Does it seem to anyone else that the total number of posts has dropped since the new forum came online? I check in here about once a day, around noon usually, and I used to have to read about 6 pages of threads with new posts. Now I read about 4 pages–sometimes only 3. It makes me wonder how many users of the old forum didn’t make the transition or if some bought into all of the complaining and quit posting. I’m not sure it is all bad–perhaps less total posts means highter quality posts. I’m not sure one could really make a case for that though. Just an observation.
I am quickly getting used to it, and I rather like it. I would agree that, in general terms, the numbers are reduced and the quality of the exchanges has improved…with one or two notable exceptions.
Yes, it’s a little slower. The usual summer drop-off is part of it. Some is no doubt just what happens whenever something is changed online – there are always some people who don’t make the transition. That is to be expected. Since there’s nothing keeping legitimate users away, they’ll find their way back.
As several others have noted, I think it’s just a quantity drop-off. The quality of posting seems to have improved.
One needs only to check the number of current “subscribers” to the forum to observe that the change-over resulted in a drop of more than 80% in registered users (200,000+ to less than 30,000 last time I checked). Now, to be sure, a good percentage of the old figure were transients or the simply curious but it still represents an enormous drop in assumed participation, no matter how you cut it.
Likewise, the lack of returnees implies that, in reallity, the hobby is probably a lot smaller in total dimensions than many would like to claim, particularly those who based their assumptions on the numbers associated with this forum.
I think that the 200,000 to 30,000 user drop could also be in part to those individuals that registered, had a question or two they needed answered and are never heard from again.
I agree but an 85% drop is still highly dramatic and does serve to illustrate the relatively small number of reasonably serious hobbyists out there, especially considering that this is by far the largest model railroading site (and that most folks seen here are also part of many of the other groups on the Web).
I am definately not trying to dismiss the fact that there has been a dramatic drop. I was just throwing in my 2 cents about what I have seen in the past with some forum members.[:)]
I’m wondering if the drop can be attributed to the accumulation of inactive and/or duplicate (and so on) users the old forum was keeping on file over the years. So maybe it was just a matter of ‘housekeeping’?
I also agree that no more polls has likely cut into post count (which I think is a good thing)
Still, I’ve always favored quality or quantity. Well, still looking for more quality. [;)]
On the old forum you could click on the Members link and list all the members according to post count. I did this on one occasion and there were literally dozens and dozens of pages of registerd names with a count of zero and several years of membership. Since all these have been weeded out I am not suprised the number of members is so far down. Of course that does not explain the drop in activity since they were not posting anyway.
I believe the quality is better now as the trivial post are gone, you know the people that were trying to get the high counts, as if the stars would make them a general. I have not missed the polls either.
I also know for a fact, that some had a terrable time trying to post pictures… and we lost a few quality modelers, I wish there was information on this site they could have gone to, as I know they were flustrated…John
my posts have dropped off due to issues with the “new” forum software and browser conflicts preventing the use of hyperlinks, no pics, no quotes, no links, no menus. I find that I only reply to threads that none are needed for my reply. I’m also still a little put out by the moderators response, or lack of one. the only action taken was to lock the threads dealing with this compatibility issue, and hope it will go away, but it won’t, especially with the launch of Vista and IE7 later this year, the issues will only get worse.
The change is…not bad. I’m surprised that while house cleaning, they didn’t eliminate topics/posts over about three months old. Any figures on how often older topics are visited?
They are a rich source of information mate, why would you suggest that? I myself don’t post much anymore here because some of you have a “know it all attitudes” and I’m tired of your BS and arguing about stuff I know you are wrong about, like saying it ain’t a layout unless it’s sceniced debate. . Fred