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Time Marches On

I have recently become a Silver Surfer, finding the forum opened opportunities for online correspondence, which possibly opens dialogue with like minded people. However, in a short space of time, my speculative forays into forum topics, show a distinctive pattern of early enthusiasm, encouraging welcomes and vague responses. Most of these have faded in a very short space of time. So may I investigate, how many so called topics have developed into long running information sharing; long term friendships of varying depths of emotion; exchanges of ideas, etc. I would welcome the opportunity to establish a coterie of correspondents covering a few subjects of mutual interest under one forum banner, rather than the piecemeal subject matter which elicits a few meagre replies.


Created By on 25/08/2017

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Wol54
24th Feb 2021 21:42:06
0
Thanks for voting!
Personally.....I'm struggling to get involved in any kind of conversation! I'm a retired Head Teacher no stranger to technology. But I'm finding this site impossible to negotiate. Even more impossible to get involved in any kind of dialogue! I'd be happy to hear your thoughts....I'm dangerously close to giving up.
Response from jeanmark made on 25th Feb 2021 19:15:36
Hi Wol54, it does get easier when you just explore. Speakers Corner is a good place to start, also the forums. Be patient, there are some really good people on here to converse with.
Response from Wol54 made on 25th Feb 2021 21:50:10 > @jeanmark
Thanks so much for your reply.! So far, you are my only point of contact after a week on this site.
Response from jeanmark made on 26th Feb 2021 19:18:45
Wol54, I'm assuming it depends on how often people visit the site. Don't give up just yet. Did you look at Speakers Corner?
Response from Wol54 made on 26th Feb 2021 19:47:12
Thanks yes I did, I have. It just seems like a tortuous process finding a conversation. Responding to kind comments like yours was a bit like joining a busy roundabout! I'm not even sure, as we speak, which bit of the site I'm on! But I'm grateful for your support.
Response from jeanmark made on 27th Feb 2021 18:36:40
You're on one of the streams in the Forum. It really is worth persevering, particularly if one of the topics in Speakers Corner is of interest to you - or even if it isn't! Make a comment, negative or positive, and some one will join in. The subject will move on when another topic arrives but you can still comment on any, although you may not always get a response. There are a number of interesting people on here.
Response from Wol54 made on 27th Feb 2021 18:56:03
Thank you! I'm starting to get the hang of how this works. I really appreciate your help.I'll bash on!
x
Response from jeanmark made on 28th Feb 2021 13:25:51
That's good to hear.
Wol54
24th Feb 2021 21:45:35
0
Thanks for voting!
That's why I joined this site but I've struggled to find my way into any kid of chat! I'm no stranger to technology but this site defeats me every time I try. I'd love to hear from anyone else who is similarly struggling!
wampus
23rd Jan 2018 13:02:24
0
Thanks for voting!
Hello, I am still trying to find my way around this site, so whether this post gets viewed is doubtful. However, I hope it does. I would welcome ongoing forum/chats/discussions on a broad spectrum of topics, it's nice to keep the brain cells working. Would love to exchange, news views .. all the best, wampus
Andronicus Original Poster
26th Aug 2017 20:03:18 (Last activity: 27th Aug 2017 19:14:24)
0
Thanks for voting!
Well that certainly pricked a few sensitivities, did I criticise, did I complain ? A simple observation brought the acid comments of the self appointed guardians. Where did I call anyone " ill mannered" ? I merely enquired how exchanges had developed over time, but then there is no accounting for how people perceive what they wish in order that they can rant to their heart's content. You will no doubt be glad to know this has convinced me that this particular forum is best avoided.
Response from jeanmark made on 27th Aug 2017 18:16:15
I am sorry if I offended Andronicus but if you read the first post you will see that the term ill-mannered was mentioned. There was no suggestion that the comment was attributed to you. However, the term was not used in a negative sense rather a way of trying to explore why some people do not respond to answers.

No one accused you of criticism or complaint, we were just trying to respond to your original post. I would suggest it was your perception that people were criticising what you wrote. You will find that most of us on here are sensitive to others feelings but if you feel this forum is not for you, then that is your choice but do not blame others for the way you perceive something.
Response from CaroleAH made on 27th Aug 2017 19:14:24
Well said, Jeanmark! 🙂
CaroleAH
26th Aug 2017 22:29:54
0
Thanks for voting!
What an odd response, Andronicus! I certainly do nor see myself as a self-appointed guardian spewing forth acid comments. Guardian of what, may I ask? I tried to answer your post honestly and if, by doing so, I have caused offence, then I apologise. You asked if any topics had developed into long-running information sharing and I tried to give examples of where people have asked for advice, have received it from one or more Silversurfers and have not acknowledged the support they have been given. I certainly don't want "thank-you's" at every verse end but it worries me when people sound so sad and overwhelmed with problems and then they don't respond - I just wonder what is happening in their lives and if they are coping. I also mentioned the friendships which I have made with people all over the country and we enjoy chatting in the Private Chat area so for me, Silversurfers is an ideal forum - fortunately we don't all fit into the same box (although Myers-Briggs would have us believe that there are only 16 personality types - so perhaps 16 boxes!) so i hope that you find a suitable forum which fits your personality.
ecarg
26th Aug 2017 19:14:09
3
Thanks for voting!
I agree completely with Jeanmark and CaroleAH responses .I find personal chats can continue back and forwards sometimes for a week or so others have now become silver surfer friends and provide support and advice regularly

May I also point out that there are things that crop up in life that prevent you from being on-line and I have found that I can pick up my chats later when other priorities have been dealt with.

However I do think some subjects should be deleted as sometimes I'm reading something only to see it is a year or more since the topic was posted. If the topic is still relevant and new members wish to post a comment perhaps it could be retitled .
jeanmark
26th Aug 2017 16:33:51
1
Thanks for voting!
I think if people have made a comment/s and then appear to disappear, it is probably more that they have said what they wanted to and remain just interested in the subject. It may be a little unfair to suggest they are ill-mannered. I certainly respond to subjects that interest me but I am aware that at times it is prudent for me to remain silent as discussion progresses. People may also pose personal questions but once they have read responses, feel they have received the answer they wanted. Is it so wrong of them not to reply when they themselves may feel unable?

There are interesting discussions and many of these have been started by individuals who may then go on with private chats with people of like mind.

Maybe Andronicus, you just accept that not everyone will be like minded and just take an interest in what is being posted, regardless of a lack of response.
CaroleAH
26th Aug 2017 14:17:00
0
Thanks for voting!
Hi Andronicus,
I think that joining in with topics on the forum is a bit like going to a party. Some people are happy to say "hello" but prefer to watch from the sidelines - others want to be the "life and soul" of the party and appear to have an opinion about anything and everything!
In the past, I have responded to pleas for help and advice. I have thought carefully about my reply so that it hasn't been a "you should do this, that or the other" but hopefully more of a "have you thought about doing this" or "I have found this useful" etc and weeks even months later there has been no reply. I have even sent a private chat message saying "are you okay?" - still no response. So, are people overwhelmed with their problems or are they just ill-mannered?
Having said that, I have regular chats with some lovely people on SS and we exchange our news from books we are reading to commiserating about various aches and pains and any other topic in between.
There was a recent post from someone who asked about on-line relationships to which you and I and a few other people have responded but the person who posed the question has gone very silent - of course, he may have been put off by the levity of some of our responses but he certainly seems to have taken his bat and ball home which is a shame because the forum invites discussion and we are all different and our opinions vary and are influenced by the lives we have led.

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