Wittering

[Bob Jacobs]

This Forum seems to have been taken over by exiles from the Nick website, whose sole purpose in life seems to be to exchange childish banter here, across as many forum topics as possible. Any chance of confining them to one small corner for wittering?

Yours grumpily trying to keep up...:mad:

Bob

[HarperPR]

I don't think that's very kind, Bob. As I understood it, everyone is free to contribute. I don't necessarily have interest in everything posted on the forum, but I am accepting of others' right to express themselves and feel a part of the 'community'. This is a forum after all. Have a look at some forums out there and I think you'll find this one quite 'mature' in comparison!

[Bob Jacobs]

It wasn't intended to be very kind. It was a cri de coeur! No offence intended but the amount of wibble hitting my radar has become intolerable. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is seriously considering abandoning this forum.

Bob

[pd]

One of the advantages of a forum for communication rather than the "old style" email list that Bob is also a member of, is better mechanisms for controlling what you read and don't read. If Bob is able to identify a collection of people whose postings he doesn't care for much, he can go to the "User CP" and add those people to the ignore list (it's towards the bottom I think). He should then not see those people's posts in the future though of course he'll see replies to those posts from people that are not on the ignore list.

Bob, I haven't tried this properly myself so I'm not 100% sure that this works with the "new posts" icon being not set and so on, but it may be worth a try if you're getting really riled up.

For my part, speaking personally, I have no issue with the content here and don't find it a bother to navigate through it (and I get an email as soon as anyone posts on here!) so I would not want to discourage anybody at all. Indeed, you can be assured that as soon as I do feel inappropriate content appears, I'm on it like a ton of bricks as I believe in firm moderation to maintain a certain quality or tone for the place.

Paul.

[Shane]

i suppose a certain amount of wittering is inevitable when theres so little real RH news to talk about and when its humans talking about nothing in particular... although i havent seen anything really objectionable here. Im just glad i dont have to wade through it to find the emails i want to read anymore! its definitely easier to dip in and out of the threads that interest you on the forum and the rest are quite ignorable.

[critch]

My understanding of a forum is a place to make friends, discuss things and chat. The thing that we all have in common here is that we are Nick and/or Roy fans. Now I've never heard anything by Roy in my life! Is that a problem? I'll get around to it eventually, but as I don't believe in ripping him off and getting illegal copies it'll have to stay like that until some time that I have enough spare cash to go and buy something which I potentially might not like.

Now I met Paula at a gig in Scotland earlier this year. Did the conversation go "Hi", "Hi", "Bye", "Bye"? No. Mainly because we had chatted about loads of stuff online and we were already friends - I think that's great. I can't go down to my local and talk about the lyrics of Treasure Island cause, sadly, no one has a clue about who or what I'm talking about. So I do it here. And the bonus is then, when I go to a gig, I can meet up with like minded people and have a little more to say than a cursory greeting. And yes, we wobble off topic a little bit. I'm sorry, but it happens.

I fail to see the point of this forum if people just stay silent. What are acceptable posts? Would "I saw Nick outside sainsburys with 2 pints of milk and a pack of jelly babies" be acceptable?

[HarperPR]

On seconds thoughts, I am editing this as nothing more than pure wittering...

[critch]

Ahhh yes! But I read it before you edited it! :D

[HarperPR]

You would!

And yes, I have a big problem with your never having heard anything of Roy's and made no attempt to do so! You're a heathen!

And what was Nick doing in Sainsbury's anyway - getting inspiration?

[critch]

And what was Nick doing in Sainsbury's anyway - getting inspiration?

No! Milk and Jelly babies.

[Barry]

Now I've never heard anything by Roy in my life! Is that a problem?

It is for you! You are starving yourself of something very special. Treat yourself and buy Flat Baroque & Berserk for xmas!

[critch]

Sounds like a good plan. About time I did it!

