What makes this site special?

[Summer]

Just out of curiosity tonight I went to a message board in my hometown in New England. I went in there thinking, oh boy, this is where you can get the scoop on everything going on in town. Wrong! First of all, hardly anyone participates. The editor of the newspaper has posted topic after topic with his opinion - and nobody responds! It was almost like he was desperate for a response and - nothing! I don't know if people don't want to confront the articles or what but you would think they would at least comment on entertainment, recipes, etc. like we do on here. Then I figured out that the owner of the website needs to set it up into categories like Sandman does here. People would probably participate more if they were allowed to post on things they felt comfortable with like the topics we have here. Many people don't like to get into the 3 hot zones - politics, religion or principles. Some people just want to know what Grandpa Sammy has listed on the Classifieds, where to go for a good time and see familiar faces or how to take care of the environmental hazzards like poison oak, wild pigs, pet issues, etc., along with the more serious subjects on how to run this country! LOL Anyhow, just thought I'd share how great I think our forums are compared to a little town on the east coast. Anyone else have experience with forums in other towns?

Title Edited

[Mysteefied]

I can honestly say I've met some incredible people from these forums and formed some wonderful friendships! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/eusa_dance.gif

[Patagoniamaniac]

ditto! the friends the people and the useful information

[Sandman]

Thanks everyone. I also visit other message boards and I have yet to find one that I enjoy as much as these forums.

First, many administrators setup forums and expect them to just take off. It doesn't work that way. It took a lot of time and advertising dollars to get word out about this site.

Second, many forums have lack of Moderation or too much Moderation. I feel that we keep a pretty even balance. We don't let people attack others, yet we don't censor opinions. Everyone gets a chance to speak their opinion, as long as they can be nice about it. I have a great team of Moderators to thank for this.

Also, these forums work well for this town. I'm not so sure I would be able to make the same impact on a larger city. Oakhurst does not have a daily newspaper or TV station dedicated to local news. This web site is a great resource to find out about local crimes, accidents, weather, etc.

And last, but not least, we have great members. A lot of people in this town take pride in where we live. Many times, you will see local residents on here helping tourists find lodging, restaurants and activities to enjoy while vacationing here.

You are very correct about the layout of the site being important. I spent a lot of time trying to make this site easily accessible to residents and visitors to our area. Also, I have tried hard to get good rankings with the search engines. I'm not so sure that every forum admin spends as much time as I do when it comes to promoting the site. The new site (YosemiteArea.com) should even be better.

Thanks everyone!

[rimalicious]

Originally posted by Patagoniamaniac:
ditto! the friends the people and the useful information

ditto ditto!

[monkey]

Yep, ditto on the wonderful people and Mat, you have done an AMAZING job. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/applause.gif

[Yosemite_Wolf]

OOF is special cos it is consists of REAL ppl. And it also consists of ppl who wish to communicate by puter only (I was that way once.. but BeautifulMess_38 dragged me out kicking and screaming...... and I loved it)
I am thankful for the real ppl here who are here to be friends, acquiaintances, lunch partners with... etc etc.... I am thankful for KK who brought me to the Sierra Art Trails and is helping me to become a better artist http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

Blessed be you all!!!!!! And esp to Sandman for starting the forums.. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[CatdaBrat]

I have visited more forums than I care to count, and have to admit that a frighteningly (is that a word? well it is now) high percentage of them consist of people who must sit there like vultures, waiting to attack any new posts.

I was on one yesterday and every time I (or anyone else)posted something, the replies were sarcastic, insulting and in many cases, didn't even relate to the subject at hand. There are thousands of members on that, so I guess it's just too big for such things as respect or friendliness. This one is just right.

[Dawn]

Everyone is nice on here.

[Sandman]

I stumbled upon this thread. It's nice to see that people appreciate this website. :)

[Michelle]

I so enjoy this message board. If you are in need of any info people are here to help you with that and if they don't know they go to the extreme to help you find it.
I have been apart of this message board for a long time and I brag to people about it and it tell them to come check it out. I don't know if they did or not or sign up but i try and bring people here some of them told me they have and like reading the board. I call it home. My husband belongs to a few messages boards that consist of hunting and boy let me tell ya they are like a bunch of badgering hens going back and forth. they have the same type of message board and the moderator wanted keep the posts down on a trade topic and he was asking the posters to delete there posts if they have done the trade and what not and steve(my hubs) tried to do that and i had to tell him what the moderator had to do and i giggled because of he was a moderator but they didn't let him know he could do the deleting if he wanted too...LOL

anyways thanks Matt also for having the wonderful place.
and always making it better/easier for us to use this site also....

(thank god for spell check today:confused:)

[Twolf]

I was just telling someone this week how great this site was. I have been trying to find a place to retire to and this site has been invaluable. The other area I was looking at was the Bishop area, but there is no forum for that area that I can find. Very frustrating. I do notice that it is mostly a small group of people that mostly post, with others posting occasionlly. But maybe the others mostly just read. Sometimes I think that maybe a lot of people don't even know about the forum. How do you advertise an online forum??
I would like to thank Sandman for this great site and especialy the recent upgrade of the presentation. Very professional!

