Portobello Matters - new forum

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 09 Dec 2004, 23:44

Well I think a mountain has been made out of a mole hill. This is a Forum not Westminster! So, a few topics have been moved onto another site, so what?

Is it really worth falling out about

?

Post by **wangi** » 09 Dec 2004, 23:50

foxy wrote:BTW where have all the vociferous men gone now

Well, I'm always at a loss what to do when a baby throws their toys out of the pram...

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 09 Dec 2004, 23:51

Epykat wrote:Well I think a mountain has been made out of a mole hill. This is a Forum not Westminster! So, a few topics have been moved onto another site, so what? Is it really worth falling out about ?

The issue in question wasn't one of the new forum being established but rather the restrictions placed arbitrarily on posting topics on it.
And again you're right, it is definitely not worth falling out over and even less resigning over.

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 10 Dec 2004, 00:11

ecm wrote: And again you're right, it is definitely not worth falling out over and even less resigning over.

Hear hear

Reconsider Bob

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 10 Dec 2004, 11:14

foxy wrote:
ecm wrote: And again you're right, it is definitely not worth falling out over and even less resigning over.
Hear hear
Reconsider Bob

I just caught up with this.

I entirely agree. For goodness sake, do reconsider, Bob.

You spent a lot of time and effort getting the Forum started, and I think almost everyone would agree that it's one of the best Forums (Fora?) around, and an asset to Portobello as a community. It is a place where important community issues are discussed, and it's also a place where you make friends and feel part of a community. Its success can be measured by the fact that many of us 'just looked in', and then got hooked!

And you got it all going.

For what it's worth, my opinion on the Serious Matters Forum is that - yes - we do need one. It is sometimes a wee bit difficult to find the serious issues when you want them, in among all the friendly stuff - but no-one wants to restrict the friendly posts. They are part of what makes it such a good forum. So having a Serious Matters Forum is a good idea. I think most of us just felt that it should be open, and not restricted.

Please come back, Bob

[-o<[-o<

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 10 Dec 2004, 11:16

What a hot topic - I heard about this one in the Deli, not on line!

How ironic that the founder of an organisation designed to encourage active participation and involvement in our local community should resign over the contentious issue of 'freedom' of speech'. His absence could possibly put the whole project into terminal decline.

Guest, you have done an outstanding job but got this one wrong, especially in the way you managed it. So what - which one of us hasn't screwed up now and then?

I suggest you grow up and get back on with it. I thought that the PoL party on 11 Nov was for the start of even better things!

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 10 Dec 2004, 11:20

Pal of Porty wrote:I thought that the PoL party on 11 Nov was for the start of even better things!

It was such a lovely party too. It would be such a shame if theings went pear-shaped now ......

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 10 Dec 2004, 11:37

What a hot topic - I heard about this one in the Deli, not on line!

Yes, I think the jungle drums are sounding out all over Porty. At one point last night there were 12 of us on-line at the one time.

It is a great shame that Bob feels he has to turn his back on us all when he had the best possible motives for establishing the new forum. Looks like no-one is disputing that it could have been an asset - though as Bob has abandoned it as well it has little chance of flourishing now.
I know that Bob felt that by restricting people to only starting new topics in Portobello Online he could focus attention on a small number of topics in the Portobello Matters forum. This means, however, that a form of selection was introduced and this is the central concern for most of us.
I feel frustrated that in trying to encourage more posters Bob has ended up feeling got at by all sides though I do believe his enthusiasm did propel him into a minefield this time. "Virtual suicide" is not the answer, though and walking away from POL now only means that he has wasted 2 years of valuable time and energy and has proved those critics out there correct.
Don't give them that satisfaction Bob and instead re-instate yourself as a contributor. Please.......

Post by **wangi** » 10 Dec 2004, 11:59

By the way folks - you can start new topics over in the serious forum... And that's not something i've just changed!

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 10 Dec 2004, 12:03

Anonymous wrote:but you may not create a new thread

Ahhh...the crucial bit we missed. May not...not can not.
I see.

DG · Post by DG » 10 Dec 2004, 12:08

I have thought about posting since last night...but I'm lost for words. I agree with most of the above - I too thought that our Christmas lunch was the start of something really good with great potential for growth of community issues and developments, let alone friendships with people of like minds. What happened?!

Bob, as people have already stated, you have carried out such a great job at setting up this forum...you are very much the father here. We're clearly not ready or willing to be left by you

.

I can see how people are responding to this by using statements like 'throwing your toys out of the pram' and I would like to think that is all that was happening. However, I don't hear a tantrum or silent manipulation (what is he bargaining with?) and feel Bob has actually just abandoned the pram altogether. This is more of a concern. Tantrums and silences we can deal with. Complete absence is a different story - gives us nothing to work with.

