Survival of the fittest

[AlanHo]

My observation is that this forum has been steadily declining in both active membership and the volume of truly valid posts for some time. This is despite the fact that we are now several years old and have one of the most attractive and functional forum skins and structure on the internet.

If its intended purpose is to provide support for computer technical problems - it falls way behind other (more populated) technical forums on the internet. This is despite the valiant efforts of the small handful of technically qualified members who have stuck with the forum and continue to participate. The loss of nellie2, and other malware specialists, means that we can no longer provide comprehensive malware support for one of the most vexatious subjects the average person needs help with.

It seems to me that most threads today are started by newbies - a considerable number with spam intent and others with some rather obscure problems. There are probably not more than 6 members who regularly start original threads and possibly 6 more who respond to them. Hence the forum boils down to about 12 regular participants - of which 5 are moderators - yet claims membership of almost 12,000. Those of us who have been members from way back will easily recall numerous names no longer with us.

The forum displays the names of 12 members who are moderators - the posting record of 7 of them is disappointing. 3 of them have not posted for 2 months, 1 last posted 4 months ago, 1 last posted 6 months ago, 1 has no posts recorded on his profile but I cannot recall seeing him for a year or more and the remaining mod last posted 17 months ago. Hardly an impressive record of active participation methinks.

Moving on - if the forum is also intended to amuse and educate - again it falls short. I have attempted to provide some humour and points to ponder almost daily - but the response to these is now so minimal and predictable that it seems to be a waste of time. Not only that - it only serves to provoke critical comment from those (perhaps with a sense of humour deficiency syndrome) who consider that those who post frivolous comments need something better to do.

I cannot offer a solution to the problem - I would love to see the forum flourish - but it is notable that the guys who provide the forum (and have put in so much hard work to create the excellent framework) are conspicuous by their absence. Very few organisations enjoy success without active leadership from the very top.

I understand that numerous forums have come and gone on the internet - but there are quite a few that have managed to make progress against the tide. We have a good base - but a frail membership. So what can we do about it?

[Tankus]

Its probably social networking ..... And its instant gratification ..... most of us on here at a guess dont facebook or tweet (I dont ) I think that you will find that we are a dying breed .... Have to be honest ... I sniff around a few political blogs , but apart from here and computer trouble .... I just don't bother any more ... Less people ...less attention grabbing ......

If your looking for numbers ...maybe a porn thread that might bump up the google ...Although I would be a bit worried for andsome ...his ticker might tock ...

Hidden lounges don't help either ...

All forums flux

[Irene]

Glad that you got all that off your chest, Alan. Nursing must nurture your thinking...

Speaking of which, I have missed your Thought For The Day. ;)

[andsome]

Its probably social networking ..... And its instant gratification ..... most of us on here at a guess dont facebook or tweet (I dont ) I think that you will find that we are a dying breed .... Have to be honest ... I sniff around a few political blogs , but apart from here and computer trouble .... I just don't bother any more ... Less people ...less attention grabbing ......

If your looking for numbers ..maybe a porn thread that might bump up the google ...Although I would be a bit worried for andsome ...his ticker might tock ...

Hidden lounges don't help either ...

All forums flux

I think I could survive it. Let me know when you are about to open the first thread.

[catgate]

I think the current state of WF is due to several factors.

One is that, if it is to be seen as a "Modern, with-it" forum, it is “over moderated”. However, since the “Modern, with-it forum”, where virtually anything and everything (including spam, advertising and obsenity) goes through without question, is not to my liking, nor I suspect to most of us online geriatrics, this in itself is a commendation as far as I am concerned. Though I can see it as a turn off to those of the LOL, OMG, UYFA, etc persuasion.

To a chap (or chapess*) with a M$ OS problem a forum called "Windowsforum" would seem a likely place to get help with that problem, and he (or she*) would not necessarily expect to come back occasionally for a cup of tea and a slice of toast. Conversely any passer by wanting a pot of tea and a chat is not likely to pop in to a site called “Windowsforum”.

Another factor seems to me to be that the "Raison d'etre" of the forum, was to deal with the problems and vagaries of W95, W98, ME, XP etc.. From my point of view, as a very satisfied Linux user of two or three years standing, M$ appear to have realised that they had to improve their act to get more bookings, because they were starting to see defection and serious opposition. Consequently there now seems to be less trouble with the later M$ OSs than the earlier ones, and the service updates are better. This observation is based on what I have seen on WF and also on local Yorkshire hearsay, From what I can see M$ has now learned (well almost) that it can no longer turn out rubbish and expect the punter to sort it out.

There is also a growing body of amateur knowledge locally throughout the country. due in part to the more widespread ownership of computers and also due to more of their use in schools.

So currently what is left of WF could develop into the nucleus of a old folks club.

Welcome to the online Darby and Joan club.

(* )... so as not to upset Harriet's proclavities.

[-pops-]

I think I said this before but, here goes again.

Many forums are having the same problem, especially the ones mainly dedicated to computers. The increasing reliability and ease of use of successive versions of Windows plus the improvements in hardware technology means that problems are becoming less common. I recently peeked in at another large forum, of which I was an active member some time ago, and saw it was but a shadow of its former self.

Tankus' comments about social networking is very valid. The current "yoof" culture demands instant gratification which, for the time being anyway, is satisfied by things like twitters, facebooks and similar. The forum format is very slow by comparison.

