Idea: Who thinks an "off-topic" forum would be fun?

With Robin's advance permission...

Every once in a while I want to share a thought or a link with my forum friends, only to find that it doesn't fit easily into any of our categories. Suppose I want to talk about my cats, or write an essay about how crappy the service is at certain internet retailers, or make a poll about how long it took ladies to get their man to propose?

So I'm wondering if forum members would be interested in an "Off-Topic" forum? It would just be a click away. Robin says it wouldn't take much effort to set it up. What do you guys think?

How much of the Pappy did you have last evening?????? You're on a roll, Marsha........

I say go for it.......if we build it, we will write........

[Robin Garr]

As we discussed, Marsha, I've always thought of "All About Louisville" as being sort of a general off-topic forum, too, but now I think about it, in the Wine Forum we have the Friends & Fun section that's totally for jokes, any topic under the sun (that's not a personal attack or spam), even politics and such. People seem to love it, and I'd be glad to do the same here, although it would have to be down at the bottom of the forum list.

If you'd like to view the Wine Forum's "Friends & Fun" to see what kind of stuff is discussed there, here's a link.
http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/vil ... m.php?f=14

If we get a consensus, I'll set us up a romper room right away. Happy to do it.

I think it would be a good idea.

I also think a live chat would be fun as well. Are there any chat groups for the foodies in the Louisville area?

What about a "Facebook" like setup but for Hotbytes.. Robin, can we change up the format here a little?

[Robin Garr]

What about a "Facebook" like setup but for Hotbytes.. Robin, can we change up the format here a little?

We're talking pretty serious modifications here, Heather ... and I'm not sure everybody in the forum would like it. We're sort of evolving a nice synergy between the forum and a lot of us who are on Facebook and our little Facebook LouisvilleHotBytes page (which doesn't have anything on it that's not here, but has been a good way to reach out for offlines.)

Anybody who's on Facebook or wants to join and would like to "friend me up" so you get bulletins about what I'm eating and drinking (oh, joy) can click to my profile at
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1008045477
Once you've clicked asking to be my Facebook friend, you'll find a lot of other LHB boys and girls in my friend list and can click to ask them to friend you up too.

Facebook is fun, I just don't want to get to the point where it sucks us all out of this forum!

Oh, and not to blow off your original question, Heather. Over the next few days I'll dig around in the help pages for phpBB3, our forum software, and see if they do have any fun "Web 2.0" modifications that we might enjoy. You never know!

I've watched two movies the last couple of days that I'd like to discuss - just a f'rinstance. I probably could have put "Ratatouille" in some existing category on the forum, but maybe not "Dan in Real Life"...

[Robin Garr]

I've watched two movies the last couple of days that I'd like to discuss - just a f'rinstance. I probably could have put "Ratatouille" in some existing category on the forum, but maybe not "Dan in Real Life"...

Ratatouille is DEFINITELY a foodie movie! Those kitchen scenes are REAL! Of course, Thomas Keller was an advisor ...

Funny we're not getting a lot of action on this topic, Marsha. Still, I might try opening a section just to see. We can always shut it back down if there's nobody there but us.

I feel some action undercurrents, Robin. Sure, set it up, and I'll take the hit if we have to delete for "lack of interest". I think we'll be fine, though!

[Robin Garr]

I feel some action undercurrents, Robin. Sure, set it up, and I'll take the hit if we have to delete for "lack of interest". I think we'll be fine, though!

Nobody needs no hit! It's just like a dinner special you put out, and if people like it a lot, maybe you put it on the menu, and if not, you don't.

I've been reading and not participating in this, mostly because I guess I assumed it would just happen without much more input. So, here's another vote for a new thing.

To be quite frank, there are literally thousands of blogs that discuss everything and anything. I enjoy this blog because I am interested in the dining scene, restaurant comings and goings, and peoples' feedback on their dining experience. Many of the folk are well informed and have insightful commentaries on this subject. I don't care about non-food items on this blog, i.e. a non-related movie, cats, or whatever. If someone is that lonely that they need to share their thoughts with others then I suggest you get away from your computer, go to a nice cafe and strke up a conversation. So let's just keep it FOODIE, FOODIE, FOODIE!

If someone is that lonely that they need to share their thoughts with others then I suggest you get away from your computer, go to a nice cafe and strke up a conversation.

Ouch!

I'm doing it wrong!

Marsha,
I'm sorry if that came off offensive but sometimes somebody needs to step up and tell it like it is. There is nothing wrong with other subjects, cats included, but they have their place on the blogs. If Robin wants to set up a completely different forum titled "potpourri" then I have no objections because I would never visit it. But this forum has a good solid following and has many informed people speaking on an interesting focused topic--why water it down. That is all I am saying.
Cheers,
Jim

James, no offense taken here. I would point out, we ARE talking about a totally separate forum, really. Just a click away from this one, but not sullying it in any way. But I'd still be okay with ditching the whole idea if the majority of people feel like you do, no problem.