.

Again, what I'm now hoping to do is wander over to the Role-Playing Forum - maybe even just to the Shire to get my feet wet again (I don't know, I'll see). Maybe I'll try to jump into one of the Inns and see how it goes before I do anything else. My fear of failure is what is preventing me from just diving right back in. At this time of day, my other Forum is pretty abandoned (people at work and the like), so I have time to poke my nose in here and see what's going on.

Balin999 · 06-14-2005, 01:39 AM

Hm I guess I am one of the people who somewhat drifted away.
I was a very active member from may 2000 'till summer 2001, then I was inactive for a long time, then I occasionally dropped by, and I guess this here is my second post for at least a year.
I think the general reason for people stopping posting regularly is that after some time you have discussed all the topics that you found interesting, and therefore you have to wait until something else comes up. On the other hand, people also have a life to live, and therefore get other interests, which doesn't mean that they don't enjoy Tolkien or the Downs anymore.
I've always enjoyed this site, and I have had great fun discussing this or that, or participating in a quiz or whatever. And I guess that won't change for a long time.
Even if the number of members I know decreases from year to year, as is the case

Btw, is burrahobbit still around?

Parmawen · 06-20-2005, 07:46 PM

Well...I suppose I am considered a "newbie" here, but I just wanted to say that one of the best things about this site is how closely knit it is! It's okay if it only ends up having less members, because the members who keep on posting will get even more say and we can have even more discussions. Of course, new people joining always keep the place fresh with new opinions as well. But on the bright side, the people who are left are all true Tolkien fans and really happy to be here (I'm assuming!)

This might not be the right place, but I'm horribly curious, and saw a comment above about this...The BarrowWight's birthday? How was it? And will there be more? I'm so upset that I missed it and I don't think I can wait until next May for one...perhaps the other Downer's have some upcoming?!?

Encaitare · 06-20-2005, 09:31 PM

Parmawen, the party in May was for the BarrowDowns' birthday -- the website itself. Although I'm sure the Barrow Wight would appreciate a birthday greeting when his b-day rolls around in July.

MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie · 06-21-2005, 03:31 AM

Wow, I'm surprised that my account is still active (Thanks BW for not deleting). I had checked up on it months ago, at different times, and was just as suprised. Well, I had planned on getting back up on things.

When I first went to college, I had (unintentionally) stopped going here, and evertime I had come back, I felt like I was too unfamiliar with things to post. So, now it's summer, and I plan on re-reading the books and catching up on things.

I had also planned on donating to this site, which I haven't done yet, and I'm sorry and ashamed for.....something which I also plan on doing.

It's strange coming back here, I'm trying to make sure I don't slip up grammer-wise.

Well, I'm trying to come back, and if you don't see me back, just email the hell out of me, and it will get my attention. Hopefully I can get on top of things and get back and give my support.

Balin999 · 06-21-2005, 03:48 AM

Quote:

But on the bright side, the people who are left are all true Tolkien fans and really happy to be here

Just that someone doesn't post here anymore doesn't mean that he isn't a "true" Tolkien fan.
And what do you mean by "true"?

06-12-2005, 08:23 PM	#1
Arwen Imladris Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In a box with a fox Posts: 1,347	Yes, I'm afraid I'm also one of those members that has sort of ghosted away. I do still drop by occasionally, but I generally read much more than I post. I am in constant fear of being repremanded for saying something that has already been said! So I try and keep my mouth closed and let people think I'm an idiot instead of opening it and leaving everyone with no doubt of my lack of intelligence. I am still deeply interested in Tolkien, and am currently still working my way through some of the HoME books. I have a lot to learn, but I have learned a lot reading the posts here. Personally, I like forums with few members. I think that this forum has staying power. Another forum that I used to be on had an administrator type who was easily swayed by the newest fads. The forum quickly switched from a purely LOTR forum, to one devoted to Harry Potter. That is one of the reasons that I left it. Now that I have left it, I hope to spend more time here, where people are truely devoted to Tolkien. This forum has been around since before the movies, and it will last long after the movies are considered out-of-date. By the way, I'm single. __________________ "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies, we must go, yes, we must go at once."

