Well, seeing as how the old schoolers thread (I'm really not that old school in the first place) sparked a bit of nostalgia from me, mostly about the TIF msn chats (Might be familiar to some), I got to thinking about the fact that I've been with TIF for about a third of my life so far. I realized that it's hard for something to be around you for so long and not impact you in some way, so of course I went down that trail of thought.

 

For me, I don't think I actually know what TIF has done for me/done to me. It's certainly the reason I consider myself so computer-literate. I remember spending nights playing Runescape, where the highlight wasn't the game, it was reading about the game on TIF, going through guides I'd never use because I wasn't going to make the jump to P2P. I was quite content to spend hours on end reading through the vast collection of articles, discussions, guides and just general gossip there was. Several times I'd be so immersed in the forum that I'd forget I was playing the game, only to come back to the login-screen. It's been years since I last played the game for any prolonged period of time, although I do on occasion make the odd visit, do a bit of woodcutting, maybe some mining or just check out the new features. Yet I'm still fairly active on TIF, probably more active than I was while still playing Runescape. I used to just be a reader, with the exception of the Bugs and Suggestions forum, which I loved. I actually find it hard to break myself away from the forum, something I tried for two weeks just last month. I found myself missing TIF, whether because I just have too much time on my hands, not enough motivation to stay away, or the community is that good.

 

To get to my actual point though, TIF has been a companion. There are some of you that I know quite well, but most of those people have since left, or simply dropped out of all contact as was one case. You've taught me a lot, both about myself and others. You (well, could specifically name who) showed me 4chan, which I do actually regret, as it's a pretty horrid place. Maybe if TIF hadn't existed, I would be interested in other careers, I would be better at sports, a person less inclined to procrastinate, more social. In fact, I believe all of those are actually true, and that TIF is part of the reason I have some unfavourable habits, but nonetheless I am happy with who I am. As far as I'm concerned, you helped me through my teenage years, and now I am the person I am today. Thank you, because without you I truly do not know who I might have been.

 

So I ask you: What have the TIF done for you, what impact have they made on your life, your person, yourself?

Personally, I don't feel as though TIF has affected me in any significant or recognisable way.

 

This is strange as I feel as though I browse quite a lot, and also because I began browsing at an age where I was easily influenced.

 

My character appears to have developed from the relationships that I have formed in real life, rather than the people that I have encountered on TIF - with perhaps one or two exceptions.

 

I'm not saying that TIF isn't a memorable or interesting community. I guess I'm just saying that my life wouldn't really be that much different if I hadn't decided to browse and post on these forums.

It did back in the day. I learned photoshop and got interested in photography because of The Gallery and I'm eternally grateful for that.

And Hiimben got me into pixelling (even though I ain't that good at it). He used to show me his wip's and I was like :o

 

tldr; (wut) Yes the ppl of tif taught me a lot, now I can move on to the next world.

As a regular user, I'm not sure that Tip.it has affected me very much. Although I suppose you could say that it has kept me connected to RuneScape although I no longer play. And RuneScape has continued to drive inspiration for artwork and other things... so maybe I wouldn't have those inspirations if I didn't maintain a presence in the Tip.it community after losing interest in the actual game?

 

But I am wondering if maybe working as a moderator has helped me mature more quickly than I normally would have. Of course I can't be certain, but from a young age I've had to work with people, many of whom were real idiots. Tip.it has exposed me to people doing and saying horrible things and attacking me just because of my status. I think that seeing these things made me realize that I really don't want to be someone like that and although I certainly wasn't nearly that bad, I think seeing worse people might have pulled me out of my "annoying, hormonal teenager" phase a little quicker than I otherwise would have. Furthermore, it also taught me that some things you really shouldn't take personally, even if they feel that way at the time.

 

And of course I met my amazing boyfriend via Tip.it, which has definitely affected me ;)

Personally, I don't feel as though TIF has affected me in any significant or recognisable way.

 

This is strange as I feel as though I browse quite a lot, and also because I began browsing at an age where I was easily influenced.

 

My character appears to have developed from the relationships that I have formed in real life, rather than the people that I have encountered on TIF - with perhaps one or two exceptions.

 

I'm not saying that TIF isn't a memorable or interesting community. I guess I'm just saying that my life wouldn't really be that much different if I hadn't decided to browse and post on these forums.

 

Yeah, I'd tend to agree. It's not like I've been around as long as some people, but I guess I haven't felt like I've changed at all since I've been using it.

A large portion of my active gaming time on these forums was spent in the Blogscape Forums, where the community was heavily centered on game-play. I learned several valuable lessons which I attribute to being a part of this community and playing Runescape. One of these was that many people are not to be trusted. When I played Runescape, as well as in other games and actual life, I reject advances from people I do not know. Someone attempting to get to know me will often be quickly judged and usually turned away. While I show respect, decency, and courtesy to many, genuine affection and care are given to a precious few, and welcoming a new person into that circle is a rare occasion.

 

Second, this community and game offered an amazing view of what is called Social Darwinism, survival of the fittest. I have respected merchants and "elitists" for a very long time. If you have the means to obtain a person's money/spawn/farming spot then do so, why deal with competition when it can be eliminated?

 

Finally I was given the chance to distinguish the difference between the time for work and the time for play. I set specific times for working towards goals, during which I would turn Private Chat Off, not reply to any messages and just grind towards my goal. I wanted something and I got it.

 

So this community changed me greatly. It made me more mature, driven towards success, goal oriented, somehow colder and friendlier at the same time, and how to acquire all this without forgetting those close to me. As a result, so far, my life has been a tremendous success. Thank you Tip.It, thank you.

TIF has been like the dog I never had

To keep it simple, TIF has been the guideline of maturity since I was 13. My fellow age group didn't get civilized until the 12th grade. >_>

To keep it simple, TIF has been the guideline of maturity since I was 13. My fellow age group didn't get civilized until the 12th grade. >_>

 

I think my friends need a few more years...

I learned some new words.

TIF has shown me the light in a dark, dark world.

 

Also, it showed me Minecraft and TF2.

TIF has shown me the light in a dark, dark world.

 

Also, it showed me Minecraft and TF2.

This.

 

To add to it, if it weren't for TIF, I would probably be the exact opposite of what I believe now. I'd be Catholic, I would still believe that terrorists attack is because "they're jealous of our freedom" (that's seriously what they taught us in 6th grade), and I wouldn't have probably my most valued belief, that one person does not have the right to interfere in the life of another because they don't like something that won't affect them.

I would be slightly less knowledgeable about some current events and I would have friends.

 

Pretty solid trade-off.

TIF has shown me the light in a dark, dark world.

 

Also, it showed me Minecraft and TF2. Dwarf Fortress.

This, with revisions. It gave me a new perspective and new friends.

 

Thanks, Silverion, for making this possible. :thumbup:

 

Thanks, Staff, for maintaining what makes this place awesome. :thumbup:

 

Thanks, Taverners, for being like a second family. :thumbsup:

Personally, I don't feel as though TIF has affected me in any significant or recognisable way.

 

This is strange as I feel as though I browse quite a lot, and also because I began browsing at an age where I was easily influenced.

 

My character appears to have developed from the relationships that I have formed in real life, rather than the people that I have encountered on TIF - with perhaps one or two exceptions.

 

I'm not saying that TIF isn't a memorable or interesting community. I guess I'm just saying that my life wouldn't really be that much different if I hadn't decided to browse and post on these forums.

 

I have to agree with you. It has been almost entirely people I personally know rather than the community that have determined most of my life, but TIF has affected little bits of me.

TIF has effected my typing speed and the way I construct sentences. I remember in the days I first started playing Runescape, I'd always speak in acronyms and not complete sentences. Now I tend to type more properly and more grammatically correct. :P Helps with assignments for sure considering it cuts the time in half from just typing alone. Plus occasional slip ups where you put "lol" on an essay rarely happen. :P

 

As for anything else? It has helped me approach Runescape a lot more efficiently. Instead of chopping yews for money, I found out other options of becoming P2P which opened a wide variety of options.

TIF has effected my typing speed and the way I construct sentences. I remember in the days I first started playing Runescape, I'd always speak in acronyms and not complete sentences. Now I tend to type more properly and more grammatically correct. :P Helps with assignments for sure considering it cuts the time in half from just typing alone. Plus occasional slip ups where you put "lol" on an essay rarely happen. :P

Basically, this.

 

I sort of have to thank the entire OT community for keeping me sane. I've learned so much from you guys, and this entire board has basically been my guideline for maturity since I was about 11 or 12. Needless to say, since I haven't said something stupid so far, I think it's quite a good one.

You guys are basically another family for me.

<3