New sections?

[Paul_UK]

We are thinking about adding a couple of extra sections here, and are wondering what everyone thinks would be useful. We have been looking at subject areas that are discussed regularly in other sections as these are obviously popular subjects already. So one idea is an "Entertainment Discusions" area for movies, TV, music, gaming, books etc.

Does anyone have any ideas? Either for things that we already discuss elsewhere, or for new areas (perhaps things you have seen and like at other forums). It just needs to be something that other people here are likely to enjoy too.

[Proud1p4]

Well i had an idea a while back but it got turned down but ill post the link again anyway: http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=476 but i may or may not be the only one who keeps up with such topics lol. But maybe if there was a thread to it or if ppl started to post about it then they too might try and keep up with such current events?

Some other ideas just off the top of my head:

-Sexual Health & Wellbeing
-Religion/Spirituality
-Straights (for those odd few who may come here to help a friend etc. you dont want them to feel unwelcome cuz i doubt they want to go into "chit-chat for gay guys and girls)

[Micah]

Proud, I really like your ideas. One query I have though is whether or not they are too "narrow". For instance, at the moment, there arent that many posts here on EC relating *directly* Religion etc. So one concern would be the created forum would be rather empty. I like the concept though, and I believe it would work if/when EC attracts a larger amount of members.

That being said, I do like the idea of sexual Health, since the forum itself would spark discussions and encourage others to talk about "that sort of stuff".

Also, we're currently discussing changes to the Chit Chat sub text, as was suggested by you, to be more inviting than just "gay guys and girls". I think creating a Straight exclusive forum would isolate them from the rest of the discussion, which they are most certainly welcome to take part in. :)

[chrisg]

I think that keeping most things in the Chit Chat forum would be beneficial because having very specific forums or subforums tends to create "dead space."

[hakeem_uk]

i think thats true too because in other forums they have alot of different bits and no one has really posted anything

[Micah]

Chrisg and Hakeem: that's exactly the reason why we haven't created sub forums to date. However, as you know, there's been a lot of "favorite movie" or "gay books" threads, and we thought it would be neat to add in a new forum for such discussion. Right now, name ideas for this sort of forum are "Entertainment Chat" or "Books, Movies and Gaming".

Can you guys think of a better name for an entertainment chat forum?

[hakeem_uk]

funny area?
lol

[hakeem_uk]

what about Sexual Health like what proud 2b gay said they have them in other forums that i have seen

[Paul_UK]

The Entertainment section will definitely be added. I think a general name like "Entertainment Chat" would be good, as that covers a whole range of stuff and I can add a description below the title.

what about Sexual Health like what proud 2b gay said they have them in other forums that i have seen
I like the idea of having a health section (not just sexual health matters, but any health issues) too. We'd really need to try to find an expert (such as a doctor) to pop in periodically to keep an eye on it - but I can think of a couple of people we could ask.

funny area?
Fun and Games? For things like the three word story and any other word-type games people can think of, as well as jokes and other fun stuff? I'm not too sure since the three word story hasn't gone very far....

[Proud1p4]

Proud, I really like your ideas. One query I have though is whether or not they are too "narrow". For instance, at the moment, there arent that many posts here on EC relating *directly* Religion etc. So one concern would be the created forum would be rather empty. I like the concept though, and I believe it would work if/when EC attracts a larger amount of members.

Yeah i get what you're saying.. was just an idea:).. ive seen alot of dicussion amongst me and my gay/trans/bi/lesbian etc. friends about homo/bi/trans/sexuality and how it mixes with religions and thought that maybe ppl would have the same dicussions here.. not only about the mixing of the two but also current politics of religion (yeah thats where i lost most ppl, "politics"...whoot *sarcasim*) even when not relating to sexualities.. but honestly i havent seen much or even any of these threads started in this forum.. so its understandible why it would be empty.. no hard feelings:D

Also, we're currently discussing changes to the Chit Chat sub text, as was suggested by you, to be more inviting than just "gay guys and girls". I think creating a Straight exclusive forum would isolate them from the rest of the discussion, which they are most certainly welcome to take part in. :)

Yeah i can see how that would happen but i thought that most straights would be intimidated to go under our current chit chat forum. but hey its up to you guys how and how not to run this place haha.. again no hard feelings :)

[hakeem_uk]

so Paul have u thought of what u are going?

[hakeem_uk]

to do

sorry about that

[Paul_UK]

I am definitely going to add an Entertainment section - that will be done within the next half hour.

I think the other main ideas have been a health section and a fun-and-games section, but I'm waiting for a few more comments on those.

[Paul_UK]

That's done. User titles next..... :)

[Proud1p4]

Yay! (here's some more stuff cuz it says "yay" is too short to be a post:grin: blah blah blah blah)

[Paul_UK]

Not any more - I have just reduced the minimum post length to 3 characters for you! :)

I have also changed the smilies that appear in the little group to the right of the message editor to hopefully the more useful and fun ones, and increased the group size from 15 to 21. The full collection are all still available from the [More] link.