[Irene]

My particular view on posting, is that if anyone begins a thread because they have a problem, the last thing that they need is an 'amusing' series of posts which are completely off their topic.

I have been in that position - way back in 2006 when I joined this forum. The very last thing which I required was any humorous response to my dilemma. I was so agitated, that even a straightforward link without any dialogue felt offensive. We are all feeling extremely vulnerable at that point.

If we are to attract and retain new members - and, yes have humorous interaction at some later date - we need to tend to their immediate 'tender' needs in order to retain their loyalty.

With regard to 'hidden' lounges, what is the problem? If you wish to access the WF Subscribers lounge - just subscribe - otherwise, there is plenty to access in terms of assistance, advice or humour.

[Belatucadrus]

Better than Computer Trouble where they really only have three active threads, a couple of long running jokes and the monthly photo collections.

[AlanHo]

Glad that you got all that off your chest, Alan. Nursing must nurture your thinking...

Speaking of which, I have missed your Thought For The Day.

It is now well known that I am busy nursing and nurturing a very sick wife - I don't understand the point you are trying to make.

[catgate]

My particular view on posting, is that if anyone begins a thread because they have a problem, the last thing that they need is an 'amusing' series of posts which are completely off their topic.

I have been in that position - way back in 2006 when I joined this forum. The very last thing which I required was any humorous response to my dilemma. I was so agitated, that even a straightforward link without any dialogue felt offensive. We are all feeling extremely vulnerable at that point.

If we are to attract and retain new members - and, yes have humorous interaction at some later date - we need to tend to their immediate 'tender' needs in order to retain their loyalty.

With regard to 'hidden' lounges, what is the problem? If you wish to access the WF Subscribers lounge - just subscribe - otherwise, there is plenty to access in terms of assistance, advice or humour.

Ah! So that's the problem.

[AlanHo]

My particular view on posting, is that if anyone begins a thread because they have a problem, the last thing that they need is an 'amusing' series of posts which are completely off their topic.

I have been in that position - way back in 2006 when I joined this forum. The very last thing which I required was any humorous response to my dilemma. I was so agitated, that even a straightforward link without any dialogue felt offensive. We are all feeling extremely vulnerable at that point.

If we are to attract and retain new members - and, yes have humorous interaction at some later date - we need to tend to their immediate 'tender' needs in order to retain their loyalty.

With regard to 'hidden' lounges, what is the problem? If you wish to access the WF Subscribers lounge - just subscribe - otherwise, there is plenty to access in terms of assistance, advice or humour.

I agree with you in principle and will moderate my humour accordingly. I trust others will also comply

The latest example is catgate's thread about mysterious holes appearing in his garden. It may have agitated catgate that most of the responses were frivolous - other than perhaps rong's who was possibly right.

There have been only 25 threads in the subscribers lounge during the past 12 months - 19 of them being the wonderful "Life's Little Tales" by catgate and 3 being related to subscriptions. The subscription is well worth it just to read catgate's tales.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

There have been only 25 threads in the subscribers lounge during the past 12 months - 19 of them being the wonderful "Life's Little Tales" by catgate and 3 being related to subscriptions. The subscription is well worth it just to read catgate's tales.

I wholeheartedly subscribe to this statement!

[andsome]

Much as I hate cats, Alan has certainly put one among the pigeons.

[Irene]

Glad that you got all that off your chest, Alan. Nursing must nurture your thinking...

Speaking of which, I have missed your Thought For The Day.

It is now well known that I am busy nursing and nurturing a very sick wife - I don't understand the point you are trying to make.

'The point' was not intended to offend. I am sorry about your wife's illness.

[artist]

Just back from a hol so have picked this up late.

It is a shame that there are just the same old few of us. There's no solution that I can see.

I was never sure why I got 'promoted' - just a token female I would guess. We DO seem to have a glut of mods...I would probably say what I want to without the hat! B)

The lounge does seem a little 'old' for our younger members to be interested enough to stay. I have to agree that I don't like the language, often found on other forums. Totally unnecessary.

As for the people on here who do participate - how about a bit more general chat in the lounge and some more photos? Most subjects get stopped in their prime by someone going completely off topic. I, for one, often think 'what's the point' and go elsewhere.

Not much new to add - this is another 'round in circles' thread. We all want to keep this place going but never get any further forward...

[AlanHo]

This old thread made interesting reading

[artist]

What goes around comes around - and around - and around - and around..................

[Tankus]

This topic seems to be exhausted now - so will close

to be repeated in two years

[AlanHo]

This old thread is even more interesting

[catgate]

It seems to have the same Dramatis Personae with pretty much the same script and stage directions.

But then I could be wrong.

[Tankus]

We could call it the BBC christmas thread ..... full of bloody repeats ....so who's up for James Bond

[Sir T Fireball]

An air of 'elitism' was propogated by a number of mods a long while back and this was followed by the creation of a private room, which only served to underpin the sense of 'them & us'. There is also a very strong whiff of the Darby & Joan club from some parts, not to mention a very heavy waft of Victor Meldrew at times. Just scan through some of the posts and see how quickly some new posters are cut off because a mod doesn't appreciate the lack of intelligence in their post!

WF has a good heart, but the rot is in its head.