[Bob Jacobs]

OK Paul: thank you. I've added three, who shall remain nameless, to my "Ignore List". This may prove awkward, since occasionally one of them posts something interesting, but it should, hopefully, reduce the chaff on my radar. I accept all the points made by Critch and HarperPR about the usefulness and friendliness of forums. It's just that, if you're not part of the conversation at the time, it quickly becomes dead air - and reading it to ignore it is annoyingly time-consuming. Automated ignoring may be a bit indiscriminate but worth a go. I still think a "wibble" thread for meandering banter may be a good idea though :-)

[SHAUN I]

I don't want to rock the forum boat here , but I do tend to agree with Bob re: wittering, there are plenty of other forums on line to chat bubbles about nothing to anyone who's remotely interested. However I was of the understanding that I'd joined a unique Harper site for dedicated fans who have more than a passing interest, or may have heard a Roy/Nick Harper song round a friends some time last Julember! Anyway I also agree with Linn about the guy who has never heard any of Roys work..what's it all about, maybe someone would like to enlighten me without wittering ;^)
Shaun I

[critch]

Shaun, last time i checked this was a nick and roy forum. Now while i may not be a roy fan, i'm a big fan of nick's so i thought i'd be welcome here. As you obviously can't even be bothered to find my name then maybe i'm wrong and not welcome.
I think it's really sad that a rift seems to have developed between the 2 groups. Since i've not done anything to provoke it but i'm getting the hassle, may be i should leave instead of poor bob who i do sympathise with.

[Kenny_Wisdom]

Please - no one should leave at all!

Enough!

I'm a fan of both Nick and Roy but personally I am as happy to see good honest natured human interaction, gossip and banter as I am to see musings thoughts and doodles on the Harpers.

Just about every forum I've ever contributed gets a " the nature of the posts" criticism sooner or later. Part of the problem with the written word is it remains set, unlike the spoken word which is transient. I am forever telling my colleagues at work to shut up (invariably falling on deaf ears) but it is soon forgotten...something like this can fester for ages.

Oh well, it's all horses for courses, but people should stick around until the final furlong! (Jeez, I should write for Christmas crackers!) :w00t:

[Shane]

i think a poll is the only solution. roy or nick.

[fuzzytnth3]

Not Jammy Dogers and Custard Creams? :)

Dooh this is / was a reply to Critch's much earlier post in this thread I am a fool scuse I for wittering

[scotpaulabear]

If I promise to hum 'Hallucinating Light' to Critch next time I see him, am I welcome to post? :blushing:

[Kenny_Wisdom]

And what was Nick doing in Sainsbury's anyway - getting inspiration?

Ah, I noticed Nick was brand conscious...he had in one hand a bag of King Edwards...and in t'other a four pack of Stella...

He'd gone in for.....


some....


Wait for it......








Tatties and Beer!


Ta dum *ching*!!

[Mia]

I'm afraid I'm another who hasnt really listened to Roy. But I'm also a late convert to Nick's stuff as well! I think thats why this forum is a good idea because you get the chance to find out more about both of them.

[SHAUN I]

I wasn't inferring that anyone should leave, quite the opposite really critch, I just thought Bob had a point about a seperate platform thread for non Harper related topics, then people have the choice to visit it or steer clear. Just as everyone has their right to an opinion, whether it is viewed to some as valid or not it is still their opinion, maybe a referendum on a seperate forum for such topics maybe needed, I don't know maybe pd could be referee! ;^)

Shaun I

[Barry]

I wasn't inferring that anyone should leave, quite the opposite really critch, I just thought Bob had a point about a seperate platform thread for non Harper related topics

There is a platform called "off topic" for this, maybe it shoild be called "wittering"?!!

[pd]

Just got back from an intensive day's consulting for the cancer research institute yesterday where I didn't have time to come here and see what was happening...
There is a platform called "off topic" for this, maybe it shoild be called "wittering"?!!
Exactly.

This is a bit of storm in a teacup ("little cup of tea" - name that track) isn't it?

Do I need to do the "bad cop" act and put on my black overcoat and gloves, turn on the spotlight? You will enjoy yourselves here and you will get on well with each other or there will be trouble!

Frankly I was delighted to get so many new people posting on the forums. We're all on the same side people, and are big and ugly enough (in my case at any rate) to be able to get along just fine. Aren't we?

[critch]

Well I've read everyone views and comments and now I don't have a clue what has just happened.

I'm voting that I'll just forget it all ever happened and get on with wibbling whereever the thread take me - though I promise I'll try to hold it to the "off topic" area if at all possible.

