New Members

[LovelyLadyLux]

Since I'm always rattling on about New Members and how they never speak I've just noticed that we have yet another NEW MEMBER now apparently from Nauru.

We've actually had 39 NEW MEMBER join and not say ONE word since January 2015 BUT almost ALL of them seem to have links (that set MY ANTI VIRUS off) to the WWW (as you can see on the far RIGHT of the screen) if you put all the Members in order from most recent.

I'm thinking Keefy should be seriously looking at this.

Also interesting that with the exception of 1 member joined from Egypt, Armenia and Canada - MOST of all the others who have joined are from super remote locations. Not saying the people in Malaysia and Micronesia and Nauru aren't interested in Egypt but the number of small little known countries joining us is statistically not holding true to what the older stats showed when it was mostly people from the UK & Egypt.

So - sorry for boring everybody yet again about the number of Guests (which is fantastically high) yet with NO NEW POSTERS posting anything now for over a year yet 39 NEWBIES have joined us.

Odd??

[Horus]

What links are you referring too?

[Jayway]

IMO .. (taken from LLLs post-haa haa) All new members MUST post an introduction and a follow up conversation within the month OR THEY WILL BE DELETED. They are all trolls - good spotting LLL.

[Horus]

I would agree with most of what you say Jay, the problem is that there are many members who only join up to play the games section and as Keefy allows that then there is not much anyone can do about it. Take yourself for example I know from your posts that you like playing games online, so I would imagine there are sites you use to play games but don't have to actually contribute to the forums? Take a look at the regular high scorers in some of the games and many are people that you never or rarely see posting. However I do agree that there should be some sort of criteria to members joining maybe along the lines you suggest, but at the end of the day it is Keefys website and he can do as he wishes and it is not up to us to question his reasons, there may for all we know be some sort of financial or ratings benefit in having lots of members even if they only play the games.

[LovelyLadyLux]

@H - if you go to members and go to either ascending or descending to get all the NEWEST members at the top. Then look to the extreme RIGHT of the screen and you'll see a WWW link lit up. NONE of the older people who joined have these links but almost all the new ones do and when you actually look at some of these they don't look legit.

Jay used the world TROLLS (which escaped me) but I do believe they are and I also believe if you click on this WWW link you're only inviting viruses.

I do think a couple of the joiner in the past year probably are playing games but given the countries they say they're coming from it is like we've got the world joining. I think it would be found if IP addresses could be checked that this is probably the same person just spamming or trolling us.

Was just bored and when I looked to see who has been online I saw the "new" names so looked to see if they were actually coming online and then saw this WWW link.......If you go to page #2, #3 or #4 once you've got them ordered you'll see that this WWW link isn't being used there.....just a newer pattern of difference I thought I'd mention.

[LovelyLadyLux]

The last (ahem) NEW members are: Wojtannek, Miraonnewla, Moniookse, Mikuuun, Janiikka, Losninkose

Hate to say it but these new members login names are definitely a far cry from what one would expect regular members names to be and checking out the webpage links put you also into equally crazy territory.

If you check member's names you can tell the last time they logged in - all these newbies are simply creating names but never log back in again.

There is one relatively NEW member whose name is "Anastasia" who is from Canada - that one seems NORMAL to me (and there is no website attached) but these others are trolling or spamming with potential virus. It is the 'virus' component I want to avoid.

[Horus]

LLL, I have checked out what you have said about the recent new members list and there is something strange about it, so I have reported it to Keefy via our moderators thread, so can only wait for a reply from him. Technically there is no real risk as any new member posting here first has to get my permission after I have viewed their first posts, so I would screen out any iffy content or topic. However I have no control over them putting in a weblink to their profile and that is where any potential problem may lie, of course everyone should have security that screens or flags up dodgy sites (as yours did) as you never know if something may contain a virus or unsuitable material. I doubt that like myself very few members actually use those links and they appear to be Eastern block sites, so maybe a bored Russian doing some spamming, we will have to wait and see what Keefy does, he will probably just delete their memberships.

