Why are you still Here?

[░▓░]

Considering the multiple reincarnations this site has had (i.e. Bolt, Bolt2, Boltagain) and losing most of it's user base and features, why do any of you continue to go to this site? Expecting things to improve? Currently enjoying the low key atmosphere? What brings you back here?

[sapphireplatinm]

Nostalgia, basically, as others have said. Why? The original Bolt was ahead of its time. It was a social network before the term "social network" existed. Nowadays, everyone and their mother is on Facebook, and personally, I deleted mine almost a year ago and said good riddance. I liked (and still do?) Bolt so much better in so many ways. I don't know about some people, but I don't go on the Internet at the end of a long day to be inundated by everyone from my "real" life's status updates about what they're making for dinner and pictures of their kids and dogs, etc. I have to ask myself what happened to the days when people were actually a little bit cautious about what they broadcasted over the Internet. When you went online, you had a screen name, you might have pictures, but not everyone had a scanner so it wasn't a necessity. You actually had some degree of anonymity, allowing you to express yourself in ways that would be considered inappropriate around people like your boss and coworkers, your aunt, etc.
Also, I had some very interesting and beneficial conversations with people online whom I might not have given a chance even if I did meet them in person. It removes the judging based on looks that we are all subject to doing to people and having done to us.
Also, I did notice one person from the original bolt that it would be cool to get back in touch with, but I don't think he's logged in in a long time and didn't see my friend request.
Basically, my coming back to Bolt when it has long lost most of its user base as you said, and seems a bit odd or even anachronistic on the present day World Wide Web is just an expression of my free choice to do what I want, even, and sometimes especially, when it isn't considered what is "in" or what most people are doing.

[sapphireplatinm]

Also, I forgot to add that I agree with DontGiveACareBear and others that the closing of Bolt caught me off guard. What I really would've saved would've been my journal. Thinking of how much I would like to still have it almost makes me cry. lol. Although I wonder how many other people have read all about my teenage angst and if anyone actually gave a damn.

[Angela Smith]

I'm hoping they get back to their roots, though I'm not sure if any of the original creators are even a part of this. It still needs a lot of work though.

[Abel Christian (Jaberwocky)]

the link from an e-mail

[Jennitron 5000]

I just came back, after a LONNGG hiatus.. i see that the place was shut down again. I really was only active during OLD school bolt; like 1999 Bolt. It was such a place of comfort for me, i met one of my best online friends there and we still talk today. I was going through a tough time and Bolt's awesome members helped me through it. Like everyone else, i want old school Bolt features back like the tag boards i think they were called. Anyway.. i am going to try my best to stick around this time. :D

[Dagera]

I have to agree with Jennitron!
I was on around that same time and what kept me coming back were the members, oh, what I wouldn't do to get my friends list back! I wasn't well-known outside my own little group and the few people I flamed with from time to time. Shit even flame warring was funner back then! You got your frustrations out and moved on or created another account and forgot about that or stalked them until they changed accounts, whatever!
Bolt was the great escape for me. I didn't have to be my shitty self on Bolt. I was a different personality, a different character (Dagera), that I would become when I logged on. Then I started going on so often I got used to being that character even offline. I really learned how to communicate and interact with people on Bolt, as crazy as that sounds!

The memories I have of this site are invaluable, this was my haven. It was for many people and alot of those people are still here and thats what brings me back. There's still so much this could be again and I haven't lost faith! Of course it could never be the exact site it was. Are any of us still the same people we were over a decade ago? It needs to grow and change but not forget what made it fun: tagbooks, badges, chats. There was so much stuff to do. The badges made it so you felt like you were achieving something every time you logged onto Bolt. There was something to 'work for' and then show off when you got it! Member of the Day made people go "Grr! Stupid blah blah I'm cooler than them that should be me!" and then made ppl go off and try to be more active. Tagbooks were little erm "tagbooks" instead of discussion threads (I honestly miss those ALOT!). There were funny poll questions, quizzes, quotes to make fun of, and customization galore if ya knew what tags to put in! Personally, I miss the profile stuff and yes even the honey prof. The old Bolt actually motivated me to learn html and css.

I do believe we can resurrect this site into something great again but it gotta be a huge joint effort! More things to do and people coming back often and actually doing stuff. Reminiscing is great but there's no moving forward when we're stuck in memories. Here's to the effort! CHEERS!

[Curious George]

I think the original Bolt was hosted by another service provider before Ning.

  said:

Is it actually the oldest social site?

I realize that information is a few clicks away, but lets pretend there is no Google and talk about it instead.

[Curious George]

I'm just glad I'm not that chair...

Meow said:

[Knickletits]

I'm not.

[Medicine Lady]

Satan told me so.

[ETPhoneHome]

Because I refuse to let go of my youth!

[Ms Lovely]

I guess im always hoping they've gone back to the old ways and just start using the old site set up again I feel like everyone misses it and wants it back bolt was the original before myspace before facebook before mass texting and smart phones it was a way for people to connect make friends and feel good and I miss it dearly