Unless you're an administrator on BoM, please discuss any idea you have for a new social group here before actually making it. As a rule of thumb, you should have the expressed support and interest of at least 2 other members in this thread before you create a new social group. You can discuss your SG idea with everyone here for the first time, or rally support for your cause between your friends via PM prior to any public posting about it.

I intend to keep the creation of social groups open to everyone, but to keep things at least moderately organized, the requirement mentioned above (you+2) will be enforced by the board management.

You are encouraged to make social groups public, though there is also the option to make them invite-only.

To get things started, and because I know we've got quite a few adventure lovers around, I've created a (Old-school) Adventure Game Fans social group (http://www.sorcerers.net/forums/group.php?groupid=1). Join up and reminisce about how they don't make them like they used to any more, or discuss the current pickings available!

So, this one was an obvious choice: Cat Owners Central (http://www.sorcerers.net/forums/group.php?groupid=2). :shake:

I'll let someone else start a dog group. Come on people, let's get a few more groups made... just post your group ideas here for consideration.

The only groups that come to my mind are topics already covered by threads - wrestling, MMA, cellphones, comps...

Yea, if we've got active threads dedicated to them there's not much point aside from being able to easily share pics in the group at the moment. Still, it's useful for more specialist topics.

Wow I never thought that the software update would evolve this community so much above "just a message board". Very nice work! :thumb:

GSM unlocking is a specialized topic which could be discussed in a group, though there is the "little" matter that every country has a different policy regarding that, ranging from perfectly legal to blatantly illegal. I prefer sticking in legal territory for SP's sake.

Yea, that'd be best.

Hmm... I do have an alternate idea, Tal... make the group private, and if someone shows interest to join, I can check whenever unlocking is legal or not in their country, and if it's legal, then they can join the party and discuss all things unlocking. That would be a good way to stay in legal land.

So far I can tell you unlocking is perfectly legal in Canada & the US, and some European countries do not even lock the phones they sell.

That'd work, sure.

Yay! Cats! Cats Galore!

What about Country/Religion groups? Then once more the Noble Church of Tea and its rival the Church of Coffee can be at odds!

Or if taken seriously can be more of a directory so people can get in touch with each other than a debating arena.

A group for artists? Where people can showcase their work and get advice and constructive criticism?

Ones for hobbies and specific sports? I'm surprised Barms hasn't started a Cricket one ;)

Then once more the Noble Church of Tea


I like this one.


Or if taken seriously


What could be more serious than tea?

The membership here is so diverse specific country groups probably wouldn't make much sense as there would be too many if there was one for every country we have members from. More encompassing groups (like US, UK, continental Europe, etc.) would probably work well though.

Religion would be interesting, definitely.

A group for artists (and hobbies & sports) is a great idea too.

Feel free to make any of the above.

That'd work, sure.


Great! Now to find two other people who dig the idea.

Pardon me for being a killjoy but what is the point of specific groups on a relatively small community like this? If you want to discuss adventure games you can start a thread, if you want to discuss cats, start a thread. Isn't the different subforums already groups in themselves?

You can share pics in groups easily. Also (and this is probably most important), threads come and go and are pushed further down the list relatively quickly, whereas the groups are always in a fixed location and not burdened by (in)activity... people can post in them and check them whenever they like. Groups are also helpful for new members to quickly see other members' interests and join those groups that they can relate to.

There are quite a few uses for social groups which can supplement the forums, and I'm sure that there will be more in the future as well.

taluntain, i have been instructed by the FDL(Feline Defense League) to contact you to inform you that your group known as "Cat Owners Central" is a foul case of misinformation & should be renamed "Belongs To Cats" immediately!:D

So, is anyone going to make the Dogs' Bastion group, or should I? :D

To all imaginative, great SP minds out there, you have 48 hours to come up with something funny for the Canine League, or you will be stuck with my meager contraptions. Be warned. :p

8 - Why is Tea noble and coffee isn't?

Should be a Lolcat group. And people may only speak in lolcat. Felinoid and I would rock that place.

I like the idea of an artist's group too.

Because I like tea :p

I've created an Artists Guild and a Pagan Order if anybody is interested. I can create the Church of Tea as a UK group as well if people like :D

Just for Gabs there can be St Coffee of the Dawn as long as there can be St Chocolate of the Early Winter Nights ;)

Just FYI, a link to the list of all the social groups (http://www.sorcerers.net/forums/group.php) is located in the Quick Links dropdown in the top navigation bar of the forums (just below the private messages counter).

