Or has the chatroom become a very bizarre place, where a few mean-spirited people have begun to migrate to harrass and iritate those of us who merely come to have fun, and talk with like-minded people? Don't get me wrong, not suggesting that any of us are "Angels" (with the exception of a few of the ladies , but there seems to be one or two, that find it a daily ritual to come in the room with the expressed mission to insult, degrade, and say anything to create negative energy. I've always found it quite amusing the length some of these characters will go to muster up courage to be obnoxious. Thank goodness for the good ole ignore button, but sure seems ashamed that we have to resort to using it. Not sure if these are kids or just adults acting like children, either way, it's extremely immature, and has gotten old in a hurry. Perhaps Staff will come in under an alias and observe so they can begin to ban some of these idiots. However, I recognize as long as there are computers, one can always go to a different originating source. Once again, just my two cents worth, and that's probably about all it's worth .

I don't even remember most of last night. I keep telling myself "no more drinking and typing", but I keep doing it anyway.

-- Modified on 6/5/2005 7:05:14 AM

Thats what keeps getting me in trouble. Got me in deep doo-doo in another place.  

Chat has been somewhat less than a friendly place for a long while with a reigning Bitch Queen holding court over a few lackeys trained to humor and placate her ad-nauseam. It did not take many F U's or eat sh*ts for me to look elsewhere for IM entertainment. I know the Queen still holds court over there. I can only imagine what the place is like with even more Praetorians to contend with.

 FR.

-- Modified on 6/5/2005 7:48:45 AM

You're right, and here's the solution.....3...2...1...Poof*wink*, the infamous IBP.

Eloquent and very pointed FR. You are right on the "Bitch Queen" (s) money my friend. It's hard not to jump in to have the fun you refer to, however it has gotten more and more difficult to remain light hearted and spread the spirit around.

Not being one of those long-term chat persons, I don't have the perspective to know for sure if it's worse not or not.  From day 1 in chat, that's pretty much what I saw and after a while, started using the ignore button frequently.

I will say this:  I've known some people I like from chat who have told me they've stopped coming in, coming in less frequently or just aren't as active when they do.  I find myself in a similar position and I presume it's only a matter of time before I'm done with it myself.

As far as I understand, TER has no official chat policies.  It may be helpful if TER does have policies or believe it's warranted to develop some, to have those policies posted in the intro to chat page (which I know well, as some people have told me repeatedly to read it as proof that female hobbyists don't belong in chat).  But as one guy put it recently, "I still don't think you belong there, GDC, but you're OK and you won't leave so I guess we have to put up with you."  I mention this in case any women who aren't providers decide to visit chat: be forwarned it IS a boy's club and conduct yourself accordingly.

Now, I did see staff in chat not too long ago for the entire day.  It seemed the usual suspects were on good behavior that day and nothing happened.  Maybe you're right Shaft, that staff coming in under an alias would help, if it doesn't violate some kind of internal policy for disclosure.

-- Modified on 6/5/2005 5:15:41 PM

being a fairly long term chat roomie, i can honestly say that it doesn't seem any worse to me.  of course, there's a few people who come in who i ignore automatically as soon as i recognize them, but that's been the case as long as i've been coming to the chat

the only time it gets really bad is when someone decides not to use the ignore button and rises to the trollbait.

DON'T FEED THE TROLLS!

Humor was alive and well and there were many witty people that came in there.  People like the legendary SkyBlueEyes and many, many others made chat a special place to be.  Being an old time chatter, I have noticed the difference and for the past few months have elected not to spend my entertainment time in there.  

Chat was a place to meet interesting people and a great place to "screen" the ladies, to see if I would enjoy their company or not.  Many of my hobby friends were from chat and some of the guys and gals have even become my "real life" friends.  I hope it can someday go back to being the light-hearted place it used to be... sort of like a bar where someone like "Norm!!" is accepted.  Where people know your name...

as opposed to the "Star Wars" bar variety of late...

Cheers!

Many making a mochary of the oldest profession in the world..

