New policy - Limited forum access for inactive users (updated Oct. 14th 2010)

With the new version of vBulletin, the forum software NS Forums runs on, there's also new possibilities to customize the forums and the forum access.

This has not been possible before, but with this new version of vBulletin it is.

From today and forward, if you are not active on the forums you will be moved to one of the following user groups.

* Lurkers
* Inactive users

Lurkers
If a member has not posted on the forum for a defined number of days (30 days) then they will be moved from their existing usergroup to the Lurkers group.

Lurkers do not have access to the fanfiction forums, music video forums, arts forums, and Off Topic Entertainment forums.

As soon as a member posts a post or thread they will be moved back to their original user group.



Inactive Members
If a member has not visited the forum for a defined number of days (180 days) then they will again be moved from their existing usergroup to the inactive users group.

As soon as a member logs in they will be moved back to their original user group.

You can read more about how to get out of the lurker usergroup here.
http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/...ers-user-group

This is effective immediately.

Update regarding the lurker mode (Limited forum access for inactive users)

Updated on October 14th 2010:

There's been way too many "delurking" type of posts, where people simply type just about anything to get that one post done.

Examples like, "delurking", "just posting to get out of lurker-mode", ... I've even seen "post".

From now on, if I find someone posting a typical "delurking" post, I will delete that post, and put you back in the lurker group!

So if you find yourself suddenly marked a lurker*, simply take a moment to comment on the latest Smallville episode. Didn't watch it? No problem, comment on someone's artwork.

Don't know art? Not a problem either, tell people if you think it looked nice. No need to get into details such as the technical aspect of it. A simply "I liked the banner you posted", will suffice. But, be truthful peeps, don't go around lying to people JUST to get out of the lurker mode.

What can I do to stay far, FAR away from the lurker group?

All it takes, is one (1) post each month. One.

An alternative is getting a paid subscription. Paying members aren’t affected by the script that looks for inactive users. As a paying member you also get an ad-free board, as well as more features like upgraded private messages inbox capacity, the ability to upload your own avatar and more.

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Originally Posted by Julie

If you've been inactive for a while, you've been moved to the user group called "Lurkers". The Lurkers have limited access to the forums, amongst the forums you don't have access to is the fanfiction forums, music video forums and the arts forums.

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I think that's evil, ruthless and brilliant, Julie! It's a strategy worthy of a Luthor to keep members actively posting. I can imagine that it would inconvenience many inactive members who might only wander back into the forum because they feel the urge to re-read some old favourite fic, but it seems pretty easy to get back onto active status again. And for people who are genuinely too busy to post up anything too often... one post per month is seriously not all that difficult.

I don't know where you keep getting these ideas to facilutate and encourage forum paricipation, Julie, but it always strikes me as awe-inspiring.

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Originally Posted by somethingeasy

I think that's evil, ruthless and brilliant, Julie! It's a strategy worthy of a Luthor to keep members actively posting. I can imagine that it would inconvenience many inactive members who might only wander back into the forum because they feel the urge to re-read some old favourite fic, but it seems pretty easy to get back onto active status again. And for people who are genuinely too busy to post up anything too often... one post per month is seriously not all that difficult.

I don't know where you keep getting these ideas to facilitate and encourage forum participation, Julie, but it always strikes me as awe-inspiring.

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Haha!

Well, a community is made up of those users who are active, so it would be great if we could get more active users :)

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Originally Posted by somethingeasy

I think that's evil, ruthless and brilliant, Julie! It's a strategy worthy of a Luthor to keep members actively posting. I can imagine that it would inconvenience many inactive members who might only wander back into the forum because they feel the urge to re-read some old favourite fic, but it seems pretty easy to get back onto active status again. And for people who are genuinely too busy to post up anything too often... one post per month is seriously not all that difficult.

I don't know where you keep getting these ideas to facilutate and encourage forum paricipation, Julie, but it always strikes me as awe-inspiring.

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You can also blame me because I've been poking her with this evil idea for quite some time. :D I'm always complaining about people hanging out here for hours on end without giving the community a little bit back for all the enjoyment they get from this fantastic Chlex Haven. Isn't that right, Jules? After all, isn't participating and being a family what a community is really about?

So, come on, guys, a comment a month as somethingeasy's just said isn't that much!

Oh, I totally agree with this new policy! It bugs me to no end knowing there are people reading my fics and yet never bothering to leave a comment. Seriously, how long does it take just to say 'I like this' or 'This is cool'. Thats all I'm asking for!

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Originally Posted by Ultra

Oh, I totally agree with this new policy! It bugs me to no end knowing there are people reading my fics and yet never bothering to leave a comment. Seriously, how long does it take just to say 'I like this' or 'This is cool'. Thats all I'm asking for!

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It's true.Three little words or even one can mean the world to us, and they don't even have to be praising because we can also learn from constructive criticism- well, that'd require a few more words but you know what I mean.

This is a good idea!!!! thank you for the new site!!

Ah, Julie, you're a harsh mistress... But I guess that with that Bitch stick you carry around, I shouldn't be surprised. I feel properly chastised... If I had the capacity to feel shame I would, but this Forum has cured me of that particular malady. I promise to try not to lurk!

Sneaky...verrrrry sneaky. I will have to make an effort to stop being a lurker. It's well worth it.

LOL!! Priceless. :)

I will now stop being a lurker. Will this keep more threads active?

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Originally Posted by Rachet

I will now stop being a lurker. Will this keep more threads active?

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Feedback can accomplish wonders and I'm sure your comments as well as everyone else's will encourage if not all, at least, some of those who have threads on hiatus or who were rather discouraged to pick up their works again.

I'm actually not very happy with this. I agree that it’s important to leave comments and participate, but some of us have busy lives. Currently I am only reading two stories on this site, and they don't update often. I am very busy with school and work as I am sure many people are. I don't usually have time to come and comment on posts that I am not interested in. I like to check to see if the fan fiction I am reading is updated if it is I comment, if not I leave.

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Originally Posted by Hathor18

I'm actually not very happy with this. I agree that it’s important to leave comments and participate, but some of us have busy lives. Currently I am only reading two stories on this site, and they don't update often. I am very busy with school and work as I am sure many people are. I don't usually have time to come and comment on posts that I am not interested in. I like to check to see if the fan fiction I am reading is updated if it is I comment, if not I leave.

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Well, even a "Please update soon" when you come to check out the fic you're reading could do. It shows that you're interested in what's being posted. and I'm sure it'd encourage the writer to make sure you have something to read next time you drop by. :P

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Originally Posted by Hathor18

I'm actually not very happy with this. I agree that it’s important to leave comments and participate, but some of us have busy lives. Currently I am only reading two stories on this site, and they don't update often. I am very busy with school and work as I am sure many people are. I don't usually have time to come and comment on posts that I am not interested in. I like to check to see if the fan fiction I am reading is updated if it is I comment, if not I leave.

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I can see how the new policy would be an annoyance for you, Hathor. Perhaps your can subscribe via e-mail to those two particular fics, and only come onto the forum when you receive notification that one of them have been updated? All you have to do is post up something random on any thread, and you'd be taken up to active status again.

