I can remember when this forum was about guitars and pickups

[Dmoney]

Bone

[Toe-Knee]

Bone

i also use bone but sometimes i also use these

[Philly Q]

Here we go again.....  :|






And no-one's mentioned Dunlop Jazz IIIs (red or black) yet.....

[Frank]

See? Now we're discussing gear again and everyone's happy!

[Dr. Stein]

I've never been as active on these forums as many of you but I've been lurking in one form or another since 2006 (I think, pretty shortly after the forum started up anyway). From my perspective, the place hasn't really changed all that much. It's more lighthearted than it was, definitely, but I don't see that as a bad thing. There's probably more bickering than there used to be but it's also a lot busier than it used to be - it's not felt disproportionate to me.

What there maybe is a lot of is reactionary bickering - people making perfectly innocent remarks and getting snapped at by others who jump to the wrong conclusions. It's almost like it's fashionable to think the forum has gone to the dogs and so everybody is convincing themselves that it has. Maybe that's a sign of our collective old age?

Also, as far as politics and religion go - don't forget that some people just enjoy talking about those things, even if it does get a bit heated sometimes. The exact same thing happens with real life friends in the pub, so why is it a problem on here? You don't have to get involved if it's not for you.

[Frank]

There's probably more bickering than there used to be

NO THERE IS NOT

[Johnny Mac]

I like my picks to be made of ivory or baby Panda femurs.

[Afghan Dave]

Do some people really want to ban off topic in the off topic area?

Really?
I've been trying not to reach this conclusion when reading some past comments but it seems like some do. How would that make things better for anyone?

I hate to throw petrol on this but that attitude seems to epitomise the flavor of many dabates we have in off topic.

Live and let live libertairians vs the "I don't like it so shut it all down, everywhere!" crowd.

I can't believe that off topic discussion that doesn't trespass into gear/guitar areas is so offensive to some.

But then I'm a smoker who smokes taxed fags in the smoking area and a drinker who never gets arrested or goes to A&E in an ambulance... I enjoy off topic with other like minded people and we get along fine even when it get's heated (which is rare).

In essence I'm a nice guy who likes doing things you may not with like minded people!

I'm getting used to everyone thinking they have the right to tell me what to do and how high to jump even when I follow every rule.  :?

[Afghan Dave]

P.S.

If you want to talk about classic 80s/90s hard rock/hair metal music. The guitars and gear used by Whitesnake/Winger/Danger Danger/Kiss etc... let's go!

There I have a lot to offer "ON TOPIC" threads - The truth is not many of those ever appear but when they do I'm here to help.

Till then, I read and hang out in "off topic"...

Not everybody lives for PRS, Relic Fenders, Broootalz or Djent... I like what some call cheese or goofy but I don't complain about others.

[Frank]

Bump to hear Afghan's pick choice

[Afghan Dave]

Wedge

[Philly Q]

It's almost like it's fashionable to think the forum has gone to the dogs and so everybody is convincing themselves that it has. Maybe that's a sign of our collective old age?

I don't know about "fashionable", exactly, but you have a point. 

I think in some of these recent "forum going downhill" threads people have convinced themselves it's all gone wrong but (IMO) there's not much "evidence" to back it up.

I think there have certainly been more "serious" (for want of a better word) discussions recently, maybe a bit less jolly banter than there used to be.

But to be honest, if anything's been in decline it's the Pickups, Tech etc threads rather than anything off-topic.  There are still lots of new threads in those on-topic sections, but not as much input or discussion as there used to be (at least, that's my impression). 

[Philly Q]

P.S.

If you want to talk about classic 80s/90s hard rock/hair metal music. The guitars and gear used by Whitesnake/Winger/Danger Danger/Kiss etc... let's go!

BRING IT ON!

[Shag101]

But to be honest, if anything's been in decline it's the Pickups, Tech etc threads rather than anything off-topic.  There are still lots of new threads in those on-topic sections, but not as much input or discussion as there used to be (at least, that's my impression). 
[/quote]
+1

When I joined mid 2005, i remember every section was bumping.  there were less users, yet more in depth input and analyses regarding gear.  if i asked a question....more times than not my thread was on the 2nd page in a few hours....with a page or two of great answers and suggestions already in it... 

i believe because it was a small group, members felt closer.......just the nature of the beast....bkp took off and now people come on and dont want to stay and join the community, but just want a quick answer and leave.  cant blame them, but i have been much less incline to respond to threads just because....

plus the sounds clips basically helped people so they need not post either...

[Elliot]

That and the responses have all too often become like The Gear Page answers - as in 'what cheap delay is for me, I have limited income and want to get a basic echo' and the answer is 'get a wanko echospunk - not cheap but anything less is just shiteeee'. Those type of answers really put me off this forum.