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Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 8:53 am
by Jimmyb
As you are aware I am new to this forum, and I do think there is "some" truth to the title of this thread. I have a number of pastimes, and most have (or had forums), and what is becoming apparent is a number of younger members move over to other forms of communication i.e. social media. I, personally do not like the social media platforms and do not indulge, and contrary to popular reports (in the west) their interest is waning, and i do think there will be a drift back to forums, however we have to make them interesting, but more importantly user friendly across the various forms they can be accessed from.
When I check out "new posts" I have a choice, click the heading and go to the first post, then click "first unread post", or click "last post" then have to scroll back, why can't I go straight to "first unread post". When I have finished reading a post I use the back button, however I am then taken via all the clicks I have used to get there, especially if I have replied. I am use to this on older forums, and doesn't overly bother me, however somebody accessing the forum on a mobile phone (as an example) may just decide its not worth the hassle.
If we want to attract people (and keep them) forums must move forward. Obviously this is just my opinion, and you can disagree as much as you want, I won't take offence :)

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:31 am
by philipy
Jimmy, Tom-Tom is the only one who can answer this in detail because he is the "Fat Controller" :D . However I have asked a similar question in the past and it is not as easy as it may sound to do what you want.

May I suggest that you don't use the back button.
When you've read a post simply go to Quick Links and New Posts and click on the next one you want to read - 3 clicks in total.

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:46 am
by Jimmyb
philipy wrote: Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:31 am Jimmy, Tom-Tom is the only one who can answer this in detail because he is the "Fat Controller" :D . However I have asked a similar question in the past and it is not as easy as it may sound to do what you want.

May I suggest that you don't use the back button.
When you've read a post simply go to Quick Links and New Posts and click on the next one you want to read - 3 clicks in total.
Philip, I appreciate there are ways around this, and I am generally content, the purpose of my comments was to highlight possible reasons for not attracting new younger members.

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 11:00 am
by Peter Butler
Already our younger generation are lethargic and obese due to the lack of exercise and any physical activity, if this trend extends to their fingers we will have no-one able to use them for model making anyway!
Possibly we are the ones making life too easy for them?

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 12:21 pm
by philipy
Peter Butler wrote: Wed Dec 04, 2019 11:00 am Already our younger generation are lethargic and obese due to the lack of exercise and any physical activity,
At a slight tangent and drifting somewhat Off topic, I'v just seen an item that apparently "Millenials" are taking to board games in a big way. So much so that there are actually now Board Game Cafes and one in London somewhere has a selection of 1400 games that you can play with your friends whilst you drink your (presumably multiple) coffees. It's not quite modelling but at least its a drift away from Soshul mejah.

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 2:46 pm
by tom_tom_go
In answer to forum functionality (quick links):

https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 33&t=11555

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2019 11:47 am
by FWLR
I personally like the way the forum is managed and clicking two or three times is not really any effort for crying out load.... :stop:

This forum suits me and I guess other members also. I don't have a problem with anything on it. If I like something I only need to do :thumbright: click and to be honest I couldn't care less if I had to do six or a dozen clicks. The younger generation go hell for leather when they txt, so a few clicks on here shouldn't be too hard for them.

I feel this thread is wondering off somewhat, the OP is, (Internet "forums" are a thing of the past)...Have a look on any search engine and you will find hundreds of them.......

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2019 12:49 pm
by Jimmyb
FWLR wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2019 11:47 am I feel this thread is wondering off somewhat, the OP is, (Internet "forums" are a thing of the past)...Have a look on any search engine and you will find hundreds of them.......
But when you visit some of them, where 5 years ago they were having 50+ posts a day some are now lucky to reach 5+, the issue becomes that the members drift off due to "lack of interest". I am guilty of this having abandoned a number of forums (of differing subjects) due to lack of input.

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2019 9:13 am
by FWLR
I don't keep a count Jimmy, but I think our forum gets quite a few everyday. But then again at certain times of the year there must be a slow down, especially with our hobby don't you think. I for one can't get to cold, so standing around in the garden running our locos just can't happen for me really. But then there are other things we can do certainly, like build stuff for the line, or even some wagons or line side. It's a hobby I enjoy and I will carry on with the forum until I move on to a better world...Hopefully.... :roll:

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2019 9:17 am
by JMORG
philipy wrote: Wed Dec 04, 2019 12:21 pm
Peter Butler wrote: Wed Dec 04, 2019 11:00 am Already our younger generation are lethargic and obese due to the lack of exercise and any physical activity,
At a slight tangent and drifting somewhat Off topic, I'v just seen an item that apparently "Millenials" are taking to board games in a big way. So much so that there are actually now Board Game Cafes and one in London somewhere has a selection of 1400 games that you can play with your friends whilst you drink your (presumably multiple) coffees. It's not quite modelling but at least its a drift away from Soshul mejah.
Board games are increasing in popularity. The tabletop game section of 4chan is one of the busiest boards (mind you, most of it is Warhammer).

