| Archives Threads we can't stand to throw away. |
01-05-2002, 04:44 PM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: So. Calif.
Posts: 334
| | Just Curious Why People Who Hate Epinions and/or Left Epinions Post At This Board?? | |
I love and am addicted to epinions (okay it has flaws; never said it didn't), ergo I am a member of EA.
Frequently I see posts on this board from people who left the site ages ago, those banned, those who left on their own volition for miscellaneous and sundry reasons, those who despise epinions and resent the webspace it sits on. So, why do those people wish to be involved with EA? I'm happy to see everyone here, not complaining, just don't follow the reasoning.
Can someone please open my eyes here? Thanks!
Suzi http://www.epinions.com/user-suzer |
01-05-2002, 05:11 PM
|  | Junior Member | | Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,328
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Despite my tagline, I haven't completely left Epinions, though I am being careful about rationing my time there -- I guess you could say I'm on an Epinions diet. And I do enjoy criticizing them. 
But EA is a whole different animal. It's a good board. It has a good mix of people, and despite my initial qualms about moderation and banning people from the boards, I've found I do enjoy the troll-free atmosphere. It works well on my ancient pokey computer. (That's a real issue for me -- I won't use boards where you have to read every message one at a time -- it just takes too long.) I like boards -- it has nothing to do with Epinions -- I've been on boards long before Epinions came into existence and will be on them long after Epinions bites the dust. And this has become a general-purpose board. If it was just about Epinions, I wouldn't bother (even though I do like to go into the Epinions forums once in a while to bitch and moan). But there's a lot of other stuff here too.
It's funny, I actually got into Epinions in the first place because a local board I had been very active on for years shut down, and I was looking for some online thing I could do that would fill that gap. And my frustrations with Epinions in my early days there came mostly from wishing that it would be more "board-like."
Last edited by AuntieEmma; 01-05-2002 at 05:26 PM.
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01-05-2002, 05:51 PM
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I like this board for what it is, in and of itself. It's more than just a site to discuss Epinions-related things, and I'd hope that people have realized the potential of THIS site in that regard. The Health and Fitness... the discussions on Current Events... even the chats and trivia games... it affords me the opportunitity to stick my foot in my mouth and my head up my ass on a potentially global scale.
I should hope that you do not merely limit your activities to the Epinions-related topics... you're missing out on a lot, and potentially missing out on the best part of this site. |
01-05-2002, 06:37 PM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: May 2001 Location: South of Bawlmer
Posts: 6,371
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I am absolutely with AuntieEmma. Although I am still tending to the mothersite, my greatest achievement there was being listed in New and Noteworthy here. Had it not happened that way, I would have never discovered EA.
The Soapbox is by far the best discussion forum I have ever stumbled upon. It allows for a little steam heat, but its moderators are the fairest in the land -- trusting us to stray a bit off topic, allowing for a little rib poking, treating us like the adults we are by allowing us the dignity to smooth feathers we may have ruffled.
There is not one person who posts there who I consider vile or obscene -- whether I agree or not with the opinions, every participant is, in the long run, humane and compassionate.
Though I occasionally write passionately regarding Barbie Lunchboxes and Little People play sets on the mother site, I find I can mouth off intelligently here (though I apologize to the Cafe people for having boxed some soap over there in the Talking to Americans thread. It's hard for a Canam like me not to pontificate!)
The whole site here is welcoming, caring and congregational. Being here is more like going to "hang" at the student union while being at Epinions is more like hanging out at a street corner hoping someone friendly comes by. Then you hang your notice on the telephone pole and hope for responses.
I would be truly sad if people who felt unwelcome at Epinions felt that by disassociating themselves at the mother site they could no longer participate here. Also, isn't this site for recovering addicts, too?
__________________
''Resolve not to let the defeat of your favorite candidate shatter your faith in America or turn you away from politics. There will be another day. Remember the Red Sox.''
