The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Fanackapan on June 25, 2013, 08:06:10 pm
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I don't mean just this one but any you may be a member of.
I started using a similar forum about 3 years ago for the 1st time. My elderly Mum lived here and she was quite worried and frightened on her own in the evenings so Eck and I only went out on the rare special occasion. She was a great watcher of the Soaps and I found using a forum a good way of escaping, whilst sitting in the armchair.
They are informative of course, learnt most of my hen knowledge this way, much easier batting a problem around with others than trying to find the right bit in a manual.
What I do like (and admit find quite surprising) is how much a family the regulars on a forum become, I notice on here how people ask after one another.
So what is the main reason you use a forum ?
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I used TAS for info when I realised that accidentally we had a smallholding. I do not do facebook or any other forums but visit TAS a couple of times a day in winter and every evening after eating and before I pass out on cheap wine.
Whilst I continue to search and read items that are relevant to me I must say that most of my posts are more social even though I don't PM people for a chat.
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I like being able to ask for advice and having others to chat to. Not a person that goes out much as always busy keeping things going here.
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yes Sabrina - there is always something to do around the place to stop us going out and we don't have any family here or many friends to see. TAS is becoming a bit of a window into the big wide world for me. Even morse so when I am home alone!
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This is the only forum I have used. I am not on facebook or anything else like that. I first came across it when our search for a smallholding started; initially for information how to do stuff especially look after the animals we would like. It was very interesting following other peoples progress, trials and tribulations. It became a vicarious way of following the smallholding life while our house sale went through and our search continued for the property we were to buy. This has been especially important for me as I have had too much time on my hands in a rental house I don't particularly like. When I started posting I found not just the informative replies useful; the support from everyone was great. This was particularly true when I had to vent my frustration when our purchase nearly fell through at the last minute (after nearly two years of looking and two failed attempts to buy). I enjoy the characters on here and look forward to meeting up with some of you at some time.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Helen
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i found it in a google search about keeping chickens (damn Dan and his google optimisation skills)
i stayed for the advise and banter...
last time i checked i was classified under fixtures and fittings of the TAS site...
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I found the forum after a visit to Dan and Rosemary's small holding in Alloa, it was great to learn about chicken keeping, I wish I had kept chickens before. I met people on that day and found so much in common.
I use this forum and Facebook to keep in contact with family and friends and as I get stuck in our B&B actually prefer being on here rather than watching TV, its my soap and contact with the wide world and yes, the characters become a part of my life and I build a picture of those I do not know personally...its all I need as I love my simple life, the guests in our B&B are enough for me!
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This is the only forum I am on. I was introduced to it by someone who came to meet my goats and just love the feeling of family here. I can get advice when I want it, have a rant, get hugs when I'm down and also give advice, lkisgten to other people's rants and give hugs. Great place to be. :thumbsup:
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I live alone and very isolated so I use forums for their social content, to get and give advice. Not on facebook. I was recommended Tas through Sally on Ravelry and do not regret looking you people up :thumbsup:
I also am a member of the Swedish equivalent and often very amazed or bemused at the cultural differences.
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I used to work on a health forum for women with postnatal mental health issues. Then I started my own which we handed over when we bought this smallholding :) So i've always found forums useful places to obtain not only knowledge but also support, especially beneficial for people who (like me) don't always want to seek friendships face to face but would rather build them online as it feels safer.
I found TAS after googling 'smallholding' - it came up with lots of other forums but this one struck me as well run, well structured and the people using it seemed genuine and friendly. Took me a while to post (still needed to suss it out!) but when I did it was so welcoming I kind of stuck around (ok, I've left twice....but always come back)
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I have been on a few horse related ones over the years, primarily a regional riders one which was my social and riding company when I was working and all my nonwork hours were taken up with riding, breeding and horse care. Then a UK wide version of it, which kept me in chat and horsey talk - both relatively small closed groups. I left both when I was no longer riding and had little to contribute to the discussions any more.
