Newbie here

[Pete!]

I mean friends in real life

Actually, I've considered some of the people on this forum close friends for over 18 years. I haven't met most of them in "real life". I met most of them on other forums.

With the exception of my wife, and family, I can only think of one or two "real life" friendships that lasted longer.

[DevDream]

I mean friends in real life

Actually, I've considered some of the people on this forum close friends for over 18 years. I haven't met most of them in "real life". I met most of them on other forums.

With the exception of my wife, and family, I can only think of one or two "real life" friendships that lasted longer.

What do you define as a close friend? Do you keep in touch outside the forums? I find it difficult to trust people, so it's unlikely I'd make friends who I'd socialise with outside the forums

[DevDream]

No.  It is a site started by another friend of mine.

aww i'm your new friend?
thanks that's sweet considering i barely know you lol :P

[Corrine]

Forum Administrators are never "random volunteers".

I mean obviously you've contributed for a while, a lot, and shown you have knowledge & expertise, trust is gained - please don't take offence to what I said.

I mean I didn't realise some of the admins are good friends.

I mean friends in real life

Just because we refer to a person as a friend doesn't mean that we socialize in real life, although I have met and/or talked on the phone/exchanged emails with numerous people from the many forums where I participate now or have in the past.  When you spend a lot of time together using various group chat programs and in private forums while helping others, you get to known one another.  That is why we have a dedicated subforum for a half-dozen people we were particularly close to, Forever In Our Hearts, and a topic devoted to a site now closed where many members here at LzD spent over 16 years together.

[DevDream]

Are these group chat programs open to all, or only to squads (as in close friends)?

[DevDream]

Forum Administrators are never "random volunteers".

I mean obviously you've contributed for a while, a lot, and shown you have knowledge & expertise, trust is gained - please don't take offence to what I said.

I mean I didn't realise some of the admins are good friends.

I mean friends in real life

Just because we refer to a person as a friend doesn't mean that we socialize in real life, although I have met and/or talked on the phone/exchanged emails with numerous people from the many forums where I participate now or have in the past.  When you spend a lot of time together using various group chat programs and in private forums while helping others, you get to known one another.  That is why we have a dedicated subforum for a half-dozen people we were particularly close to, Forever In Our Hearts, and a topic devoted to a site now closed where many members here at LzD spent over 16 years together.

When I make a new friend online (like only spoken to someone in an introduction thread,lol) I feel uncomfortable giving off-site contact info. I've never really been able to get to the point of being real friends with someone on a forum. Most of my close friends were made on Facebook and in real life, lol. And please don't say it's weird since a lot of anime fans do it.

The thing is I appreciate people's help online, but I'd find it kinda awkward to chat to someone, unless there's a specific reason to, on help forums like this. I don't understand how people can get so close on forums

[winchester73]

Are these group chat programs open to all, or only to squads (as in close friends)?

Some forums have 'public' chat rooms where anyone can talk to anyone else, but Corrine is referring to the 'private' ones available by invitation only.  Forums similarly have private subforums that only certain member levels have access to.

[DevDream]

Are these group chat programs open to all, or only to squads (as in close friends)?

Some forums have 'public' chat rooms where anyone can talk to anyone else, but Corrine is referring to the 'private' ones available by invitation only.  Forums similarly have private subforums that only certain member levels have access to.

I see, does this forum have private chat rooms that are only available by invitation or that only certain member levels have access to?

[DevDream]

does this forum have a chatroom? I never knew it did

[DevDream]

or private forums

[winchester73]

I see, does this forum have private chat rooms that are only available by invitation or that only certain member levels have access to?

does this forum have a chatroom? I never knew it did

or private forums

We no longer have a chatroom, public or private.  We do, however, have private forums (which, of course, people without knowledge of wouldn't know existed).  Different levels of membership get access to different subforums, based upon special interest, talent, skill sets, or recognition of contributions.  Only administrators have access to ALL areas of the forum.

[DevDream]

If there's a private forum about macs, I request access :P

[winchester73]

If there's a private forum about macs, I request access :P

There isn't, topics along those lines would be in the public view.  A help forum can't really 'help' current or future users if everything is hidden and unavailable for review and discussion by everyone else.

[DevDream]

If there's a private forum about macs, I request access :P

There isn't, topics along those lines would be in the public view.  A help forum can't really 'help' current or future users if everything is hidden and unavailable for review and discussion by everyone else.

Please give an example of a topic in private view? If you don't mind which forums are private? For what purpose?

[Corrine]

Since the forums and their respective discussions are private, it would be highly inappropriate to provide information of that nature.   

This discussion has gone way beyond a welcome/introduction topic.  General discussions belong in the Lounge.  If you need assistance, please post in the appropriate forum. 

Thread locked.