I agree with one of the previous posters that this is "the QUILTER'S Message Board. That being said, isn't the definition of General Chit-Chat that it is for NON-QUILTING related posts? If all you are interested in is Quilting, and you don't want to read non-quilting related posts, DON'T GO THERE!
I can see your point about many of the posts, especially such as "cute story" and the joke of the day. If those were coming into your e-mail inbox, you would have them sent directly to your spam folder. But some people evidently like them, and sometimes they are fun to read, so how about a separate folder under General Chit Chat called "Joke of the Day" or some such thing. Or, if you really like to post jokes and funny stories, post THEM in your diary section. Your friends will know where to look for them, and if you want to tell an off-color joke there, no one can object.
I do like the Diary section, and believe that it is a good place for us to be random, perhaps a little pithy, and express personal random opinions or tell personal stories or exchange information. There is a member who just got a new machine, and one of her board friends is teaching her how to use it. And NO, it is not a TUTE, it is an "OK, what next".
As far as news posts go, we all are aware that Farrah Fawcett/Michael Jackson/Cronkite and Elvis are dead, and Reuters and the AP do much better reporting.
I believe that much of the "complaining" has been that one person is responsible for determining if something is of "General" or Personal Interest based on their interests and beliefs, and that the rules are not being equally applied. I LOVE seeing barnbums postings about her foals, and based on the number of views and responses it is obvious that a whole lot of other people do to. I WANT to see photos of Guam and Spain and France and Australia and some beautiful places here in the U.S. I believe those, too are of general interest, but don't take my word for it, just look at the numbers of views and responses those posts get.
And that leads me to "bumping". I had never even heard the term before I read your post, Admin. And frankly, with all due respect, I think you are completely wrong. Sure sometimes people post only one word. Or even a smiley. But not to bump (reminds me of an old song). It is because SOMETIMES either that one word or smiley is enough to convey what they mean, or perhaps pretty much everything superlative has already been said/posted about that pretty quilt, but you want to let the poster know that you saw it and liked it, so one word will do. Or maybe it's because you really don't like the colors/pattern/workmanship/etc. but you know that the person did their best and you just want to be encouraging without gushing or lying. Or maybe, the post is an old one that you missed the first time and just found, or one that you are revisiting and now want to comment on.
Just my never to be humble opinion. Thanks for listening.
Thank you for all you do for the Board. Managing anything with a bunch of women is like herding cats, and we DO appreciate your efforts.