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Old 09-28-2000, 07:52 AM   #1
The Barrow-Wight
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Ring Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

I thought I'd take some time to talk about Tolkien web pages and discussion boards.

Over the last year, and especially in the last couple months, I've noticed that the number of Tolkien web pages and discussion boards has been growing. As the fan base grows, the number of resources on the web naturally expands also. But lately I've been seeing a trend in discussion boards, EZboards specifically, that I find somewhat disturbing.

Tolkien fans are spreading out rather than congregating.

Everyone is starting a Tolkien board.

The problem I see with this is, of course, from the perspective of the Barrow-Downs (though it applies everywhere). This is not a complaint, just a concern.

Productive, interesting board members, for whatever reason, decide that an EZboard might be fun to run (they are!) and, being Tolkien fans, they naturally open a board about their favorite author. They put a lot of effort into it and work hard to make it interesting. But usually they are soon disappointed when they fail to drive a decent amount of traffic to the board. Within months, most of these boards fail.

Nothing wrong with any of this. The Barrow-Downs started out slow, too. It's taken over four months to get to 122 registered members and 5000+ posts. But the Barrow-Downs also started out with a relatively popular web site (www.barrowdowns.com) so it was easy for me to get the word out about the board.

The problem I am seeing is that each new board that starts up takes away one or more good members from the Downs. Perhaps it doesn't make them leave altogher, but an admin will want to put his/her best material their own board, to the Downs misses out on their input. And when I say the Downs i don't mean me (The Barrow-Wight). I mean the 122 members of the Downs. Everyone loses a little.

Now, some people like to go around to different boards - seeing what's going on at each one. And some people don't like the Downs. Perhaps it is to academic or serious. But that's where the problem (as I see it) can be solved and the Tolkien fans can come back together.

If you (and this is addressed to everyone, not just Jes) want to run an EZboard for the fun of running a board, cool! But if you are opening a new board because you find something lacking at the Downs, speak up. Suggestions are welcome. Don't spread yourself (and Tolkien fans) thin. Let's build the Down's to be a bigger, better place.

As I said at the beginning of this post, I'm seeing this from the perspective of the admin of The Barrow-Downs. But I'm also seeing it as Tolkien fan. I feel that this board is a great one, but could always be better. I also feel that the members here are some of the best spoken and best mannered on the net. That's what make the place great. It my favorite board because of that (not because it's run by me).

Please tell me your thoughts on this subject....

I also posted this in THE BARROW-DOWNS forum ....

Thanks


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Old 09-28-2000, 08:33 AM   #2
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Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

I've noticed the trend also. I started posting on Tolkien Boards about 2 years ago when there were perhaps two or three decent options available. Now, there are dozens of boards (MM says there are about 200).

I settled in here because I like the tone, the format and the people who post at the Downs. I still lurk at several boards but rarely post unless there's a topic of great interest. The reason that I've abandoned some other boards is: that they were too combative and intolerent of other's views; that they were too unfocused, light or &quot;unserious&quot;; or too clannish. The Downs fits my personality and has the right mix of seriousness and fun, older and young posters, and types of boards. People choose (or create) their boards to fit their own personalities. Some get bored, others just want to chat or trade puns (you could set up a Tolkien Pun board for the fun of it). There's not much you can do if someone is more comfortable with another format.

What you could do is select several people who started out posting frequently then disappeared or who post infrequently but steadily and e-mail them. Invite them back, tell them whats new, solicit suggestions, ask why they stopped posting and how to make things better. I can think of four or five people from the first category if you want help.

At bottom, people will do what they want. The Downs can't be everything for everybody and is successful as things are (I think). Spur of the moment boards will wind down and fold and some people will come back. Ask around like I suggested above, but be patient. Maybe try to get linked on some of the better sites or get reviewed somehow. Don't worry, the Downs Rules! <img src=roll.gif ALT=":rollin">

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Old 09-28-2000, 09:51 AM   #3
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Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

I agree totally! It took me a couple weeks of wandering around the web to find a message board I liked, and this is it! I'm only a new-comer to this board but I already feel very welcome to voice opinions and ideas here. The tone of the board is very friendly and a welcome refresher from flame-war boards that are all to common.
I certainly agree that Tolkien fans need to bond together to create stronger web sites that are devoted to Tolkien.
Bravo to the Barrow-Downs for being one of the best!!

