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snowdrop
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has nikki, suffolk boy, jinks Addee left...be such a shame
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JollyJapes
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To be perfectly honest, there isn't really much to this site - not much substance. The majority of activity revolves around jokes and/or what food people ate! It means that many people join, look around and then get bored so either delete their profile or become one of the unseen, those that are members in name only.
This site in my opinion needs to decide its identity, whether to stay as-is for the existing members or be jazzed up a bit to appeal to newer members. It seems to be failing to do both at present.
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funkychick
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Why do you keep coming back then Cyber ?
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Meg
Global Moderator
Lowestoft Online Addict
Gender: 
Posts: 11279
I love Lowestoft but I love Oklahoma more!
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Some of us really like the site the way it is -if you don't like it Dave as fc said -why keep coming back?
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malcolm
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I disagree New topics , posts and views have all been well up this year. The summer and the lihjt nights make a difference to the amount of time people spend on the computer.
The figures look very healthy for a local site. I know you like to promote controversy JJ so i will put your comments down to that 
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Forever Yellow
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malcolm
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I agree Meg.
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Forever Yellow
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JollyJapes
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We have had this discussion many times before, with a core of about 20 people liking the site the way it is. The problem is, it doesn't attract 'new' members, due to the lack of substance.
As any webmaster knows, it is content and substance that keeps a website going. A forum is ideal for this, as it gets its content from its members, and therefore the owner of any forum is less likely going to need to spend large amounts of time keeping the content updated. It is also why a forum gets high in search engine ratings, due to the turnover of postings.
I come back here because I want to. I dislike the fact that any suggestion of change is shouted down - this is rather nasty in nature, as it shows an unwillingness to consider the points of views of others. I am merely pointing out 'in my opinion' the reason why people may have decided to take a break from this website - the lack of quality postings. It is not just me that has said this, many others have in the past, and they too were shouted down by this core group. They too ended up leaving this forum, in disgust at the way they were treated.
We need to treat people fairly, just as we would like to be treated. We also need to be open to new ideas, and a refusal to do so will ultimately end in the end of this website. Darren has already mentioned on many occasions to both me personally and others that he is very tempted to shut the site down, and we as a group need to try and make sure that doesn't happen. Not many other towns have a website like ours, and we should be proud of what we have. That means, having the foresight to try and entice new members on here, rather than stick our heads in the sand until it is too late.
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728
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Its called being sociable Cyber. like it or not some members enjoying chatting to others and have a laugh. I have spoken to many people interesting people on this forum, although i know no one in the flesh it is still good talking to people on here. Why people have left is up to them, we do not know the circumstances about why they have.
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Lowestoft town are a champion football club |
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funkychick
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Cyber you could always set up your own site and have it as you want it and then those that agree with you can join your site, and those of us that enjoy this, as you put it, site with no quality postings can stay here and we'd all be very happy.
If Darren feels the need to tell you 'personally' thats he would like to shut the site down then so be, there is an alternative site waiting for Lowestoft onliners if needed
As for people leaving because they are shouted down that is utter nonsense, the only people who have left in a flurry are people who have broken rules and caused disruption. All the people who Snowdrop mentioned were happy members on here and have probably left through personal reasons
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Eileen
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Seems the site is always quieter once the weather improves. I would be outside myself but it's too hot and humid today, hence more time online.
I agree with Meg, Malcolm and 728, if you aren't happy do something positive to make a change or find a site more geared towards your preferences. Not being nasty, it's just common sense.
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JollyJapes
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Seems to me that people shout down others when they dont like the postings - without allowing others their opinions. I was merely answering a question posted with my own thoughts, and then people have jumped on the bandwagon, basically saying put up or shut up. Doesnt seem very fair, doesnt seem very openminded or polite. My opinions are worth just as much as anyone elses, and therefore I feel I should be allowed to say my opinion in an equal measure. You may disagree, fine. But please dont tell me what to do - ever. I dont respond well to people dictating what I should or shouldnt do, it isnt very nice.
Back to the question at hand - where people are.
