What's the appeal in being a normal member?

[L]

Notice: This thread isn't meant to start bullcrap or pick at anyone. I just want to know what's so appealing about being a normal member or what was so appealing while you were one. If someone starts something, I'd like this thread to be closed on sight of unnecessary argument.

How can you be satisfied with being a normal member? What is it that motivates you to get on the computer and post on a forum? Is the the hope of being a mod someday that fuels your inspiration? Is it to be the top poster in the entire forum? Is it just for mere discussion? Is it to troll nubs? To bitch at the administration that probably lives more than driving distance from you? To feel like you're appreciated? To get away from reality?

In the past few days I've been wondering about these things... When you can't figure it out yourself, I figure it's probably best to get a firsthand explanation from the particular subject. We've had quite a lot of people come and go... Some of them even come back, even people who previously staffed here even though they claimed to be so sick of this place. Those that have even claimed they despise Darkblade with every fiber of their being. There are even those that have been trolled and flamed into leaving, but still come back around and lurk. Somesay they're done with here unless there's something incredibly appealing to them happening, but shamelessly lie and return anyway. There were even some who were so disgusted with the way staff handled things, but stayed even still.

So even after everything you've seen and gone through... How is being a member the least bit appealing?

 

[Gabranth]

Because there's a fair few friends here and i like to give help to people about ff games etc
Besides why would you want to leave randomly anyway?

I left about 9 months ago for like 1 month but i came back just after January because the place became extremely active

 

[Grimoire Valentine]

Gabranth hit the nail on the head there Derek, it's because it is hugely addictive. There are so many topics that opinionated arseholes like myself can't help but respond to. I have been guilty of getting pissed of at times and yes, had a little drama queen episode and truely intended to leave (it lasted about an hour and a half).

Truth is, it's bloody good fun.

 

[Warbsywoo]

I agree with Grim and Gabranth. This place is just pure addicting. It's one of the reasons why I'll never ever make even one leaving thread as long as this forums stands and leaves; I know I'll be coming back eventually, even as a normal member, even as a member who just lurks and looks around. There's so many things to do, so many friends to see, and so many developments that it's, to be perfectly honest, impossible to keep up even if you've been away for a week.

New members who sign in, quality members who keep posting, and members who come back kinda fuel me too; I always look for new friends out there, as I'm sure most of you do as well.

When I first signed up on this forum, I wasn't fueled by anything. Okay, maybe the RPG for a while, but then after I got to abotu 200 posts I felt I wanted to accomplish something, to be one of the top posters on this site. Eh, I think that's all that's left right now since there's not much else to set your sights on, but the gravity of it is still overwhelming, prompting me to return to this site day after day after day.

 

[Davey Gaga]

This has got to be one of the most interesting threads I've ever had the misfortune to post in xD

Whatever I say here will contribute very highly to what certain folk think of me, but there we go, I'll take the plunge.

I came here at a really early stage from another forum, being invited over by a PM (which we'll come on to later xD) and found that the forum was still in its infant stages. This automatically convinced me to stay, because I hate joining forums when there's anything over 1000 or so members; you just never manage to get noticed very well. That's not to say I was actually after attention; I just like being well-known.

So aye, anyway, I liked it here. I stayed. I became friendly with Darkblade and I was offered a position as Global Moderator around the beginning of October. I was the top-poster to boot. Then, that happened at Christmas, I left ... but, for some reason, I came back. However, at the latter end of the christmas incident, Josh re-offered me my place, thanks to Angelus. I declined and disappeared for ... what, a few months? So then I came back for about a fortnight and remembered Josh's offer, asked him about it (as I noticed the forums I posted in were in rapid decline xD) and, soon after, I was bumped back up to section moderator of the KH and Debate forums. So I stayed for that. Then it all kicked off again around May. I was banned. Then Josh offered to unban us all in an attempt to cool the water. I came back. Here I am xD

I honestly have no clue why I keep coming back. Maybe it's because it was the first forum I was really noticed and, subsequently, the first forum I became attached to (for one reason or another). Maybe it's because I'll always try to reclaim my top spot from Rhea. I don't know; maybe I'm just here to bide some time until something better comes along, but there we go.