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Old 09-28-2000, 10:23 AM   #4
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Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

First of all, I just want to say that I love Barrow Downs. I had wandered around from site to site, including 25 Hobbits, Entmoot, The Old Forest, The White Council, Bag End...and so on and so forth. When I found Barrow Downs, I stopped wandering. I don't really know exactly what it is about it, except that there are a lot of people here and there are a handful of them that post on a daily basis, but I liked it.

So, yes...I started a discussion board...I guess without to much thought. I just kinda noticed that I had the option and went for it. I don't plan on really following through (though my brother wants us to actually make an Amon Hen site, which may or may not happen), but just thought it would be fun.

The LAST thing I want to do is take away from any kind of activity at Barrow Downs (not that I am so bold to think that would happen, anyway). I mean, I consider Barrow Downs my home on the net (it's actually my home page) and I almost get frustrated sitting around at work, waiting for people to respond to something or to answer a quote (which, btw, hasn't been touched for 3 days). And that is not to say anything, except that I really enjoy my time here and can't really get enough.

Also, there is nothing I would change about Barrow Downs, I think it is awesome the way it is! I most definately made Amon Hen just for the fun of running a board, not because I think I can do better. NOT BY A LONG RUN!! So, Ron, I understand your concern and share it. One thing I did not want to do was contribute to it. I also think that we Tolkien fans should be more congregated than spread out.

So, with that said, on to a lighter note. I don't know if this can be done, but I just thought of something that at least I think would be cool. You know of all the different fonts out there for Dwarf runes, Cirth, and Tengwar. Is there anyway to write in a different font in a post? Using HTML maybe? And if you did, would someone else who doesn't have the font be able to read it? I think it would be cool to have a section where people try their hand at typing and reading the different runes. Granted, most of it's not too hard, but it would be fun. This might not even be a possibility, but it would be SWEET if possible. The study of all the assorted types of runes has been one of the most enjoyable things for me while reading Tolkien. Just a thought.

Okay, this has gotten way too long, I should get like 5 posts just for this ONE. Anyway, sorry about the whole discussion board thing and I know you weren't talking to just me. And you can count on me being at Barrow Downs far beyond reaching that 500 post mark!

Jes

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Old 09-28-2000, 03:05 PM   #5
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Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

It is a bit of a problem. We (and by &quot;we&quot; I mean &quot;you people&quot are spreading ourselves (yourselves) too thin. To help combat this problem I hereby vow that I will not create a Tolkien themed EZboard, and to post nearly exlusively at the Downs. (Yeah, I was doing that already, so sue me.)

What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?</p>
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Old 10-04-2000, 09:47 PM   #6
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Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

There's other Tolkien boards on the net?.....

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Old 10-05-2000, 04:25 AM   #7
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Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

You are a fine hobbit, Mr. Underhill!! <img src=biggrin.gif ALT="">

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Old 10-05-2000, 09:27 AM   #8
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Ron, your site is great for real, coolest of all I know of (and I mean it). It would be enough to say it's home page for my PC. I'm sorry to be so busy as I am. wish somebody will give me some pension, so I would be (heh) free of my job to spend half of my time here, on this site and board, and another half reading JRRT. And show me that orcling who will dare to call me escapist running from real (what's-s 'real', my precious-ss, what's-s 'real') life!
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Old 10-10-2000, 11:18 AM   #9
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

I got to throw my thoughts in too. I was posting at another discussion-board (under a different name btw).
I soon got kinda bored because all they discussed in the movie section was how the movies are gonna suck, because parts are gonna be cut out and the Arwen-Warrior thing.
And then I found the barrow-downs. Thank god. Since I've been here for the first time I didn't post at any other board. I don't know why I just like it here better.
This might sound stupid, but I learned a lot. I mean I love the books but there were still some questions I had. They got all answered.
And RKittle I love this website and the forum and the chat and everything.
So, I'm not gonna go away until the site is down. (I hope that never happens.).
Another note to the problem of too many discussion boards. I think a lot of them are gonna go away after the movies are released. Maybe not the next day...


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Old 10-10-2000, 11:20 AM   #10
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

why am I a pile o' bones???

And he that breaks a thing to find out what it is,has left the path of wisdom</p>
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Old 10-10-2000, 11:38 AM   #11
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

Check the &quot;User Levels&quot; thread under Announcements. Keep posting and you won't be a Pile o' Bones long.

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Old 10-10-2000, 02:29 PM   #12
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

Oh, I see. I just don't like bein a pile o' bones <img src=rolleyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes">

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Old 10-10-2000, 02:32 PM   #13
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

ups, how did that happen??? Sorry about the name confusion the last post was from me... <img src=eek.gif ALT=":eek">

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Old 10-10-2000, 02:36 PM   #14
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

Another duplicate!

