Suggestion

L.Jenkins

How about an LGBT private forum? Just for the sake of having a social side to the forum as well. There seems to have been a few issues with the chat thread, that has had it closed. It does seem a little unfair to those who behave themselves. So its a simple suggestion that may not take off, but worth putting it out there.

baby and crumble

If it's something people are interested in and would use, then I see no reason not to float it out- I know there are other private forums (I think The Ladies Lounge has one) and while I don't know how they work, I'm sure we can find out.

Are people interested?

L.Jenkins

Well I'm not sure if it would be possible, but may offer some regulars and more serious posters some comfort with increased privacy.

Killer Pigeon

Sounds good

+1

jaffacakesyum

Sounds good to me.

I was going to pm one of the mods but seeing as this thread is here, what were the issues with the Off Topic thread? I understand it's hard to monitor because it's the most popular thread on here so it moves quickly, but surely that could be solved with extra mods if there were volunteers, or simply just keeping a closer eye on the thread. I think the mods do a great job as it is

Alternatively, while it is the off topic thread and is a bit more light hearted and you can chat about anything, maybe introducing some rules would help?

It's a shame to see the most popular thread in here close; a private forum would be a good idea though

L.Jenkins

The Chat thread did seem like a good excuse for me to drop by and see what was going on from time to time. Granted, some of the bather did seem to get alittle cheesy, but fun none the less. The forum itself seems to have more than enough.

I was always told, volunteer for nothing, but since I'm on here most of the time browsing for useful material for side projects, I always seem to find myself here quite often.

jaffacakesyum

ItsThatManAgain wrote: »

The Chat thread did seem like a good excuse for me to drop by and see what was going on from time to time. Granted, some of the bather did seem to get alittle cheesy, but fun none the less. The forum itself seems to have more than enough.

I was always told, volunteer for nothing, but since I'm on here most of the time browsing for useful material for side projects, I always seem to find myself here quite often.

Very much so! :P

I'm a big flirt/cheesball in real life anyway but even some of the banter in the off topic thread is too cringey for my tastes :pac:

Although I'm sure that wasn't the reason for it being closed!

Or if it was part of the problem, maybe some rules like 'no inappropriate comments' 'no flirting' 'no talking about other users' etc. ? I dunno

L.Jenkins

I don't know what the problem was. Maybe we were putting other people off alittle. I mean, new users to the forum. It's to be somewhat inclusive and try to attract some people that might stick around.

Azure_sky

Good idea. I'd probably post more often if it took off.

L.Jenkins

Same here. Somethings I ain't comfortable disclosing in public. So I would post more.

ninty9er

The Motors guys have a private forum. I can't access it at the moment. There can be similarities in conversations between the public forum and it, which is why I didn't check it all that often after the initial novelty wore off.

A critical mass is needed. I think that one has about 30 regular users, motors would be one of the biggest sections on the site.

In theory it's a great idea, but I think the effect on the main forum should be considered.

Annasopra

What would the purpose be? what sort of things would you want to discuss there?

L.Jenkins

Everything and anything. Despite not being able to search this forum, a prospective employer could still read my posts here. One idea behind a private is forum to reduce stealth discrimination. I have taken great steps to avoid anyone browsing through my online activity, but I'd still be a little paranoid.

It may also reduce trolling and llow people to talk in comfort, despite our small presence. The main forum could be used for general chit chat and non-stickers or those who don't feel the urge to stay and socialise.

Shakti

Alas I'd say a private forum is the ONLY way you might get trans-folk to feel comfortable discussing their issues on Boards.ie and who could blame them.

stephen_n

How would access be regulated?

L.Jenkins

stephen_n wrote: »

How would access be regulated?

Let it be known in the charter that there's a private forum and people should request access, but if they troll they should be dropped as quick.

stephen_n

ItsThatManAgain wrote: »

Let it be known in the charter that there's a private forum and people should request access, but if they troll they should be dropped as quick.

Was thinking a minimum post requirement in the general lGBT forum!

L.Jenkins

That's an even better idea.

Annasopra

I'm not overly pushed myself to have a private forum but not dead set against it. Maybe if you think it's a really good idea then flesh out the idea a good bit more -explaining how it would work and then request it on the forums requests forum

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=461

Freiheit

You know there has been times when I wished I hadn't posted things,making them available to the world,but maybe I should be out there in the non-virtual world more.

Kadent

I think it would be better to develop it as a social side of the forum if enough people wanted it and leave the main forum for general topical discussion. I don't have to be nice to people that way

ongarboy

If people are concerned about privacy of their posts, can't they post unregistered? Also, someone mentioned concerns about prospective employers viewing their past posts - how could an employer identify someone unless they made their username their actual full name (I've yet to come across someone doing that).

I think a private members forum creates a sense of elitism and exclusion. While some people are frequent posters here, many are frequent visitors and have never posted but have gained valuable information and assistance from content posted. Such people who may not feel like committing to joining as a private member would lose out on some great/helpful content/advice posted in such restricted forums.

Finally, (maybe I'm being a little old fashioned here) but I think such a development also further encourages people to live/engage/socialise in an exclusively virtual life at the expense of enjoying/enduring the beauty/challenges of the real world and subsquently start losing out on real life social skills/development. However if such an outlet is what folks want, I'm not going to stand in the way of it but it is just not my cup of tea.

baby and crumble

I think both sides of the arguments have merits- the idea of a safer space where people who have proven themselves as trusted, sane, and empathetic posters can get together a bit more privately and socially, mightn't be a bad idea.

However, from views on threads and how many people actually post, it's clear that lots of general folk come and drop by and read threads, without ever inputting. While sometimes that can feel a bit irksome, I think it shows that the LGBT forum in general is a pretty good resource for LGBT folks, and those who are curious/questioning/freaking out about being gay.

If we want to create a social side to the forum, without it just being one giant thread that gets unwieldy pretty quickly and can be hard to moderate, perhaps a few sub-forums could be created. I know, I know, there have been major debates on this idea before, but that stemmed from wanting a separate trans board as opposed to organising along the lines of

1) Support with coming out
2) Sexuality, gender, culture, and legislation
3) General chit-chat and socialising

I know for example the photography forum has a bunch of distinct forums, and it still rumbles long well. Perhaps in this case the general chit chat forum could be made private, and only those who have posted in the other sub forums gain access, under the strict understanding that access will be revoked if they're playing silly buggers.

The only problem with dividing the forum like this is that is does run the risk of diluting a forum which occasionally can be relatively slow, posts-wise. It could quickly start to be fragmented rather than organised.

Annasopra

I kind of agree with ongarboy here - I think it could be elitist and exclusionary

Raghallaigh

I like the suggestion from baby and crumble :-)

fluffybiscuits

mango salsa wrote: »

I kind of agree with ongarboy here - I think it could be elitist and exclusionary

The gay rights movement has long been oppressed. Agree with you lets not start oppressing our own. Leave that to the right wing ....

Kadent

I have no particular interest in a private forum other than as an avenue to avert trolling or duplicate accounts but that shouldn't be an issue to mod on the main forum where the tools are available to check ip's. I think the off topic thread probably functions as well as a private forum otherwise would atm, the population here doesn't really require much more.