It's only those two fics that you check the forum for? You don't like checking any other fics on the forum? Or checking out new fics posted by new/old authors? There's quite a lot of good stuff over here, and it seems a shame to limit yourself to only those two fics. Still, it's completely your choice of course.

I do try to check and read other fics when I have time. When a story hasn't been updated in a while I do like to ask for a update. I try to check the forum at least once every couple of days to see if there is something interesting. I work full time currently and I am getting ready to go into an intensive nursing program so being posting is not one of my top priorities. I think every writer on this site is very talented, and I do think that they deserve some sort of feedback. If i wasn't so busy, I probably would try to post more.

This is definitely the push I needed to start posting. Hopefully it's ok if my reviews aren't as extensive as others but I have enjoyed all the fics I've read.

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Originally Posted by Hathor18

I'm actually not very happy with this. I agree that it’s important to leave comments and participate, but some of us have busy lives. Currently I am only reading two stories on this site, and they don't update often. I am very busy with school and work as I am sure many people are. I don't usually have time to come and comment on posts that I am not interested in. I like to check to see if the fan fiction I am reading is updated if it is I comment, if not I leave.

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As long as you post SOMEWHERE on the forums, it'll mark you as active, it doesn't have to be in the fanfiction sections. It can simply be welcoming a new person, or joining in on the discussion of the latest Smallville episode :)

And I understand about being busy. I work full time myself... I hope this won't stop you from hanging around! :)

Good luck with your nursing program!!

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Originally Posted by cbrown80

This is definitely the push I needed to start posting. Hopefully it's ok if my reviews aren't as extensive as others but I have enjoyed all the fics I've read.

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Awesome! By the way, it doesn't have to be super lengthy to please someone! :) Just a simple "thanks", or "that was great" will please someone :) Somethingeasy is our resident super-reviewer, but don't feel obligated to meet her standards :D lol!

I'd like to apologise for my lurking. I'm really sorry, I always have the wors time just looking around on the site and then never knowing what to say to anyone or about anything. I give my solemn vow to get off my arse and starting letting people know my opinion of Chlex. So hot and I'd like a Lex Luther myself if possible.

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Originally Posted by Julie

Somethingeasy is our resident super-reviewer, but don't feel obligated to meet her standards lol!

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Once again, I discover how much I love the 'quote selected text' option :D
awww, Julie! You make me blush, ROTFL! I feel like looking over my shoulder to see whether it's really ME that you're saying such lovely things about. An awesome person like you calling me 'super'? How very flattering!

Heh, that's irony for you. :grin: I registered on this forum a looong time ago, but haven't had the time to read any of the fics yet. But I've finally started my first Chlex fic a couple of days ago (Zannie's "Nameless"), and bang! The fanfiction forum is closed! :puppydog::grin3:

But I totally get why you guys did that. So, I'm only three chapters into the fic, but I promise substantial feedback once I've finished it (even though I usually suck at providing feedback). I'll even go post someting at the Smallville episodes forum!

I just recently logged on to find myself as a lurker. I haven't logged on in a while due to family crisis, but I do think this is a great idea to have members active in the community. We come on to the NS site to read FF, and the writer would get more views than comments.I like the change.

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Originally Posted by pezgirl

I'd like to apologise for my lurking. I'm really sorry, I always have the wors time just looking around on the site and then never knowing what to say to anyone or about anything. I give my solemn vow to get off my arse and starting letting people know my opinion of Chlex. So hot and I'd like a Lex Luther myself if possible.

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Good to hear ;)

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Originally Posted by somethingeasy

Once again, I discover how much I love the 'quote selected text' option :D
awww, Julie! You make me blush, ROTFL! I feel like looking over my shoulder to see whether it's really ME that you're saying such lovely things about. An awesome person like you calling me 'super'? How very flattering!

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Hehe, it should come quite in handy :D

Haha, but you *are* our resident super-reviewer :D

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Originally Posted by Raelis

Heh, that's irony for you. :grin: I registered on this forum a looong time ago, but haven't had the time to read any of the fics yet. But I've finally started my first Chlex fic a couple of days ago (Zannie's "Nameless"), and bang! The fanfiction forum is closed! :puppydog::grin3:

But I totally get why you guys did that. So, I'm only three chapters into the fic, but I promise substantial feedback once I've finished it (even though I usually suck at providing feedback). I'll even go post someting at the Smallville episodes forum!

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It's never too late to jump on the wagon and leave feedback ;)

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Originally Posted by Natasha

I just recently logged on to find myself as a lurker. I haven't logged on in a while due to family crisis, but I do think this is a great idea to have members active in the community. We come on to the NS site to read FF, and the writer would get more views than comments.I like the change.

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I hope you family crisis worked out for the better, and we're happy to see you here! :)

Perhaps it's just my imagination, but this new lurker/active status thing seems to be working. There seem to be a LOT of new postings happening right now... or is it just my imagination after all?

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Originally Posted by somethingeasy

Perhaps it's just my imagination, but this new lurker/active status thing seems to be working. There seem to be a LOT of new postings happening right now... or is it just my imagination after all?

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I've noticed as well. The boards are hopping right now (and it's a holiday weekend even!). It's been awesome seeing new faces and getting to know some of the quieter members a bit. :)

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Originally Posted by somethingeasy

Perhaps it's just my imagination, but this new lurker/active status thing seems to be working. There seem to be a LOT of new postings happening right now... or is it just my imagination after all?

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That would be my opinion as well, looks like it's working like I was hoping it would! :) And hopefully we'll see more activity as more people log on and see that they're locked out of the fanfiction forums :P Over 900 (!) users are marked as Lurkers, so that's a lot of users :P

Its definitely working, which is awesome! :) Congrats, Julie, on another excellent idea ;)

Woo hoo!! New look, and people more actively talking about Chlex ... maybe this will inspire me to write something again...I've been sorely lacking in writing muses lately. Anyhow, just wanted to chime in you rock ... as you have since day one with this site and if people don't tell you enough...thank you for all you do (and have done for the more than 9 years I've been a part of this lovely forum and fandom)!

SaraC

message recieved, will officially stop lurking and comment =)

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Originally Posted by sydsvaughn

Woo hoo!! New look, and people more actively talking about Chlex ... maybe this will inspire me to write something again...I've been sorely lacking in writing muses lately. Anyhow, just wanted to chime in you rock ... as you have since day one with this site and if people don't tell you enough...thank you for all you do (and have done for the more than 9 years I've been a part of this lovely forum and fandom)!

SaraC

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Aww, thank you, that is so sweet :D

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Originally Posted by mariaeriksson

message recieved, will officially stop lurking and comment =)

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Good ;)

*shamed* message received!! Will visit more often.

Will have to make an effort to comment more often.

didn't know comments meant so much to you all...sorry!

You should have done this a long time ago. LOL!!!

o.O ...it's, it's NEW! Julie! I'm afraid of the NEW! How long have I been gone?

...oh. Long enough for LURKER status, I see. *sniff*sniff* (I'm so ashamed...)

