The Bar

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:13 pm

Hello Hana how's things down there....

BoxaRox · Post by **BoxaRox** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:04 pm

Zule! Sinze your bit of self-analytical cheerleading a few pages ago provoked this, its good that i can follow you here to keep me "topical."

Why don't "new folks" join up?

Pick your favorite reason (they all apply) but let me pose one of my own:

There is TOO much baggage! A perfect example is this bar thread. 2500 freakin pages! A sentimental gem, every one. But, unless you were part of those ancient conversations, they are of no more value (or interest) than the surveillance tapes from the corner bar.... AND as much of a barrier to entry. Imagine having to WATCH all those tapes before you could enter. How many new bars would YOU go to?

Granted, no one HAS to read every sordid word from the beginning, but it IS considered proper netiquette. Elsewhere on Eplaya, (and most other boards I've seen) noobs are regularly spanked with "read the fing thread".

The first rule of "social marketing" is that if you want people to join/play, you have to make it EASY to get involved.

Granted, there is value to much of the collected wisdom of Eplaya in general, but the "social" threads are a blatant exception. Some stuff SHOULD be lost/forgotten. Knowing that I will be archived forever frequently keeps me out of a conversation.

Let me propose that the value/appeal of the Burning Man phenomena is in good share due to the "all debts forgotten" / fresh start component. The Eternal archive aspect of EPlaya to some degree runs counter to that.

My suggestion, therefore, is that most if not all of the social threads be purged periodically. Exact duration to be optimized on a case by case basis, but I'm thinking that retention of a week would be reasonable for The Bar. Certainly no more than a month. I mean, be honest, do you EVER read more than or two or three pages back to "catch up" when you haven't been around for awhile?

The PHPBB software (that runs this board) has provision for that (called thread pruning) built in which can be implemented on a thread by thread basis. IE: Posts drop off the thread after they are XX days old. I believe that expired posts can be archived for the benefit of those who keep EVERYTHING, or who enjoy spelunking through trash bins for diamonds. Of course, archiving can always be done manually by those who feel it is important -- and for as long as they feel it is important.

Now, you will all please divide up into two teams: 1. those who feel something must change to encourage new members/participation
and 2. those who feel things are fine as they are.

These teams should then sub-divide into all the common factions that inevitably paralyze nearly every online discussion.

Then something will either happen or it won't.

I'll check back in a week or so to see how things are coming along.

thisisthatwhichis · Post by **thisisthatwhichis** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:15 pm

Ummmmm... Or we could just toast to Fishy comming HOME!!!!!!

More PAGO, please!!!!!!!!

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:28 pm

Letâ€™s do both a toast to fishies return to the states,... Clink*

I do see your point Boxarox and I think your right about nothing changing , but probably not do to conflicts about what to do or not do but more like a group of people sitting around a camp fire staring the flames till it goes out , every one seemingly incapable of getting up and throwing another log on the fire. weâ€™ll just watch e-playa till it goes out.

As far as declaring sides goes, sure I can see dumping most of the 2451 pages into an archive , it would be even cooler if you could access the archive directly from the Bar thread,.. but yeah it is easy to take for granted that every one knows we treat this thread like a slow motion chat room with some history,... I do like the aspect of being able to catch up on people and happenings from days back but I agree years ago should be in an archive a month does seem like plenty of history to have showing on the main active thread.

for me one of the aspects of Burning man and actually burning the man is the object lesson of letting go so the new can be reborn ,.. why not here too

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:00 pm

BoxaRox wrote:Zule! Sinze your bit of self-analytical cheerleading a few pages ago provoked this, its good that i can follow you here to keep me "topical."

Why don't "new folks" join up?

Pick your favorite reason (they all apply) but let me pose one of my own:

There is TOO much baggage! A perfect example is this bar thread. 2500 freakin pages! A sentimental gem, every one. But, unless you were part of those ancient conversations, they are of no more value (or interest) than the surveillance tapes from the corner bar.... AND as much of a barrier to entry. Imagine having to WATCH all those tapes before you could enter. How many new bars would YOU go to?

Granted, no one HAS to read every sordid word from the beginning, but it IS considered proper netiquette. Elsewhere on Eplaya, (and most other boards I've seen) noobs are regularly spanked with "read the fing thread".

The first rule of "social marketing" is that if you want people to join/play, you have to make it EASY to get involved.

Granted, there is value to much of the collected wisdom of Eplaya in general, but the "social" threads are a blatant exception. Some stuff SHOULD be lost/forgotten. Knowing that I will be archived forever frequently keeps me out of a conversation.

Let me propose that the value/appeal of the Burning Man phenomena is in good share due to the "all debts forgotten" / fresh start component. The Eternal archive aspect of EPlaya to some degree runs counter to that.

My suggestion, therefore, is that most if not all of the social threads be purged periodically. Exact duration to be optimized on a case by case basis, but I'm thinking that retention of a week would be reasonable for The Bar. Certainly no more than a month. I mean, be honest, do you EVER read more than or two or three pages back to "catch up" when you haven't been around for awhile?

The PHPBB software (that runs this board) has provision for that (called thread pruning) built in which can be implemented on a thread by thread basis. IE: Posts drop off the thread after they are XX days old. I believe that expired posts can be archived for the benefit of those who keep EVERYTHING, or who enjoy spelunking through trash bins for diamonds. Of course, archiving can always be done manually by those who feel it is important -- and for as long as they feel it is important.