8 - Why is Tea noble and coffee isn't?

Probably because coffee is vile. :p Coffee needs a ratio of 100:25:1 (100 parts sugar, 25 parts creamer to 1 part coffee) just to be drinkable... :evil:

I think a musician's group would work here...just an idea however, since I don't play any instrument... :rolling:

Ones for hobbies and specific sports?


Sports would be good- especially if it was a group for those who actually do sport. The Coliseum's discussions seem to focus on watching rather than doing.


I think a musician's group would work here...just an idea however, since I don't play any instrument...


Neither do I. Perhaps a musician's group for those who don't play instruments? I'm not entirely sure how it would work though.

Because I like tea :p

I've created an Artists Guild and a Pagan Order if anybody is interested. I can create the Church of Tea as a UK group as well if people like :D

Just for Gabs there can be St Coffee of the Dawn as long as there can be St Chocolate of the Early Winter Nights ;)

Touché, 8. And yay! Coffee group ^_^

8, you've got my support for the Church of Tea! Though on the condition that I still be allowed to not drink it UK-style (milk in my tea? MILK??? ewww)

Down with the coffee drinkers! :p

Now I'm tempted to make a private group called "This Table Is For Silly Hats Only" and only people with silly hat pictures of themselves are invited to join :lol:

But that would be silly.

Ah, but therein lies the magic!

I second the Silly Hat Group.

Huh. There's a Paganism group, so what about a LVS group?

LVS?

LVS=LaVeyan Satanism. On second thought, nevermind. This would just bring controversy and flame wars and I'm tired of being stuck in a giant barbecue whenever I make the "mistake" of mentioning LVS.

Not necessarily, though if you're the only member of said religion on our boards a social group would be rather pointless.

What about a group for Fencers? I know a few folk on the boards fence.

I think there are a few musicians on SP, so that might work; and a SC for parents, since we seem to have quite a few, especially with newborns; a writers and literary SC might work as well, since there seems to be quite a few of those as well; a large number of members seem to be history fans as well, but pure history with no politics, please, since we have more than enough of that.... :)

Parents group is a go without any further discussion required, definitely.

Since there is already an artistic group, I wonder if a scientific one would work?
Or maybe a group for students, since there are quite a few people attending various Uni's here? It could be called "Uni Be Gone".

Not the best of ideas... but it is 4 am :p

Student group could be Sorcerers' Apprentices :D

I like that :lol:

There's a very large number of students on the boards, and quite a few scientists. The student one though may end up simply being an extension of the Random Work/School Venting thread, unless it's given some kind of twist.

The student one though may end up simply being an extension of the Random Work/School Venting thread, unless it's given some kind of twist.

How about: Students' Archthesis on Uni-Verse
"For all things concerning Universities. Discuss, chat, study, cooperate or simply waste time without guilt.
Direct serious cases of Uni Venting to the certified thread."

As for the Scientists' one:

Lab Rats' Sanctum:
"A place where Higgs' bozons are swimming in coffee cups, and Nobel prizes are brewed in dust-bins.

Rules of conduct: Wear white coats and safety gear at all times, avoid eye contact with primordial life in vials and ignore smoke detectors. Explosions are a part of life. Whiteboards are on your left, library on the right (bring shovels and a light source).

Have fun (or perish in an attempt to publish)."

Comments?

Lab Rats' Sanctum:
"A place where Higgs' bozons are swimming in coffee cups, and Nobel prizes are brewed in dust-bins.

Rules of conduct: Wear white coats and safety gear at all times, avoid eye contact with primordial life in vials and ignore smoke detectors. Explosions are a part of life. Whiteboards are on your left, library on the right (bring shovels and a light source).

Have fun (or perish in an attempt to publish)."
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

This is priceless!

I like the "study and cooperate" part of the student-y one. It could be used if people want to show off their latest essay, dissertation or whatnot, or get feedback on an idea for a project from other people (we've had a few of these appear occasionally in the more general threads, having a group might encourage people to do it more often). Although for such a thing we'd need to upload the essays/whatever elsewhere, as having a 20-page essay quoted within one post may be too much!

Ok, Lab Rats' Sanctum it is.

I agree on the essay upload part, Ziad, but we can do the general discussion even without quotations.

Give me a minute, my molecular geneticist friend, :p and then come join the group.

As for the students one... I'm open to all sugestions.

