Then and now

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Then and now

by QueeneMab @ 2009-01-27 – 23:18:28

A friend has mentioned community on blog.

Two years ago when I joined I was impressed by the spirit of community. By the support and empathy we showed to other bloggers.

A year ago, I dared to change jobs and my life changed for the better. I would not have dared to make this change without the support and encouragement of other bloggers. I am not afraid to make a decision, but I was lacking in the confidence to make the change even though I knew it was the right thing. Discussing the situation on here gave me the strength to do the right thing.

Good friends do not always agree with you, but they try to be open and honest. Sometimes it is good to look at something from someone elses perspective, blog helps us to do this.

But yes, recently we seem to be losing some of the community spirit, many friends have recently left. I wonder what we can do to get the spirit of community back?

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76 Comments to Then and now

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- Jenniebaby
- 2009-01-27 @ 23:27:04
Just keep being friendly, I guess...
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-27 @ 23:36:40
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- - soyunperdedor ^Pro
  - http://soyunperdedor.blog.co.uk
  - 2009-01-27 @ 23:38:07
  You're always friendly. What's your secret? Blog prozac I reckon.
  
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  - - QueeneMab
    - 2009-01-27 @ 23:47:55
    She is on chocolate I bet.
    
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  - - Jenniebaby
    - 2009-01-28 @ 08:04:48
    Evil genius, perhaps?
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- soyunperdedor ^Pro
- http://soyunperdedor.blog.co.uk
- 2009-01-27 @ 23:37:24
Not an attack at all, I know how things can be taken the wrong way on here (and we seem to be particularly good at that ), but I have to say what always makes me a bit glum about the lack of community spirit is when it's made into a postable issue - like it has got that bad

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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-27 @ 23:47:03
  I won't take it the wrong way and I don't know if it has got that bad or if it is worthy of a post. But there seems to be a lot less people posting, sometimes there is literally no-one around, quite a few people seem to be deleting and this year there have been some posts about lack of nominations for the Bloscars. So something is definitely going wrong somewhere along the way. It makes me sad because I have got a lot out of blog in the past, but just recently a lot of people are moaning about it and I find myself starting to feel somewhat indifferent too.
  
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  - - soyunperdedor ^Pro
    - http://soyunperdedor.blog.co.uk
    - 2009-01-27 @ 23:51:09
    It feels more like a forum lately. I can't really explain what I mean properly, but it's just the same people posting and the same people making trouble and the same people taking a step back for whatever reason. Always the same names cropping up. There are lots of new interesting blogs out there, but there's no incentive to find them. It's the same old pictures on the front page - I cringe everytime I see myself on there, I blog utter shite these days and don't deserve to be - and it's so cliquey it's hard to become proepr friends with anyone else.
    
    I'm not going to go anywhere, but I think that's just because it's a habit for me now.
    
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    - - QueeneMab
      - 2009-01-27 @ 23:54:57
      But at the same time you are not around so much these days which is a shame.
      
      I agree about the forum feel.
      
      The front page thing IS weird, goodness only knows how it is worked out.
      
      There are some interesting new bloggers, but some of the old vanished bloggers are sorely missed.
      
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- SeasideMan ^Pro
- 2009-01-27 @ 23:39:34
I have only been here a year, but I haven't noticed any deterioration in community spirit that time. There are people I get on with and people I don't get on with (just like in "real" life) and I'm sure everyone here feels the same. One thing that does seem to have gone up is the (same word I just used in that other discussion) cliquey-ness of this place. If the wrong thing is said, a whole clique turns it's back. That's the nature of the beast that is virtual life though. Pack nature is emphasized and exaggerated.

I would like to think that you'd be supported in making life decisions. Do you really think that wouldn't happen now?

Tom.
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-27 @ 23:50:58
  If others were around you would get it, but I think you could put up a post now asking for support and be lucky if anyone even read it, sometimes this place is like the Marie Celeste. Two years ago there was always someone around.
  