I'm so sorry! But I've got a million and one good reasons for abandoning everyone...but for convenience sake I'm offering this one-

I got a job! A real job! Sure, I work from home, but I got a real job! You are now looking at the helpdesk support staff of a Christian filtered internet service!

Yep. Go ahead and laugh. I did. Lexie- you probably did too when I told you. I love me a good smutty story, but apparently not everyone does :D . So I help people block naughty sites from their computers.

On an unrelated note, we just got a blu-ray player and have been looking to see if anyone makes blu-ray porn- just for curiosity's sake, of course.

-Booksketeer

You know, I'm not sure how I feel about this new rule. I hate being forced to do something, and sometimes life gets out of hand, so you can't come in and comment just to keep your account active. It may increase comments for now, but I don't know that it'll help in the long run, especially on fic. People are lazy when it comes to commenting on fics. I see hundreds of views on my fics and only get 5 replies, so I get that. Which is why I don't really think this will help at all with fic, if that was the goal.

I also don't read fic anymore. I'm too busy writing my own billion fics, and life stuff. So, having to come in here to keep my account active by saying something in one of the threads is just annoying to me. I'm here all the time, looking at new threads and the latest posts. I skim them. Sometimes I have nothing to say, other times I have a lot to say. It comes and goes, as does my interest in certain subjects.

Mostly it's the fact that I have to comment just to stay active. I doubt it'll be a problem for me. I comment enough that I don't think I'll be knocked back to lurker status, but... yeah. Just my two cents.

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Originally Posted by Booksketeer

Yep. Go ahead and laugh. I did. Lexie- you probably did too when I told you.

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I actually did not laugh, Kris. My nose isn't growing like Pinocchio's for I'm not lying, guys.

Welcome back. I'm happy you've got yourself a job and, as I told you in my e-mail, I find the service you're rendering commendable since it's meant to protect minors and not to curtail people's rights or freedom of choice.

Hope to see you around more. Don't get lost!

My two cents (for what they're worth) and a suggestion:

First of all, I think the new rule is a good idea. I absolutely love the fact that the boards have been so active lately. It's wonderful to see so many people reviewing fics and taking part in discussions. This is what being a part of a community is all about! On the other hand, I do also understand why some people aren't happy with the change. Everyone has lives outside of NS and some members have less time than others to be active participants. And many of the 'lurkers' aren't here for social interaction, they're here to read the Chlex stories and that's it. Which is fine. However...

I'm going to say something that might get me booed.

The two main reasons I see for why people don't review stories are that one, a person is too busy to leave feedback and two, they have nothing really to say/they think someone else will do a far better job at it than they will. The first reason just doesn't make sense to me. If you have time to read a story, then you have time to write a quick 'good job' and hit the reply button.

The second reason I understand a bit more. When I leave a review, I prefer to say something with some depth to it. Saying that I loved a story or that I'm excited to see what the next chapter will bring always seems so...lame. But as a writer, I love every single review I receive. Whether it's an essay on the finer points of my story or a simple 'nice' (or even just a :) ), I treasure them all. As I'm sure all of the other authors on this board treasures them as well.

(Also? I'm guilty of R&Ring (reading and running). I have a post it on my computer with about 50 different stories that I've read and need to go back and review. It's definitely a WiP as I don't want to review them all at once and end up taking over the boards in the process.)

Now for a suggestion...

Julie, is it possible to tweak the rule slightly? What I was thinking was maybe making it so, instead of not being able to access any of the main boards (fanfic, music videos, etc), a member placed in lurker mode can access only one thread from those forums? The reason being that someone who doesn't post for a month and wants their status reinstated may not have any desire to respond to any of the more social threads. This way, if they're a reader, they could pick one story to read and then review (or they could review a story they've read in the past) in order to be taken out of lurker mode. I have no idea of doing something like this would even be possible, but it might make the rule a little more tolerable for some.

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Originally Posted by momdaegmorgan

I absolutely love the fact that the boards have been so active lately. It's wonderful to see so many people reviewing fics and taking part in discussions. This is what being a part of a community is all about!

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That's just it. I don't think this new rule has anything to do with the board being active, it just happened to coincide with the new board skin and updates and everything being new from the new version being installed. People are checking it out and as soon as the novelty wears off, it'll go back to the way it was before. It'd be nice if that weren't the case, but I fully believe that it is.

Also, that huge list of reviews you have to do is still waiting. Not doing the reviews isn't going to get them done. *pokes you and ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuns*

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Originally Posted by sinecure

That's just it. I don't think this new rule has anything to do with the board being active, it just happened to coincide with the new board skin and updates and everything being new from the new version being installed. People are checking it out and as soon as the novelty wears off, it'll go back to the way it was before. It'd be nice if that weren't the case, but I fully believe that it is.

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I realize that, but I'm really hoping things won't die down. After being active on LJ for so long, I'm kind of addicted to this huge community setting. I miss the socialness of it, the sense of belonging to something larger. Don't get me wrong, I love NS, whether it's active or quiet, but I'm fairly new still to SV and Chlex and I love sharing that interest with others; squeeing or bitching over fandom things.

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Also, that huge list of reviews you have to do is still waiting. Not doing the reviews isn't going to get them done. *pokes you and ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuns*

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Yes, yes. I'm trying to get myself on a schedule of reviewing so many a day, leaving time in between so that I'm not dominating the most recently active threads list. And the sooner I finish getting through my backlog, the sooner I can start reading new stories.

So, as a lurker, I am not entirely sure how I feel about this.

By the way, the following is only my opinion and not meant to offend anyone - including writers and/or our lovely moderators.

On one hand, I can see that yes, fanfiction writer and the other creative artists on this board, thrive on feedback. But on the other hand, I am afraid to start commenting on people's work since I feel that if I comment on one, I must comment on them all (very time-consuming).

Another point was made that if I have time to read something, then I should have time to comment. However, that's not always the case, as I take my fanfiction where I can get it (on my blackberry, ipod or laptop in various places [i.e., ball field, airport, lunch break at work, etc.]).

Another issue that I may have is that I like to read the fanfiction that is already completed (I'm not big on the in-progress works since I'm impatient and want to know how something ends right away). So, writers may not necessarily see my feedback until well after their story is finished.

So, all that being said, yes, I am trying to get better about the feedback thing, but I am not sure that being told I have to comment once a month to stay active is going to encourage me to comment more.

Just my two cents. :)

Hey guys!

I don't think that rule should bother people that much. Here's why (my 2 cents):

I've been close to be considered a lurker in the past few months, because I have a busy life, so I understand people saying they are busy. But really, we don't need to apologise for that. I think Julie understands. One post per month, even if you're busy, I don't see how big of a deal it is, mostly if you have time to read a fic, you have surely 2 minute to say something. Just a litte 'hi' somewhere or a small comment and there you go, back for another few weeks. :) And of course if you're too busy to post for over a month, well the worst that's gonna happen is you're going to be an 'inactive' user until you make one small post. One small post then you're active, I think Julie's rule is pretty easy on inactive people actually :)

Nobody's asking for you to be active every day or week.. just, you know, show you're alive once in a while. otherwise, if everyone stop posting at minimum, the Forum will die. Only lurkers means no activity here or barely any activity and then Julie has no reason to keep the forum alive. and we don't want that :)

Just my 2 cents, but I don't think anyone needs to take it too much as 'being forced' to be active, as much as 'show you're alive once in a while' and help keep the forum a little alive. And that, even with being busy.