What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?</p>
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Old 10-10-2000, 02:37 PM   #15
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

You don't like being a Pil o' Bones you are going about changing your status the wrong way. As 'Niniel' you have to start all over as 'Newly Deceased' and work your way through 'Pile o' Bones'. Go back to Eowyn and post more in the forum. You status will change at 25 or 50 posts total.

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Old 10-10-2000, 02:41 PM   #16
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

Niniel was just a mistake. Please forgive me..... <img src=eek.gif ALT=":eek">

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Old 10-10-2000, 02:43 PM   #17
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

You didn't mention what nice things I said about your website <img src=devil.gif ALT=":evil">

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Old 10-10-2000, 02:46 PM   #18
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

There is a typo in your signature.

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Old 10-10-2000, 11:41 PM   #19
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

Certainly is alot of boards, and yes I idmit it, I have one myself. In the beginning after turning to ezboard I stayed there and on another mostly to try to bring it up, but now ive changed. I post wherever there is a decent discussion I feel I can contribute in, or have the time to, and Im sure more of you do as well. But im also extremely sure that some of you does on purpose ignore other boards to promote this one(and it is a good one too btw). I dont really understand why, when there is good discussions elsewhere as well, there is not possible to post there also. Not quit the downs, but to increase the area...I know of many other boards where it is the same... offcourse I hope to get soem discussions on my board also, why do you think I made it?, but that doesnt mean I want to steal the downs members! certainly not!
'
but what did you mean they were bad? I if you liked some of the points how come you would not share your view, or write a post about how much you disagreed!?

anyway I will continue strolling around here and there for the reason to find the best discussions and learn more, which at last is what all of us really wants.

"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." Admin at http://pub22.ezboard.com/bworldoftolkien74993The Prancing Ponie</a> and in the http://pub20.ezboard.com/bdunedainscampDunedains Camp</a>. </p>
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Old 10-11-2000, 04:36 AM   #20
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

No one ever suggested not going to other boards and discussiong Tolkien there. I do it (read at other boards) all the time. If you took my post to mean 'read at the Downs only', you read wrong.

My concern was the continued expansion of Tolkien on the net. If the current rate (using the Downs as an example) holds, you can expect about 10% of your registered users to make Tolkien boards of their own, some of which will dedicate their time to their personal board causing your board to lose their input.

It's a free world, but your board (and dedicated users) will suffer from it. And your board's users ( which is my true concern ) will have to search wider and wider for good discussion. There's no selfishness in this view at all. In fact, those opening new boards are doing so a bit in selfishness (it's one of the reasons why I opened mine ... I wanted people to come to my board. But I also wanted a more 'Tolkieny' board, too.). Unless a new board truly offers something new and lacking on the net, it's just more of the same, and it thins the crowd.

As for why I commented on your post... it was spam*. You say you '... post wherever there is a decent discussion', but all you did was come in and advertised your board. It was the same as if I had went your board and said 'Hey, I know some great LotR movie info! Come HERE to read it.' As an EZOp, you know this is terribly bad form.

* (editing note: I originally said 'pure' spam, but that was incorrect. At least your post was Tolkie-related. Pure spam would have been a post pointing to a Star Wars Board)

I do appreciate that you have now made an effort to share your good conversation here. I encourage everyone to consider and discuss Tar Anarion's newest topics. That's what this board is about!.

(**editor's note**)
Sorry about the name typo, Tar Anarion. There is a regular member in the chat room named Eldarion and I kinda mixed the two names when typing <img src=ohwell.gif ALT=":/"> )

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<font size="2">I usually haunt http://www.barrowdowns.comThe Barrow-Downs</a> and The Barrow-Downs http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgiMiddle-Earth Discussion Board</a>.</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 10/12/00 8:14:25 am
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Old 10-11-2000, 08:49 AM   #21
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Ron, sorry for putting in question which is somehow not connected with the topic - how am I to put in italic and bold writings while posting? when I want reader's attention to be drawned to some important sentence, I PUT IT THAT WAY, CAPITALIZING, but it does not look very nice, so, HOW AM I TO ITALICIZE?
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Old 10-11-2000, 08:56 AM   #22
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<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

you type [ i ] italized text [ / i ]
or [ b ] bold text [ / b ]
I put the spaces in because else it would appear as bold/italized text,so don't type them.