  I confess I don't find it particularly cliquey, but perhaps that is because I am not into cliqueyness.
  
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  - - SeasideMan ^Pro
    - 2009-01-27 @ 23:58:08
    Maybe there are simply fewer people around, because of the far greater number of places that people now have to spend their time. Whereas once there was just the telly, now there is Facebook and all it's equivalents, youtube, WoW, ... and so on and so on as well as the blogosphere. I think eventually this place will just die a death and when it does we'll all have to go somewhere else. I've been using computer networks since 1982 and I've had to change the places I go lots of times. It's no big deal, you just move on.
    
    And of course, the only reason we do this is because real, non-virtual, community spirit has died.
    
    Tom.
    - - QueeneMab
      - 2009-01-28 @ 00:02:43
      I like to think that real non virtual community spirit is still alive.
      
      I have made some very real acquaintances and friends on blog that I see in the real world from time to time which is nice.
      
      I don't like to think that people only come on here if there is nothing else to do, but that they come on hear because they have something they want to share.
      
      As I have said to Mira, a community only flourishes if people put stuff back in as well as taking stuff out.
      
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      - SeasideMan ^Pro
        
        2009-01-28 @ 00:13:00
        
        Real community spirit exists in the small village I live in now, but it didn't in the towns and cities I lived in before. Large towns and cities are impersonal and it's not uncommon to not even know the names of your neighbours.
        
        The number of people coming here for reasons of true friendship will inevitably go down over time because of the relentless multiplication of different things to do and new places to go. Just like there only used to be 3 telly channels and now there are 3000: the chance of finding someone who watches the same programmes as you decreases as the channels increase. That is the modern world we have created for ourselves.
        
        There are people here who I genuinely like and would love to spend time with in real life, but they are all far, far away and I couldn't afford to visit them.
        
        Tom.
        
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        QueeneMab
        
        2009-01-28 @ 00:17:57
        
        It is a small world though Tom, occasionally people stray into my part of the world for some reason or other or I stray into theirs and we meet up and since I have been blogging I have met up with some blogfriends now 3 or 4 times who live some considerable distance from me. Maybe the same thing will happen in your case.
        
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- kevinwilson ^Pro
- 2009-01-27 @ 23:43:19
as tom said, i'm sure this community is a fair representation of real life, because we are real people.
what we can call cliques are perhaps only what happens when people of similar interests and sense of humour get together.
just as in real life, we all have to just live and blog by our own standards, and try to be tolerant.
i'm sure if we're patient with each other, that sense of community will come back.

xx
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 00:14:42
  Tolerance would certainly help.
  
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- ajnspencer ^Pro
- http://www.devonwallart.co.uk
- 2009-01-27 @ 23:43:25
I know what you mean (well, durr, I'm the daft tired bugger starting all this).

Whether it's the plethora of spam blogs burying real ones, the groups draining som people away or a deeper malaise I'm not sure.

I could probably waffle up a number of reasons but I think I've made enough trouble tonight
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 00:14:13
  You haven't made trouble at all. You made a valid (and thought provoking) point.
  
  Spam is part of it I think, the groups another part but maybe there is a deeper problem, I note some people are complaining about cliqueyness, but I have never noticed any. Perhaps I am just thick.
  
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  - - ajnspencer ^Pro
    - http://www.devonwallart.co.uk
    - 2009-01-28 @ 00:18:04
    I have noticed some at times...
    
    I think part of it is we all seem more careful about stepping outside our friends list and when we do, certainly for me, it seems people are less forward about friends invites, meaning even if you find a good blog, unless you bookmark it or put it on a feed then you lose track.
    
    It means we're often kept inside our friends lists much more than it feels we were back a year or two ago.
    - - QueeneMab
      - 2009-01-28 @ 00:20:10
      Certainly | think we have had a few bloggers who have come here with malintent which has made everyone a little cautious and wary.
      
