Death of forums

R1cho · 03-12-2018, 07:51

I just joined the land cruiser owners club forum and a lot of the posts are from over a year ago and there doesn't seem to be a lot of new activity, what do you think makes this forum different from other ones that were once very active but are no longer? A lot of people use facebook groups now which I suppose has caused the death of some forums yet this one keeps going with new content daily, just curious as to why?

jims-terrano · 03-12-2018, 08:34

One thing I do know and that the knowledge and experience on this club are second to none.

Threads don’t become disjointed unlike FB, especially good for project threads.

The support and friendship are very helpful and great on here.

There’s also a variety of posts not just vehicle specific as well as other subjects.

I too have seen forums quieten down since the advent of FB and have thought about this one too. The atmosphere on here seems so much more supportive, I’ve posted on other forums and had my head bitten off. Personally I prefer the way this forum is organised into subject areas, FB groups can’t organise like that.

solarman216 · 03-12-2018, 09:35

This is not just a forum, it is a club of like minded people that feel free to discus most things in life, Rick

RJL Services · 03-12-2018, 09:40

i have found the same when i joined a citroen,kia,ssangyong forum no recent posts and no much in the way of help from them which is why i stay here like has been said not just 4x4 advice lots of other advice plus friendly caring people makes this one special

Mr K · 03-12-2018, 11:12

This is not so much a Nissan group, this is just a group of friends.

I feel like I could ask for help here for anything, not just about cars, and my help is also offered out to anyone the same.

There is a really nice core group of like minded friends.

The only bad thing is that we all live so far apart, but anyone is more than welcome to knock on my door. I couldn't say that about ANY Facebook group I'm in.

macabethiel · 03-12-2018, 17:31

I find forums that are backed by vehicle brands directly or indirectly seem really slow to respond to any questions.
I suspect they want you to run to the main dealers with any issues. It's a few years ago now but I got kicked off the Hyundai Forum for questioning local dealer service. Clearly the moderators work for Hyundai dealers.

I still post sometimes on the Jeep unofficial forum Birty Dastards, the Jeep Forum is static as far as Q&A 's go.

Here even if we don't have a specific issue we can advise on we will chip in with ideas. I see this site as truly Independent. The modest Fee in my mind makes me want to help like minded people who will come up with the membership fee. I get my monies worth here in so many ways, I want others to benefit as well. I hate it when we can't locate something like a wiper amp for a member on his vehicle.

Lazy-Ferret · 03-12-2018, 19:10

I run a ferret forum, and it is now just the few die hards still posting... There are loads of Ferret fans out there, but I think my forum is now the last true ferret forum still running.

There was about 4 or 5 other forums, but all the others did the parallel FB and forum thing for a while, where suddenly everyone moved over to FB, and the forum got quieter and quieter, till in the end they shut the forum down as it saved money, since FB costs nothing other than your soul. The other problem is Forum Spammers, I do not know how this forum does such a good job of keeping them off, but for me, I have to hand check 8 to 10 a day, to see if the odd real person actually tries to join up and that takes time, the more popular the forum, the more you get trying to join.

I do blame Facebook, as it panders to today's society, where they don't bother researching an issue, they just dive in and ask their questions, expecting everyone else to answer it for them, and as there is no historic data on there, it's the only thing they can do.

I have been researching Scroll Saws. and it's scary because all the info is 5 or 6 years old, as again, no one is posting to the relevant forums anymore, and any results that send you to a FB page have one answer and then 10 keyboard worriers questioning their spelling, grammar, or just plain contradicting the answer with out any constructive information.

It's a shame, but as a person who has been on the web since before it was even called the internet (when I worked at the University), I have seen it go from having not a lot of info, to turning into a great resource for finding the answers to most things, to now, where there is so much junk and advertising on it, that it's hard to actually find real opinions.

I think that the people on this forum are a minority that somehow having Nissan 4x4's in common seem to be nice people, and the ones that aren't like that, soon go away again. It's a bit like already said, this is more like a club/pub where we can talk about anything, and long may it continue.

johnb5177 · 03-12-2018, 20:10

I have to agree with all the previous comments.

It is a comfortable place to be, with distant friends, ready to support and provide advice on everything from socks, through illness and mental health issues, to MAF amps and side steps......

I look forward to opening the site each day, to see who said what, who has modded this or that, who needs a bit of a hug or a chat.....

Friends who just own Nissans....and not all of us still own them, but stay cos they're always welcome and would be missed if they went....

Long may it last.....

paulp · 03-12-2018, 20:23

I accept that there are rules, but generally this forum has no filters.
However I have never seen anyone offended or upset.
I have often asked for help and got it without question and some invaluable advice.

