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Post by truffle on May 31, 2022 11:05:09 GMT
although i've never signed up here, i've been a fairly regular visitor to the forum but i've noticed this forum has gone very quiet of late, with many of the regular posters having seemingly disappeared ! many other forums i visit all seem to be quite too, sites like uk fungi, wildlifebytes, etc are ticking along, but nowhere near as busy as they once were, so is this yet another forum that the dreaded facebook has killed off ? sad really as a forum has so much more to offer than facebook in my opinion, and without all the data collection on you that facebook blatantly collects  |
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Post by ianr on Jun 1, 2022 4:43:42 GMT
Hi truffle  I guess it's a quite time of year I'm only seeing the same sort of thing so often don't post about it, must take the camera for a walk and see what I can find  I check here every day too looking forward to one of Dave's jokes  I don't do face book either ian |
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Post by rowanberry on Jun 3, 2022 22:29:54 GMT
Hello, Truffle-
I think most forums are struggling now... I've come across articles about 'The Death of the Forum' and most of the blame does seem to be placed upon social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
It is sad- I loved the sense of community on the old Wild about Britain forum, and learned a great deal there. I intend to keep this one going for as long as there is interest, but I don't know how much longed ProBoards will carry on for.
I had a look at their 'New Forums' list recently, and there are lots... but unfortunately most of them have no posts and no active members. ProBoards relies upon advertising, so I don't know how they are surviving... without traffic, who will pay to place ads?
I don't use Facebook- I've never really understood it. It seems to consist mainly of brief, throw-away comments, without any discussion, and no real interaction. I think a lot of people prefer that- it's quick, it's easy, and by giving a thumbs-up to a post they feel they've contributed something. We have over 400 members here, and yet probably two-thirds of them have never even posted once.  It's a shame, because our wildlife and the environment needs our support now more than ever. On the original WaB forum there were members who were active in speaking out about bird-of-prey persecution, illegal fox hunting, and river pollution... and they helped to keep the rest of us informed about these issues.
I don't think reading celebrity tweets is really all that helpful. 
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Post by Tringa on Jun 5, 2022 9:29:18 GMT
Couldn't agree more, Rb.
The problem I have with Facebook groups is the randomness of some of the posts.
I belong to a group set up to record wildlife sightings in the area of north west Scotland that I know well.
Scattered among the various written records/photos/photos requesting ID and videos of the local wildlife are totally unrelated posts, eg a dog doing a trick or a photo someone took on their holiday in Australia. I want to say, "Your dog is very clever and the video is entertaining but why did you post it here?"
Dave
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Post by grumpyaudeman on Aug 11, 2023 19:45:47 GMT
the randomness of some of the posts. are totally unrelated posts
Jul 15, 2023 at 1:26pm QuotePost OptionsPost by Tringa on Jul 15, 2023 at 1:26pm
I wanted to close one of my bank accounts. I was pleased to see there was an online form specifically for closing accounts, so I completed and submitted it.
Later in the day the bank telephoned to say the form started the process but I had to go into my local branch to complete the closure.
I said, "I'm not able to do that."
The bank asked if I had a reason that prevented my from visiting my local branch.
"Yes.", I said, "you closed the branch six months ago because most people bank online now."
Dave
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Post by ianr on Aug 12, 2023 8:04:47 GMT
the randomness of some of the posts. are totally unrelated posts Jul 15, 2023 at 1:26pm QuotePost OptionsPost by Tringa on Jul 15, 2023 at 1:26pm I wanted to close one of my bank accounts. I was pleased to see there was an online form specifically for closing accounts, so I completed and submitted it. Later in the day the bank telephoned to say the form started the process but I had to go into my local branch to complete the closure. I said, "I'm not able to do that." The bank asked if I had a reason that prevented my from visiting my local branch. "Yes.", I said, "you closed the branch six months ago because most people bank online now." Dave I think you'll find that was posted under the heading '' a couple of funnies'' I see why you call yourself grumpyaudeman ian |
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Post by nature nut on Sept 18, 2023 12:24:00 GMT
not sure if its facebook that is killing forums like this or not ? i dont have a facebook account myself, and get some surprised reactions when asked if i'm on facebook , and say no  some facebook users tell me its easier to post something on facebook than it is on a forum, but i dont think there can be much difference my self ? it looks to me as if the fate of forums like this one, and others as mentioned elsewhere in this topic is looking bleak, as less and less people seem to be using it, like the OP, i often look in here, but have never joined the forum, so maybe apathy like this is one of the factors in the decline of forums in general, and not wholly down to facebook etc, lets hope that the popularity of facebook etc wanes, and forums regain some of their lost users in the future |
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Post by Psamathe on Sept 19, 2023 13:43:54 GMT
Personally I don't use Facebook.
I think Facebook totally unsuited to numerous different topics being simultaneously discussed. To me Facebook is a social media system where people are not posting "considered content" but short soundbites maybe with a photo or two. I'd rather spend time reading a less frequent considered posting where somebody has something to say rather than somebody posting noise to try and gather clicks and followers like some meaningless personal popularity score.
I take a lot of steps to safeguard my privacy on the internet and Facebook is one of the worst for invasion of privacy - so bad it even collects tracking information from those who determinedly avoid it and have never agreed to being tracked (e.g. when WhatsApp users give the system access to their contacts).
Ian
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Post by robin in the hoody on Oct 18, 2023 14:09:45 GMT
as per the original poster, i often look in here, but have never signed up as a member, and i've noticed a steady decline in visitors and posts on this forum i've noticed that other forums i look in on are undergoing a decline too, but this one seems to be suffering a little worse than most it seems ? its a shame, as forums like this have so much more to offer than the likes of facebook etc, and as Psamathe pointed out, none of the tracking of your visits to the internet and hidden data gathering like facebook does |
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It's a shame, because our wildlife and the environment needs our support now more than ever. On the original WaB forum there were members who were active in speaking out about bird-of-prey persecution, illegal fox hunting, and river pollution... and they helped to keep the rest of us informed about these issues. 