[LovelyLadyLux]

I don't know why but I do tend always to look and see who has been online. There is a line below that that shows new members and I'd like to see more people chatting on here I usually kinda thought to myself 'ah nice somebody new to contribute.' I've always been amazed however that somebody will go to all the trouble of signing up and then say NOTHING. I know I've tried in the past making threads that say "HI" or "Welcome" and "please join in" but NOBODY has at all for well over a year and probably more. In my thinking there hasn't been anybody NEW on here for a couple of years so when you can see there are 39 NEW members in a year yet not 1 post from any you have to wonder and then when I saw the web-links it really made me wonder what is up. I doubt they're legit at all.

E4U and L4U for me are stand alone sites but it did cross my mind that somebody somewhere might be trying to get the members list and somehow hack us in our personal emails etc.

Trying to be safe, not sorry. I haven't looked at L4U at all so don't know if it is happening there too.

I again see too that we have ANOTHER NEW MEMBER joined today - mannsero with all the same gobbledygook and links as all the other (ahem) new members.

[Jayway]

LLL. TROLLs are the people who post on groups and lie, write a load of nonsense just to get the group members to answer.

[Winged Isis]

Please take this in the spirit it is meant, and that is NOT to be nasty, just making an observation based on many look-ins on here over the last few years, a place I used to frequent most days.

Trolls aside, I cannot see why any new members would be likely to comment. Anyone new choosing a forum with Egypt in the title has most likely one or two reasons: they are planning a first trip there/returning after a long time and/or are interested in Egyptology and are hoping to find like-minded people.

On choosing "View active topics" today, typically over only one and a half pages there are only two topics relating to Egypt, and of the others all but a few are posted by LLL (NOT a snipe, a fact), so domination (NOT a snipe) by one poster which may put some off as not varied and balanced enough. In the past on here and L4u new members invariably introduced themselves and almost always in their first post asked questions related to Egypt/Luxor only. I can barely remember when we last had a new member introduce themselves on either site, let alone ask a question about ANY topic.

This is no longer a forum on Egypt, but a meeting place for Brits plus a couple of others, most (all?) who haven't been to Egypt in years if ever, chatting about everyday topics that have nothing to do with the place.

That's fine for them, and good luck to you all as you obviously enjoy it and that's great, but surely you can see my point why new members may be put off ever coming back again let alone contributing, let alone those who just look in to see what it's all about.

RedSea4u is even worse. In the last 12 months the only posts have been two games by Keefy, and Jayway's weather topic, on which over 4 pages only she has contributed other than one from LLL. As a new member, I would be confused as to why she would think anyone looking for Egypt topics would be interested in the weather of another country. NOT a snipe!

[Horus]

Fine, but are you really saying that L4U is any different? all we see each day is a few expats discussing where to buy things or moaning about visas. You get the very rare topic or question related to Egypt and those that do ask are usually replied to with snipes or stupidity and you know that first hand. Take the time to look back over all of my posts particularly on the Blue side and you will see that I in particular used to post lots of stuff on Egyptology. Even of late I attempted to get something going regarding a recent Manchester UNi course that I took on the subject of Egyptology hoping to start a general discussion and all it finished up with over on the Blue side was a slagging off from certain people as to what a load of useless crap it was to have taken it, so I don’t think for one minute you can consider the Blue side as being any better than here for general topics because I know differently, I watch it every day, can you tell me the last interesting topic you saw posted that actually related to Egypt in general apart from the most recent one from Charmaine? Even your own threads are often a cut & pastes from another sources, which to be honest usually gets few comments from the regulars over there, I am not knocking your efforts, but rather making a comparison because I get the impression that you are laying the blame for lack of members with those few of us that do contribute and keep this site going. It is of little use discussing things Egyptian between ourselves if no one is asking questions or posting threads, I can confidently say that should anyone do so they would get just as good a reply from here as over on the Blue side, it may surprise you, but we are just as knowledgeable over here as you lot over there and compared to some of what I see on the Blue, maybe more so. Remember that when these forums were split up every member including yourself was also a member on here, so why do you not all contribute and post on here? simple, you would all rather talk about the small goings on of Luxor, very similar to the way we have to talk amongst ourselves in a similar way. Do you really think everyone wants to know about 'Who's Tortoise or his barge on the Thames? or MT's bagpipes and speed bumps? or the daily goings on of someone’s personal relationship and their problems with visas, lack of water and power cuts? Even a mention of such a beautiful place as the Cataract hotel at Aswan usually results in someone’s daft recollection of smoking pot by the Nile rather than something of real interest Egypt wise, so sorry WI but we are no worse on here than over there and if we stop chatting we will disappear and then where will you all go to check if there is a problem online if L4U goes down? because that is all that most of the members bother to do, it is almost as small a cross section posting over there as on here and topic wise it is at least more varied on here even if the subject cannot always be Egypt related.