I hope this forum continues

Paulp

Davey Boy · 03-12-2018, 20:34

The old 4x4 ‘any marques’ forum I’ve been with for the last 10yrs is sadly dying on its feet.
Although we had/have over 2000 members it was always the core 20 that made things happen.
The shame of it is, FB has attracted the user across to a more dynamic platform. But the difference is, the forums hold on to and store conversations and articles going years back. This is really a great thing if your researching a problem, issue or a piece about your vehicle.

FB can’t do that!

Our forum here actually sets a benchmark, and is a stand alone success amongst other forums both here and abroad (the Aussies are quiet to).

Yes, we have a common interest in specific vehicle models but that’s just the gate-opener for a bloody good chat amongst mates.
Getting away and meeting up just strengthens a bond we already have, by putting faces to names.

Bring on the next camp fire!!

Davey

don simon · 03-12-2018, 20:40

As everyone says, we are people and I think the laning trips and weekends away have made the place stronger and more than a forum. Seeing the personality behind the forum name is always a good thing.

I understand that no one is going to get rich on the back of the forum, but life isn't always about making money, and no I don't want to buy it!!!

zippy656 · 05-12-2018, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarman216

This is not just a forum, it is a club of like minded people that feel free to discus most things in life, Rick

true,

this is a very "ODD" place

yes we talk about 4x4's but mostly we go OFF TOPIC

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 05-12-2018, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulp

I accept that there are rules, but generally this forum has no filters.
However I have never seen anyone offended or upset.
I have often asked for help and got it without question and some invaluable advice.

I hope this forum continues

Paulp

Been here 14 years and modding would guess about 10 of them.

There have been moments, a few have been asked to leave or
been pushed. Generally on 'ism' issues.

....then few to mention....!

solarman216 · 05-12-2018, 22:54

I think we seem to be self regulating, ie members seem to object to any adverse posts, Rick

Sundowners · 06-12-2018, 13:18

I am new here, from where I stand everyone seems to just have a very pleasant attitude, there appears to be no nasty or unpleasant sarcastic comments!!!!!
The first forum I got involved with I posted a question (that I obviously didn't know the answer to) and one old member gave me a most unfriendly reply------ I never went on there again-------- it just takes that one or two members to create that uncomfortable feeling!!!!!

I have been around forums a while now and if I got that type of reply I would just block that person!!!!!!
Newcomers ( like me) can ask what to experienced members may seem stupid/simple things, it's the attitude of the response that makes so much difference!!!!!!!
I often say there are no stupid questions but sometimes stupid answers!!!!!
Nigel & Pamala

03-12-2018, 07:51	#1
R1cho Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wales Vehicle: 1997 LandCruiser Colorado Posts: 4,201	Death of forums I just joined the land cruiser owners club forum and a lot of the posts are from over a year ago and there doesn't seem to be a lot of new activity, what do you think makes this forum different from other ones that were once very active but are no longer? A lot of people use facebook groups now which I suppose has caused the death of some forums yet this one keeps going with new content daily, just curious as to why?

03-12-2018, 09:35	#3
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	This is not just a forum, it is a club of like minded people that feel free to discus most things in life, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

03-12-2018, 17:31	#6
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Is it the £10 membership - sorts out Wheat from Chaff ?? I find forums that are backed by vehicle brands directly or indirectly seem really slow to respond to any questions. I suspect they want you to run to the main dealers with any issues. It's a few years ago now but I got kicked off the Hyundai Forum for questioning local dealer service. Clearly the moderators work for Hyundai dealers. I still post sometimes on the Jeep unofficial forum Birty Dastards, the Jeep Forum is static as far as Q&A 's go. Here even if we don't have a specific issue we can advise on we will chip in with ideas. I see this site as truly Independent. The modest Fee in my mind makes me want to help like minded people who will come up with the membership fee. I get my monies worth here in so many ways, I want others to benefit as well. I hate it when we can't locate something like a wiper amp for a member on his vehicle.

03-12-2018, 20:23	#9
paulp Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: essex Vehicle: nissan mistral 27td Posts: 1,043	forum I accept that there are rules, but generally this forum has no filters. However I have never seen anyone offended or upset. I have often asked for help and got it without question and some invaluable advice. I hope this forum continues Paulp

05-12-2018, 22:54	#14
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	I think we seem to be self regulating, ie members seem to object to any adverse posts, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

03-12-2018, 08:34	#2
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	One thing I do know and that the knowledge and experience on this club are second to none. Threads don’t become disjointed unlike FB, especially good for project threads. The support and friendship are very helpful and great on here. There’s also a variety of posts not just vehicle specific as well as other subjects. I too have seen forums quieten down since the advent of FB and have thought about this one too. The atmosphere on here seems so much more supportive, I’ve posted on other forums and had my head bitten off. Personally I prefer the way this forum is organised into subject areas, FB groups can’t organise like that.

