Has this forum had its day ?

SpottyDog5

SpottyDog5

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I have been on this forum for around 12 years now, although I don't visit or post as much as I used to.
About 5 and half hours ago I posted requesting some advice on a bow thruster issue and got one response ( thanks VAS) at the same time I copied and posted the same on facebook and have a much
better response with detailed tests to carry out and even offers to come and have a look.

Maybe this forum has outlived its usefulness?
 
I wouldn't be so critical - remember that it is Boxing Day, and many folk are probably under strict orders to stay away from their computers and phones, and instead focus attention on entertaining / putting up with In-Laws and Outlaws.
Did you ask the same question in a Group on Facebook (if so, which group?) or just amongst your friends on there?
 
Back in the day, it used to be really busy on here over Xmas! but maybe that's a different story ;)
I just posed the question with my facebook friends, quite a few are made up from friends I got, by chatting on here
over the years, so perhaps they have just migrated?
 
I have been around since 2002 and I think there is little doubt that the Forum is not what it was in its heyday. That is not to say that it has outlived it‘s usefulness by a long chalk though. The biggest shift was the introduction of the Lounge, which transformed a very lively place into something a lot different. Since then I guess the growth in social media has had an effect and the number of posts is less than it was. But that said, I find that questions usually get helpful responses and I still check in regularly and contribute when I can.

Perhaps contemporary expectations of all things being instant or as near as might be a factor? :)
 
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I wouldn't get too worked up about it - you might well find that the next time you ask a question you get a better response on here, and less so amongst your FB friends.
Very often it is 'luck of the draw' as to who sees a post, and more so as to if they are in a position to reply.
 
If my observations are correct, the people who actually have the practical experience and technical knowledge are more likely to be found on here plus be able to offer useful and correct advice to solve problems.
Been there and done that school of posters.
You may get heartwarming and enthusiastic responses on FB but judging from most of the vacuous tripe posted on there doubt that very much of it will turn into actual help or that many of them actually know what they are talking about.
Google cannot yet hold a set of spanners.
Very few people I would approach to for knowledgeable constructive advice on boats will be ever be found staring at a screen 24/7.
:)
 
It doesn’t help that the new platform is so sluggish and resource-hungry. I’m finding it such a nuisance to use that I tend to have a quick peek at thread titles and unless something instantly grabs my attention I migrate to somewhere more in tune with the world in 2020.
 
This forum and other boating forums may be relatively quiet over the winter .
It shouldn't be surprising that there are relatively few people looking on Boxing Day .
I had the day out with the chief officer (by car not by boat)- went for a short coastal walk followed by fish and chips late lunch overlooking the sea - almost boating.

You have few more replies to your enquiry now .:)
 
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Facebook does seem to be consuming large numbers of forums. Personally, I prefer the forum format to facebook, but from a forum owner's point of view I can see why many have migrated to Facebook. The trouble is, FB starts to interfere and lay down rules that don't always coincide with the groups aims. I was a member of one forum where livestock was sold or exchanged. This went to a FB group and then FB suddenly decided that no livestock could be advertised on its platform unless from a licensed business. Overnight this useful and very active group disappeared.

On the other hand, FB does allow you to say exactly what you think, and there are a few on here who need to hear some home truths :p. It's all done under actual names as well, which adds to the fun!

I see big businesses, like YBW, retaining their own forum to allow them to retain complete control, but many hobby group forums will end up on FB I reckon.
 
I am sorry if my post came across as a moan, I didn't mean it to seem that way, it was more of an observation.

I have always found the forum to be a great resource and met some great people along the way socially, which has enhanced by boating tremendously.
 
Greg2 said:
The biggest shift was the introduction of the Lounge, which transformed a very lively place into something a lot different.
Click to expand...
I have been around on this forum from nearly its beginning. Yes it was livelier before the advent of the Lounge but that was mainly because effectively the Mobo forum was the Lounge with many discussions that veered off wildly from boating into other areas of life. It was indeed a very freewheeling place with little or no moderation and that brings me to my point

Along with splitting the forums into ever smaller sub forums, something with which I never agreed, has come an overweening nanny state form of moderation which I'm sure has driven many forumites away. Nowadays the forums are moderated much like I imagine the Womens Institute forums are moderated with even the mildest of mild swear words that wouldnt raise an eyebrow on other forums resulting in a ban on this one

And yes the new structure of the forum doesnt help. It is indeed slow and unwieldy but I guess we'll get used to that
 
Personally I’ve had some fabulous advice from the members of this forum, also it is mostly a pillock free zone. For someone who is not a fan of social media it’s a helpful resource, if you want banter you can have it, if you want tech support you can get that also. It’s also a forum for all levels of boaters from the dream boat owners to the peeps with budget craft, and all talk together equally. ?
 
Deleted User said:
I have been around on this forum from nearly its beginning. Yes it was livelier before the advent of the Lounge but that was mainly because effectively the Mobo forum was the Lounge with many discussions that veered off wildly from boating into other areas of life. It was indeed a very freewheeling place with little or no moderation and that brings me to my point

Along with splitting the forums into ever smaller sub forums, something with which I never agreed, has come an overweening nanny state form of moderation which I'm sure has driven many forumites away. Nowadays the forums are moderated much like I imagine the Womens Institute forums are moderated with even the mildest of mild swear words that wouldnt raise an eyebrow on other forums resulting in a ban on this one

And yes the new structure of the forum doesnt help. It is indeed slow and unwieldy but I guess we'll get used to that
Click to expand...

the new software was simply replacing one system they seemed not to understand with another.
It was a missed opportunity as they should have fixed what they had ( the software was widely used so there is no issue with it other than they could not get it right ) or have done a true update to a modern platform.
 
Not slow on my PC.
May have 'had it's day' for seasoned and experienced sailors but for newbies, like my self, it is great. So much information and have had good replies to the few questions I have asked.
 
SpottyDog5 said:
Back in the day, it used to be really busy on here over Xmas! but maybe that's a different story ;)
I just posed the question with my facebook friends, quite a few are made up from friends I got, by chatting on here
over the years, so perhaps they have just migrated?
Click to expand...
SpottyDog5 said:
I have been on this forum for around 12 years now, although I don't visit or post as much as I used to.
About 5 and half hours ago I posted requesting some advice on a bow thruster issue and got one response ( thanks VAS) at the same time I copied and posted the same on facebook and have a much
better response with detailed tests to carry out and even offers to come and have a look.

Maybe this forum has outlived its usefulness?
Click to expand...
'Spotty' young fella me lad
See where yer comin from and all that
'F Book' other 'Social Media' etc
Facebook me gently, I 'see' enough of you on there!
Snot a problem by the way
I have learned So Much about welding things by the way
By the way the melting and fusing of Minds on here is So mutch more than on the Trivia that festeres Social Media
Here, for the most part, posts ideas, inputs etc are more sincere than on the brief (for the most part) remarks and 'quotations' we receive randomley on the Social Media
Plus,let me say
'Only about 12 years' You say You have been posting?
Bloody NewcomerM8!
Hey! I remember 'commandeerin' yer RIB t Cowes M8!
This Forai/Forum is a bit Special in my elderly eyes
I 'joined' because I had a boaty problem
The response was unbelievable
I aint Posted for a while
With regret in a way
But now I am and have freedom from a padded Cell
Junno
I just served swmbo with a prawn cocktail with portions of fresh lobster
She said
'Not as good as that Scampi an Chips yer did whilst at anchor in Llanddwyn Bay years ago!
Fookme gently
Without guidance at the Time
I didn't know where to anchor the boat
Peeps on the Forum told me!

r
 
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