A Great Idea that wasn't... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gurthang · 07-31-2005, 11:15 PM

This thread poses the question: What great thread idea did you post that really, really tanked? Or you could say, what thread did you think would sprint through pages but only got a few replies?

My most recent thread that was not so great was my run at 'Barrowdown's Tag'. I'll not go into detail, but it was shut down(justfully; no hard feelings). I thought it would be fun, but it just kinda sank.

Or maybe this thread(the one you're currently reading) will turn into my newest shame. If nobody replies to this, that would kinda be the whole idea of the thread. Now that would be ironic!

But really, what thread ideas of yours never worked out?

Kitanna · 08-01-2005, 12:33 AM

Don't feel bad, Gurthang. All my threads failed and are now lost somewhere on the site. I've had a few other ideas (intelligents ones) but for fear of another failure I've refrained from starting a thread.

Kath · 08-01-2005, 06:01 AM

I had one good success but my Eagles one and a Bombadil one failed rather dismally! Still, always more ideas.

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-01-2005, 06:11 AM

I've posted some topics that were too specialized or didn't catch people's attention for whatever reason - one thread about children in Middle-earth didn't get a single answer for months before someone noticed it; another about the Art nouveau influence in the Elven architecture of the movies got only a few replies and seems to have gotten completely lost at some point in time; and the one about Tolkien and the textile arts has only a few replies as well. I posted a new topic last week that hasn't gotten one answer yet, about the Sil parodies.

It's no shame to try a topic that interests you, but you never know if those who are interested will be around at that time and want to post on it, or have time to do more than just read it without contributing. And it's no shame to have a topic moved, merged or even closed if a moderator considers that best! As long as it's not against the forum rules (which I always assume everyone will of course have read before starting a new thread!

), go for it - no risk, no gain! And there's always the chance yours could be the hit thread of the month - you won't know unless you try.

Mithalwen · 08-01-2005, 06:23 AM

Sometimes a thread can get a more sucessful revival.... I think it is hard to find a thread that is original - I have to admit that my most successful one was sparked by something Davem had posted in cbC which interested me. But sometimes people just don't pick up on things you find intriguing... or they haven't got time at that moment to check it out.... or sometimes one of the great minds has answered so comprehensively that you feel there is nothing you can usefully add....

The Only Real Estel · 08-01-2005, 07:24 AM

Um, my worst thread is also one of my most embarrassing moments. Back in the newbier days of my life on the 'downs I got to wondering if anyone else was from Kansas. Doing the unthinkable I decided it would be a 'good' idea to create a thread asking if there were any BDers from Kansas. The only surprise that came from that thread was that there was actually one post on it before the B-W found it & understandable smashed it with a sledgehammer.

edit: well, now that I've posted this I see that it doesn't really qualify as a 'great idea' that wasn't...oh well.

THE Ka · 01-20-2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

But really, what thread ideas of yours never worked out?

All of them!

No really, if you want to base it upon if it made everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside, then yes.

Though, I have found that the only way you can get people to actually think is to make them challenge and profess each others' ideas. If everyone enjoys that, then I'm happy that everyone still creates thought. Even if they do hate me. At least everyone is thinking.

~ Ka

mark12_30 · 08-01-2005, 11:16 AM

It went by various names: The Dueling Inn; the Gauntlet Tavern; Behind The Hedge. But alas, the variety of names was all that came of it.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 08-01-2005, 11:21 AM

I have started numerous embarrassing threads which I explain somewhat in Estel's 'Most embarrassing Barrowdowns moments' thread. The best was probably a Fingolfin/Finarfin question that could have been easily answered by reading the Sil's family trees. And that was in The Books forum!

The shame of such ignorance still gnaws at my very soul.

Lalwendë · 08-01-2005, 12:02 PM

I've done a couple without much interest in the way of replies, but I don't mind at all. Sometimes you just want to post some information or share something with everyone, and in those cases there might not be very much anyone could post in reply apart from "hmm, that's interesting". Sometimes a thread might be very specialised, or it might be that there's an almighty ruckus happening on another thread that's keeping everyone busy

. So, there's nowt to be embarrassed about at all.

Nimrodel_9 · 08-01-2005, 04:59 PM

I started a "Legolas Appreciation" thread, that was shut down very soon. I don't think they understood something I said. Perhaps I should try again... No hard feelings.

Lhunardawen · 08-01-2005, 09:41 PM

Ah, kindred souls. Getting no replies is the very reason I used to be hesitant to open new threads. But a very kind wizard (actually, five of them) said these encouraging words when he described me in the 'Know Yer Mates' thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerenIstarion

Lhunardawen is somehow shy to start new threads of her own, and prefers to participate in already existing ones. I suppose that is groundless fear, and she would be well off if only she were to become 'thread-starter'

So most of the threads I've started (all in the Books) were not replied to much, but at least I was somehow able to contribute something to the forum.

