BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat

Subject: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: GUEST,thread junkie
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 09:29 AM

Hi

I'm a mudcatter. I'm addicted. anyone else in this position? Strangely, I've always known the potential for me to be addicted, but this is the first time, in several decades of living, that something has taken over to the point where I miss food, sleep, other activities (like real music) and work. not that I'm bagging mudcat.

I've been looking, and have attached some information, for anyone else who might be doing the same thing.

Sleepless in Cyberspace..

psychcentral.com/netaddiction/ - provides links to a number of interesting articles and sites about internet addiction.


One link is to someone who has some interesting theories about brain use and alertness, at this site:

http://pages.prodigy.net/unohu/theories.htm

He says a person's arousal may be increased by participating in activities which involve vigilance. Apparently the sorting and classifying of information, and of others responses to your own responses, may do this. If the information is not familiar and is confusing, threatening, or overwhelming , a different brain process is engaged which includes arousal, frontal organization and vigilance (the information will be processed until it is understood)."

Another link talks about the effects:
webpages.charter.net/stormking/iad.html

.. the nature of addiction is to continue to pursue the initial excitement one received, at the risk of other social involvement's and responsibilities.   ... "If all computer-mediated communication systems can be said to have one single unifying effect upon human behavior it is that usage tends to cause the user to become less inhibited." . Judgments of others in this virtual social setting, made without the normal sensual clues, can consist of distorted, emotionally laden projections, and can be communicated without the normal constraints imposed by the need to maintain social order. This is a naturally exciting, stimulating and reinforcing aspect of Internet communications...

Well, what do you know. Happy reading!

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 09:39 AM

so this vile, vicious, scurrulious rumour raises its head once again? The mudcat is NOT addictive. Why, look at me! I can give it up anytime I want. Really.

16,354 posts in less then 6 years really isn't addicted, now is it? That's only about 2725 posts a year - and THAT works out to only 227 posts a month or 7.9 posts a day. Under eight posts a day can't be called addicted now, can it?

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 09:51 AM

The problem is the terrible withdrawal symptoms when the cat goes down - has anyone come up with a "patch" you can wear when it happens.

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Amos
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 10:05 AM

A Cat Patch? Don't spread the word -- it would be a boon for CHinese restaurants everywhere.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Allan C.
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 10:12 AM

I have given it up for minutes at a time!

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 11:08 AM

I have given up the Mudcat as of now....

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 11:09 AM

And I have given it up again...

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 11:12 AM

.. and yet again! See - I'm not addicted to the Mudcat!

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 11:19 AM

I have found that after my e-mail check, it's an automatic second click. I figure I'm ok until it becomes my homesite...CAN it be my homesite??

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 11:23 AM

yes. it was mine for years -

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 11:34 AM

My most serious concern is that mudcat is the only home page I've ever had up - once I learned how to turn off MSN. Where would I go if ...

About the only other places I go regularly are my bank accounts or ARC, and a "table of contents" doesn't talk back. B.O.R.I.N.G.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: greg stephens
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 11:50 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: el ted
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 11:53 AM

I didn't want to post to this thread because that makes me a saddo addict dunnit?

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 12:05 PM

You'll all have to come to the MA (Mudcatters Unanimous) meeting to be held at Barrow-Upon-Humber over the May Bank Holiday weekend - see here, for treatment.

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: okthen
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 12:12 PM

Thread junkie, you make one more of us and one less of them, today Folkies, tomorrow the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: open mike
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 12:40 PM

Here is where to go when the mud cat is down if you are feeling the jitters coming on--the mud
cat methadone clinic can be found at this chat site...there is also an annexe place with a forum list they are both started and run by Jon and Pip Freeman. bookmark the site now cuz when the cat is down you will not be able to get to this thread!

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: open mike
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 12:49 PM

yes you can have mudcat as your home page...
the place to do that on my browser, netscape,
is under "edit" and "preferences" you can have
the cat open when you click on your browser.

and i do not see to be able to get jon banjo's
annex page to open right now...though the chat
room at folk info seems to be there..

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Amos
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 01:07 PM

This seems like a virtual addiction because it involves a virtual community. Do not be fooled. The community may be virtual, but the addiction is quite real.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 01:08 PM

If you get yourself a little resealable bag, and fill it with Kitty Litter, you can carry it round in your pocket or bag [purse] The when you get withdrawal symptoms, you can open it up and sniff it. It is best to use fresh Kitty Litter for this. There is also the added bonus, that if you get caught short or leak unexpectedly when you sneeze, it will help absorb any excess moisture.
See, two problems solved at once; pure dead brilliant so it is.
John

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 01:23 PM

big difference between an addict and an afficinado I have posted and read here for over 7 years now, but do not engage in compulsive posting just to be posting that 'some' do....(mostly...*grin*)

I no longer am able to read most threads as I once did, and the musical questions are usually answered by those more knowledgeable than I before I get there....but BOY would I hate to not have access to this amazing place! Besides, it has made our 'local' annual party, the FSGW Getaway an international event.

