abaya

I'm starting this thread because I'm curious about the ladies of TFP. We used to be a lot stronger in both number of female members and in participation (number of posts)... and I've noticed that a lot of our once-significant female members have either dropped back to lurking status or just abandoned TFP altogether. It saddens me, because I think we really feel the diminished effect in all areas of the board. I want the female voice back on TFP!!!

So here are some questions, just to get a feel for how many of you are out there and participating, and are willing to share:

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?

Thanks, ladies!

-------------------------------------

Here are my quick answers:

1) I found out about TFP from my husband ktsp (boyfriend at the time--we'd been together for less than a year). I jumped in right away to post, probably because it's my personality, but also because strong women like Shani and Malficent were very open and friendly towards me, and that drew me in quickly.

2) I didn't care that much about the porn aspect, since back then it was restricted to a certain # of posts and I was nowhere near that... so I couldn't even see it at first. Over time I came to really appreciate having the porn there, as I became more comfortable with it myself and in my relationship.

3) I really can't think of too many "female" topics, which is why I am hoping to get some feedback from y'all. But I do frequent another forum at times (which I joined when I was getting married--it's mostly for brides, but has tons of people after they got married, too), and that's almost all women... so I was wondering if having female-specific topics might help us bring new people here.

4) I've personally stuck around this long because I just like it here, and ktsp and I have a "community" here that has gotten us through 2 years of long distance from each other, as well as moving abroad to a new country and not having a lot of local friends at first. We also got to meet some of you in real life, and that was important for us as well. I really missed having a "church" of some kind from my religious days, and this place is about as close as it gets to that kind of consistent community, with a lot of sex thrown in!!! But I really miss people when they leave, and it takes time to get to know new personas on the internet... so I hope we can encourage you all to stick around and keep posting.

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

onesnowyowl

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?

An ex-boyfriend of mine introduced me to TFP. He's long gone now but I'm still here. And no, I didn't lurk for a while. I looked over his shoulder a couple times while he browsed, and decided I wanted to say my piece, so I joined and began contributing. What encouraged me to continue to contribute was the community that welcomed and responded to my posts and opinions.

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?

I don't mind the porn, to be honest. I pop in there and look at it myself from time to time.

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)

Erm...nothing. I prefer to stay away from that kind of stuff.

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?

I really don't like when members of the community jump all over new people for starting new threads without using the search function or are otherwise discouraging to new members. The best way to get new members to meet our community standards is via modeling those community standards. Generally, I think we all need to be open and welcoming to new people, new information, and new opinions, while bitching and moaning less about how TFP has changed (life is dynamic, not static, and TFP is the same--nothing operates in a vacuum). A lot of the membership gets sidetracked into "what TFP was" instead of focusing on what TFP is and could be, if people would contribute. That last little part is key--the TFP is what people make of it, via their contributions. If nobody contributes and everybody lurks, of course this board is not going to be what you want it to be. Duh.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

genuinegirly

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?
A male friend showed me to the board. I lurked for a while because I did not feel confident to post much. I started posting when someone PM-ed me with links to specific threads and asked my opinion on them.


2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?
I thought it was odd that a community of free-thinking individuals would arise from people who were interested in porn. It blew my mind. My whole perspective on porn changed. By seeing people who were open about their interest in sexuality and porn, I was teleported into a world that was far from what I had witnessed with my staunch Mormon upbringing.

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)
I have been less motivated to post often due to community dynamics, not content. I feel "Tilted Life" and "Ladies Lounge" are good forums for the topics you mention.

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?
Community has convinced me to stick around this long. Every time I think there's no reason to be here, a new favorite poster comes along like Ring. I love this place, and each new face brings new things to discuss. Perhaps some friendly and encouraging PMs from moderators, encouraging them to post and share their personalities would make them feel more at home. The quicker you can relate to TFP, the longer you'll stay.

__________________
"violence is no more or less real than non-violence. " roachboy

anti fishstick

thanks for asking:

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?
i found out years and years ago through a friend. I forgot how she found out, but she doesn't even post! I started posting right away. I didn't lurk, and I'm finding it harder to get back into posting after my 3-5 year hiatus (3 years ago i posted infrequently, lurking til i finally stopped all together)... So now, I am more of a lurker than anything. I think the community was definitely stronger back then and more interesting. That might be part of it. And some of my favorite people had gotten banned! The community was generally very open and the sense of anonymity also makes it easier to open up. I also probably felt like I wanted to belong..

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?
I thought it was interesting. And porn/sexuality is definitely something I have always been fascinated in. I even wrote a term paper about art and pornography as it deals with censorship..! So, intellectually, I have always been interested in the subject of porn, which sounds weird, i guess.. but all in all, i'm saying the porn aspect was intriguing to me :P

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?) I'm not sure. I'm not really into weddings. I'm kind of a feminist. Maybe a feminist topic/board, but that would probably totally not go well... Other than that, I really don't relate to weddings or parenting at all. That being said, I find myself sticking close to the ladies lounge more often than not...