My tolkien favorites are <a href="http://www.tolkientrail.com/"target="web">the Tolkientrail</A>(michael martinez loved it!), http://www.barrowdowns.com/The Barrow-downs</A> and its http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/forum</a> ,http://pub24.ezboard.com/bmountgundabad/Mount Gundabad</A>, http://pub11.ezboard.com/bbagend16025/bag end</a> and <a href=http://pub20.ezboard.com/bdunedainscamp/">dunedains camp</a>,where I'm an RPG moderator
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Quem,Quam,Quid"
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Old 10-11-2000, 09:02 AM   #23
HerenIstarion
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thank you
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Old 10-11-2000, 11:40 AM   #24
quam
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

Ahh,well,it was nothing.

My tolkien favorites are <a href="http://www.tolkientrail.com/"target="web">the Tolkientrail</A>(michael martinez loved it!), http://www.barrowdowns.com/The Barrow-downs</A> and its http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/forum</a> ,http://pub24.ezboard.com/bmountgundabad/Mount Gundabad</A>, http://pub11.ezboard.com/bbagend16025/bag end</a> and <a href=http://pub20.ezboard.com/bdunedainscamp/">dunedains camp</a>,where I'm an RPG moderator
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Quem,Quam,Quid"
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Old 10-12-2000, 03:47 AM   #25
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

Tar A N A R I O N!! not aldarion! <img src=biggrin.gif ALT=""> have posted here some before as well, but not much, I know! the problem is short internet time, plus already 50 posts in one discussion+++ but I like your board, and I also HATE if one would come in ONLY to advertise, which Ive seen a feew times, for example entmoot - would think they had enough anyway

"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." Admin at http://pub22.ezboard.com/bworldoftolkien74993The Prancing Ponie</a> and in the http://pub20.ezboard.com/bdunedainscampDunedains Camp</a>. </p>
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Old 10-12-2000, 04:29 AM   #26
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Thoughts on Tolkien boards on the net ...

R U upsetting people again you Numenorien has been,this is a cool board but the Denizens are scary,I come and read but rarely post,though in reading here I find that I go back to the books and read the post discussed part again,it,s an interesting way of shedding new light on the subject,I have spoken to lots of Tolks who just come here to read,it seems that there is a more in depth discussion here..But I feel that other boards offer another way of approaching the works,as for my board,well I just wanted a place to swear and fight and not get BANNED,so I will continue to visit and read,and occ'post..keep up the good work Ron..

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Old 03-21-2002, 11:12 AM   #27
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Thought some of you might like seeing this.

The Irony.
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Old 03-21-2002, 11:40 AM   #28
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Old 03-21-2002, 04:56 PM   #29
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I love this board the best! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Seriously! I like the people who post here, and I feel a special kindred with y'all. I can talk Tolkien 'til the cows come home, and you guys understand me! I really think Kuruhan is my twin! LOL! I have lurked at some other boards, but I always come back home! This is the easiest board I have ever encountered in terms of use, and BY FAR, the friendliest!!!! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
As an aside, I also favor this place because you were the first (and so far ONLY) to post my fan fiction! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[ March 21, 2002: Message edited by: Aralaithiel ]
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Old 03-21-2002, 05:15 PM   #30
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i do agree. a lot of energy could be conserved if we kept the places to post more centralized. i like having a great number of people share their thoughts here and love the feedback and help that is available.
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Old 03-22-2002, 04:08 AM   #31
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Does that mean the BD has gone from 200 - 2000 in 18 months? or is my late night maths letting me down! Thats amazing growth! I actually got a link to an article on this board from another site that I had been posting to for about 18 months. I only visit there occasionally now!
This site has, as others have said, a great atmosphere and interesting discussions. Thanks for this high quality site!
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Old 03-22-2002, 05:46 AM   #32
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hi hi, barrow-wight. please accept humble praise from me for your fabulous fabulous site, that which has no equal elsewhere in the realm of ea!

i'm relatively new here at the boards, but have been checking BD for nearly two years now and other sites too pretty much the same time. it is so true that that there are too many sites or boards to send any tolkien fan mad, that one tends to read off as much as possible and get little time left to do anything else, like post. this is precisely my experience with the tolkien boards and just lately i've decided to settle down at BD and chuck the rest. let me throw in my compliments along with the others about what great stuff you've got going here, this IS an awesome site, and judging from the posts you've attracted members so diverse and individually interesting that there is no way to go but bigger and bigger. 'course you needn't hear from me, you know all this! [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

anyway, what i wanted to say was, it's only a matter of time before people start to congregate and start off on their own even within the boards. huge shows have spin-offs too. even without the ezboards you can sense this from the BD boards themselves, as members begin choosing which topics, members, levels of discourse interest them and congregate accordingly. maybe it is only natural for one or more congregations to become regulars and for other aggregates to spin in and out of the boards, i don't really know for certain. but this i do know, that part of the reason why one chooses to drop in again and again is a sense of belonging. and i feel i belong here -others may say "the nerve!", so okay okay, i want to belong here!