David Broder |
01-05-2002, 06:56 PM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 5,579
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I cant really say I have left Epinions, and I certainly do not hate it, but I have not written anything at the mother site in months. I love EA and if I only had a few minutes I would most definitely spend them here. Maybe I grew bored with Epinions (gasp! could that be?!) or maybe I just love the atmosphere that EA has better.
But a short answer to your question: When you venture out of the Epinions Discussion forums and see the rest of the site, it could be any board. There is very little reference to Epinions in other forums.
__________________ ~Tina
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"Even here, in Hillbilly Hell, we have standards." Sally from Cars
Casually Christina (blog) |
01-05-2002, 07:42 PM
|  | Resident Ballerina | | Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 233
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I, too, haven't left Epinions either. I've just taken a long unplanned hiatus, but I plan to write again soon. I just have bumped Epinions down into the bottom of my priority list lately. I'm not in a huge hurry to get back into the swing of things, but I don't dislike Epinions as a site.
Ashley |
01-05-2002, 08:36 PM
| | Banned | | Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 9,648
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I was at Epinions for the community and the money originally. The money left, but the community was still there, so I stayed.
The community seems to have drifted away from there -- many are over here. That is why I am here. |
01-05-2002, 09:09 PM
|  | Rockin', Rollin', Ritin' | | Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,839
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What made Epinions wonderful in the early days was the sense of community.
After all the changes, the reduced income, the disenchantment of lots of former Epinions buddies, the staff reduction of 90% (or whatever, it SEEMS like 90%) there wasn't much of a sense of community for me at Epinions anymore.
For those Epinionators who like warm and fuzzy, Epinions just wasn't a fun place anymore.
The "Epinions community" is communing in other places now--EA, Bluehawq's Nest, and the different Yahoo groups that are too numerous to count. |
01-05-2002, 11:26 PM
|  | Mistress of Mayhem | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: New York
Posts: 16,980
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I'll see your question and raise you one: Why would someone who has left Epinions manage a board for Epinions members?
Because the members are more than just people who happened to have stumbled on Epinions. They are real people with a wide variety of interests and personalities. They are complete and separate entities from the website that brought them together.
I may not participate on Epinions anymore but I still enjoy the people I've met through that site. We've worked very hard to build a community here. Not a suburb of Epinions, but a community unto itself. Some of our citizens "work" at Epinions, some have moved to another place of employment. Whatever it is they chose to do offsite, they come back here to put their feet up and relax, share a cup of coffee with a friend, or engage in lively conversation with a neighbor.
It's kind of like a company town that's developed past its original establishment. I consider us lucky that some very fine people were lured in. And, I'm glad that they choose to stay with us no matter where their fortunes take them.
Sara
__________________
Stress: What happens when your gut says no and your mouth says, "Of course, I'd be glad to." |
01-06-2002, 12:42 AM
|  | Book Slut | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Claremont, CA
Posts: 78
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Guess I qualify.
Epinions and EA are two separate sites to me. I still visit this one. I chose not to visit the other one anymore.
I don't participate in the Epinion-related topics, but I sure enjoy a lot of the other forums. In fact, I visit more often here now then I did when I was active at Epinions.
Most importantly, I still enjoy seeing all the people at EA. I just visit three fewer forums when I am here.  |
01-06-2002, 09:45 AM
|  | Mom of the Four Men | | Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Canada, sort of
Posts: 17,264
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What everyone else said.
Plus, I think that many of those who either dislike or actively hate Epinions have some pretty valid reasons for feeling that way. By expresing their disappointment and dissatisfaction with EPs, they have a lot of valuable feedback to offer both EPs staff and those still participating on EPs, and posting here is a great way to share their experiences with a lot of people. I hope that even those who are currently not participating on EPs will continue to hang out here with the rest of us.
Cindy |
01-06-2002, 01:07 PM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: So. Calif.
Posts: 334
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Well, you all are making a lot of sense, and appreciate the input. I have stayed mostly on the EA discussions, and all of you are making me realize I need to look into the Soapbox though I hate
confrontations and hassles. I avoided it for this reason. I enjoy debate of course, and I have my opinions, but hate seeing people attacked or put down for their ideas. Looks like I should check into many other areas of this board.
