Forums losing interest?

I'm just back into military modeling this past year, after many years in railway modelling. In general, I prefer the setup of other forums over this one. I came here after the 'change', so can't comment on the differences. But one thing I don't care for is that one has to scroll forever through a thread, with all the added graphics that are attached to people's messages. Also, and perhaps if one is a subscriber to the mag this doesn't happen, or perhaps because I'm new, but if I post anything, it has to be approved. Sometimes it might be just a couple of hours, but one I posted early this past Saturday was not allowed until mid morning on Monday. So I figure, why bother? None of the other forums I am on does this.

Unless I find extra in my hobby budget, I most likely won't subscribe to FSM. My interests are WWII armor, mainly in the smaller 1/72 and 1/76 scales, and small naval craft, like PT Boats, etc.. Have no interest in Sci-Fi, cars, commercial aircraft, etc.., so I subscribe to more focused mags.

I'm on the Britmodeller forum, but my 2 main preferences are Armorama and Military Modelling magazine's forum, as they have dedicated sub forums for braile scale.

On all the above, plus the model rail forums I still check out, yes, there has been somewhat of a slow down the last few months, but not much more than what seems to be the usual 'nicer weather months' effect. And a couple of the yahoo MR groups I am on have actually been busier than before.

Jim Flynn

edit: Ok, seems it must be a magic number of posts and I reached it, as this post showed up instantly.

I agree that the volume of traffic here has slowed in the past few months. Whether that was caused by the forum revamp, or that was merely a contributing factor is open to debate. But both happened at the same time. I know that I personally went they some modeling doldrums here, for several reasons, and that cut down on my work posts. And having computer problems, as well as issues with the revamp via mobile devices curtailed all of my non build postings. But even with those limitations, it looked to me that there were fewer posts that I could contribute to in that time period. Especially when compared to past years here at the same time frame.

It's nice on FB because you don't have to upload your images to photobucket, etc.  

I'm probably one of the ones who has dropped off a bit. To be honest, I've gone more into Facebook Modelling Groups.

Admittedly, you may not get the same level of dedicated answers to specific questions, nor is FB set up to act as a forum, but, i find they have a lot more "how to" style tutorials/videos that people of posted/shared.

I also really enjoy just checking out other people's builds and you tend to get a lot more of that via FB then here.  One of the reasons I slowed up on this forum is because there seemed to be fewer people posting their builds - i'm guilty of that too.

I would also like to add that  Genessis Models also really reaches out and interacts with their memebers.  Bobby Waldron always hosts building competions that are peer voted on.  The winner will receive a little plaque or what ever.  He is FLAWLESS with his member interactions. That is just the tip of the iceburg.  

Not that I've been very active here for the past couple years anyway...but, this time of year...trying to get the work season wrapped up, plus my own "winter prep, cutting back perinials, clearing the yard of leaves(I pretty much live in the woods), gathering, cutting, splitting firewood so my house will be warm, gathering meat so we can eat....it's deer season!!!

modelcrazy

Thanks Bish, I'll check it out.

 

Bish

There are quite a few none Brits on there as well,

 

 

So Yanks are welcome?   LOL 

 

Well, at least tolerated.....LOL, you know the old song: over paid, over ....., and over here..........

I always figured the only dumb/stupid question was the one un-asked.  Even if it has been in the past, easier to ask again than spend a couple of hours digging.......as long as nobody gets flamed by an AIM-9....

I run Balsa Model Aircraft Builders Association and in the last few months I have noticed a large increase in traffic.  For that I am thankful.  But as for FSM I have noticed its laying idol for long periods. Genessis Models had some decent traffic, but I have not renued my membership in a while. A lot of those UK based forums are hopping!   I think this site would really benefit from a for sale/trade section!  

I would post more, but I am reclusive, quite, reserved, invisible,  (or any other adjectives related to quiet) in real life.

Thanks Bish, I'll check it out.

Bish

There are quite a few none Brits on there as well,

So Yanks are welcome?   LOL 

Frankly, the change doesn’t bother me. I just roll with it, overcome and adapt. I have noticed that other forums I'm on are very slow as well. I take a look at the forum daily and enjoy the comradery very much. 

Bish, what British forum are you on? I'd like to take a look at it.

Spitfire

........... I get the impression that posting is wanted from some of the comments.  I always sort of figured it the other way around.  That if I didn't have anything of value to add, then reserve comment.  That way is saves server space, etc.

 

I doubt saving server space is utmost in member minds or one word posts would be a tradition by now. 

Spitfire

There's some interesting responses here.  I get the impression that posting is wanted from some of the comments.  I always sort of figured it the other way around.  That if I didn't have anything of value to add, then reserve comment.  That way is saves server space, etc.

