Living in LoCo
Virtual IDs Meet Reality
Tammi Marcoullier at 10:28 a.m., November 15, 2007 (15 comments)
Correspondent Erica Garman joined the Broadlandshoa.org forum party Wednesday night and tells us all about the power posters of the local online community.
Last night at Café Panache in Broadlands, the virtual world met reality as the neighborhood's online forum regulars came to mingle in person. This was the group's third monthly happy hour.
Bob Tate (aka T8erman) serves on the HOA modifications committee and has organized the events. Why did he do it? "I'm a gregarious person. I have bantered with, argued with, and joked with these people. I said to myself, let's see how many people come out from anonymity."
Most people use anonymous monikers to identify themselves online. About 15 people stepped away from their monitors last night -- their covers blown.
Cliff Keirce (aka vacliff), Broadlands' HOA president, was there as were residents and new Entrée Vous owners Tamsen Ariganello (tamsenrigi) and John Reinhardt (doesn't post he said--must be a lurker). Also in attendance were afgm, msflynn, mamatothree, sharse, kaosdad, lee, and redon1.
Guess who you're talking to on the Broadlandshoa.org forums. (Photo/Garman)
So what brings people to these forums? "I love posting online because people get to know you for your thoughts," said redon1, who when not online goes by Rene Ventrice.
Lee, an active poster who lives in the Regency neighborhood of Ashburn, and T8erman both agreed that there's intellectual discussion on some community sites that you can't find elsewhere. "I really think the Internet greatly influenced the local election," Lee said. "It has become people's water cooler."
And how many people visit the Broadlands "water cooler?" According to Eric Bazerghi (aka Mr. Linux), who has served on Broadlands' tech committee since 2000, www.broadlandshoa.org averages somewhere between 25,000-55,000 visits a month -- mostly from Broadlands and Ashburn, of course, but also from regulars who log in from Europe and Asia.
Bazerghi says he typically volunteers about 10 hours a week to the web site. But he is devoting more time to the site now, as he's heavily involved in upgrading it to feature a new layout and better design.
The happy hour started winding down around 9:30 p.m. There were many real hugs, handshakes, and "See you next month!" as people said their good-byes -- something you just can't simulate online.
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Thank you for the nice article ladies!
Posted by t8erman (anonymous) on November 15, 2007 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the board stays alive because the people who frequent it truly care about the community, and often offer up workable solutions. thanks to the volunteers who keep the boards running smooth and free of the spam and pointless rambling, it's a productive place to socialize and learn about your neighborhood and mmake friends you otherwise would never have known... thanks for the great article and for joining us!
Posted by tttrenee (anonymous) on November 15, 2007 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did xcop show up????
Posted by chris.brancato (anonymous) on November 15, 2007 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe.
Posted by xcop (anonymous) on November 15, 2007 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe not.
Posted by xcop (anonymous) on November 15, 2007 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
no one cared if I was there???
Posted by cer10death (anonymous) on November 15, 2007 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cer10-
Xcop was outside Panache running one of his "checkpoints". Or was xcop checking out the shadiness going on at the Steakhouse? Always good to see the Broadlanders getting their drink on; especially Cliff.
Posted by stixnstones (anonymous) on November 15, 2007 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Erika,
Thank you for the article and the opportunity to comment on the Broadlands Forum. The originators of this forum and those that supported its development are visionaries. It is by fair the most unique community communicator I have ever seen. The numbers Mr. Linux sites are staggering. It truly is the new town square of this century and I give all the credit to Broadlands and the dedicated individuals who have supported this electronic avenue for dialog, discourse, information, opinion, fun and discussion. Bravo to Mr. Linux, hornerjo, Flynnibus, vacliff, et al. Broadlands Forum is a treasure to the Broadlands Homeowners Association and the surrounding community. Personally I thank you for allowing me to participate. Sincerely, AFGM
Posted by maravetz (anonymous) on November 15, 2007 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
stix...LOL
The only guy I know who brings a radar gun to bed. ;)
know what I mean???
Posted by cer10death (anonymous) on November 16, 2007 at 5:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh Stiks!
Forgot to tell you. It's time for our semi-annual festival that celebrates our freedoms and allows us to give thanks for our great country...
THE GUN SHOW IS THIS WEEKEND AT DULLES EXPO LAND!!! WHOOO HOO!!!!
xcop...you wanna come a long? I'm going on Saturday!
Posted by cer10death (anonymous) on November 16, 2007 at 5:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
'xcop...you wanna come a long?' Hi, my name is xcop. Apparently, we've never met. Yeah, I'm going.
Posted by xcop (anonymous) on November 16, 2007 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cer10 and Xcop
Are we going to tailgate in the parking lot before and after the gun show on Saturday? Guns and booze, what a great combination (country).
Posted by stixnstones (anonymous) on November 16, 2007 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
N.R.A. also stands for Nachos, Rifles and Alcohol. Seriously though, that's actually a pretty good idea. We can bring a little charcoal grill and a cooler with burgers and brats. After we eat we can toss a few rounds into the grill and see who chickens out and runs away first.
Posted by xcop (anonymous) on November 16, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm soooo in! Too bad we can't post pictures!
Posted by cer10death (anonymous) on November 16, 2007 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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