just want to say

[mrsflibble]

you're all fab. I have been a it of a forum junkie for ages now and regularly go on my village site, and a parenting forum. what i want to know is; to what do you attribute the sucess of this site in particular? what i mean is (and you KNOW I'm not some wierdo market researcher) how come this site is bigger and has more active members than a certain site run by a mixture of the royal college of midwives and a bunch of corporate arselickers; yet there are rarely arguments, and it appears to be much better run?!

if this makes no sense please ignore me because I am tired and about ready to flop after repotting 50 aloe veras, 6 spider plants and a palm.

[chadspad]

I have to agree with you about the fact this site is better than others. I have a local site for us ex-pats in France and hardly anyone uses it or if u ask a question someone jumps down your throat for not finding out yourself! And I thought forums were about helping each other with info mmmmm I have another 'greenish' site I visit but its not as good nor as friendly. It has to be said, this is a damn good site!

[the.fee.fairy]

Its because of the great mods!

I know exactly what you mean, i've never even come close to this high a post count on other forums.

I think its because people here tend to be nice, because we're all 'ish (well, most of us), so everyone understands the problems that others have. And we do tend to let arguments ride themselves out, rather than everyone becoming involved and having a say.

[Russian Doll]

i was reading old postsw whilst waiting for my account to be acctivated and i must admit how impressed i was by the fairness on the site...everyones allowed there say.....i go on the same site mrs f is talking about and this one is so much nicer

[red]

maybe the subject here attracts a different kind of person?

i'll go with Fee's idea.. its all down the the wonderful and modest mods

think its just luck that we have a nice bunch of people here, and after that its circular

[Wombat]

i'll go with Fee's idea.. its all down the the wonderful and modest mods

I'd like to argue with that! But the facts have proved me wrong

Everyone is nice here.................that helps!

Nev

[theabsinthefairy]

I don't know the answer but I agree.

I used to regularly visit another forum for people living in france - and whereas once upon a time it seemed full of info and friendly advice, now it seems you can't ask a question without someone being rude or correcting your grammer or spelling and then sending you a PM to tell you to go off and find the answer yourself, or alternatively if you answer a question which I have done a couple of times you then get a flood of critical and almost personal comments posted back.

This is a much more relaxed site - and perhaps it is to do with the subject matter?

As always - thanks to mods and those who admin in the background, not the easiest thing to do, and even harder to do well.

PS - I'm a JERRY now

[Millymollymandy]

Yes I know all about the French forums! So it is a real pleasure to come here and escape from the nastiness.

I think this forum runs itself pretty much with hardly any need for moderating in the sense of breaking up arguments, banning people etc. I believe it is because we all have something in common that we care about and have a similar outlook in life - and we are all just nice friendly people when it comes down to it.

Personally I looked at this site only a couple of times before I plunged right in and joined in - and it always seems this is the one place where everyone, no matter how new they are, becomes one of the 'gang' straight away and there are no cliques. I've never seen that or felt that anywhere else.

[Shirley]

... and it always seems this is the one place where everyone, no matter how new they are, becomes one of the 'gang' straight away and there are no cliques.

Yes - I think that's one of the key points too!! Oh, and that people tell other people about it too and thus likeminded folk get referred here and then they tell their friends.

I love it here!! You are all wonderful.

[Jack]

Gidday

Well I got really sick of our local big forum cos they seemed such a namby pamby lot of feminist/socialists who were like old hens who would pick at anyone who was a bit different.

No, seriously, great bunch of jokers here and great moderators.

[Thomzo]

There's no doubt that it's a great site. I only visit one either forum and they are a great bunch as well so I didn't realise that not all forums are the same.

It wouldn't be the same without the moderators. You definitely do a great job guys.

Zoe

[Annpan]

True, on this site everyone can have their own say, there have certainly been heated debates though it does seem to be the nature of the site that it does all blow over in a few days.

I also believe it is an 'ISH' thing, nobody on here is suggesting you be perfect, everyone has a different viewpoint on the subjects and it all comes out rosy in the end

Group hugs all round



Oh yeah and the moderators...blah, blah, blah.... seriously thanks guys for helping keeping it all running smoothly. It is great that Andy has been able to take a back seat and the forum looks after itself... well done all concerned.

[Andy Hamilton]

Oh yeah and the moderators...blah, blah, blah.... seriously thanks guys for helping keeping it all running smoothly. It is great that Andy has been able to take a back seat and the forum looks after itself... well done all concerned.

Well I would not say that the forum has totally looked after itself the other mods have been pretty busy behind the scenes activating members and staying on top of spam. But yes it has been great to be able to get on with the book safe in the knowledge that there's group of people looking after it.

I think that forums tend to have a certain tone to them that carries throughout the posts. The whole idea behind ish is that it reflects mine and Daves personalities and aspirations - We get things wrong and are trying our best to be selfsufficientish, we don't lecture people and realise that everyone comes in at different levels. Selfsufficientish has just been very lucky and has attracted similar people.

[Millymollymandy]

There's no doubt that it's a great site. I only visit one either forum and they are a great bunch as well so I didn't realise that not all forums are the same.

It wouldn't be the same without the moderators. You definitely do a great job guys.

Zoe

And thanks to you for doing the Happy Birthdays - that is really appreciated!

[Cheezy]

You know I enjoy reading the postings and adding my 'pennith, and I usually get bored with sites.I have other green/sustainability bookmarks but hardly ever check them out they tend to be clicky/extream/boring

The reason is I think it's successful is because it's Andy and Dave's rather clever use of the "ish", which also reflects their laid back approach.

If it didn't have the "ish" i'm sure the site would attract a lot more hard core extreamist, who would be a lot more opinionated.

The "ish" stands for a type of person who is just trying to do their bit, in however small or large away. To improve their life/environment and have fun while at it. However it also encourages the dedicated selfsuffient "nutter" (and I'm thinking of Stoney here ), who I totally respect (and am in ore of), and only now realise ,for me to do what he does can only be a dream, as I have learnt through his postings the reality of the hard work and dedication involved.
Another site would probably insist his way of doing things is the only way. This site is a broader "church". We can all do our bit.

....discuss!