 Colleen Sperry 622 posts |
Hi Leanne.. I'm a fairly new member here.. and let me just say.. I love the site.. I am a beginner and have only posted a few things here and everyone has been very helpful and I have appreciated all their comments! I love to read the writings posted but I am not really comfortable posting comments.. I am not skilled enough to offer any advice... but I have, (at times) emailed the writers to let them know that I enjoyed their work! thanks for all the work you all do to keep this site going!!! its great!! |
 Leanne Hansonfrom Just west of the lounge room Associate, 3708 posts |
Much appreciated Colleen Emailing is really nice and I'd never suggest anyone stop doing that, because I don't think there's a writer alive who doesn't like to know if someone's liked something they've written. The reason I would prefer to see more comments on the actual site is because it often stimulates discussion and gets other people involved. Sometimes if you're not sure what a poem is about, another comment might give you a clue, or the author's reply might help you. What I would desperately love to see though -- above all else -- is people replying to the comments they receive, whether it's on site or via email, because it's that interaction that keeps the site alive. This might seem selfish, but think about it: if you spend time commenting on people's work and you never hear a word of thanks or acknowledgement from them, why would you do it again? |
| Oldagyz |
There was an executive veto from the dull voices in my head that I shouldnt write, edit or comment anymore... maybe its summer, maybe I know im godawful, maybe im lazy, the law has spoken its out of my hands 
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Leanne Hansonfrom Just west of the lounge room Associate, 3708 posts |
We all have times like that... admittedly, we don't all have the voices to go with them. Although I think periods of malaise are an occupational hazard for the artiste. |
 Stephan Ansteyfrom Lowell, MA Associate, 6232 posts |
ShannonVeeeee: The best place to see what's going on is the 'recent work' link ni the navigation. -----
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Leanne Hansonfrom Just west of the lounge room Associate, 3708 posts |
Not trying to point fingers here -- but if everyone just logs in and sees that nothing's been said so they log out again (and I know Shannon doesn't because she's always stirring things up when she can ) -- anyway, if everyone just logs in and logs out again when they don't see anything new, there will never be anything new.
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 Dotdotdotfrom mars 466 posts |
Um, did you DELETE my comment, stephan/leanne? THAT IS NOT ALLOWED. Also, Ya'll are right. More participation. Also, I think you're all HORRIBLE hOrriBLE people and i DISAGREE COMPLETELY with whatever you happen to be thinking. (just trying to stir things up).
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Stephan Ansteyfrom Lowell, MA Associate, 6232 posts |
ShannonVeeeee: I am so sorry about that Shan, I did that accidentlywhen i was trying to delete one of my comments, I meant to email an apology and totally forgot!
Love stephan -----
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Leanne Hansonfrom Just west of the lounge room Associate, 3708 posts |
It's a bit like a party. You can either stand against the wall watching for a chance to sneak out, or you can be in the middle of the floor doing tequila slammers off a naked monkey's chest (the nudity is required by Stephan's Law). Sure, if you leave early you won't have a headache in the morning... but you will be able to remember how utterly bored you were. And you won't get any naked monkey love. So, bottoms up for more poetry action and a few simian STDs. |
Stephan Ansteyfrom Lowell, MA Associate, 6232 posts |
Leanne: I like to think of Stephan-Law as more of a 'guideline' I think there are two parts to the problem for new people. One is the site is a bit ... ominously large and a bit difficult to fathom at times, and the other is we're very strange here. It is not always immediately clear what the social structure is. So, for the benfit of new people who wonder -- it works like this, I don't really have any favorites. I've known some people longer than others, but I really make an effort to appreciate each and every memember and their work. When I don't like someone's work, i try to be respectful of both their work and them. We haven't had a lot of 'social' problems here, there aren't really any clicks beyond the 'eboard' which isn't so much a click as the work group that provides the magazine and tries to keep the site rolling. The thing I crave most from new members is that they engage in the conversation. Sharing work is nice, but taking time to be a part of things is nicer. -----
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 Jones, Paganinifrom Hyde in Cheshire 385 posts |
Me - I have not been around much because the site has taken ages to download most of the time - say a good half minute to even get to log in. Tonight it seems OK so no idea why so slow. But when things are that slow I tend to give up. Sorry... |
Stephan Ansteyfrom Lowell, MA Associate, 6232 posts |
Pags: Thanks that's good info. I didn't realize it was that slow. -----
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 Laurie Blumfrom Cloud 9 Associate, 2074 posts |
I love it here! I have just been out of town on business this week and I had some horrible technical difficulties so I couldn't even use my laptop. I have also been suffering writer's malaise recently. I hope it clears up soon. |
 Kath Abela Wilsonfrom after the dance 290 posts |
1. No blueberry ice cream cones... 2. a bit of a scattered feeling 3. miss IMing 4. miss myself--we've been traveling 5. I get lonely here 6. but I will keep trying ----- please write back |
Leanne Hansonfrom Just west of the lounge room Associate, 3708 posts |
OK, so here's a wild and wacky idea for people who are feeling there's no activity around here: how about every time you log on, you go to the "latest articles" and "latest comments" pages, and make a comment? New comments are even more important to the community than new poems, and it's amazing how people will respond if they see it happening. Be proactive, it's your site. What you take from it depends on what you put in. |
 Hollingdale Dave 8 posts |
Hi All New Member and I do enjoy reading others work and I can comment. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your out look I have not yet fathomed out how to post some verse of my own.
