Where New Writers Find Their Voice

What's this "Give a Gift" Crap?

Is the WB turning into a child-friendly (and childish adult) site? I saw the new addition to what used to be a pretty good site and I was shocked - shocked at what I saw.

Why the hell would I want to send a "gift" to anyone here? If I like something I've read here, I'll say so in the WB public places how much I like it in print, but this smiley face emoticon crap is getting a little too much.

I'm afraid that if that's the way the site is heading - I'm outa here!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jayne on October 28, 2009 at 6:08pm: Ah Tony, tis but the season to be giving?

(and at the risk of annoying you further)
LOL
Jayne - with a :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dana G on October 28, 2009 at 8:32pm: My Dearest Tony,

It's a "Ning Thing"...ain't got nothin' to do with The Writer's Box. Not a feature that I can control (that I am aware of). I HAVE received two gifts already, though!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tony Walker on October 29, 2009 at 12:23pm: Jayne said, "Ah Tony, tis but the season to be giving?"

Maybe so, but may I make a comment on Jayne's comment? First, there should be a comma between "Ah" and "Tony". I also think it's custom to write "tis" as "'tis", if you can spot that teeny punctuation mark that's grown between the hedgerow of quotation marks. Finally, why the question mark ('query' to you colonials) at the end?

Just asking ...

As for Dana's explanation that it's a "Ning Thing". Should we not know who Ning is? Is Ning a faceless corporation, bent on world domination? Is Ning a fiendish plot designed to destroy our intellectual capabilities and bring us down to the level of teenage Twitterers and Starbucks coffee drinkers? I think we should be told.

Any daring investigative reporters out there?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jayne on October 30, 2009 at 1:34am: OK, so I am nominating Tony as our very own 'Christmas Scrooge' for 2009 - will anyone second the motion?

Thanks for the laugh this early morning, it's always appreciated. :)

Bah Humbug and Good Day!
Jayne :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dana G on October 30, 2009 at 10:47am: Unfortunately, the NING Thing isn't just for writers and serious topics. They are trying to appeal to the masses...scary, I know.

Just try to ignore it, if you can. I got a diamond ring and a big fat kiss, so I'm not complaining!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tony Walker on October 30, 2009 at 12:46pm: Jayne said, "OK, so I am nominating Tony as our very own 'Christmas Scrooge' for 2009 - will anyone second the motion?"

Hell, I'd second the motion myself, if that's allowed. Christmas ... hmmm. Is is really so close to that miserable time of year? Looks like I'll be singing my favorite seasonal song, "Children roasting on an open fire".

Dana, was it a real diamond ring? Was the big fat kiss a pleasurable osculatory sensation?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tony Walker on October 30, 2009 at 1:12pm: In response to David "Panzer" Lewis Paget, I have to say that this dumbing down of sites like WB is a dangerous trend. I Googled Ning and saw that it was started by two people, and is based in California, the 'Breakfast State' (fruits, nuts, and flakes). Sez it all, really ...

I'd like to think that the stalwarts of the WB will make it their business to stamp out such childish gimmicks as 'gift giving', and get on with trying to improve the quality of the site by way of helping people become better writers (and spellers, and punctuators).

By the way, the Almighty Pussy sends her blessings to you all.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tony Walker on November 13, 2009 at 1:27pm: ... And what did I just do? I sent Dana a 'gift'! What the foxtrot uniform charley kilo was I thinking?

No more, I beg you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mari Sloan on November 25, 2009 at 10:42am: I'm not that fond of the "gift-giving" function but I'll send all of you Dudes a breast cancer ribbon if you want one. Those are free.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mari Sloan on November 25, 2009 at 10:47am: Straight from GOOGLE:
"Ning is the social platform for the world’s interests and passions online. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., Ning offers an easy-to-use service that allows people to join and create Ning Networks. With more than 1.8 million Ning Networks created and 37 million registered users, millions of people every day are coming together across Ning to explore and express their interests, discover new passions, and meet new people around shared pursuits. Ning was founded in October 2004 by Gina Bianchini and Marc Andreessen. The company is privately held. For more information, visit www.ning.com."

These two have made a fortune selling the ads you see running on the right side, through Google, I believe. It's a WIN/WIN. The NING set up is free. They do sell premium services for your NING, and it's very interesting to go to the above website and read. I found out that I am a member of 35 NINGs right now, although I only spend much time on about five of them. BTW, the "Gift Store" is a diabolical plot to integrate Paypal into the NINGs without causing an obvious reaction. There is no "dumbing down" about it.
VERY bright idea.

Tony Walker said:
Jayne said, "Ah Tony, tis but the season to be giving?"
Maybe so, but may I make a comment on Jayne's comment? First, there should be a comma between "Ah" and "Tony". I also think it's custom to write "tis" as "'tis", if you can spot that teeny punctuation mark that's grown between the hedgerow of quotation marks. Finally, why the question mark ('query' to you colonials) at the end? Just asking ... As for Dana's explanation that it's a "Ning Thing". Should we not know who Ning is? Is Ning a faceless corporation, bent on world domination? Is Ning a fiendish plot designed to destroy our intellectual capabilities and bring us down to the level of teenage Twitterers and Starbucks coffee drinkers? I think we should be told.

Any daring investigative reporters out there?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Audrey Heagney on November 28, 2009 at 6:02pm: TW - before you leave, why not read the book of Daniel in your newly purchased Bible? Just a gift suggestion.
Audrey; ▶ Reply to This