 

Well, i don't think anyone is saying people should post for the hell of it. And the well done's, nice build and so on only go so far. But i do wo0nder if people don't ask questions because they worry it might look silly or have been asked before.

There's some interesting responses here.  I get the impression that posting is wanted from some of the comments.  I always sort of figured it the other way around.  That if I didn't have anything of value to add, then reserve comment.  That way is saves server space, etc.

I've definitely noticed the drop off as well. More so in over a decade here and notably since mid summer. I think the new format is bland and the white is a bit of a let down. I liked it better two changes ago. Still, I overlook that, but maybe a lot of folks don't. I do hope it's not an overall slowdown of the hobby.

I imagine most of us cruise more than 1 model related forum... I've noticed a slowdown in just about all my internet model haunts. My focus is on Model ships and that area of the hobby is especially slow lately.

I know I recently emerged from year-long "model funk" too... I don't know if people just aren't building or if they aren't as interested in showing their stuff online anymore.

Guess the mini modeling-boom of the past few years is over...

Hello!

A forum like this is a delicate system. Breaking the search function for over a month and the "Your Discussion" function for three months made some people go away and try elsewhere. Then the negative feedback loop kicks in - fewer active posts, less to read and less to reply to - which in turn leads to less active posts - and the death spiral moves on! Now we're down to a few hardcores, some lurkers and it will take time to get new, fresh forum members. Let's hope some of the old hands will come back now that the forum has been debugged a bit - but probably not before the mobile devices functionality is OK again.

I just don't get it - it looks just like Kalmbach deliberately wanted to get rid of the users - I don't know - to pay less for the traffic? Like I say, I don't know how something like this could have happened.

This way or another - I'm posting on! Thanks for reading and have a nice day

Paweł

I agree that there are a number of people that just look and don't post anything and then those that ask a question and don't provide feedback on whether the answer helped them. I have been guilty of this myself and have decided to post more WIP posts as I progress as I see from when I joined that this is what makes this place great. 

Please don't let this discourage you more experienced builders. There are still many newbies out there that need your knowledge and feedback that it would be a shame for you guys/girls to feel disheartened and us to miss out on so much knowledge.

the Baron

Meh.

 

But seriously, I post less because I see fewer active posts..........

Meh.

I try to stay active on the forums but lately I have been kept busy with life things, the arrival of my first grandchild, my daughter visiting from out of state, and other family gatherings.

I agree that there seems to be lack of interest/participation by some members. While on the subject, I have been noticing that some of the newer folks are asking for opinions or help on certain model related issues but not responding back to the ideas offered by those trying to lend a hand and never hearing if the suggestions worked out. 

I've noticed a drop as well. Since the re-boot of FSM site and its problems, I've mentioned it needs color to tone down the brightness because there's too much white. I hate it myself and it gets on my nerves. I'm not too surprised the numbers has dropped since then. While I do post often on here, I do spend most of my time in other model forums because of the activity it has been getting.

Who knows? Maybe the departure of Tim Kidwell had an effect on it. LOL!

The amount of activity has certainly dropped. In 12 years I don't remember the forum being this quiet for this long. I know it goes through periods throughout the year, but this has been going on for a couple of months. And it just seems a huge coincidence that it started going down just after the change. I have noted a number of long term members who are posting less and less. I agree with Brandon in that I am not liking the white back ground. I know find I get headaches after spending any length of time on here which I never did before.

But, judging by the number of views on some threads, there still seem to be a lot of people coming to the site, many of whom of course might not have signed up. But it would be nice if more people commented rather than just looked.

What has really brought home how quite this forum is is that I recently signed up to a UK based forum and I could not believe how many posts they get, so many its hard to keep up.

Speaking for myself, there's not been any loss of interest.  I usually check them a few times a week, and often search them for specific information.  If a discussion already exists that provides the info I'm looking for, there's no reason to start another discussion on it.  So it could be that there's already a lot of info out there that covers most everything that could be encountered.  The WIP posts are probably the most interesting because you can pick up some tips as well as see how high quality work looks.  So it's something to strive for.  Although I'm quite sure I'll never be at that level.

up to now weather has been strange  warmer than normal in most areas so it could be just a extention of the summer forum cooldown we get yrly    Don are you going by the number of new posts  i notice that a fair amount of older posts are being revived and  under those conditions  of more oldervs brand new  i see it being stagnant

This time of year you have a lot of other things going on, hunting seasons, getting ready for the holidays, winterizing the house, vehicles, etc.  I know for me it is some of the above, along with other interests and meetings with 3 gold prospecting clubs, and working on getting a dredge ready for next season, my position on a federal advisory council and the travel with that.  Not to mention that I kind of overloaded on the GB's and have not even started on two of them and the other I have paint problems and have tabled it for now until I get more ambition to go back and fix it.   The new format does not really matter to me, and I check in fairly often, but for now the ambition has gone on vacation............