06-13-2005, 09:44 AM	#2
VanimaEdhel Etheral Enchantress Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wellesley College! Posts: 1,461	Arwen! A name I recognize - you know, it's amazing how many new members that I've just never met before are around here now. How, may I ask, did a purely Lord of the Rings forum become one devoted entirely to Harry Potter? But, I suppose that's a question for another thread... I agree - it's gotten to the point that I have missed so much in conversation, I don't know what has already been said or what points have been made. Also, the new forum I go to has very few language restrictions (they just ask that you don't swear in the title of the thread...and don't use derogatory language towards one another - and they hardly even enforce those rules), so when I do come in here to post, I have to be very careful how I type. My typed dialogue is far more "colorful", shall we say, at the moment than my spoken. It is actually interesting - I have to proofread all of these posts far more than I ever had to when I was on here, simply because I'm afraid of slipping up and putting in some four-letter word when I did not even mean for it to be there. Again, what I'm now hoping to do is wander over to the Role-Playing Forum - maybe even just to the Shire to get my feet wet again (I don't know, I'll see). Maybe I'll try to jump into one of the Inns and see how it goes before I do anything else. My fear of failure is what is preventing me from just diving right back in. At this time of day, my other Forum is pretty abandoned (people at work and the like), so I have time to poke my nose in here and see what's going on. __________________ "I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each others dreams, we can be together all the time." - Hobbes of Calvin and Hobbes

06-14-2005, 01:39 AM	#3
Balin999 Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2000 Location: East of the Sun, West of the Moon Posts: 493	Hm I guess I am one of the people who somewhat drifted away. I was a very active member from may 2000 'till summer 2001, then I was inactive for a long time, then I occasionally dropped by, and I guess this here is my second post for at least a year. I think the general reason for people stopping posting regularly is that after some time you have discussed all the topics that you found interesting, and therefore you have to wait until something else comes up. On the other hand, people also have a life to live, and therefore get other interests, which doesn't mean that they don't enjoy Tolkien or the Downs anymore. I've always enjoyed this site, and I have had great fun discussing this or that, or participating in a quiz or whatever. And I guess that won't change for a long time. Even if the number of members I know decreases from year to year, as is the case Btw, is burrahobbit still around? __________________ ...Nichts ist gelber als Gelb selber... ...The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, but conformity... ...Everything is possible, except to ski through a revolving door...

06-21-2005, 03:31 AM	#6
MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 573	Wow, I'm surprised that my account is still active (Thanks BW for not deleting). I had checked up on it months ago, at different times, and was just as suprised. Well, I had planned on getting back up on things. When I first went to college, I had (unintentionally) stopped going here, and evertime I had come back, I felt like I was too unfamiliar with things to post. So, now it's summer, and I plan on re-reading the books and catching up on things. I had also planned on donating to this site, which I haven't done yet, and I'm sorry and ashamed for.....something which I also plan on doing. It's strange coming back here, I'm trying to make sure I don't slip up grammer-wise. Well, I'm trying to come back, and if you don't see me back, just email the hell out of me, and it will get my attention. Hopefully I can get on top of things and get back and give my support. __________________ Do Not Touch -Willie Last edited by MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie; 06-25-2005 at 10:51 PM.

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06-20-2005, 07:46 PM	#4
Parmawen Haunting Spirit Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stuck in the center of Spooky Hollow... Posts: 75	Well...I suppose I am considered a "newbie" here, but I just wanted to say that one of the best things about this site is how closely knit it is! It's okay if it only ends up having less members, because the members who keep on posting will get even more say and we can have even more discussions. Of course, new people joining always keep the place fresh with new opinions as well. But on the bright side, the people who are left are all true Tolkien fans and really happy to be here (I'm assuming!) This might not be the right place, but I'm horribly curious, and saw a comment above about this...The BarrowWight's birthday? How was it? And will there be more? I'm so upset that I missed it and I don't think I can wait until next May for one...perhaps the other Downer's have some upcoming?!?

06-20-2005, 09:31 PM	#5
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	Parmawen, the party in May was for the BarrowDowns' birthday -- the website itself. Although I'm sure the Barrow Wight would appreciate a birthday greeting when his b-day rolls around in July.