I joined this board in 1999. It was a fun board back then with posters that actually had a sense of humor, didn't get their buns in a twit over a naughty joke, and even with Spike minding the store(he was a jerk) we all still managed to have fun.
Ginger, Frieda, Murphy, Kathy, Janice, Leslee and many more were fun people.
No I didn't enjoy Tadpole, for he too was a jerk, and the women that fawned over him and stood up for him when he was at times so totally wrong made me ashamed of my own sex.
He was a drunk, and proved that at a get together in Atlanta.
But I do agree that it was a lot of fun back when , and also understand that those days are over.
Sad but true.
So make out that that what you will.

I think the fun is still here, but a different generation is here. I too remember lots of "healty dicussions" but none seem to get out of hand. But then the conditions in the world were better, and the economy was better also.

Wrong Marie...things got out of hand almost daily back then but Spike put the brakes on it asap.

Jenuwin, why do the fun days at the KT have to be over?

Don't you remember all the parties & dances etc we had?

Donna (^_^)

I don't know what Donna thread you are referring to....but people here post a lot of serious stuff...death, health problems, serious family issues...If people want serious answers, it can't always be fun. That's life.

Depending on my mood, I read what I want. If I only want fun, I'll read the posts that sound like fun, and go to the recipe forum.

I think more often than not people come here for advice and knowledge and support, not just fun.

I've been on this board for about 12 years and I don't really notice a difference in the "fun" level. Everything kind of goes through cycles, and moods can vary. And every now and then someone says something along the lines of "why can't this board be fun like it used to"... nothing changes...

I wasn't here 13 years ago but it sure sounds like you had fun. When I think back 13 years, I was 53, Harry was 66. I remember we had a lot of fun back then before health issues almost consumed us, as happens as we age. Non of us had experienced 9/11, our country was at peace and the economy was booming. Our children grew up, got great jobs and bought homes. That was a pretty great era.

A lot has changed since then and IMHO what is happening around us affects our moods and in a way, how we live.

But, since this is virtual reality after all, I don't know why we can't do those things again. Some of you that have been here a long time need to give the rest of us a start in that direction. I've read about picnics, Friday parties and dances--what made you stop having those? Get the ball rolling and hopefully a good time can be had by all again. Now I'm going to go post what I'm bringing to the picnic on Donna's post!!

Patti - I agree with your view. Not only has a lot changed but I also wonder if as a whole the average age of the posters here has gone up - so naturally we're discussing some of the more serious issues that we're dealing with - health, jobs, children etc.

As for the parties- whenever they were mentioned it was confusing if they were real get togethers or online parties like Donna's post.

As for tadpole - I only know him from his last two visits here and I have to agree with Jenuwin - he was rude and obnoxious. I couldn't understand what the attraction was. But perhaps he too has changed over the years.

Ys it's not as much fun as it used to be.

Oh, there were a few self-rightous ones here then, too, but they went their own way, I guess. Personally, I thought the virtual "parties" rather silly, but would never condemn your right to have them.

Glenda, you are so right in all you posted. It is a shame that a few can ruin things for so many. I have been here for a long time and it has never been like this. I have learned throughout the years that some people are negitive no matter what the subject is.. I see some good people posting less all the time. This is sad...

Susie

I think the "fun" back then was a lot of posters who were quite "funny". Think Marlen, Dottie and Murphy. They could take an ordinary event and turn it into the funniest thing ever! Everyone who posted on the threads went along with the fun. Nobody came in and told us what was wrong or politically incorrect about the post. It was just FUN!

There were problems back then too... but it sure was nice to come here and see what silliness was going on.

this is the only place i'd refer to myself as an oldie LOL but i go back to the start and things have changed but i don't think it's as simple as it's not as fun. i came here after the beer garden closed from the garden party. it was more fun & yes fluff but when you want light hearted this was the place. the beer garden was almost all fun, thou sometimes a lower level ;-) and the garden party was great for discussions, we refined the art of discussion there sometimes there were problems but if everyone is respectful it's cool.

i enjoy our discussions here thou i think lately everyone feels like they have to have their say and that's where it goes downhill. sometimes people don't look at things from all angles before they reply and sometimes people's feelings get hurt and they take it personally when infact it is not a personal attack, that's when things really go awry LOL.

spike did a good job of keeping things in order and the longer he has been away and the more open the internet has become you see more and more changes in the directions of forums. i say this alot but i guess unless you were there you can't relate...but 15+ yrs ago the internet was VERY different period. the only way i can relate it to others is to say imagine you always shop at one local, nice store then that store closes and wal-mart comes in imagine the changes that brings to a community...change is inevitable you can't stop it LOL ~ liz

True, it was a different KT back then. It is a different time now, and it seems there is an anger, or hostility in the air everywhere. There are senseless multiple shootings because someone goes on a rampage. Senseless. Too many people have a chip on their shoulder.

