mum24dog Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 That in the age of the insidious and superficial Facebook I really appreciate the fact that so far this board has managed to retain the attention of intelligent and informed contributors who provide the opportunity for the sort of meaningful discussion impossible in the sound bite world of social media. We may not always agree and the number of active members has diminished but we are still hanging on in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'Elle Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I agree, mum24. And further, there are quite a number of people on these boards who have interesting ideas AND can actually express them well in writing. That is, sadly, becoming more and more unusual in the world, especially the world of the internet. It is one of the things I love about these forums. Thanks to all of you for being here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simba Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Agreed. Many thanks to all the active members who create the interesting discussions (including yourself, Mum24dog!) I think it becomes somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you have a community where people are informed, they will inform the new members. If you can read writing of those who can express themselves well, you are more likely to learn to do so yourself, and put more effort into your posts. A board where everyone always agreed would probably be a board where people didn't care enough to disagree. No two people will have exactly the same opinion on any subject they're informed on and impassioned about- even if it's just a disagreement as to how the subject should be presented. On a personal note- thank you everyone for letting me hang around as a non-border-collie person. I really appreciate it. Edit: it's a good specific example of what Sue R said about it being a civil place for newbies and people of all experience levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I agree with both of you. And it's nice to be able to follow a story through, e.g., D'Elle and her rescue Kelso, Sue Rayburn and her dog Celt's two CCL repair surgeries. This forum has a good attention span. And Donald McCaig's stories? A real treat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geonni banner Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I don't know what the median age of BC Boards users is, but this is the ONLY forum that I go to with any regularity at all. Because it's the only forum I've been to that has a majority of mature and civil posts. Pretty incredible, considering the fervor with which views are held. I agree with D'Elle's assessment of the quality of posts. Very few unreadable, grammatically impoverished and acronym-ridden posts. Most people can spell, construct a readable sentence and have something worth saying - and take the effort to say it well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cass C Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I agree! Thank you all. I was a little skeptical when I found this forum, but it seems most of the people here are legitimately trying to help. I like that there aren't really people who just talk everyone else down, instead you try to educate confused people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetlander Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I agree as well. These boards' members are an exceptional bunch. Even when there is heated disagreement, I am always struck by how much people care about the breed and dogs in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SagePaw Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I'm on facebook just for the contact with people so I don't actually want to start a 'trend' or discussion on there. Forums are so much better for conversation. The grammar and spelling mistakes are way to awful on FB...and I thought my grammar was bad.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Nicely said, mum. I agree. This is my longest running membership of any kind, I think. Maybe except AAA. The discussions are civil and well-presented, the topics fairly wide ranging. I always check the livestock care forum. Even though I don't have anything resembling livestock, I enjoy reading about the care and husbandry of same. Thanks for pointing this out. It puts a smile on my face! Ruth and SuperGibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simba Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 The discussions are civil and well-presented, the topics fairly wide ranging. I always check the livestock care forum. Even though I don't have anything resembling livestock, I enjoy reading about the care and husbandry of same. This is why I own more than one book on the diseases and management of sheep (and horses, and one on dairy cattle). Outdated books, too, usually pre-1910. My secret vice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I also continue to read this forum because of the discussions - whether I agree or not, and sometimes they alter my views. I must say that the majority of my dog knowledge has been gained from these boards - the discussions, the anecdotes and the suggested readings. For someone who has an average of only 2 dogs at a time, I could never hope to gain the experience and knowledge of the collective wisdom on these boards. Edited to add: ....I could never hope to gain, on my own, the experience and knowledge of the collective wisdom on these boards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum24dog Posted October 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 It's very sad but but one of my erstwhile favourite UK agility discussion forums has rapidly deteriorated into a site for simply posting show schedules following the formation of a fb page aimed at the same audience. So sad because the fb option takes dumbing down to new depths in terms of trivia. This board is my last refuge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ourwully Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 This forum has been a great help to me as a first time Border Collie owner. The advice has always been carefully presented and in considerable detail. It is clear that the contributors