Bob, I hope you are still reading the forum and that you really allow yourself to hear what people are saying here.

Please reconsider before something of great value and potential is lost

DG

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 10 Dec 2004, 12:18

wangi wrote:By the way folks - you can start new topics over in the serious forum... And that's not something i've just changed!

Bellybabe wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
but you may not create a new thread
Ahhh...the crucial bit we missed. May not...not can not.
I see.

Well you might see, Bellybae, but I don't! I thought in this context, 'may' meant 'can't'! And now wangi says we can!
Derr! I am totally confused.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 10 Dec 2004, 12:22

Starting a new topic/thread on Portobello Matters is new.
Previously you would have got a message saying that only the administrator could start a new topic.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 10 Dec 2004, 13:15

Marya wrote:Starting a new topic/thread on Portobello Matters is new.
Previously you would have got a message saying that only the administrator could start a new topic.

Thanks, Marya! I thought I was going mad, for a moment, since not being able to start a new topic was what started all this off!

sicker · Post by **sicker** » 10 Dec 2004, 16:04

I think a Moderator should start a poll. (I don't know how)

1. should Bob come back now

2. should Bob come back later

3. should Bob not have left.

N.B. There is NO negativity in these questions so you all know where I stand.

John.

Post by **wangi** » 10 Dec 2004, 16:11

Thing is sicker, it's not really our place to tell Bob what he can and cannot decide to do.

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 10 Dec 2004, 16:23

Sicker,

I currently assume that the overwhelming feeling on the board is one of bewilderment that Bob has left, (at all, let alone with such a peremptory statement!) coupled with an 'it's so big you don't need to define it' hope that he feels able to make himself at home in public here again, even if it is with a new identity.

Bob has chosen to resign, and at present I am supposing that it is his identity that has disappeared rather than his interest or involvement. But until we know otherwise we won't really be able to offer an opinion on what we would like him to do?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 10 Dec 2004, 18:01

Mr Magnolia wrote:

Bob has chosen to resign, and at present I am supposing that it is his identity that has disappeared rather than his interest or involvement.

That's what we are hoping Mr M. Only time will tell what Bob wants to do.

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 10 Dec 2004, 20:46

I am shattered.

I know how much Bob loved this Web site.

I can't imagine why he would resign especially as the Forum was about to move into a new role.

The Community needs you Bob please come back even if it is as an alternative alterego.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 11 Dec 2004, 12:11

So, now what?

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 11 Dec 2004, 16:36

Porty wrote:So, now what?

I guess if Bob isn't going to pick up the reins again then someone/others will have to. I'm sure our remaining mods and admin have some thoughts on this.
Maybe a meet up of those who are interested to discuss is called for?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 11 Dec 2004, 18:50

I've had a short chat today with Bob and have arranged to meet up very shortly, along with the other 'backstage' folk, to hold a proper discussion on the future of the site. Once we've had this discussion I'll be in a better position to say how things stand. At the moment I'm asking if people can just bear with us.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 11 Dec 2004, 21:23

Hold the obituary - I'm back. Expect changes. Announcement soon. Thanks for the messages of support - it meant a lot.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 11 Dec 2004, 21:41

Welcome Bob Jefferson - so very glad to see you here.

Beach Babe · Post by **Beach Babe** » 11 Dec 2004, 21:50

hello Mr Jefferson

nice to have you with us

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 11 Dec 2004, 22:23

DG · Post by DG » 11 Dec 2004, 23:48

Pheeeewwww

Hello Bob

Glad to see you!

DG

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 11 Dec 2004, 23:51

Thanks everyone. It's good to be back. How else was I going to get a recipe for lentil soup?

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 12 Dec 2004, 00:02

Good to see you back Bob

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 12 Dec 2004, 01:57

Welcome

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 12 Dec 2004, 11:23

Welcome back Bob. An excellent piece of news to start this lovely Sunday.

Lizzie · Post by **Lizzie** » 12 Dec 2004, 11:51

Very pleased your back Bob

Great news

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 12 Dec 2004, 13:46

What a relief...disaster averted

Welcome back Bob Jefferson

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 12 Dec 2004, 20:41

Bob Jefferson wrote:Hold the obituary - I'm back.

I'm very glad. That's a nice Christmas present.
Bellybabe

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 12 Dec 2004, 20:47

Bellybabe wrote:
Bob Jefferson wrote:Hold the obituary - I'm back.
I'm very glad. That's a nice Christmas present.
Bellybabe

Maybe I should resign more often?

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Portobello Matters - new forum

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