Those of you who are relatively new can barely imagine the growing pains as Max & Jeff and Joe & others worked to get the system (both software & 'humanware' tweaked and adjusted!

Viva Mudcat!

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: jacqui.c
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 01:48 PM

Long may it live! I've been home recovering from operations over the past four months and, yes, the addiction is now full blown. A day without Mudcat is......... impossible.

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 07:19 PM

I thought I posted to this thread yesterday but my cogent comment is nowhere to be found. I guess that means that Mudcat doesn't exist in the universe I posted, or maybe there is no Charley Noble...

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 07:19 PM

Whew!

CN

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Joybell
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 07:30 PM

This is the FIRST place I come to when I wake up. Amazing how quickly the addiction works on you. Isn't it nice that the adds at the bottom here give us possible cures. What if we get cured and the adds won't work any more. Wow! I see that I can even GROW my brain! Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Amos
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 07:35 PM

Charlie:

About your lost post--look for rmuffled squeaks in the furniture, or strange moans from the wainscoting; your post probably slipped between the nodes in the grapevine of possible universes, and is out there trying to desperately to show up in its proper place. I doubt it will succeed, because usually posts are fairly low-energy affairs, as a rule, but you may surprise us!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 09:04 PM

Are poltergeists just posts that somehow slipped Between and are trying to get back, Amos? It would certainly explain a lot.

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 09:59 PM

Amos and Rapaire-

The next came in was a sock troll
Whose dress was exceedingly droll,
Whose dress was exceedingly droll,
When he joined in the jovial crew
For he was attired in socks he'd snatched,
Argyle, stripped, and some was patched,
And not a single one did match,
When Jones' Ale was new, me boys,
When Jones' Ale was new!

The thread troll has obviously been busy as well!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Amos
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 10:11 PM

A SOCK troll? What the hell is this, the Miss Francis Hour?

The next to appear was a scrotum shark
And he was exceeding grim and dark
And he was exceeding grim and dark
And terrorized the crew!
For everyone knew just what he was,
And felt fast shrinkage amongst the fuzz
'Til ye couldna tell where a scrotum was!
When Jones' Ale was new, me boys!
When Jones' Ale was new!

I figger if you're gonne be inventing fantastic critturs, why not a scrotum shark, eh??

A

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: BK Lick
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:43 AM

open mike—

That link leads to a broken page (it has no opening html or head tags). But http://www.folkinfo.org/ leads to the Folkinfo discussion forum.

          —BK

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: BK Lick
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:47 AM

...meant to say (it has no opening html or body tags).

          —BK

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 04:05 AM

That's it Charlie, it's been sent home in a 'body tag' !
John

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: open mike
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 05:05 AM

well, the link i posted leads me to the chat page specifically
which is where i intended people to go. http://www.folkinfo.org/chat.asp

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 08:08 AM

Amos-

A "scrotum shark," a truly scary thought! We may want to start a "New Verses to Jones' Ale" thread. I coined this verse for a benefit for the Kennebunk Firefighters Auxillary a few years ago:

The next came in was a firefighter,
And there was no one brighter,
Yes, there was no one brighter,
For to join in the jovial crew;
And he hauled out his nozzle with all his might,
And it was a totally awesome sight,
And the landlady's daughter squealed in delight,
When Jones' Ale was new, me boys,
When Jones' Ale was new!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 08:35 AM

I now have created a Room on Paltalk, similar to the one run by open Mike. Look for the word "foolestroupe" in the name :-)

When is it open? By prior arrangement - PM me, etc. It might be nice if Aussies wanted to access this room on a regular basis - we can start a thread to discuss it if you want...

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: GUEST,The Walrus and the Mudcatter
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 08:42 AM

The light was shining from the screen,
Shining with all its might:
It did its very best to make
The chat room smooth and bright --
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the light
Had got no business to be on
in the darkest dead of night--
'It's bloody rude of him.' she said,
'To shine so very bright!'

The computer was on as on could be,
The modem never dead.
You could not see a book, because
No book was being read:
Only the patter of little keys--
and the nodding of a head.

