Time to pack up ?

[LeBaron]

I have been looking at the traffic on the site...
Looks like we are down to 2 or 3 posts a DAY !

Is it time to give up and shut the site ?

[wombat]

I think its an excellent site. But the lack of traffic is due to the fact that most work & college computer systems now have firewalls that either block gay & lesbian content or track it as non-work related content.
Its impossible to access. I used to access & post much more, but can only do now when at home. The same is true for the Chat site. I think people used to log on here for the chat site & then would post & review the site, but again, since changing the chat site - it is now blocked by firewall - ( as are all web based emails & chat sites).

[jc]

i think as well that a lot of people were turned off by the new layout of the site and have opted to go for the gaire type forums...

i hope the site isnt closed down... its a great resource for findign out whats going on on the scene and what events are coming up...

[Slayer]

all forums go through phases of inactivity.

[LittleTimmy]

we probably need someone to spark up some controversy.
[:-?]

[admin]

Its well obvious that the forums have gotten quieter, but the site in whole is getting busier (mainly due to the classifieds)

I'm well aware that the new forum software has put people off somewhat, but that upgrade was necessary because the old forums (snitz) were hacked about 3 times bye some homophobic hacker, and it was also getting to be a right pain to maintain & moderate.

Also at that time a lot of users moved onto new things, and a high percentage of the users were also active on the UCC LGB forums, which have since gone from strength to strength.

Also a lot of spam filters do block the word gay, so for example email responses to personals with a hotmail address go straight to its spam filter and people never realize they got responses.

Also as wombat pointed out - some business /colleges would also block the url www.gaycork.com (http://www.gaycork.com/)

GayCork.com was voluntary by two people, but alas one of those users is not able to help out as much anymore due to other commitments, so it all then falls to me to keep this site updated. This in itself is a lot of daily work

It also costs money to run this site and most of that comes from my pocket plus a small sum we get off Google ads.


Currently I'm working on a new version of the site, but the forums will more or less be the same with this upgrade.

As for things like chat, those in themselves are very expensive to setup and I doing my best to find an overall good free solution.


We could do a few things to help bring more life to the forums, like a prize giving competition for Christmas or the likes, other ideas are welcome!!


Anyhow I like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind words and wishes and please don’t give up on GayCork.com!!

[LittleTimmy]

For what its worth Admin I much prefer this forum layout than the older one. And without wanting to give you a big head, you deserve a lot of credit for the work you've done here. I definately believe that gaycork helped to normalise my sexuality for me, and not only that I know of a few others where it was instrumental in thier decision to come out!
Things are quiet now but the same happens with most forums occasionally.

[LeBaron]

I agree Timmy.... i dont think it has anything to do with the format and for sure its nothing Admin did.... Its still a mystery 'tho.... I wonder if we can blame it on the smoking ban ? [:-)]

[1082229]

heheheh, blaming us UCCers ah?? lol

ya our forum whilst now being as pretty or in fact totally working is getting really really busy. us students nothing to do but spam our forum...


[:-D]
but on topic, i think the gaycork.com website is fantastic! i remember i only came across it by accident but it totally shocked me how active cork gay ppl were! i for one think the site is a fantastic resource for country bumkins like me going to the big smoke!
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[apollo]

but on topic, i think the gaycork.com website is fantastic! i remember i only came across it by accident but it totally shocked me how active cork gay ppl were! i for one think the site is a fantastic resource for country bumkins like me going to the big smoke!

I totally agree with you 108, I also love the new look of the Forums, I find it more accessible than the previous look. [:-)]

Here's to the good work of admin [:-)] and the moderators [:-)]

[Swimmy]

I totally agree with you 108, I also love the new look of the Forums, I find it more accessible than the previous look. [:-)]

Here's to the good work of admin [:-)] and the moderators [:-)]


And little did he know he would join the ranks of the almighty............ [:-D]

[Ged]

This is a great site - ok so there's a quiet time at the moment but that isn't reason enough to consider closing it down.

[Swimmy]

Ged I dug this up........look at the dates.........he he! [;-)]

[damien]

Ged, that first is dated November 2004.

Ironic that the man that suggested we bury the site has himself shuffled off this mortal coil.

[Ged]

Ged I dug this up........look at the dates.........he he! [;-)]
Swimmy - I blow raspberries in your general direction!!! [:-P] [:'']

[Swimmy]

Swimmy - I blow raspberries in your general direction!!! [:-P] [:'']

lol...........I deserve them! [:-))]

[redbulljunkie]

Oh vile. We already had stuff of that nature posted already on the site this week.

[Swimmy]

Oh vile. We already had stuff of that nature posted already on the site this week.