And if anyone is wondering, who isn't from harperspace.co.uk cause they probably already know, I post a lot from my phone, so hence the grammar and stuff is a little bit wrong - HarperPR's excuse too! :biggrin:

Shaun: Ms PR told me you were a good bloke and to be nice so I shall assume that I got the tone of your post wrong and say I'm sorry for being a little harsh in the post.

[SHAUN I]

I think paul has a good point we're all big enough and ugly enough to get on with each other, despite a bit of a storm in a tea cup (come out fighting GS BTW) and life can be a bit of a squabbling affair at times, not everyone shares the same view and it would be very boring in fact if they did. However as grown ups are just silly children most of the time ;^) I'd like to think we can respect each others opinions and views and maybe just compromise on this, and crack on with what we signed up for, Roy and Nick fans alike and in mine and most cases - both..thanks.

Shaun I

[critch]

Shaun I

So is Shaun I like I for the start of a surname like H is for Harper or is it like "first" as in "the madness of King George III?

[Travellerman]

I understand how the entrance of a few new people can alter the 'taste' of what some have grown accustomed to, it's happened on a few forums I have been on for several years, however the 'flavour' usually returns in time as things settle down a little. Mind you how old is this forum? Is it already 'established'? and usually criticism or complaint comes from senior members with several thousand posts too.

There's an "ignore" option here if needed, though personally if I'm not interested in a thread, I find 'not reading it' usually does the trick. ;)

[SHAUN I]

No it's nothing as grand as that critch, when I signed up there was already a Shaun so I used the first letter of my surname, good theory though ;^)

[critch]

No it's nothing as grand as that critch, when I signed up there was already a Shaun so I used the first letter of my surname, good theory though ;^)
:D You should have ridden with it! Gone the whole hog! Sir Shaun I of Weirdshire! Trace the royalty back 6 generations and you could enter jousting tornaments!

All hail Sir Shaun!

[pd]

Mind you how old is this forum? Is it already 'established'?
This forum was set up earlier in 2007, but what you have to realise is that a lot of the initial people here have been, and continue to be, on the email list that I've been running since 1989 or 1990 or thereabouts. So there is rather a long history...

[SHAUN I]

i have a son named Shaun so technically I am Shaun The First I suppose, and according to my other half when i reach for a Harper or Zappa cd I'm Lord Weird, wonder if that counts as royalty? :biggrinjester:

[Travellerman]

This forum was set up earlier in 2007, but what you have to realise is that a lot of the initial people here have been, and continue to be, on the email list that I've been running since 1989 or 1990 or thereabouts. So there is rather a long history...

Understood. Ironically perhaps, I left the list for similar reasons to Bobs comments here. Forums find their own form.

[pd]

Understood. Ironically perhaps, I left the list for similar reasons to Bobs comments here. Forums find their own form.
Actually that's rather heartening. One of my motivations for setting up a new space was to make it more accessible and more welcoming to newcomers. Bob didn't help so much with that one! :leaving:

[Bob Jacobs]

I'm just that grumpy old bloke at the corner of the bar, :( , nursing his half of bitter when all those bright young things flounce in, ordering their alcopops and stick that "pop music" on the jukebox. :rofl: I'll get me coat :)

All I was asking for was a bit less "noise" and more content. Incidentally, I soon found that "ignoring" certain posters didn't work for me. I think I just need to "not read" threads that seem to be going nowhere that interest me.

Bob

[Travellerman]

...when all those bright young things flounce in, ordering their alcopops and stick that "pop music" on the jukebox. :rofl: Bob

Errrr.... you mean Nick? :confused1: :rolleyes: :D

[Bob Jacobs]

Oh no - I don't impugn Nick, just the bright young things that support him (tongue in cheek and ducking as I speak). Incidentally, incessant chatter can be charming, such as yesterday when emanating from my 6 year old granddaughter, but is less so from sundry herberts I know not.

Bob

[Travellerman]

Ah I see, well that's ok then. I'll be sure to avoid those jumpered, bearded, be-spectacled, old farts supping their ale in the corner, discussing their ancien memories of concerts in the '70's, as I flounce in to order my Alco-pop and babble irrelevancies (tongue in cheek, naturally ;) ).

Stephen