Putting the Fun Back in the Board

Hi folks,

I’d like to offer some thoughts out of concern for this board. I’ve
been reading and posting here almost five years, and it's always
been a fun, silly diversion from the many serious issues in my life
and in the world. Lately, though, I think the flavor of this board has
changed for the worse. Postings have gotten more angry, less
tolerant, and less relevant to celeb hair news. Far more space seems
now to be devoted to personal attacks, forcing the rest of us to sift
through the junk for real news, or just stop reading certain threads
altogether. In short, it’s no fun anymore.

I’m humbly offering some ideas on how we might improve things to
keep this board fun, focused, and enjoyable for everyone. I welcome
all respectful discussion.

- Post thoughtful opinions, not old standards. We know that some
posters always like long hair, some always like short, and some (like
me!) always like curly. So if you're posting your usual “I think she’d
look better with [insert well-known preference]” you can safely
assume we already know. Please post instead those opinions that go
against your particular grain, and tell us why you like what you like.

- Don't forget background info, links and/or pictures whenever
possible, especially if you’re talking about someone relatively
unknown.

- Don’t ask how someone created a particular style, or how and
where you can get it. There are lots of other great forums for
creating styles; this one is for tracking celeb styles.

- Keep the non-hair posting to a minimum. This board is for celebrity
hairstyle tracking. Posts about off-hair topics are irrelevant to most
readers and detract from the celeb hair discussions. If you have
something unrelated to celeb hair to say, please e-mail the poster
you're responding to directly instead of posting.

- Choose your words carefully. Misunderstandings often erupt
because one poster doesn't know the other poster personally, and
can’t hear the tone they intended. That makes it easy for offhand
remarks to be misinterpreted. Others and respond in kind, and things
get heated. It’s a good idea to re-read every post before you send
it, ask yourself if you’re using the clearest wording, and think if
anything might be misinterpreted. If there’s any doubt, rewrite it.

- Spelling and grammar count. I truly don’t mean to insult anyone
here; I recognize everyone has a right to post even if your English
isn’t perfect. Still, the internet is a writer’s medium, and taking the
time to write carefully is the best way to show respect for your
readers, avoid misunderstandings, and ensure your posts are
understood and respected. Quick tips: Use spell-check. Read your
posts out loud to catch mistakes. Check your grammar, phrasing,
spacing, etc. And please write in a dark color using the standard
upper-and-lower case writing style; typing in bright colors, large
type, and/or all caps makes it look like you’re “shouting.” It’s
irritating to your readers and is unlikely to get a positive, respectful
response.

I welcome everyone’s feedback, and hope these guidelines keep the
board positive, welcoming, and fun!

All the best,
Curlyfan

Curlyfan,

While you make some excellent points, I must say that this board seems to have this arguement, long v short, LOL & Wigs For Kids & Great Lengths, every couple of years.  As long as we keep it respectful, I think they should be vetted here every now and then.  To ignore what people think and feel is to first ignore reality and second defeat part of the purpose of this board.

I may get frustrated with the seeming lack of tolerance that both long and short hair folks show at times, but I never take it personally.  When people talk about their preferences, that is just that, their preferences.  It doesn't make them good or bad, right or wrong, it just makes them individuals.

Things would be pretty boring if everyone always agreed about everything else. 

Well said.  Harumph, Harumph, Harumph as the cabinet of William J. LePetomaine said in "Blazing Saddles".

And to ssjockey, I agree the LoL argument and other cycle through from time to time, but I think the larger points can be summed up pretty simply: Think back to the earlier days of the board and how many posts or threads you simply skipped without reading vs. today.  How many times to do you blow right past responses because you know what they are going to be five words into reading them?  That's assuming the post is longer than five words ("She looks great!")

To me the most important sentence in Curlyfan's whole post is "Post thoughtful opinions, not old standards."  Pretty much sums it up for me.

JF

 

hannebash wrote: Hal, shut up! You think every thread looks better with short hair and I'm sick of it! Now Kramer will show up and tell everyone how hot this thread will look with long hair and how this thread was an idiot for getting it's hair cut in the first place!

Hannebash.... not to sharp today huh?  Not eating well?  Lack of sleep?  Maybe you can spend a night at a Holiday Inn soon.  My statement about "short hair" was my admission of guilt followed by my agreement with Curlyfan and then my promise to try and do better.  But you just want to be mean?........ oh yeah.....let me not forget this ->

The problem is that those who prefer long hair in all circomestances will always have a tendency to be down on LOL, on the basis of a natural predisposition. Short hair lovers will be more positive. I still say that LOL should be discussed on the Hair Politics board. The odd reference here is fine, though I believe a whole thread would be inappropriate: that's hair politics! Keep it simple and if you have more to say, go to the hair politics board!

Actually, Curlyfan is very mistaken if he believes there was some golden time in the past when everything was "fun" and there were never any angry posters or postings. Things are pretty well documented over the last year or two, but to see proof beyond this, take a look at the arguments Gord had in the past with various people on this board. Also, Ononotdon. Maybe, Curly missed them, as he doesn't post very often and seems to be absent for long periods of time.

BTW, why on earth should Kramer say he likes short hair if he doesn't? Would hearing this give some kind of vicarious pleasure to the other members here? I don't think so. In fact Curly's "originality" is merely the regurgitation of a point that is often stated here by JF himself--as is the criticism of posts that allow pictures to speak for themselves--the so called "look at her hair" posts (a point not touched upon by Curly). As for good grammar, correct spelling, etc. It's a nice ideal--but I don't think any of us are going to be able to teach Hal to spell correctly! Furthermore, it's best not to be obssessed about this on a hair board. I remember that some time ago, JF criticised a poster on this kind of basis and it turned out that the writer involved was physically disabled.

Finally, to put things in perspective, look at the ratio this thread has of postings to views. A few people are interested in these matters, but clearly most are not.

Edited by fatmoogas

Can't remember Kramer ever saying that he liked a short cut on a woman. Seriously though, the only issue that at present seems to cause major friction on the board is LOL (and very likely Curly was referring to recent posts on this made as a result of the Ann Curry thread). Again, I respectfully suggest that beyond the odd reference, this is not the board on which to have major discussions about LOL.

fatmoogas wrote: Can't remember Kramer ever saying that he liked a short cut on a woman. Seriously though, the only issue that at present seems to cause major friction on the board is LOL (and very likely Curly was referring to recent posts on this made as a result of the Ann Curry thread). Again, I respectfully suggest that beyond the odd reference, this is not the board on which to have major discussions about LOL.

Fatmoogas, the fact that you have never read of Krammer/Gord liking a short hair cut on a woman reinforces the fact you are really just newbee here, dispite your posting record.  That being said you can really only speak to the "post" Fatmoogas era.  Your posting style has change this board more than that of any one person, that I can recall.   Good or bad change.. I'll save taht for another post.

I am surprised the turn this post has taken, I really thought posters would either pass it by with almost no responses or post "Hey, good thoughts Curly".

And lastly, I feed my hair adiction while attempting to keep my day job so I have nither the want or time to spell check my posts.  Yes, I really do spell this bad and type even worse... anyone wishing to correct my spelling, typing and grammar problems, please feel free to do so... I'll not complain. 

humm.. maybe this post needs to be moved too...lol

Hal, it was a joke. But I will agree to the lack of sleep theory, my 3 year old and I are sharing ear infections. Thanks. Holidy Inn? Maybe I'm too old to understand that one

Not quite sure how this thread is giving "fun" to anyone.