talkmagic.co.uk

I've only had a quick look at MB and I thought it was a bit too big, having to sift though loads of sections etc. I think TM is a great size and very accessible...

I'm a member of both TM and MB although I rarely use MB - there's no particular reason - I just don't.

Simple as that really...

Someone had taken my username on MB, and looking around I realised this was a nicer, fluffier place to be. Even the flame wars read like two 18th century dandies having a battle of manners!

Mahoney wrote:I've only had a quick look at MB and I thought it was a bit too big, having to sift though loads of sections etc. I think TM is a great size and very accessible...

Now, I'm not trying to have a contest here, but Talk Magic has 30 departments...Magic Bunny has 14. Please explain to me how MB is too big, but TM is not. I really don't understand such a comment. If you said we were too small, then okay, but too big? In comparison? Come on.

Tomo wrote:Someone had taken my username on MB, and looking around I realised this was a nicer, fluffier place to be. Even the flame wars read like two 18th century dandies having a battle of manners!

Yep, we get some really heated debates going on MB. But, your comment boarders on the insulting. I wouldn't think that a "light and fluffy" place would be so demeaning. I could be wrong, though.

katrielalex wrote:You have to write an ... essay to get into the restricted areas over on MB! [Don't you?]

No, you have to give us an earnest and honest reason for your desire to be involved in the restricted area. Is there something wrong with that? Two paragraphs (which is what our FAQ suggests) could hardly be deemed an "essay," don't you think?

And, if you really want it that bad, the what is the harm? It's free - you only need put, maybe, 10 minutes of your time into writing up a reasonable application. Oh, what b******s we are to desire such a huge payment in return for giving restricted access to member's who feel that it is their right to have it. Give me a break.

Part of it is the fact that certain intellectual property that has been written up by members has found its way onto the general internet. I wish I could find out who stole the material and published it (and, it IS stolen material). But, what dirty fellows we are to decide that anyone desiring access to the restricted area show an earnest desire to get better at magic. Yes, we should be taken out back and hanged.

Tiresome, gentlemen, tiresome.

If you don't like the place, then don't come onto our boards. But don't sit here and bash the place.

You know what? I'm sorry. It isn't my place to tell you not to bash MB. If you want to, go ahead. Enjoy. After all, this is a light and fluffy environment.

Mike.

Oooh controversy!!

Actually, it’s all subjective. MB has 174805 articles vs 106983 on TM so in that sense it is about 70% bigger The number of departments here is largely left over from earlier versions and a lot are restricted or not used. Interestingly the number of members of MB and TM is almost the same at about 6,100 or so as at today’s date.

Tomo’s comment was a compliment to the friendly nature of TM – not that we’re all 18th century dandies by any means and if anyone disagrees, I’ll hit ‘em with my handbag!

Katie's comment was partly a question but it reflects the one big difference in access procedure. We much prefer to assess over a long period of time and 100 or more posts rather than from an application. It just works for us. MB appeals to some and not to others. So does TM.

Take it easy Mike, I doubt any of it was intended as a slur on MB and really shouldn’t be taken as such .

Mandrake, you should be a politician!

Mike.

Mandrake you beat me to it .

Michael, as a mod it's understandable that you would be defensive of your favourite forum, but to leap from saying how you'd like to take part more here to ripping it out of some of the members for some fairly innocuous remarks (IMO) is a bit excessive, and in a way proves Tomo's point - look at Mandrake's reply in comparison to yours.

I am a member of both, and they each have their merits - typically when I can't find a review of something here on TM I will find it on the Hutch. Plus the Ezine is always a good read too.

Yes, Cardza, I am a radical. I make no apologies for who and what I am.

Mike.

Hey hey, I wasn't criticising MB - I fully agree with you that vetting applicants for entry to the RA is a great idea, I am completely against exposure and thieves.

Besides, I reckon MB would batter TM in a fight any day .

Oh, Cardza it isn't a competition. That was really the main point I was trying to make in my post that fell under your scrutiny.

Different places, different feels. I was just trying to point out that taking a shot against one or the other was futile. We won't put up with anyone complaining about your forums on our boards, I was simply defending my site, that's all. If someone has a complaint about TM, let them take it up with you, not us.

And, we have had stuff in our restricted area stolen and put on the general internet for view. I'm a bit thin skinned about that. Infuriated, if truth be told.

My apologies if I come on too strong. It's what I do.

Mike.

Michael Jay wrote:Mandrake, you should be a politician!

Mike.

Nah, they just deceive people all day long unlike magicians who…., who..…er,…..who…ah yes, who tell you first that they’re going to deceive you! (Phew!)

Cardza wrote:Besides, I reckon MB would batter TM in a fight any day .

Steady on, at this rate we'll be having an invitation Sports Day with the Bunny Folks next!

No worries, it's understandable. I guess though that such is the curse of free information on the internet...so easily copied and distributed and so hard to catch the perpetrators. So it is only natural that there is such a procedue for access there on MB.

EDIT: Oh but Mandrake, you haven't seen my natural aptitude with an egg and spoon

It's a bummer that stuff has been stolen from MB - we'd be equally angry about that. Let us know if we can help in any way, Mike, we'd be pleased to do whatever we can.

Nothing you can do, Mandrake. There's no proof, one way or another, as to who did what. As is pointed out:

Cardza wrote:I guess though that such is the curse of free information on the internet...so easily copied and distributed and so hard to catch the perpetrators.

It is a curse and a blessing.

But, I thank you for the offer.

Mike.

Michael Jay wrote:Yep, we get some really heated debates going on MB. But, your comment boarders on the insulting. I wouldn't think that a "light and fluffy" place would be so demeaning. I could be wrong, though.

Well, you know, while I appreciate your response, it is my experience and, respectfully, if it's insulting it is at least uniquely honest and hopefully objective, and there for you to use if you like. There is a tendency for some posters to take umbrage almost as if a switch had been thrown in their minds, and then threads get locked which isn't good. I do like MB; it's more cosmopolitan, but oy vey, the arguments!