Wow Sue.
I have only recently, in the past couple of years joined a message board. This one.

A few of our members have quit the KT to devote their time to FaceBook. I have my thoughts and opinions of FB and for me, it's not what I want.

I much, much prefer to come here. If I have something I need answered, I get broad answers from a large populace from all over. Not just my "friends" on FB.

I love the KT because it is so varied on topic. Anything goes. Having said that, I like the other forums on GW because they are specific, and I feel forums/message boards are needed. They offer a huge amount of information.

You can google, how to do/make/cook/grow/fix something, but the answers are often a jumble and may not be tried and true. Wikapedia is made up of people with their own definitions of the object/person in question.

If something were to happen to this message board/GW I don't know what I'd do, honestly.

At some point I'd love, love to meet you all. It would be the best time, ever.

These message boards have been a source of laughter, gorgeous pictures! Even a gross IMO picture....sorry Susan! heehee. Fantastic recipes, general knowledge birthday wishes and virtual hugs. Anything a person could want.

It would be a sad day indeed if forums were to go away; for me anyway. No doubt.

I love KT and will never leave. I'm not interested at all in Facebook. In the past, I joined MyLife and Classmates, but quit when both got more and more expensive. I can't believe all of GardenWeb is still FREE!

I think we use to pay $15 a year in the old days and it was worth it then and I'd pay it now if I had to. I'll stick with KT Also

I'd guess that free time and age of 'regulars' has something to do with this. Do I recall correctly that most of us posting on KT are over 50 -- many retired, past the career striving and child-rearing too?

I started reading and posting here while recovering from a hip replacement -- then a second one. Now...we're virtual friends!

That was an interesting read; the author described it all so well.

For me, Facebook will never replace the KT or any other message board I visit. FB is useful in it's own way, but sure doesn't produce the closeness/comfort our boards do. :)

I feel the same way I dont like face book. I probably will never quit KT. I love all of the varied topics and the pictures and recipes.

I've been at the KT for more than a decade, and it's home to me. I've laughed and cried with my KT sisters and brothers; learned a great deal; and drawn support during tough times.

I've had the privilege of meeting a number of KTers, and you couldn't find a nicer group of people anywhere.

Thank you for the link. I have always considered the KT my home place....go there first thing in the morning, with my coffee. I do go to an offshoot of the KT, but don't feel as comfortable there as some do. Facebook is fine for its use, but it can never replace this kind of forum. I've used a number of the other forums on Garden Web, as well. What would I have done without Ravencajun and the rest of the Computer Help people? My homemade earthbox plans originated on the Container Gardening forum, etc. etc.

That was a good article thanks for linking it.
I started out many many years ago in the chat rooms, primarily the msn chat rooms, I was one of the admin/moderators for one of the big ones, it was so much fun, chatting and getting to know people. We had several get togethers including one I arranged and people flew in from all over the country to meet and have fun together. After a while those were all sold off and I continued to host one of them for many years. We had become very much like a family, it was sad to see it come to an end. But I am still in touch with many of those people and feel they are an important part of my life.

Forums took the place for many where the chat rooms left off. I was and am currently on many forums most are computer related but not all, KT is about the only one that is a general format forum that I am on. I have been and am admin on some forums still. I hope facebook and the other data mining sites do not pull in all of the people who frequent forums, I don't think that will happen, so many have no desire to be part of facebook. I definitely do not, I will never be on facebook or be involved with it in any way.

I think there is a definite place for forums and the knowledge that is shared and the support that is given. I have seen some big old ugly fights on some and some very tear jerking heartfelt moments, and some very elaborate con jobs. They can cover pretty much every aspect of our lives.

I started with the computer help forums to pay it forward for the great ones that were there to help me when I needed help. It is very rewarding to be able to do something to help someone in need. I truly hope that never ends.

I don't think message boards are disappearing. I'm a member of several very busy message boards, just as busy as they were when I joined them in the mid-1990s.

I'm also on Facebook.