07-31-2005, 11:15 PM	#1
Gurthang Sword of Spirit Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Oh, I'm around. Posts: 1,401	A Great Idea that wasn't... This thread poses the question: What great thread idea did you post that really, really tanked? Or you could say, what thread did you think would sprint through pages but only got a few replies? My most recent thread that was not so great was my run at 'Barrowdown's Tag'. I'll not go into detail, but it was shut down(justfully; no hard feelings). I thought it would be fun, but it just kinda sank. Or maybe this thread(the one you're currently reading) will turn into my newest shame. If nobody replies to this, that would kinda be the whole idea of the thread. Now that would be ironic! But really, what thread ideas of yours never worked out? __________________ I'm on a Mission from God.

08-01-2005, 12:33 AM	#2
Kitanna Child of the West Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Watching President Fillmore ride a unicorn Posts: 2,132	Don't feel bad, Gurthang. All my threads failed and are now lost somewhere on the site. I've had a few other ideas (intelligents ones) but for fear of another failure I've refrained from starting a thread. __________________ "Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." - Mark Twain

08-01-2005, 06:01 AM	#3
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	I had one good success but my Eagles one and a Bombadil one failed rather dismally! Still, always more ideas. __________________ “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

08-01-2005, 06:11 AM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I've posted some topics that were too specialized or didn't catch people's attention for whatever reason - one thread about children in Middle-earth didn't get a single answer for months before someone noticed it; another about the Art nouveau influence in the Elven architecture of the movies got only a few replies and seems to have gotten completely lost at some point in time; and the one about Tolkien and the textile arts has only a few replies as well. I posted a new topic last week that hasn't gotten one answer yet, about the Sil parodies. It's no shame to try a topic that interests you, but you never know if those who are interested will be around at that time and want to post on it, or have time to do more than just read it without contributing. And it's no shame to have a topic moved, merged or even closed if a moderator considers that best! As long as it's not against the forum rules (which I always assume everyone will of course have read before starting a new thread! ), go for it - no risk, no gain! And there's always the chance yours could be the hit thread of the month - you won't know unless you try. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-01-2005, 06:23 AM	#5
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	Sometimes a thread can get a more sucessful revival.... I think it is hard to find a thread that is original - I have to admit that my most successful one was sparked by something Davem had posted in cbC which interested me. But sometimes people just don't pick up on things you find intriguing... or they haven't got time at that moment to check it out.... or sometimes one of the great minds has answered so comprehensively that you feel there is nothing you can usefully add.... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace Last edited by Mithalwen; 08-01-2005 at 10:16 AM.

08-01-2005, 07:24 AM	#6
The Only Real Estel Raffish Rapscallion Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-( Posts: 2,835	Um, my worst thread is also one of my most embarrassing moments. Back in the newbier days of my life on the 'downs I got to wondering if anyone else was from Kansas. Doing the unthinkable I decided it would be a 'good' idea to create a thread asking if there were any BDers from Kansas. The only surprise that came from that thread was that there was actually one post on it before the B-W found it & understandable smashed it with a sledgehammer. edit: well, now that I've posted this I see that it doesn't really qualify as a 'great idea' that wasn't...oh well. Last edited by The Only Real Estel; 08-01-2005 at 01:42 PM.

08-01-2005, 11:16 AM	#8
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	It went by various names: The Dueling Inn; the Gauntlet Tavern; Behind The Hedge. But alas, the variety of names was all that came of it. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

08-01-2005, 11:21 AM	#9
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	I have started numerous embarrassing threads which I explain somewhat in Estel's 'Most embarrassing Barrowdowns moments' thread. The best was probably a Fingolfin/Finarfin question that could have been easily answered by reading the Sil's family trees. And that was in The Books forum! The shame of such ignorance still gnaws at my very soul. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

08-01-2005, 12:02 PM	#10
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I've done a couple without much interest in the way of replies, but I don't mind at all. Sometimes you just want to post some information or share something with everyone, and in those cases there might not be very much anyone could post in reply apart from "hmm, that's interesting". Sometimes a thread might be very specialised, or it might be that there's an almighty ruckus happening on another thread that's keeping everyone busy . So, there's nowt to be embarrassed about at all. __________________ Gordon's alive!

08-01-2005, 04:59 PM	#11
Nimrodel_9 Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 734	I started a "Legolas Appreciation" thread, that was shut down very soon. I don't think they understood something I said. Perhaps I should try again... No hard feelings. __________________ .:A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart:.