Take care all Dave |
Leanne Hansonfrom Just west of the lounge room Associate, 3708 posts |
Dave, this is just no good and shall be remedied Watch · Add a page · Add a poll · Add a section · Edit · Add an image · Bulk · Lock · Delete · Print To post a piece of your own, go to "add a page" and you're away. As you've no doubt discovered, you can also start threads in the forums here and a few other places around the site for general use. I don't think there's anything you can break by exploring around and trying things out -- though if you do, there's probably nothing much that can't be fixed, so knock yourself out! Welcome aboard, any more difficulties just give us a yell. |
 Catherine, Cat 452 posts |
Hi Monkeys! So far I've enjoyed the site though it's quite a lot to take in for a technical retard. I'm getting the hang of things. I'm not getting many comments on my stuff (I've been posting a lot)- I get a goodly number of hits though so, I don't know if folks are reluctant to say anything or simply don't want to be bothered. I have not, as of yet been very participatory (just f**king say it, already) I haven't been reviewing other people yet. Mainly because I'm in a hyper-manic writing phase, but I do see that perhaps my lack of reviewing others has an effect on whether or not I get any comments sooooo.....I love the forums and plan to really get into them more. I love that my big mouth finally has a plethora of spewing venues. Yipppeeeee. Anyone who wants to make friends, trade reviews or just come by and make fun of me, please feel free to. I am open to many forms of social interaction. Odd bodkins are welcome. Love,C [file=102] |
 Fallica thomas 46 posts |
Leanne must cease and desist from using the smiley face emoticon |
 Ruth Elliottfrom Neverwhere Associate, 763 posts |
ditto smilie icon use, they are evil. doubly so the animated ones. First I love the site, and the people here. The ability to comment repeatedly back and forth is one of my favourite features here. I like the white background and the logos. Overall it has a nice clean feel to it. (not yuckified with silly junk) I keep getting lost, it would be very helpful for me if the "Visited" list would hold places I visited for more than one log in session, and was bigger and more obvious on my page (ditto My Profile, Latest etc). I can never remember where I've been, or if I can, I have a difficult time getting back there. I constantly am losing streams... (this may be more a commentary on myself than the site). I also have a hard time editing the things I want on my profile ( like say I wanted to change I find the lastest comments and articles section somewhat helpful, but not intutive (and to be honest I only recently figured them out). Not that I know much about web design, but this site seems to lack a centre area, one with easy navigation (read: really bloody obvious) to the places I want to go to all the time, and still obvious (but not so bloody) to the places I want to go to some of the time. Perhaps I am too visual, and all the written links make me muddled... Bigger visuals I guess is what I'm asking for. and then there is just me - knowing full well everyone goes through it - I've had the stuffing kicked out of me (mostly I'm doing the kicking) and have zero faith in my ablity to write or review. Oh yeah spull chuck on this typo skrean - sum of us are usless at latters ya know, and git tird of coppie and pasting back and fort from word (witch by the way is espasally eval)
----- Ekki-Ekki-Ekki-Ekki-PTANG. Zoom-Boing. Z'nourrwringmm |
Leanne Hansonfrom Just west of the lounge room Associate, 3708 posts |
To change your signature, go to your personal page, click on the "preferences" tab (or contact) and this will take you to a mini-editing-tab-thing with all your personal details on it (I think it ends up with contact/actions/preferences or something like that). Click on "preferences" again, your signature's there. I have a vision of a front page with recent activity on it -- eg a split screen with recent articles and recent comments, maybe with who's online visible in the corner. I'm fairly sure that my ision is a tricky one for the programmers though, since they lack my particular brand of genius and I lack their uber-nerdiness. Stephan is the bridge |
 Vidalia 46 posts |
I've been reading and watching for a while. I wasn't really sure whether to post on my pages, or post to forums, or what. The last poetry site I was a member of was...not nice. If you posted and were not deemed worthy - they basically said to suck eggs. I'm a bit in awe of people as well...don't want to post something that is not ... worthy So...with this said - I'll jump in. Thanks for having me.