 

[Mitsuki]

I agree with Grim and Gabranth. This place is just pure addicting. It's one of the reasons why I'll never ever make even one leaving thread as long as this forum stands and lives; I know I'll be coming back eventually, even as a normal member, even as a member who just lurks and looks around. There's so many things to do, so many friends to see, and so many developments that it's, to be perfectly honest, impossible to keep up even if you've been away for a week.

New members who sign in, quality members who keep posting, and members who come back kinda fuel me too; I always look for new friends out there, as I'm sure most of you do as well.

When I first signed up on this forum, I wasn't fueled by anything. Okay, maybe the RPG for a while, but then after I got to abotu 200 posts I felt I wanted to accomplish something, to be one of the top posters on this site. Eh, I think that's all that's left right now since there's not much else to set your sights on, but the gravity of it is still overwhelming, prompting me to return to this site day after day after day.

Bingo. Like Jerms, I feel the same way. Sure, the RPG Inferno fueled me to post more when I first signed up, but I made sure they weren't just spammy posts. I actually stopped posting for awhile due to the RPG Inferno, but weeks later, I finally started posting again because I noticed that the community has friendly members, great posters and interesting conversations/posts throughout the forums, and I simply wanted to be part of that. I believe it's safe to say that everyone wants to be part of that because we're all here, posting away and chilling out with everyone.

Sure, there's bad moments for people, and some do leave. But I think the fact that they also leave some of their buddies behind is what urges them to come back one day and start posting again. Or maybe they just simply had a change of heart and forget some of the problems they've encountered with people and put it behind them.

Then of course there's the fact that people have had so many posts that it's hard to leave a forum behind just like that. People become attach and treat this as their second "home", which can be a good or bad thing - depends on how you look at it.

I honestly stayed because this is my first forum ever. Before this, I never even knew what a forum was. I met cool people and we've all had our ups and downs, but overall, I simply enjoy being here, regular member or not.

Actually, I'll just go ahead and say that we're all forum addicts.

 

[Lirael]

I've only started posting here recently, but I've been a member of one forum for almost 2 years and the same reasons apply.

It truly is addictive. There are so many topics in which to post, meaning I find a lot to say. There are some topics in which I can truly express myself, too. Questions asked that are never thought of in-person. There are interesting things to find out, too, about games, anime, films etc. I could say more, but I'd be repeating what others have said.

That and I meet people with similar interests. I can't find anyone local who shares my love for Final Fantasy. I've only met 3 or so who know what it is. It's shocking! I, too, am always looking for new friends and people to talk to. I find my online friends have a lot more in common with me than all my friends from here put together.

I'm the most unable to leave the first forum I joined and that's 'cause it feels like home, and some of the people feel like a sort of family. Sadly, though, most of the people I knew well have moved on.

 

[Grimoire Valentine]

Tell me about it Lirael, I was a member of this forum 8 years ago (under the name 'Prince Doza' if anyone else was around).

I never understood the desire to boost posts though, firstly, nobody ever looks at how many posts you have made. Secondly, it looks really bad if you have been a member for a month and made 30,000 posts (not cool).

Back to an earlier point made by Derek, I don't think many people remain members in the hope of being mods. I personally view the desire to be a mod like the desire to be a politician.... if you WANT to be a mod then that should immediately exclude you from ever being one.

 

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

I seriously don't know why I continue to come here. Most people that are worth talking to, I have on MSN, or are at another forum. There is that small handful who aren't though, so I stick around to talk with them.
Then there are a few (and I mean 'few') threads that are worth posting in, and that take my interest.

Really, I can't pick a reason why I post here. I've just been here long enough for it to become routine.
God, that's pretty sad now that I think about it. xD

 

[Rasputin]

None whatsoever, your all doomed to a life of normalicy.

 

[Tetra Master]

interesting threads. interaction with FF fans like me. and also I want to learn more about the language. that's all.

yeah this forum's pretty addicting these days and more active than when I first joined here which is almost a year already..