Just hope it can help people who don't seem to like the rule, to see it in another point of view :)

Thanks, MelBee!

Makes me see things in a different light!

Well, here's hoping the new policy will make a lasting difference in terms of feedback . . . But I'm afraid it will be like the last great "De-lurk" where there was a flurry of activity for about a month and then, when the dust had settled, we'd only gotten two new regular feedbackers out of it. With the new forum capabilities, at least there will be a post from lurkers every 30 days.

I, of course, know how frustrating it is to see people reading stories daily but never leaving any comments. But I'm afraid this will completely alienate a good number of folks who aren't hardcore Chlexers and just like to check in for an evening every once in a while to read some fics. It's a shame to shut them out completely, just because they don't care about Chlex the way we do (or did). I've sometimes gone to other ship communities just to read some fics and see what it's about. If I'd had to make a post, I wouldn't have bothered. I'm sure that will be the case for most guests who might otherwise have wanted to stop by and see what Chlex is about.

Anyway, I'm hoping for the best out of this . . .

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Originally Posted by Zannie

I've sometimes gone to other ship communities just to read some fics and see what it's about. If I'd had to make a post, I wouldn't have bothered. I'm sure that will be the case for most guests who might otherwise have wanted to stop by and see what Chlex is about.

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Perhaps not what you meant, but as a guest, whether you're just not logged in or not registered, you can view a certain number of threads/post before you have to register. And, I can't say this for sure because I don't know the full extend of the code on this Lurker usergroup plugin, but I believe that newly registered members have 30 days to check things out and then after 30 days they'll have to make a post. You're not pushed into the Lurker group right away.

I'm going to let you guys on a bit of a secret. I'm a closet lurker. I know what you are thinking: What?! NO! Not you! What does that even mean? I'll click on a post, start reading, realize it's not my thing, click out. Sometimes I'm just looking for new authors to interview. I've read much older stories, in some cases, re-read them, figured that the authors are long gone and I don't want to clog the top 5 so I'll leave. I know, Bad Wolf (Ha! Oh! Doctor Who *cough*). All these things not too terrible, except for maybe the last one, I should know better because you never know when a writer will come back and see their fic is still liked and want to write again or it gives someone new to the board a chance to see a fic they wouldn't easily find.

My point, it happens to all of us. We all probably do it in some forum or another. I still lurk in the Spuffy fandom. A big reason is that I fear the same thing I feared before I first started here. I don't have anything to add. I'm too scared to break into the community. But I got over that here, I read a fic I was really liking, it was a WIP at the time, and I was just really wanted the author to know how much I was loving it. And this was ruafair's Sanquis Quid Ligurat. She was already 100 plus chapters in, had a ton of reviews, I didn't think she needed mine, and I was certain I wasn't adding anything. But then in her next update she mentions my review. It made me feel confident and so I posted more reviews and now you can't shut me up. If this rule was adopted where the Spuffy stories I read are, then it would give me that kick to make myself known, and I'd start reviewing all over there. You guys just might lose me to them for a while, but then I would remember you guys and come back here, find I've been lurker status, make a post, get pulled back in.

I don't know about the time thing, these lives people talk about, I don't have one. I can imagine it gets pretty busy. I can tell you that sometimes I don't take a lot of time on my reviews. I usually write one right after I read the story. I like to name at least one thing I really liked, something that stuck with me. So it's like "I liked it when Chloe slapped Lex and then kicked him in the groin. I thought it was funny." So then the author knows what resonates. Starts thinking 'Okay Chlexers enjoy pain and like it when Lex suffers.' And that could help them with future writing. Whatever it is, you're probably thinking it anyway after you've read the story so it doesn't take that much longer to type it.

As far as 'I don't have anything to add goes,' I do know that if a lot of people comment on the same thing then it lets the author know what is working and what isn't working if a lot of people are confused by the same thing. Say the author off-handedly mentions a memory the character has but does not intend to the write it. If enough people say 'I want to read that' then the author just might write it. If something is confusing and enough people mention it, then the author knows she/he has to clear it up either in that chapter or the next. It really helps improve the authors writing.

And it really is the most AWESOME ego trip to see that you've gotten another review and it makes you more eager to write. Each time I put a new story up, I would check the board or email religiously to see if I got a new review and then I'd do a little happy dance when I did.

Anyways I just wanted to say to lurkers to give it a try, but if you want to remain lurking, I understand that too. Now I'm going to go review a Spuffy story because it's time I did so.

I may be off base here, but it doesn't seem to me that the rule is necessarily targeting fanfiction reviews. It seems to me that a person can post anywhere to stay active. So, to me, this is more about creating a sense of community than it is about solely increasing reviews.

Which isn't to say that I am unsympathetic to people's concerns at all.

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Originally Posted by sinecure

You know, I'm not sure how I feel about this new rule. I hate being forced to do something, and sometimes life gets out of hand, so you can't come in and comment just to keep your account active. It may increase comments for now, but I don't know that it'll help in the long run, especially on fic. People are lazy when it comes to commenting on fics. I see hundreds of views on my fics and only get 5 replies, so I get that. Which is why I don't really think this will help at all with fic, if that was the goal.

I also don't read fic anymore. I'm too busy writing my own billion fics, and life stuff. So, having to come in here to keep my account active by saying something in one of the threads is just annoying to me. I'm here all the time, looking at new threads and the latest posts. I skim them. Sometimes I have nothing to say, other times I have a lot to say. It comes and goes, as does my interest in certain subjects.

Mostly it's the fact that I have to comment just to stay active. I doubt it'll be a problem for me. I comment enough that I don't think I'll be knocked back to lurker status, but... yeah. Just my two cents.

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First off, a warning: I'm hyped up on sinus meds that make me slightly flaky...flakier. lol So I hope that I don't muck up this next part, because I definitely see where you're coming from and don't want to dismiss your concerns. :)

I totally get what you're saying and I'm not one for requirements either (although that probably has to do with my innate laziness as opposed to principle lol). But the way that I look at this is like when you have to register at a site in order to use it to it's fullest advantage. There are a number of reasons for that, but it's something that is often required because it benefits the forum as a whole.

I have to admit that I have more than a few lurker tendencies in me. But I've been to sites where you can't access some things until you make an introductory post and I do have to say that there have been times when that's helped me to participate in the community because it broke the ice. Taking that first step and it being okay and people being welcoming helped me get past some of my fears of participation.

