Changing nature of the forum

[sailortats]

I feel the same loss. The reason being, I believe, the loss of most all of the traditionalists on here. We were made to feel unwelcome by many. We used to have lengthy discussions on a subject dear to a traditionalists heart but this seemed to cause many of the non-traditionalists to become irritated by some of what we were discussing.
In those days I found myself on here for an hour or more joining in on the discussions. These days I spend one or two minutes on here at the most.

[Father Bill]

I'm certainly seeing a lot less flags than I remember when I first became a moderator five years ago in mid-April. I don't know what that wee factoid contributes to this discussion, but it may mean something or other.

[MacKenzie]

I feel the same loss. The reason being, I believe, the loss of most all of the traditionalists on here. We were made to feel unwelcome by many.

Just a few. A vocal few.

[tundramanq]

1. The Photobucket fiasco kind of damped my enthusiasm. Although I still have my pictures on my computer, it would be a time consuming task to re edit all my old closed posts for me and well as a nuisance for moderators to re open them for editing. A lot of my DIY posts are the only ones that seem worth it to me as they rely heavily on the embedded photos.

2. I am more active on Facebook kilt sites but even there I am loath to post many pictures thinking FB may pull a Photobucket scam sometime in the future.

3. Although I still wear kilts every day going on 8 years now, I have learned the "how to do it" for the most part, the new and shiny of kilts has worn off to some extent and several others whose posts were informative and entertaining seem to have also become reclusive or found other interests and outlets.

I still check in a few times a month to see "what's new".

[Tobus]

My activity on this forum sharply declined with the exit of most of the traditionalists. I understand why they left and I sympathise with them. I sensed the same unwelcome attitude here which put a damper on our discussions. It's a shame, because those discussions really made this forum exciting and lively and worth reading. In the 8-1/2 years I've been a member here, those were what I consider the best of times. I absolutely enjoyed the in-depth debates about all the little details that most people don't care about. I learned a lot and felt a real sense of camaraderie. It shaped my view of kilts and how to wear them, and was a huge part of my evolution or maturing process in wearing the kilt. I looked forward to reading XMTS every day. But that's all gone now.

I hear they went to Facebook to continue their discussions. I have never opened a Facebook account due to privacy concerns. (I reluctantly tell people, "I told you so!" when it comes to the handling of private info on the great Book of Faces.) So for myself, the great era of traditional kilt discussions ended with their departure. I still check in here at XMTS occasionally and reply a couple of times a year just to keep my account on life support. But even when I see topics that I might want to respond to, it just doesn't seem worth it any more. And it appears that the other traditional-minded people who are still here are remaining cautiously tight-lipped (as it were) in their posts as well.

I'd love to see us return to these sorts of knowledgeable and lively discussions again. Some of the familiar faces are still here. But as far as I can see, all the elements that drove out the traditionalists are still here as well. I don't see us going back to what we had. As they say, "that train has sailed!"

[tripleblessed]

What Riverkilt and Tobus said. I've never understood the need to drive folk away or try to shut them up. I've referenced Lazarus Long
here before relative to Heinlein's statement about how much more often we learn from/with folk with differing opinions. I am quite casual,
but thoroughly enjoyed the traditionalist point of view. I quite understand how some can have different ideas on subjects Ron referenced
which became taboo because some refused to have an adult discussion and be civil. Or move to a different thread. I have enjoyed the
rule of thumb of civility here. What I've never understood is the attitude that if I don't agree with you, you need to leave. If my belief
can't hold up to a good, civil, freewheeling discussion and closer examination, it may be time to get some new ideas and beliefs. We
diminish ourselves in the attempt to diminish others, and this thread shows the result.

[sailortats]

RIGHT ON TOBUS. You hit the nail right on the head with your post here. The train has definitely sailed much to our displeasure.

[Profane James]

Loud and clear....

[OC Richard]

The Photobucket fiasco kind of dampened my enthusiasm... it would be a time-consuming task for me to edit all my old closed posts as well as a nuisance for moderators to open them for editing.

Yes that would be a hassle.

What I've done is (seems to me) much easier: post a new thread with working photos on the same topic as the old thread with dead photos. The old thread is locked anyhow.