*Comes to in a plastic tent* Hmm... When did I go camping? *Unzips the tent and walks outside*cosycottage wrote:<drags Megami into oxygen tent before zipping up hazchem suit and returning to the foray>
You have valid points and I look forward to seeing what the results of this experiment are.
I stand my my own opinion.
Everyone's opinions are important, because we are all members of the same community. Whether I agree with 'the other side' of the argument (though I don't like making us sound so divided) or not is inconsequential, as this is the sort of discussion that needs happen for growth to occur.
I can understand the concerns of those who want the whole forum to be open to all (to some degree), but I have to go with Midiman on this one. People who are interested in being able to access every forum here will register. Even if they just want to read topics in all parts of TDF, then they'll make their five posts and move on with their lives. Who knows, they may actually become an active member, like myself and so many of the other members here.
When I initially came here, I tried accessing some of the member's only topics, and when I found I could not, I registered. I didn't stop and think 'Do I really want to do this?' for even a second.
The only emails I've gotten from TDF have been one's I've requested. Even then, that's what sites like Gmail and Yahoo Mail are for. You don't need to pay for membership there either. If someone can't or doesn't want to manage more than a single email address, then maybe they should have their own computer.cosycottage wrote:In theory it would be great if "signing up" for doll forums was like clicking on a two-for-one pizza deal.
Back in the real world, it's a big step for a whole chunk of the public to go online and register, especially at a "fringe interest", and moreover if people are worried they might start getting emails, embedded cookies etc on what might be a family computer.
As for cookies, what site doesn't have cookies? I doubt whatever cookies this site requires say 'LOL! Love Doll Forum Cookie!' or something like that. Even if they did, then the only way someone would see them is if they frequently browsed the temporary internet files. So... Control Panel, Network and Internet Connections, Internet Options, Clear History, *Click all available boxes*, OK. Boom, done, tabula rasa.
...Which gives people all the more reason to join if they want to get more information about dolls and doll ownership than browsing sites like Adam and Eve can give them. I mean, face it, if someone comes here, they're interested in love dolls. As such, they're also probably interested in being involved in a safe community where they can feel comfortable asking questions and being open about their passion for dolls without fear of ridicule or trolling.cosycottage wrote:The Doll Forum, and other sites you can't type on here for some childish reason, are the shop window for Doll Ownership as well as good links and info for Manufacturers.
Hmm... I do the same thing, Cosy, and I just assumed that that was the norm. I dress my dolls up, give them personalities, give them their own voices, and genuinely care for them. I love my dolls, I'd say as close to romantically as one can love an object, like a dream car (but you can't have sex with a car. Well, you probably can, but do we really want to go there...?), and I'm sure many on here can say the same. It's not weird. it's more creative and personal than just taking your doll out, mounting her, and then putting her away. It makes the fantasy so much more satisfying, in my mind, to interact with one's doll in more ways than merely fucking them.cosycottage wrote:Apparently I'm the "hardcore" weird one on here for preferring to dress and play and interact with Kiko rather than only have sex with her and then hang her on a hook and lock her in my wardrobe/coffin/delete as appropriate, which is far more acceptable to have in the 'shop window'.
So yeah, maybe I'm just sore because apparently the 'acceptable face of doll ownership' is more about discussions of lubes and inserts.
Many people on here seem to have more than a passing interest in their own dolls, and certainly seem to think of them as more than sex objects (though there's no denying that that is what they are). Most people on here seem to have a similar passion for dolls, especially those who would go as far as to have a (or more than one) Doll Account. So, I don't really see this 'acceptable face of the doll owning community' you are talking about.
(Note: Cosy, I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm hoping to generate discussion. I enjoy this sort of thing and I value yours and everyone's opinions, even if I may not agree.
Like I said, this is how websites, and more importantly, communities grow and strengthen. Yet, when debate becomes civil war and one side begins hurling insults and claims of 'this is stupid' or 'that is stupid' without a logical argument behind them at the rival side, then that is where real problems arise. It's best to talk things out, understand each side's views, and come to a mutual consensus if possible. Or, one side can break off and form a new faction, further building the animosity between the two groups who were once equals.)