Not a facebook fan....blah

[Debbie]

I've been awol on Facebook. I honestly don't know how you lot can manage to use it I find it completely maddening, even after months of trying to come to grips with it. Plus there's a freaky amount of complete strangers who want to 'friend' on there clearly I'll never be a fan of Facebook, even if everyone else is over there now.

Near as I can tell, the only things FB has going for it, you can click with your phone, you can upload your photos from your phone without needing the dreaded 3rd party host ~ Photobucket ahem! And ditto the videos/gif things. Honestly I'd prefer to find a way to upgrade Proboards to keep Dalesfans viable. I know people on here (and no, Facebook, having people's real names doesn't make it easier for me to know who I'm talking to) and it's pure Dales pony chat on here with some real life tossed in with General Chat. I can see with the board forum. On Facebook, I can't hardly find threads to save my life. I can click on people, but I find it hard to find my real friends among the sea of 'friends'.

...sigh...

[harveydales]

I completley agree, Debbie! It's true, a few people I asked about why they prefer FB to Dalesfans said it was about teh ease of posting pics and videos. I don't know why, but I have never asked the techie guys on Proboards why we can't have an easier posting system. I will do so though. I have the Proboards app on my phone and that rarely works. I suppose FB has taken over all aspects of peoples lives/interests so it's easy to stay with it and not bother looking elsewhere. From what I can gather, quite a few equine forums have disappeared thanks to FB and not sure there is anything that can be done.

I would have loved to post on here about my new pony Eve and the problems I've had. There is no way I w9ould post that type of thing on FB and I miss the advice and support I used to get on here. Oh well, such is progress...........

[Debbie]

Maybe go ahead and post about Eve on here anyways? I do see visitors popping through and we can't be the only ones who want the easier to navigate forum format. Or if you'd like, pop her thread under the Personal chat where you know for certain it will remain private forever, unlike the shenanigans on FB where you have to assume anything you ever post into infinity can and will be changed from a private setting to public fishbowl display

That would be great if you could ask Proboards regarding hosting photos/video. I know video can take mass resources, so even the ability to post photos directly from phones would be a MASSIVE step forwards! Many people love sharing their photos and after Photobucket's new policy, I can't be the only one floundering for a hosting replacement.

Besides, there are enough deep flaws in Facebook, I don't think forums should give up entirely. I find myself feeling much safer posting on here than FB. At least on here, I know anyone can view, but the member has to join and be approved and can be banned if they are scary. I just prefer the ease of navigating on here and finding what I need fast in logical placements rather than attempting to scroll back through logs of who posted what.

[Fi]

I like FB for the ease of keeping in touch with a load of (mostly) dales pony folk. But agree it's not the place for an indepth discussion, or for problem solving. I'd never post anything detrimental about Sammie as it's so public and I don't think it would be fair on him. So, yes, I miss the option to discuss problems through.

I've used Whatsapp for sharing photos and videos easily. But again, without a third party host they are all too easily made public.

I quite like the idea of a private members area. I'd say post up anyway, and the people who are interested will respond. It may only be one or two to start with, but more may migrate back over time?

Fi

[valerie n scout]

Yeh I find it easier to upload stuff on FB and I found a couple of friends from the shire horse site, which is nice...I promise to come onto here more often xxx

[harveydales]

Well, once this week is over (I've got a Dales stand at the Newark Rare breed show this weekend) I will post a full update on Eve, all our ups and downs. It would be good to have your opinions and advice.

[valerie n scout]

Yeh xx looking forward to hearing about her x

[harveydales]

Still haven't got round to posting about Eve but will try and do so. I was all set to start when I realised photobucket has changed and you now need to pay - hence why the banner pic and most other pics have gone A lot of people are asking proboards how we can post pics on here without a 3rd party. Seems we can by using the attatchment button but in order to post more than 1MB you have to pay Proboards monthly, so that's out. So if I'm to post my Eve story I will hve to go to another 3rd party host which is a lot of faff. Pity, because I really would have liked your thoughts and support with Eve.