I have a list I have made of people over the years who have left due to disagreements on here. Naturally as has been said, other people leave for other reasons. And yes, the weather of course has an effect. Some people may decide to spend a little more time outside of the internet, especially if they have increased their friends and/or family circles. There can be any number of reasons why people decide to have a break from here, or leave.
Perhaps if anyone knows these people 'in the real world', they could let us know that they are safe and well.
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malcolm
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I have read your points and i disgree with, not shouting you down. My point is as valid as yours. Thats my view and i have no problem with reading your JJ.
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Forever Yellow
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Boatbuilder
John
Administrator
Lowestoft Online Addict
Gender: 
Posts: 4723
I've learnt to take everything life throws at me!!
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Firstly, to answer snowdrop's initial post.
Suffolkboy left the site 'for personal reasons'. Jinksy has not been on here since last September and nobody knows why, unfortunately, we just hope that she is alright - her membership is still open and she hasn't cancelled it. Nikkai is still a member and has been online recently, although he hasn't posted for about four weeks.
Adee is still a member but for personal reasons has 'temporarily' stepped down from being a moderator for 'The Dark Room', but hopes to return in the future. That is something that has only occurred in the last few days. I guess you have seen that I have taken over that role and it is only until Adee returns in a moderators role.
As others have said above, there can be any number of reasons why people leave and if they do not know any other member 'in person' and decide not to advise the Admin team why they are leaving - which is their prerogative - we can only read into it what we want - and it's likely to be the wrong reasons.
Secondly, I can advise that there are about 50 new applications for membership a month and not all of these are approved for one reason or another. In the past month we rejected about 25% of applications.
Finally, as far as 'breathing new life' into the site, you have to remember that we are running with what facilities are made available, and as I understand it, the software is quite old and has its limitations.
Also, remember that it is a forum and you are free to start your own topics, but if no one is interested in that topic, they don't have to take part in it - don't blame the admin team!
However, if anyone has any other ideas then they can PM any of the Admin team and if it can be incorporated into the site, with its limitations, I am sure we will happlily consider it.
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funkychick
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Its very interesting and predictable whenever there are more than two people who don't agree with you Cyber you claim you are being shouted down and you have even called it bullying before now there is no bulling or shouting down on this site thats one reason I like it so much
Your statement 'please don't tell me what to do - ever' explains a lot about things you have complained about in your life over the years
In a conversation everyones opinion is equal which is exactly what happened in this thread you gave your opinion everyone else gave theres and none agreed with yours - you immediately went on the defensive accusing people of 'shouting you down' if this was the case people would have been posting agressive remarks in capitols.
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Eileen
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FC, Sometimes I wish LOL had a "like" button!!
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JollyJapes
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I see that Adee is now a guest, meaning he has deactivated his account. Do we know if he has any intention to come back under a new guise later on?
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funkychick
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Maybe its not for us to know Cyber
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Meryl
Forum Moderator
Lowestoft Online Addict
Gender:
Posts: 8198
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I see that Adee is now a guest, meaning he has deactivated his account. Do we know if he has any intention to come back under a new guise later on?
Perhaps you should read the above post by Boat Builder
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Meg
Global Moderator
Lowestoft Online Addict
Gender:
Posts: 11279
I love Lowestoft but I love Oklahoma more!
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I was about to suggest the same thing.Meryl.
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snowdrop
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thanks for answer bb it good to know how everyone is.we post with other people for years then they vanish which great shame and dont know if they ill or what..regards to sb.
It is holiday season so perhaps lots of us have gone away,i can account for three people who i know will be back...we get nice day people go out that normal.
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JollyJapes
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Boatbuilder mentioned that Adee was still a member, but that status is no longer correct. As such, my question was a valid one. I'm not sure why the prior comments regarding reading BB's posts were neccersary, as my question was a simple one - I guess people do not know the answer. I will try not to take offence at people telling me what to do, treating me like I am an idiot for not being able to read properly.
Adee is still a member but for personal reasons has 'temporarily' stepped down from being a moderator for 'The Dark Room', but hopes to return in the future. That is something that has only occurred in the last few days. I guess you have seen that I have taken over that role and it is only until Adee returns in a moderators role.
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Boatbuilder
John
Administrator
Lowestoft Online Addict
Gender:
Posts: 4723
I've learnt to take everything life throws at me!!
