New Zealand Vintage Computer Forums

Hi,

I've considering the idea of adding an "Off-Topic" forum for those of us who are regulars and may want to discuss issues somewhat wider than pre-pentium Vintage Computing. It's a good way to facilitate further socialisation and getting to know people. If such a forum was around, discussions on Google+ would have fitted nicely in here.

However, it's not without risk. Politics, extreme positions and viscious flame-wars has often eminated from an Off-topic forum splitting what was a friendly group of guys with a common interest into armed camps.

Personally, I'd like to try one if you feel we can self-regulate ourselves to avoid the above. If we can't then I guess I could always pull the plug on it.

Anyway, what are your thoughts?

It's worth a crack.

Though my Google+ question had a point - I was keen to find other vintage computing enthusiasts who'd be keen to try out a "hangout" (Group video conference).

I'm still keen

lizardb0y wrote:Though my Google+ question had a point - I was keen to find other vintage computing enthusiasts who'd be keen to try out a "hangout" (Group video conference).

Is there an Apple II client?

tezza wrote:However, it's not without risk. Politics, extreme positions and viscious flame-wars has often eminated from an Off-topic forum splitting what was a friendly group of guys with a common interest into armed camps.

Honestly, given this is the NZ Vintage Computer Forums I'm surprised we dont have one and dont engage in such anti-social activity already - I mean it was such a big part of the BBS scene back in the day

But seriously, I'm undecided. One the one hand it might be quite good, but on the other hand - what you said. If you do decide to go with it, perhaps best to wait until after the rugby world cup has finished

gavo wrote:

tezza wrote:However, it's not without risk. Politics, extreme positions and viscious flame-wars has often eminated from an Off-topic forum splitting what was a friendly group of guys with a common interest into armed camps.

Honestly, given this is the NZ Vintage Computer Forums I'm surprised we dont have one and dont engage in such anti-social activity already - I mean it was such a big part of the BBS scene back in the day

But seriously, I'm undecided. One the one hand it might be quite good, but on the other hand - what you said. If you do decide to go with it, perhaps best to wait until after the rugby world cup has finished

Yep. Best to wait until after France have taken the Cup once again!

(I just thought I'd dive in and get started...)

an IRC channel is another possibility, if it could be integrated into the site.

One problem with of topic is we will end up talking about the World cup, who won the Americas cup, or golf , it might get even worse and end up talking about the latest Intel or AMD computer, which would be handy only if related to a emulator that works on them.
Maybe a forum topic for emulators!

Yes good idea Terry, i think it would add to the community in my humble opinion.
If it gets to out of hand or those French supporter's get to vocal you can always pull the pin

coogie wrote:Yes good idea Terry, i think it would add to the community in my humble opinion.
If it gets to out of hand or those French supporter's get to vocal you can always pull the pin

I'm not a France supporter! I just know that we'll thrash Australia, see France in the final and blow it like we always do

I'd rather see a Vintage Gaming forum before Off-Topic, or at least just 'Other'. It divides nicely into Handheld's/Tabletops, Consoles, Computers. Other retro-gaming sites in NZ seem to have sunk under the weight of spam. Where else could one talk about Pyjamarama, Mutant Camels, Diggerbonk, or Sam Fox's, err.. pixels.

Ok, I've added not one but three new forums to the board. One on vintage computer gaming, and a couple of Off-Topic forums. The latter includes one for non-vintage computing topics (1995 to present day) and the other is for anything else. Let's see how they go.