Forum losing appeal?

[artist]

Has anyone else noticed that we seem to have lost a lot of the old familiar people?

I wonder what the problem is. Could we have lost our sense of humour? Maybe we have all found another forum which is more appealing.

Whatever the reason, it's a shame.

Speaking personally, I have got fed up with the same old jokes, the same (expected) response to any subject, and the lack of input from all but the few.

I suppose I am mainly speaking about the lounge - the techy side is ok. But even there I have been disappointed..........

Is it just me who thinks this way?

[trackrat]

No artist it is not just you.

There are certain people on this forum who seem to enjoy provoking each other to the detriment of this forum.

And as you say the same old jokes being repeated and some of the responses as I have said before are obviously from Google so if they go wrong for the recipient there is no way the poster can help again.

This started out as a Windows help forum but it is now mainly a lounge and jokes forum, which is a shame.

These statements are my thoughts and are not meant to start a war of words with any other member.

[edbanger]

When reading posts in the lounge and debates, I notice that its the same old members with the same old hangups that still do most of the posting.

It's the first time I've logged in for ages, and I'm sorry to say, that for me the Forum as already lost its appeal. :(

[AlanHo]

Has anyone else noticed that we seem to have lost a lot of the old familiar people?

Speaking personally, I have got fed up with the same old jokes, the same (expected) response to any subject, and the lack of input from all but the few.

I suppose I am mainly speaking about the lounge - the techy side is ok. But even there I have been disappointed..........

Is it just me who thinks this way?

You are obviously missing the old blonde jokes that used to be posted. I can't say I've seen one for some time. Even andsome seems to have gone off the "Blonde" boil for a while.

I suppose I am the worst offender for being boring - for nearly 3 years now I have been posting a "thought for today" every day. I try to find thoughts that will inspire or sponsor thoughful comment - but all too often I find that I have unwittingly started a political debate or rant. I must confess however - that from my touchline, I find it sadistically amusing.

You are right that most posts are from a relatively few members. I have had mixed results when posting technical problems - but that is perhaps because before exposing my ignorance to the public at large I have a jolly good Google which more often than not solves the problem. If other people do the same, the result will be that only the most thorny problems get exposed here.

Despite any shortcomings, I still subscribe to the Forum and get daily pleasure from browsing it.

[Irene]

I have personally had a lot of very valuable help and guidance from WF. I also very much enjoy the social side with the members.

In the form of constructive criticism, I would say that it would be preferable to keep the social side within the Lounge, Subscribers Lounge and Debate categories. That is not to say that no light-hearted interaction should take place elsewhere, but should not be protracted.

As a relative newcomer, on the whole I thoroughly enjoy logging in each day and catching up on the support being provided (and the banter :D ).

[-pops-]

I don't think it's a fault of this forum but of computer forums everywhere. It's a sort of saturation point where most stuff has been said and most problems answered - all that is required is a certain adeptness in using Google and all the world's problems are solved.

It's comparable to modern television - all that needs to be said and done has been said and done so we are treated with such gems as spying on people (Big Brother and its ilk), selling your junk, buying other people's junk, selling your house, buying a house, doing up your house, doing up someone else's house; a myriad of cooking programs when nobody cooks any longer as they're all too busy watching cooking programmes. Then, of course, there are these interminable 50 best or 100 best (insert your own category) programmes which fill in hour upon hour of the weekend viewing time. I could rant on and on - - - - -

[trackrat]

I don't think it's a fault of this forum but of computer forums everywhere. It's a sort of saturation point where most stuff has been said and most problems answered - all that is required is a certain adeptness in using Google and all the world's problems are solved.

I think that about sums it up pops.

[artist]

I don't think it's a fault of this forum but of computer forums everywhere. It's a sort of saturation point where most stuff has been said and most problems answered - all that is required is a certain adeptness in using Google and all the world's problems are solved.

I think that about sums it up pops.

I agree.

[artist]

[i suppose I am the worst offender for being boring - for nearly 3 years now I have been posting a "thought for today" every day. I try to find thoughts that will inspire or sponsor thoughful comment - but all too often I find that I have unwittingly started a political debate or rant. I must confess however - that from my touchline, I find it sadistically amusing.

Your'quote for the day' isn't boring. I always read it.

It's the 'starting a political debate or rant' that's the problem. It's all so HEAVY! There was a time when coming on here would start the day with a smile - now it's mostly depressing....... :(

[andsome]

I don't think it's a fault of this forum but of computer forums everywhere. It's a sort of saturation point where most stuff has been said and most problems answered - all that is required is a certain adeptness in using Google and all the world's problems are solved.

I think that about sums it up pops.

I agree.

I agree also.

