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Post by Truffaut on Jul 10, 2013 3:24:10 GMT -5
I understand that many of you have been frustrated with the direction Our Paris Forum has taken of late. Suzanne has contacted me directly and I'm aware that some of you have had conversations with Luc, as well.
I'm not sure what my plans for the forum are at the moment. To be frank (and I don't mean this to be unkind), the forum was never intended as a place for everyone to chat about personal matters. It was, first and foremost, to be a place for informed sharing of information about Paris. It achieved a portion of that goal, but it has become mired down with the kind of socialization that's really more appropriate for media such as Facebook. There's a healthy balance of information v socializing, but I haven't done a very good job maintaining that balance. Some new users that I've sent to the forum have reported back to me that they just didn't want to wade through all the personal details trying to find the helpful information they wanted. They have felt the forum is cliquish and have been reluctant to ask questions.
So, there you have the unvarnished status at the moment. I'm in Paris, now and won't return to the US until Sunday. Sometime over the next few weeks, I'll make some determination about the forum's future. In the meantime, Luc has relinquished his administrator role, so please do not contact him with questions or comments.
I hope to be able to find a way to redirect the forum to something closer to its original purpose. I appreciate all of you who have stuck with the forum for several years. I've enjoyed getting to know you and even meeting some of you in person.
Fondly,
Doug
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Post by sdtraveller on Jul 10, 2013 10:45:03 GMT -5
Doug (and everyone else):
As a very "junior" member of the process, I have little at stake in your contemplation, but I would like to offer these two observations:
1. I have found the observations, information, and advice available here quite valuable, and
2. I find it rather easy to avoid or skip over message threads or parts of threads that do not seem relevant to my interests, including the recent arrival of advertising spam.
I do not know what the costs are to you in keeping this forum operating (time, money, emotion), but if those are not large, I encourage you to let it be. Perhaps those who are frustrated should agree to accept that what is, is.
Best wishes.
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Post by Jody on Jul 10, 2013 17:49:10 GMT -5
YES!!!!
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Post by janetnj on Jul 10, 2013 21:10:20 GMT -5
Thanks for the candor Doug.
I hope the forum continues. Whatever you decide, I thank you for starting the forum. I cherish the friendships I've formed here.
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Post by PariS on Jul 10, 2013 22:09:41 GMT -5
Thanks for this, Doug. I agree with what sdtraveler and janet shared. Would love to see the forum continue somehow. I realize it's a lot of work to keep maintained, and I think I speak for everyone in thanking you for all your time and efforts over the years.
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Post by Shoesy on Jul 10, 2013 22:57:46 GMT -5
Nice to hear from you, Doug. You've been missed, but I truly understand the meaning of priorities.
Enjoy the remainder of your visit to our favorite city!
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Post by geordy on Jul 11, 2013 7:22:23 GMT -5
Merci from moi as well Doug! I still enjoy the forum but do get peeved when spammers take up the first 20 posts..or anyone does on one topic...I just don't have the time to weed through all the topics and I do want to keep up!
Yes so happpy to have met so many of you...including the Truffaut!..and hope this forum can continue!
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Post by holger on Jul 11, 2013 12:44:20 GMT -5
I also appreciate the site and joined because it dealt with items related to Paris and France with categories for other items. However, part of the vitality came from people who not only shared an interest in Paris but began to care about one another. That is very similar to what exists on Slow Travel/France and quite different from Trip Advisor. I know I cared when your apartment was damaged and enjoyed following the renovations. A great deal of personal stuff goes into private messages. The spam is what has been driving many away.
I do not really use facebook but am on it for my children and grandchildren. I do not wish to increase my use of it or other social media. Of course, you are the owner of the site so have the right to decide its future. Enjoy Paris. Plan to be there in December/January for the holidays and hope to connect with some other OPFers then.
Ditto NYC in August. Enjoy the remainder of your trip, it looks like the weather is better there than here.
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Post by Jody on Jul 11, 2013 18:00:24 GMT -5
What Holger said!!
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Post by sunshine817 on Jul 13, 2013 7:23:23 GMT -5
I understand your frustration (and disappointment) at the forum having strayed from your original intentions.
However...you left -- which is okay -- you've had a lot on your plate with the fire, and real life issues pulling you away. You weren't here, and the forum took on its own life, which, with no direction from you, has grown to what the users want it to be.
While you weren't here to keep posters on the straight and narrow as to *your* vision of the site, it has grown to be a very real community of strangers who have become very good friends over their common love for the city, and to slam the door on that would be unreasonably unkind. Slamming the door would also remove access from all of the carefully-prepared and uploaded photo reports, trip reports, and reviews that have amassed over the years (most of which are written in a format that it sounds as if you don't want on a new forum, anyway....)
At the moment, the domain has expired. I know that proboards offers free forums, but have no way of know ing if you have an upgraded version.
My suggestion is that you work with a few members for a handover -- if there's money involved, I'm certain that can be taken care of in a manner that's fair to all parties.
Then you can continue with a forum that's much more a travel forum-- without the chatty style that has evolved here, and the ladies here can continue with the forum that has brought so many of them together.
Just my two cents....and I don't post here often, so I really don't have a dog in this hunt.
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Post by Belladonna on Jul 13, 2013 22:01:56 GMT -5
Well put Holger and Sunshine. While I cruise TA I don't like it nearly as much as OPF because it doesn't have the same feeling of community that is found here.
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Post by holger on Jul 22, 2013 16:48:47 GMT -5
It looks like the site is currently moribund. It has been over a week since anyone has posted. This is a very sad end to what was once a lively and informative site.
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Post by Shoesy on Jul 22, 2013 17:09:59 GMT -5
I was thinking the same thing, Holger.  |
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Post by sunshine817 on Jul 22, 2013 19:13:55 GMT -5
Me, too.
I really didn't expect everyone to just pack up and say "well, that's that, then".
Looks like Doug can take it back and build it to what he wants if everyone hits the road.
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Post by Jody on Jul 23, 2013 2:13:25 GMT -5
I have a sore hand and it's hard to type! plans for paris are on hold as we are moving.and talking about it makes me sad!!
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Post by Shoesy on Jul 23, 2013 3:52:51 GMT -5
Good luck on your move, Jody!
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Post by holger on Jul 23, 2013 7:02:09 GMT -5
;D
Yes good luck from me, too. Moving can be stressful so try to relax. LOL.
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Post by geordy on Jul 23, 2013 7:23:05 GMT -5
Well I haven't given up on us yet! It has just been too HOT here! And in my tiny appt can't have on A/C and laptop at same time! Guess who wins! Still counting sleeps here! And looking forward to BBAOPFGT next Friday......and stragglers?   |
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Post by PariS on Jul 23, 2013 8:40:36 GMT -5
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Post by geordy on Jul 23, 2013 8:52:48 GMT -5
Okay Annette..you're excused! |
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hahahha