And I agree about all the wonderful people who participate on, or participated in epinions, and I can understand wanting to continue the connection. I guess I always thought if epinions closed down the friendships would fizzle, as epinions is the common group. You are making me realize that if, God forbid (in my opinion) that happens sometime down the line, that there is still a possibility of keeping epinions friends/community.
Suzi http://www.epinions.com/user-suzer |
01-06-2002, 01:20 PM
|  | Mr. Nice Man | | Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 2,477
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Quote: Originally posted by suzer
Well, you all are making a lot of sense, and appreciate the input. I have stayed mostly on the EA discussions, and all of you are making me realize I need to look into the Soapbox though I hate confrontations and hassles. I avoided it for this reason. I enjoy debate of course, and I have my opinions, but hate seeing people attacked or put down for their ideas. Looks like I should check into many other areas of this board.
Suzi
http://www.epinions.com/user-suzer | Suzi,
There is always something fun going on in EA, whether it's an interesting or amusing thread, a writing contest...whatever. So much different stuff goes on in a great variety of categories that anyone could find a pleasant way to kill some time here.
The best part is the maturity and genuine friendliness and tolerance of the members. (If they tolerate my foolishness, anyone can fit in.)
And the Soapbox? Never fear. Discussion is generally civilized. Sometimes things get heated, but usually people are O.K. The mods also do a good job of keeping things under control. So jump right in.
Rich |
01-06-2002, 02:24 PM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: So. Calif.
Posts: 334
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Thanks Rich. Okay, I'll go lurk on the Soapbox forum and see what is happening. People got pretty harsh here during the EBD debaucle, but hopefully people are more relaxed now. . .
Suzi http://www.epinions.com/user-suzer |
01-06-2002, 05:28 PM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: May 2001 Location: South of Bawlmer
Posts: 6,371
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Suzer --
A word of caution.
It is GENERALLY civilized in the Soapbox, but if you can't handle a jab or two of personal fun poking and faint at the first sight of sarcasm, stick to the mellower discussion forums -- like "Topical Discussions" titles such as "A Kiddley Divey" or "Business Beat" -- even the Cafe is a fun conversational place to hang out.
It does get heated -- I enjoy heated debate. That's why I enjoy the Soapbox -- I like a little sizzle.
__________________
''Resolve not to let the defeat of your favorite candidate shatter your faith in America or turn you away from politics. There will be another day. Remember the Red Sox.''
David Broder |
01-06-2002, 06:28 PM
|  | Rooster Duck | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Almost Philadelphia
Posts: 9,943
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<cough>
Um, I kinda have to second my friend wivabef's opinion there. There are plenty of heated discussions in The Box. I've never heard anyone say "Jane, you ignorant slut!", but the soapbox is the roughest, toughest corner on the board. There are also some pleasant threads in there, but if your tolerance for conflict is low, why not explore other parts of the board first.
Andrea
who can take most, but not all, threads in The Soapbox
__________________
"DON'T PANIC."
-- Douglas Adams
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01-08-2002, 09:30 AM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Sanford, FL
Posts: 4
| | Re: Just Curious Why People Who Hate Epinions and/or Left Epinions Post At This Board?? | |
Quote: Originally posted by suzer
I love and am addicted to epinions (okay it has flaws; never said it didn't), ergo I am a member of EA.
Frequently I see posts on this board from people who left the site ages ago, those banned, those who left on their own volition for miscellaneous and sundry reasons, those who despise epinions and resent the webspace it sits on. So, why do those people wish to be involved with EA? I'm happy to see everyone here, not complaining, just don't follow the reasoning.
Can someone please open my eyes here? Thanks!
Suzi
http://www.epinions.com/user-suzer |
....because there's a big difference between hating the players and hating the game. |
01-08-2002, 01:46 PM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: So. Calif.