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      - ajnspencer ^Pro
        
        http://www.devonwallart.co.uk
        
        2009-01-28 @ 00:24:49
        
        Enter into blog with a negative attitude and it can spread, that's my thinking.
        
        I wonder if part of it is we have some people who like to be the dominating one in a debate or group, we didn't seem to have that so much in the old days.
        
        I know after a Lloydy attack all that time ago people would spend a while on eggshells.
        
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        QueeneMab
        
        2009-01-28 @ 07:25:51
        
        I think the "Lloyd" syndrome has been part of the problem and it made a lot of people less trusting and very cautious.
        
        Negativity can be infectious, so can aggression.
        
        I have read a lot of posts about perceived cyber bullying too, it has not happened to me I am glad to say, but it is unpleasant to think it goes on and I am aware that some people have deleted over it in the past.
        
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        ajnspencer ^Pro
        
        http://www.devonwallart.co.uk
        
        2009-01-28 @ 08:29:50
        
        That's why I try to be unfailingly polite unless REALLY provoked.
        
        It's hard sometimes because some bloggers seem designed to just argue and annoy.
        
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        QueeneMab
        
        2009-01-28 @ 19:21:07
        
        I have seen that side of blog too AJ, sometimes there does seem to be a lot of friction these days, although I am not certain that it starts off intentionally, but it seems sometimes people cannot agree to differ.
        
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        ajnspencer ^Pro
        
        http://www.devonwallart.co.uk
        
        2009-01-28 @ 19:49:00
        
        In some cases that comes down to the simple fact some people seem unable to debate in an adult way... Personally I can admit I'm wrong if proven so, it's far too regular an occurrence for me to not accept
        
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        QueeneMab
        
        2009-01-28 @ 19:50:06
        
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- deleted user (Visitor)
- 2009-01-27 @ 23:50:55
blog worlds like the real world i guess

mad

im glad your still here though

*hope shippys feeling better*

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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-27 @ 23:52:46
  He is feeling better.
  
  Glad you are still around too.
  
  Blog world can be harsher than the real world sometimes.
  
  Things that are written can be misconstrued.
  
  Sometimes people are more reluctant to put their feelings into the written word.
  
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- miramaze
- 2009-01-27 @ 23:53:53
Good post , Mab and interesting comments Sometimes it's good to make things explicit: I'm not very good at doing that or summing up , so appreciate when someone else does it.

I miss Meno; she left an huge empty space behind her ; a strong gregarious and hugable lady.

People have also rallied around me when I've need help and support, and they still do.

I think there used to be far more people who blogged because they needed support. Many of them seem to be gone or doing something else.
*yawn *I'm rambling and not making much sense .. time for bed , said Zebedee ....
xx

Glad you are still here ... we get to meet again soon
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-27 @ 23:58:25
  Yes, the comments are interesting.
  
  I miss her too, although I hear from her from time to time.
  
  But she was an enthusiastic blogger and yes she is missed.
  
  I did not come on here looking for support, I did not feel I needed it, but I got it anyway.
  
  A community only flourishes though if people put back into it what they take out.
  
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- AmethystLady ^Pro
- 2009-01-28 @ 00:19:58
But at least here there is a community................Blogger completely lacks in the community department. I have a blog there based for my stitching because I thought people here wouldn't be interested in stitching updates lol.
Multiply sucks and you can't completely control who sees what, where it has that friends of friends of friends thing..........I feel I've made some nice friends here...Iv been lucky and not seen any of the problems that have gone on here.
Hugs, xxxx
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 00:21:03
  That is true and it is good to hear that you have not seen any of the problems. Long may that continue.
  
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- MissyMouse
- 2009-01-28 @ 01:57:48
I love being in this community and I don't know about these cliques or whatever I read about. I just put it down as being a case of people who have met "for real" and are therefore at a different level with their friendships if that makes sense?
I just carry on in my own little way, chatting away, and if anyone comments then that makes my day. If people just pass through, have a read and then go on their way then that's fine too!