[hakeem_uk]

wow that great!:)

[Paul_UK]

I like the idea of having a health section (not just sexual health matters, but any health issues) too. We'd really need to try to find an expert (such as a doctor) to pop in periodically to keep an eye on it - but I can think of a couple of people we could ask.
I have now found a doctor, BenF46, who has kindly offered to help with a health section, so I have just added that section. I hope you find it useful. Please read the sticky "Information" thread before posting.

[hakeem_uk]

well do!

[Proud1p4]

Whoot for the new "Health and Wellbeing" sub-forum. Hopefully it'll be used from time-to-time. Oh, and for the new 20 smilies instead of 15. And for the minimum message character being lowered to 3. All i have to say to that is....

[Proud1p4]

Yay

[chrisg]

Not to be annoying, but I thought that the spelling was "Well-being."

[Proud1p4]

Well your half right...it can be or it can be Wellbeing too...i think that "Wellbeing" is more proper under this circumstance. Some people just say it as a compound word or as two seperates joined by a heifin (-).

[Paul_UK]

Well the spell-checker in Word is happy with either version. However I think it is clearer with a hyphen so I'll add one.

[nisomer]

hey the new sections are rockin and i think they will make a great addition to ec.

[expresso.]

I apologize if this is off limits for whatever reason, but perhaps a general sex talk forum

Those are always interesting, and as long as its kept discussion only, it should be okay?

- expresso.

[joeyconnick]

I apologize if this is off limits for whatever reason, but perhaps a general sex talk forum

Those are always interesting, and as long as its kept discussion only, it should be okay?

- expresso.Seems like a decent idea to me.

[Micah]

Since sex is a pretty specific topic, I don't think it's generated enough discussion to warrent its own forum.

That being said, the Health and Well-being forum is available for discussion regarding the physical aspects of sex, such as the physical effects it will have on your body, worries about sexual diseases and (god forbid) kinky sexual positions.

The Support and Advice forum is avaible for the emotional side of sexual discussion. Including when you're ready to do it, how it effects relationships etc.

If discussion about sex builds up to a point where it warrants its own forum, then by all means we'll add one. However, adding a forum to generate discussion, rather than to accomodate it usually doesnt work and results in a dead forum with very few posts.

[Dejavu]

Kinky sexual positions would warrent its own Board :P lol.

[expresso.]

haha, you make a good point.

[Proud1p4]

Since sex is a pretty specific topic, I don't think it's generated enough discussion to warrent its own forum.

OMG....sex talk is allowed? I've been holding back! Masturbation thread here we come! :eusa_ange

(oh and Deja, nice sig.)

[Paul_UK]

We can discuss sex here (in the health section), but it should be factual and not erotic. We need keep this site at a level that is considered suitable for teenagers.

[joeyconnick]

That being said, the Health and Well-being forum is available for discussion regarding the physical aspects of sex, such as the physical effects it will have on your body, worries about sexual diseases and (god forbid) kinky sexual positions.Why god forbid?

[Dejavu]

**agrees with joey**

proud.. thx :p

ok example..

"Riding someones dick while they are sitting on a chair is the best position iv found so far" - (and its true, if you havent tried it... its lush.)

would that be allowed...

[Proud1p4]

"Riding someones dick while they are sitting on a chair is the best position iv found so far" - (and its true, if you havent tried it... its lush.)

would that be allowed...

I say oui! (for you french-depreived people that's yes)

And if the mods say nay...then everyone certain feel free to start PM'ing like crazy.

[Paul_UK]

I don't want to get into a string of "is this allowed" type posts here. Often it depends on the circumstances and the way the thread is going generally. A post like that may be pulled if it appeared as a new thread for no good reason, but if it was part of a valid and sensible discussion it would probably be left in place.

Keep the discussions to a level that would be acceptable in a magazine for teenagers and you should be OK.

If you are 18 or over and want to engage in more explicit discussions, there are other gay forums that would be more appropriate.

[joeyconnick]

If you are 18 or over and want to engage in more explicit discussions, there are other gay forums that would be more appropriate.So where are the people who are not 18 or over supposed to ask/talk about that kinda stuff?

[Paul_UK]

That's a good question Joey, and one that I'm not sure if there is a legal answer to. The problem is that if things become too explicit here, access would probably have to be limited (by Canadian law, where the site is hosted) to those over 18, which completely defeats the whole point of the site. So we have to try to keep it within the limits of what would be viewed (by those who make and enforce those laws) as acceptable for teenagers.

I think we will just have to keep an eye on discussions and try to limit things that are (or appear to be) posted solely for arousal rather than for genuine discussion. So there is obviously be no porn, and there should also be no erotic stories or unnecessarily detailed accounts of sexual activities etc.

We'll have to see how it goes, and try to rein in any discussions that seem to be going too far.

[Proud1p4]

So where are the people who are not 18 or over supposed to ask/talk about that kinda stuff?

MSN...or in PM's....this forum isnt for sex-talk...but we can talk about whatever we like in our personal messaging systems...freedom of speech....best right yet.