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Tryphena Absent

11:56 / 24.09.03

Recently a few people have mentioned in passing that they find Policy and Help pretty tedious to wade through or that they understand why others might. Perhaps this tells the world a lot about me but I remember finding the forum absolutely intriguing when I read it for the first time. I enjoy discovering the ins and outs of barbelith and the reasons behind the numerous rules we have. I check Policy at least once a day and far more at the moment. So really I'm just wondering if anyone else has the same attitude as me and actually actively likes reading it or if you really do find it boring?

Ganesh

12:06 / 24.09.03

It's certainly more fun to read than to moderate...

Jub

12:09 / 24.09.03

I like it too, for the same reasons Anna. It can get a bit tedious though sometimes, with a lot of nit picking and the like.

Unencumbered

12:21 / 24.09.03

I find it interesting although I can see that some might not.

Sax

12:32 / 24.09.03

Shouldn't this be in Policy?

Only joking.

No, I find it fascinating. But then again I find lots of nuts and bolts stuff fascinating which others find deathly dull. So probably best not to pay me any heed.

The Strobe

12:33 / 24.09.03

I find it interesting, certainly; I also appreciate it's necessariness - take all the metacritical talking about the board out of the more general talking area. It's interesting anyhow, as the ins and outs of how Barbelith works (both as a piece of software and a community) are interesting. If it wasn't there, everyone WOULD notice its absence.

Also, I'm not sure those who find it "boring" or "tedious" appreciate what it's therefore and the good it does for the board. And, incidentally, folks, you don't need to read everything on the board, you know? It won't make you a less complete person or anything. If you don't want to read Policy, don't! No-one's making you and complaining that it's tedious makes it sound like you had to read it or something.

We're The Great Old Ones Now

12:40 / 24.09.03

I don't usually find the Policy all that interesting. Occasionally something comes up and I get curious, but mostly I read it only when the Conversation, Switchboard, Head Shop, Books, Film&TV, Comics... well, almost all the other fora are having a slow day...

Tryphena Absent

12:41 / 24.09.03

Yes but this isn't really about the necessity of the forum. I mean it's just practical to have it there- this is more about people's attitude towards it? I mean there must be some people who feel negative about it even while admitting it needs to be there. Not that I don't like people saying why they like it.

I think I really love practical theory- my favourite fashion stuff always relates to the most obvious observation wrt what people wear to emphasise gender etc. Policy is like the place where people try to be sensible- I like that.

w1rebaby

12:45 / 24.09.03

I read it, but it's not always that interesting.

There are some interesting suggestions about proposals for changes, but a lot of it is caretaking stuff, which is necessary but boring. There's not that much discussion of the future of Barbelith, certainly not very constructive discussion, and interesting threads about the nature of online communities and communication etc are more likely to turn up in the Head Shop or Laboratory.

I did like the thread about user . not being confused with user ', though.

Tom Coates

13:41 / 24.09.03

It is - in fact - the only part of the board that I read on a daily basis and has been for quite a long time.

Our Lady of The Two Towers

13:53 / 24.09.03

I appreciate it being there, especially when I needed help on blogging matters.

Bear

13:56 / 24.09.03

I use it only to search for the Barbelith rule of Thumb topic so I can remember how to post images. I kinda saw it in the same light as a Windows help file, there if you have a problem...

Goodness Gracious Meme

14:17 / 24.09.03

"It's certainly more fun to read than to moderate... "

Olulabelle

14:32 / 24.09.03

I find it fascinating, even when the threads don't apply to me in the slightest! It's also useful to know what's going on. Plus, I really, really respect the fact that it's all done 'in public' - for example people who aren't moderators can read and comment on what's being discussed within the subject of moderation. It feels honest, open and welcoming to me.

Linus Dunce

15:08 / 24.09.03

I guess it all depends on whether you're the sort of person who reads manuals ... I am, and often find Policy engaging.

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