I agree perhaps about some of us being stuck in our friends list...it can serve as a comfort blanket I am now going to branch out and invite some new people to come and be my friends

It's late, I'm tired and may be talking complete rubbish
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 07:00:48
  This is not rubbish, I agree that what some people perceive as a clique is possibly due to people being friends in real life either before they joined or becomming real life friends after they have joined and I don't see anything wrong with that either. Real life friendships should not and do not stop you from making other friends and should not blind you to things, however you should have and hopefully do have loyalty to established friends.
  
  Looking outside the friends list is definitely a good thing. I have added a few friends to my list recently, but I continue to be very careful about who I accept because if I blog something friends only it is very personal. Also I like to limit the friends list so I have enough time to read through all their posts and comment and also to be certain that I know who is on there. However just because I do not have someone on my friends list it does not mean I cannot comment on their blog or that I will not answer a comment that they put.
  
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- janeagain ^Pro
- 2009-01-28 @ 04:14:17
I think like all communities this one has struggled with departures but hopefully it will flourish again. I think when it got smaller for a while it was more difficult not to open the blog and see the people you'd rather not interact with. I hope we can keep it revitalized because I've been her now for almost 2 years and it's a home.
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 07:28:45
  I think that is true.
  
  Recently not enough of the people whose posts I enjoy reading have been around or posting and I find it hard to relate to some of the posts that I have read.
  
  I hope we can revitalise it too.
  
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- faffajane ^Pro
- http://faffajane.blog.co.uk/
- 2009-01-28 @ 07:34:49
I'll still be here whatever! We go through blips on here, I blame it on the time of year and whether plus the plethora of spammers we have had lately. Some people are oversensitive, some just boldly put their opinion forward without thinking things through. People are different and if you let them run you off from here, then they have won. I just stand my ground, as I said to my boss the other day, I am a nuisance but in the end I am worth it

I hope it does turn around again, it usually does.

hugs xx
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 19:22:47
  I know what you mean but I have never seen it this bad or seen so many people complaining about it, but I have only been here for 2 and a bit years, but sure what it was like before.
  
  I do hope it will turn around again.
  
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- jackfrost ^Pro
- 2009-01-28 @ 08:06:01
I do think quite a lot of people come to the blog with real problems and they use the blog as a healing journey they can say what they want and never have to face the people in this virtual community, however when they are better from whatever it it is they leave as they enter back into there everyday world and have less time to post and also the blog then reminds them of the bad time...others stay because they like to muse and see other views ..There are many posts i don't agree with but value the opinion and learn all sorts...so many will go, i hope you don't.
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 19:25:51
  I think you can learn a lot from reading others opinions and healthy debate, as long as people respect each other and stay polite, is a good thing.
  
  I am not intending to go, but like many others I am finding I visit here less and less.
  
  The sad thing is at one time if you felt worried about something, lonely or sad you could come on here and find a distraction in the shape of something funny to read or someone to chat with, but if that happens now, sometimes you would be lucky to find any posts at all.
  
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- la_spice
- 2009-01-28 @ 08:15:30
I'm sure it's because the dynamics in blogland are constantly changing and going through transitional phases. Different people use this space for many different reasons and will stay as long as it serves their particular purpose.

Have a good day
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 19:27:15
  I understand your point except that it was always the case to a certain extent, but this dead phase has gone on for ages. I have never known people to be disinterested/unenthusiastic about the Bloscars before.
  
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  - - la_spice
    - 2009-01-28 @ 19:33:57
    There are a lot of people who didn't know what the Bloscars were - that's mainly why I did a couple of postings on the Blogship blog. Only since Paddy threatened to cancel it did people rally round and promote it.
    - - QueeneMab
      - 2009-01-28 @ 19:37:16
      Maybe you are right and that is the explanation, I hope that is the only reason.
      
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      - la_spice
        
        2009-01-28 @ 19:41:51
        
        Even I nearly missed Paddy's posting. I'm not on his friends' list and just happened to see it by chance. On top of this Rampage was away for about 3 weeks or so.
        