4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long? Well, I didn't stick around, but now I'm back. What made me come back? I guess partly cos Hal was sortof hinting I should (he talks to me on IM), and partly out of boredom and thinking, "Why not?". Though, I'm having a hard time answering that one... What's the point of posting on any message board at all? I'm not sure... But anyway, back to sticking around despite ambiguity, I guess i've always felt I belonged here. People were very accepting the first time around. Felt like part of the family... So it was easier to go back than not... I haven't been back long enough to know if they are still as accepting to new members. I think Onesnow puts it pretty well. There doesn't seem to be as much enthusiasm in general...

__________________
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
~Anais Nin

abaya

This is great feedback... keep it comin', ladies. Also feel free to contribute with any notes/criticism/ideas about how to bring out the female voice a little bit more around here...

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

noodle

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?
I actually found the TFP when I was looking for information about being too wet and how to give better oral sex. I didn't bother lurking past reading to find the appropriate threads and by posting first in the Ladies Lounge (if I remember right) I felt a little more safe.

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?
I've never minded the porn aspect. It hasn't made me feel hesitant at all to post because the members that I appreciate are the ones that post. The guys who are here for the titty boards tend to stay to themselves. The ratio doesn't bother me. It's the quality of the members that contribute that make me stick around, not the gender.
And sometimes I need a little porn. So it helps to have it floating around without too much effort.

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)
I can't really think of anything. I'm not into weddings, not going to have kids, etc. I'm good.

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?
Positive feedback and participation in threads that are interesting (or goofy when I'm feeling nonsense-y), pertinent to my life and about people that I can relate to or be more open-minded about is/are what makes me stick around. Keeping that up will always encourage new members to stay put, in my opinion. And also the way that the members that were non-conducive to keeping a respectful atmosphere have been handled. THAT I appreciate, especially as a female member.
I already feel that the women around here do have a very strong voice. Just keep it up.

__________________

ShaniFaye

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?
Another person came to my forum telling me about it (last week marked my 5 year membership here), I pretty much jumped right in, I remember one of the very first posts I read was about Lurkette's brother and the way everyone had responded really spoke to me about the membership at the time, sadly for me, its not the same anymore.

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?Then, like now, I knew there was porn but had no interest in it, especially the porn for the ladies, there was (and still isnt) nothing at all being posted that interested me, I much prefer what our guys used to show in exhibition. Its never inhibited my posting though, I think most senior members know I'm pretty much an open book about any and everything.

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)Since I run a wedding forum I get "female" stuff all day long lol Im here to add my experience and knowledge to other ladies who need help with something I might know about.

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?I think about this a lot, I think mainly its the friendships that I made here that first year and those people that are still here that keep me here. I dont really contribute as much as I used to partly because Im crazy busy with my new website and partly because its gotten to the point where there are no "new" discussions that interest me. Im not at all into politics, I learned LONG ago to try to stay out of religious discussions, and the exhibition forums arent as active as they used to be!!!

__________________
I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

Just J

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?

I honestly don't know how I found this site but I'm glad I did. It may have been a link to another forum of which I am a member. I just registered and posted a bit on some subjects to which I felt I could actually add some wisdom.

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?

The porn doesn't bother me a bit - I go thru phases and am a member of some obcure sex sites - I think it's safe to say that I've just about seen it all and a lot of it intrigues me. I'm a little hesitant to post too much yet until I find out if there are people on here that I may be wary of - people that might know me and might use my posts against me in my personal life. There are a few that are members of other forums to which I belong that have tried to cause turmoil in my life, but I'm a big girl and I have handled it well.

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)


I'm guessing I'm going to be one of the oldest, or as I prefer to say "more experienced" member here so I hope to be able to add advice posts - I've pretty much BTDT where most topics are concerned. The only topics I can think of that would be considered "female" that I might need to talk about is how to handle my husband's ex-wife who seems to hate both of us and takes it out on their son.


4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?


Members old and new will stay with a forum if they get that "family" feeling. I've joined a few forums and have left one because of being attacked for being a n00b. Cliques are common on every forum, but when you get the clique that tends to pick and choose who they want to stay, it gets old after awhile. I've frequent 2 other forums daily because I have "made friends" with several members and see that they really do care about each other even tho' I haven't met many of them in person yet.

Katyanna

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting? I believe I came across one of the threads in a web search. I lurked for quite a while, around a year. I finally registered and started posting right away. What helped me open up is the mature atmosphere.

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?

Porn is everywhere, I see no reason it should bother me being here. It neither encouraged nor hindered me in posting.

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)

Life in general interests me. I am not the stereotype female who enjoys babies and decorating. I have to say that there really aren't any specific topics that would encourage me (specific to being female)to post.

