groups section

[winkle]

i was looking at that groups section

they all seem to mostly have the same people in all of them

i suppose their like the secret chambers where the wise ones congregate

on the other hand it could be the ------ ones

i wonder whitch

and why that many private places for pertty much the same people

[Fletcher]

Mostly its people who want to explore an idea further without the topic going off thread [as so often happens]. Often it ends in a sort of stalemate or no go forward. Then they may release the thread to the entire forum by making it open at a later stage but that's their prerogative.

Personally I'm not a great fan of private forums as its by invitation & could be construed as elitest but nothing could be further from the truth in my experience as a sometimes contributing member of one or two.

[winkle]

if i remember right Michael stoped using his forum and made it public but other than that there is not much to that statement

i don't think elitest would be a problem to anyone

but

if it is as it seems more likely that some prefer to keep their ideas private while trolling the board for new ideas

that could cause some folks to hold ideas back that might lead to or be the answer

i am not saying that is the way it is just the way it looks

but then there is that old saying
if it looks like a duck
and walks like a duck
and quacks like a duck
well then it might be a duck 8)

[Fletcher]

And then there is the old saying that 'sometimes it is better to keep ones mouth shut & be thought a fool than open it & confirm it'.

Private forums are a half way house, so to speak. They may have a half baked idea that they want to explore without being publicly humiliated in front of all the world. The members are generally trusted individuals who will keep things bluntly honest without being negative or sarcastic. Some are just a little more fragile than others I guess.

Then there are those who think they are really very close & with a bit more focused input might get there. It's a work shop.

Who would know unless you had started your own private forum, which I have not. If I feel the need I would, as you are free to do.

[scott]

Right on, Fletch.

BW.com is the medium, not the message.

-Scott

[winkle]

And then there is the old saying that 'sometimes it is better to keep ones mouth shut & be thought a fool than open it & confirm it'.

oh my
that old saying smacks of being an elitest old saying
never the less if i am i am content to be the fool in this endeavor
i think i understand now
the private fourms are for the trusted and the fragile and those who almost have a working wheel
another old saying
If a string has one end, it has another.

[scott]

Oh boy here we go again. Please give it a break winkle. We've all been down this rut far too many times.

[winkle]

you got it break is in effect

will someone please let me know when break is over