This is a suck ass site

[TotallyOz]

Why are the guys who run this place such stupid assholes. They tood a perfectly good site and ruined it. Have you noticed how few good posters are on here now. Only fountainhall now posts anything worth reading.

[Guest fountainhall]

Michael I appreciate the reason for your comments, but I do think it is unfair on quite a number who do post regularly. Sadly, though, that number dropped quite drastically since the Board was sold. We know some of the reasons - not least of which is GB's starting his own Board at a time we'd been told gaythailand would jus disappear. This inevitably took a lot of posters away. Sadly, by the time of the announcement that the Board would indeed continue, the damage had been done.

 

The key question - and one that many have been asking for some time and trying to address in various ways - is why new posters are not in evidence, other than one or two who have mostly have had different guises elsewhere? No-one has yet found an answer.

 

Is it because the topics are just plain boring? I don't think so, since many are already to be found on other more active Boards. Are potential posters being put off because this Board has now become a sort of cliquish club - cliquish (in a nice way) only because the number of regular posters is relatively small? Does that put potential posters off?

 

And, let's be quite frank here, has the fact that two posters have dominated many of the threads since the Board was sold had a negative effect? For many months, Beachlover tended to hog the threads, to some posters' intense annoyance. Since then, I have been the 'guilty' party. There are several reasons for this - one being that I have quite a lot of time on my hands; another that of all the Boards that I have seen, I like this one the best! Plain and simple! Personally, I would not like to see it disappear.

 

On some, I dislike the constant bitching between posters who seem to have multiple handles. On others, I dislike one-line put downs in the middle of a reasoned discussion. Yet again, I dislike those who write vociferously that they disagree with what has been developing into a reasoned argument, only then to disappear from the discussion entirely. But to each his own, and it is obviously healthy that different Boards concentrate on different types of content.

 

This Board has a civility, a respect for each poster’s dignity (most times ) and a level of discussion that fits with the message centre policies.

 

But that has not stopped some posters suggesting that it has become too much the 'Fountainhall board'. Some time ago, one from Australia even sent me a PM to suggest that if I posted less, more new posters would appear. Perfectly fair point! So I posted very little for 2 - 3 weeks (rather as I have done in the last couple of weeks when I have been away from Thailand). Perhaps that was not enough time, for I don't recall one new post in that time - even from the Australian.

 

We know from the quite lengthy discussion some months ago that there are two aspects to this Board – the social networking/dating side and the Message Board side. I suspect the former will be the money-making part. I hope, though, that this does not imply no attention by the owners to the Message Board. We know that Scooby intends to make changes – although many of us feel these do seem to be taking a huge amount of time to implement.

 

Michael, as you ran this Board successfully for a number of years – and others – what is your prescription to up posting levels? Does the Board need to go more downmarket with topics featuring more on gay issues, gay sex and so on? We tend to veer more on the Bangkok scene. Should the Board deal with more Pattaya-related topics like the other Boards? Are we developing longish, usually rational discussions instead of leavening these with more information about the more down to earth issues of gay life in Thailand?

[Bob]

Geez, whoever they are (they who "tood" this site), they must love you now. Michael, there's just zero excuse to call the board owners assholes let alone stupid just because you happen to not find almost anything interesting or don't like the number or quantity of posts. Out of curiosity only....with, of course, no obligation by you or anybody to explain anything....what is it you're really trying to say there? Is that your "swan song?" You feel others needed to know how you feel? Having a bad hair day?

 

[Lest somebody takes a message by my not commenting, I'd note that I too enjoy most of Khun Fountainhill posts. To be honest, he occasionally posts something which I have little interest in but that's only a reflection of my narrow brain and not in any way a reflection on him.]

[Guest]

Obviously my reply won't be worth reading....

 

1 Anyone who takes the time to write high quality material such as Fountainhall should be encouraged to post frequently. The small minority who don't like it just don't have to read them.

 

2 The only time I would say anyone is posting too frequently is when making many low quality posts, trying to start an argument, or taking an interesting or informative thread off topic.

