I became a member of Friends Reunited in the days when it was a place for school friends to find each other. As a forum it wasn't bad apart from the appalling software that it ran but then it got taken over by a corporation with big ideas for world domination and challenging Facebook.

This mob changed the whole style and feel of the site with out improving the software at all and membership just declined until it eventually folded.

During its decline I came across this site with its far superior software and have been here ever since.

I don't belong to any other forums though I have belonged to some specialist (Google) groups such as cycling and IT Training (I teach seniors how to use computers and phones) though these days I never use them and am quite happy to pop in here occasionally each day, it's quite fun.

FB (the group we must never mention) I do use occasionally

I was a member of the Saga forum and when that closed down I found this and another forum I pop in and out of. I just like to quickly scan the post titles and occasionally reply to something but I wouldn't say I was a fanatic, Sometimes I don't find any interesting subjects for days. Totally agree with Floydy about stuff like "what sort of animal would you be" or "add a letter to such-and-such".

like Bruce, started with FR, and legitimately joined their oldies forum, then stumbled into here.
The reason for starting was the need for information.

I first joined backgammon sites one of which had an attached forum for chatting...when the site closed down I looked around for a new one....I tried chat sites but discovered they were mainly for people looking for more than chat....eventually after trying a few forums I ended up here.

Another ex Saga member here. It closed down, I joined another forum, that got a bit heavy handed on the moderation front, so I left and decided upon a clean break instead of going in the direction of others. Stumbled upon this place.

I took to forums in desperation of finding people to talk to.

I joined here because Azz, Meg and Mags came to my house, twisted my arm up my back. Frogmarched me to my iPad and demanded l join here. They were so persuasive, l did!

Not really! My previous forum didn’t make many of us welcome any more. Twink suggested l joined here, even put a good word in for me!
We were made so welcome and the rest is history!

Me?

To engage with folk, even if only in the cyber world, that I might or more likely would not otherwise meet.

Still a member of a couple of academic forums and trust me, the raw venom in academia beats anything that from time to time emerges here!

I was also on Friends reunited until it got taken over and destroyed. Then I (and a few others here) was on a DIY site for a few years which was great to start with but was eventually taken over by a snowflake, so most left or got banned; but I missed the conversation and the banter and was recommended to this site by our own JBR. I did like the fact there were women on this site too.

I first joined a forum about 20 odd years ago to make a comment in the computer department. I was new to computers back then and very keen on the workings of them and the Internet. I eventually became a Moderator in that section and then then also in the photographic section. There was also a Canadian forum I contributed to quite a bit.

In those days, I'd discuss the hind leg of a donkey if it was anything to do with computers and was a Moderator on a couple of other forums.

I got tired eventually and turned down the modships. I'm really not the 'forummer' I used to be. I think a person can get a little forum-worn after 20 years and I'm just happy to read a few forums now and occasionally contribute.

I lived in Portugal 2001-2006 and during that time I was mod on an expat forum set up by a friend in Coimbra. They were good times, and I was one of the few Lisbon based members, providing info on news and events in the capital.

On returning to London, I rekindled my old Photography interest, getting my first digital camera. And for 3 or 4 years before joining OFF spent 90% of my internet time on photo forums.

You could say I was dragged here kicking n screaming, I was on Multiply for years and made a lot of good Cyber Friends and I was devastated when it closed down as I didn't want to join FB. A couple of my friends were already here and one of them kept on and on and on at me to join, I didn't want too at all, as I'd heard all sorts of horror stories about forums. But she sent me the link and said this was the only Site she now used and if I didn't join then it would be the parting of the ways. Soooo I joined and here I still am, but my friend she left a few years ago....HAH.

I enjoy discussions and chat and I've learned a lot from some members . I also laugh a lot at some comments .

It's nice to pop in and out and see what's happening

I started using forums when I survived cancer & having given up my business, thinking that I was going to die, I found I had some spare time.
Two sick cats made me need to be home most of the time ( one with diabetes & one with asthma) so the forums gave me somebody to chat to when friends & family were doing other things!
I was introduced to this site by Doc Holiday, a member of a previous forum, and found that once people got to know you it was easy to find people you got on well with. I am still here because, although there are times when I have lost interest, there are some of the long term members who still make me smile!

I'm on a few forums.
Shooting
Bikes
Knives
Ham Radio
Fountain pens

Good places to get info and chat about specific interests.
I was on the same DIY forum as Longdogs and JBR as well. It became too PC in the end and I got fed up.
JBR also pointed me to this one.......

I started on the Age Concern site just after I lost my wife but after a few years on there and making many friends (some of whom I'm still in contact with) the site became contaminated by trolls infesting each thread and making it impossible for people to post any more.

I then joined A N Other site (which I still post on very occasionally) but chose to leave when the moderation of the site by two mods in particular became too draconian - you couldn't pass any comment that they considered too controversial or use any (very) mild swear words.

I was invited here by a good friend from Cheshire, A Lancastrian I grant you, but a friend nevertheless. The mods on here are so much better and are more tolerant of minor misdemeanour's and only clamp down when necessary as should be the case. It's a friendly place by and large so do most of my posting here. Besides, I'm a hairs-breadth away from victory on the LTP thread and there's no way I'm leaving until victory or death is mine.

Like some other members I wandered into Saga by accident and enjoyed the topics and banter. When it closed I bummed around a few other forums but found they lacked sincerity and I never really got my feet under the table of any of them.

I did a stint on FB but it was a job keeping up with the many friends and friends of friends, so shielding my eyes from the bright sunshine outside I left the site and stepped into the world so sadly neglected since discovering social media sites.

Being retired and a 'Billy no Mates' I missed talking to folk (Mrs Fox has heard all of my jokes and adventures) so checked out a couple of over fifties forums. This one felt like a comfortable pair of slippers with real caring and interesting people.

If this site ever closes I will join a monastery and never speak to anyone ever again....

Hi

Boredom and loneliness.

I have made some lovely friends on here, met some, phoned some, email with some.

All lovely people and it makes life so much better.

I could not find a backum to join.😁

I joined the forum to find new cyber friends. I lost my wife almost eleven years ago and find life very lonely. I have four children who all live within a few miles of me but I very rarely hear from or see any of them. I have four great grand children who are all in their teens and I have never seen.
I have only ever left one forum because I was being pestered by lonely females looking for a partner. I am not looking for romance. I have a hard enough job looking for my socks when I get out of bed each morning let alone romance.
As for the 'games' I very rarely take part but love reading some of the posts on them and find most very amusing. Keep them going.!!

I joined this forum - My first one ever - For very simple reasons. I have a close and happy family but have lost touch with many of my old friends. I just wanted to meet some people and get involved in some good chats with some nice people. No ulterior motives or hidden agendas. Not looking to "hook up" with anybody. THat's it.