What's Going On? Is WF a Dying Forum?

[Murocflyer]

I have been noticing the number of posts for WF have been steadily decreasing month after month. I wonder what is going on? And are there any plans by the management to reverse that trend?

I mean no disrespect to the folks here at WF and especially the mods. They have the best in the business is my mind.

I wonder why participation has been dropping like it has?

Thoughts?

Frank

[Don Sims]

When IB bought the site and moved servers several issues have developed such as the photo resizer not working which makes things a hassle. We're low man on the totem pole so they haven't addressed our requests to take care of issues.

Another issue IMHO is Facebook... It's slowed down several other hobby sites that I frequent. Even some of the more frequented sites are complaining about drops in posting.

[Don Sims]

BTW, we welcome any ideas you folks have to get us rolling again! We've been stuck at around 120 posts a day for a long time!

[Murocflyer]

Don,

What is IB? And wow, 120 posts a day, that is really low. Shoot at one time, I was dropping half that many all by myself in a day. But times have changed and I am a much busier person with little time to help others.

WF has always been one of my favorite RC forums and I have lots of ideas, just no time to help implement them.

Perhaps you guys can start and thread and ask for ideas on what folks would like to see here on WF to get some inputs from others? And another thread asking "what is wrong with WF. A little criticism shouldn't hurt as long as folks are allowed to speak freely and not be criticized.

Frank

[NJSwede]

I think the main reason is that some of the more prolific Wattflyers such as Chellie and Kenchiroalpha don't seem to come by that often anymore. Prolific writers generate a lot of downstream traffic.

I think another reason is that electric RC planes are now so mainstream that a lot of the e-flying chatter has been absorbed by the "general purpose" RC sites.

Personally, I've found myself hanging a lot at the bigger sites, simply because I can find dozens, if not hundreds, of people flying the same models as I do, whereas there's probably zero to one flying them here.

How to reverse the trend? Start some interesting threads that attract attention. I know, easier said than done, but the quality of a forum like this is really all about the quality of the posts.

Hmmm... I think I'm going to start a thread about something... Let me think for a second.

[Murocflyer]

Originally Posted by NJSwede

I think the main reason is that some of the more prolific Wattflyers such as Chellie and Kenchiroalpha don't seem to come by that often anymore. Prolific writers generate a lot of downstream traffic.

Since we are being candid here, that is what started to turm me off about WF. For a long time, there were a few posters like Chellie, giving their opinions about everything. It seemed like the only right answer was how they would do it or what they would buy. I just got tired of reading what they had to say and not letting someone esle provide input. Even though they may have the best ideas in the world, I think it is best to allow others a chance to provide their inputs and not be shot down because it is not done the way they would do it.

I'm sure others may thing diffrently, but having one or two folks dominate a forum and having to read thread after thread on what they think is the best way to do things gets very tiresome. At least for me.

Frank

[NJSwede]

Yeah, prolific writers have their pros and cons. Although I personally like Chellie, I understand the issue you're talking about. Sometimes the more productive posters can drown out others that may hae something useful to contribute.

That being said, I owe my RC addiction to WF and I would have given up after my first pathetic "flights" if it wasn't for WF and the people here!

[JetPlaneFlyer]

Maybe everyone is out flying

Frank,
Personally I think it's a bit harsh being critical of the prolific posters. Yes they may post in numerous topics but that in no way prevents anyone else from expressing their own opinion, does it?. I think if anything these prolific posters generate a lot of follow on discussion.

But of course if that's how you feel then it's a valid point that should be considered. Short of having a cap on how many posts members can make per day (which seems on the face of it to be a strange way to generate more posts) then I cant see that much can be done about it?

Steve

[NJSwede]

Originally Posted by JetPlaneFlyer

Maybe everyone is out flying

Frank,
Personally I think it's a bit harsh being critical of the prolific posters. Yes they may post in numerous topics but that in no way prevents anyone else from expressing their own opinion, does it?. I think if anything these prolific posters generate a lot of follow on discussion.

And your not saying this because you're one of them? Honestly, you're one of my favorites posters. I've learned a lot from you (and other "prolific posters").

[Murocflyer]

Steve,

I'm not saying that is the only reason why WF is dying, or appears to be dying, I'm just saying that is what started turning me off to WF a few years ago. I'm only one poster/user.

But there must be something in the bigger picture that I (we?) are not seeing. Why is WF down to only 120 posts per day? What is happening and why is it happening? I really like WF, but when I have thoughts or comments, it really doesn't do much good sharing them here anymore since foot traffic is so little these days.

