What a great idea!

[Aussie Bob]

Saw this FU link in Dennis's WHT sig, and thought crikey, what a great idea. Damn nice domain name too. :D

Online communities have always fascinated me. I've built a largish community at HTTPme (http://httpme.com), and of course actively participated on WHT (http://webhostingtalk.com), so I'm no stranger to this world. :)

What has always astounded me about online communities, is how much we all have learned, through this interactional process. Imagine if there were no online communities, and how alone and disconnected we would feel, working online? My wife tells me I'm a snob, and that I don't like socialising "in the real world". I tell her I spend all day interacting with folks online, that when I disconnect and have a break away from "work", I like to be alone.

That's especially relevant in communities like WHT, that's focussed around a specific industry. Where in the offline world, could you get that level of interaction, with not only end users, but also fellow hosts? It just doesn't happen in the offline world, like that.

Anyhoooooo, great forum concept from one of the forum masters. I hope to learn and help others, from what little I might know.

P.S. Holy crap, there's some great smilies here. :D

:thewave:

[writespeak]

Saw this FU link in Dennis's WHT sig, and thought crikey, what a great idea.

Yeah. Dennis gets the credit for it. :)

Damn nice domain name too. :D

Dennis gets the credit for that too. ;)

That's especially relevant in communities like WHT, that's focussed around a specific industry. Where in the offline world, could you get that level of interaction, with not only end users, but also fellow hosts? It just doesn't happen in the offline world, like that.

That's true for various groups with a focus.

The first online community I got involved in was a newsgroup about a specific health problem. It was through that group that I learned enough about the health condition to show doctors that I did have it, that they'd been taught wrong in med school, and that I needed treatment. I spent several years not being able to do much because of my health, but I was able to have a normal life again after I got the treatment I needed -- because of that group.

I'm still involved with that group to help others who need help, and also for the support and friendships I have there. Whatever health problems you have, having a knowledgeable, caring support group makes a huge difference. Health treatment in general is changing because patients can now access the same medical journal articles that doctors can and can discuss the latest research.

Once you tap into the power of a well-functioning online community, your life changes.

P.S. Holy crap, there's some great smilies here. :D

Ah, so that's why you're here. I like this guy: :dancin:

Lois

[Aussie Bob]

The first online community I got involved in was a newsgroup about a specific health problem. It was through that group that I learned enough about the health condition to show doctors that I did have it, that they'd been taught wrong in med school, and that I needed treatment. I spent several years not being able to do much because of my health, but I was able to have a normal life again after I got the treatment I needed -- because of that group.
Crikey, if that's not a testement to the power of the net, I don't know what is! :)

[Aussie Bob]

Ah, so that's why you're here.
Someone said there were free cookies here. :dfingers:
I like this guy: :dancin:
My favourite -> :banana2:

[Jan]

Look what the :kitty:'s dragged in :chairhide

Welcome aboard mate! :wavey:

[Aussie Bob]

Enough of the nicities. Where's dem free cookies? :dfingers:

[Jan]

I don't do cookies - but I could whip up some home made sausage rolls :banana:

[Aussie Bob]

Hmmm, I've just had dinner, so maybe later. :D

[SoftWareRevue]

Holy carp. (hmmm . . . maybe we need a fish emoticon)

:welcome:

Cookies have been kinda scarce of late. Would you settle for some cake? :cake:

Pull up stool, or fing a spot on the couch. There should be a good show on any moment. :ghug:




/me initiates megapost mode to try to keep up with Aussie Bob

[Jan]

Holy carp. (hmmm . . . maybe we need a fish emoticon)
How about this one?

[SoftWareRevue]

Holy carp! :fish:


:cartman: Looks good to me.

[Tyler]

Glad to see you here Bob!

This place keeps getting better by the day, I swear, all the best people are here :cool:

[Aussie Bob]

Glad to see you here Bob!
It's good to be seen. :D
This place keeps getting better by the day, I swear, all the best people are here :cool:
Well, they said this was where all the cool kids hang out. Maybe if I keep giving them my lunch money, they'll let me hang around too. :flirt: