X Marks the Scot has changed

[Alan H]

When I joined up several years ago, I'd say the discussion was probably 50/50 split between "traditional" kilts and "contemporary" kilts. Was it 60/40? 40/60? 37.5/62.5 I don't know! However, there was a lot of discussion about Utilikilts, Freedom Kilts, R-Kilts, Grants neato paintball kilt, Pittsburgh kilts and so on in addition to tartan and pleating topics. I remember the occasional post about whether "this looked all right", which evolved into discussions of the "norm" of wearing a Scottish Tartan kilt.

Now when I review the forum, it seems to me to be about 90% about "traditional" and 10% "contemporary". For example, a quick review of the pictures forum reveals that there are around 16-18 threads (depends on how you define them) "about" traditional (or at least tartan) kilts. There are two threads about contemporaries. The thread about dogs (which I quite enjoyed) contains lots of pictures. There are just about 20 pictures of men in tartan kilts in that thread, and exactly five with guys wearing contemporary kilts.

I'm curious if Freedom Kilts has seen an upswing in the number of tartan "more-or-less traditional" kilts ordered and a slowing down of the contemporary kilts ordered? If so, then maybe it's a trend.

I tend to think that it's not, though. I tend to think that X Marks has just gravitated towards a more traditionally Scottish-oriented viewpoint, and the number of members who are somewhat forward about expressing that particular viewpoint has increased. This is not a "bad thing", eh? It's just a change and all things change.

Now we move from the "observation" part to the personal statement part.

**************************

I, personally am not entirely happy with the change. I'm sure that there are other folks who are quite happy with it, but although I have ten tartan kilts in my collection and only one contemporary, it's not really about "traditional vs contemporary". I'd like to emphasize that it's NOT about "traditional kilts vs. contemporary kilts". NOT, NOT.....though it might be somewhat more about "traditional viewpoints" versus a more "contemporary or freewheeling outlook". I'm actually having a hard time explaining myself here. Look at it this way.... Yes, this is a very difficult time for my family, and I am quite stressed, with the corresponding change in attitude that comes with that. And yes, I know that the X-Kilt manual will be well received and welcomed, and that many more X-Kilts will be made by forum members and by folks who find out about it elsewhere and download the instructions but never post here. But the truth is that the forum has changed and I, personally am less and less comfortable posting here. I have resisted poking fun and I've behaved myself, for which I'm sure the mods are thankful!

Nonetheless, the forum has changed, and as it stands now, I find that I have very little to say here, any more. When I read many of the threads I find myself turning away and going elsewhere online, because much of what is written here now really annoys me. Maybe it's me....people change, who knows? Maybe it's me. In fact, certainly PART of it is "me". But it's not all "me".

I wonder if any other people are feeling this?

The forum has changed.

[cessna152towser]

I have perhaps not been around long enough to notice a trend but I think xmarksthescot is perceived by many of us as the leading forum for discussing traditional kilts, and as barely tolerant of modern kilts and even then only so long as they still comply with the kilt rules of overlapping front apron and pleats at the back.
Different fora fulfil different needs and I find that I tend to mostly come here re traditional kilt discussion and to go over to Skirtcafe for topics such as utilikilts and other forms of MUGs. There is some overlap between the two, with Utilikilts and the like occasionally appearing on here and a dedicated kilts board on Skirtcafe but each have their own role to play.

[McFarkus]

I can't put my finger on it, but, for me, Xmarks isn't as much fun as it used to be.

[starbkjrus]

I've been thinking about this for a while and would like to offer up this view:

I think people around the world are stressed right now. I'm not in as good a mood as I was six or seven months ago and that makes me less tolerant of "annoying" things that normally wouldn't faze me and tend to perhaps post a snarky reply that I wouldn't have before.

There are a lot of crappy things going on just now that are personally affecting a lot of people. I submit that we are crabby.

[Phil]

I've been here even less time than cessna so I can't say I've noticed much of a change and I am sorry that the fun has gone out of posting here. I suppose it has a lot to do with the people who post nowadays and the things they want to talk about so as a "newer" member I must plead guilty there. At the end of the day it is all down to the members posting and, I suppose to an extent, to the Moderators as to just what does get discussed here and I, for one, have noticed that there is much less freedom of expression than before. And, of course, there is only so much you can discuss about kilts, be they tartan tanks, utilikilts or whatever so after a while these discussions are bound to dry up as new people with questions are told to look up the many previous posts on the same subject.

[davedove]

Things do change over time, for many different reasons. Membership and Moderators change. Even the individual members will themselves change as they grow older and different things appeal to them.

It seems to me that there are more posts along the lines of "Is it okay to do this?" or "One shouldn't do this." And, like Alan, there does seem to be more focus on traditional kilts. I don't particularly mind this, as that is what I primarily wear. I don't necessarily wear them in a highland fashion though (hey, I like my flat caps).