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Leanne Hansonfrom Just west of the lounge room Associate, 3708 posts |
We'd never suggest sucking eggs -- scrambling them, sure, but otherwise... The object here is to improve. None of us are as good as we should be (and most of us aren't as good as we think we are!) so we're all on a learning curve. No doubt you'll bring a new perspective to other people's writing as well, so please do jump in, and welcome! |
Stephan Ansteyfrom Lowell, MA Associate, 6232 posts |
poaching is also encouraged |
 Testy Von Tester 40 posts |
I stand opposed to poaching. It's wrong. |
Vidalia 46 posts |
Should I bring them deviled then? |
| ZiGGY 45 posts |
It'd be nice to have something to read that isn't posted by Anstey or Mosquitobyte tbh :P It might also be nice to read something that isn't littered with scathing undertones, but thats pure speculation 
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Leanne Hansonfrom Just west of the lounge room Associate, 3708 posts |
At the end of the day, people post poetry to receive comments, that's how a workshop works. Anstey and Mos are just the last ones who haven't given up because they're not getting feedback on their poems -- perhaps they have the thickest skins. So, if you've (aimed at anyone, not Ziggy specifically) stopped participating because you weren't getting feedback -- and yet you haven't given anyone else feedback either -- I think I can spot the problem and frankly, you're it. There's no obligation on anyone to offer comments but really, what's the point of taking without a bit of give? I have nothing but immense gratitude for Anstey, whose time (and money) is spent (probably wasted) on keeping a place for those who need it. And I have even more immense gratitude for Mos, who seems to have gone quiet lately and who I hope hasn't given up for lack of participation -- Mos has been an excellent contributor and yes, he posts a lot of poems but he also makes a hell of a lot of comments and keeps things alive. So if there's something you don't like about that, change it by doing more than complaining. |
| ZiGGY 45 posts |
This is what has always bothered me, comment-wise Ive always received a more than generous portion; but my interpretation of them has always been so horribly, horribly wrong. It took me months to realise how skewed my readings were, when that happens everyone loses all-round really 
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Stephan Ansteyfrom Lowell, MA Associate, 6232 posts |
Hey Ziggy, I think that's a really interesting point. I do think the voices here, particularly in the comments is very 'strong' -- and I suspect at times difficult to get a grasp on. I know it's something I struggle with when I comment. My natural tendency is toward dry humor -- which often comes across more sarcastic than I intend. Obviously that's not particularly productive. I hope I am getting better at that. As far as the over-abundance of my own work -- I use this site as the receptical for all my stuff, and almost no one else does (Mos being a noteworthy exception!) -- It really wouldn't be as noticable if the site were being used in that way by more people, but I think it is VERY obvious with our small community and probably stifling. I actually make an effort not to publish everything anymore. I'll continue to try to bury my stuff, as most of it isn't here for any other purpose than making it accessbile to friends and myself. I really appreciate your candor here. Thank you for that. |
 Laura doomfrom The Divided Queendom Associate, 1336 posts |
I don't often post poetry here - not because I don't regard this place as the ideal repository, nor can I blame it on writer's block/malaise/constipation/paralysis. I just don't write much, and that's simply down to personality disintegration...and this failure to write is my (excuse for a) reason for feeling disqualified to comment. |
| Amanda Marronfrom Sigonella, Catania, Sicily, Italy 10 posts |
How can I create my own page? I tried to go to the form and it says I'm not allowed. |
Laurie Blumfrom Cloud 9 Associate, 2074 posts |
" How can I create my own page? I tried to go to the form and it says I'm not allowed. " Hi Amanda! We have to create the page for you. On the main page: there is a link about half way down that says:Personal Space Request Form http://www.shakespearesmonkeys...ce-request-form Click on the link (Here or main page) and fill out the information. We will try to get it done this week. Good to see you here.