And, oddly, that's a fear that I hear a lot. I send out a welcome to people who join (well, now the forum sends it, but it's the welcome that I used to send out manually and the replies back come to me) and I was surprised at how many people lurk because they feel a lack of confidence as opposed to a lack of time (although there are absolutely people for whom that is a legitimate consideration). There are more than a few who decided to tentatively dip their toe in the water an became really active once they realized there was no shark there to gobble them up. lol

So while I do see the points you make about the cons, I think that there are pros that can definitely benefit the community (and, when it comes to it, the lurkers, too, because dead communities tend to disappear which leaves no place to lurk :( ).

Also, from what I got from the first post (although I may have read it wrong. Sometimes me and comprehension don't mesh lol). People don't have to keep their account active all the time. If they leave for a few months and come back they simply have to make a post to move out of the group. So they don't have to make sure to keep stopping in to post if they don't have the time. But I do think for those who currently post or are new and could use the encouragement to post, this can be helpful.

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Originally Posted by techwriter2

So, as a lurker, I am not entirely sure how I feel about this.

By the way, the following is only my opinion and not meant to offend anyone - including writers and/or our lovely moderators.

On one hand, I can see that yes, fanfiction writer and the other creative artists on this board, thrive on feedback. But on the other hand, I am afraid to start commenting on people's work since I feel that if I comment on one, I must comment on them all (very time-consuming).

Another point was made that if I have time to read something, then I should have time to comment. However, that's not always the case, as I take my fanfiction where I can get it (on my blackberry, ipod or laptop in various places [i.e., ball field, airport, lunch break at work, etc.]).

Another issue that I may have is that I like to read the fanfiction that is already completed (I'm not big on the in-progress works since I'm impatient and want to know how something ends right away). So, writers may not necessarily see my feedback until well after their story is finished.

So, all that being said, yes, I am trying to get better about the feedback thing, but I am not sure that being told I have to comment once a month to stay active is going to encourage me to comment more.

Just my two cents. :)

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As a writer here I have to say that I'm not at all offended if a person comments on some stories and not others. As you've mentioned, there are definite time constraints on people's lives and, honestly, sometimes a certain fic prompts a person to say something and another one doesn't. That doesn't mean that one is better than the other, simply that one nudged the reader for whatever reason. I tend to see that more as a reflection on people's personal tastes than on the quality of a story.

Which isn't to say that I want to discourage feedback. It's simply that I think that a lot of people get caught in the same place you are where it seems like it's an all or nothing prospect where you have to review everyone who posts or you'll hurt some of the writers' feelings. Kind of like a "did you bring enough gum for the entire class" thing. But more often than not I think that ends up with a forum having no posts because commenting on everything is an incredibly overwhelming and daunting prospect. So I'd much rather see people be comfortable with a place where they can comment on somethings and not everything without feeling bad.

Also, if it helps any, a lot of writers have their stories set to alert them when they get a comment and so if you add a note to a long finished story they still might get it.

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Originally Posted by sydsvaughn

Woo hoo!! New look, and people more actively talking about Chlex ... maybe this will inspire me to write something again...I've been sorely lacking in writing muses lately. Anyhow, just wanted to chime in you rock ... as you have since day one with this site and if people don't tell you enough...thank you for all you do (and have done for the more than 9 years I've been a part of this lovely forum and fandom)!

SaraC

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Excellent news! Of course, now somethingeasy will be sending out the ninjas to get you. She's obsessive encouraging like that.

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Originally Posted by Booksketeer

o.O ...it's, it's NEW! Julie! I'm afraid of the NEW! How long have I been gone?

...oh. Long enough for LURKER status, I see. *sniff*sniff* (I'm so ashamed...)

I'm so sorry! But I've got a million and one good reasons for abandoning everyone...but for convenience sake I'm offering this one-

I got a job! A real job! Sure, I work from home, but I got a real job! You are now looking at the helpdesk support staff of a Christian filtered internet service!

Yep. Go ahead and laugh. I did. Lexie- you probably did too when I told you. I love me a good smutty story, but apparently not everyone does :D . So I help people block naughty sites from their computers.

On an unrelated note, we just got a blu-ray player and have been looking to see if anyone makes blu-ray porn- just for curiosity's sake, of course.

-Booksketeer

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Yay for the job! Also for the irony that made laugh - loudly. Actually, I think blocking people from naughty sites when they don't want to see them benefits everyone. Then they don't have to get upset when they come across them and we don't have to defend our content. It's win-win.

Also, for the record, porn is never an unrelated note.

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Originally Posted by Augustine86

Ah, Julie, you're a harsh mistress... But I guess that with that Bitch stick you carry around, I shouldn't be surprised. I feel properly chastised... If I had the capacity to feel shame I would, but this Forum has cured me of that particular malady. I promise to try not to lurk!

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If you'd like, I could feel ashamed of you. Kind of like a surrogate sense of morality. ;)


So I have to say that I support this idea. And, speaking only for myself, I'd be happy if people posted on discussion or general threads even if they bypassed commenting on a fic I wrote. Don't get me wrong, like all authors I enjoy hearing from readers. But I also love interaction in other areas. So if someone wants to use that one lurker avoidance post to stop by and add a note in a different area of the forum - like episode discussion even if it's just to say the show sucks and they haven't watched for years for exactly the reasons that the majority of us are probably complaining lol - then I think that would be great. :)

~Sarah~

P.S. OMG, yay for proofreading!!! Because I wrote this sentence:

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Kind of like a "did you bring enough gum for the entire class" thing.

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And included the most unfortunate typo ever.

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Originally Posted by skauble

And included the most unfortunate typo ever.

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Maybe depending on the type of class it was, skooble, it was exactly the appropriate typo. They make cooking classes for everything now!

oh man......... It now so totally looks like I came out of lurkerdom just cuz of this, I swear I had no idea about this whole thing until I just read through the thread....... I did actually come back to being more active on my own, not because of this, but I understand completely that most people will take that statement with little credibility given the timeing, and I hold no bad feeling for it.

I have been terribly guilty of lurking the the fic forums. I enjoy every fic I read here, some more than others obviously, and I used to always review everything I read...... I don't really know when not reviewing everything started. And its horrifically lame to say it, but part of it was that I am a relatively lazy person, and other people leaving such great reviews gave me the pathetic excuse of feeling like I didnt need to put in my too pennith as well. And I knew it was wrong.... I have alot to make up for.

I think overall the new restrictions are good ones, and I for one wont be fading into the background in a months time, I may have before, but not this time. So bring on the 'bitch stick' says I!

and sorry for more self-absorbed sounding melodrama... I think my wisom tooth pain is making me all dicomboulatedly self castigatory in the most strange of ways.....

Off topic, I would just like to say to skauble, do you know how badass it would have been to start chewing gum in class, have the teacher ask if you brought enough for the class and then pull out a bag of gum and say yes?!

Still on topic of this off topic, which typo was it? Was it the more naughty one kitten and let's face it all of us were thinking, or was it the more innocent (if that's possible) word 'gun'?

So my life has been nuts and I've come back to the forum for the first time in quite some while today. I'm not weighing in on the actual lurker/de-lurker thing because honestly I haven't had time to weigh the issues out in my head. But speaking as a writer, here's my thing . . . I currently cannot access my own fics. I can't see the threads with people's comments on it or go back and look at how I had phrased something. I wasn't commenting yet, because frankly I'm a writer and not necessarily on the social side, so when I get back into things I do it through my fiction. It's frustrating to discover I can't see my own fiction posts and a little off-putting. Is there a way that I can at least be allowed to see those threads I started?

