[Fanackapan]

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 ?

[MAK]

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.

[sabrina]

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.

[MAK]

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!

[waddy]

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.


 


Helen

[bloomer]

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...

[happygolucky]

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!

[Lesley Silvester]

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. 

[renee]

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
I also am a member of the Swedish equivalent and often very amazed or bemused at the cultural differences.

[plumseverywhere]

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)

[ellied]

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!

[Alistair]

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...

[Fanackapan]

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 !

[happygolucky]

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

[Greenerlife]

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.