Laurie |
Stephan Ansteyfrom Lowell, MA Associate, 6232 posts |
I believe the problem here is that Amanda is a 'subscriber' not a 'member' (I haven't tested this theory. But I am willing to bet that's the case. |
| Amanda Marronfrom Sigonella, Catania, Sicily, Italy 10 posts |
" How can we fix that? |
Laurie Blumfrom Cloud 9 Associate, 2074 posts |
" I believe the problem here is that Amanda is a 'subscriber' not a 'member' (I haven't tested this theory. But I am willing to bet that's the case. " How can we fix that? "
I have changed your status to "Member" Amanda. Try to submit a request for Personal Page now.
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| Amanda Marronfrom Sigonella, Catania, Sicily, Italy 10 posts |
It says it's still not allowed. 
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Stephan Ansteyfrom Lowell, MA Associate, 6232 posts |
Marron Amanda: Thank you both for your patience at my inneptitude. I'll get you set up Amanda - and thank you Laurie, trying to deal with the backwards way I set that up is greatly appreciated. |
Hello Monkeys, I have an aged question/issue. A recurring problem with my every now-and-then visits is graphic in nature. If I attempt to move around the site, each clicked link knocks the typeset up about 10 to 20 font sizes. Essentially, if I click on anything, my view is reduced to 1 word. "Threads" fills 19 inches of screen. The temporary fix is to right click on a page and fiddle with encoding, but the subsequent temporary font shrinkage only works for that one click. The encoding re-adjusts itself to expand. I had tried getting this question/issue into print a while back, but couldn't find a text box in which to insert my cranky, aging question. Have missed, Happy New Year | |
P.S. Why isn't my name up there? It says posted by blank at 10:02, doesn't it? Sincerely, Jayne. P.S. This site is magical, but it quirks all over my intentions:) | |
Stephan Ansteyfrom Lowell, MA Associate, 6232 posts |
WOW that's weird. What browser are you using? |
I have aol dial-up at home in way-too-rural, Virginia. Is that relevant? I hope not:) My dial up connection is so slow, that all browsers time out before a page loads. So I go naked aol. High speed underground connections won't be installed on this block until Oct 2009. | |
| ZiGGY 45 posts |
woah thats creepy :O I have 2 major problems with the site myself, problem the 1: I can only really seem to get the thing running in mozilla firefox, so hop on over to www.mozilla.com/firefox and grab that if you dont have it problem of 2: I have problems with most web 2.0 style forums and websites with my firewall, a firewall or some kind of fubar adblocker might be causing your problems also.
I dont know jack about this sort of thing but id say both of those are worth a try |
Stephan Ansteyfrom Lowell, MA Associate, 6232 posts |
Good leads thanks Ziggy! You're awesome man! |
 Fractured Muse 289 posts |
I personaly am absolutely &*^%&**#$ THRILLED about this site. I have been inhumanely bloated with writing since I was about nine and now I have somewhere to regurgitate it all! (please excuse the disturbing analogy) I have never found a worthy site to post on before, where people actually LOG IN and READ THINGS...occasionally even PROVIDING INPUT. It is all quite new and fascinating. I feel like a kid at the fair with twenty bucks in my pocket. I can assure you there will be no lurking on my part. I will be skipping through the forums smiling like an idiot and leaving comment droppings everywhere. I will be the one on the dancefloor doing tequila slammers off a naked monkey's chest. It may even be a bit nauseating. That being said, the site is a TAD difficult to navigate and only made me feel slightly mentally handicapped at first, but only until you get used to it, and then you find yourself feeling rather smug and accomplished, and looking at newbies like WTF Did I say that last part out loud? Dammit... Thank you all for being here and listening and reading. Now i have to go because bubble baths and rubber duckies are calling. =O Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then. |
Leanne Hansonfrom Just west of the lounge room Associate, 3708 posts |
:) You DO get used to it, honestly! Welcome aboard, and I hope the duckies were good to you. |
| Lee Gil 1 post |
Kage here, this is a hard site to navigate i still havn't figured out how to post my works |
 Joe R Associate, 313 posts |
Kage, I'll set up space for you and email details. Look for an email soon. Joe. |
More in Questions
Question for New Users
There have been a lot of new folk signing up in the last couple of months, but almost all have posted nothing. I would invite -- or rather, beg -- all new people to give us some reasons for this silence. Is the site too difficult to navigate? Does it not have what you're looking for? Do you not like the kind of comments here? Are you unhappy with the standard of poetry?
PLEASE. Give us feedback, without it we have no direction.
That goes for older members who aren't posting as well -- be as honest as you like.
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