Forums

Glad to hear that, Brian! Thank you. The aim certainly was and is to bring more of a discussion/conversation/Q&A/sharing aspect rather than the one-way broadcast which is more typical of most other social media.

I think the forum also has an advantage for people who are interested in astronomy but who otherwise would totally avoid Twitter or Facebook - there's still somewhere they can come to share, learn, be amused, or be inducted into the mysteries of stellar martial arts.

I echo Brian's thoughts on the forums. I very much enjoy the debates and being enlightened on different perspectives. I am learning a helluva lot from Rupert's imaging advice which in turn will be of great help to others too in future because the big benefit of forums is that useful posts/information can be more easily accessed (and picked up globally from search engines) as opposed to Facebook and Twitter where posts are lost in space (see what I did there?) over time.

Also Andy's wry jokes are a hoot!

I am sure other members will soon join in, (non members too as I believe this forum is open invite for all to participate, right?). It has only just started up, often it takes a few events and more useful content for additional participants to start rolling in. I think its a great start so far, nice structure which will soon evolve I'm sure and excellently moderated by Mike with posts moved to relevant sections etc.

So thanks Mike and Andy for setting up the forum. Mike's got a lethal pointy sword, though, might need some MA defence skills lessons from Brian...

I've been very pleased with the response so far. Yes, we only have a small number of regular participants at the moment, but this was always meant to be a "soft" launch... and, of course, at a time of year when we are relatively "quiet" as an astronomy society.

Yes, Tej, the forums are open to all... but I've only seen members participate so far.

Very early days yet, but I'm encouraged by the start. We've got a good platform to build on for when we really start pushing the forums at the start of the next season.

Thanks to everyone who has posted a message so far. I've found all of the messages very interesting and entertaining.

Tej

I can teach you some deadly techniques but you need to pass a sacred test grasshopper.

Ooo will you teach me the five point palm exploding fist technique?

I am ready for my test, Master Blake...wait, does it hurt?!

Tej
You have to have trained for 10 years before I can teach you that. First lesson, take a cloth in left hand apply to telescope lens wax on, then in right hand wax off repeat one hundred times. (see how I brought talk back to astronomy?!!!)