I am one of the guilty ones who enjoys a debate and enjoy making my point. If people don't like those discussions, they have the choice to opt out. Regarding people posting a link to Google threads, as a means of helping, I see nothing wrong with this, people can then take their choice of what advice to heed and what to ignore. I appreciate that this started out as a help forum, but it has always had it's lighter side, and that is a plus as far as I'm concerned. If it wasn't for the lounge, on some days there would be practically no activity.

[Irene]

Your'quote for the day' isn't boring. I always read it.

I quite agree.

Alan's 'Thought/Quote for Today' is one of the first things I look for! :D

[artist]

If it wasn't for the lounge, on some days there would be practically no activity.

The trouble is - anything meant to be light-hearted always turns into a personal debate on something else.

Why not start a new thread for these 'debates or opinions'

I suppose I will always come here every day but I enjoy some other places better. This always used to be No 1 for me............ :(

[trackrat]

Andsome When I was on about Google, I was trying to say that when people know nothing about a subject and Google for an answer, if the recipient uses that link and it messes up his computer then he has no recourse to get help from the original poster.

I have seen Google links posted on here and in other forums that do not even relate to the problem that was posted originally, and this has made matters worse instead of better.

I agree with pops that Google is your best friend when you have a problem, but posting links on a subject that you know nothing about, is in my opinion a silly thing to do.

[deuces wild]

Personally I have been either out of commission post surgery or busy doing other more important things. B)

[artist]

Personally I have been either out of commission post surgery or busy doing other more important things. B)

That doesn't mean you are innocent!

:D :D

[catgate]

I can't help thinking about the strangler fig.

http://www.mongabay.com/04strangler_fig.htm

[artist]

I can't help thinking about the strangler fig.

http://www.mongabay.com/04strangler_fig.htm

Uumm...............

[Irene]

Figuratively speaking, I'm not who or what is meant to be strangling what or who.

[rong]

I agree with you Artist, especially when the rants are at new members, and in serious topics. Also having no one prepared to interpret the Highjack This logs has lessened the amount of posts on the computer side.

[andsome]

Andsome When I was on about Google, I was trying to say that when people know nothing about a subject and Google for an answer, if the recipient uses that link and it messes up his computer then he has no recourse to get help from the original poster.

I have seen Google links posted on here and in other forums that do not even relate to the problem that was posted originally, and this has made matters worse instead of better.

I agree with pops that Google is your best friend when you have a problem, but posting links on a subject that you know nothing about, is in my opinion a silly thing to do.

Hints on Google links may be the only help that that person will get. I always look on Google first before asking for help. Some people do not realise this possibility, and I see no harm in pointing them toward this help. If anyone else knows a definitive answer to a particular problem, they can of course post that.

[deuces wild]

Personally I have been either out of commission post surgery or busy doing other more important things. B)

That doesn't mean you are innocent!

:D :D

Working full time, still recouping from injury with PT, helping with remodling kitchen and bath, yard work, getting boat ready....................sure it does. :D

All you retired fuddy duddies have to do is sip tea all day reading the forum. :lol:

[cozofdeath]

I stay more in the technical side of the forum but I like to check in once in a while to the lounge or joke part. Sorry to anyones birthdays I've missed commenting on. I'm usually busy with life or learning. I'll be leaving the forum shortly for several months at a time but hopefully I'll be able to check in to give some help some where. I think this forum seems like its doing good but I haven't been here very long to see what members have left. Anyway I do enjoy the reading discussions in the lounge.

[nellie2]

I'll always help where I can with security problems and I'll always have a look at a hijackthis log, but a lot of nasty rootkits and some of the worst Rbot infections are beyond my skills these days. But if I can help I will.

WF was always a friendly place where we used to enjoy each others company no matter where we posted on the board. We still do enjoy each others company but I think we all got just a little bit busier somehow :(

[Tankus]

hmmmm

went over to exiled gamers for a cruise the other day , which was another spin off when PC adviser lounge shut down (although in their case it was the games room closure , with characters like ordep, spook tooth , ghost of inept pig and Shirley crabtree were/are regulars there ,(powerless and rebel UK too))

and I was surprised to see similar thoughts being expressed , actually further along, considering closing down due to inactivity ..... which is a shame cause they are nice peeps .....

I guess everything has a life span

always considered this home though ...even if I dont post as much as I did

[gordythegouge]

God.!.............what a bunch of doomsayers..........."Always Look on the Bright Side of life!"

It's obvious that there are only so many topics to go round.......because by and large... we're probably all in some sort of rut.........but we don't have to expect a magic wand to be waved each and everyday in the hope of being entertained.....if the flavour of the Forum has changed then it's all down to ourselves............sooo.................

Always Look on the Bright Side of life :lol: