How to write a comment to a thread when the original topic of the thread seems to have been lost in the morass of one sentence (or less) replies.

Is there a way for newcomers like myself to realistically participate in discussions with other members who have been around since the forum’s inception?

As a newbie to the forum and also to the world of actually discussing the life I lead in a chastity belt, I confess to great ignorance compared to others who have been on this forum since its inception. I am unfamiliar with the many nuances of forum chat and I suppose I misunderstand the intent of others, even though English is my mother tongue.

For instance, I thought 24/7 meant I live permanently in my chastity belt with no access to its keys. To me it was obvious that releases for cleaning, or releases for my partner to β€œuse me” (which truly sounds horrible and nothing like the loving, sensuous act it is), do not count. I am never released outside of her presence so in a real sense all my releases are supervised. And when released I may only touch myself with her permission (usually never! πŸ˜… ).
Now, I learn on https://unwedchastity.org/d/449-other-ways-to-endure/13 from Tobbe that 24/7 means essentially that a belt or device is virtually welded permanently closed!

Even worse perhaps I am an inferior member of the β€œchastity club” since I possess two sets of keys for my belt. Some may think I have β€œfree access”. Actually, both sets of keys are in little boxes that are wax sealed so that were I to open them it would be immediately obvious to my partner. One set is in the glove box of my car, the other is in my handbag. They are obviously for emergencies and were a condition imposed by my partner when she first accepted my keys. So far, thankfully, I have never used them, though I suppose in idle moments I have been tempted – smiles.

I am also sensitive to the notion that others who admittedly have much less choice than me, may see my chastity as some sort of sex toy or fetish. I admit there is some element of excitement to be locked up by another person, but to imagine that that is all there is; cheapens it. My wearing of my belt is a very real act of devotion, love and a pact that we happen to believe is much stronger than even wedding vows. We have been together long before it was fashionable for same sex couples to wed and in fact, the symbolism of my belt is much stronger than that of the finger rings, we have both worn for years. I truly believe our relationship of over thirty-five years together is stronger than many marriages of today.

The thing is, I find it difficult to find my way around the forum. Long standing members are familiar with most threads including active and non-active, and have a memory of the topics and threads from when it all started. The only way for me to compete would be to go an read every thread and topic since inception. Admittedly there would be less chance I make a fool of myself or ask a question that has been (probably) answered many times before in the deepest darkest corners of a thread. But is that really what it takes or is there a simpler way?

My hat is off to the admin team that moderate these threads but clearly, for newcomers like myself, though we have great enthusiasm to join in the various topics, long threads with hundreds of posts are difficult to follow. Comments near the end of a thread seem to be either very short sentences or even incomplete sentences. These are extremely hard to follow (especially for an old person like me that was not brought up on short β€œtweets” lol). I also admit to great difficulty trying to understand posts by members that contain multiple quotes by others, in seemingly random order, with one sentence (or even less) replies that do not contain any context at all. Is it any really wonder there are so many off topic posts?

So my simple questions is: Is there something I am missing? Is there an easier way for me to contribute something without appearing foolish?

    Foxies These are extremely hard to follow (especially for an old person like me that was not brought up on short β€œtweets” lol). I also admit to great difficulty trying to understand posts by members ... with one sentence (or even less) replies that do not contain any context at all.

    Amen. I could not agree more.

    Foxies Is there an easier way for me to contribute something without appearing foolish?

    The moderation in this forum is almost a impossible mission, but I do not give up myself.
    Foxies, the best way is going to first message, the opening one.
    The most of post, are derivative, and sometimes are not very related to thread.
    Do not worry, you will not seem silly at all.
    Here we stay real users, some more fantastic ones, and even we have our trolls.
    You will learn to identify all them quickly.
    Even if you have some question about background of some user, do not hesitate in ask.

      Foxies and I suppose I misunderstand the intent of others, even though English is my mother tongue

      You should try to guess if something is not clear

      Foxies For instance, I thought 24/7 meant I live permanently in my chastity belt with no access to its keys.

      You thought was right

      Foxies I also admit to great difficulty trying to understand posts by members that contain multiple quotes by others, in seemingly random order, with one sentence (or even less) replies that do not contain any context at all.

      You can always click to where the citation comes from. I know sometimes it might not work due to splits and merges

      Foxies Is it any really wonder there are so many off topic posts?

      Agree with your criticism, I try to clean the topics, but don't have enough time for it

      Foxies Admittedly there would be less chance I make a fool of myself or ask a question that has been (probably) answered many times before in the deepest darkest corners of a thread.

      Nothing wrong with it if you can't find an answer to your question buried among topics and posts. I started summarizing it in pages like F.A.Q, but didn't finish

      Foxies Is there something I am missing?

      Yes. Tags. They would help you to find right topics.

      Foxies Is there an easier way for me to contribute something without appearing foolish?

      Either reply to a topic or create new one. In last case I will combine if a similar topic exists already

        Foxies Comments near the end of a thread seem to be either very short sentences or even incomplete sentences.

        You can see it on any active forum.

        Foxies especially for an old person like me that was not brought up on short β€œtweets” lol

        It started much earlier than the twitter. If you are so old you should remember lockmeup or jthor forums.

          Renita

          Renita You can see it on any active forum.

          As you (and Laura - smiles) demonstrate. (Please forgive my amusement lol)

          Unfortunately I do not know of, and never visited "Jan Thor's forum" though this is not too surprising since I never explored anything to do with chastity belts on my own on the internet until fairly recently. I was just too busy with my career until I retired. In fact I never heard of chastity belts in any real sense until I read about them in one of my partners novels. I had heard of the middle ages fantasy things but didn't know of any "reality" until she showed me a picture she had seen and how she used it in a story.

          Although I have used the internet for years, its use was really only related to preliminary research in my field of study, and oh yes ... online shopping smiles. I have never been active on social media, chats or forums. It was only because my partner wished me to start making use of the thigh bands that came with my belt, that had remained unused until just recently, that I found this forum where some members have direct experience of their use. Obviously I am unused to forums in general and I admit to difficulty in navigating the maze of comments.

          I have seen references to a Mister Poll here but I have no idea what that is either 🀣 . And is this Jan Thor forum still active? I suppose I should go an look πŸ˜… .

          So much to read, so little time - smiles

            Foxies I have seen references to a Mister Poll here but I have no idea what that is either

            The single topic at misterpoll.com where we talked before
            https://www.misterpoll.com/forums/296929/topics/290755

            Foxies And is this Jan Thor forum still active?

            http://www.janthor.com/
            I never saw it working, but @Renita did

            Foxies I suppose I should go an look

            You might want to take a look at Renita's collection

              Foxies that 24/7 means essentially that a belt or device is virtually welded permanently closed!

              24/7 means the time without orgasm, anything else would be bad for your health

              Foxies So my simple questions is: Is there something I am missing? Is there an easier way for me to contribute something without appearing foolish?

              well, your question was so long now that i probably didn't understand it completely. I would advise you to read the beginning and the end (the last 10 to 20 posts) per topic, then you will know roughly what it is about and you should be able to participate in discussions. πŸ™‚

                Angelina 24/7 means the time without orgasm, anything else would be bad for your health

                Exactly. Nobody wears this really 24/7. I think everybody needs to be unbelted at least weekly, but this doesn't mean an orgasm.

                  Sara2001

                  right, phew i just get a slight shiver at the thought of how the 24/7 wearing of the belt would affect hygiene, yuck πŸ˜‚

                  Foxies

                  You seems to use the chastity belt in a very romantic and loving way,and use it to make your relationship with your girlfriend even better;I think it is an interesting way to use it.

                  About the forum,don't worry.I agree,there is a lot of off-topics,but it doesn't meant you have to read everything;you can simply post your questions or thoughts.Sometimes,we could tell you it has already been explained,especially when we haven't much time to explain something again,but often,you would get an answer.

                  You can read old topics if you want to have more information on a specific subject,but it is not needed for participating.πŸ™‚

                  For the quotes,I often use it;I agree the posts I quote should be read first to understand better what I wrote,but I think it is easier to know what points of another posts I answer.

                  Ines Foxies, the best way is going to first message, the opening one.

                  Yes,she can re-focus the talk based on the title and opening message too.

                  Laura You thought was right

                  I agree.

                  Angelina well, your question was so long now that i probably didn't understand it completely. I would advise you to read the beginning and the end (the last 10 to 20 posts) per topic, then you will know roughly what it is about and you should be able to participate in discussions. πŸ™‚

                  However,the subject of the first posts and the last post,when she would read it can be very different!πŸ˜‰

                  Sara2001

                  Right.

                    Vanessa However,the subject of the first posts and the last post,when she would read it can be very different!πŸ˜‰

                    that's true, but so she can see what the topic is actually about and what the current state of the discussion is πŸ™‚

                      Angelina that's true, but so she can see what the topic is actually about and what the current state of the discussion is πŸ™‚

                      Right,there is a often a lot of off-topics!

                        Vanessa Right,there is a often a lot of off-topics!

                        i wonder anyway why we have one offtopic and one just chatting but yes πŸ˜‰

                          Angelina

                          I wondered the same,these are very similar topics!πŸ˜‰

                          Even if this one seems a bit more related to chastity and board than the "just chatting" one.

                            Vanessa Even if this one seems a bit more related to chastity and board than the "just chatting" one.

                            well, currently the offtopic conversations have more to do with cooking recipes. πŸ˜‚

                              I started this thread, but have no idea what the original question was 🀣 But while we are on recipes, anyone have a good one for a really strongly alcoholic Christmas pudding? Lol