Site activity diminished?

[AJB Temple]

I have not posted much for a while as work is manic. On the occasions I do check in here site activity seems to have diminished hugely, with posting topics hardly changed. Seasonal thing ?

 

[tony_s]

Don't think it's got particularly quiet. Have been a lurker around these parts since about 2012 but only actually signed up last year after reading numerous times that traditional forums were a dying thing and social media, such as facebook, were "just the best thing ever in the history of everything "
New threads in, say, the hand tools category have always been slow to emerge but usually in the general or off topic categories there's a few new threads every day.
That's my unscientific take on it anyway, but if you look at the statistics it's highly likely that I'm wrong and site activity is down by 95% ☺

 

[RobinBHM]

There is plenty of activity moaning about the new look

 

[ColeyS1]

I have not posted much for a while as work is manic. On the occasions I do check in here site activity seems to have diminished hugely, with posting topics hardly changed. Seasonal thing ?

The 'post the last thing' type threads have compressed/condensed a lot of stuff into that. Instead of loads of wips, a lot of people just post a finished project in there and go, till the next ones finished.
Same goes for post the last thing you did in the workshop - that's what the entire forum was about. Now it's all jumbled up together and before you've had chance to comment and get a conversation going something else has been posted.
I hate those type threads with a passion.

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[CHJ]

I have not posted much for a while as work is manic. On the occasions I do check in here site activity seems to have diminished hugely, with posting topics hardly changed. Seasonal thing ?

The 'post the last thing' type threads have compressed/condensed a lot of stuff into that. Instead of loads of wips, a lot of people just post a finished project in there and go, till the next ones finished.
Same goes for post the last thing you did in the workshop - that's what the entire forum was about. Now it's all jumbled up together and before you've had chance to comment and get a conversation going something else has been posted.
I hate those type threads with a passion.

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Could not agree more, virtually impossible to search for samples of some excellent work that has shown it's face over the last couple of years, and turning the forum into little more than a daily Blog.
A real shame as it hides a great source of inspiration to others and in many ways considerably reduces the onward learning curve of the producers as there is little chance for discussion and exposure to differing perceptions, ideas and suggestions.

One aim of the Moderators is to work with Admin to alter the section/subject structure of the general Forums in some instances such as General woodwork from the Fine cabinet making etc. in order to encourage more detailed participation.

 

[Droogs]

I think a large part of this is down to the fact that no-one seems to use any of the other sections of the site. Surely, completed projects or WIPs should be in the projects SECTION and not in the actual fora threads. I definately agree that there should be perhaps a broader spectrum of threads regarding types of wood working such as: - Fine furniture making, cabnetry, chair making. outdoor stuff etc

I'm not sure if people can coment and discuss uploaded projects in its actual thread as the poster does his stuff so to speak in the projects section but would be good for WIPs. I am as guilty as everyone else with regard to where I put things but do have to say the inactivity in the other sections sort of discourages me from venturing there.

but overall keep up the good work Charley thanks

 

[ColeyS1]

I think a large part of this is down to the fact that no-one seems to use any of the other sections of the site.

Since those 'post a picture' type threads it seems much more of a show off blog compared to what it was before. We've even got our very own mod Chas agreeing they've had a negative effect on the forum. Hopefully after all the tweaks to the website Charley might decide those compressed type threads aren't in the best interest of the forum imho [WINKING FACE]

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[Brandlin]

I think a large part of this is down to the fact that no-one seems to use any of the other sections of the site.

Since those 'post a picture' type threads it seems much more of a show off blog compared to what it was before. We've even got our very own mod Chas agreeing they've had a negative effect on the forum. Hopefully after all the tweaks to the website Charley might decide those compressed type threads aren't in the best interest of the forum imho [WINKING FACE]

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But if those are the busy threads then, simply by self selection, those are the threads members like.

 

[Sheffield Tony]

I will confess I'm a member of er ... a few forums. And I have inherited one small one of my own. The forum format in general seems to be in decline in favour of other social media, this one actually seems to be doing quite well comparatively. And at least the owner is still (just) about ! But there is also a tendency for fora to slide in the direction of social media in the sense of posts to general chat, and a few never ending "look what I did" type threads taking over at the expense of more in depth discussion. I agree it is worth trying to discourage them.

The other areas of the site beyond the forum so seem very static and dated (though still some good stuff). Is there any way they can feel more connected with the forum - Should creators if a good WIP thread on the forum be encouraged into the Projects section (with a link to see how it was done). I see we have the various sections in the Forum on suppliers, reviews etc which are not really for discussion and sometimes duplicate what is in the wider site.

 

[CHJ]

The other areas of the site beyond the forum so seem very static and dated (though still some good stuff). Is there any way they can feel more connected with the forum - Should creators if a good WIP thread on the forum be encouraged into the Projects section (with a link to see how it was done). I see we have the various sections in the Forum on suppliers, reviews etc which are not really for discussion and sometimes duplicate what is in the wider site.

The old forum structure is due for a rehash as time permits once the new forum display theme has had most of the bugs dealt with.

Possibly the Projects section being Just a Listing of Forum WIP threads etc. for instance, to save duplication and allow discussion.

