Henry seems to feel that the forum tends to be something like a restricted area for a handful of people knowing each other (this apparently due to the joking between us) and I would be sorry if this is the impression we give newcomers. But I honestly don't feel that we (intended as the frequent flyers here) are giving this impression to other people just joining. Actually, I think everybody is given a warm welcome when they approach the forum. Still, I'd like a forum which I read every day to be cozy and friendly, I like the ping-pong'ing between us, even if it's sometimes (ehrm, most of the times) not very serious. The problem, of course, is that sometimes we get SO totally off track considering the title of the topic that some might find it frustrating.
Two solutions to avoid it: Forcing everybody to be deadly serious, no humour, no joking allowed, strictly business. If the topic is f.inst. "Anogia", heavy fines for whomever dare to speak about the war. Don't mention the war!!! Oops, had a sequence of Faulty Towers in my head! Erase, erase.
Second solution would be to create a 'corner' - separate under-forum in 'General' - allowing free speach, silly replies, racing off the track from the topic title, whatever makes you feel comfortable. Such a 'Speakers Corner' might initially have the full attention only of the frequent users, the little handfull, the dirty dozin, the not so serious members of this site. But eventually others might want to join, when they discover that we actually like newcomers with a load of humour....
Personally, I think the very friendly and humorous tone in most of our posts is the convincing factor for newcomers to join us. Apart from Wim being a little 'touchy' at times (
) I think most of us are quite friendly and love to help whomever is joining this site to get information. They will surely get the information they want, and in addition, maybe also a few humorous remarks and off-track considerations.... So what?What does our Lord and Master (i.e. Yannis) think about it?