In some way that attitude shows up here at the KT. There are ways to disagree nicely and politely, but too many turn ugly and incite ugliness.

When I got my first PC I I looked around for some of the "boards" as they were referred to then; I was shocked at what I found on some of them, foul language in particular. Then I found GW, and at Garden Party was led here. As I've said before, I came here the day Spike set up the table. I admired him for insisting that HIS rules be followed, like I insist the rules in my home be followed. Some didn't like that, and left to start their own forums. More power to them. If you don't like the heat, stay away from the Kitchen Table.

Some of those cyber trips, parties, outings were fun, and just a way to laugh and enjoy a few minutes of nonsense. Joy's Friday Dance partys had us scouring the web for dance gifs. I still have mine.

I don't post much any more, although I read it all. There is a much younger on average group here now. I'm from another generation, and my opinions and ideals are snickered at very often. Doesn't hurt my feelings, I realize "things have changed." Change doesn't mean better.

Words are like feathers; once thrown out, they can never be gathered back.

Sue

I'm really confused - so the Garden Party and the Beer Garden were 2 other forums? Were they here at GW?

It has changed here. Yes there were always some that were snarky but not the way things are now....at least in my memory.
Things don't always change for the better. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.

Maire Cate, I don't know about the Beer Garden, but the Garden Party is still here. If you go towards the top of the page (in the green area) and click on forums and then click on Garden Forums, you can scroll down and find it.

There are 4 or 5 forums I either belong to or lurk at because they're interesting and this one is the only one I've seen have so much in-fighting and cattiness.

From now on I will just SOB any posts that are controversial, even if I want to speak my piece.

yes maire cate, the garden party is on the gardenweb, it predates the KT by several yrs and the beer garden used to be on the .au forums at gardenweb. it closed just as the KT came around.

i used to spend alot more time on the garden party and KT but now i really just scan the first page or two, read a few posts, occassionally reply, rarely post something myself (maybe twice a yr lol) i always thought i just don't have time but maybe i just spend it elsewhere... i do know i SOB alot, i feel like everyone takes everything in a mean way when it's not meant that way and off a cliff the thread goes... we go thru this phase every once in awhile, thou usually the nastiness is mostly in the winter, lately it dies down then reemerges. obviously it was not all wonderful in the past, since some started their own forums but it's interesting thou how each of us see's the KT past :-) ~ liz

I had been a lurker at the Table since 04 and started posting 2 years ago. I have noticed a big difference from when I first joined GW until now. There seems to be a small group that likes to pounce, pick apart posts and turn them into something ugly. It's not too often I see these posters say anything positive. I find it quite sad.

Oh, BIG time difference. If I wanted a politically correct lecture, and to be harranged by newbies this would be the place. Everyone had a great time before. Now... better watch your step.

What year did the others start the other forums in the past? Why did they do that?

Probably the biggest reason given, was that this was one of the first pay to play forums, and many didn't accept that. A couple foks at least, started their own forums, at that time.

If you haven't posted in an uncensored forum, you don't know how bad a forum can be. I prefer the censorship. Without it, people behave like the bullies you hear about in school. It makes you ashamed of being human. Dogs behave better than some adults when they are hidden behind the internet.

How come, when folks talked about the humour of earlier days ...

... no one referred to the unconventional kind provided by ...

ole joyful (who still produces it, on occasion)

I am so glad you (and your wit) are here Ed. You haven't changed one bit. Thank you. Nanny

Stealing thread to talk about ole joyful.

When I first stumbled onto KT, I think the first post or answer to a post that I read was by ole ED joyful. I have enjoyed his humor, his musings, and advice. When he "stirs things up" as he says that he does sometimes, I do not see him as being mean, hateful or caustic.

I think if we could see him in person his demeanor would be pleasant, funny, and mischevious. Maybe sometime serious.