Feral Heart

Game & Forum Discussion => Forum Discussion => Topic started by: Ellen11v on June 13, 2018, 08:20:00 pm

Title: The culture of leaving- and "I'm Back" (introduction) posts
Post by: Ellen11v on June 13, 2018, 08:20:00 pm

So when do you find it necessary enough to make a leaving post? Only when you're on a long hiatus or gone for good? Or do you also do it even if you're just away for a week or two?

Same goes for introduction posts; Would you feel the urge/tend to let us know that you're back in the community after a few weeks (or a month)? What does it really matter for you? :o
Have you ever returned to the community after a long time without letting anybody know? If yes, why? (Don't worry I find it okay, I have no personal opinion against it whatsoever.)

Also, yes. I have decided to not make introduction- and leaving threads from now on. Because I never really know why I leave, and come back. Things just happens. I'm tired of me giving stories and valid reasons... :p
But if you need my little "clarification", I've decided to at least try and check the forum every now and then, however I will not be active in-game since I've got stuff to take care of in life xD

Hope this is a valid topic for this section. Otherwise the mods are welcome to take action. :)

Title: Re: The culture of leaving- and "I'm Back" (introduction) posts
Post by: dollzie on June 13, 2018, 08:49:07 pm

i don't see the point in making either one of those kinds of threads unless you're going on a long term hiatus or returning from one. i myself never made introduction threads when i did return every once in a while during my huge hiatus, as i knew my stay was likely going to be highly temporary.

if someone is planning to go on a break, making a leaving thread can make it harder (you draw attention to yourself and feel immersed in the community again), so i would even go as far as to say leaving threads aren't always a good idea, unless you're completely set on leaving. hope that makes sense.

Title: Re: The culture of leaving- and "I'm Back" (introduction) posts
Post by: turtlies on June 13, 2018, 09:40:08 pm

I'm not personally too big on posting leaving/intro threads. If I'm having some simple computer issues for a little bit, I just drop a note somewhere my friends will see, so usually on Tumblr/Facebook/Deviantart. I don't think the rest of the FH community is really too concerned I'll be inactive for a few weeks, it's really just important that people I talk to on a daily basis are aware.

I only post leaving threads if I'm definitely going to be gone for a few months at least. Feralheart isn't too much of a worry, since I wouldn't really consider myself an active player (I just like stalking the forums), but if I ever need to take a 'mental health break' from any other websites, I just do it quietly. Move the bookmark into a folder so I don't impulsively click on it, and just log out of certain social media or programs for a bit. If I ever make a leaving post impulsively, I just get all curious who posts on it and what they say and it just prevents me from leaving fully.

Title: Re: The culture of leaving- and "I'm Back" (introduction) posts
Post by: WolfQueen on June 13, 2018, 10:33:07 pm

imo leaving posts should only be necessary if you're leaving for good or at least going on a long hiatus, or getting back from a hiatus in the case of returning threads.
i myself never made a leaving post. i just go. returning posts on the other hand, i've only made one in order to apologize for my past behavior.

Title: Re: The culture of leaving- and "I'm Back" (introduction) posts
Post by: Azurain on June 13, 2018, 11:14:15 pm

I honestly think they're helpful if someone is going to leave for a long period of time or going away for good. And with intros, good for longer periods of time. Should take my own advice heh

Title: Re: The culture of leaving- and "I'm Back" (introduction) posts
Post by: Warriorstrike on June 14, 2018, 04:16:05 am

Quote from: dollzie on June 13, 2018, 08:49:07 pm

i don't see the point in making either one of those kinds of threads unless you're going on a long term hiatus or returning from one.

Pretty much this. ^^ For most short leaves (ex. going camping for a week, not having internet access for a few days, etc.) I find that a small edit to one's profile is more than adequate, since one is expecting to return shortly. For occasions where a return is expected but when it is still necessary to inform the community of a leave, I feel that leaving a notice is fine. Granted, if a leave or return occurs unexpectedly in a way that was sooner than one anticipated, it applies a bit differently. (Simply editing the old leaving/return thread is most appropriate.)

I think I've left two or three leaving thread notices in the past, but only when I were to be absent or completely unreachable (such as a vacation/surgery) and knew that I needed to reach a larger mass of people. Most of that goes to staffing purposes, as I recognize that unmentioned absences from staff could affect a lot of people requiring assistance, and I would find it inconsiderate. I tended not to post notices regarding my activity before I was a staff member, though, usually as I would prefer it not to draw attention where it wasn't needed. I guess it's up to personal preference on whether or not you'd like to share that kind of information.

This was a thoughtful thread subject, Ellen!

Title: Re: The culture of leaving- and "I'm Back" (introduction) posts
Post by: Kahbloom on June 14, 2018, 04:29:00 am

ooooh~
Interesting!

I personally haven't really ever made these types of threads, because I never typically know when I'm going to be going on a hiatus/leaving or returning or whatever. It's usually kind of impulsive with me, & I kind of do what Torskite said & leave a note somewhere else, like on deviantart. The majority of the community probably wouldn't be too interested in the fact that I'm going on vacation or whatever, so I usually only tell closer friends that would be affected & wonder where I am.

Title: Re: The culture of leaving- and "I'm Back" (introduction) posts
Post by: Lady_Alizarin on June 14, 2018, 10:23:05 pm

Interesting question here.

I agree with what some have said here. The only time I ever think it's necessary to write a "Leaving" thread is when you're going to be away from the game for a long time; like months or even years. Same with the "I'm back" threads being made for when said person returns from a long hiatus. When I say long I mean like gone for half a year or more. If someone were to be gone for a very short time due to vacation I think it's kind of pointless to make an announcement in the Leaving section. That's just me though.

I did make a Leaving post once, and I was gone for awhile before I decided to come back to the game. After I came back, I had become less active on the forums compared to being in-game.

Title: Re: The culture of leaving- and "I'm Back" (introduction) posts
Post by: Morqque on June 15, 2018, 01:23:30 am

Personally I beleive they are spam. Week long breaks are really not needed to be posted unless the member
is an admin. If it is a year or longer hiatus, it's fine in my book. So pratically I agree with everyone.

Title: Re: The culture of leaving- and "I'm Back" (introduction) posts
Post by: Ellen11v on June 16, 2018, 09:40:52 am

You guys have some very thoughtful opinions that I agree with 100%.
Thank you for posting, and I’m glad you are fascinated by my question topic. :)