Of course, those who are hardcore traditionalists may feel like there are a lot of posts on non-traditional kilts.

[Panache]

“Gentlemen, progress has never been a bargain. You’ve got to pay for it. Sometimes I think there is a man behind the counter who says, ‘All right you can a have a telephone, but you have to give up privacy and the charm of distance. Mister you may conquer the skies but the birds will loose their wonder and the clouds will smell of gasoline”

Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee,

Inherit the Wind


Alan,

Since I have been here XMTS has changed.

There is a lotmore information available concerning traditional and contemporary kilts to had by looking up previous threads. Some subjects have become old hat because they have been so thoroughly addressed and it is easier to direct a new member to what has already been set down instead of re-inventing the wheel.

There has also been a maturation of the membership.

Compared to a few years back this place has become incredibly civil, with the "Mod Squad" seldom needing to step in and moderate compared to the old days. The members here really try their best to remain Ladies and Gentlemen and treat one another with a great deal of respect.

Those that couldn't hack it have been removed or left to find places that better suited them.

XMTS has grown to encompass Athletics, Music, Dance, and a wide array of Celtic related crafts.

These are all very positive things.

I think a lot of people are still very interested in modern / contemporary kilts.

Look at how many companies are out there making them.

Look at how many individuals are out there making them (in no small part to your efforts )

The downside to all this is that XMTS is a lot less unpredictable.

This is the price of civility and maturation.

You have to think twice about posting here. You have to think about other people's feelings. You have to learn to express yourself in a way that is appropriate to be read by families all around the world.

That's pretty sophisticated for a online forum in the generally anonymous world wide web.

I know that I can always come to XMTS and find the very best possible information about Kilts (modern and traditional) and Celtic related subjects from some very, very fine people.

We could just decide to allow guns, religion, sexuality, and politics to be open subjects.

But I would bet you that within a week that a good deal of the people that have a lot of quality information to share regarding what this forum is about would leave.

Of course it wouldn't be family friendly anymore so a lot of the people that take pride is sharing these interests with their children and spouses (like me) would be gone as well.


I have written it before and I shall write it again, XMTS is a great compromise.

The restrictions on subjects and the requirements that people show respect and courtesy to each other are no less than those one has in polite society.

XMTS continues to inspire people

XMTS continues to inform them

XMTS continues to make friendships that span the globe

Not to bad for an Internet forum.

Alan, I know my friend that you have been having a pretty rough time of it as of late and my thoughts go out to you and your family.

As Dee noted, this is a hard time for a lot of people.

XMTS has changed no doubt.

But it still a place that I am proud to be a member of and associated with.

Cheers

Jamie

[Alan H]

Alan,

Since I have been here XMTS has changed.

There is a lotmore information available concerning traditional and contemporary kilts to had by looking up previous threads. Some subjects have become old hat because they have been so thoroughly addressed and it is easier to direct a new member to what has already been set down instead of re-inventing the wheel.

There has also been a maturation of the membership.

Compared to a few years back this place has become incredibly civil, with the "Mod Squad" seldom needing to step in and moderate compared to the old days. The members here really try their best to remain Ladies and Gentlemen and treat one another with a great deal of respect.

Those that couldn't hack it have been removed or left to find places that better suited them.

I'm not sure "hack it" is quite the right term, but I understand what you're getting at.

XMTS has grown to encompass Athletics, Music, Dance, and a wide array of Celtic related crafts.

These are all very positive things.

Yes, they are.

I think a lot of people are still very interested in modern / contemporary kilts.

Look at how many companies are out there making them.

Look at how many individuals are out there making them (in no small part to your efforts )

The downside to all this is that XMTS is a lot less unpredictable.

This is the price of civility and maturation.

You have to think twice about posting here. You have to think about other people's feelings. You have to learn to express yourself in a way that is appropriate to be read by families all around the world.

I'm not really referring about "civility" and "family friendliness". In fact I'm having a hard time expressing exactly what it IS that I'm referring to.... and that's rather a rarity for me.

That's pretty sophisticated for a online forum in the generally anonymous world wide web.

I know that I can always come to XMTS and find the very best possible information about Kilts (modern and traditional) and Celtic related subjects from some very, very fine people.

We could just decide to allow guns, religion, sexuality, and politics to be open subjects.

But I would bet you that within a week that a good deal of the people that have a lot of quality information to share regarding what this forum is about would leave.

I'm not referring to writing about guns, religion, sexuality and politics...it's good and right that we tend to avoid such stuff, or at the least, encourage tolerance for different viewpoints.

Of course it wouldn't be family friendly anymore so a lot of the people that take pride is sharing these interests with their children and spouses (like me) would be gone as well.


I have written it before and I shall write it again, XMTS is a great compromise.

The restrictions on subjects and the requirements that people show respect and courtesy to each other are no less than those one has in polite society.

