talkmagic.co.uk

I wonder whether it would be possible to make an 'intermediate' forum level - say, move Reviews, Reviews Request, Support & Tips, Misc, Events, Magician Talk, and File Sharing into a semi-MO area. That way total newbies can't spam the boards but once someone has made, say, 10 posts and answered a basic question or two to prove that they really do want to learn magic, they can be granted access to the semi-MO area and the main part of TM.

This is a good idea! I cn't get to a magic club so I kind of use this as a my unofficial place to hang out.

I guess I come under the category of newbie, so I hope that my posts and threads have met approval. sometimes my magic really sucks (today was NOT a good day ... feel low even though I have being doing magic for a few years in one form or another - only just now taking it seriously and putting in the hours!) but most of the time it flows soooo smooth. I find reading about others experiences really useful. More posts from those who have been around along time would be really useful.

I find most useful is the reviews area and read it every time before Ihit the credit card. So thanks to everyone who has posted reviews! I bought strong magic after one of the members strongly (pun) advised it and I love it. I would never have known what it was if I hadn't had it recommended.

Mandrake wrote:Unfortunately, some of the newer members have now been made to feel rather unwelcome and their input less valid as a result of some remarks so perhaps we should take heed that if newcomers with a genuine interest in Magic aren't welcomed and helped to a certain extent then TM could easily just fizzle out.

But newcomers to TM with a genuine interest in Magic are few and far between. It really wears me down picking through posts and seeing the same questions asked over and over again. I could just not bother picking through the posts - but then I'd miss the quality ones. The posts from those with a genuine interest in magic that are lost in a mountainous range of snap change/coin in soda can/healed and sealed c*** (not the best).

Maybe I'm just being over-protective of 'my' perfect forum. If I think logically about the situation, it's not actually my problem to deal with at all. You mods have so much more to sort out than what I choose to read. I preferred TalkMagic because it was nothing like Magic Bunny - smaller, more intimate, maybe a page of posts a day rather than four. I just don't like seeing TalkMagic pelted with the rotten tomatoes and mouldy bread of timewasters who've 'just got to know how something is done/how good their moves are'

I'm not going to stop coming to TalkMagic. I love it here. It's not easy to love it here at the moment. But I love it here. Mandrake, thanks for pointing out that it's not easy for you Mods, either.

A great thread, and one that's made me feel loads better.

By the way, whoever it was that mentioned about how good Tom Lauten's reviews are... he always get's the new stuff before it's out, AND he's not the only one to use the review template, lay out his reviews well and make them a good read.

Ahem.

"who ever it was" was me Zack... show some class bud.

Tom's reviews are good. i dont care why. they are good for his template use AND for their content. dont take it personally. it is a positive comment about someone (Tom Lauten). you dont agree?

Tom is not the only quality reviewer. there are many. including me... eg. my "Ring Thing Review". i think it was excellent! i really put a lot of thought into how i could make it useful. why? because i have been helped MANY times by people's reviews myself and i wanted to contribute and help people considering this item the same way i had been helped. i was making a point about quality reviews and Tom is a far more consistant quality reviewer than me so i used him as an example.

maybe his quality reviews contribute to why he gets things early (in part)... what exactly are you suggesting by raising that as an issue??? the "why" should not be a question. either they are good quality reviews or they are not... surely?

Seriously, please let's not have a to-do. I couldn't be bothered to find which poster it was that mentioned Tom's reviews.

Yes, they are awesome.

Sometimes he even teases us all by saying there's one coming in a few weeks. A true professional.

I was merely making a small rhetorical point, as I often do at the end of my posts, to say that there are other reviewers that take as much time and care as Tom, but still don't get the readership or reaction.

I'm sorry if I offended anyone.

Honestly, let's not detract from a brilliant thread. I've not got time to argue over a no-pointer AND wade through a load of c*** (not the best) posts before work.

rhetoric... yes, fair enough.

seige (right at the start) wrote:could it just be that more seasoned members only speak when there's something to speak about?