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?

Changes to the boards themselves, no. There are a couple of ideals here that are unique. One being that thread necromancy is not only tolerated but encouraged. On most other forums this is absolutely frowned upon which is likely the reason that most newer members make their own threads rather than to dig up the old. I would be embarrassed to make a new thread about a concern or topic of interest and to be quite frankly insulted about not dredging through 3 years of topics to find the very one someone else were recalling.

A newer member will not have the same references that you will, they will not likely recall oh.. it was jimmy2283's thread I think it was called _____. It is a lot to ask a new member to sort through without much knowledge on how the subject was originally brought up. If you think it is an "oh god do we have to discuss this again" type topic to you, best advice is to not post in it. This type of negativity limits activity, encourages people to not post, to not provide new content with the fear that it has already been done and they are going to be chastised for not finding it.

I have also seen on more than one occasion where someone has made a post(generally on a heavy/emotional subject) and one of the first replies has been a blatant insult. The post is generally finished with "If you are reading and believe that I am being overly harsh it is my experience that after a first post like that the poster wouldn't come back anyway." Why should they? I wouldn't if that was the welcome I received. Elitism should be avoided at all cost.

Those are some of my observations as a newer member, take them as you wish. Keep in mind that even though I am fairly new to these boards, I have been lurking for around a year.

A final observation that I have to make is why is there this push for membership anyway? I have seen it mentioned several times and I am unsure what exactly is the concern. Is it a donation issue? In all honestly a push for members is not necessarily a good thing. In gaming I have seen massive influxes of new membership and I can tell you that it is not always a positive experience when a population explodes. Though it does seem that the staff here has a good handle on the membership(ie: I see banned members everywhere, that is another thought on bumped threads. It makes people wonder if they are going to be banned for a minor infraction to come across so many banned faces) What I am trying to get across is that a push could very easily upset the flora and fauna of these boards so why push?

What keeps me here, I mentioned it earlier. This is a mature board. This forum seems to be a place where no one is expected to fit a certain mold, no topic should be off limits. For the most part, the approach on most subjects is quite adult regardless of taboo.

I apologize if I ramble. I also apologize if this wasn't the response that you expected or wanted but these are my honest thoughts.

cadre

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?
-My ex showed me this site back when we were first getting very sexual and looking to explore more things. We both lurked for a long time, eventually I grew confident that I could contribute so I started posting.

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?
-At first I didn't know about the porn aspect of the board, but it never bothered me. Porn and I have a great relationship.

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)
-I don't know of any female topics that would encourage me to post more but most of my favorite topics aren't all that feminine anyways.

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?
-I can't think of any thing for the first question but as far as the second one is concerned, I can discuss topics here that I couldn't discuss anywhere else because everyone here is very friendly and open. That's what keeps me coming back, that and certain personalities which always make me laugh.

__________________
My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.

genuinegirly

Yes, I agree this is a terrible way to welcome a new member. New members realize they have considerable room to grow, that's why they post. They want to learn. They want opinions. What is TFP if not a medium for evolution of the self?

This is a valid point. Many of the older members remember days where there'd be hundreds of members online at any given time, where posts were moving more quickly. This board is in some respects a shadow of its former self. This is why there is concern about membership. My personal interest in new people is simply that they contribute actively to the community and occasionally awaken a new life and spirit in the board. They give us something interesting and new to discuss.

__________________
"violence is no more or less real than non-violence. " roachboy

abaya

No apology needed. Honest thoughts are my only expectation here, so this is just great.

This thread is a reflection of a discussion going on with the mods, and I in particular want to know what the ladies of the forum think. I really believe that the women of TFP are a central part of what keeps this place ticking, and that we all need to just keep posting and stay engaged with the community, and only good things can come out of that.

I'm grateful to see so many of you responding, and giving very thorough and thoughtful answers. I hope that other mods are checking out this thread, and that it will give us some direction/confirmation of where to go next.

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

jewels

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?
I was looking for info on Chantix and quitting smoking and happened upon a thread here at TFP. I found myself reading other threads and joined. I believe I began to open up when I found that I wanted to hear others' opinions on a situation I was going through at the time. I also totally enjoyed reading posts and opinions in every sector of the boards.

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?
I really didn't even notice the porn aspect at first. It doesn't bother me as far as posting goes, and I've found some good links here when I do feel the need.

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)
Not sure ...

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?
I can't say what, if anything, should change. Those of us that find it appealing base it on what we're interested in and the personalities we encounter here. That's the reason I'm still here. Even when I don't agree with the masses, it's refreshing to hear others' opinions and thoughts and keeps me open to new ideas. I've formed a couple of friendships here that I treasure. I also have a great deal of respect for the administration of this board, having been active on other boards in the past.

