From the get-go, our goal with this project was to create a fun space where people could have intelligent, interesting conversations (mostly about Star Trek). I like to think of us more as party hosts than exhibitors, and to that end we had always contemplated creating some way for you to chat easily with or without us, on- or off-topic.
We’ve been blessed with a group of ridiculously smart and entertaining folks that I’d be happy to talk to any time of day. To that end, I’m thinking of creating a mailing list or forum space for people to talk Star Trek and beyond: from sharing info on upcoming Star Trek events to crowdsourcing the worthiness of the latest Tintin movie. It could also be a good way for those not interested in TNG to stay in touch while we continue the re-watch. Mostly I imagine it as a chance to just be friendly and chat about life, the universe, and everything, like the usenet days of yore when the internet didn’t have any 2.0s after it.
I don’t want to talk to myself so I figured I’d toss the idea out to the general crowd. Any interest in this whatsoever? And do people prefer a mailing list (pro: more private and convenient to check; con: potentially voluminous e-mail, possibly unwelcoming to newbies) to a web-based forum (pro: you can easily ignore uninteresting threads; con: publicly available* and requires checking an obviously non-work-related website).
* In the interest of privacy I could, however, make it a registered users/members-only forum.
I like both mailing lists and forums — so long as whatever we choose is accessible to new members, so that
their biological and technological distinctiveness can be added to our ownour community can grow!I’m reminded of a sign I saw in a comic store in Victoria BC…the owners had placed a piece of cardstock next to the cash register that said in bold letters “NO STAR TREK CHIT-CHAT”. So frequently, talking about this franchise can descend into stupidity that is worthy of the popular conception of ‘Trekkies’.
Not so on this site.
I’m new to posting on the Viewscreen (lurked for a while, and followed your posts at the other site before the move) but I find there is a unique spirit to the way Star Trek is discussed here. Absent is the snark or getting bogged down in foolish non-existent technical details of things that don’t really exist. There is more a reasoned conversation about the spirit of the show, an examination of the characters, and an appreciation for the philosophy…as well as an admission that Star Trek can be downright silly and cheesy.
I don’t know how you managed it Eugene and Torie, but you have struck the right tone and balance that I have always wanted from a conversation about Star Trek, and pop culture in general. However you decide to do this, I want in…and I hope you can maintain the atmosphere of this site.
All I can say is thanks.
I prefer forums to mailing lists. My email box gets enough stuff as it is. Also I find it easier to follow a conversation if I can see it like I can here.
However whichever way you do it, count me in.
I belong to a Yahoo chat group about another SF series, which has attracted a reasonably intelligent and snark free group of people. One thing I like about the Yahoo groups model, is the choice of signing up for individual emails, or condensed groupings of messages. When I first joined the group, I signed up for indivdual messages, but later changed to the second option which I found more convenient. Perhaps that could be an option ?
I’ve been following you for more than a year now – the main reason I just lurk and read and don’t post is that I’m not a native, and I don’t really like writing in English. But now, I’m so happy to read that you’ll re-watch TNG, that I must come out, and say a big yuppie to you for just that. I liked TOS, there were some episodes I even loved. I liked the films the two notable exceptions being STI (I was bored to death) and STV (downright disappointing). But I really fell in love with the ST universe through TNG – and mostly its 4-7 seasons. I’m looking forward to re-watch it with you, and I promise I’ll do my utmost to even participate in the discussion.
I’d sign up for a forum, but the yahoo idea is a good one, where you can opt for emails or just forum access. Maybe there are other sites that do this too?
@ 2 glorbes
Aww! You are way, way too kind. Thank you so much. I don’t know what Eugene and I did to deserve such wonderful commenters (and such generally excellent discussion). I am constantly amazed at how erudite, thoughtful, and polite this group is. Every time I click through to comments on other sites I am reminded of it…
@ 3 bobsandiego, @ 4 Dep1701, and @ 6 EngineersMate
If it were a mailing list, I’d certainly do it as a Google Group or something similar so that you could digest the mail (or not get any at all) if you so choose. If it were a forum, I’d include an option to subscribe to all posts in a particular category, so that you could get e-mails of new posts and comments. The problem with the former is that it can be hard to follow the conversation and you’d have to check the Group for any archives, and the problem with the latter is that you still have to go back here to actually post a response even if you’re getting the e-mails. Plus, an empty forum is a sad, sad thing on the internet, while a period of low e-mail volume is generally welcome.