I see message boards and Facebook as two very different things. Facebook is more personal for me, as my family and my real-life friends are there...they know me, where I live, what I do, they knew me when I was growing up...they know me personally.

Message boards like the KT serve a different purpose for me. Message boards are to meet and socialize with people other than family and personal friends. I have met great people on message boards, and I enjoy the variety of people on them for all the reasons posted above. I can't imagine an Internet without message boards.

I would really miss my morning 'read' along with my coffee if it were not here....and all these friends. I have been here since 98 (for sure..perhaps 97)and more recently (5 years maybe) have been able to take you all with me when I travel. It is home in so many ways..the GW, especially the KT.

I have joined other message boards, but the variety and the numbers here...and the ebb and flow of people joining and leaving, keeps a bit of 'freshness' to this board.

Facebook, as others said, is for me all about family members that are young (grands) and old friends that find me or I find them. An interesting voyage of discovery (for both).

One thing for sure; as I have become older and less able to do the 'active' things I used to do for hours at a time, message boards have more than met my needs for interaction and a means of resting between chores, while the TV just sits here all alone. I could give TV up...but not the KT!

I read that link but obviously I was not as impressed as some others seem to be..

The author began her dialogue by stating that she and hubby were trying to conceive, but having little success so she turned to half a dozen different online forums and message boards for advice.

Now I am not the brightest bulb on the tree, but in my humble opinion if she had got her butt out of that computer chair and spent that time getting intimate with her hubby I bet the success rate would have been much better.

Good article, thanks! I like Facebook, but in addition to, not instead of, the KT and other message boards. If I had to choose, I'd take message boards every time.

I don't think they're becoming extinct. The only one I was involved with that closed down did so because of censorship issues. The core followers eventually got disgusted with management, and left. End of message board.

Lazypup, as someone who suffered with infertility for a number of years (in the days before computers), all I can say is I hope you're kidding.

When I first read the article, I thought about the GW forums. Some of them are dwindling; KT actually being one of them.

When I first got on the Internet, I surfed around to see what it was all about. I ran across boards and forums about every topic imaginable, but I was shocked to see the language that was used on many of them. I could not believe such foul words could be allowed!! I despise foul language and was happy to learn there are some places where that is not the case.

I started looking for flower gardening help and fortunately found Garden Web. Then I realized there were so many other forums. I checked several of them out and found that for the most part people were nice and willing to share their knowledge and tips. I stayed with Garden Party until someone there mentioned a new forum...Kitchen Table. I was among the first 4-5 to "join up."

I tried the chat group here at KT, but since I'm not a typist, I couldn't keep up with the conversation so I gave up on that.

So yes, KT is not like it was back when; I guess that is par for the course.

Finding CompHelp has been my PC lifesaver. I go there first each day, to see if there is something new or alerts about the "bad guys," etc.

Facebook is obviously very popular; according to one report 600 million people visit Facebook each month, and half come back every day. No idea the number for Garden Web forums, which are basically garden related.

I am on FB because a niece asked me to join, but I don't really use it much. I can do just as well with email.

Lazypup, I think your remark was unnecessary, added nothing to the discussion, and could be very hurtful to some who have gone through the agony that you can not even imagine. I'm sorry you felt it necessary to say that.

Sue

Sue, I agree with your comment to lazypup. You were much kinder than the stuff trying to come from my fingers.

I prefer coming here even though I'm on FB. I've been coming here for years and only joined FB as it was the only way I could get some pics of an event I attended.

I find the folks here (with some exceptions at times) to be very compassionate and understanding. Also have received some very useful information on subjects that I couldn't find anywhere else.

I have been coming here for over ten years and love it .I find the people very friendly on all the forums except the "pet"forum.If you say one thing they don't agree on you better be ready for the animal cops.The time and money I have save with the rest of the forumes I would gladly pay like we used to pay.keep up the good work.

I love this place ... can'tcha tell??

Hi goldy,

Yeah - with some folks, it's "My way ... or the highway!", isn't it?

Not much, "Live ... and let live", with them.

o j

Thread klller ... again ... it looks like!

o j