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You know as much as anyone else, JJ. In fact I didn't know Adee had cancelled his membership until I read your post. The reason is surely his own business and no-one elses. If he wanted the people on here to know his reasons I am sure he would have posted them.
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An Oyster 575
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Aussie K
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I believe we have all got to be careful with what we say and try to avoid unnecessary ill feeling or hurt, or the not planned ganging up on any one member. It is probably a good thing though that we from time to time we get put in our place's or being admonished by the moderators.
This post diverted from the subject after the first reply and I have to say I did not see any way that jj was out of order in his first post (not that any one has said that}but I cannot see how he expects it to change for the better.
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nikkai
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I am on here at some times though work and the fact I log on through a "smart" phone is the reason for my lack of posting of late
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There are NO strangers HERE ! Only Friends who have not yet met....
One cannot think well, sleep well,live well if one has not dinned well "virginia woolf"
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Lpeek
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I think the site is pretty active, as it always has been... But I would love to see a revamp some time in the future (not too far ahead). The site is starting to look a bit dated now  I think a nice new design would freshen everything up!
Possibly highlighting the other non-forum links a bit more too! i.e. About Lowestoft, etc... I've been registered for years now, and I've only just looked at what other links there are down the side. I always just click straight on to 'community'
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funkychick
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LPeek Alice did set up a brand new site mainly in case this one slumped or died however a lot of people didnt want to move from what they were familiar with a few of us were using both sites in tandem but gradually more posts continued on here and less on there and although it is still there if this site rumbles to a halt it is otherwise inactive
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JollyJapes
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The main problem with Alice's site is that it is set up as a pure forum, and is harder to browse. The size of font is also a bit small. This is part of the phpBB software, as it is hard to make forum software look inviting. Darren had to manually code the front homepage, in order to make it look much friendlier to everyone, and to try and turn it from a forum-only site to a broad website covering all things Lowestoft plus a forum. However, as Darren's business interests have grown, they have taken up more and more of his time, meaning he cannot update this site like he used to.
The Lowestoft Online site has been through several different 'looks' since its inception in 2002. Meg is actually one of the first members on here, having somehow registered before even Darren! The current look of Lowestoft Online was actually originally designed for one of Darren's other sites, before migrating onto this forum, which can be seen at http://www.rewardsites.co.uk. However, this 'look' hasn't changed much since 2006, which was when the menu and adverts moved from the right hand side to the left. After 5 years, I agree that this site could do with a bit of a makeover. Still it is a lot better than its original design back in 2002, and also much better than Chris Osbourne's site at www.lowestoft.net which was never meant to be a community site, rather an information site.
I do believe that this site could benefit from extra non-forum activities. I am thinking of such things as a chat room (we used to have one) and some games (also used to have here). Plus updated software would mean things such as YouTube videos could easily be added into posts, and there would be a more appealing general feel to it all. I also know that several other members also agree with this. But this is all dependent on the webmaster as admins only control the operation of the forum software itself, and have no control over updating the software or the front homepage which is not actually part of the forum software itself.
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frankiesays
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The size of font is also a bit small
Can't you use Ctrl+ to increase the font size? It works OK on here
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JollyJapes
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Yes you can, and a very good tip to remember too. Must admit, I forget most of the keyboard shortcuts, and this one is one to remember. I think it works through Windows, so would work on all text on any website. (unless the text has been saved as a picture!)
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Aussie K
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Why change the pic Alice it looks pretty good to me.
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snowdrop
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i can not get to grips with fb even though got page,i just play some games.i know people slag people off on it according to jerermy kyle show...kids ask if such and such like them on fb and take it for real,people dont know from adam ask be friends,i find it quite bizzare
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Alice
Administrator
Lowestoft Online Addict
Gender:
Posts: 5263
I need to change this pic.
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LOL...Aussie...it's truth in advertising!
That pic needs to be updated. For one thing, the red hair is gone....
alice
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funkychick
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Oh will I know you Alice that was your trade mark
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frankiesays
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That pic needs to be updated. For one thing, the red hair is gone You mean you are now bald like me?
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