 

3 Obviously we lost posters to Gaybuttonthailand. Sawatdee seems to have raised its game too, with just enough moderating to allow banter whilst stopping the worst of the abuse.

 

The question is, what can be done within this site to improve traffic levels?

 

Perhaps one thing we all need to do is be more welcoming to new or reappearing members & also make a few allowances for mildly unconventional writing styles.

 

Also the site header could benefit from a complete freshening up, to make it more attractive to visitors.

 

Since you "tood" the trouble to start the thread, what solution do you propose Michael?

[Guest thaiworthy]

Michael, why so hostile? You seem upset at the new owners. I don't know why, it's not their fault. I like this board the way it is. There are two other boards that have a large readership, GBT and SGT. The first is Pattaya-concentric and that is because there are so many expats living there. I want to live in Bangkok, but needed some advice so I went to the Pattaya City Expats Club, even though I was not planning to move to Pattaya. There is no equivalent in Bangkok. So, i would surmise that GBT is popular because of its growing Pattaya expat population and the ease of which one can assimilate into life there. It's sheer numbers.

 

Next is SGT. I rarely visit that site unless a friend directs me there. I can only tolerate 5 minutes of reading posts before I need to take a valium. It's the worst of people behaving badly. That is the reason some people enjoy it, but I do not. Figuratively speaking, if a virtual Roman Coliseum opened online today, many would rush to it to witness a slaughter or sacrifice of intellects to the wits of one or another.

 

For this site to return to its former glory, some of these necessary evils need to occur, or it needs to be dominated by a large community who have a common home. There needs to be a compelling reason to come here. So far, no luck. Not even my magic wand can fix this one.

 

As for Fountainhall, he is a super trooper here and I wish I had his energy. I enjoy everything he writes. Even when he disagrees with me, he does so politely. I wish more people could be like him in that regard. However, it is not fair to say he is the only worthwhile contributor. He may start a lot of threads, but that is his option. I do post in many of his threads, and if you don't consider them or others' very worthwhile, then frankly it is your failing.

 

I hope you take these posts to heart. I would hate for you to be saying goodbye to us here as one poster suggested. The words you used are terse and unlike anything you've said before. Indeed, if this is your swan song, you will be missed. I do not believe you meant it the way you said it. You are usually quite tolerant. I hope you don't leave. If you did, where would you go instead? I haven't seen you post on GBT. Ting Tong is not your style. Nor is Baht Stop. And you would get torn to shreds on SGT, because you are too well-known and controversial.

 

No, GT is your baby. It would be a shame to see you abandon it.

[KhorTose]

I agree with what everyone has said, except Michael. This really does not sound like him. I too wonder what has happened in his life to bring on this tirade. Fountainhall, keep up the quality posting and I can say the same to Z909, Bob and yes-even thaiworthy . Also, recently added Rhodo and all the drop ins who do come on this board.

[kokopelli]

For me the new management of this forum is a welcome improvement from the past where posters were intimidated by the heavy handed moderating style.

[Dick]

Who are the new owners?

[KhorTose]

For me the new management of this forum is a welcome improvement from the past where posters were intimidated by the heavy handed moderating style.

 

Woops, I forgot to mention KoKo, now I know I am going to hell when I die.

By the way, I agree 100% with your comment.

[Guest fountainhall]

Who are the new owners?

 

If you look back to August 2010, there is a thread titled “GayThailand.com is HERE to STAY ! !” in which the new owners explain very briefly why they bought the site and, in response to a question from GB, what they plan to do with it.

 


We appreciate all the support. I am the new Admin for the website. My boyfriend and I live in the USA and visit Thailand for 6 weeks every summer. Our plan is to retire there in 3-4 years. Most of our time is spent in Chiang Mai and that is where we wish to retire. 

Feel free to send me a Private Message with any questions.

 


I hope you do well. I'm curious. What motivated you to buy this board and web site and what plans do you have for it?


 


We plan to retire to Thailand in a few years and this site will give us something to do when we retire. As long as it doesn't loose money we will be happy with the outcome. We are in this for the long haul. 



