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The Over 40s Newsgroup
Annexcafe.Seniors.Over40
Newsgroups are a great place on the
web where people can create a community.
People can gather and exchange ideas
and information. Or they can share their own insights into the daily ebb and flow of life. This can happen in chat as well,
but the written word, archived in newsgroups, has a tendency to make its participants more responsible in word and deed.
Social newsgroups also seem to attract the type of people who are interested in making long-term friendships, as well as
attracting those capable of the personal accountability that these interactions require for successful, long-term
friendships.
This newsgroup is where folks who are
older in years but still young at heart can relax and have fun with good friends. Some of the nicest people on the web post
in this newsgroup. Through personal tragedies and triumphs we've celebrated our joys and shared the burden of our
sorrows. We've helped each other learn and grow. While not a technical or help group, we have our share of participants
with expertise. Everyone is always willing to help others at the 40s.
Over time the Over40s newsgroup has
gone through many growing pains and even changed locations a couple of times. It has been known as the MSN Over40s
bbs, MSN Peers40s, a temporary stop at "Friends", and finally to where we have settled down at seniors.over40s on the
Annexcafe server through the generous support of Gregory Gooden.
The regulars at Over40s are a diverse
group of people. Diversity and friendliness have always been the hallmarks of the 40s newgroup. Those who choose to
read/post at the 40s come from various locations, lifestyles and each has their own point of view. Individualism runs high
with the 40s group.
What kind of group is Over40s? Below
you can read some views of what type of folks, and what type of posting, is encouraged at Over40s.
Do we have an F.A.Q.? Nope.
("Rules? We dun need no stinkin' rules!")
We're kind of on the "honor code"...you
know what I mean, personal responsibility is the order of the day, every day. The following will give you an idea of what
we expect in the way of behavior from our newsgroup members.
Historically we have always
welcomed:
folks looking for friendship;
("Howdy! Welcome! Introduce yourself and join in the fun!");
mature adults who are able to interact with other adults in a mutually respectful manner;
("I can disagree with your p.o.v. without denigrating you as a person.");
Adults who are willing to open their minds and are not threatened by viewpoints that differ from their own.
("It is amazing what you can learn from others...it can enrich your life.")
those who seek to share their talents and gifts with others;
(we all have gifts and talents -- even the weirdest among us -- hey, even me!);
those who can deal with HTML posting...we like HTML posting, some places don't (and we can respect that) but we
do;
(the content of posts is always more important to us than the presentation -- we're not a stationery gallery ng, but we
do appreciate newly learned skills and the sharing of those skills)
People who like to have fun, fun and more fun!
Most of us have limited internet time and we come to the newsgroup for relaxation and the friendly exchange of
ideas.
(Hey, life is serious enough...let's lighten up!)
While there are many individual points of
view, we all seem to agree on what we will not tolerate on our newsgroup:
we have no time for "net trolls" ;
("my life is so boring I just roam the net causing trouble, mainly because I'm socially inept");
we tire quickly of those who arrive full of themselves;
("l know it all and I'm always right" syndrome);
we find boorish those who are only polite as long as you agree with them fully;
("I'm so sweet and kind in public I'll rot your teeth but cross me and I'll harrass you privately to my last breath.");
or those "negative energy" types who are always demanding to be the center of attention;
("I, me, my, mine! Look at me or I'll pout and whine!!!!");
gossipmongers are not welcome at the 40s;
("I have no life so I have to get my kicks denigrating others and spreading slander.");
egoists who consider themselves "superior" to the rest of us mere mortals;
("I'm slumming to be here but you should be thankful I'm here at all, peons" syndrome, we suggest this type finds
realitycheck.bbs);
those looking for a "hot date" or a "sugar daddy";
(Puhleeze, spare us! There are plenty of chats/newsgroups for that! We're more family oriented.)
Liars and fakes;
("Hi! I'm Monique from a penthouse in Manhatten." Who turns out to actually be Mona from a mobile home in
Memphis -- these types can rarely keep the facade up very long, thus they usually move on quickly.)
Just be yourself!
That's the person we want to meet and
get to know.
There are lots of role-playing boards available elsewhere...we like to "be real" and make real friends.
The 40s is thriving and growing. We
always have the door open for new folks to join us as well as ready to prepare a feast for any long-lost friends who
resurface. We're a fun bunch of people who enjoy each other's company. You might want to drop by and see us, read a bit
and if you like the style of the participants, join in yourself! We're a fairly large group of people, but we always have room
for new friends.
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