03-12-2018, 09:40	#4
RJL Services Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: southwest gloucester Vehicle: Nissan Terrano 2.7 2003 Posts: 615	i have found the same when i joined a citroen,kia,ssangyong forum no recent posts and no much in the way of help from them which is why i stay here like has been said not just 4x4 advice lots of other advice plus friendly caring people makes this one special

03-12-2018, 11:12	#5
Mr K Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: South Northants Vehicle: Nissan Patrol Y61 2.8 Posts: 1,145	This is not so much a Nissan group, this is just a group of friends. I feel like I could ask for help here for anything, not just about cars, and my help is also offered out to anyone the same. There is a really nice core group of like minded friends. The only bad thing is that we all live so far apart, but anyone is more than welcome to knock on my door. I couldn't say that about ANY Facebook group I'm in.

03-12-2018, 19:10	#7
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	I run a ferret forum, and it is now just the few die hards still posting... There are loads of Ferret fans out there, but I think my forum is now the last true ferret forum still running. There was about 4 or 5 other forums, but all the others did the parallel FB and forum thing for a while, where suddenly everyone moved over to FB, and the forum got quieter and quieter, till in the end they shut the forum down as it saved money, since FB costs nothing other than your soul. The other problem is Forum Spammers, I do not know how this forum does such a good job of keeping them off, but for me, I have to hand check 8 to 10 a day, to see if the odd real person actually tries to join up and that takes time, the more popular the forum, the more you get trying to join. I do blame Facebook, as it panders to today's society, where they don't bother researching an issue, they just dive in and ask their questions, expecting everyone else to answer it for them, and as there is no historic data on there, it's the only thing they can do. I have been researching Scroll Saws. and it's scary because all the info is 5 or 6 years old, as again, no one is posting to the relevant forums anymore, and any results that send you to a FB page have one answer and then 10 keyboard worriers questioning their spelling, grammar, or just plain contradicting the answer with out any constructive information. It's a shame, but as a person who has been on the web since before it was even called the internet (when I worked at the University), I have seen it go from having not a lot of info, to turning into a great resource for finding the answers to most things, to now, where there is so much junk and advertising on it, that it's hard to actually find real opinions. I think that the people on this forum are a minority that somehow having Nissan 4x4's in common seem to be nice people, and the ones that aren't like that, soon go away again. It's a bit like already said, this is more like a club/pub where we can talk about anything, and long may it continue.

03-12-2018, 20:10	#8
johnb5177 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Swansea, S.Wales Vehicle: 02Terrano II 3.0 SVE Auto Posts: 1,586	I have to agree with all the previous comments. It is a comfortable place to be, with distant friends, ready to support and provide advice on everything from socks, through illness and mental health issues, to MAF amps and side steps...... I look forward to opening the site each day, to see who said what, who has modded this or that, who needs a bit of a hug or a chat..... Friends who just own Nissans....and not all of us still own them, but stay cos they're always welcome and would be missed if they went.... Long may it last.....

03-12-2018, 20:34	#10
Davey Boy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Dartmoor Vehicle: Patrol ZD30 SVE Posts: 960	The old 4x4 ‘any marques’ forum I’ve been with for the last 10yrs is sadly dying on its feet. Although we had/have over 2000 members it was always the core 20 that made things happen. The shame of it is, FB has attracted the user across to a more dynamic platform. But the difference is, the forums hold on to and store conversations and articles going years back. This is really a great thing if your researching a problem, issue or a piece about your vehicle. FB can’t do that! Our forum here actually sets a benchmark, and is a stand alone success amongst other forums both here and abroad (the Aussies are quiet to). Yes, we have a common interest in specific vehicle models but that’s just the gate-opener for a bloody good chat amongst mates. Getting away and meeting up just strengthens a bond we already have, by putting faces to names. Bring on the next camp fire!! Davey

03-12-2018, 20:40	#11
don simon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Gone. Vehicle: Terrano ii Posts: 2,215	As everyone says, we are people and I think the laning trips and weekends away have made the place stronger and more than a forum. Seeing the personality behind the forum name is always a good thing. I understand that no one is going to get rich on the back of the forum, but life isn't always about making money, and no I don't want to buy it!!!

06-12-2018, 13:18	#15
Sundowners Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Portugal Vehicle: Terrano 1 Posts: 39	I am new here, from where I stand everyone seems to just have a very pleasant attitude, there appears to be no nasty or unpleasant sarcastic comments!!!!! The first forum I got involved with I posted a question (that I obviously didn't know the answer to) and one old member gave me a most unfriendly reply------ I never went on there again-------- it just takes that one or two members to create that uncomfortable feeling!!!!! I have been around forums a while now and if I got that type of reply I would just block that person!!!!!! Newcomers ( like me) can ask what to experienced members may seem stupid/simple things, it's the attitude of the response that makes so much difference!!!!!!! I often say there are no stupid questions but sometimes stupid answers!!!!! Nigel & Pamala