Why do you post on message boards/forums?

Not just the NLSC (it's OK, we realise you post elsewhere. If it makes you feel any better, we've been posting behind your back too.) but in general, what is the appeal of posting on a message board for you? What keeps you coming back to this Forum, and others?

Obviously a lot of my posts here have come as the result of my role with the site. However, I also enjoy the community aspect and camaraderie of forums, the in-jokes and talking basketball and video games with my fellow enthusiasts. If I had to sum it up, I'd call posting in forums (or "boarding", as the cool kids are calling it) a fun distraction that allows me to indulge my inner geek. I'd never take it as a substitute for real friendships, but it's come to be a pastime I enjoy nevertheless.

It's a lot of things really, the common denominator seems to be getting conversations that I wouldn't get in my life offline. By that I mean discussions about basketball, about Football Manager, all the TV shows I watch etc. For example I talk to my friends a lot about music, specifically hardcore/metalcore and as a result I don't feel the need to post anywhere online about it because that need has been met. I have no friends who play FM though so I post on a FM forum, none to talk about the NBA/Bucks so I post at RealGM and so on.

I will admit, almost embarrassingly so, it's a bit weird for me when I first start posting on new forums because I'm so used to this place (and the fact that I am pretty much part of the furniture here) that it's odd being basically anonymous. Up until the last couple of years I'd never really posted anywhere outside the NLSC, it's kinda cool getting involved in other communities without them seeing you as someone they have to be careful around or whatever, you're just another poster elsewhere. I like it.

That being said I also like banning people, keep that in mind. You know who you are.

It's a lot of things really, the common denominator seems to be getting conversations that I wouldn't get in my life offline. By that I mean discussions about basketball, about Football Manager, all the TV shows I watch etc.

Agreed, that's a big part of it for me as well (mostly basketball, in my case). When it comes to TV shows and movies it's a lot easier to play armchair critic on a message board, too.

I will admit, almost embarrassingly so, it's a bit weird for me when I first start posting on new forums because I'm so used to this place (and the fact that I am pretty much part of the furniture here) that it's odd being basically anonymous.

I know what you mean, I don't post that much outside of the NLSC but I've found that to be the case when I do. It's both a weird and enjoyable experience because you don't have to worry about any site duties, but at the same time it's such a different atmosphere with the greater level of anonymity, though I suppose if I posted more often elsewhere that would change.

To confirm things I already knew.
And game wise to get the idea that I am not the only one playing it.

You guys already stated pretty much all the reasons there could be. It's just a different world in the forum, just like in the game. I gotta say, it's just fun to be around people like folks at NLSC.

That being said I also like banning people, keep that in mind. You know who you are.

Heh. Good to be in power, I guess.

I'd like to legitimize posting by saying its interesting to interact with people from around the world and get opposing views on different things while maintaining a common interest in basketball

but sometimes it turns into entertainment on how stupid people can be.

I mostly lurk on other forums.

This is the only forum/board I post in.

You guys have already stated the reasons that needs to be said, but my other personal reason is it helps me improve my English, vastly. I also enjoy posting here a lot too, of course.

I'm a social hermit who's completely incapable of socializing unless it's behind a computer screen. There I said it.

Well not really, but judging by how some of the posters post here, I wouldn't be too surprised if that was the ccase.

Sadomasochism.

Sorta what other people: to fill in gaps in my real life. None of my friends are really as obsessive with basketball as i occasionally get, few of them are "gamers" outside of a few games, and even fewer of them have the same weird twisted sense of humor that seems to fit me and my communities on the internet.

Originally, i came here for rosters reading idiot posters getting pissed off caused me to make an account to help ease the pain of the injection of stupidity

I barely post anywhere else but I do lurk in quite of few. Basically to find out opinions of others with the same interests as me like in MMA or basketball. It's also something to keep me occupied when I have free time at work.

Most of the forums I just lurk but there are only 2 that I am active posting. Here (well, I am not that active here that much anymore) and another one which is a MMORPG game forums. I remember back in the day that this was the first forums I have ever sign up and visited and my only reason is for my NBA Live 07 patches but now I also enjoy the community aspect. Reading sarcasm post and the likes really makes me chuckle and maybe to improve my english a little bit.

I'm a social hermit who's completely incapable of socializing unless it's behind a computer screen. There I said it.

Asperger's. It's nothing to laugh about, it's a legitimate disorder, people! So they say....
This is a great site for people with Asperger's. They can post all they want and still retain that feeling of being alone like they want to.


Mine is the same as Jao's for posting here in the NLSC...

interesting to interact with people from around the world and get opposing views on different things while maintaining a common interest in basketball

I mostly lurk on other forums.

to add, other message board/forums are a bit strict as you can't even post a criticism or anything negative with regards to certain topics (or games). I'm sure some of you have experienced that one.
Knowing new things also (mostly in the music threads).

to add, other message board/forums are a bit strict as you can't even post a criticism or anything negative with regards to certain topics (or games). I'm sure some of you have experienced that one.

Agreed. Besides a music forum where I never post, I was a member of an "all about PCs" type of forums where the administrator/owner was pretty much a tyrant who was pushing his rules to the extreme, and while there was certainly lots of interesting stuff to read there, it was no fun at all to actually post. I ended up being banned actually

Sorta what other people: to fill in gaps in my real life. None of my friends are really as obsessive with basketball as i occasionally get, few of them are "gamers" outside of a few games, and even fewer of them have the same weird twisted sense of humor that seems to fit me and my communities on the internet.

Originally, i came here for rosters reading idiot posters getting pissed off caused me to make an account to help ease the pain of the injection of stupidity

Pretty much the same here. This is the first forums that I've actively been part of, originally came here because of the Dynasty section.

to add, other message board/forums are a bit strict as you can't even post a criticism or anything negative with regards to certain topics (or games). I'm sure some of you have experienced that one.

I've seen that. Not to say we haven't had our own issues here throughout the years, but there seems to be a truly toxic atmosphere at some message boards.

The fact that admins and moderators here are actually part of the community instead of just logging in to fulfill their duties is a big plus on these forums for me, I think it just sends out a message of understanding, and that you can actually interact with them like regular posters (except for the fact that if you break the rules around them, you're banned. ).

As for why I post on boards, I just love discussion the topics that interest me, I don't need to shut myself off from the outside world to do it, and it's a load of fun to make new friends and such.