are sincere Border Collie lovers who want to see others enjoy the breed. What really amazes me is how respectful people are of contrasting philosophies. All that said, this forum is a great source of entertainment. There is always something interesting being presented. Thanks Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizabeth Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I agree, their is a wealth of information shared here, from all walks of life. Not everyone's opinions are the same, though that's what makes the world go round, we all see and do things in our own unique way but in the end we are all in agreement that we want to do what is in the best interest of the dogs. I have gotten some wonderful advice and ideas here that have helped me greatly. I am very appreciative to everyone here! I did join a couple fb groups, met some very nice people through them, they were service dog related groups. I left every single service dog group that I joined on fb for one simple reason, their are far too many mean and hateful people there who just seem to find it fun to pick on and publicly ridicule others in postings to the point that they go on and on and cant stop following those poor people from group to group, seeing that made me sick to my stomach. The attacks were not on me thankfully but still I don't need the drama or stress I have to stay 100% focused on being positive my health depends on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald McCaig Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Dear Fellow Posters, I particularly appreciate those gentle folk who, time after time, answer beginners' most basic questions: should I crate train my puppy? how do I housebreak her? what do I do if she mouths my hand? We were all beginners once, trying to do our best with a non-human species who did so many things without apparent ryhme or reason. I also value those, like Ms. Mum24dogs, with whom I frequently disagree. Their thoughtfulness, expertise and courtesy have modified some of my long-held, illfounded opinions. Donald McCaig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Coyote Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Disagreement makes you stop and think. I've gotten somuch help here. I know that if i run into a problem someone here will know something about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxi Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Ditto to all the sentiments expressed here . A thread that seems to have provoked unanimous agreement from individuals who sometimes ( or often) politely disagree with each other. I certainly enjoy this board and learn plenty from reading other people's perspectives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum24dog Posted October 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 One skill often sadly lacking nowadays is the ability to consider issues rationally and critically. I don't think it's any coincidence that those who can do that also express themselves clearly. The two skills are codependent; the need for clear expression demands clarity of thought processes and clarity of thought needs clear expression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Thanks for bringing this up. I've had friends remark that this was one of the most civil boards they've seen even during heated discussions. It is my go-to for information about a number of things. It is a great resource for newbies and people of all experience levels. Compared to many sites, it's not about ego, it's truly about the dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I believe that one of the sources of this forum's strength is that it is built on a clearly stated philosophy, Eileen's famous "READ THIS FIRST" post. Having that strong backbone has kept the beast on track all these years. Thank you, Eileen, for all the work you've put into it. I can't imagine a better forum moderator. Yes, we take our border collies seriously! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach BCs Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I rarely post, but this is the one message board that I visit...almost daily. I've met in person a few members. But the wealth of information here has been invaluable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I have abandoned all forums - most of which were dying a natural death - except this one. I like the variety of backgrounds and points of view that everyone here comes from. I may have butted heads painfully with most of you over something at some point, but we share a common passion for these dogs - even if for different reasons - and a lot of us have hung in through some really intense discussions. I know I've learned a ton and I appreciate everyone here. How boring would it be if we were all the same? And this is one of the few places on the internet I can express disagreement or a really radical point of view and not be written off as a "hater" for being different. I appreciate that. Disagree with me all you want . . . just discuss the disagreement intelligently. You all do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twocatsandabc Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I don't post on here a lot but most of my questions have already been answered in previous threads, so I just go back and read those. I'm on here much more often than I'd even like to admit lol. It has been a wonderful pool of knowledge for Layla and I both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Yes, always, thanks to Eileen (and Heather, tech wizard)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrisK Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 This is the one forum that I've kept up with since I first joined. I seem to go in spurts - posting questions - and then long spells where I just read what's happening. If I do reply, I hope that the information I'm sharing has been useful to the poster. I certainly have found a great deal of useful information from these boards. I do follow Facebook but it's one of the few places where I can keep track of my daughter and Ladybug's escapades in Finland Kudos as well to Eileen and Heather! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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