The Walrus and the Mudcatter
Were snooping through the posts:
They wept like anything to see
addicted cyber ghosts:
"I want to read it all they said,'
such jovial Mudcat hosts'

'If seven nerds with seven mouses
Mined it for half a year,
Do you suppose,' the Walrus said,
'That they could get it clear?'
'l doubt it,' said the Mudcatter,
And shed a bitter tear.

'O chatters, come and walk with us!
The Walrus did invite.
'A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
throughout the cyber night:
We cannot chat with more than four,
Twill be a cyber fight.'

The eldest Catter looked at him,
But never a word he said:
The eldest Catter winked his eye,
And shook his heavy head --
Meaning to say he did not choose
To get up out of bed.

Out four young Chatters hurried up.
All eager for the treat:
Their modems brushed, their keyboards washed,
Their fingers clean and neat --
And this was odd, because, you know,
They coulnt sing in beat.

Four other Chatters followed them,
And yet another four;
And thick and fast they came at last,
And more, and more, and more --
All hopping through the cyber waves,
And scrambling for more.

The Walrus and the Carpenter
Snooped on a mile or so,
And then they rested on a thread
Conveniently low:
And all the little Catters stood
And waited in a row.

'The time has come,' the Walrus said,
'To talk of many things:
Of Shatner -- Bob-- and healing wax --
Of mudcatters -- and things --
And why the screen is always on--
And roasted buffalo wings.'

'But wait a bit,' the Catters cried,
'Before we have our chat;
For some of us are out of breath,
And all of us are fat!'
'No hurry!' said our Pene Azul.
They thanked him much for that.

'A loaf of thought,' the Walrus said,
'Is what we chiefly need:
poems and limericks besides
Are very good indeed --
Now, if you're ready, Catters dear,
We can begin to read.'

'But not of us!' the Catters cried,
Turning a little blue.
'After such kindness, that would be
A trollish thing to do!'
'The night is fine,' the Walrus said,
What else is there to do?'

'It was so kind of you to come!
And you are very nice!'
The Mudcatters said nothing but
'Tell us another one -
Youve gone and made our mud threads drift-
now theyre no longer fun!'

'It seems a shame,' the Walrus said,
'To play them such a trick.
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!'
The Mudcatter said nothing but
'The irony's spread too thick!'

'I weep for you,'the Walrus said:
'I deeply sympathize.'
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.

'O catters,' said the computer screen,
'You've had a pleasant run!
Shall you be trotting home again?'
But answer came there none --
And this was scarcely odd, because
The catters were not done.

Lewis F. Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 08:46 AM

The sure sign of mudcat addiction is when people post messages here aimed at organisations which have their own discussion boards. (See Mike Harding thread as an example)

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 08:55 AM

JAYSUS KAYRICED AMOS!

@#$%^^&*&(^&^$&%#$&^()^

scrotum shark?!?!?!

talk about nightmare inducing!

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Amos
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 08:58 AM

Nice job, Lewis!! Thoroughly grumbly!!

Charly, didn't we have such a thread last year?

A

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: freda underhill
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 09:03 AM

tar, Amos

Lewis F underhill

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 11:01 AM

BRAVO BRAVISSIMO!..XX..E

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 11:03 AM

IS there any Virtue in being addicted ?

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Amos
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 11:09 AM

Well, if you're addicted to high-class things, it shows you are at least weak in the right areas!! LOL!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 05:02 PM

Very nice, Guest Lewis!

Here's a link to the old thread I started 3 years ago looking for new verses to "When Jones' Ale Was New":Click here!

More verses would be welcome!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: GUEST,thread junkie
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 11:14 AM

Well, thought I'd check in and let you know that I found a good solution to the Cat addiction (tried the Kitty Litter, Bill, but, somehow it didnt seem to work, and my friends started giving me strange looks), and that is, after reading all the threads about not being guilty today, I have decided not to feel guilty about it.

T.J.

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 11:25 AM

It's a habit. Habits aren't easy to break. You have to get inspired...or desperate.

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Amos
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 11:44 AM

Well, life is a habit. To my way of thinking the Mudcat is part of life. Good conversation, banter, analysis, dialogue, love of things musical, and so on -- all are sure signs of life. That's why I keep coming back.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: GUEST,Fieldvole
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 05:08 PM

AND MANY THANKS TO MAX, JOE, JEFF AND ALL OTHERS FOR GIVING IT TO US!!

THANKS

Fieldvole

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 09:42 PM

... and don't forget Joe can be very generous. We're all human though... even us Fools...

The Assembled Cast of The Fooles Troupe.

Subject: RE: BS: Virtually Addicted to Mudcat
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 11:20 PM

Yep..I'm addicted..and happily so. Mudcat has made a huge difference in my life..don't ever want to be without it!

LL