Why So Many Forums? Debate time.

[MaxSpeer]

I first want to preface this by saying that I take nothing away from the industrious people that start new forums. I realize that they have ambition and want to contribute something to our Community. For that, I thank you.

My question is, Why? Why do we need yet another forum to discuss the same things we discussed on that other forum after we duplicated our true story on yet another forum. Isn't one forum enough?

I understand how we needed some when the TMF didn't have the capacity to show clips, but now we do. We are the New York City of tickling forums. What could other forums possibly offer that is different?

Again, I don't mean any disrespect to those here that have started other forums. I thank you for your efforts. My question is what can we get from your new forum that we don't already have here?

I understand new websites because each person puts their own spin on presentation. But the forum templates are so similar that it's hard to distinguish one from another.

My advice would be to start specialty forums such as entire forums with true stories or fiction stories with various classifications. Perhaps a forum devoted to discussion about celebrities or people in the media.

Okay. I've said what I needed to say. Now I'll open this up for opinion and debate.

Max

 

[amk714]

You make some good points, Max. To me, the TMF is the best tickling forum there is (just my opinion, you understand), and it's the only one I usually visit. But the fact that there are other tickling forums doesn't bother me at all. The only downside I see is that those of us who visit only one site most of the time, like myself, might be missing what's at the other forums. For example, some clips and pics aren't posted here, but at other forums, such as TT. Fortunately, TMF members who also visit other forums are usually kind enough to make posts here that link to those clips and pics. I understand what you're saying though, and I agree with your advice that people who are thinking about starting another tickling forum should specialize in one area so as not to duplicate what's already here. 🙂

 

[Hiryu]

I see your point but, I think in some cases, people who set out to make their own forum do so because they think that they can improve in some way. Others may do it because they want to be the top dog yet they don't realize just what a pain it can be setting all of that up then comes modding and recruiting additional mods. It really is work and it can get really old really fast. I know this much just from modding groups on yahoo. Having that bit of authority to warn people, break up fights and ban is not fun in the least. It's just annoying.

I was going to make an RC forum of my own but, there already so many out there that there's really no point so, maybe I'll use it for something more practical, like local restraunt ratings since I'm such a food fan and am so picky about cleanliness in the work place.

 

[isabeau]

this is the only forum about tickling i visit. i used to visit a few others, but too slow and not enough material to choose from. and some forums never add new stories, which is my favorite part of the forum.

isabeau

 

[venray]

Hmmmm...why so many? Perhaps because people have different views on structure, moderation, and general interaction.....

I agree that we are the "New York City" of the community, but some people prefer "Boston" over New York as a place to visit.

I believe each forum has a little something different to offer to the community as a whole and there is always room for a little more diversity,

Also, with the internet being what it is, it is nice to know there are other places around to go to if one forum "crashes" or is hacked by malcontents or trolls.

It is always better to diversify and not "put all of your eggs in one basket".

All that being said, I would still like to see a bit more interaction between the members of the various forums as we ARE all part of the same community.

Where we post most often should not define who we are or who we "talk" with and get to know a little better.


Ray

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

Everyone has their own preferences and will either go to where those are most closely met or start something of their own. While I think it might make things easier on people at times to at least have fewer forums, I do agree that a variety is good. But, I would like to see more interaction between members than there currently is. Though I post most regularly here, I occassionally visit the other forums just to say hello and see what people are talking about. Why choose the TMF as my main forum to participate in? Overall, I consider it the best one for what I am personally looking for...a good deal of conversation (including non-tk issues) in a well moderated environment and run by people who know what they're doing.

I also agree with the suggestion that forums could choose certain specific topics to focus on. For example, the anime forum, the m/m and f/f forums that are out there provide a certain perspective that would get lost in the shuffle here. Even the mousepad, with it's focus on foot material is a good supplement for those into feet. There are many areas that can be focused upon. My only concern is that people could split off into the "My preferences are better than yours." view that already rears its ugly head at times. But, I don't think there's any way to completely do away with that nonsense.

As Ray rightly points out, we're all members of the same community, no matter which forum(s) we participate in. The main problem I've seen isn't as much in the fact that there are several forums, but in the competition and hostility that is often present and vocalized in some places. I think that's largely a result of trouble-makers pouting about being bounced from here or other forums. But, not entirely.

