I expected to get information more rewarding Hobbying.
Instead, and this is the first and only discussion board in which I have ever been motivated to participate, I have found a comfort zone to discuss virtually anything with people I relate to more than anywhere else.
The TER board provides a nice forum for expressing ones opinions, preferences, and etc. Also has been a good source to find othe like minded hobbyist and providers that provide useful information to questions and ISO request.
The discussion boards help flesh out (bad pun) the people that I see mentioned in the reviews. I can get a better perspective on what the reviewer is like, his opinion and dislikes. The ladies that post are the most interesting and I am much more likely to see a female poster than any other provider out there.
I am fascinated by the fact that the Boards are a virtual community. I see this as my introduction to new, evolving forms of social interaction.
I think the anonymity is a major positive factor, though I would like it better if Board posters only used one alias. I think the use of only single aliases would enhance the community value. I believe that those of us who limit ourselves to one alias have a little more reason to be responsible posters, even though we are still anonymous.
Obviously, the fact that we all have a common interest is what creates and sustains the community. But I like that there are "off-topic" threads. I like the idea that I can participate in some threads, read others without participating, and not read still others. Although the major value of the Boards for me is the "community" value, I appreciate that I have learned a lot about the hobby and "late-breaking news" from the Boards.
I spend a lot less time on the National Board than on my local LA Board because I find the LA Board to be more of a natural community. I believe that is because the National Board represents so many diverse people, places and attitudes that it doesn't gel as well as a regional Board can. Again, I like that there is a group of frequent posters on the LA Board who I recognize and kind of get to understand, as long as they only use a single alias.
And I can't finish without saying that I was surprised and pleased to find so many posters who are obviously intelligent, deep thinkers. That hooked me at first and has kept me interested. That, and I also enjoy the humor on the Boards. It's cool to find myself reading a post and laughing out loud.
I to was rather amused by the intelectual level one finds here. Also I find the topics and interest level a little more to my liking on the general than on the LA local boards. But, the LA local boards are much more intertaining than the Tampa Boards where I find mostly provider troling. So the regional issue is quite variable, I find.
I have done some hobbying in the Tampa area and wanted some local discussion regarding the TBD situation when it was unfolding. I got more information on the general and LA than on the Tampa boards. And in the days since the TBD fall I've looked with relative amazement at the rather open advertizing by providers (presumably) on the Tampa boards. With what I know about the region, the heat is still on. But that's another topic.
As for aliases, I agree with the sence of personality formation one gets after time goes by. But I'm interested in posting from time to time using personal experiences on topics which I am just a little uncomfortable associating with my existing hobby personna. I know some of my lady friends read these and there are things is would just as soon they not connect with the me that they know.
....each of the views you expressed, but most particularly regarding the single alias for posting. I find if I already have an impression of a poster based on the posting history, I feel I can better understand whatever they've said.
I've been lurking in TER for about a week now trying to get the lay of the land (pun intended) and I couldnt agree more. If theres one thing thats obvious about this "hobby" is that there are many intelligent, progressive and apparently level headed people involved.
To add regarding the original question, it seems like the general board has a much wider range of acceptable topics whereas the regional ones (atleast the Chicago board) is mostly provider updates.
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