Has using boards helped your life in some real way?

John Doe1 · 31-12-2011 04:38PM #1

I dont mean as an outlet for your humour/ego here on after hours

Darkglasses · 31-12-2011 04:40PM

Yeah, the guys on the cycling forum helped me find a great value bike! And also computer tech support.

later12 · 31-12-2011 04:46PM

It facilitates frank discussions with a level of honesty that people in the real world may find less appealing.

On boards, users tend to care less about others' perceptions, so conversations can be more interesting; political correctness is definitely less of an issue.

And becuase there is no social order, everyone's opinion is only as valid as he makes it using appreciable logic, it has nothing to do with his background or his real life circumstances. I think it's a really remarkable resource and a fascinating way of interacting with others.

How has it helped me personally? Probably by introducing me to opinions I had never before considered, I think that's its most positive feature.

sunflower27 · 31-12-2011 04:50PM

I post a lot in PI and RI it's always lovelyhearing back through PM that I have helped people in some way. It's made me contact the Samaritans to become a volunteer in the New Year. Training starts in January.

I wanted to do it years ago, but wasn't sure if I was cut out for it. I now believe I am.

Captain_Generic · 31-12-2011 04:52PM

I thank people when they tell jokes

tonycascarino · 31-12-2011 04:53PM

No

Ole Rodrigo · 31-12-2011 04:56PM

Beats Facebook

DeVore · 31-12-2011 04:56PM

Yes. The recent depression thread for example but obviously for me Boards has had a fairly serious impact on my life

Its a utility, some people use it for lots of things in their lives, others don't. Its one of those "you get out of it what you put into it" things..

DeV.

wolf moon · 31-12-2011 04:59PM

John Doe1 wrote: »

I dont mean as an outlet for your humour/ego here on after hours

It helps me to kill time when I'm in work and in the jacks... So I guess yes, it has helped to a certain degree.

ElleEm · 31-12-2011 04:59PM

I actually feel like I learn a lot through Boards.
I lurk in forums that I have no clue about, such as Politics, and feel like I pick up bits of info from it.
I also love reading the many different opinions of people on a variety of subjects. It really does broaden MY opinion to read people's passionate posts about things.

I have also learnt to be more tolerant and accepting of people, (keyboard warriors!!!).

Oranage2 · 31-12-2011 04:59PM

Yep, I always get reviews for anything here first - Also some great information in forums like tech, jobs and pet issues that I'd lurk in quite a bit.

For this I give hours upon hours of free comedy that entertains the masses.

Ole Rodrigo · 31-12-2011 05:02PM

The opportunity to interact with people more knowledgeable and experienced than you is worth it alone, in particular the cycling forum.
Other than that it can be good fun and seems a more useful way of idling on the internet.

Immaculate Pasta · 31-12-2011 05:06PM

I post mainly in After Hours so I'm not convinced it entirely widens my breadth of knowledge about the world :pac:. I'm sure some of the specialist forums will help you though.

I suppose what I do like about boards is that it allows me to keep in touch with Irish culture and news as well as the general Irish feeling while living in England.

Ole Rodrigo · 31-12-2011 05:21PM

Immaculate Pasta wrote: »

I post mainly in After Hours so I'm not convinced it entirely widens my breadth of knowledge about the world :pac:. I'm sure some of the specialist forums will help you though.

I suppose what I do like about boards is that it allows me to keep in touch with Irish culture and news as well as the general Irish feeling while living in England.

It's true. Sometimes you do have a sense of how people are really feeling, as opposed to the traditional media outlets.

Links234 · 31-12-2011 05:24PM

met my girlfriend through boards

that's fairly life changing

31-12-2011 05:30PM

I got a HTC Sensation XL instead of a Samsung Galaxy S2 because some lad told me to.

GEE THANKS BOARDS!!!!

MungBean · 31-12-2011 05:37PM

You know that old saying "There's no better way to learn than to teach" or "In order to understand something you have to be able explain it".

Something like that anyway. Well thats what I find with boards, you get into a discussion or argument and whether your right or wrong you will learn from that. Even if you dig in and refuse to accept the opposing view a sliver of logic will get through and challenge your preconceptions.

Boards is a great tool for anyone looking to not only to learn what their own views are through discussion but also understand them. In the absence of intelligent company in your day to day life or people willing to discuss things in depth it really is invaluable to some of us and without it or other websites like it then it would be a sad and lonely existence for some.