I've noticed a few "student" pubs also have board games available.

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 3:07 pm
by Paul_in_Ricky
Interesting to look at this thread as a new member.

Are forums declining ? often in new content, but one needs to consider if forums are being used as a resource. Often regular subjects have been dealt with time and time again, but can be researched by newcomers without adding anything new. This is why 'new' subjects like board gaming get a lot of traffic to their forums as it's all new info for the internet generation.

To an extent Facebook groups are replacing forums for specialist subjects, but I don't find them as easy to use as a 'proper' forum like this. Also there are quite a lot of people who, quite justifiably, won't use FB or other 'social media' although pedantically any forum is a social media too.

Keeping a forum vibrant isn't always easy, but it helps if moderation is done well and promptly. Taking two weeks to approve a new member isn't exactly a model of good management.

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 6:06 pm
by tom_tom_go
Paul_in_Ricky wrote: Sat Jan 11, 2020 3:07 pm Taking two weeks to approve a new member isn't exactly a model of good management.
If you had experience of running a phpBB forum then you would understand why approving every registration instantly is not a good idea.

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 6:31 pm
by Paul_in_Ricky
I do have experience of running forums actually, but TWO WEEKS ? really ? I've never had to wait that long to join any online forum or service before.

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 7:38 pm
by JMORG
You only need to look at Reddit or 4chan to understand why approval is needed

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 10:51 pm
by Paul_in_Ricky
JMORG wrote: Sat Jan 11, 2020 7:38 pm You only need to look at Reddit or 4chan to understand why approval is needed
No issue with needing approval at all, absolutely good practice.

The issue is how long it takes. Two weeks, plus needing an extra prod to via an email to an administrator ? pretty poor in the 21st century.

There should be two or three moderators monitoring content in the forum and new applications. Authorising new members should take no longer than 48hrs at a maximum.

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2020 12:19 pm
by Busted Bricks
I run a couple of FB groups and on the more busy ones I have a couple of co-admins that can also approve members. Always good to have several people to share the task.

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:41 am
by FWLR
Is it really that important to be approved quickly. You can still see all that is going on within the forum and view all the threads, so waiting to be approved for me is not an issue. Has for Facebook, I don't use it that much nowadays mainly because of the idiots that go on it and the language can be often really nasty, as can the comments. Ok, this is a really friendly forum and no one is really nasty. Most members are very civilised, in fact all are, except for one that will be nameless. And if anything doesn't seem to look right or a member may have done or built something that is some what odd, I do a lot of odd stuff... :lol: There is always the option of sending a PM.

Enjoy our short lives and everything that goes with it. I do after what I have been through these last few years. Can't wait to get our line sorted again......

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:38 pm
by Paul_in_Ricky
FWLR wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:41 amIs it really that important to be approved quickly.
Yes, if you want a forum to thrive. People who apply to join, by implication, want to contribute. More active contributors make the forum better.

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:44 pm
by FWLR
I think you will find that this forum is very strong when it comes to contributors... :thumbright:

Re: Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 2:51 pm
by Peter Butler
Paul_in_Ricky wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:38 pm
FWLR wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:41 amIs it really that important to be approved quickly.
Yes, if you want a forum to thrive.

I have no idea how checks (if any) can possibly be made to be able to approve applicants for membership of the Forum. I have been a member, and active contributor, for many years now and have seen members start, disappear, and then return, only to find they are not suitable company amongst others here. They might have been accepted based on previous experience only, not current activities or thoughts.

People who apply to join, by implication, want to contribute. More active contributors make the forum better.
It is true we always get more communication flowing when there are active contributors on the Forum. However, I have been aware of a number of names which appear on the 'Registered users' list who turn out to have joined as members months, or sometimes years previously, only to find they have never contributed anything. There is no reason why they have joined at all but they have passed the entrance process anyway. How can checks on their suitability be assessed?
In reality we are not playing the numbers game, those who are interested enough to join and remain as contributors will reap the most pleasure and benefit from the help and support of other members. I treat members of the Forum as a group of friends and have made personal contact with several of them. Long may it continue.