Discussion about this forum

[alexthegreater]

eexclamation said:

Looks good.

It will be interesting to see how many readers show up.

If you want another free board to look at there's invisionfree.com/

Now, what about moderation? You should consider hiring one or two to keep the rowdys in line.

Tried it before and it sucks. Use PHPBB or proboards.

[Tom Siddell]

contemptiblecat said:

could you make a section for Fan art, Mr Siddell? It's really easy to post pictures here, and it'd be cool to have art looked at by other fans, rather then just who finds it on DA or wherever ^^

I think right now just a thread for that kind of thing would be enough. If the forum grows there might be need to add an art board in the future.
Personally though, I would love to see reader art for the comic.

[Uglyhead]

This place is practically buzzing with activity already, Tom. Are you going to put a link to the forum on the main page?

[Tom Siddell]

I will mos tlikely mention it in tomorrow's update, but I won't putting a permanent link on the main part of the page for a little while yet. I'm still seeing how things go.

[Aspen d'Grey]

Hey Tom, is it OK to download the comics in order to add translations via Photoshop? If so, could i request the name of the font you use?

[thechron]

As I say once again, I enjoy speculation. What I do not enjoy is when people state their speculations as if it is fact. It is misleading and confusing to some. Things run smoother when people realize and acknowledge that their speculation is only that: speculation.

Also, to clarify, I did not by any means mean to imply that all or even most of the speculation is inane or groundless. However, there are alot of secret lesbian theories and the like on a seemingly regular basis. The ones that are not so ridiculous could also be inane and groundless, but in an entertaining or interesting way, as long as it is clearly defined as speculation.

[The Contemptible Cat]

thechron said:

However, there are alot of secret lesbian theories and the like on a seemingly regular basis.

*pricks ears* OooO, so it isn't just me who's been drawing naughty piccys ^^
Teenage girl friendship is different then teenage boy friendship anyway- we're *allowed* to kiss and hold hands, doesn't mean we're gay I think Tom has done an awesome job portraying genuine young friendships anyway, it makes it more real.

[Tom Siddell]

thechron said:

What I do not enjoy is when people state their speculations as if it is fact.

I don't recall seeing any evidence of this.

However, I think we get your point now.

[unclebenny]

I give it a week before this place turns into hell in a hen basket.

that's a popular phrase my 9th grade english teacher would use when situations become hell in a hen basket.

I have no idea what it means, but the addition of hen basket just makes everything ever so much worse.

[The Contemptible Cat]

Everyone seems mature enough ^^

[iMacThere4iAm]

I think those lesbian theories were said with tongue firmly in cheek

[mrw]

Contemptible Cat: >> Teenage girl friendship is different then teenage boy friendship anyway- we're *allowed* to kiss and hold hands, doesn't mean we're gay I think Tom has done an awesome job portraying genuine young friendships anyway, it makes it more real. <<

I agree most wholeheartedly.
In countries other than the USA (and possibly the UK), it's much more common to see schoolgirls walking hand in hand, or arms around each other, and it doesn't mean anything untoward. In Korea and Japan I saw it a lot. Westerners just seem to be much more uptight about physical contact.

And Tom, you certainly did a wonderful job portraying Zimmy and Gamma. So sweet...

[Myrani]

I agree most wholeheartedly.
In countries other than the USA (and possibly the UK), it's much more common to see schoolgirls walking hand in hand, or arms around each other, and it doesn't mean anything untoward. In Korea and Japan I saw it a lot. Westerners just seem to be much more uptight about physical contact.

Yes, even between guys it'll mean nothing romantic. It's actually rather refreshing to see close contact between a pair of friends like in Zimmy and Gamma's case without the intention of making them lesbian. That assumption just happens too often, a lot like how some people think that because one of my best friends is a guy, he's my boyfriend.

[Warui Tanuki]

Yep, many (most?) people in the U.S. have trouble seeing any close, non-familial relationship as purely platonic. Certainly girls/women are "allowed" much more physical contact and signs of affection for each other then boys/men, but it seems like it's still a lot less than in many other countries. At least after puberty sets in. Maybe I should mention here, I'm an American myself and this statement is based on first-hand observation, not some sort of stereotype.

Still, I think most of that type of speculation in forums is based more on wishful thinking than actually interpreting friendly physical contact as sexual in nature. I could be wrong though.

Back to the main topic of this thread though, I agree with the people who have said there's not a problem with using ProBoards. It's free, you don't have to host it yourself, the ads are unobtrusive, etc. It will be interesting to see how much and how quickly the forum expands.