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Originally Posted by cypanache

Is there a way that I can at least be allowed to see those threads I started?

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Now that you've posted this comment you must have automatically delurked so access to the fanfic subforum shouldn't be denied to you.

And I see that, but it frankly doesn't change my point. There are fanfiction writers who perhaps have left Chlex or are relatively inactive. They've completed their stories, but that doesn't change the fact that they may want to occasionally come back and see what's posted to their threads (the same way I do for stories i've got in fandoms I'm no longer all that active in). I don't think it's ever right to have a situation that limits a writer's access to the feedback they are given.

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Originally Posted by cypanache

And I see that, but it frankly doesn't change my point. There are fanfiction writers who perhaps have left Chlex or are relatively inactive. They've completed their stories, but that doesn't change the fact that they may want to occasionally come back and see what's posted to their threads (the same way I do for stories i've got in fandoms I'm no longer all that active in). I don't think it's ever right to have a situation that limits a writer's access to the feedback they are given.

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Are you subscribed to your own threads to get an e-mail alert that tells you someone's left feedback? That might be useful if you can't visit frequently to check out if someone's commented on a fic of yours.

By the way, delurking only requires to post a message in any thread once a month.

Again, look beyond me and my situation. Yes I'm subscribed to the email alerts, but those only will update again if you then log back into the thread with your login name after a post has been made (something you can't do if you're blocked from the fanfiction forum). And it all comes back to the core issue . . . blocking a writer from access to feedback about their own work unless they reinsert themselves into a fandom they may not be all that anxious to reinsert themselves into.

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Originally Posted by cypanache

Again, look beyond me and my situation. Yes I'm subscribed to the email alerts, but those only will update again if you then log back into the thread with your login name after a post has been made (something you can't do if you're blocked from the fanfiction forum). And it all comes back to the core issue . . . blocking a writer from access to feedback about their own work unless they reinsert themselves into a fandom they may not be all that anxious to reinsert themselves into.

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Well, I really don't know if the software would allow to give us writers indefinite access to our fics even if we've become lurkers or inactive while restricting the access of the rest of the community to such threads. I do understand not having the time to visit every day- believe me I do know what it's like to be loaded with work and RL in general since I work thirteen hours a day on average plus three hours on Saturdays without counting the tons of work I've got on the net. One has to eat, sleep and live sometime. :D

I just know that all forums I've been subscribed to work that way with e-mail subscriptions- the only difference is that some of them attach the comment to the e-mail so that you don't have to log in to read the message they've left you. Of course, you have to log in if you want the following feedback to arrive in your inbox.

However, if you log in to read the feedback and your status was that of a lurker or inactive member, you would have to post a couple of words anywhere in the forum to read or answer in your thread. It's a simple procedure, which might seem unfair if you just want to check out your threads but it's a rule I've seen implemented on many boards. We'd have to see if Julie has an alternative solution; however if she gave authorization to some of us and restricted access to others... I'm not sure it'd be seen as fair by the rest of the community. We'd be in some other kind of quandary.

I was thinking about it earlier, if you are member who has been out for a while and all you want is to post your new update because say that's all you have time to do is a quick copy/paste. It is frustrating. So I see what you are saying Cy, and I'm on the side if this creates more problems than helps, I could live without it. We could always give it a go for a few months and then take a vote on whether to keep it, though I'm sure we can all predict how that is going to end.

Paid members are recognized differently than non-paying members so the system does seem to have some capability to recognize different types. Mods have access to things the average member can't. If there is a way to allow people to access threads they have started, then I definitely think it should be looked into. Obviously, a returning author whose sole purpose of returning to the site is to update a fic would regain access once they have posted their new update.

We don't want to restrict our authors because then we can't get people to visit the site at all.

Just if anyone's wondering... This has been in the thought of for a while now, it just hasn't been technically possible until this new version came out, which is why it came at the same time as the new board :)

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Originally Posted by Julie

Just if anyone's wondering... This has been in the thought of for a while now, it just hasn't been technically possible until this new version came out, which is why it came at the same time as the new board :)

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Yes, I know it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision and we knew it was going to create some controversy or, at the very least, it'd rouse people to come forward and say something, which I believe it's always a good thing. :D

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Originally Posted by westwingwolf

If there is a way to allow people to access threads they have started, then I definitely think it should be looked into.

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I don't think it's technically possible. The way it is set up now is that, once every day, this script runs through all members and checks for inactivity. If it finds someone, it moves them to the appropriate group (Lurkers|Inactive users). And the Lurkers group is can't see the fanfiction forum, to name a forum appropriate to what you're saying in your post. There's no way to allow just certain users access. It's either all or none. And If I give everyone access that defeats the purpose of this.

Once a user makes a post, anywhere on the board, they'll be moved back to their original user group.

While I see the point Cy makes in her posts, I don't think it's possible to implement.

It is possible to set that some usergroups aren't affected at all, meaning the script will just skip users who are in this particular usergroup. I could probably set it up so that paid subscription members aren't effected, but that will take me some time to tweak those settings :) The way the paid subscription usergroups are set now is that, you have primary usergroups, and secondary usergroups. The secondary usergroup permissions/settings are just added on top of the primary usergroup. So that when you pay for a subscription, once the payment is in, you'll get a secondary usergroup of one of the paid subscription usergroups. Then you have the settings/permissions of that secondary usergroup added on top of your existing primary usergroup, overriding any settings that clashes.

I understand there was good reason to implement the idea. I'm all for the board being more active, and I'm willing to help anyone who honestly wants to make the effort and is just a little afraid to make a post. But I think the evidence is in that this isn't working so well. Old members of every kind: lurkers, writers, ones who have left and come back have each weighed in on the issue, and there are legitimate concerns. New members may not like this place if they feel forced to participate. Yes NS is the only stable place one can find Chlex fanfiction, but it is dying either because no Lex on Smallville, or other Chloe pairings are getting a better push, or just because no one cares. I'd hate the reason that nobody came here anymore be because they didn't feel they had freedom to do as they wish. If a lurker wants to lurk, they are going to lurk, if they feel threatened, they will leave. No lurker will say to their friend, hey check out this site, it's a really great place to read some great fic, and those new people might have been someone who would review. Then we're a community of the same people posting on everything, and no chance of new people coming out when ready. Then everyone loses momentum, writers leave, and suddenly there is nothing left.

I understand that it is difficult to make scripts for every special thing, and I don't want you do so. I think that's a lot of effort for something that isn't your real life job. I don't want to push you do something, just as I don't want to push lurkers to do something.

My fear is that this will be more hurtful than helpful in the long run, and I'd hate to see the board dead. Even the irony wouldn't be enough to cheer me up and I love irony.

