Real. Beyond anything else - we are real people, living real lives. We're not running from reality as 'computer chatters' are so often accused of. Instead, we're defining it. We are students, adults, mothers, fathers, professionals - techie gods and school teachers. We are so normal, it's almost not worth defining it. If not for the perennial question of 'What is normalicy?' ;)

I'm being vague though. What 'The Burbs' is, is a talker. An internet chat site. A major distraction. ;) You can reach us via 'telnet,' an option in many ISP's today, as well as accessible by Windows '95 by choosing 'Run' and typing 'telnet.' Our address is Burbs.org our port is 4567. Our purpose is world domination. Either that, or just have a good time, we haven't really decided yet. ;)

We have about 1600 residents at the time of this page's creation (September, 1997). By 'residents', we mean people who frequent us so regularly that they have their own regular names (handles, logins, etc) on our talker. The majority of us are under 30 years old, though we (thankfully!) also have some older to lend us leverage when we become young, irresponsible generation-X'ers. =)

We have existed on the internet for.. three years now? First as a talker named 'City', and then later, the Burbs. The administration consist of myself (anDrea), and David. That doesn't mean much, except that we're the head-nutters to blame if something goes wrong. Who actually run our talker are the staff. Fifteen to thirty (depending on time of year and busy-ness) individuals who put a couple hours a day on our talker just making sure that it remains a safe, comfortable environment for people to come to.

Safe and comfortable - there's a politician's term. We won't lie to you, we're not angels. We're not an adult site, by ANY means, but we don't waste our time trying to assure that people don't 'curse' nor use obscenities. If it becomes excessive, as adults I think that's fairly determinable, then yes, we step in. But the occassional 'Hot DAMN I won the lottery' (*grin*) is acceptable. So if you're a parent, considering letting your 12-year old logon, I personally suggest you buy them a good book instead (or a new bike, or a new pair of rollerblades, or a new skateboard, or something!), and steer them clear of the Burbs for a few years.

By the same token, harrassment, abuse, attacks, and plain old rudeness isn't allowed either. Being a woman on the internet, I understand the need for sites that are not solely consisting of 'Hey baby, you wanna net.sex?' offers. We often wonder when these people will understand that 1) we can type four times as fast as them usually, and if their timing was as bad IRL as it is on the net, we can UNDERSTAND why they're logging on instead of going out, and 2) a typewritten 'ooooooh' or 'mmmmmm' can just as easily be inserted between conversations about a hot date we went on last week to our girlfriends, or (and worse), other conversations about what a dork this guy trying to net.sex us is, and what he's doing at that moment. Hehe.. so we curb those harrassers as much as possible, but what you chose to do in private is entirely up to you. We have no MEANS by which to snoop, sneak, or intrude upon personal conversations (thankfully!).

What 'type' of talker are we (excuse the bad pun)? I don't really know, to be quite honest. I think we're fun, laid-back, and kind of corny at times. We're dramatic - that can't be argued, and we're often referred to as the 'net's largest soap opera.' (*grin*, I hear the rumours. ;) ). But what's the point of life if it doesn't include a little scandal? ;) Honestly, the admin nor the staff have any control over what type of talker we are. It's all in the residents. They're to blame for our scandal! ;) Kidding. They're diverse, amazing, intelligent, funny, talented.. am I praising enough? I hope so, because we're all genuinely impressed by them.

But make up your own mind. Stop by and visit us yourself, and tell us how you like it. If you stick around, I'm sure you'll run into us eventually, and if you don't, well.. such is life. =)