I've also been on two consecutive Highland pony specific ones - the first one started free but began to close ranks and in 2007 insisted it was for paid members use only so I left as it felt like a membership fee exercise and a bit manipulative. As did several others, some of whom then began their own free list to replace it so I joined that and have been there ever since. In all cases these were to discuss things I couldn't discuss in my everyday life in an office, keep in touch with other breeders and keep up to date with the HP world as I no longer show or ride so don't meet the people in person much any more.
TAS I joined when I left work and went full time here, I think. For specific information and to feel a little less alone in my lifestyle choices. I rarely leave the holding now, a weekly trip to the local library and supermarket, the GP etc but other than that not much. And socially I thus have very little to say to anyone not interested in days spent weeding or moving ponies from field A to field B in sequence to keep the stallion from nonbreeding mares, or worrying about hens or silvery tinge coming over plum leaves or whether this piece of fencing is higher priority or best done before that bit of field drainage repair, or when to plant willow or whatever it is I have as a potential topic of conversation. I don't watch soaps or read newspapers or care about celebs or fashion so I'm just not that interesting out there!
So if I didn't talk online I wouldn't really have anyone or anywhere else. I've one neighbour, a couple, and a few acquaintances locally I can pass time with occasionally but I can't afford to get too involved in their social lives, even if we had anything much in common to discuss. Rounds of golf, holidays in Spain or taking turns with dinner parties in houses that actually have a dining table perhaps? Hmm, no thanks, the one about what kind of wellies or how to worm hens is more in my comfort zone to talk about!
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I'm on a dog agility forum, which is very quiet but dead useful for info on competitions results and stuff, I used to be on the lotus 7 club forum which was great, but only be cause I had my caterham then so gave it up when I sold the car then I didn't get involved in anything really
Found this place when I was trying to restructure my shearing activities (I.e. small flocks) thought its be a good place to advertise (cynical me), anyway, due to the fact that I have such problems with my shoulders I don't really shear anymore, but found initially the crafty section was so amazing, learnt to knit on dpn's, in the round and everything, I sort if feel I have something to offer on the doggy side of stuff (mainly rubbish but I do try)
Because I'm on my own a lot (mainly only have dogs for company) I like to have a chat when I've a spare 10mins and to be honest everyone is just so very nice, funny ad helpful it keeps dragging me back
Do I regret joining this forum?
Yes - no I meant no
It has restored my faith in humanity, I find it a very soothing place to be, it has also given me a lot of freinds, obviously not real freinds, electric freinds are how I like to think of you all, which is nice...
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Thanks for taking the time to reply, it seems we are all pretty much here maybe , initially, to glean information but stayed for the ambience !
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I love electric friends but I cannot persuade my husband to leave his Dyson, although he has and does sometimes post in my name and another that's still around somewhere, also keep telling my brother to join as I often read others posts and know my brother would have advice. I also belong to another forum but only when I feel I need it, I never feel quite so much at home there though.....Facebook and TAS are all I need :thumbsup:
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Forums are weird places. I have used forums like Landrover forums, smoker forums, craftwork forums purely just as a reader rather than participator, but usually I have TAS open and a football team forum. A mixed bag I know, but then I don't 'major' in one interest, I have many. My favourite forum is the football one. It is strange, but the people on there are delightful (unexpectedly?) happy to assist, banter about football, always first informed, but generally have a shared passion that isn't all encompassing. it is probably the nearest news source I use! The best thing about it is that it is a closed forum so unless you LOVE the team you don't get in, and the moderation of the forum has the longest code of practices you have ever seen!
I like TAS and there are some genuinely knowledgeable people here who are open to sharing, and it is my first place to ask questions about anything crafty or smallholding related - it's reassuring. I am glad that moderators are in place here now, so there is no place for 'flaming'. Opinions may differ but it doesn't cost to be polite.
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I found TAS when I was searching for smallholdings to buy. Everything about the smallholding world was new to me and much of the info went over my head until we took the plunge. Now that I have sheep, chickens, pigs and geese I find the information invaluable, albeit, at times, a bit conflicting. Still its interesting to know there is more than one way to skin a cat.
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Very similar to Bionic, i also use the GOS pig forum but am not on FB or TW, way too much personal info on there IMO. Have met some of fellow TASers as we show our pigs around the country and its funny how people never look like you imagine :thinking: .
