IS this always the case?

ben1227 wrote:

I'm kind of new to forums but...are there always only about 30 ppl on at any given time? out of like 30,000 members?

Actually, I've noticed as few as 11 members online recently...amazing!!!

You've joined (welcome, BTW) at a time where FSM's forums appear to be at a bit of a down swing. About 2 years ago, it was never surprising to see 50, 60, or more members on the forums at any given time and there were far fewer people registered. While there's probably no single reason anyone can point to, a couple rounds of semi-mass exodus, the redesign of the forum (not nearly as user-friendly as the old style), and the fact that it's summer are probably all valid reasons. I would expect the numbers will begin to rise as cooler weather starts to set in, but I personally doubt we'll see the 2004 - 2005 levels of "active" membership any time in the near future.

Once again, welcome...

One other thing, don't trust that list.  As I post this, my name is not there. In fact, when I happen to look, it's missing more often than not. Anyone else catch this?  What's going on?  Am I a submember of some sort because I don't post that often?

Dick

rlawson wrote:

One other thing, don't trust that list.  As I post this, my name is not there. In fact, when I happen to look, it's missing more often than not. Anyone else catch this?  What's going on?  Am I a submember of some sort because I don't post that often? Dick

Dick,

Maybe you don't exist. Have you checked?

Failing that,  it may have to do with your browser settings. When you go back to the list of people on-line, the browser may be showing a cached page from your last visit (or something like that)...

Regards,

-Drew 

Thanks, guys. That fixed it (this time, at least.)

Dick

espins1 wrote:

That's why I have my browser set to always check for changes to the page so you don't have to refresh a page you've already been to before.  That's especially important with forum websites.

Huh?

I'm not computer stupid ...I'm computer ignorant! How do you do that? I use Mozilla Firefox. 

chopperfan wrote:

espins1 wrote: That's why I have my browser set to always check for changes to the page so you don't have to refresh a page you've already been to before.  That's especially important with forum websites. Huh? I'm not computer stupid ...I'm computer ignorant! How do you do that? I use Mozilla Firefox.

I use Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.  Those options have been a part of IE for a long time.  I looked all through the Firefox options and couldn't find any setting relating to that.  Sorry.

I'm another one of those that hasn't been as regular since the "upgrade."  I still try and check in now and then but it's not as easy for me to find new/active stuff. 

Used to be there was a "post since last visit" function, and it would bring up any thread with posts since the last time I was signed on, AND it was broken down by topical areas which made it easy to check the areas I was most interested in if I was in a time crunch.

Now, so far as i can figure out, there's just the "Active Topcis" function which brings up one big list of threads, not organized, and it doens't appear to take into account the last time I was logged in.  Just not as user friendly IMHO.

But still a great place, with some great work being done by great modellers, and I'm sure you can get your questions answered!  Welcome!

The other factor that you need to take into consideration is that there are several very good forums out there. This is but one. Each has its own 'personality' and theme. I participate in no less than six, which I have shortcuts posted to my Firefox nav bar across the top of my screen. There are others that I occasionally peek at but rarely post, mostly because they are very subject specific or not very active.

I can remember when there were but two message boards for the hobby way back in the day. Newgroups like R.M.S use to be the only show on the net, now it too has slowed way down because of the mulitmedia facets that message forums like this offer. Pictures, videos and instant messaging allow us to communicate more efficiently through the updated, upgraded forums.

You'll find that a particular forum bests suits your interests and personality over others out there. FSM forum is a great place and I enjoy my time reading and posting here. 

ben1227 wrote:

That's not very cool. Makes you wonder how your question gets answered!

what usually happens is one of the "more popular" members will give an opinion, and all the other followers will agree with it, everyone else is wrong.

Bgrigg wrote:

Going trolling IYAASAS?

Bill lets not encourage him. Lets just hang a sign for everyone as a warning....

DO NOT FEED THE TROLL!

ben1227 wrote:

I posted this weeks ago...I've seen a little increase since i've been here, so i'm happy.

Another key to having your questions answered quickly is to name your topic clearly. Many folks do not camp out at the site waiting for questions to be posted. I pop in several times a day, but for only minutes at a time.

If I see a topic titled "What color is an Abrams tank?", I will be more apt to answer it if I have time, because I know the answer.

If someone just posts a question titled "What color?", I may not open it because it may concern a WW2 German tank, Swedish tank or a WW2 uniform color. Something I probably wouldn't know.

Also depending on what computer I happen to be on (home laptop, home desktop, work desktop, work laptop), I may or may not be logged into the site when I visit.

Rob Gronovius wrote:

Another key to having your questions answered quickly is to name your topic clearly.

I have to agree with this as well. I see a lot of general topics like HELPPPPP!!!!! or What am I doing wrong?!? that I just bypass.  Knowing whether or not I want to take the time to load the page determines whether I want to answer or not.

David