Quote: zooo @ January 9 2012, 11:46 AM GMTAw, I agree!
There's an American forum I sometimes post on where quite a few of them know each other, and like you I think it makes for a rather nice, friendly atmosphere.And in the beginning, no one here knew each other in real life. It's just a natural process.
Some did know each other in real life before joining up; getting to know others via this forum is a bonus 
Oh yes! But didn't you meet on another forum?
What I mean is, a group of real life mates didn't get together and say 'let's invent a forum and then only talk to each other on it, and ignore everyone else'.
Like people do seem to think sometimes... 
Before joining I had met no-one though I recognised a few people from another forum; I have subsequently met in the flesh maybe a dozen posters from BCG, all of whom were very nice, but I am not sure that I necessarily know them any of them better than some whom I have yet to encounter in what passes for the real world.
I agree that this is an unusually friendly and civilised forum, which is the reason I have spent rather more time on here than I intended. ( 6244 posts. 
)
Quote: zooo @ January 9 2012, 11:55 AM GMTOh yes! But didn't you meet on another forum?
What I mean is, a group of real life mates didn't get together and say 'let's invent a forum and then only talk to each other on it, and ignore everyone else'.
Like people do seem to think sometimes...
I would imagine if that was the case it would much easier to set up Facebook/Myspace or various other social network and make it private.
Quote: sootyj @ January 9 2012, 6:50 AM GMTDon Rushmore.
House!
Now where's my motherf**king Argos token prize.
How rude.
I think Alan Partridge said it best.
Quote: Rob H @ January 9 2012, 11:40 AM GMTYou could be right Will (if that's even your real name .
). Not everyone can be a maverick Lone Wolf like the Rob H-ster.
Pfff! There's only one true BCG Maverick, and that's the Chipinator. So dangerous he's been banned twice. 
Look guys you are missing the point, to be pedantic this site is not anonymous.
Your replies have proved that. The fact that it is 'semi' anonymous is a contradiction in terms, we are talking semantics here.
The consensus is I am a strange person who only talks in 'streams of consciousness' or vague references of my own understanding, to just a needy person who wants a' pat on the head'; real quote.
I assure you I am none of these, and have no problems being understood or liked in my 'real' life.
As I thought I could open an interesting discussion on the notion of 'anonymity' , I have been proved incorrect.
The majority view has therefore concluded I am very strange character, so I do feel somewhat ostracised for asking a simple question.
I really do enjoy it on here, shows what people really think!
Quote: dellas @ January 9 2012, 12:38 PM GMTThe majority view has therefore concluded I am very strange character, so I do feel somewhat ostracised for asking a simple question.
Me confoosed.
You asked people to discuss a point, the point was discussed and a concensus created. Goal attained, success achieved. I really don't understand what the problem is.
Quote: dellas @ January 9 2012, 12:38 PM GMTLook guys you are missing the point, to be pedantic this site is not anonymous.
But why did you think it was or should be anonymous?
Are you in favour of it being anonymous, or would you prefer it wasn't?
Am totally confused here (which to be fair is a perma-state with me sometimes).
Are we meant to leave here because we have met in real life?
Is every meet to be followed by the desertion of the boards.
People who choose to be anonymnous are, people who don't aren't.
No-one is forcing people to do either, nor does this board.
So in summary:
eh?
Quote: zooo @ January 9 2012, 11:55 AM GMTOh yes! But didn't you meet on another forum?
What I mean is, a group of real life mates didn't get together and say 'let's invent a forum and then only talk to each other on it, and ignore everyone else'.
Like people do seem to think sometimes...
Ah, I see what you mean. I'd been real life mates with one poster for years before I joined, had met some of my online friends before I joined BCG and have met new ones since joining.
How much or what members reveal about themselves perhaps depends on what they hope to gain from being a forum member. I have found that some people change their attitude and opinions as and when they find out things about someone else - in real and virtual life.
Friends may respond to each other more often or differently or they might communicate privately, but those who don't know each other could give a more objective/challenging/helpful response to a post so does it really make much difference how much we know about each other
Quote: dellas @ January 9 2012, 12:38 PM GMTLook guys you are missing the point, to be pedantic this site is not anonymous.
It's about as anonymous as it's possible to be. But even so, why does it matter? Why is a completely anonymous site better than a semi?
Quote: chipolata @ January 9 2012, 1:02 PM GMTbetter than a semi?
Teehee.
OK I get it, best leave alone, not being understood again.
That is my problem on here apparently, sorry for being so 'difficult', I do'nt have that problem 'face to face' with my friends.
Yes, people can choose to meet and be friends, mainly London, some cannot.
The site runs successfully as it is, and I have been a member for 14 months and have posted 2050 times, much to your disdain! 