[LovelyLadyLux]

@WI - I see your point and I know you're not sniping at us either.

I post on here kinda like a daily blog and really just post what I see as being of general interest to me and others. We've posted enough that I have a general sense of what "we" like to talk about - travel, photography, what's happening in the world and other weird and wonderful topcis I'm sure sasquatch is of more interest to me cause we probably get news of a monthly sighting than anybody in the UK and probably of NO interest to anybody in Luxor.

I used to post quite a bit on the Blue side but all the negativity, all the stupid canned comments and same old same old and the few who want only to fight,challenge and argue have basically caused me to shrug and walk away. I occasionally comment if a topic appeals to me but otherwise I really don't even bother to read most of the posts.

I have no idea how anybody NEW coming onto the Forum sees that I dominate the Forum. Never really thought about it - maybe then I should just stop posting and that would allow all the newbies an opportunity to chime in.

If I stopped posting and the number of posts dropped off to one or two per week I wonder how a new person would take that?



My issue re: New Members is that we've now had 40 since this time last year and there has not been ONE post just lots of daily joining. Guess I'm pretty good if me and the rest of the E4U posters have dissuaded all 40 from making a single post - and there IS an "introduce you to the Forum" section.

All the above being said there is somebody or somebodies joining every day and making daily links to the www with another bunch of gobbledygook works. Clicking on any of the www links sets my anti-virus off - so - I'm a bit concerned that whomever this person or persons is has designs on hacking or doing something else nefarious.

Anyway (and I know you're not sniping at all) I don't hold a monopoly on E4U. I don't see me as stopping anybody else from posting and actually enjoy all the daily chit chats we all engage in.

Feel free to join in and tell us all about your corner of the world. I'm interested in hearing your slant on life and I'm interested in hearing what is happening locally in your world too.



(and I do know you don't snipe or mean anything untoward - you're just verbalizing an observation and it is a valid one too)

[Winged Isis]

@ Horus: You have totally missed my point especially the first sentence. It seems you are a little het up, going by the lack of paragraphs and stream of consciousness.

I totally agree with you about L4u, and if you chill a little and re-read my post carefully you will see I never said it was better than here. I only cut and paste hoping vainly someone will comment and as you rightfully observed they rarely do, or even read or click "like". That is why I am no longer doing this and rarely comment on any other posts that don't interest me. I am gradually withdrawing totally from both the 4u forums, as have most members. I only look in for the odd sniper of useful information that might come in handy for my next visit, otherwise I find it as tedious as anyone, hence my withdrawal. Loyalty to Keefy could be part of it, considering his circumstances, but that is waning fast as he rarely gives any support. I am that close t deleting them from my favourites. I might look in just before a trip for recent news, but that will be it. The few locals I know and want to continue contact with and I have exchanged personal emails.

I know very well there are knowledgeable members here who would be very forthcoming if someone ever made an enquiry, and I never said or implied otherwise, so I don't know where you got the idea I thought otherwise.

I also did not say members on L4u were any better. E4u members have always and still are far more harmonious and pleasant. I refrained making any comment about them for a reason I'm sure you could guess.

I am not E4u blaming members for the state of things. You all, especially LLL, work hard to keep it alive, and I admire your efforts, but you have to admit it has lost its original purpose. If Keefy is happy to keep it going despite that, that is of course his choice, and of course good for you all. And I am not saying he should do otherwise.


So good luck to you all and I hope you are able to maintain the status quo, but I sad to say it's not for me anymore.

[Winged Isis]

@ LLL: Thank you for taking my post calmly in the way I meant it to be read, especially considering we have had our differences in the past.