[Fi]

You can set up a private FB group, would that work? You could post and then delete later if you wanted to.

[harveydales]

Yes, that would be a possibility although I simply don't like the way things are laid out on FB plus it is a bit too "ego-centric" for me. Guess I'll just have to leave it.

[valerie n scout]

Oh that’s a shame Pam x good luck with Eve tho xxx

[mickey]

Late to the party as I haven't logged in for ages as most have migrated to facebook... I like facebook as my friends from all pars of my life are together, its easily accessible and quick to use however I miss the threads as you got to know ponies, their owners, what they did and heard the trials and tribulations of partnerships and who was part of each herd.

[harveydales]

Jan 10, 2018 21:33:57 GMT -1 mickey said:

Late to the party as I haven't logged in for ages as most have migrated to facebook... I like facebook as my friends from all pars of my life are together, its easily accessible and quick to use however I miss the threads as you got to know ponies, their owners, what they did and heard the trials and tribulations of partnerships and who was part of each herd.

Yes, that's exactly what I miss.

[Debbie]

I've had Blossom's websites hosted with Webs.com for years, and have another website with them simply for Dalesfans photos. They allow freebie websites for hosting photos since they get their money via advertising. You have to log in ever so often to keep the free site going, but if you're using it for hosting photos, you'll be doing that anyways.

After gnashing my teeth over Photobucket's recent changes, I turned to Flickr. I've had an account with them since HeatherA recommended them on here, but I'd no need to learn how to use it. I came to grips with Flickr and now use it for hosting my photos. I have to go through my Yahoo mail to log in, so it might be a Yahoo mail thing only? Not sure since I've had Yahoo since the dawn of my internet.

Others have recommended Imagur and turn off public comments, so that's another option. I've been a little leary of them, but they seem a lot like Photobucket.

I can see the appeal of busy people to have every/everything altogether, but I liked having my friends on various forums. With everything/everyone tossed together, I can't focus. And as it's been noted, there's no real way to have any sort of in depth conversation. Everything HAS to stay positive/non contriversial on FB which is ridiculous. While I do like looking at life with a positive outlook, somethings will be 'problems'. Simple things like youngsters being stroppy or a pony that's running through the bit. On here, it's no big deal, and there's usually solutions and definitely support as we've all seen it/been there/ done that/ got the wardrobe and can discuss options. On FB, it's like DRAMA and " that pony is beyond bonkers, never ever touch it with a bargepole and clearly the owner HAS to be doing something abusive" yada yada yada get real. It's just ridiculous.

I've also never seen so many abusive commets in my life. If you say anything beyond the normal platitudes, it's like some bizzaro hoard comes out of the woodwork. It's bullying. Seriously not a fan.

[harveydales]

Mar 31, 2018 12:26:30 GMT -1 Debbie said:

I can see the appeal of busy people to have every/everything altogether, but I liked having my friends on various forums. With everything/everyone tossed together, I can't focus. And as it's been noted, there's no real way to have any sort of in depth conversation. Everything HAS to stay positive/non contriversial on FB which is ridiculous. While I do like looking at life with a positive outlook, somethings will be 'problems'. Simple things like youngsters being stroppy or a pony that's running through the bit. On here, it's no big deal, and there's usually solutions and definitely support as we've all seen it/been there/ done that/ got the wardrobe and can discuss options. On FB, it's like DRAMA and " that pony is beyond bonkers, never ever touch it with a bargepole and clearly the owner HAS to be doing something abusive" yada yada yada get real. It's just ridiculous.

I've also never seen so many abusive commets in my life. If you say anything beyond the normal platitudes, it's like some bizzaro hoard comes out of the woodwork. It's bullying. Seriously not a fan.

Exactly! I do miss being able to come on here to talk about my problems and progress with Eve and also about the big hole Harvey has left in my life. I know I would have got sensible, constructive comments and suggestions. I want to do an obituary for Harvey on here when I feel up to it..........