 

We hope to make the site more active and advertise more. We will revamp the entire site to make it friendlier for all users.


 

So, clearly they see it is a long term project.

[Guest joseph44]

As with a lot of other forums..........they start, bloom and after some time they die a certain death.

Does it have to do with moderation? I don't think so.

Maybe it's more that every forum does have a certain "fixed" member base, members get connected, start to get to know each other outside the forum and after some time, newbies do not feel comfortable or at home on a forum.

 

Good examples are: teakdoor, pattaya-live, pattaya addicts, and some Dutch forums. Starting up a new forum, based upon dissidents is not the key to success.

[TotallyOz]

Holy Shit. I did not post the above! Someone has broken into my account!

[KhorTose]

I wondered about that as that just did not sound like you. Change your password and send a note to scooby.

[TotallyOz]

I wondered about that as that just did not sound like you. Change your password and send a note to scooby.

 

I have already done both of the above.

[Guest travelerjim]

Thank Heaven! You had us worried Michael...

thought your meds might have tampered with your mind...

some of us have "senior moments"..but you're way too young for that :-)

 

Good to hear you are back with us...

Take goo care!

 

tj

[Dick]

Thanks for the history fountainhall.

 

Holy Shit. I did not post the above! Someone has broken into my account!

 

I'm wondering how good is the security on this site. Inside job?

Would the poster formerly known as Michael please fess up!

[Gaybutton]

I hope all of you realize, and should have realized the moment the post appeared, there is no way Michael submitted that post. It's perfectly obvious to me that somehow someone managed to obtain his password.

 

To me, there are four questions:

 

1. Who got his password?

 

2. How did he get Michael's password?

 

3. Once he had the password, what reason would he have to use it to write that post and do nothing else?

 

4. Why didn't that person change Michael's password so that when the real Michael saw the post, he would be unable to respond?

 

I also don't believe any of the moderators would have or could done this, even if any of them actually had gone off the deep end and conjured up some reason to do it. Even the board owner cannot see people's passwords. All the owner and moderators can see is that series of large black dots that we all see when entering passwords.

 

Michael, is there any possibility that rather than hacking into your account, someone had access to your own computer and used it as a means to log in and post that?

[TotallyOz]

There is no way that anyone would have access to my computer. The only person that has been in my apartment of late is the Japanese boyfriend. He does not play on computers and prefers to surf and shop. And, even is someone had access to my computer, they would not know the dynamics of the board. The person that posted the above did.

 

IMHO, the same thing I told Scooby, is that someone was able to log in as another poster due to the forum software not being updated. That is the reason they updated it yesterday. But, that is only my opinion.

[Bob]

As the regulars now realize it didn't sound like Michael and as Michael has said he didn't make the original post in this thread, wouldn't the correct solution be for a moderator or owner to simply delete the entire thread? Hate to give any airtime to somebody playing a nasty game.

[KhorTose]

No it serves as a reminder to watch our passwords and to check the board now and then to make sure you haven't been hacked.

[Guest]

Ideally, I would have deleted the first post & left the rest of the thread, as the questions on hacking are valid. However technical problems with moderating tools seem to prevent this.

 

As for the hacking, did Michael have a "weak" password? I once remember a golf fanatic having the words "golf" as his password at work, so that got hacked.

As for why the password wasn't changed by the hacker, it's not always obvious how to change passwords on websites.

[ceejay]

Can you edit the first post? Delete the existing text and put an explanatory note in there, perhaps?

[Guest]

Can you edit the first post? Delete the existing text and put an explanatory note in there, perhaps?

No, at present I can't do anything with the first post. Maybe Scooby could.

[Guest travelerjim]

As for the hacking, did Michael have a "weak" password? I once remember a golf fanatic having the words "golf" as his password at work, so that got hacked.

 

z, I think you might be on to something...

 

Michaels password was sex123

a "weak" password, but Michael loves it :-)

 

tj

[Guest]

Michaels password was sex123

That's blown your cover......