You are cheeky!!!!!! [:(|)]

Down with that sort of thing........... [:-))]

[apollo]

Yes ,it's kinda descending into Carry on Camp here sometimes. [:-D]

[Ged]

[@};-] And what's wrong witha bit of Carry On camp?? [:-B]

[damien]

It's quite fucking boring, distinctly repetitive and particularly time-wasting. Most of the purile "banter" around these parts of late could easily be automated with a script that copies and pastes from templates and does a reverse spell check turning proper english into a bastardisation involving text speak, lols and armies of smiley faces. There is no point or purpose to a discussion site that doesn't discuss things. Right now it seems more like a "tag you're it" where "it" is defined as a hapless half-wit.

[chatelaine]

It's quite fucking boring, distinctly repetitive and particularly time-wasting. Most of the purile "banter" around these parts of late could easily be automated with a script that copies and pastes from templates and does a reverse spell check turning proper english into a bastardisation involving text speak, lols and armies of smiley faces. There is no point or purpose to a discussion site that doesn't discuss things. Right now it seems more like a "tag you're it" where "it" is defined as a hapless half-wit.

Very well said. I've read through pages of posts where it feels like I've walked in on a private conversation between six year olds who haven't got a basic grasp of the English language...

[redbulljunkie]

In a few minutes I'm going to start lol-ing and LMAOing and then the animated smilies will roll in. Now where did I leave that smily that blows the birthday party streamer?

I've read through pages of posts where it feels like I've walked in on a private conversation between six year olds who haven't got a basic grasp of the English language...

That's why we've enlisted Apollo's help as an extra moderator. I'm quite busy in my new job these days so I don't have time to be sifting through pages and pages of crap trying to distinguish signal from noise. Apollo on the other hand has lots and lots of experience when it comes to spam [;-)].

[chatelaine]

Apollo on the other hand has lots and lots of experience when it comes to spam [;-)].

Ah, Spam! Lovely spam.

Personally, I think the target audience might not have gotten it if it came in a bag marked "it"...

[bo_selecta]

[;-)] [:-((] [B-)] [:-X] [:-B] [I-)] [():)]

sorry - couldn't resist!

[Bootyzilla]

You're both so right. I wonder if we could impose a ban on text speak as well as personal vendetta? That would make this forum a much more pleasant place to be. I remember a time when posting here was so much fun, people almost always had something interesting to add or contribute. Lately it seems like it's all bloody threads about hetero sports idols and insecure kids bitching away at each other in a frankly annoying manner.

Admin, I know it's impossible to moderate every post on here, and what with all the other work you do it'd be impossible, but if someone (a Mod, perhaps) could insist on banning this crappy txt spk I'd be eternally grateful.

[redbulljunkie]

My original plan was to add all known text speak abominations to the swear word filter so when one of the text speak kiddies posts, all their posts would show up as stars. It would frustrate them no end and would also make the job of sifting through threads for crap a whole lot easier.

It would also have the added benefit that when they try and post in their usual whiny "d modr8rs r opp.. opp... bn meen 2 us" fashion, they would again face the same problem.

The only drawback is the incredible number of bastardisations of English words that exist out there.

But yeah, if Admin agrees, I'd be happy to issue bannings for anyone who uses text speak on the forums.

[admin]

Impossible being the right word for it! I'm well aware of the spamming from recent days, especially by 1/ 2 users who keep rejoining when banned...

and yes lets ban text speak!

Also it might be time to create a special forum for certain members only? [:-?]

OR

create a forum for the text kiddies?

[bo_selecta]

Also it might be time to create a special forum for certain members only? [:-?]

How about we teach them how to use private messaging?

[redbulljunkie]

Also it might be time to create a special forum for certain members only?

Oh yay. We should call it "La Clique" <;)>

[damien]

create a forum for the text kiddies?

It's known as After Hours and it's on boards.ie. Let them fuckoff over there besides using up the GayCork.com bandwidth.

[Swimmy]

You're both so right. I wonder if we could impose a ban on text speak as well as personal vendetta? That would make this forum a much more pleasant place to be. I remember a time when posting here was so much fun, people almost always had something interesting to add or contribute. Lately it seems like it's all bloody threads about hetero sports idols and insecure kids bitching away at each other in a frankly annoying manner.

Admin, I know it's impossible to moderate every post on here, and what with all the other work you do it'd be impossible, but if someone (a Mod, perhaps) could insist on banning this crappy txt spk I'd be eternally grateful.


Here here!

That ROG thing was a pain in the ass!

[redbulljunkie]

ROG?

I'm going to start drawing up a Charter for the forums and include some rules/guidelines that would make life on the forums more pleasant in general. I'll add a ban on text speak as one of the rules.

I'll leave the charter thread open for a while so that forum users can post their suggestions.

[Swimmy]

ROG = Ronan O Gara

That is a good idea RBJ. It will certainly generate some controversy I am sure.

[apollo]

How about we teach them how to use private messaging?
Yes, surely they know how to use messenger.
If admin has no problem I would gladly crack down on the personal conversations and text speak.