I think we need to remember that this is an issue that can be both/and rather than either/or. We don't need to be telling people that they aren't welcome in one place because of their involvement elsewhere...as is sometimes the case. We don't need to choose one over another and never go to the others. Everyone will have a favorite place to hang out. That's only natural and to be expected. I would encourage folks to check out other forums just to have the opportunity to meet new people. While I think we have the largest membership here (when you dump off all the extra handles peole use) and that this is overall the best run forum, I don't think we're the only show in town.

(putting on Jack Nicholson voice) "Cant we all just...get along?"

Ann

 

[isabeau]

ahh i can hear jack's voice saying that now in my head. and if only we could get along. God knows i try.

isabeau

 

[Haltickling]

Good points, Max. As an owner of "just another forum", here's my view:

My own forum mostly caters to German tickle fans, but it's open for every other nationality as well. That's why I keep it bi-lingual. The language barrier for German-speaking people often prevents them from going to "New York". 😉

Additionally, most other forums are too Pod-heavy for a GP like me (sorry folks, Kittletown-slang). So I post my own selection of pics and clips which suit my taste better.

And of course it feels good to have your own home, instead of just renting a flat in New York. 😛

 

[milagros317]

Of the time I spend on tickling forums, more than 99% is here at the TMF. But when I complete a new story, I post it on 5 or 6 other ticking forums as well as here. It's nice to know that the other forums are there, and to use them to get a wider readership.

 

[chrisheaven]

Exacly because we are the New York City ,I suspect

 

[drew70]

Hell, I was perfectly happy with AMT until it was all but abandoned.
Tickle Theater is a nice forum but seems to cater to a younger adult audience. The Yahoo Tickling groups are good for a few pictures, but little else.

There used to be downright hostility toward those of us who enjoy f/m tickling, but that seems to be a thing of the past.

I guess I'd have to agree with Max. I have little use for other forums. I spend most of my tickle surfing here or downloading clips from pay sites.

 

[Stevereeno]

I think it is interesting that you (somebody who has a website of his own) start a thread like this. There are numerous reasons why there are so many forums. I also visit tickletheater. Tickletheater has material that the TMF doesn't and vice versa. Personally, I am selective and like to have options. There have been experiences that have caused TMF members to leave and join other forums and vice versa. There are also members who are addicted and really crave attention. Other reasons could be your reasons you had for creating your own website.

 

[Dussicar]

As for me, I personally like the variety. My favourite thing to do is visit each forum in the morning on the weekdays to see what new pics are up. I then go to the clips section and see what's doing in there. once this is accomplished, I log out and move to the next forum(kind of like a locust).

On the weekends, I visit each site and contribute to either the conversations or to post pictures. I like to fan out because with each different forum there are different perceptions. You can get a huge diversity of feedback.

Though TickleTheater is generally considered my "tickling home" I thoroughly like being here because it gives me a chance to contribute in ways that aren't generally possible over there. And vice versa.

Though, I consider myself to be an outsider here, I find you people to be friendly and warm. I generally find this place very open and diverse with a great collection of open minded, friendly and caring individuals(hmmmm. maybe the TMF isn't all that much like New York after all).

 

[isabeau]

yesterday i joined the bdsm library forum. i am fascinated by that lifestyle, also some of the stories are terrific.

isabeau

 

[chrisheaven]

yesterday i joined the bdsm library forum. i am fascinated by that lifestyle, also some of the stories are terrific.

isabeau

could you supply a LINK to that forum, please, Isabeau?
Many thanks,
Chris

 

[isabeau]

could you supply a LINK to that forum, please, Isabeau?
Many thanks,
Chris

sure thing chris.

http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/forums/index.php

good luck with it

isabeau

 

[aun_existe_amor]

I regularly post on UKTF which is a British tickling forum. It's quite small and friendly and that's why I like it. You don't have to be British to join www.tickle-brits.co.uk

 

[Myriads]

Hello folks,

A good question.

As Admin of the TMF, I have always welcomed other forums, and even gave TT a leg up with some links and such when they first started. I've offered Hal's German forum a home in the international section of the TMF when he was having some host issues, and I'd do the same for Jim's UK forum if he wanted to have it folded into our international section. I'm always open to finding ways for others to find a home here within the TMF. Drews photo archive is one such effort, as are the various producer forums, and archives. I like to think that we can offer a home to anyone in the community regardless of if they are a producer, artist, or just an individual looking for media they enjoy. I have always had my eye on creating a community here first, then the rest could follow. I feel that we have been very successful in this. It pleases me to see what the forum has become in what is now moving toward my 6th year of being Tzar.