 

[ColeyS1]

I think a large part of this is down to the fact that no-one seems to use any of the other sections of the site.

Since those 'post a picture' type threads it seems much more of a show off blog compared to what it was before. We've even got our very own mod Chas agreeing they've had a negative effect on the forum. Hopefully after all the tweaks to the website Charley might decide those compressed type threads aren't in the best interest of the forum imho [WINKING FACE]

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But if those are the busy threads then, simply by self selection, those are the threads members like.

That's a bit like having a table full of fatty sugary desserts vs a table of salad. The table of desserts would probably be the most popular, but wouldn't do the people eating it much good though.
If there was just a table of salad, people would be forced to eat it or go hungry. The more they ate it, probably the better they'd feel.
The one that really really bugs me is the 'what did you do in the workshop today' thread. The rest of the forum could be deemed unnecessary cause of that- everything could go in that one thread ! Good luck trying to search for something on that juggernaut of a mess....I mean thread. Lol

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[Brandlin]

That's a bit like having a table full of fatty sugary desserts vs a table of salad. The table of desserts would probably be the most popular, but wouldn't do the people eating it much good though.

Agreed. However, people still eat fatty food when given the choice. And that's the issue, people have choice. There are other places they could take their comments and pictures. They choose to leave them here and they currently choose to put them in those threads.

This site isn't some prison canteen where the food on offer can be forced on people ... "eat it or get shanked."

If you want to convert your successful "we serve everything" cafe to a "salads only" cafe I think you're likely to see your clientele reduced (pun intended) ;-)

 

[ColeyS1]

That's a bit like having a table full of fatty sugary desserts vs a table of salad. The table of desserts would probably be the most popular, but wouldn't do the people eating it much good though.

Agreed. However, people still eat fatty food when given the choice. And that's the issue, people have choice. There are other places they could take their comments and pictures. They choose to leave them here and they currently choose to put them in those threads.

This site isn't some prison canteen where the food on offer can be forced on people ... "eat it or get shanked."

I guess it comes down to how Charley wants to have this place. Those type of threads stay and it steers us towards a more pinterest/instagram post and go website. Take them away and it becomes more how it use to be. A forum that's more open to discussions, more wips and the rest of the forum getting more activity cause it's not all being funneled to one or two threads.

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[Brandlin]

I think that's my point. If you take away those sorts of posts then you are trying to dictate how the forum gets used and, with so much choice out there, a number of people will choose elsewhere.

Sure as the owner charley can pretty much choose to do what he likes. And that's his right. But if he starts to get involved in directing what content is acceptable, then that's a slippery slope.

 

[ColeyS1]

I think that's my point. If you take away those sorts of posts then you are trying to dictate how the forum gets used and, with so much choice out there, a number of people will choose elsewhere.

Sure as the owner charley can pretty much choose to do what he likes. And that's his right. But if he starts to get involved in directing what content is acceptable, then that's a slippery slope.

I just think those type of mammoth threads steer it towards more of a picture hosting site that allows comments, rather than a forum. I don't see how both can flourish together tbh, as history has shown.

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[Brandlin]

I'm not disagreeing with you about the pros and cons. But clearly those threads have been popular. And forcing a certain way to use the site when there is so much choice, can be a tricky balancing act.
We shall see how the Moderation choice to lock them turns out....

 

[thetyreman]

I agree with having seperate threads instead of a 'bundle into one' project done philosophy, the only slight problem I have is there are a few things where I don't want to post in detail every single stage, for example projects I am paying for like on woodworking masterclasses, because it's not free for a reason, so for some particular things, I am deliberately not revealing the methods, it wouldn't be fair to share paid for information for free, same thing with any other course or knowledge you go on, you should respect the teacher and their work.

 

[CHJ]

I agree with having seperate threads instead of a 'bundle into one' project done philosophy, the only slight problem I have is there are a few things where I don't want to post in detail every single stage, for example projects I am paying for like on woodworking masterclasses, because it's not free for a reason, so for some particular things, I am deliberately not revealing the methods, it wouldn't be fair to share paid for information for free, same thing with any other course or knowledge you go on, you should respect the teacher and their work.

Fully understand the centiment there, but metioning you are attending a class/course whatever or that you will be posting up the results or partial progress of your labours in another thread could leave things open for folk to ask your opinion of such courses and yet leave the results of your labours in a searchable thread under a separate tile such as "My Fine Inlaid cabinet" without the images and replies being scattered amongst other folks images of the polecat sat in the window sill etc.

 

[MusicMan]

I originally liked the 'what you did ..' threads, as being a less inhibiting place to post WIPs especially as a new user, who might be intimidated by the excellence of so many WIPs. But the forum is an open and welcoming place, and if criticism comes it is constructive and intended to help the poster improve, and you can't do better than that. So now I agree they have had their day.

 

[CHJ]

Something else I notice whilst skimming that old thread this morning was a simplified method of Assembling a Mallet rather than mortising larger piece of hardwood, might be very encouraging for a new starter without much experience or funds for large section timber and a forum for discussion on the pros and cons of such a construction, it's most unlikely to be found by someone searching for ideas or methods for making a first Mallet in its existing location.