Mandy :pig:
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like many others came for info (in my 2.5 years it has been a practical lifeline and given me the confidence to venture into more and more animal husbandry - cows next!) and stayed for the social life! love it. :bouquet:
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I think with most forums , you can get out what you put in,
i belong to a few totally different forums, 1 for kayak fishing, 1 for shooting 1 for filming and TAS,
its surprising how many actually inter link :thumbsup:
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I use forums to get advice, give advice and above all, to find kindred spirits who share my interests in the countryside, its history and its wildlife.
My main forum is OTG but in recent months, I've also warmed to this one too. :farmer:
I may have been lucky, but on the whole, over the years I've made and met some really good people on forums who I've come to look upon as friends. Of course, I've come across some out and out toss pots too, but thankfully, they have been few and far between and in any case, you can always ignore those.
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I like TAS. It's good company and good advice although I don't post as much as I used to. I have learnt so much on here and it's given me the confidence to embark on projects that would have otherwise been so scary.
It's a great site to log in to during boring meetings!!!
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I suppose I use forums to find like minded people and chat really. Don't feel confident enough to offer advice on animal health so always leave that side of things to Annie. I used to work week ends and nights so the forum I used to use was good to pass the time on. Have to say I am really enjoying this forum as it seems to have a lot of interesting characters who are great to talk to. Would like to meet up with as many TAS members as possible so that I can put faces to the names (and the characters !!!) :thumbsup:
Eck
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I started using forums when I got my first computer. Was given it for Christmas 2001 I think, and I happened to look at a cd I was also given, and I logged onto the forum mentioned on the cd. Enjoyed passing time there and finding like minded people, and eventually nearly a year later it dawned on me there must be other forums on different topics (yes, it took me a while, never said I was quick thinking!). Joined a forum on Formula 1, and made so many friends on there it was great. I always think forums give people who can't go out easily a way to meet people, and living out in the countryside means for me you just don't go out as much. One girl I met was a single mum, and after the kids were in bed, the forum was her interaction with the outside world. Her way to have adult conversations with new people. She met her future husband on the forum
From that forum, I made friends, met people, even went on a couple of dates. It gave me more confidence, I went off to testing at Silverstone on my own- but I met people from the forum there who presented me with pit lane passes, and open arms into their friendships. I'm friends with a number of those people on facebook, and even though I've not met some of them, and may never meet them, they are still my true friends. I've known some of them (as electric friends) for ten years now!
I even met my OH on an F1 forum, and from that forum, there is a wee group of 6 of us who meet up two or three times a year.
TAS- well in honesty I actually can't remember why I joined. But I've met lots of people from TAS, made friends, and I'm at a point in my life where smallholding is more important than F1 :o Let's face it, TAS has to be the best smallholding forum there is. It's given me ideas, help, information, and contacts! I would never have kept pigs for the freezer but for this place, and the encouragement and enthusiasm from everyone here.
Beth
Ps- longest post ever!
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I found this forum when I got the boys and wanted some advice about their food. I couldn't believe that I got an answer within the hour!! And as they say, the rest is history!!!
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I use forum's (TAS & Old Leafspring Land Rover) to find information out & have a chuckle.
Also stop's me from watching the idiot box in the corner. :innocent:
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Take the word box out & you could be my wife
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Got the syntax there wrong me thinks
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I use carpet tacks instead !
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Moi? I'm just plain nosey, and come on to put the world to rights occasionally. :innocent: :roflanim:
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I use forum's (TAS & Old Leafspring Land Rover) to find information out & have a chuckle.
Also stop's me from watching the idiot box in the corner. :innocent:
OK I'm going to have to join a landrover forum too now, seeing as we have 2 to love, cherish and attempt to repair!
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I have been using forms, and email lists for over 10 years. I like chatting to like minded people. I don't visit many nowadays as I am not sat in an office, bored lol.
I found TAS when looking for information about lambs, as we were going to get a couple to fatten up. We ended up getting a couple of goats instead, which are of no use apart from being great fun and a nice companion to our pony. Wouldn't have found Dillon if it wasn't for TAS so I am very pleased that I did.
It is a friendly, VERY informative forum, and really the only good place I can find about goats!
Helen