But all that said, if you keep this, I really think the paid memberships shouldn't be effected by this rule. They are paying so shouldn't have to deal with any of it. It's a benefit like not having to see ads. And I say all this not having a paid membership, but we wouldn't want another reason for people walking away is not feeling as though they are getting anything extra from paid membership. So yes I would get to work on that script soon.

Julie, could you address how this affects the value of the paid accounts? For example, you're saying a paid member can be listed as a lurker or inactive if they don't post or visit for the lengths of time you've set up. Wasn't there a note on the very first post of this thread saying the paid accounts were treated differently under this rule? I remember it but it's not there now and the thread was edited.

Personally, I have no problem supporting the site, but I expect something back with my membership. The features are nice, particularly the larger inbox, but I think I'd be angry to come back from an absence and find I'm paying to be a lurker. The paid account is meant to be a convenience for me. I'm starting to feel like someone is taking attendance whether I'm here or not and it's making N-S less hospitable.

This is starting to feel like pushing around the really shy kids in the corner of the playground who just want to be left alone. Some people are just not ever going to be comfortable posting, and it might be a legitimate anxiety disorder that prevents them. Lurkers by definition aren't going to stand up as a group and protest, but we have seen a few voices of dissent. Is it possible to get an anonymous polls so lurkers are at least able to say something without having to brave this thread?

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Originally Posted by kitten

Julie, could you address how this affects the value of the paid accounts?

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Yup, I can look into it tonight. It is possible, as I said in a previous post, but that would require some work. And that work isn't something I want to do in a hurry! :D So it'll probably be this weekend at the earliest :) I want to do a little research on it before I go with the first idea, maybe there's an easier way :) But I'll look into it! :)

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Originally Posted by kitten

Is it possible to get an anonymous polls so lurkers are at least able to say something without having to brave this thread?

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As for a poll, I'm sure if I put one up, most would say they hate this idea. And that I can understand. But in order for this place to be a community, there needs to be people with voices in it. So I'm not doing this out of fun, or just because I can, I did it for the community, that it'll hopefully get someone out of the dark and into the light :) I think that one should give a little back to the community that gives you so much for nothing.

Whew, that was a lot of reading to see if one question has been asked yet or not....and it hasn't, so here goes...

What about joint writers accounts? Can they be exempt from this rule? We only post updates to our own fanfiction threads so making the obligatory post would be a pain in the tush for those few accounts floating around.


*ahem* and yes Lexi, I'm back and ready to get the next HTC chapter up in the next week or so with Superag...depending on how our schedules work out. ;)

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Originally Posted by ChloeLovesLex

*ahem* and yes Lexi, I'm back and ready to get the next HTC chapter up in the next week or so with Superag...depending on how our schedules work out.

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Yes! You've been sorely missed, Adele. You've got loads to catch up on. Can't wait for the update and to see that fic out of the graveyard.

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Originally Posted by ChloeLovesLex

What about joint writers accounts? Can they be exempt from this rule? We only post updates to our own fanfiction threads so making the obligatory post would be a pain in the tush for those few accounts floating around.

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Good question! :) At the moment they're not, because it's just another regular user account like the others, but I can make that work, it'll just take me some time :)

I don't remember all the join accounts anymore, so can those of you who have a joint account please PM me with the username of that joint account?


I won't be able to work on that today, nor moving the paid subscription users, but hopefully tomorrow (Sunday)!

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Originally Posted by Julie

I don't remember all the join accounts anymore, so can those of you who have a joint account please PM me with the username of that joint account?

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If I'm not mistaken the three joint accounts I remember are: BlueSabby, ChloLo and SuperCLL

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Originally Posted by ChloeLovesLex

*ahem* and yes Lexi, I'm back and ready to get the next HTC chapter up in the next week or so with Superag...depending on how our schedules work out. ;)

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OMG!!! She does exist! Of course i know that silly b/c FB is running rampant with you. Yes, we do need to be able to get into the system, but hopefully I post here enough to count it for the joint name. And yeah, i would like to get HTC going again. Don't we have a chapter done that you need to redo? If nothing else, it will get done over the summer.

Someone find me a job I can get paid from my couch and we wouldn't have this problem.

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Originally Posted by superag

Don't we have a chapter done that you need to redo?

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Yeah, there is one partially done, but I've got to talk to you about that. It may need a whole re-do...I think I've got something a little more fun to play with that fits better and flows quicker to the ending :D

Why doesn't some one just open a thread for writers to sign in to first and then they can go in to their stories. This way they don't have to find a thread, and think up a reply. They can veiw it as a sign in. They can even save the link a go strait to that thread. I personaly would check out the thread just to see when writers were around. You could also PM the writers with a link to the thread so they would not have to search for it.

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Originally Posted by Rachet

Why doesn't some one just open a thread for writers to sign in to first and then they can go in to their stories. This way they don't have to find a thread, and think up a reply. They can veiw it as a sign in. They can even save the link a go strait to that thread. I personaly would check out the thread just to see when writers were around. You could also PM the writers with a link to the thread so they would not have to search for it.

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I don't think the software would allow something like this. I know of other forums where all authors post a link to their updates in the same thread, so that readers know there's a new chapter of their faVourite fic or fics up without having to browse the subforums or have a peek at multiple threads. However, that doesn't work as a sign in for the writers.

Most of this is too complicated and drawn out when there should only be a few considerations here: paid subscriptions, authors without free access to their own fic, and to do this or not. As far as I'm concerned, the board either dies and becomes an archive, leading to its eventual closing or some people just suck it up and go with it. Looking around the internet, other boards have instituted similar measures, or closed down completely. I get that no one likes change, but this isn't the end of the world. Just post something. Anything and it's done. The amount of time complaining about the issue is in disproportion to the ease of actual compliance.

The overriding issue is this: eventually Julie might look around and not think it's worth it. Now she's putting the effort to combat that. So I guess the choice is people who don't like this taking down their fic and leaving, which results in closure of the board; or just adapting to the new circumstances because the conversation has become circular and nigh-on pointless.

I agree with you, Ava. I'm a member of several forums- not all of them devoted to fandoms- and most of them have a similar policy.

Julie's been doing an awesome job and being more than generous towards us fans by providing us with a place where to share our love for Chloe, Lex, Chlex and the actors behind the characters. She's put money, time, love and effort to make sure we still have a place to hang out with fellow fans, for us to make some new friends and share our creations and/or enjoy others'. What she's asking is small and sensible when looking at the big picture. A really small gesture to thank her for creating this great community and always striving to give us something new and exciting.

Looking back on my post I realized it was harsh, but we spend too much time tip-toeing around the basic problem here. And I know people are busy, but one post in 30 days is not difficult, even for the go-go life style. If you have time to read, then once a month you have time to drop a simple line.

What I was trying to say was not set up a new sign in, but open a thread in an open forum that the writers can use as a sign in. They could post their name, and then they would not be lukring. This would work for the joint authers, at least.

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Originally Posted by Rachet

What I was trying to say was not set up a new sign in, but open a thread in an open forum that the writers can use as a sign in. They could post their name, and then they would not be lukring. This would work for the joint authers, at least.