By domination, I only meant nearly all the topics are posted by you, not that you're trying to "take control of the world!". "If I stopped posting and the number of posts dropped off to one or two per week I wonder how a new person would take that?" Exactly, one of my points. You have gamely been trying to keep things going for a few years.

Thanks for the invite to share, but that has never been and is not my main purpose of continuing to check in here or over there (see above response to Horus if you haven't already), though I have in the past. I recently have only mentioned anything personal where it is relevant to offering help answering a question.

[Robbo70]

This side is far more amicable for sure. I think here, even when there are differences in opinion, it doesnt get to the point where derogatory comments arise. Sadly on L4U, especially where egyptology is concerned, it can be a bit of a pi**ing contest as to who can get it higher up the wall.

I shall liven up the visiting Luxor section at the end of next month when i get there. I am sure i will have observations and comments, and without those few people who know everything and look down on the rest in the blue side, I am sure we can have a giggle about it.

[Horus]

This side is far more amicable for sure. I think here, even when there are differences in opinion, it doesnt get to the point where derogatory comments arise. Sadly on L4U, especially where egyptology is concerned, it can be a bit of a pi**ing contest as to who can get it higher up the wall.

I shall liven up the visiting Luxor section at the end of next month when i get there. I am sure i will have observations and comments, and without those few people who know everything and look down on the rest in the blue side, I am sure we can have a giggle about it.

And contrary to popular belief we will look forward to reading and commenting

[Horus]

No Wi I have not missed your point on anything and neither do I require your psycho analysis of my mental state and even more a lesson on my Grammar, using both comments in your reply is nothing more than a pathetic attempt by you to get one up on myself, you are sounding more like GD every day and sarcasm is usually the lowest form of defeated wit. Again if you ever bothered to read the majority of my longer posts then you will see that unlike many over on the site you regularly frequent, that mine do contain paragraphs and correct spelling, (by the way the word is ‘Snippet’ and not ‘sniper’ as in your reply) see we can both play that game, so your snipe at me and your grammar policing is just plain ignorance on your part. Had you bothered to look at the time, you would have seen that it was getting late, so yes the post was typed up hurriedly as your post IMO demanded an immediate response.

Going through your threads here I cannot see many that have not either had a fair number of views or received comments from other members on here, myself in particular, so what exactly do you want? There are sections on both forums that range through many things that are non Egypt related, cooking for example does not have to be stuffed pigeon or Falafel, neither does the Literary Forum or the Just for Fun have to contain any reference to Egypt, in fact it is only the Living in Luxor and History and Archaeology sections that are more relevant and even they are not exclusive to Egypt. So what exactly is your problem? I am thinking that in a similar way that others have a vested interest in Egyptian tourism, that the current downturn is having an adverse affect and generating little interest for new business when the topics become more mundane as they will in the current situation. So goodbye and good luck in finding another site that suits your needs, all done in just two paragraphs.

[Horus]

Just out of interest over on the Blue side we have had so far today:

A story about buying a fan, a doorbell and cooking a rabbit in the History & Archaeological section.

Two reminders that it is Burns Night in the General Discussions & Rants section.

German and European immigration in the General Discussions & Rants section.

A new thread about computer security in the Living in Luxor section.

A continuation about state repression in Egypt in the Living in Luxor section.

A supposed thread about what you would buy in a Luxor souk that seems more about what people have purchased elsewhere, in the Visiting Luxor section.

And a predictable argument between two protagonists about security issues in Cairo in the General Discussions & Rants section.

So apart from drowning Tortoises, spotting nomadic foxes and MT playing his bagpipes I can see little of interest to a passing potential new member just looking in who’s sole interest was Egyptology, a bit like here really.

[Jayway]

Well, you HAVE ANNOYED ME, WI. No one goes to R4u, I go to play games and check my year weather report, This is very useful for my life on the farm, and nothing to do with you. Why the hell do you poke your nose in where it is not wanted and who do you think you are ??? Just depart and mind your own business, if thats not too difficult for you.

[Robbo70]

Dont forget the mutton flaps thread. I am not going to admit that I saw the heading and wondered what on earth i was going to be reading about