Such a dilemma! I’m glad to see that there’s general interest, though. For instance, I just saw Soylent Green for the first time on Monday, and am itching to talk about it specifically with this group of people. (Short version: not as good as you all said it was!)
@ 5 enahma
Thank you so much! What language do you speak? We have a fairly international group here, so it’s possible there are others who would understand if you wrote in your native language? (That said, your English is excellent!)
TNG is my favorite Trek, too, particularly seasons 3-6. I am SO excited to re-watch it and write about it and talk about it with all of you! We’ll be posting our intro post for TNG tomorrow, so stay tuned.
Well, I’m Hungarian, so I guess I’m quite alone here. And as for my English: I work as a translator (though the other way round: English-Hungarian), so it’s understandable.
I will surely come tomorrow to check out your post! :-)
I’d prefer the forum set-up myself. Like Bobsandiego, my email box is already crowded enough. Besides, it’s a lot easier to stick to individual discussions that way, at least in my experience.
@7 Torie
WHAT. You didn’t like Soylent Green? Or it just wasn’t as good as you expected it to be? (See, this is why we need a forum or something. Maybe then I’d actually get around to watching all those movies I’ve been “assigned” here.)
@2 glorbes
Thank you for the compliment, and I completely agree about the great dynamic we have on this site. It doesn’t seem to be something that can be engineered, or more sites would have it too, so I feel incredibly lucky for the small part I’ve played in creating a tiny oasis of intelligent discussion on the internet. Thank you especially for sticking with us and delurking!
@5 enahma
Hello! I’m glad you commented and we’re thrilled to have you aboard for the TNG re-watch, particularly when we’re slogging through the first few seasons. Don’t worry–we all speak Internet fluently here.
As I have said before this is pretty much the only internet community where I post regularly. I read far and wide, but it’s rare I feel the need to share my poor thoughts. This place and the people in it really help me through the day. (Particularly days like yesterday where I learned that apparently the execution of my prose is ‘a bit flat.’ *le sigh*)
And yeah a film discussion board, sound cool.
I like the idea of a discussion group or forum. Someplace to continue discussions begun within an episode’s discussion, or to discuss new developments and fan stunts.
However, I hope it’s not on Yahoo. Yahoo and I don’t seem to be able to play nicely together. I think I have an account set up then it’s not there. (I don’t shout nice things at Yahoo.)
Ludon @ 13:
I’m glad I’m not the only one. Yahoo is dead to me.
The consensus seems to be a forum, so I guess I’ll go with that. Don’t worry, it won’t be Yahoo or any other third party–it’ll be bespoke to this site. No creepy sharing of information to third parties, no ads, no obnoxious interfaces.
I’m easy either way, would have plumped for a digest, but can easily adapt to a forum. I think what’s nicest about this group is that we can all have (and do have) our differences, but we don’t make it personal, and we each make room for each other’s opinions. No one’s ever told they can’t feel the way they do, except in the most gentle teasing. I’m so used to the unending abuse I get as a feminist blogger, it’s a real joy to be able to interact with people I disagree with, and not feel a need to detox afterwards. :)
enahma, I’m a translator as well, German/Russian/French to English, and speak some Spanish and Japanese besides. Lovely to have more polyglots about. :D
@16 Caitiecat
Damn you’ve have the serious language chops. Makes me wish I could pick your brain as I write my novels. Sadly I barely pass muster in one language.
(My novel has characters that speak all the languages you mentioned. LOL)
I’m always up for an e-mail consult, bobsandiego, that’s for sure. And I write myself, so I know what that’s like. :)
@16 Caitiecat
Hey, I’m a translator too! Just German into English, though. Why are we all so fascinated by a future that wants to put us out of work?
@19 DemetriosX
If you were in the future shown in Enterprise, you would still have a job…
I also like the sound of a forum. I’m a fairly recent convert to the medium, and I think it would be well-suited to serve as an adjunct to this site.