Posts: 334
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Makes sense to me. thanks! Good to see your name again too!
Suzi http://www.epinions.com/user-suzer |
01-26-2002, 07:01 PM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 174
| | You'll never know what you missed... | |
Epinions had a completely different feel to it when it started. By the time you joined it was a totally different site. Most of us had the addiction you have now, but with full lives separate from Epinions, it can be difficult to justify without the money. (I was able to pay my mortgage payent once.)
Now my kids are at ages where I can not be on the computer hours on end, or I will miss their babyhood. I still enjoy and miss the friends I made along the way (back when there were just a thousand or so members, you really got to know everyone). I come here, when time permits, to see what's going on at Epinions, and to share some of my other interests (I post on the cooking thread alot) with old friends.
Why is this so hard to understand?
Susan/sgentile |
01-27-2002, 12:37 AM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Iowa
Posts: 3,387
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Quote: Originally posted by pluckyduck
--snip--
There are plenty of heated discussions in The Box. I've never heard anyone say "Jane, you ignorant slut!", but the soapbox is the roughest, toughest corner on the board. There are also some pleasant threads in there, but if your tolerance for conflict is low, why not explore other parts of the board first.
--snip--
| Since I have discovered the "new posts" button, that is pretty much how I peruse the various boards. If a thread title is interesting, I will read it. If I got a response, I'll make it. I don't really worry about what forum it is in.
And for rough and tough go check out a parenting NG. Or, heck, any NG. The wild, wild west lives...
sleeper54 |
01-30-2002, 07:38 PM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Colorado
Posts: 15,123
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Well lessee...
If I remember the invitation correctly, The Soapbox was founded because I was starting debates with others when this was part of the Yahoo message board. I love The Soapbox, enjoy the Current Events arena.
Now back to the question at hand... I guess I should answer because I don't write for Epinions anymore. If anyone wants to know why ( Warning: Shameless Plug) they can browse my profile page and read my final submission to the Epinions.com community.
I hang out here because this is what Epinions used to be. No, I'm not talking about the review area, I'm talking about the sense of community. It's why I used to love Epinions.com so much -- I could write something and could count on the fact that someone would comment -- good or bad -- and it made it fun.
I hang out here because I can give my opinion and, whether people say they don't give a rip about it or not, they really do -- otherwise they wouldn't keep coming back for more.
I enjoy having conversations -- sometimes very heated -- with intelligent people, especially those I disagree with. I enjoy arguing with Auntie Emma, DrMomentum, Erik Kossberg, Wivabef, CeeJay, Fr. Kurt, and even like to tangle horns with Mshawpyle (even if I don't understand what he says half the time). There are plenty of people here who I respect and like, even if I can't find a single thing to agree with them on. They keep my brain working if nothing else, and they're generally cool people (even if they are wrong ).
I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.
Jeff |
01-31-2002, 02:46 AM
|  | Usagi Yojimbo | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: The Birthplace of American Democracy
Posts: 16,716
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Quote: Originally posted by poseidon
I enjoy having conversations -- sometimes very heated -- with intelligent people, especially those I disagree with. I enjoy arguing with Auntie Emma, DrMomentum, Erik Kossberg, Wivabef, CeeJay, Fr. Kurt, and even like to tangle horns with Mshawpyle (even if I don't understand what he says half the time). There are plenty of people here who I respect and like, even if I can't find a single thing to agree with them on. They keep my brain working if nothing else, and they're generally cool people (even if they are wrong ). | Since I'm "feelin the love" I have to toss it right back atcha. It wouldn't be the same place without Jeff, the other people you mention, or a number of other people who post here.
I left Epinions long ago, since the only thing I liked about it was the people. And nearly all of the good people were here. Plus, I hit a writing block after my daughter got sick.
But I originally started at Epinions and here because I was studying online communities. EA is a fascinating community and there are few other places I can go where I can get the opinion of so many other people I respect - even if I do not agree. Many of you have changed my mind on many things.
-JP | |
When Poe ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.