Twolf

[Ironhorse]

Not being able to get out and about sometimes, this board saves my sanity, even if all I do is drop by and read the posts. And it keeps me up to date on what's going on around town when I have to be away during the week. Without the board, I'd be talking to myself a lot (well, okay, a lot more than I usually do, LOL)

[beebs]

Yes, yes, thanks to modern technology and to Sandman, the world, or at least the Yosemite area is a little more connected. I've told several folks about this site as well. I don't always post, but do visit and read posts very often. Sometimes for me that makes the difference between feeling very isolated and feeling like I'm part of a community. I've learned a lot, vented a little and certainly been entertained. On those days when debating with no one other than yourself leaves you feeling like you're way out in left field, this little bit of sanity brings you back to home plate. So again, thanks.

[only1alphafemale]

I agree Beebs and Buzz, ditto with everything you both said! It was nice to come to the forums this afternoon, ( once I felt a little better ...ugh!) lol and "catch up" on who's been doin what.... Everyone here is special, and value each and every friendship I have made here ~! These friendships, along with a well maintained and ran board, are what make this place a nice comfortable place to come with my cup of coffee, where I know I can look, learn, laugh and sometimes cry too~ but I know I can DO THAT HERE! without any fears or trepidations.... :grin:

Matt? I :applause: you and the other members here ~ :yes:

[Sandman]

Thanks everyone. This site took a lot of time and money to get it going. Some members have helped by contributing cash and/or time to help fund raising efforts for hosting. That is appreciated. I also appreciate the help I get from Moderators and members that try to defuse any drama or arguments on the forums. I have learned that the hardest part about owning this site is dealing with the people that feed on drama. But the good does outweigh the bad. There are a lot of great people on this website!

[Kahlua Kid]

Sorry for all the drama over the years Sandman - you know I'm such a trouble maker!!! Hey, am I phishing or is that trolling right now? Just kidding - I don't think I've been a problem child - YET!

We have loved the site. Newcomer started looking at it before we moved here almost 5 years ago (Wow! Has it really been that long already!?!)

Honestly, without this site, we would not have met what we call our closest groups of friends today. We wouldn't have felt like a part of the community so fast - with everyone on acreage, it would have been hard to make friends here. But the get togethers and all who participate here and at the events has helped us to meet scores of great people!

Kudos!

[Newcomer]

I just had to follow KK's dramatic post LOL. This site has been a very valuable asset to us and the community as I am sure it has to those who don't even live here and are just looking to get info for a visit. Yes we have met many nice people and made some good friends here. We have seen people come and go here also like our old friend Concerned. It is the people of the forums that make the forums what they are. I have seen the people of these forums come together on many occasions for worthy causes to help out others i.e Teddy Bears for kids, Fundraisers Boys & Girls club, Fundraising for The Kennedy's Disease Association to name a few, also to help out a friend in need who has had a bit of bad luck. I know that as in any community all people don't always get along all the time and that is expected with any community and peoples freedom of speech. I myself am like Switzerland and keep a neutral position as some of my group of friends don't always agree with each other. I am a Libra (The Peace Maker) Balanced. Most of you know my health situation and Mat I beleive that you understand where I am coming from with this because of your own health issue. Life is to short for bickering and drama as it can all change in a flash and you find you future time on this earth limited or cut short. I know that I can look to those friends on these forums for help and support as life becomes more difficult for me and I know that you all will be there when needed. I hope that I will be seen as having contributed in a good way to these forums. As Ironhorse said earlier, some people may not be able to get out and about and forums like these are great way to stay in touch with the outside world.

[Sandman]

Well said Newcomer. Being neutral is a great way to be. The alternative would be like the US... seeking out a war and playing police (even when it doesn't concern you). This site will not facilitate that kind of behavior. If you have a problem with someone, I feel it is best to approach the issue with kindness. Kindness goes a long way. And if your friend has a problem with someone, let your friend resolve the drama. Why involve more people than necessary? Unless you need to involve a Moderator, of course. The Moderators here are terrific and here to help.

I'm glad this site was able to help make Newcomer and Kahlua Kid's move to the area a little smoother. I know that Dodgergirl also came to this site before she moved here. Now she is one of my best friends. So this site has helped me, as well. It hasn't been profitable, by any means, but it has been entertaining and informational.

[Dodgergirl]

...:yt:...

[Iris]

Although I am still relatively new to this area and don't really know alot of people, I feel (from your postings) that I do know many of you here on this forum. It may sound corny, but to me this site conveys a strong feeling of camaraderie, and genuine caring for each other. There is no doubt in my mind that although you may not have met me, many of you would be there in a heartbeat to help me as I would for you. I am really glad to have found my online friends!

[monkey]

I agree with everything others have said and can add that this has been a great place to find some GREAT employees!