Is this a Clique website?

[Posts: 762Joined: 05 Jun 2012, 14:26]

I'm pretty new here and just wondered if this is a "Clique" website? It seems to have a lot of registered members but not a lot of posters. The conversation seems to be mainly between people who clearly know each other already.

Not sure if it's the right type of forum for me. Fart in Spacesuit, if you know what I mean.

Any input gratefully appreciated.

[Posts: 1070Joined: 05 Jun 2010, 14:11]

It is, in part, semi incestuous mate, but is still the best racing forum there is.
There are many informative contributors, and differing views, sadly,some of who come and go.
Moderators are the best there are too.
All, in my opinion, of course.

Also made more inteesting by entrenched views, and sometimes extreme, ridiculous standpoints

[Posts: 4051Joined: 03 Feb 2006, 11:39Location: Sacramento,CA.]

Where else would I get my stuff printed?

[Posts: 732Joined: 09 Jan 2011, 14:48]

You didn't get the e-mail? If you've been here for over a month and have not been invited into the elite forumite krew then I suppose it's never going to happen...

In all seriousness though, as with any social forum online or otherwise, there will always be the ones who participate in the circle jerks. It's inevitable but it boils down to how this affects you. Perhaps if you stick around long enough, you too can find yourself partaking in a spatter shower.

I'm not sure if this is a call for validation on your part or not but I would note that one of your captions in the derby contest was picked ahead of my frankly brilliant ones. Plus, you've already raised a slight smirk from me with your punnery so take from that what you will.

(for the record, I don't actually hate you)

[Posts: 1075Joined: 01 Sep 2008, 13:20Location: Liverpool]

I think there used to be a cliquish feel to the forum when I joined in 2008. Perhaps I was a bit naive in the things I was saying, but I often felt like my posts were being completely ignored by 'the crew' since I was a new member.

I only dip into the forum sporadically nowadays, but I think things have definitely improved. Many of the strong personalities from that era have been banned or don't post as often nowadays. It is sad to lose their contributions but at least I feel there is a more friendly atmosphere around the forum.

Give TRF a chance, Steve. The banter is great and the best thing is that people will actually read your posts and give you respect - even if you are a new member!

Anyone can dive into the Big Races section especially and expect some lively replies.

[Posts: 542Joined: 22 Sep 2011, 10:40]

There are some on here stevecaution who wont interact,they seem to think that they are 'somebody' on here instead of what we all know,that it is an outlet for racing discussion. I certainly know, being an Australian on here is not the most popular thing to be.Though there are some good people on here as well,so dont worry about the little in 'clique' one day they will realise that there is no rank on here and they are really just insecure and they shouldn't take themselves too seriously.In the mean time if you post the genuine racing lovers will respond and bugger the 'in' crowd

[Posts: 6636Joined: 21 Oct 2008, 00:37]

The problem with any forum is the amount of 'Trolls' (I'm told is the word to describe those who contribute very little thats meaningful but cause a lot of aggravation within).We have seen plenty on here in the past, the biggest by far being Mr wilson.Can you believe he threatened to 'Smash my face in'? Anyway we over in 'Daily Lays and Plays' are what you might call 'Cliquey' Steve purely because we all contribute regularly to what is our number 1 priority and thats to win money.Of course its not everyones Cup of tea exposing ones frailties in Public but for all the Sh*te we come out with we are all capable of finding a little Golden nugget now and again and its that,that keeps us going!
The overall knowledge on this forum is on a par with any so called Professional journalist/organisation and that can be found in all the different sections on here, 'Horse racing', 'Big race discussion' 'Systems' etc. I read everyones opinion as I read virtually every thread and like most I have my favs and my not so favs.Those of us who are naturally Shy perhaps wont have the impact like those who are natural at expressing themselves,some on here are very articulate and can use huge words that I haven't heard of before but there's not much going on in this world at least one member wont have a vast knowledge of! Keep contributing and keep it original and you may even become the new Nathan Hughes also known as 'The Godfather',he knows everything thats going on and all those who have been banned and come back as somebody else!