[admin]

death to text speak! - tell them to use the private message system

[damien]

That ROG thing was a pain in the ass!

Swimmy's a bottom. Awww.

[Swimmy]

Swimmy's a bottom. Awww.

You can dream away about Swimmys bottom to your hearts content..... [:-D]

I certainly won't be declaring my preferences one way or the other publically.

So for tonight I am versatile...... [:-P]

[007]

Yes its lovely yum [:-P]

[apollo]

*cough*Private Messaging System*cough* [:-D]

[Swimmy]

I was waiting for that comment....but it our last spurt before the Iron Fist of RBJ and Apollo strikes us hard on the back of the head.................... [:-((]

[1082229]

the time of apollo has come, the time of spam is ended, let all those who continue to believe in the spam be struck down!



[:-((] [:-P] [:-P]
________
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[apollo]

the time of apollo has come, the time of spam is ended, let all those who continue to believe in the spam be struck down!



[:-((] [:-P] [:-P]
Spam like this then [;-)]

[1082229]

its not spam, its sucking up![:-D]
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[admin]

Yes I do have figures, but I don't give them all out a such, but I will tell you a few things.

Gaycork.com these days has an average of 910 unique users a day and about 1,570,092 hits a months

The most requested pages are the classfieids and the forums...

[joeohara]

Also it might be time to create a special forum for certain members only? [:-?]


at the risk of getting even more bad rep does'nt that sound a bit elitist, i mean having a forum just for "certain members" is hardly going to promote a feeling of friendliness but instead give off the impression that if you are not part of the clique then you may as well piss off to another board. and lets face it there is a clique on this board and it seems like this special forum would just be for them only. [:-?]

[Swimmy]

Joe you can join my clique of cliquers! We are the cliquiest of all the cliques! [:-D]

[admin]

at the risk of getting even more bad rep does'nt that sound a bit elitist, i mean having a forum just for "certain members" is hardly going to promote a feeling of friendliness but instead give off the impression that if you are not part of the clique then you may as well piss off to another board. and lets face it there is a clique on this board and it seems like this special forum would just be for them only. [:-?]

Joe, what i mean was to create a special thread /forum, so users can use it for idle chatter, random info, and so on.

It would be open to all, and those of us no interested would simple just not bother reading or posting on that thread /forum!

[redbulljunkie]

Like Damien said, a waste of bandwidth. They have a forum called After Hours on boards.ie for that purposes and it seems to use as much bandwidth as the hundreds of other forums put together. Some threads go on for hundreds of pages with crap such as "What's your favourite word?" "What song are you listening now?" and so on.

If you think your hosting bill is bad now...

[wally]

Yes I do have figures, but I don't give them all out a such, but I will tell you a few things.

Gaycork.com these days has an average of 910 unique users a day and about 1,570,092 hits a months

The most requested pages are the classfieids and the forums...

Thats surprising, I didn't think the stats would be that high but great to see that the site is so popular. In relation to the thread title sounds like packing up is far from likely going on them stats. GO GAYCORK!!

[LittleTimmy]

I'm surprised that we have that many daily visitors too! Thats fantastic! I find that gaycork.com has been very important in my acceptance of my sexuality, over time anyway. I hope that it has been the same for others!
Also I think the website and particularily the forums adds to the sense of 'gay community' that I feel part of with the last while. I know it manifests itself in other ways, like the scene, help groups etc, but I find that gaycork has been one of the most helpful platforms for me!

[redbulljunkie]

It's kind of amazing that we get 910 visitors a day and yet we have only between 10 and 20 regular posters.

Though it's probably much preferable that people sit and watch as opposed to posting for the sake of being seen to post.

[wally]

I find that gaycork.com has been very important in my acceptance of my sexuality, over time anyway. I hope that it has been the same for others!
Also I think the website and particularily the forums adds to the sense of 'gay community' that I feel part of with the last while. I know it manifests itself in other ways, like the scene, help groups etc, but I find that gaycork has been one of the most helpful platforms for me!

I totally agree with you there. I don't know that many gay people and find posting here a great way of chatting to other gay people and feel there is a nice sense of community here too.

In relation to what RedBulljunkie said, I know I was looking up this website for a few months before I registered.

[joeohara]

Joe, what i mean was to create a special thread /forum, so users can use it for idle chatter, random info, and so on.

It would be open to all, and those of us no interested would simple just not bother reading or posting on that thread /forum!



well then please accept my apologies for totally misreading your post. sorry babe

[joeohara]

Joe you can join my clique of cliquers! We are the cliquiest of all the cliques! [:-D]




aww swimmy bless your heart what a babe.

[1082229]

can anyone explain this for me. If you go into "who's online" the list, there are like Inktomi Slurp Spider and msn spider bot? what are they??
________
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[redbulljunkie]

Search engine robots. They trawl the web, scanning pages and building up a database so you can then search for stuff.