XMTS continues to inspire people

XMTS continues to inform them

XMTS continues to make friendships that span the globe

Not to bad for an Internet forum.

Alan, I know my friend that you have been having a pretty rough time of it as of late and my thoughts go out to you and your family.

As Dee noted, this is a hard time for a lot of people.

XMTS has changed no doubt.

But it still a place that I am proud to be a member of and associated with.

Cheers

Jamie

[puffer]

“Gentlemen, progress has never been a bargain. You’ve got to pay for it. Sometimes I think there is a man behind the counter who says, ‘All right you can a have a telephone, but you have to give up privacy and the charm of distance. Mister you may conquer the skies but the birds will loose their wonder and the clouds will smell of gasoline”

Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee,

Inherit the Wind


Alan,

Since I have been here XMTS has changed.

There is a lotmore information available concerning traditional and contemporary kilts to had by looking up previous threads. Some subjects have become old hat because they have been so thoroughly addressed and it is easier to direct a new member to what has already been set down instead of re-inventing the wheel.

There has also been a maturation of the membership.

Compared to a few years back this place has become incredibly civil, with the "Mod Squad" seldom needing to step in and moderate compared to the old days. The members here really try their best to remain Ladies and Gentlemen and treat one another with a great deal of respect.

Those that couldn't hack it have been removed or left to find places that better suited them.

XMTS has grown to encompass Athletics, Music, Dance, and a wide array of Celtic related crafts.

These are all very positive things.

I think a lot of people are still very interested in modern / contemporary kilts.

Look at how many companies are out there making them.

Look at how many individuals are out there making them (in no small part to your efforts )

The downside to all this is that XMTS is a lot less unpredictable.

This is the price of civility and maturation.

You have to think twice about posting here. You have to think about other people's feelings. You have to learn to express yourself in a way that is appropriate to be read by families all around the world.

That's pretty sophisticated for a online forum in the generally anonymous world wide web.

I know that I can always come to XMTS and find the very best possible information about Kilts (modern and traditional) and Celtic related subjects from some very, very fine people.

We could just decide to allow guns, religion, sexuality, and politics to be open subjects.

But I would bet you that within a week that a good deal of the people that have a lot of quality information to share regarding what this forum is about would leave.

Of course it wouldn't be family friendly anymore so a lot of the people that take pride is sharing these interests with their children and spouses (like me) would be gone as well.


I have written it before and I shall write it again, XMTS is a great compromise.

The restrictions on subjects and the requirements that people show respect and courtesy to each other are no less than those one has in polite society.

XMTS continues to inspire people

XMTS continues to inform them

XMTS continues to make friendships that span the globe

Not to bad for an Internet forum.

Alan, I know my friend that you have been having a pretty rough time of it as of late and my thoughts go out to you and your family.

As Dee noted, this is a hard time for a lot of people.

XMTS has changed no doubt.

But it still a place that I am proud to be a member of and associated with.

Cheers

Jamie

Jamie, I think you "spelled it out very well.

XMTS is my "source" for INFORMATION on the MAJOR areas I Am interested in. = Traditional KILTS & Attire.

But, I also belong to another site. This site is more "freewheeling". It has a Large # of "Modern" kilters on board, plus I can discuss other items , that interest m, such as firearms, ETC.

IMHO, I like the "General Format of XMTS & it's "thrust". Do I "run afoul" ??
, Do I have "problems with some things? SOMETIMES ( as Jamie knows) But I SUPPORT XMTS, & I am proud to be member.

Puffer

[meinfs]

I've seen posts of members from '04, '05, '07 but no '06 and '08 YET. [Well, since writing this reply, there've been '06s, so never mind this statement]

I'm an '08 and so have not seen as much - however, I suppose I can read and/or scan as many posts as I can from whenever. (Not practical though)
Anybody can do that and observe the change for themselves and perhaps decide if they see the change.

My thoughts here are more about thinking about it and not really attempting to explain, given that I've been a member for less than a year.

I agree with Phil about the drying up of topics. The answer to some questions/issues: "it's already been discussed elsewhere, here's the thread,", and "use the search function," probably has the effect of decreasing the number of posts --(as far as quantity is concerned; quality is yet another matter, of course).

The overall mood, as starbkjrus said, also has an effect. Admittedly it's easier to get irritable when stressed. Although, I've read it before, some people come here to de-stress.

As a DIY-er and budding kiltmaker, majority of my thread topics are about my DIY projects which are often contemporary and casual. But I have had several tartan kilt projects ever since I joined (in 5-31-08). So, for me, both types of kilts have a significant share each, in my postings.

My personal hope is that I have contributed something positive to XMTS over these several months instead of turning members away and I hope that more people participate more in discussions...


I think realizing this as an issue would cause the membership to rethink about their participation and hopefully say -- how can I help keep XMTS up and running and fresh.