[iMacThere4iAm]

Well while we're on the topic, Annie and the others are 11 or 12 years old, so seeing them that way is pretty weird.

[Aspen d'Grey]

iMac- Obviously, you've never had a friend that was in to Harry Potter Slash Fic.

Personally, I'd rather that sort of stuff never got involved with GC, but, if the comic gets extremely popular, it might.


[offtopic] Heh, I just took a look at the comments on the main comic page... apparently people aren't using that quite as much. (Or, I suppose they just haven't been approved.)

[iMacThere4iAm]

Aspen- Agreed

[Myrani]

Personally, I'd rather that sort of stuff never got involved with GC...

Thirded... I think it's basically unnecessary.

[Aspen d'Grey]

So, if anyone ever posts something like that, safe to say that flame war will ensue. I'd say bannage, but none of us has the power for that.

[freemage]

Okay, seriously, folks--you're talking about instituting bannage for a hypothetical possibility? Lighten up a tad, please.

The forum is a fantastic idea, and this one seems fine for the purpose of discussing the comic. Bells-and-whistles are better for forums that are meant to be stand-alone, IMNSHO.

11/12 is about when many kids develop their first serious 'crush', actually. At that age, in fact, the gender of the crush-target is less likely to be an issue, simply because at that point, sexuality isn't as defined. So it's not unreasonable to talk about the possibility that, as we used to say at that age, "Do you think Antimony likes Kat, or likes Kat?"

That said, I would like to emphasize Tom's Forum Rules post which states pretty clearly that all content should be work-safe. Thus, even a fic that talks about, say, a Gamma/Zimmy pairing should do so in fairly clean terms--these ARE young children we're talking about, and at least until their 16th birthdays or so, any romance (het or otherwise) should be fairly innocent.

thecron, as for your objection to how people phrase things, a general prohibition just isn't a good idea in forming an environment for invigorating discussion. Instead, simply point out the other person is stating their speculation as fact at the time of the argument, and move on.

[iMacThere4iAm]

Freemage, you're right, and we totally got off topic. I'd like to stop discussing this now.

[Aspen d'Grey]

freemage- just a bit of humor, you don't flame someone for that (slash fic), you report them to a mod or admin and let them deal with it. I will object very, very strongly if someone posts like that. If I had a choice, they'd be removed from the forums. Luckily, it's a slim possibility... And as you said, if someone DID post slash-fic, they'd most likely be banned for violating that rule, or at least the post would be deleted.

Edit: Ahem, missed iMac's post, who is correct & dropping this as well.

[La Poire]

Woooee! A forum! ;D

I really think it's a good thing to have somewhere to archive all the endless speculation and discussions on the plot. I remember once posting a comment about some theory and never seeing the response, because the next day; new comic, no comments. I'm almost tempted to start a thread about it – my old speculations, that is – but it was something from really long ago, so I don't think I'll bother.

Anyhow, hope this works out.

[shadow314]

I think the boards came out great and hopefully they'll stay that way!

I've been able to have lots of questions answered and I have a better feel for what other reads think about the comic. Also, (thank god), the forum hasn't turned into a rampaging fan boy/girl forum. Hopefully it will stay that way. I'm very happy with the serious discussion!

[rastarogue]

I like the idea of the forum as there are not to many people off of the internet to talk about GC with (1 person). So this provide the ideal set up for people to be able to discuss theories and the latest update without any fear of being judged (at leats until they are done and have fully made their point).

[owl]

I also really like the idea of the forum ( I actually suggested making one on the comments the day before Tom made this). I know that a lot of times forums can start out well and just be overrun with trolls, but if it's well kept and everyone is civil, I think there sould be no problem. I'm part of a HUGE forum that has been going on for several years now and it's the best online communtiy I've ever been a part of, so i know from experience that they can work out.

[alexthegreater]

unclebenny said:

I give it a week before this place turns into hell in a hen basket.

that's a popular phrase my 9th grade english teacher would use when situations become hell in a hen basket.

I have no idea what it means, but the addition of hen basket just makes everything ever so much worse.

Its a misquote of "going to hell in a hand basket" as for the source of that I do not know.

[oorahairforce]

Hey Tom, can we get a subforum for discussing weaving Pendleton Button Blankets in the style of Northwest Coast Native tribes' ceremonial potlatch robes?

[Aspen d'Grey]

oorahariforce- if you really, really want one I'll start my forusm back up and you can have a go. I've got a weaving subforum on there.

[oorahairforce]

I was being extremely, extremely facetious.