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I thought this was a good idea but then I thought of what was to keep the average lurker from posting there and getting access. Good idea in theory though. I don't want it to be like there is a preference of one group over another so I guess the only solution is everyone has to post. And I can see the point was to get people more active and not having a bunch of people post a post that is essentially "I'm just posting this so I'll have access to fanfic." If that is the feeling that comes off, I'd rather it be in the other sections then on someone's fanfic. Anyways, hope this all works out.

I see what people are saying about giving authors a special preference, but I don't think that's fair towards everyone else.

The only preference I'll set up is, for the joint accounts because it's harder to maintain a joint account than a regular account, and for the paid subscription accounts.

If there are any other joint accounts other than the ones lexie wrote up, please let me know :)

The joint accounts (that I've been notified about) have been moved to a special group that is not checked for inactivity.

Paid subscription users have been moved to the actual paid subscription user group, which isn't checked for inactivity. If you have a paid subscription, and notice something is wrong with your account, please contact me and I'll look into it! :)

I think that's fair, Julie.

Okay so i'm a serial lurker. And it was quite a surprise to come back to boards and find this latest piece of news. I will try to come back to the forum more often, and try de-lurk myself.

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Originally Posted by cateye

Okay so i'm a serial lurker. And it was quite a surprise to come back to boards and find this latest piece of news. I will try to come back to the forum more often, and try de-lurk myself.

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Well, you've just de-lurked yourself with this little message. Welcome back! ;)

I am sad about this. :( I love this place, honest, I'd be crushed if it ceased to exist... but real life crap has kept me a sporadic visitor. (I think at one point I was away for 2 years...oops!) I do leave feedback...but the fics I follow don't get updated often *plus* I have no concept of time so I don't always login/post every 30 days. I guess I'll have to be a Lurker most of the time and post in some off-topic forum to get access to fanfic again? Okay, I'll do it. But I just had to whine a bit about it. :)

Wow it's been ages since i've come around here. I think the new policy is pretty fair. I'ts actually nice to see that this place isn't just dying out and shutting down. I'll be trying to stop in and comment more often from now on. :)

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Originally Posted by Zannie

But I'm afraid this will completely alienate a good number of folks who aren't hardcore Chlexers and just like to check in for an evening every once in a while to read some fics. It's a shame to shut them out completely, just because they don't care about Chlex the way we do (or did).

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Thank you! I enjoy Chlex Fanfiction every now and then - but I`m not a hardcore fan! Besides, english is not my first language so posting makes me feel uncomfortable . If I´m not welcome to read here without being active I think I rather quit this site than force myself to do something I don`t enjoy. No offence......

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Originally Posted by TinyTini

Thank you! I enjoy Chlex Fanfiction every now and then - but I`m not a hardcore fan! Besides, english is not my first language so posting makes me feel uncomfortable . If I´m not welcome to read here without being active I think I rather quit this site than force myself to do something I don`t enjoy. No offence......

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A lot of the users here don't have English as their first language, myself included! So you don't need to worry about that! :) And also, I think your English is very good!

And while I do understand where everyone's coming from on this, it was done for the benefit of the overall community, and not a way to punish one group or the other. This is quite common on similar communities.

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Originally Posted by Julie

A lot of the users here don't have English as their first language, myself included! So you don't need to worry about that! :) And also, I think your English is very good!

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As an English teacher I agree with you; Tinytini's English is very good indeed.

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Originally Posted by Julie

And while I do understand where everyone's coming from on this, it was done for the benefit of the overall community, and not a way to punish one group or the other. This is quite common on similar communities.

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I can attest to this. I'm a member of several forums- not all of them devoted to a fandom- and almost all of them have a similar policy.In fact, most of them go a step beyond, they don't simply put you in the lurkers or inactive users groups, they don't allow you to delurk or reactivate your account, they cancel it so that if you want to access again you have to open a brand new account. I'm not really for this drastic approach, mind you, I'm just saying what goes on elsewhere. We're much friendlier and as you said, Julie, the aim is not to punish anyone.

And you've certainly hit the nail on the head. We're a community and being an active participant (and I'm using this term to refer even to those members who just post once a month) is what makes us different from those very popular repositories of stories that can be accessed even without a membership. This participation is what helps us be a family and a close-knit group of virtual friends.

Wow! I'm just now reading this. Guess it doesn't apply to me then :P

I'm sad that the forums has been so down lately and that Julie had to implement this system, but I have to admit that I am loving the spike in...non-lurker/inactiveness!

I know many of you don't know me personally, however I miss you guys and this site when I'm away for a while. The banter keeps this little train chuggin' along! :)

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Originally Posted by itsjustXchar

I know many of you don't know me personally, however I miss you guys and this site when I'm away for a while. The banter keeps this little train chuggin' along!

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I know who you are! You're the fab person that made all those awesome Chlex vids I watch on YouTube ;)


To all the recent lurkers who have delurked - welcome to the community! :) As I'm sure you realise by now that we are a friendly bunch and do not bite! :P

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Originally Posted by Ultra

I know who you are! You're the fab person that made all those awesome Chlex vids I watch on YouTube ;)

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*blush* Aww thanks Ultra! :blinkkiss

argh... fine fine... im delurking... this is a seriously ruthless tactic to get people to be more active on the boards, and while ive read some fanfic writers appreciate any feedback - including short one liners from readers, ive gotten the impression that some other writers out there dont care for it as they see anything less than 'a long, indepth, expose on their latest chapter' useless..

so i stopped..

i agree with a fellow de-lurker out there who wrote that most of us dont know what to say, other than 'awesome!!' or 'thanks', but given this new rule..i think ill stick to posting only on the off-topics, just to be able to access fanfic again..its a good idea to keep the site active though, i did admit it was sad to see less people posting (in general)..

Oh, now that's evil... I'm trying to find more time to post, but i went back to school full time, plus working full time..... Needless to say I have had much time for a life, but the semester is almost over!!!

ooh! so that's what happened to me? and so if i post here i'll be back?

i agree with Queen of Tact, i rlly don't have too much a crazy time...but i will try!

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Originally Posted by blackheart_me

and so if i post here i'll be back?

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Yes, that is correct.

Oops, I'm one of the Lurkers, but NOT because I want to, most of the times. There are a lot of times that I try to enter the web and it doesn´t work. I think it's my laptop, but not even my cousin, who is an expert knows what the damn problem is. Is there any way to know when I'm reaching the limit of 30 days?

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Originally Posted by Emch

Is there any way to know when I'm reaching the limit of 30 days?

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The easiest way is to go to

http://forums.naughty-seduction.net/...st&showposts=1 (that's for you specifically)

And at that page there's a column for Last Post and the date and time for that post.

Eek! I am a big offender of reading and running, I will do better in the future and leave a comment when I'm around.
I think that this is a great policy.

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Originally Posted by FroggyJump

[...] I will do better in the future and leave a comment when I'm around.

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Awesome ;)

Thanks a lot for the wake up call!!!!! :grin3::grin3::grin3::grin3:

:starwars:

I'll admit it - i'm a lurker...but the first step is admitting it right?

Hi Julie, just wondering did Bluesabby ever come back to finish their stories?