__________________
Politics is applesauce.


- Will Rogers

AllAboutEve

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?

I googled adult forums.... I've been lurking for a while... a post I read really tugged at my heart strings and encouraged me to register.

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?

It doesn't bother me.... It's not exactly across the board... it has it's place on the forum and you have the choice to visit..... or not

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)

From reading here, I think you guys have just about covered everything for me...

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?
QUOTE]

You appealed to a new member! - ME!....

Why try to fix what obviously isn't broken!

merleniau

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?

Crompsin invited me here after we met in person. I lurked for a while, I guess.. posted a few little things, started a couple of super-flop threads. I think that as my relationship with him matured and we knew more about each other OUTSIDE of being online, I started posting more. It also helps that he encourages me.

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?

I didn't know about the porn aspect of the board until it was pointed out in a thread I was reading. And honestly, I don't really like it. I don't like that Crompsin can't post at school because he doesn't feel comfortable surfing a porn site on their network. I don't like that I wonder if I'm going to get chastised for visiting at work. Sometimes I consider leaving the board altogether but now I use the blog a lot more than my others, so it's hard to leave it behind.

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)

I think a "wedding" forum would be silly. Parenting might be a good idea for the parents on the board, but since photos of under-18s aren't allowed it might flop as well. I would have to think harder about this one.. I think female-specific workout topics would be nice, since those discussions are often dominated by men.

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?

I stick around because Crompsin does and because I've made a few friends here - and their support through some real-life challenges is nice to have, since I don't have friends in real life (no time to make them!). I think the attitude toward new members needs to be changed, and I think we could get and keep more women without the porn. Maybe.

__________________
"Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark."
— Henri-Frédéric Amiel

Eweser

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?

A friend told me about it; I'm really still a lurker more than a poster. I guess I just don't feel that most of the time I have anything unique to add to a thread. If I feel that I can add something to the conversation I'll post.

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?

I'm not sure if I even knew there was porn for a while. It doesn't bother me in the least.

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)

Nothing that I can think of.

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?

I don't have any recommendations for new members. I hang around because of the maturity of the boards and the humorous posts. Also, I have found help to problems here.

__________________
"Whoever wrote this episode should die!"

Meditrina

1) How did you find out about TFP, when you first joined? Did you lurk for a while, or jump right in with posting? What helped you open up and start posting?
I was a lonely mother of 2, searching for companionship, when I stumpled upon TFP. Not exactly sure how I found it, I think I searched a list of forums somewhere, and something about TFP caught my eye. It was not the porn. I was drawn out of the shadows by some, who have now become my friends, mostly online friends, although I have met a few in person. I do not post regulary, but I do visit the site a lot through out the day. Some threads (like this one) just inspire me to reply more than other threads do.

2) From the beginning, how did you feel about the porn aspect of the board? (And the fact that as a result, there are far more male than female members here)? Has that ever made you hesitant to post more often here?
The porn does not bother me, it is far down enough on the site to not appear while I am work. Much of the time, I forget it's there. It does not effect my posting here at all.

3) What kind of "female" board topics/forums might encourage you to post more often, if you could vote for something? (E.g. a "wedding" forum, or something for parenting, or any other topic that might be interesting to you?)
I thought we used to have a parenting forum, and it was merged with Tilted Life? Which is fine by me. I come to TFP to try to be me and not 'mommy' anyway. I think there is a wide enough spectrum of boards and posts here. I can't think of anything I'd add.

4) Can you think of anything we might be able to change on the boards, to make it more appealing to potential new members? What is it about TFP that has made you stick around this long?
I can't think of anything to change. As a potential wallflower, I have been here for a little over 3 years. What made me stay? good question. The companionship that I was searching for and found, the ability to find out information on just about any topic, the way TFP has helped me find out who I am.

__________________
"Each of us shines in a different way, but this doesn't make our light less bright" - author unknown

abaya

Okay, so I guess we can all agree that a more traditional "female" forum topic would not really fly with y'all. Also, it's good to know that the porn is not a huge deal in terms of holding you back from posting. All of which is fine with me!

But the problem remains: due to the porn here, we tend to get more males than females joining TFP (and many of those are not participating much in the forum). How can we: 1) possibly attract more women to this place, and/or 2) encourage current female members to post more often, and particularly to speak out and start threads?

Another question: is there a particular characteristic about TFP that inhibits you from posting or starting threads? Is there anything we can change that would make you feel more comfortable with starting threads?

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

Meditrina

Send me a shipment of wine and I will feel more comfortable
I am reserved (I would not say shy, timid maybe?) in real life as well as on TFP, not sure much would change that. It is nothing that TFP did or did not do that inhibits me, it is me. Then why am I replying to this? hmmmm.... you sure do have a way of making me think, abaya. Thanks!

__________________
"Each of us shines in a different way, but this doesn't make our light less bright" - author unknown

abaya