and so on this note, many people can be kept here at BD if everyone felt welcome, and judging by the membership you've a very welcome and homey site here! cross my fingers that it stays that way. yeah maybe it some topics or congregations get too intellectual, freaky or happy(?) to scare many off, but one neat thing about the BD is, as someone way up the thread said, there is an implicit level of politeness here that everyone seems to observe. that's really something and i hope it maintains.

the secret flame lives!

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every man's life is apath to the truth -- hesse
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Old 03-23-2002, 12:10 AM   #33
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<center><font color="red">*Warning! Strange ramblings ahead!*

When I first changed from loving Tolkien to being absolutely obsessed, and at the same time discovered forums, I lurked around at various forums learning about LotR.
But none of them felt right.
Eventually, I decided to limit myself to my three favourite, and be able to spend lots of time at each.
I really enjoyed Realm of the Ring except there were very few discussions and one of the poeple made me feel iunwanted. So eventually I left entirely.
I love entmoot, its an excellent site, but I don't post much and the people are a little bit crazy...
But within a week I discovered that the Barrowdowns was the best LotR forum on the net. It has the best mix of craziness and sanity and of fun and serious topics that I've seen everywhere. Its perfect for everyone, and thats why I like it.

Because of my wandering, I understand exactly where you are coming from. When people travel to many forums, it is extremely difficult to put as much effort into a particular one, and when everyone travels none of the boards gets as good as one wood if they stayed there all the time. But it is everyones right to travel.

[img]smilies/evil.gif[/img] Morauko, the slightly confused Queen of the Nazgul [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]
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Old 03-23-2002, 09:55 PM   #34
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I've just registered here at the Barrowdowns, looks like a good place to camp out for a time. I've strayed westwards from Imladris.net, they have a great discussion board there called "The Council of Elrond" I recommend it to anyone.

"Mae govannen" by the way! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
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Old 04-05-2002, 04:04 AM   #35
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Hi!!
I am really new, but would like to contribute. I know there are lots of Boards out there, but many people do NOT want to make their own!! However, although I have loved reading LotR for many years it was only after we got broadband that I could be bothered to start looking!! I habitually read around 5-6 Forums and post in around 3-4 of them. But it takes time to find some you like. I will not mention names, but some seem to be full of 12-14 year olds just drooling over Legolas etc....
I love a humorous and funny discussion, I love discussing the movie(s), but I also like a site that offers more intellectual discussions, and where the age group is mixed. I have nothing against young people, but it does feel funny when most of them are discussing whether they are in grade nine or ten....
This seems like a very nice site, and I hope to post here enough to get to know some of the regulars.
As I said it takes time to feel at home, but the more welcome you feel, the less you feel like going other places. Of course, you also need to find discussions that interest you!!
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Old 04-10-2002, 12:45 AM   #36
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Quote:
I really enjoyed Realm of the Ring except there were very few discussions and one of the poeple made me feel iunwanted. So eventually I left entirely.
Realm of the Ring went offline, The problem you mention was not the fault of the other members but yours.
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Old 04-10-2002, 04:49 AM   #37
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<center><font color="red">I wasn't accusing anyone. I may have acted slightly newbyish, its true, but I am merely saying that I felt unwanted, as opposed to this site where all newbies are welcomed and treated equally.
I was not trying to insult anyone. It was a great forum, full of people who were extremely knowledgeable on Tolkien.

And I'm extremely sad that it went offline, because it was my top source for info on people and races [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]
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Old 04-10-2002, 07:25 AM   #38
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A quick history lesson for those reading this thread. Our forums were hosted on EZboard for a period of time. Because EZboards were free and user friendly, a number of regulars left the Downs to create EZboards of their own. This was the reason this thread was started. At one point there were over 20 Tolkien-themed EZboards, most of which had only about 5 active members. Eventually they fell into disuse and EZboard began a program of pop-up advertising which was very distracting which pretty much ended the "diaspora". Anyway, thank you all for your support. We do our best to make the Downs a good place to congregate.
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