Kevin Duffy · 31-12-2011 05:41PM

Yes, hugely, when I go out for the night I leave the 'pooter on for the kids and let AH babysit them. It's cheap, punctual and reliable, hard to beat. That said, I may have to review the childminding arrangements if they call me the "PC brigade" or answer me with "yore ma" one more time :mad:

ReacherCreature · 31-12-2011 05:41PM

Boards has been an enormous impact on my life and easily one of the best things that's happened to me.

One major aspect was this year. Back in February I was having hell with my house mate. I didn't like him one bit and it was vice versa. Huge pr!ck. I was looking for another place desperately. Just so happened that a friend I met through a boards meetup had a room and I took it. It was simply a brilliant house and we became even better friends. I'm good friends too with the other occupant. I relaxed because of the good months from February to exams in May I did well and allowed me to graduate with good results. If I hadn't known that Boardsie I might have gotten a poor house or some equally bad house mates. The landlord put the house up for lease recently and I miss the place terribly.

Boards meetups have enabled me to meet loads of new people and some of these are my friends today and they're a cracking bunch of people. Even met a girl out of here.

On the website itself it's been of huge benefit. I've laughed a huge amount due to the people's wit, funny stories, and memorable threads. I've learned tons of things - there are a lot of intelligent folk on here (some idiots but they're dwarfed by the former) and it's great to see people so passionate and helpful about their joys. I've helped out others and offered help where possible.

Using Boards has pushed my interests even further. I'll read something in the history or military forum and that will lead me to look it up. I've become more interested in sports due to the forums that I've posted in. Academically it has helped me pick or avoid some modules in college and because of that I know I've been able to relate back to others and try help them out.

I really could go on all day about its impact. I'm a champion of Boards.ie and although this post was probably pretty deep stuff for AH (;)) it's always good to acknowledge the great things in life.

krudler · 31-12-2011 05:49PM

ReacherCreature wrote: »

Boards has been an enormous impact on my life and easily one of the best things that's happened to me.

One major aspect was this year. Back in February I was having hell with my house mate. I didn't like him one bit and it was vice versa. Huge pr!ck. I was looking for another place desperately. Just so happened that a friend I met through a boards meetup had a room and I took it. It was simply a brilliant house and we became even better friends. I'm good friends too with the other occupant. I relaxed because of the good months from February to exams in May I did well and allowed me to graduate with good results. If I hadn't known that Boardsie I might have gotten a poor house or some equally bad house mates. The landlord put the house up for lease recently and I miss the place terribly.

Boards meetups have enabled me to meet loads of new people and some of these are my friends today and they're a cracking bunch of people. Even met a girl out of here.

On the website itself it's been of huge benefit. I've laughed a huge amount due to the people's wit, funny stories, and memorable threads. I've learned tons of things - there are a lot of intelligent folk on here (some idiots but they're dwarfed by the former) and it's great to see people so passionate and helpful about their joys. I've helped out others and offered help where possible.

Using Boards has pushed my interests even further. I'll read something in the history or military forum and that will lead me to look it up. I've become more interested in sports due to the forums that I've posted in. Academically it has helped me pick or avoid some modules in college and because of that I know I've been able to relate back to others and try help them out.

I really could go on all day about its impact. I'm a champion of Boards.ie and although this post was probably pretty deep stuff for AH (;)) it's always good to acknowledge the great things in life.

penis envy?

Sunnyisland · 31-12-2011 05:52PM

later10 wrote: »

It facilitates frank discussions with a level of honesty that people in the real world may find less appealing.

On boards, users tend to care less about others' perceptions, so conversations can be more interesting; political correctness is definitely less of an issue.

And becuase there is no social order, everyone's opinion is only as valid as he makes it using appreciable logic, it has nothing to do with his background or his real life circumstances. I think it's a really remarkable resource and a fascinating way of interacting with others.

How has it helped me personally? Probably by introducing me to opinions I had never before considered, I think that's its most positive feature.

Agree

jomc · 31-12-2011 05:57PM

I'd say the only way its helped me is as a source of time killing and a bit of fun. If it wasn't around i'd probably turn off the computer quicker and get on with things though lol!

Having said that, boards was a terrible experience for my gf. She no longer posts but had started posting as a way of connecting to people after a difficult period in her life. She got involved in meet ups etc and formed what she thought was a group of friends. Logged in one day to nasty pms telling her that she was no longer welcome in the forum or to meet ups(from a mod as well) as they had 'heard' she'd been spreading rumours about all of them. The particular time in question she was at a retreat with no internet access! But they wouldn't listen to her and the other people she knew wouldn't answer her so she was fairly upset about that and it really damaged her confidence and had quite a negative impact on her

biko · 31-12-2011 06:00PM

Technical forums have helped me lots, and I have helped others as well.
AH, not so much.

drBill · 31-12-2011 06:10PM

I'd consider boards to be one of the leading sources of technical information for satellite and terrestrial TV in this country.