Just wondering what is the problem and if there is anything that can be done to turn it around. Knowing what the reasons are that is causing WF to dwindle is a step in the right direction on what can be done to turn things around.

Frank

[firemanbill]

Originally Posted by Murocflyer

Don,

What is IB? And wow, 120 posts a day, that is really low. Shoot at one time, I was dropping half that many all by myself in a day. But times have changed and I am a much busier person with little time to help others.

WF has always been one of my favorite RC forums and I have lots of ideas, just no time to help implement them.

Perhaps you guys can start and thread and ask for ideas on what folks would like to see here on WF to get some inputs from others? And another thread asking "what is wrong with WF. A little criticism shouldn't hurt as long as folks are allowed to speak freely and not be criticized.

Frank

Frank no ill intent meant with this statement, but it sounds like you are part of the problem. You even said so yourself.

"I was dropping half that many all by myself in a day. But times have changed and I am a much busier person with little time to help others."

Coming in knowing that and asking what is the problem is a bit like the alligator calling the crocodile big mouth.

I think the biggest thing is Facebook. Very few forums are experiencing the traffic they used too now that The Walmart of the forums has taken over. I discussed this with Don and some others at SEFF and it really seems like a growing trend to post to FB instead of the forums.

[Nitro Blast]

It may also have to do with the Spring season. The Flying Season(for the majority of the USA) will begin to get really active and that could have an effect.

Wait until summer is in full swing, when planes start getting broken, repaired etc.... we will have surge then.

[Murocflyer]

Originally Posted by firemanbill

Frank no ill intent meant with this statement, but it sounds like you are part of the problem. You even said so yourself.

"I was dropping half that many all by myself in a day. But times have changed and I am a much busier person with little time to help others."

Coming in knowing that and asking what is the problem is a bit like the alligator calling the crocodile big mouth.

I think the biggest thing is Facebook. Very few forums are experiencing the traffic they used too now that The Walmart of the forums has taken over. I discussed this with Don and some others at SEFF and it really seems like a growing trend to post to FB instead of the forums.

I saw this years ago, back in 2008, and that is why I quit posting here so much. I didn't want to be "that guy" who always gives their opinion on everything.

So Facebook is the reason why WF's usage is dwindling? What does FB have that can be bested by WF? I am not a FB fan, nor use it much at all. Perhaps that is where we need to look and learn from, or is it just too late for that?

Or does it really matter if WF has only 120 posts per day now. Maybe it does not really matter at all. Does anyone care?

Frank

[Murocflyer]

Originally Posted by Nitro Blast

It may also have to do with the Spring season. The Flying Season(for the majority of the USA) will begin to get really active and that could have an effect.

Wait until summer is in full swing, when planes start getting broken, repaired etc.... we will have surge then.

I thought that may be the case, but when you look at the stas, something is going on and it is not good. Click to display 60 and you can look at the trend.


http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/statistics.php

But as I mentioned before, maybe it is not a bad thing. I don't know. Maybe no one cares or should care. I was just wondering about it. Since WF used to have over 10,000 posts a month, I suspect there must be a reason why and for those that may have a vested interest in WF, is there something in the works to change the trend?

Frank

[firemanbill]

Originally Posted by Murocflyer

I saw this years ago, back in 2008, and that is why I quit posting here so much. I didn't want to be "that guy" who always gives their opinion on everything.

So Facebook is the reason why WF's usage is dwindling? What does FB have that can be bested by WF? I am not a FB fan, nor use it much at all. Perhaps that is where we need to look and learn from, or is it just too late for that?

Or does it really matter if WF has only 120 posts per day now. Maybe it does not really matter at all. Does anyone care?

Frank

It's the reason all the forums are dwindling. I use a lot of different forums, RC mostly, and one for my Truck, and some other hobbies. Post counts are dropping on all of them. A couple of upstart RC forums have completely failed due to lack of posting.

FB doesn't give anything the forums don't but why post the same stuff in more than one place? I have friends on FB that may not be members here, or RCG, or powerstroke.org, or other forums, but they are all there and I can reach all of them with one post there.

I don't think it's a question of right or wrong, it just is what it is.

[zoltron55]

I would worry about quality not quanity (I know I can't spell)

[kenchiroalpha]

Hi
Im not here as often lately due to my injury quite a while back as some of my closer friends here already know about,
I just cant operate or build rc vehicles as i used too due to numbness and loss of motor control, strength and dexterity in my left hand
Its coming back to me with physical therapy but its a very slow and painful road
One day soon i hope to be back at 100 % and building flying driving and posting
Take care dear friends
Yours Hank

[stevecooper]

No matter what the post count,Wattflyer is still the place with the best mess-o-WattHeads anywhere,, I made Friends,,Real Friend's,, that I've met and got to know well (and their families in some cases), Most other sites are a circus with the banter and troll posting's,,Wattflyer will come though this better than some "other's" will, bubsteve

[max2112]

I too have noticed the decline in posts, but I just chalked it up to the natural ebb and flow of an on-line forum.