I wonder if Rahab had a chat room back in the  days. HA.

Don't sweat the small stuff. If you see someone you want to talk to invite them to a private room, or sign them up under your Yahoo Messenger acct. Many people sign into chat to show that they are online and then chat elsewhere, by an invited list only. There is a short list of prblem childs that frequent chat, and it is just best to put them on ignore, because there are many other good people who frequent there.

Shaft-

I used to participate in chat regularly.  But at that time, chat mostly resided in the LA room.  Which meant you had to pay money to enter.

Now-a-days, chat seems to be in Lounge, which is free.  So I think having it in Lounge makes it more  susceptible for mean spiritedness and harassments.

ALso, the group dynamics have changed.  It's like our class of 2003 has graduated and moved on.  And there's a new group of kids on the block now.

Those that are consistantly there (the dude with the pink truck for example... or is it purple Sham?) are the students that graduate then decided to come back to teach.

I often feel out of place in chat.  So, it's not just you Shaft.

We always have that other place to socialize.

Word.

SnR

Hi Von Ryan,

Props to you for the link to the wav's. They're too funny!!!! Just tell me where to send  the royalty checks!!!! ;o)

I rarely drop into chat, but I noticed a while back that it had moved from the LA room to the Lounge.  Only VIP members can enter the chat rooms, EXCEPT for the Lounge (I'm not sure about the TS room), so troublemakers and disgruntled providers and hobbyists are free to enter the Lounge.

I do not want to sound elitist.  I'm just making an observation.

-- Modified on 6/5/2005 7:22:54 PM

'The G.O.A.T Says' (alias), and cocoapuck (TER
handle who has many chat aliases also),  come
into chat and insult providers and non-providers
alike.

Too much drama is never good, but when it occurs
people usually air it out and move on.  These two
hurl insults for hours on end for no apparent
reason and the drama never ends.  When either one
is in chat it is not a fun place to be.


-- Modified on 6/5/2005 7:36:30 PM

I have only been in the lounge a few times.  However, the LA room was a lot fun a few years ago.  I think most of the old regulars have moved on.

if maybe like on some other chat systems that there be moderators whom can ban someone whom is being offensive. I am sure that between the board moderators and staff that they could locate members whom are vocal on boards and enjoy chat with good reputations and track record. People whom when they post it is something informative, funny, relevant, or just plain off topic but never ment to hurt others. Then just ask them if they would be willing to be moderators when they happen to be in chat. I also think in this type instance it should include providers and hobbiests for there are plenty of both groups that are good people and would not abuse the power of the boot per se.

just as much as anyone else whom is interested or a participant in the hobby. I know the few times we have chatted there you have come off as inteligent, thoughtful and able to contribute a lot to the conversation.

I mean seriously. This isn't grade school. Let's all just have fun with those we like and let the rest of it just roll right off.

I agree. Get a life and don't take anything in chat so personally. I have found the GOAT's tips on how to score with strippers extraordinarily helpful.

Share those strippers, tho, will ya?

Very kind words, femaleartist.  Since I'm still around, you can tell I don't take the criticism too seriously.  I still have fun often enough I like to visit.  Once it stops being fun, then I'm out.  I imagine that's been true for others.  Hopefully some are just on hiatus and not permanently gone.  Hard to say for sure.

One of the sensible ones, too!

...the seduction can begin in earnest.

Being a life-long failure, I've discovered the simplest way to ensure success is by not trying to do anything that's too difficult. So if you'll just utter a single "Lex, I want you", we'll call this seduction a success and move right along.

-- Modified on 6/7/2005 4:12:12 PM

Feel better now? I guess we'll be moving along... So, you want top or bottom?

I know it's two days later, I just found this thread and Avalon is spot on right about it all -- just chat and exchange opinions and if there are people who lead sour lives who feel the need to try to disrupt an otherwise positive experience ignore them.  I think people in chat who allow themselves to be suckered into a dialogue with the negativists are basically validating them.  Shine on through and they'll go away eventually.  They thrive on attention, so ...