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JaneShuff replied to the topic "I write like" in the forum Coffee Shop 4 years, 10 months ago
Ha ha! I write like Stephen King! I think Libby is right though and the program looks at content mostly as this was a particularly horror full section!
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Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 10 months ago
What I meant was that we can post images now, providing they are online somewhere. That said, like many things on the Den, it’s a bit hit and miss whether it works.

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Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 10 months ago
Hi – that was a reply to Sandra, just for avoidance of confusion. Yes, there are several very appealing forums available, including Discourse (and I must say as a longtime repairer, I like your forum and the topic). That said, with Discourse, we would need a VPS or similar non-shared server arrangement*, unlike a traditional web-host, so the…[Read more]
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JaneShuff replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 10 months ago
Random comments:
Yes to Beta Reading, but, time permitting, I’ve always been a keen beta reader. I honestly think the beta reader learns as much from the process as the writer, but I’m not keen on the financial aspect. I know Thea posted a request for beta readers recently. Did anyone respond @thea ?
And on that subject, I’d welcome a discussion…[Read more]-
Hi @janeshuff, the only response to my beta reading request was your kind message explaining that you aren’t able to help at present. After a month or so, I deleted the request.
I agree that it would be beneficial to have a discussion about beta reading. As you said, it’s a good learning process for both reader and writer. I guess the first thing…[Read more]
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Barny replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 10 months ago
OK, but what about the many other advantages of discourse?
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Barny replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 10 months ago
@athelstone have you looked at moving to a 21st century forum like discourse? I use it on talk.restarters.net and it’s pretty slick. You can get email notifications and reply by email; can upload pictures, has trust levels and you can restrict areas.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition July 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 10 months ago
Sand
Mum was a good woman. I say was; I mean is. She’s still alive. But since the diagnosis of dementia, well, for a long while before that, I knew she was slipping away.
She sits with me as I work.
I have a phone to repair. A capacitor has failed, a tiny surface-mount component. It is fiddly and the manufacturer won’t replace it. But I wil…[Read more]
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Barny replied to the topic Monthly Competition – June 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 10 months ago
Well done, Libby – a deserved win!! And thanks Ath.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition – June 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 11 months ago
Libby: Sound Waves.
A real slice of life. Beautifully portrayed, the violent action all at a distance and the thoughts of the protagonist so quiet so mundane that we just know a bomb is going to explode into the story.Sandra: Another fairy tale.
Ah, becoming an adult. I’m so glad I’m not the only one still waiting for that Corinthians mom…[Read more]-
Thank you @athelstone. I enjoyed writing to the theme. The other entries were so good I’m very chuffed to have won.
I’ll go away and think of a theme for July.
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Barny replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago
DoW problems: Usability just isn’t what it should be; not being able to post pictures is a pain; definitely doesn’t promote idle chat.
The wordcloud was very far from perfect, but had one significant difference: the course offerings meant new people were always joining, wondering wth was going on, some figuring it out or persisting without fig…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago
The garlic will be ready for harvesting in a few weeks.
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Ha, bet it’s nicer than shop bought! 🙂
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How long does it keep for?
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I’ve no idea…hang on…according to google, it lasts about a month just sitting around doing nothing, but if you put it somewhere warm and dry so that the skin-layer of leaves goes papery, it can last for several months.
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I thought you were an experienced garlic grower but I see you’re a novice like us! At least yours has grown. Ours never showed its face!
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The best I’ve managed is chives.
One thing about the weather this year: the patches of meadow pea on the lane’s verges are larger than usual. Rich golden yellow flowers liked by bees.
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Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago
Well, there’s a lot to think about. And to get started on.
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JaneShuff replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago
Deeply pleased to hear other people want idle chat.
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Idle chat about what? Oh, … yeah. Yes please.
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Been lucky enough to escape Covid testing but got to have two next week before travelling. Are they really as awful as people claim?
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Ah, I can spot idle chat when it slaps me in the face. Have done one of the lateral flow type – you have to stroke your tonsils with a long cotton bud, then right up your nose. Fun. I find the tonsils one really difficult, makes me retch. OTOH I was clear 🙂 In the UK we can get free tests from pharmacies. Go for it! Hope it’s a nice holiday.
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Well, I’ll let you know Barny but it sounds disgusting!
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[idly] you did ask. Yeah let me know how it goes, but you can skim the details if you want.
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Watch this space…
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All fine! But only nasal swab for PCR test in France!!
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🙂
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Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago
I certainly agree with the point about idle chat.
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JaneShuff replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago
My thoughts… I agree that the format doesn’t help and I’d love to see it changed. Maybe to something that would encourage more idle chat. Something about the format makes me feel I need to have something particularly worthwhile to say in order to post. I think idle chat is important for keeping relationships going but I may be in a minority…[Read more]
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Kate replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago
The Den’s been a lifeboat for my SE group. And I love the inspiration the winter writing challenge brings. It’s also lovely to be able to see the successes of people I met on the cloud.
But I wonder if, for the main page to be active, we need writers at different stages. I think we’ve all got a fair amount of experience on here, have writing…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago
I have belonged to one or two sites that have been invaded and effectively ruined by the invaders, after which they failed. How is a site murdered?
As for contributers…well, that’s tricky. When it comes down to it, it’s people’s leisure time. If they feel compelled to contribute then I’d sort of hope it was some sort of internal compulsion…[Read more]
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Athelstone posted an update 4 years, 11 months ago
I have added a blog and I think it’s important for ALL members to take a look, Thank you.
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Athelstone started the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago
1) It’s that time of year when our hosting providers ask for some money again. As ever, this forum is free to members, but should anybody wish to contribute please head over to the Donations group where you will find information in the forum. You will need to join the group, which doesn’t commit you to anything, to view the posts.
2) You can…[Read more]
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Barny replied to the topic Monthly Competition – June 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 11 months ago
Blimey, managed to write something and very pleased to be able to enter the comp. Was a bit concerned at managing to get to 250 words and wanting to post without having to DQ myself! Happily at 256 words including title. 🙂
This might be the day.
He hadn’t closed the curtains. The sunbeam found the bed at 6.37 and warmed his left foot at 6…[Read more]
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