Firstly, cue the related music: [video=youtube;kd6e_ZfTyqI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd6e_ZfTyqI[/video] So this thread is for both newer and older members. Firstly I'll address the newer members. If you're new here, you've probably seen many older members talking about EP's glory days and you're probably itching to know what it was like. Well, the truth is that not much has change. The staff has changed and the members have changed, but the site itself has stayed pretty much the same. However, one thing that has changed is the atmosphere. When I first joined, this community was friendly. I could see no hate between anyone, and all the drama was kept behind closed doors. I was welcomed in by a positive bunch of people and I set up camp here ever since. However, recently I've seen many arguments (that I admittedly have played a part in) happen on these forums. If it was possible to keep arguments out of the public in the past, why should it be any different now? I have no idea if the staff had problems previously (they probably did), but at least they kept it away from the public. Which brings me on to the older members (or any member in general). Any forum is made up of its members (as Rarit E nicely put it). You say that things have changed, but in reality, we are the ones that have changed (one of the few things Dansze said that made sense). We have the opportunity to create the atmosphere in which the newer members are welcomed into. We are now in charge of making this forum. You can choose to be a Cranky Doodle Donkey, a Gilda, or a Pinkie Pie. It's up to you. The mods can't go on a banning spree to remove our negativity, we have to deal with that ourselves. (I'm going to quote some Yeti next) So even if you're not too pleased with this site, just put on a fake smile. This site is like the crystal empire. We must protect it by reigniting the passion of the crystal ponies (new members). Don't give up on the community, but more importantly, don't show your negativity to others. Whether you like it or not, the new members are heavily influenced by the rest of the members. If they're surrounded by negativity, it'll put them down. If they are surrounded by positivity, they'll be happier. I have no idea how everyone managed to keep their disputes private before, but if that could be done, then combined with positivity (even if it is fake) we can bring EP into a new age of glory. Hopefully one that will never end. Of course this is all just theory right now. It's absolutely useless until put into effect.
This can actually be put down to one, simple thing: Growth. The smaller a community, the more personal and 'familial' it is. As the site gets bigger, the chances of incompatibilities, disagreements, feuds and dramas is only going to increase. It's not the ONLY reason, but it's one of the larger factors. I.e. A large website will never be without it's share of strife and trouble makers, much like the real-offline-world. It may be a shame, but it's entirely unavoidable, so don't get too hung up on it buddy.
I was thinking about this place growing, but there are less than 100 truly active members here, so I assume that there was no major growth in terms of that.
The people I respected have either changed or are gone. I have a delicate mind for reasons I've only mentioned to Yeti. My personality can switch at the drop of a dime, depending on what's going on. Recent events have led me to not care about this place anymore. I know that every time I've gotten in trouble here, I did it without even know I was breaking any rules. I don't particularly like any of the staff members and I can't say I've befriended even a single member here. Back in the day it didn't matter because people liked each other just because they were bronies. I am who I am. If the members and staff of this forum don't like me then they can ban me. It makes no difference if I broke the rules or not. The good ol' days will always be the good ol' days. Nothing will ever make those times less fun than they were. Damn you B-Dog. Your signature was distracting me the whole time I was typing this.
I just recently joined, but I've seen plenty of sites go into a downward spiral, only to bounce back, stronger then ever. I don't know what happened in the past, but like Grey said, a growing forum has more opportunity for arguments, hate, and trolls. It's a natural part of a growing website, but with a competent staff team, is entirely handlable. Just my 2 cents from a newbie here but not to forums in general.
This is more of a wake. Amazing what a little negative influence can do in such a short amount of time. I guess I'll enjoy the old days by going through my introduction thread.
I looked at my intro thread recently. My goodness, that was a really overdone intro. Most of the people who welcomed me have vanished. I remember not being able to keep up with the radio chat. That was fun.
I don't understand the question. On another note, I like that video in the OP until 13 seconds in. Then it starts to suck.
I did for a moment...and...well I got nothing. Isn't this thread suppose to be about the good ol' days and not the current days?