I do admit that I'm not a high-count poster, but I always do try and help answer questions when I can.

One thing that I think would help is to bring back some of the older big events.

When was was the last time we had a contest?

I especially liked the Wattflyer calendar where users submitted pictures and we all voted.

And I agree with you, bubSteve; WattFlyer is the best on-ine site for me!

[stuart]

always glad to see you posting hank,you bring more to the forums then just rc...ex:shelby

the way i see it is we should all be flying now,also folks are getting busier than 5 years ago when the market began to crash and we all had more time on our hands. i know thats why i was always here. now I'm back to work and visit mostly evenings and weekends. one other thing to look at is how many folks are viewing posts. an example is Nigel and i are in competition to push the speed on a specific plane..the hk parkjet. we are the majority posting on the "need for speed" thread here at watt flyer.but the views are approaching 9000,so someone is interested in the power setup and success/failures we are posting about. why they don't post a comment is unknown.

but i must admit,i miss the days when we had 3 pages of posts waiting to be read when i got home. the times,they are a changing.

[dahawk]

For me,

WF is my favorite by a long shot. The only other site I visit is rc groups. It's okay, but there's just not the same hominess as there is here. Alot more arrogance over there. I don't like FB for much of anything except for politics and catching up with old HS friends from almost 40 years ago.

I truly appreciate all of the the guru's that contribute to the WF forums. Many are true legends in this hobby. Have learned a lot in a relatively short period of time. From scratchbuilding techniques to electrics I've gained more technical knowledge about RC than I ever thought was possible. And I never minded being scolded or corrected by Chellie-LOL She's so damn smart, it's scary.

What's been fun is being able to help out newbies that have many of the same questions I had and trying to help them avoid some of the early mistakes we all tend to make when getting started.

It's also been fun surfing and exploring some of the topics that are interesting or completely new to me. Areas of the hobby where I have no experience at all.

When I run into trouble or have a technical question, this is the place I come for help and its always refreshing and reassuring to know that there will be someone out there to help.

Not sure why the total number of posts are down from years past. I've only been here since last summer.

-Hawk

[NJSwede]

I could never be FB friends with you. You'd see my political discussions and you'd immediately roll me in tar and feathers. Most of you seem to be a conservative bunch and we Swedes are born liberals. That's really nothing we can help!

[Murocflyer]

Originally Posted by max2112

I too have noticed the decline in posts, but I just chalked it up to the natural ebb and flow of an on-line forum.

I do admit that I'm not a high-count poster, but I always do try and help answer questions when I can.

One thing that I think would help is to bring back some of the older big events.

When was was the last time we had a contest?

I especially liked the Wattflyer calendar where users submitted pictures and we all voted.

And I agree with you, bubSteve; WattFlyer is the best on-ine site for me!

John is right. We are all the contests? There seemed like there was so much more participation and energy a few years ago. I don't really see it nowadays.

And from what I am reading, are Don and I the only ones that care? I'm afraid if the post count continues to drop, the new bosses will close the doors on WF and then what happens? Where will I go to "hang out" with my WF buds?

RCG is just way too big and way too much drama by a group of high volume posters. But I must admit it has gotten better after they banned a huge troll over there.

Maybe I shouldn't care what happens to this forum and its post count, and contests and forum participation, but I like WF and I have seen it do so much better I hate to see it in such decline.

Frank

PS What did happen to the calendars?

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51935

Or the contests?

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35332

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35744

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42628

[firemanbill]

No you and Don are not the only ones who care. Like I said earlier I had talked with Don about this at SEFF. We have been concerned about this for a while.

We need max participation from everyone though. Coming in and complaining that no one is participating when you even admit yourself you have not been posting as much is not the way to fix the issue.

As for the contests you'll have to talk with the new owners of this site. It appears that is not their priority for the forum. Bottom line it has been different since Marc sold WF and it will never be what was, good or bad.

Wattflyer is what we all make it. Period. No one will do it for us through contest or anything else.

Besides, contest are great for increasing the member base and having a bunch of (non)users with one post.

[NJSwede]

Another thing I try to do is to direct beginners I meet at the flying field to Wattflyer. I think there's no better site when it comes to guiding beginners. As I said before, WF is the reason I'm even in this hobby. I will never forget what you guys did for me!