Sorry GNHQ I don't like the Oldie Borum

I will simply not post on OB threads, hope others do likewise and that they sink without trace. The trouble at present is that as long as they are active we have them in our face. I too reacted negatively to the "survey" technique - it's a different sort of question form the sort where we share our experiences. I do not like to think of our posts forming the basis for some article /survey in The Oldie.

No MaggieP ...you didn't miss any information from GNHQ ...that is why there has been so much discussion on a couple of threads.

It all started yesterday afternoon when we suddenly had 7 'seeded' threads with 'Oldie Borum'. if you go to the Forums section you will see they have their own 'group' heading.

carol and so say all of us (well me anyway) you've put it nice and succinctly!

I agree with you Notso - Gransnet has no obligation to include us in business plans. As customers of this service, we have the option to go elsewhere or engage in as limited or full a way that we may choose.

I'm really sorry, though, that the way this change has been imposed is putting a damper on discussion, because I've thought of a few things I would normally share this morning, and now don't feel able to, because the change has created a feeling of segregation that I don't believe any of us want. To see some threads headlined Borum Forum tells us there's a difference between us all - we didn't have that before. Let's have none of that - if we are interested in Gransnet and want to be members let's all be treated the same and have our usual choice of topics that Oldies members can come along and contribute to, or create new discussions themselves, but not announcing that these are different because they have the Borum heading. That isn't inclusive at all.

Did I miss info re Oldie Borum? I have read your threads and feel I need to catch up somewhat, where are GNHQ original details about all this?
Not sure I like where it's going either.

I do understand all the uncomfortable feelings expressed about this, and share many of them. I particularly dislike the clear link to the press. Thank you for your explanation Geraldine and for some reassurances.

I'm not sure I fully understand the criticism that we weren't asked about this before this happened. At the end of the day Gransnet has to operate as a business, and I don't think forum members can reasonably expect to be informed and/or canvassed in advance of each step taken to promote or sustain the business. We're not shareholders. A mention of what was planned would have been good though...perhaps that will happen more in the future.

As always, we can choose which bits of the forum to engage with. I hope we end up with some new forum members as a result of this. The more the merrier.

PS Fog has finally cleared so there's now some

Thanks for your message JosieGransnet. I know how difficult it is to bring about change in order to survive and you have my complete sympathy there at GNHQ.

How about taking away the Borum Forum threads that have triggered this feeling of segregation, suspicion and uncertainty, and let's just have them all join in together? They'll be sure of the usual warm welcome if they're new members, and can identify themselves as Oldie people on profiles or in discussions.

This may backfire on you, GN, because of the way it's been done...
That's if no-one joins from the Oldie, because of our reaction, which must be offputting - can they back out of this?

Thank you GNHQ for all of that information...although I'm not sure I'm still "at ease" with it all ...but perhaps the status quo will return.

As you've 'sprung' pinternet on us today ...what are you going to confuse me with tomorrow?

Geraldine, your comment,
we thought it would start more quietly than it did and we could announce it in the newsletter today or tomorrow
demonstrates that your intention was always to introduce The Oldie to Gransnet as a fait accompli . In my view this shows a complete disregard for the GN community and certainly changes the way I feel about Gransnet.

I do understand that Gransnet is Googleable and that it's a public forum, but to actually invite the press in is something else. I understand your need for money to run the site etc. and really wish that you had involved the GN community, through discussion and consultation, in your decision making process. I feel as though GNHQ has actually belittled us and want to ask why you thought that it was acceptable not to at least inform us of the proposed changes? Did you anticipate this sort of reaction and decide that you would 'ride it out'?

I am more disappointed that I can really explain and feel completely let down.

It sounds as though it all comes down to cash flow in the end, like a lot of problems. I suppose we Gransnet members are unaware of the costs involved in developing, hosting and maintaining a complicated website. Individual broadband is dear enough.

Sites like Google and Facebook get loads of advertising to help pay their bills. Gransnet needs advertising too, to survive, if members are not going to be asked to pay to join.

Think we've to bit the bullet. no-one has to post on OmBm threads if they don't want to.

About all the Gransnet threads being visible to outsiders - they already are. Anyone with a browser can follow them. It is only to post that you need to log in.

But I bet some of you lot get tempted!

If we don't post on 'em, I don't reckon there will be any borum threads. Once the organisers themselves stop posting.

I completely get why GNHQ have got involved with the Oldie, but en masse platforming them on to the Forums was misguided, and I guess those people who are looking in from the Oldie would say the same if their publication was taken over by Gransnet and their goalposts moved.

Can we have some sort of reassurance that they will just do as all other Gransnet members do - get involved in the threads, don't claim them as exclusively theirs (Borum Forum doesn't meld with Gransnet culture) and CONTRIBUTE, instead of extracting without even a hint of politeness.

If they can't do that, let's have them on the Home Page so we can visit if we choose and so can they.

I won't be reading Borum Forums - not for me.

Thank you Geraldine. (troublemaking?!! )

A rather better apology. 'Naughty corner' was jokey and inappropriate.

But the point about trust, expressed by others, is still there.

Right. That's what I thought. This site needs money to survive and they're not getting enough advertisers. (Have they not heard of the grey pound out there![hmm).

I still advocate we ignore them and see how long they can survive without us.

Thank you GA ...you've managed to put into words my un-ease (is there such a word? ) about this!

Think it was a great pity ...if GNHQ are managing this for them ...then why didn't they let the rest of us know in advance?
I suppose I can accept that they have the right to make changes with out consulting us ...but agree, I feel that it has completely changed the dynamics of what was a community of people ...who although disagreed occassionally ...trusted each other.

I am also surprised that no-one from GNHQ has posted on this thread to alleviate all these concerns? But perhaps they can't!

Oxon70 summed it up. I don't like this so let's just hope that if we ignore it, it will go away. New individual members will continue to be warmly welcomed - but not something that feels like an invasion! Reasonable explanation, Geraldine but badly handled at source.