I, for one, hate it when I see people saying things were much much better back then. If you think that's the case, then why not do something about it? Keep a positive attitude, give constructive suggestions, whatever. Things are never going to be exactly the same as they were last year, deal with it. There's new people, and people with new attitudes. You can't stay living in the past. I joined in February, and what sickens me is when people put me down by saying "you weren't around back then", because the forum was still good in February, it's all a matter of perception. For me, it started going downhill around about start-mid June, before then, things were still absolutely fantastic. The karaoke nights, all the good friends I made, the nonsensical fanfics and in-jokes, so don't anyone dare say things were way better before the beginning part of this year. I've seen people say things were better when Jaret was around, when a bunch of other old members were around. What? So we're not good enough for you people that think that? You can't make new friends? All we can do is keep moving forwards, try and make EP better than it was "back then", who cares how it was, because we have the chance to mould what it will be.
I think we're a better site at this point in time than we were in the past. Why? Because we've made mistake, and we've learned from those mistakes. Back then, we made those mistakes, but now, those mistakes will never happen again. I think we're all just a tad bit negative about the site in whole and we need to learn to enjoy the small things instead of strive for perfection. Not to say we can't put some work in to make it better, but when we all become perfectionists even a Top-tier forum will look like crap.
lolnope. It was better back then, November/December on EP was probably the happiest I've been for ages. Compared to this year, it would seem the Grinch has been. (inb4 things get better in the Grinch)
I was one of those people. I like to think I changed though. That thought process will get us nowhere. I'm trying to provide good ideas and be constructive to moving the site forward. The negativity spreads and doesn't help anyone. Yes, things were good "back then". They can be good again and I want to be part of making it good again. Most of us are here to relax and have some fun. This site was formed around a cartoon show about ponies. None of us should take ourselves too seriously.
Maybe it was, attitudes were certainly probably better back then than they are now. But that's not the way we need to be thinking. I've said it time and time again, people need to chill out, it's a forum, not a business or government, and is based from a children's television programme about ponies. Forums are for fun, interaction, and meeting new people. If you're thinking negatively, you'll never experience anything positive, naturally. If you believe it can be good again, we can make it good again, and I for one think we can.
All of my these. Constantly yearning for days past gets in the way of enjoying the present and moving into the future. It's great to look fondly upon past memories, but when it reaches the point of saying nothing will be as good as that, well, nothing will if too many people take that stance. Things are a bit shaky at the moment, yes, but what can be done about it except trying to deal with it as best we can? The situation is not unlike what I said in my first ever blog post about being the difference by being a positive influence for others. In fact, I should read that blog again to bring myself new inspiration. I feel I've slowly forgotten things I myself said never to forget. Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2
Back then, I was legendary. Jaret, Grey Nightmare, Derpy Hooves, Berry Punch (Or was it Vinyl Scratch?) Those were the guys I missed the most. Then I've met other bronies from Florida, which I've met; Dragonbait, Zephyr Haste, and... Chocolatechip who came here on vacation which we plan on meeting up again this year. Migguh told meh on Skype to post hur. As for the old friends I've had here, there were too many to name.So I'll mention the ones I remember the most that I've have on my FB, talked to me, or known each other since the beginning of these days. Don't be suprised if you're not on the list, I might have forgotten you, or I just don't know you. :derpe: -Pixel Hope (Shane) -Tenortrouble -Miggy -Snowy Shuffles -Yetione -Chocolatechip -Eponymous (Before he had power) -Merriweather -One of the Derpy's that I have on my FB that looks like Eddie from SSX. -Mike -Testyal -And anyone else that remembers me back in the good ole' days. Back then I might have been a rep wh*** but I was pretty much indifferent about that whole change. But personally the whole community IMHO has changed since the first day when I joined because of EPR and then finally joined EP. Then left because of the community on the forum and also because I have a local group nearby to me. Central Florida Bronies But yeah, that's pretty much the gist of it. If you've remembered me, thanks for still remembering me. Whether because of getting the first welcome post, something in the forum games discussion, or that one time I did get a 10 day temporary ban for some s*** I did. :Trollestia: If you want to keep in touch, feel free to add me on dA, Facebook, Skype, YouTube, whatever... I won't be returning anytime soon unless something comes up, and I feel like posting. Links are below in signature, if not, I'll link them below: dA: http://double-rainbow-dash.deviantart.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gpadrigone Central Florida Bronies FB Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/centralfloridabronies/ Bronies United FB Group (Admin): http://www.facebook.com/groups/UniteBronies/ Skype: twidashismyship YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/deathnote812 PSN: NyanNyanNakano Steam: AzusaNakano Spoiler: Extra Twilight Sparkle is best pony, and TwiDash is best ship! Also, I'm the merch lord.