        Things should hot up once the nominations are in.
        
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        QueeneMab
        
        2009-01-28 @ 19:51:21
        
        I must confess I am not really that into the Bloscars but I have always voted because other people get so much pleasure out of it. I hope they do hot up because it is just an example of the sort of harmless fun that is needed.
        
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        la_spice
        
        2009-01-28 @ 20:01:10
        
        I agree - I only started the Blogship group to cheer folks up when it went all quiet the last time
        
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        QueeneMab
        
        2009-01-28 @ 20:04:06
        
        It was a good idea and I think it really helped at the time.
        
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        la_spice
        
        2009-01-28 @ 20:08:01
        
        But I'm running out of steam - come back Murphymole!
        
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        QueeneMab
        
        2009-01-28 @ 20:44:28
        
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        kiki2u
        
        http://www.kikita.blog.co.uk
        
        2009-01-31 @ 03:25:48
        
        S0rry drop in Marian and Mab, but just to ask after what i have beem commenting:
        
        -->>>WHO cares about the BLOSCARS??? Me? NO! No way for sure! Like this?
        Not me for sure..the way some guys , some of them so proud of being different on whatever , so proud of be this and or that but than behaving like at the high-school???let'g this blogland since few weeks ago like this???!!!
        Yes, i don't care about it at ALL!
        And i was very happy last year when i saw i was nominated but then HEY: something weird on that..yeah i noticed that are almost always all the same bloggers winning the Bloscars so be it, let who wants be in have fun, CHEERS
        xxxx
        HUGS2U
        Kiki
        
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        QueeneMab
        
        2009-01-31 @ 08:19:41
        
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- Juzzzy
- http://juzzzy.blog.co.uk
- 2009-01-28 @ 10:27:19
Thing is, when I started my blog I didn't start it with the attention of joining a community, although please don't misunderstand what I mean by that - finding and become part of one was and is a pleasant and unexpected bonus.

But it really was and is just that - a bonus. I wanted somewhere to write and hopefully get read. Like everyone else here, though, my blog has also become a bit of a diary, too, largely to have something to post as much as anything else, which no doubt may be occasionally entertaining or interesting is, nonetheless, merely the daily diatribe of a life lived. I went back and looked at my stats history before I wrote this and it's interesting to note the peaks and troughs that occurred over the years.

I certainly get a lot less visitors than I used to, but that's because I deliberately got rid of a lot "friends" and, because of a wider awareness of my blog among business peers and family etc I make a lot more of posts invisible to the wider world, thus not exactly prompting people to come back because there's nothing to see as far as they are concerned.

I do know what you mean - there has been a slight gear change lately. But then we all get older; we all make new friends; we all find new interests. I can remember almost breaking out in a sweat if I wasn't logged on at one stage; now it's something I have to remind myself to do.

I don't know if there's an answer to the malaise, other than that perhaps we all need to have something to write about - and maybe the longer people are members here, the more they run out of things to say. Apart from things I can't forecast, my "best" recollections, which I enjoyed writing and people seemed to enjoy reading, are, I think, behind me.

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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 19:47:27
  I know what you mean about the addiction phase when you first start blogging.
  
  The community thing was a bonus for me too, but then I was a reluctant blogger initially if you recall. The blog experience was, for me anyway, a pleasant surprise.
  
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- rowtheboat
- http://rowtheboat.blog.co.uk/
- 2009-01-28 @ 11:05:33
I think Tom does have a point in that people move on to the next thing, whether that's to another online device or whether it's simply just a different stage in your life where you're focusing on different things. I don't have the enthusiasm for blogging that I used to have; it was all quite a journey of discovery at first, in so many ways - of self-expression, of a new community and realising what these things could bring me that I wasn't expecting but found a lot of value in. These days I have more things that I'm trying to do or discover in my life and myself and blogging is no longer one of the main ways in which I express myself, or seek to find answers.