Lab Rats' Sanctum:
"A place where Higgs' bozons are swimming in coffee cups, and Nobel prizes are brewed in dust-bins.

Rules of conduct: Wear white coats and safety gear at all times, avoid eye contact with primordial life in vials and ignore smoke detectors. Explosions are a part of life. Whiteboards are on your left, library on the right (bring shovels and a light source).

Have fun (or perish in an attempt to publish)."

I'm not a scientist, but this sounds pretty cool :lol:

While we're about career groups... how 'bout a welders' union? I'm sure I'm not the only one out there.

I love the Students' Group idea!

Both Lab Rats' Sanctum and the Students' Archthesis on Uni-Verse are now operational.

I'll alter the name and description of the students group if anyone has a better idea. Have fun and start joining. :p

The Student's whut? Does that mean it only applies to University students?

If so, why not a 6th Form Group or College Group? Or a High School/Secondary School group?

Oh, :doh: I forgot that in English the word student means more than just someone going to a faculty of an University or College.

My mistake. The group is open to all students, not just University ones. Highschool and all other education programs fit the description.

I'll fix the group name and description. Thanks, Fairie.

Give me a minute, my molecular geneticist friend, :p and then come join the group.
I thinking of changing this to Molecular Microbial Geneticist, just to make it even more convoluted :p

I'm not a scientist, but this sounds pretty cool :lol:
It's also so true, which makes it even funnier (sadder?) :D

I second the Silly Hat Group.

I like this idea. Not sure how silly my hat has to lokk to qualify though. :D

So, are social groups kind of like mini imageboards?

Sounds snazzy. How about an IRC RPers groups?

(also, what's the deal with friends? Is there any change/benefit).

Good to see new things coming to SP, anyhow. This one shows some potential :)

I second an IRC RP group :) Especially as I'm starting my own soon :lol:

Aikanaro, the main thing about friends currently is that you can make picture albums only visible to friends and contacts. Check the main upgrade thread for more info on that.

How about a vegan/vegetarian group for switching recipes and such?

8peeps come to me and suggested a group for Left-Hand Path beliefs systems - E.G LaVeyan Satanism, Church of Satan, First Satanic Church, Theistic Satanism, Paganism/Dark Paganism and some forms of Luciferianism, amongst others.

I give my full backing for 8's idea of a moderated, private group to discuss those beliefs between believers, and keep the group to left-hand paths - the last thing I want to see is a huge barbecue between left and right-hand believers, so sorry, Chev, that means you won't be able to share your arguments with us. We just want to chill out and have casual conversations about our beliefs.

Editing the paganism group to that would make sense. Just FYI, the groups can currently only be made private to the extent that people need an invitation to join, but all discussions are still visible to everyone.

geez, i never knew their were that many different kinds of :evil:

ha ! ha ! thats funny, the satanista are no better than the christians at figuring out how to worship their high command. what a wonderful dichotomy.

martaug, if that was serious, then you've completely missed the point of the faiths under discussion. I would advise reading up on them before trying to poke fun at them.

Editing the paganism group to that would make sense. Just FYI, the groups can currently only be made private to the extent that people need an invitation to join, but all discussions are still visible to everyone.

Invitations have the goal of making sure the group won't be turned into a huge barbecue by right-hand preachy elitists. Truth be told, if all discussions are visible to everyone, I'm also cool with that - maybe that will get people to do a bit of reading before poking fun of what we believe in.

Edited Pagan group :wave:

Nice to see ignorance flourishing in the face of reason and all :rolleyes:

How delightful one so educated and well versed can inform everyone in a highly intellectual and informative post on the inherent evil of religions of the Left Hand Path. You sir, must truly be a scholar! Thank you for pointing out such importance and clarifying all matters between the Christian and Satanist faiths.

We truly have just read a genius, ladies and gentlemen.

ha ! ha ! thats funny, the satanista are no better than the christians at figuring out how to worship their high command. what a wonderful dichotomy.

Actually, I think that's pretty amusing and a valid point...I'm glad someone here appreciates the irony.

Geez, open a thread about it in AoDA, people...

I don't think so. I'm tired of the giant barbecues of Left-Hand vs Right-Hand preachy elitists. Obviously we're dealing with right-hand preachy elitists who have made no efforts to understand what the left-hand is all about and I'm tired of disserting about it.