[Posts: 542Joined: 22 Sep 2011, 10:40]

The problem with any forum is the amount of 'Trolls' (I'm told is the word to describe those who contribute very little thats meaningful but cause a lot of aggravation within).We have seen plenty on here in the past, the biggest by far being Mr wilson.Can you believe he threatened to 'Smash my face in'? Anyway we over in 'Daily Lays and Plays' are what you might call 'Cliquey' Steve purely because we all contribute regularly to what is our number 1 priority and thats to win money.Of course its not everyones Cup of tea exposing ones frailties in Public but for all the Sh*te we come out with we are all capable of finding a little Golden nugget now and again and its that,that keeps us going!
The overall knowledge on this forum is on a par with any so called Professional journalist/organisation and that can be found in all the different sections on here, 'Horse racing', 'Big race discussion' 'Systems' etc. I read everyones opinion as I read virtually every thread and like most I have my favs and my not so favs.Those of us who are naturally Shy perhaps wont have the impact like those who are natural at expressing themselves,some on here are very articulate and can use huge words that I haven't heard of before but there's not much going on in this world at least one member wont have a vast knowledge of! Keep contributing and keep it original and you may even become the new Nathan Hughes also known as 'The Godfather',he knows everything thats going on and all those who have been banned and come back as somebody else!

From what i have seen it is usually the Australians,as they are not a protected species on here Steve

[Posts: 276Joined: 22 Apr 2009, 21:06]

I agree with the OP I have found it very cliquey & I stopped going on it for a while. I find some of the posts like that one about "members as celebrities" very childish.
I get the sense it is male dominated & a lot are betting people.
Though there are some genuine racing fans & horse lovers as well.

[Posts: 7355Joined: 31 May 2004, 16:52Location: Ubiquitous]

The "clique" accusation seems to get bandied about almost annually, and I'm not sure there's any more credence to that claim than ever there was.

Whilst any individual Board (whether that's Racing, Lounge, General Sports, or whatever else) might give an impression to the contrary, TRF taken as a whole is simply too big an entity for one poster or small gang of posters to impose their collective will upon it. I don't think I've ever posted in Daily Lays & Plays in over eight years here, for example; ditto many of the X-thousand post, daily banter merchants on that Board here in Racing.

Per the large number of registered members, note that this figure probably also includes a sizeable number of spam posters, bots and the like - just look at some of the birthday greetings that appear at the foot of the page each day for evidence. Can't be too many days before GrowItBig37 celebrates his or her fiftieth.

gc

[Posts: 641Joined: 27 Jul 2011, 18:11]

Of course it is, any internet forum is. You have to plough through the interim period where a few of the clique just don't respond to your threads or posts and carry on flogging away until you're accepted.

Very few of the higher order bother responding to my posts but if they think I'll go away they're very much mistaken. I used to take such elitist snobbery to heart but being a seasoned internet forum user now I no longer worry.

Sometimes you will be blatantly ignored (Are you reading Cavallero whatever your name is? ) and sometimes the individual probably just hasn't seen your post. I made a quite lengthy post to Tryptych early on in my participation on here which remained unanswered, but I don't believe that poster ignored it as he has responded to my posts many times since.

There are clearly a few contributors on here who have their head rammed firmly up their own arrises, or don't think you are informed enough to lower themselves enough to respond to, but frankly **** em!

I like the site generally and the depth of knowledge is quite remarkable. I feel I've learned quite a bit since participating and with my natural charm and all round air of bonhomie I'm bound to win everybody over eventually.

[Posts: 1997Joined: 15 Mar 2010, 00:56]

just look at some of the birthday greetings that appear at the foot of the page each day for evidence. Can't be too many days before GrowItBig37 celebrates his or her fiftieth.

gc

gc, I never miss the "birthdays", some cracking posters there.

[Posts: 5256Joined: 31 Aug 2007, 23:42Location: derby]

Mr Caution; Nothing to do with the clique stuff but [going off at a tangent which I do ALL the time] I've often meant to mention how great your name and avatar are....given the fact that I'm a bit down in the dumps at the moment [and it's still raining] they always make me chuckle. Ta.