Now, you will all please divide up into two teams: 1. those who feel something must change to encourage new members/participation
and 2. those who feel things are fine as they are.

These teams should then sub-divide into all the common factions that inevitably paralyze nearly every online discussion.

Then something will either happen or it won't.

I'll check back in a week or so to see how things are coming along.

This is all bullshit Mr. rox. Blaming bar what a joke

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:15 pm

Tiptoes behind Mozy and gives him a hard GOOSE!
YOW!!!
Hey, I thought we wanted some excitement around here. Ain't it great about Fishy? She could be in California RIGHT NOW.
What are you drinking?

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:20 pm

What the fuc.... oh hi bin. whisky please.

Fishy? I think thats great.

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:28 pm

Take your pick

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:34 pm

Sandwichman wrote:Mozy, those conversations bring back some memories. It is strange to think how far back in time that was. Two years is really not that much but it feels like it. I need to track down Samtzu. I have not heard from him in a bit. This Sandwich gets a bit worried at times.

While I am here I will take a Blanton's on the rocks.

thanks Sandy. I was thinking about him thats why I posted it.

this thread it like a book that never ends. I love reading it and jumping around in the past I belly laugh all the time. If I want to smile I just read back pages.
I wish it was in hard back. when the thread was broken I started copying every page into a word file so I could print it. But when it was fixedI stopped. I guess I should finish the book before its gone.

one of each please bin.

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:38 pm

Sure, lets make a long night of it.

UNKLOYD · Post by **UNKLOYD** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:38 pm

MozyBonz,speaking for myself, I think Boxarox had a bit of a point.As a dedicated lurker for the past few months I have read a lot of the old eplayas.At the bar I have found that there are a lot of regulars that know so much about each other ,its like a family. Have you ever thought of knocking on a strangers door on thanksgiving and asking if there`s room for one more?
To me thats how the bar feels,not that you wouldn`t make a person feel welcome, but without that welcome matt tossed out once and a while , most of us lurkers probably will continue to peek in the window and say "It looks like theyr'e having fun, I sure wish I knew someone."

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:41 pm

UNKLOYD wrote:MozyBonz,speaking for myself, I think Boxarox had a bit of a point.As a dedicated lurker for the past few months I have read a lot of the old eplayas.At the bar I have found that there are a lot of regulars that know so much about each other ,its like a family. Have you ever thought of knocking on a strangers door on thanksgiving and asking if there`s room for one more?
To me thats how the bar feels,not that you wouldn`t make a person feel welcome, but without that welcome matt tossed out once and a while , most of us lurkers probably will continue to peek in the window and say "It looks like theyr'e having fun, I sure wish I knew someone."

what ever..... how do you think we got to know each other.

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:44 pm

I wouldnâ€™t worry, I donâ€™t think anything will change , there would be to much objection, itâ€™s an established institution . I worry about the board as a whole though, not that it will go away,... though I suppose at some point it might start to seem like a lot of work for no more active members than it has. I worry as some people drift away they wonâ€™t be replaced with new people and it will just wither away, I love the on-line community and the good friends Iâ€™ve made here and the ones I hope to meet in the future,... just donâ€™t want to see the fire go out, yaâ€™know

BigCock · Post by **BigCock** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:45 pm

Well HEY! Glad you're steppin up here UNKOLD. You weren't skeered or nuthin, were ya? Well come on chicken! DRINK!

That's what everyone's got to do. Steppin up the first time is supposed to be a little intimidating, just like at a real bar. Or at least it should be if it's going to get you on your edge.

Easy come easy go.

edit to say
which is exactly what Mozy sed before I could push the enter button.

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:45 pm

Jump right in, Unkloyd. We were all new some time, and some not that long ago, either. Your favorite drink is on the bar.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:49 pm

I'm not worried.

I'm just not in the mood right now.

**slugs back a shot of Whisky**

UNKLOYD · Post by **UNKLOYD** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:51 pm

Bad typer and slow computer ,
A gin and tonic might hit the spot. Thanks.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:52 pm

welcome UNKLOYD what do you drink?

BC man I miss you.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:53 pm

gin and tonic

BigCock · Post by **BigCock** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:54 pm

An uBeR special. Think I'll have one too.

I ain't goin nowhere Moz.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:55 pm

I beat you to the drink Hahahah that never happens.

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:55 pm

You Fink, BigCock! Googled the same image as me. Well, drink up, we have extra.

UNKLOYD · Post by **UNKLOYD** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:56 pm

thanks gentlemen , sometimes they forget the lime.

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:56 pm

hello UNKLOYD, really good to see you here,... and at that I need to head to bed, Gâ€™nite all.

BigCock · Post by **BigCock** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:58 pm

Wait Zu, take one of these GnTs. We're swimmin in em.

Night!

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:58 pm

Zulegoona wrote:hello UNKLOYD, really good to see you here,... and at that I need to head to bed, Gâ€™nite all.

Good night Z. sorry I was pissy tonight.

UNKLOYD · Post by **UNKLOYD** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:00 pm

yes goodnight all . I do believe i will be back though, thank you for the drinks and welcome.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:03 pm

goodnight remember people can get to know you better when you post.

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:05 pm

East coast signing off, too. Good night.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:06 pm

looks around hey where everyone go?

sheeesssee~~~

**Goes for real whiskey**