 

[eisprinz]

In the circles I run in, nobody's really a gamer. So it's nice to be able to discuss things and be a nerd with other people, heh.

 

[Summoner Yuna]

I come here because it's a great place to have a good FF discussion with people that share my interests. I also like the idea of discussing other topics than FF with people from around the world. And this forum is a very friendly place and like Mitsuki said feels like a second home.

 

[Soulcorruptor]

Honestly for me, maybe because it's something to do. I am somewhat mostly an anti-social person. I've always moved around alot so starting over always became an issue for me. Then just coming to a fourm like here gave me an chance to make friends since they had the same intrest. Normally where I was people looked down on me for being a fan of video games and not a jock. so for me it's the fun of being here and able to make friends that have the same intrest, and being myself.

 

[Jehanne]

How can you be satisfied with being a normal member? What is it that motivates you to get on the computer and post on a forum? Is the the hope of being a mod someday that fuels your inspiration? Is it to be the top poster in the entire forum? Is it just for mere discussion? Is it to troll nubs? To bitch at the administration that probably lives more than driving distance from you? To feel like you're appreciated? To get away from reality?

I was a moderator on a very large forum for several months. Being a normal member has such benefits -- but you don't really know until after you have experienced both being part of a site staff and a regular member.

My activity on forums is just to chit chat, really; and get information about upcoming games. I try to be courteous and pleasant.



I wonder what got you all steamed up. I mean, there does seem to be a bit of a tone in your post.

 

[dimmufan]

I first came here because of some girl who PM'ed me in another FF forum. I decided to check it out. At first I didn't like it coz it was a wee bit different than my normal forum. It just seemed like the people here kinda don't care about what you had to say. This forum actually has about twice as many members as the other one, and it kinda has that "bigger city" feel to it. Then I realized that there was an RPG that you could create your very own character once you reach fiddy posts. That is probably the main reason why I keep sticking around these forums. That and I like reading Gabranth's posts.

 

[L]

I wonder what got you all steamed up. I mean, there does seem to be a bit of a tone in your post.

I was pretty annoyed and confused about random crap, so that's a bad combo.

I find hardly any appeal in being a normal member, but I mainly come here to socialize and talk with friends. I guess I was just a wee bit jealous for a bit. I really wanted the experience of moderating a big forum at the moment, but now I just wonder what I'd do if I was modded just like "that". I think I have a good idea, but then everything just goes blank.

But yeah, I think that now I could agree with just about any member in this thread about why they visit this forum.

 

[Jehanne]

I guess I was just a wee bit jealous for a bit. I really wanted the experience of moderating a big forum at the moment, but now I just wonder what I'd do if I was modded just like "that".

Being a moderator is not all it's cut out to be. There are some really good perks, but mostly you have to listen to the sniveling and whining of a bunch of teenagers who are too big for their britches.



But it can be fun when spam is low and everyone's in a good mood.

 

[Dark-Angel]

I like posting because it's addictive and i like talking to people who are ACTUALLY have the same interests as I do...THen there is the few oddities of threads...the strangest one i've come across so far is "when was your first time" by XxX-Sir-Auron-XxX who is now banned. I also secretly hope to be a moderator of this site one day, but i need to earn my wings first. Alos there are some really funny threads and posts and i quite like to find out what people think of my poems and shizz.

 

[Misty]

Simple reason, but this is something that is formed after being a former staff member and a current one at another forum.

You have no chance of being corrupted by power. I've seen and done it myself - lashed out when I have been a staff member, because with the power that you hold, you kinda think that sometimes, what you say is right. I have experienced on other forums, a change in peoples attitudes - they don't rarely speak to regular members ( this happened to me a while ago when someone on a forum became an admin ). There's a lot of pressure on staff members to do right, and sometimes, no matter what you do, you get ignorance thrown back in your face. I've had that with ACF. I have had problems with power - sometimes, I could not deal with it, and I got stressed. Being a normal member means you do not have to deal with such issues.

I know the most of people here who are staffers don't have problems with attitudes towards regular people, there are some people however, that will abuse power.

I'm sure for regular forum members you can think of one example.