Internet "forums" are a thing of the past

[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

[philipy]

Jimmy, Tom-Tom is the only one who can answer this in detail because he is the "Fat Controller" . 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.

[Jimmyb]

Jimmy, Tom-Tom is the only one who can answer this in detail because he is the "Fat Controller" . 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.

[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?

[philipy]

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.

[tom_tom_go]

In answer to forum functionality (quick links):

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=11555

[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....

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 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.......

[Jimmyb]

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.

[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....

[JMORG]

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.

[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.

[tom_tom_go]

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.

[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.

[JMORG]

You only need to look at Reddit or 4chan to understand why approval is needed

[Paul_in_Ricky]

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.