Gummy Panda · 31-12-2011 06:10PM

It put me in touch with belly rub enthusiasts

Zaph · 31-12-2011 06:13PM

I'm getting married in less than 6 months to a Boardsie, so it's definitely had a huge impact on my life.

Abi · 31-12-2011 06:15PM

later10 wrote: »

It facilitates frank discussions with a level of honesty that people in the real world may find less appealing.

On boards, users tend to care less about others' perceptions, so conversations can be more interesting; political correctness is definitely less of an issue.

And becuase there is no social order, everyone's opinion is only as valid as he makes it using appreciable logic, it has nothing to do with his background or his real life circumstances. I think it's a really remarkable resource and a fascinating way of interacting with others.

How has it helped me personally? Probably by introducing me to opinions I had never before considered, I think that's its most positive feature.

Well said

sunflower27 wrote: »

I post a lot in PI and RI it's always lovelyhearing back through PM that I have helped people in some way. It's made me contact the Samaritans to become a volunteer in the New Year. Training starts in January.

I wanted to do it years ago, but wasn't sure if I was cut out for it. I now believe I am.

Fair play to you Sunflower. I pop over to PI/RI and give my tuppence worth, and I've seen quite a few of your posts. You're always on the ball, so I think it's great you'll be helping out with the Samaritans

Immaculate Pasta wrote: »

I post mainly in After Hours so I'm not convinced it entirely widens my breadth of knowledge about the world :pac:. I'm sure some of the specialist forums will help you though.

I suppose what I do like about boards is that it allows me to keep in touch with Irish culture and news as well as the general Irish feeling while living in England.

There really is, you should broaden your horizons a bit. I used to post a hell of a lot more in AH, but you do find your feet and discover new fora. I'm subscribed to quite a few at this stage. It's nice to keep up with everyone and the goings on.

Myself personally - well if I'd have known a google search would have turned me into a regular here :pac:

Theres rarely a day I wont check in, even if it's not to post anything, but I will stick my nose around the door. AH is some silly fun, but I'll get involved in the more serious conversations too, but not too heavily though.

I throw in a post wherever I think I might be able to help, and have equally received a goldmine of help and support from other posters. If you allow yourself to get involved, and even attend a couple of the beers, you'll get to know the faces behind the names and that in itself is amazing. A couple of reactions I got were hilarious

I cant imagine myself leaving. Ive become to really dislike the new close account function, because we've lost a few long term, lovely posters. I'm afraid to go into feedback in case I see another one gone. Ruu leaving wasnt a nice feeling, he was part of the fixtures and fittings

Though, Ive gotten to meet some great people, and yeah, it has changed my life

df1985 · 31-12-2011 06:18PM

its open my mind on issues I had no knowledge of before, and i like to think i may have chnaged other peoples opinions on issues that i feel strongly about.

You can post opinions you may not express in daily life.a way to get it off your chest so to speak.

Before i came out i found great comfort and encouragement from reading other peoples experiences in the lgbt forum.

It makes me look busy in work.....;)

Tonyandthewhale · 31-12-2011 06:30PM

The cycling forum has thought me a great deal about bicycle mechanics and the like, not to mention providing me with heaps of cheap second hand parts over the years. Incredible wealth of information over there.

Plenty of interesting discussions on fora like politics, economics, Atheists and agnostics and even after hours which have opened my mind a fair bit I'd say.

saa · 31-12-2011 06:38PM

It's great because you can steal well formed opinions you every so often come across on Boards and seem like a right champ at dinner parties. [no not really but it is a huge help when you can help someone and learn something that helps you, and also the testing out ughpinions]

And well lets see in the last few months I've posted 1000ish times on threads some posts longer than others but on average maybe 15 words....

I was meant to have 8000-10000 words of a thesis done and I'm on 4000, I blame Boards :pac:

Micky Dolenz · 31-12-2011 06:48PM

Learnt a lot and enjoyed sharing information in the more tech forums.

AH is my news source for the stories I would never otherwise hear. I really enjoy reading the posts in here. To be fair, for the most part ye are a witty articulate bunch.

Has using boards helped your life in some real way?

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