Seems to be the most probable reason.

could be but subsequent posts suggest not. in fact reading all replies i would say definately not.

One of my concerns when reading this and after posting my original comment was that it might put off people lurking and wishing to join too... so maybe it's about the right time to say that if you are thinking of joining, but have been put off slightly by this thread, then so long as you read and stick to the forum rules you will be warmly welcomed.

Another comment about the search thing, one thing that I sometimes do if I come across and face 10,000 results or whatever is (once I've narrowed it down as much and as far as possible of course) use the search function in my web-browser. I'm using Safari, so a quick "Apple F" brings up my browser's search function and then I simply retype in any keywords associated with the thing that I am looking for. This then allows me to hop through the pages and find out any possible threads that I am looking for.

Once again, any newcomers will be welcomed with open arms provided you stick to the forum rules. It's really not as strict here as things have been made out to seem; bear in mind that the majority of the posts that we are talking about here are things like "I've got this new DVD I am selling it and telling you all how it is done right on this very thread". I for one am I quite pleased with new people joining - these past few months there have been some fantastic people making quality contributions which I enjoy.

P.S. I for one am going to start thanking each reviewer for taking the time to write the review, no matter whether it was something I was interested in or not. It's nice to show some appreciation sometimes .

Good point Cardza. Many newcomers say they've been visiting and reading for a while but only recently plucked up courage to join and make a post or two. There's nothing wrong with that and to be very honest I lurked for quite some time before making my first post. I was given a very warm welcome and I realised that the scary magi here weren’t so terrifying as some of the posts and threads seemed to suggest at times. If anyone’s out there looking in, don’t be a stranger, nip in say Hi and introduce yourself. All those with a genuine interest in Magic will find a home here.

the thing that I find a little bit frustrating is biding my time until I pluck up the courage to ask if I can join the inner sanctum ... and a deomonstration that I have a keen interest in magic!

I do understand the reason why it is restricted, but I don't ever want to sound like one of those people who just nags to get answers to magical riddles.

Many of the tricks/books/dvds that I have bought I could review to show my seriousness have already been reviewed.

I don't really want to start putting stuff on the net like my investigation into ways of securing a DL because that would reveal to much.

A bit of a quandry really, because it is exactly that kind of stuff which I would like to discuss on a more private basis.

All things shall come to pass - some just take a while !

Its a shame the rules thread cannot be used as a terms and agreement of joining the site and new members tick a box to say they have read it before they can register. But then I gues you caould argue, who would actually read it even if they did have to tick a box hummm.

Mandrake wrote:

seige (right at the start) wrote:could it just be that more seasoned members only speak when there's something to speak about?

Seems to be the most probable reason.

I agree, but this forum was soooo much better when new members couldn't join for a while. I know that there are some new members who are 'well-behaved' and make a good contribution, but they are in the minority.

I agree with you AJ82, I never read the long list or terms of service unless it is really important (ie. something that involves money )

Well I wouldn't know about that Kev, 'cos I was one of those new members who couldn't join (I remember sending an email regarding the problem and getting no reply)...

I really appreciate this forum and all the hard work the mods do to keep it up and running. I have to say that my knowledge of magic has increased tenfold since joining and I count alot of you as friends. I admit that's weird as I never thought I'd be into this whole forum deal, but I guess that's the power of TalkMagic.

Alright it might not be what you remember, but that's just how things are... they evolve and change, just like magic itself, in fact.. just like we do! Change is often what makes something vibrant and exciting and I for one welcome it...

(Flashy stops humming the national anthem and steps down off his soapbox)

I agree 100% with flashy. Talk magic is a great place to have a good chat (and some jokes!). People of all ages get on well here and the small amount who choose to join just to post silly messages are the ones that spoil it. If we all stick together we will be fine.