I'm going to leave it at that before I get nasty and start throwing barbs.

preachy elitists

Sounds like one side is "preaching" but it's not coming from the "right." Anyway no one is trying to be offensive, DotW. No need to take it that way, really. We're all cool here, my man. :)

Really? If we are, then you should be able to respect left-hand path faiths, and judging by martaug's reaction and your approval, I'm not sure that's the case.

AoDA or PM! Let's get back on topic already.

Well, to be fair, they are "discussing 'em before they make 'em". :p

Although there seems to be more discussin' than makin'

:D

Definitely more discussing than making. Don't know why left handers are getting such a hard time all of a sudden.

Hey, nice signature, Disciple. Maybe we need a Poe social group.

Haha - I totally thought that was a group for left-handed people or something. My bad. :D

How about some music appreciation groups? I'm thinking Classical, because I like Classical music, yet know little about it. Or maybe a Shakespeare group. Or a Classical Studies group. Or a history group. Or...

Absolutely thirding the IRC Group idea, although perhaps we need two different camps between Orthodox D&Ders and insane freeformers. :p

Hmm...How about a Merchant's Guild? For those who do a bit of buying and selling, or trade related thingies, unrelenting customer service peeps, fast talkers and slick babble wizards, for people who wish you to have a nice day and are always ready to wear a smile, come hell or high water?

How about some music appreciation groups? I'm thinking Classical, because I like Classical music, yet know little about it.
Count me in!

How about a club for those who like to read comics? I know there's a lot of people in here who do. And with the advent of such movies that are based on comicbooks as The Incredible Hulk and Wanted I think the time is just about right for this.

Webcomics included. But let's not turn this into another OoTS thread, hmmkay?

Hi true believers! I dub thine club as That Yellow Kid Club! If someone comes up with a snazzier title, then suggestions are welcome. :thumb:

A comics group sounds great, count me in.

I might also join a musicians guild, even though I'm not in a band ATM.. Are lyricists allowed to join even if they'd write crappy -ish lyrics? 'Cause that's basically what I'm going to do. The band specifically asked for crappy lyrics and that's what they're giong to get. :shake:

http://www.sorcerers.net/forums/group.php?groupid=11

That's a new "Profile Stylers" social group I just made. Because styling your profile makes you special. :D

I've been thinking of starting a photographer's SG...or an 18+ SG. I want a place where I can discuss photography with professionals or "high-end" enthusiasts...however, I enjoy nude-art photography as you can see from my SP Photo Album dedicated to the art. I also enjoy landscape photography...but that's not nearly as challenging.

The problem I have is that there is no way to verify age on these boards, and even if there was, I still couldn't post any unedited images...which really distracts from the art. Also, I have a short fuse for ignorant morons who call my work porn. :flaming:

I don't know what I should do...what do you guys think?

Also, I have a short fuse for ignorant morons who call my work porn.

Some idiots just can't appreciate art.

Some idiots just can't appreciate art.

It's funny, I never considered myself as an artist as I can't paint, sketch, or even drawl a straight line...:skeptic: But with a camera stuck to my face, I realized I could create art. The female figure after all is a work of art to begin with. :D :rolling:

The female figure after all is a work of art to begin with. :D :rolling:

Sooooo true :)

Most people that have a problem with 'expressive' art are probably into the more mundane types, although there's nothing wrong with that. Everybody's different right?

We've discussed an 18+ social group but age verification is a problem in the sense that we'd either have to screen everyone manually (i.e. ask for scanned ID or some other verification of age) or rely on the ages entered in each user's profile (which may or may not be correct). But neither verification can be automated currently, so someone would have to manually check each applicant's profile at the least. Which probably makes it more hassle than it's worth?

I'm sure there's a way to set this up more neatly, so I'll look into it. Asking if there's any actual interest in it is probably pointless. :p

:lol: Tal, n I might join.Kit and I could then argue about the aesthetics of the human body. :) Oh, do you want a copy of my birth certificate? I I could get my blasted printer/scanner to work I'd post a picture of myself. I do believe that I look a tad over 18, at least 25. Buy that and I have a piece of the Brooklyn Bridge I'll sell you.

It's an idea I've had for a little while now, I just... forgot to post it.

I'd like to see a Smokers' Lounge. Tobacco smoking, that is. My vision of it would be a group where we could share recommendations, personal favorites, tips and tricks, reviews, that kind of stuff. Yes, I fell off the wagon, and my recent interest is focused on sampling various brands/flavors of cigars.

Sure, go ahead.

Done. See you cigar enthusiasts there!