That said, I do still enjoy it here; I like the people, I appreciate the virtual support that continues to come my way whenever I ask for it and although I don't contribute anywhere near as much as I used to, I hope that I still do my little bit for the community spirit.

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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 19:48:23
  Yes, your contribution is sadly missed.
  
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- sweetymon
- 2009-01-28 @ 11:08:56
I agree, it's a great community and it can make you feel overwhelmed when you have a problem and everyone helps out, in a good way of course. It's lovely x
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 19:49:00
  I am glad to hear that still happens.
  
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- Chyna_Doll
- 2009-01-28 @ 12:59:33
I also believe quite a few of the good bloggers have left now and it's not been quite the same! x
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 19:17:12
  Blogging is a skill and not everyone is good at it. Some of the more entertaining bloggers have either left or are not around so much which is a shame, there is still stuff worth reading, but admittedly it seems harder to find these days.
  
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- xmillyxxx ^Pro
- 2009-01-28 @ 14:37:59
I have only been here a year.. And I've met some great people,some in person.

I have noticed things changing on here recently.. But I still enjoy blogging and could'nt imagine not being here.

Xx
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 19:27:57
  It makes me feel better to read such a positive comment.
  
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  - - xmillyxxx ^Pro
    - 2009-01-28 @ 19:30:12
    This place and the people who make it helped me when i really needed it.. And many continue to do so xx
    - - QueeneMab
      - 2009-01-28 @ 19:37:49
      That is also good to hear.
      
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- EllieGant
- 2009-01-28 @ 16:00:15
It does have a different feel to it than a year ago, but I think the community spirit still exists - a lot of people got involved in blog hat day and it felt a fun and lively place once more. But a lot of the longer-term bloggers clearly aren't blogging so much - life moves on. And as Soy says, because of the sameness of the front page and featured blogs, the place can feel cliquey - or samey perhaps. It is hard to find new bloggers, unless they post every day prolifically and end up with the same friends or find you.

I regularly step outside my friends' list and read other blogs - but I have to confess to being nervous about inviting people who have blogged longer than me. I leave comments and if they reply and in turn seek out my blog, then maybe. If not, I get the message. But though the blog meets have been a wonderful opportunity for people to meet, the idea of going to one now where everyone else has already met, makes me even more reserved about being regarded as an 'intruder' on people's friends' list. Mad, I know, but if you are reserved with people in real life, it's just as hard on here.

I don't know who Lloyd or Lloydy is, but although a couple of fallings-out have sent uncomfortable ripples across the wider blogland, most people treat other people with respect. Maybe the pressures on the outside world, are making people feel less able to cope with negativity on here as well.
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 19:33:20
  Some good points here, especially about the pressures in the outside world.
  
  The strange thing about the front page is that it often seems to feature blogs which have been inactive for some time.
  
  As for blog meetings, I have been to several blog meetings and everyone was very friendly and welcoming, a lot of bloggers are shy in real life. But my preference generally is for smaller gatherings, I find very large groups of people a little overwhelming.
  
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- Lisaakyb
- 2009-01-28 @ 19:57:33
I have read all of the above with real interest as I am a fairly new blogger.

I started blogging in December simply thinking it would be an outlet for my experiments, thoughts and memories about food. I thought my blog would be a simple evaluation tool for me so I could compare good and bad food days and what works and what doesn't. I was incredibly surprised when i got a comment from a stranger - surprised and flattered really.

This increased as I got a flurry of comments, which prompted me to read other peoples blogs and react to them.

I am a shy person and never expected this. All of the many, many comments I have had have been positive - quite often giving suggestions and creative ideas. Some really make me laugh and cheer me up.

Also, when I read other peoples posts I sometimes really do "LOL". I have also sobbed out loud too. Already I cannot imagine blogging. I am having so much fun and feel that I am getting to know people and I wonder what is going on their lives if regulars fail to post. I don't know if others would view these friendships as superficial but they have value to me. I would widen my circle of blogger friends quite happily if I had more time to read some of the amazing, interesting and creative blogs out there xx
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 19:58:48
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- Lisaakyb
- 2009-01-28 @ 19:58:04
I have read all of the above with real interest as I am a fairly new blogger.