That said, I full realize that the 'flavor' of the TMF may not be right for some folks. They may not like our style of moderation. They may not like how we lay things out, or whatever. For these folks I'm thrilled that there are other choices out there for them to use and enjoy. While I'd love for us to be every persons favorite place to come for tickling news and discussion, I know we cannot be that. There should always be a number of places to choose from. For a long time TT offered attachments while we did not. It was fantastic that there was a place people could place images and clips when they couldn't here. In turn, our chatroom was always far more active and stable then other sites. People could come here for that. Other sites will always be able to offer things we cannot, by the simple virtue that they ARE different sites, and have different goals then us.

As someone noted, the web can be flukey. If the TMF goes down due to technical issues, then there are other places folks can gather until we come back up. Heck we still have an emergency yahoo! site out there for when the chat room gets one of it's cranky days. Eggs spread about are always better. As stable as we are, (and we have a great record since our last server jump) the forum is still just an electronic dream of a bank of failable equipment. It comforts me that the community that has come to gather here has other options should we have extended issues.

I know that I speak very rarely these days about what the TMF means to me, or where I see it going. I used to do so a lot more in the first year, but slowly I have become more quiet, and perhaps distant as I only occasionly post, or deal with a moderation issue. It's the nature of the job, you often get so busy with day to day running of stuff you forget to enjoy the place you care for. So perhaps a few words about the TMF are in order.

The long term vision for the TMF is for it to be the hub of the tickling community. Stress on the word community. We want to be a place where people can meet, share, interact, and most importantly not feel alone in thier like of tickling, as they may have in the past. We are here to say. "You are not alone." All we add, and all we do, is designed to aid in that goal, or provide ways to finance the site so we can keep doing that. We have been very successful in this, and plan to keep taking steps to continue growing and inovating.

As we continue to grow, we look forward to doing so along with all the brother and sister forums that have come along, and will come along in days yet to come. They are signs of a strong, growing community that seeks diversity and choice. Very healthy things in my eyes.

Thank you all for being part of the TMF.

Myriads

 

[Dave2112]

Having been a Moderator here for several years now, I can echo Myriads statements and insights. I also strongly encourage interaction between forums. There is a unique overall style to the TMF, and as noted, there are some for whom this is not thier cup of tea. There should be places that people can frequent to thier tastes. I think the TMF is perhaps the most widespread because of it's covering of pretty much all the bases. But, there are specifics that come up from time to time when you're dealing with such a large group of people.

As Ann put so eloquently, it should be and/both, and not either/or.

 

[Goodieluver]

I dunno, to use a traveler anaology, a city grows so big, people leave and form their own towns\cities. I mean i know i floated here off the mousepad forum many many many seasons ago, they had tickling content there too and its own thread for it and whatnot.

There are some members who are only members of TMF or of TT and there are some who are members of both. Some of the sites have material not on the others and vice versa. Also, the problem with a large forum like this is, if someone wants to discuss and whatnot, they may feel overwhelmed because of the massive amount of people and may feel closer\better answers from a smaller community. Its like why do there need to be so many fansites\forums for sports and whatnot when its mostly the same people, just somethin that happens and u wanna be a part of. TT is more visual id say with the graphics and videos they host, while here, the main focus and gold is the story section(comparing tickling material)

Max i wanna ask, what lately brought you to have this question? Heh, is there talk of a new tickleforum that i need to bookmark? 🙂

 

[Hiryu]

...and hostility that is often present and vocalized in some places. I think that's largely a result of trouble-makers pouting about being bounced from here or other forums

Guilty as charged! I admit it. I made a remark about another forum not being as good as this one.

We don't need to be telling people that they aren't welcome in one place because of their involvement elsewhere...as is sometimes the case.

My paranoia has been eating at me on this one. I know my bad reputation proceeds me. It's nice to not be ejected from here over my past behavior on other forums. It's good to be given a chance to atleast try to redeem one's self for one's past transgressions. Heck, I would even give someone like liontickler a second chance if he took a vacation, calmed down and returned with apologies. I try to give everyone the benifit of the doubt and extend to them as much tolerance as humanly possible regardless of what they've done in the past. If anyone here feels like an outcast or misunderstood by the majority of the community, you aren't alone. We all have our weird little problems and quirks but, don't run and hide. Stay. Be strong. Be happy about who you are so long as you aren't someone who needs to be locked up for life. 😛