I started blogging in December simply thinking it would be an outlet for my experiments, thoughts and memories about food. I thought my blog would be a simple evaluation tool for me so I could compare good and bad food days and what works and what doesn't. I was incredibly surprised when i got a comment from a stranger - surprised and flattered really.

This increased as I got a flurry of comments, which prompted me to read other peoples blogs and react to them.

I am a shy person and never expected this. All of the many, many comments I have had have been positive - quite often giving suggestions and creative ideas. Some really make me laugh and cheer me up.

Also, when I read other peoples posts I sometimes really do "LOL". I have also sobbed out loud too. Already I cannot imagine blogging. I am having so much fun and feel that I am getting to know people and I wonder what is going on their lives if regulars fail to post. I don't know if others would view these friendships as superficial but they have value to me. I would widen my circle of blogger friends quite happily if I had more time to read some of the amazing, interesting and creative blogs out there xx
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- smitty1247
- 2009-01-28 @ 22:14:57
Unfortunately, it only takes a few bad apples to spoil a good thing and think that's what has happened in a lot of cases.
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-28 @ 22:19:17
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- Rampage ^team
- 2009-01-29 @ 08:34:24
This post and all the comments were a very interesting read, both as Rampage the BCUK employee and Rampage the guy who really loves blogging and BCUK. But I do know what you mean, things have been a little different here recently.

The BCUK employee in me will endeavour to fight against spam users (and since that is mostly my job, it was a little neglected while I was away, but I have been catching up ), and I will have a chat about the Featured blogs - they do tend to stagnate.

As for Rampage the blogger, I'm just going to continue blogging in the usual way, simply because I enjoy it more with every post. I firmly believe that it is simply a trough we are going through, and the doom and gloom will pass.
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- - QueeneMab
  - 2009-01-29 @ 20:34:49
  Already this week things seem to have picked up, so hopefully you are right.
  
  I have to say I do not quite understand how the featured blogs work.
  
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  - - Rampage ^team
    - 2009-01-30 @ 11:45:27
    I would be lying if I said I did either.
    
    There's only one guy who does, and it is top secret.
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- kiki2u
- http://www.kikita.blog.co.uk
- 2009-01-31 @ 03:07:08
Hi
That's what i have been saying while commenting on mine or yes on posts about this..you are SO right!
I started my blog in 2005 if i'm not wrong, and yes this BCUK community always was a lovely one..btw as it is so late i didn't read others comments, indeed only sometimes i do it, it's not often doing it...anyway continuing, yes this isn't the lovely community that i always have been always so proud about..and if BCUK doesn't do nothing will lose bloggers for sure.
Well by me i notice since especially few weeks ago that this is a SAD and almsot ANGRY community...that is negative, i don't want to be in a negative stuff! No way! So i'l see, i really hope this stuff doesn't going on and those who are doing it grow up and behave like grown up men!
Yes, this is not the lovely community that used to be!And only since few weeks ago...i'l not say names, they know who they are!
I just don't believe is that BCUK alouds this!
Will cost them a loss of bloggers, already did once and will happen again.I am sure.
It is SAD! Yes it is SO sad!

I'm happy and i move on ignoring those who are doing it as if this turned in a group community than i must say that my friends list is my group community, is this that BCUK wants???
As some PM to others names that he may think should be deleted from their friends lists..ah com'on is this the high-school or what??? They should grow up..are so proud of somethings and others they behave like this, i see Rampie here, well i hope he does something for their sake!
not mine becauee i can always move on and also to another blogland! As this is the only blog i have.
Ah well, lets be happy and ignore all this annoying stuff indeed!
They are loving all this posts, and attention for sure..just are disgracing this Blogland!!
Ok, that's my oppinion just that
Ciao,
have fun and a nice weekend
xxxx
Kiki
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