Are forums dying and being replaced by facebook groups?
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I can't IMAGINE forum use overall would move to FB. FB is *social* media. Forums are *technical* media. (My term. I just invented it.) Or maybe it could be *expert* media.
I go to forums because I want to interact with people who REALLY know what they're talking about. People go to FB for the social component. The human interaction component.
Now - if the question was "Will forums be replaced by YouTube?". That could be an interesting question. I'm definitely learning there are some topics - those where I don't consider it a hobby but I have to learn something to get it done - such as replacing an odd lightbulb in my car - where YouTube gives me the information much faster than if I were to find a forum, register as a user, ask my question, and then wait for a reply.
OR
I go to forums because I want to interact with people who REALLY know what they're talking about. People go to FB for the social component. The human interaction component.
Now - if the question was "Will forums be replaced by YouTube?". That could be an interesting question. I'm definitely learning there are some topics - those where I don't consider it a hobby but I have to learn something to get it done - such as replacing an odd lightbulb in my car - where YouTube gives me the information much faster than if I were to find a forum, register as a user, ask my question, and then wait for a reply.
OR
forindooruseonly
Member
I can think of a number of forums that I've frequented in the past that are no longer around. It's sad, because all the information that they represented simply vanished never to be seen again. Facebook and other social media certainly had a role in their demise, no doubt. But I think there are always going to be forums, as they fulfill a needs that social media can't.
Forums take money to operate. If the traffic, donations and advertising dollars aren't there, then the forum goes away.
I have seen small forums disappear because they were unsustainable.
Toss the gorilla a banana now and then and we can continue to climb his tree.
I have seen small forums disappear because they were unsustainable.
Toss the gorilla a banana now and then and we can continue to climb his tree.
I think it's the other way around. Certain forums may be dying but not all.
At the bottom of the home page it says we have close to 193,000 members and close to 10,500 active members. I can remember not too long ago when the membership was below 100,000.
At the bottom of the home page it says we have close to 193,000 members and close to 10,500 active members. I can remember not too long ago when the membership was below 100,000.
susieqz
Absent Comrade
what are active members?
"It is what it is, 'till it aint what it was anymore."
I'm reminded of talk radio around these parts. We used to have one particular FM station that had both humorous and conservative programs, up to and including Rush on a daily basis. Around 4 years ago it got bought out and it got changed to modern country. Nobody that I've ever met listened to it after that. But it's still going. Now I have to search far distant AM stations to get my fill of such entertainment and enlightenment. Things change and money talks (...as it always has). Heck, around the D.C. area there's no such thing as conservative talk radio anymore. Some progressive illuminati once said "The media is the message". I think a lot of otherwise energetic and effective people drank from that Kool-Aid hose.
Long live The Big Gorilla! Sometimes this site ticks me off with some of it's rules, "Mandatory Readings", my occasional transgressions and subsequent dings. I'll go away and sulk for awhile, but eventually I return. Haven't found a better source for S&W info and humor out there (....yet). I'm glad for this site and I will continue to support it for as long as I can. But I do believe that this site, like everything else, will eventually transmogrify into something else. As will FaceBook. -S2
I'm reminded of talk radio around these parts. We used to have one particular FM station that had both humorous and conservative programs, up to and including Rush on a daily basis. Around 4 years ago it got bought out and it got changed to modern country. Nobody that I've ever met listened to it after that. But it's still going. Now I have to search far distant AM stations to get my fill of such entertainment and enlightenment. Things change and money talks (...as it always has). Heck, around the D.C. area there's no such thing as conservative talk radio anymore. Some progressive illuminati once said "The media is the message". I think a lot of otherwise energetic and effective people drank from that Kool-Aid hose.
Long live The Big Gorilla! Sometimes this site ticks me off with some of it's rules, "Mandatory Readings", my occasional transgressions and subsequent dings. I'll go away and sulk for awhile, but eventually I return. Haven't found a better source for S&W info and humor out there (....yet). I'm glad for this site and I will continue to support it for as long as I can. But I do believe that this site, like everything else, will eventually transmogrify into something else. As will FaceBook. -S2
I will consider joining Facebook when they publish their own book about a subject that has some interest to me. They might try to do it, but I don't believe the Standard Catalogue of Facebook will ever be a hit. There just won't be enough of us knowledgeable old geezers joining Faceplant to ever elevate them to our level of intelligence. Anybody that believes they can get the level expertise on Faceplant that we have here, should join, good luck.
Facebook has a lot of various special interest pages, and I belong to a number of them related to the fire service; British sports cars; motorcycling; Germany; auto racing; aviation; WW2 history, etc., etc.
One of my favorite fire service web forums has faded away, and I would suspect that Facebook was part of the reason.
One of the things Facebook does not do is regulate the discussion. It's up to the Administrators and Moderators on a given page to do that...and some do a much better job than others. I've seen idiotic political comments on pages where there should never be a political post...which is one of the things that makes me appreciate this Forum all the more!
One of my favorite fire service web forums has faded away, and I would suspect that Facebook was part of the reason.
One of the things Facebook does not do is regulate the discussion. It's up to the Administrators and Moderators on a given page to do that...and some do a much better job than others. I've seen idiotic political comments on pages where there should never be a political post...which is one of the things that makes me appreciate this Forum all the more!
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
One dog forum I know of is on it's last legs because everybody's gone to Facebook.
Gun forums I think are different. Most of us don't want to put our stuff out there in what we perceive to be a more public place or put up with the trolls that inevitably show up.
Gun forums I think are different. Most of us don't want to put our stuff out there in what we perceive to be a more public place or put up with the trolls that inevitably show up.
I find it interesting that a print magazine, a media on its own deathbed, would be making comment about other venues having a struggle. The majority of 'print' outlets (newspapers/magazines), mainstream news, and TV networks that many of us grew up with are facing hard times due to the world changing around them. That change, for the most part, is the advent and proliferation of electronic media. They can't stop that. We can't stop that..... nor should we try. if you are over 50, think back - how many newspapers did your town have, and how many magazines were there that are no more? I choose to use my time as I view it to be most rewarding to me. (I find this Forum rewarding and informative and end up here several times a day.) My use of time does not allow for Facebook, and that is my conscious decision. I have tried it, guess I still have an account, but I do not find FB to be interesting or rewarding to me, so pfffft..... Many of my friends and family use FB. Some spend all waking hours 'plugged in'. I respect their right to spend their time as they please and to dabble with what they find rewarding. Yet, not a day goes by that there are not complaints among them of being misunderstood, frustrated, misinformed, etc..... I will say I do enjoy having my associates show me pictures and videos of some current events, and FB is great for that. As a firefighter I truly enjoy seeing pictures of a fire-ground upon which I am or was actively working...... So, hey, even this stick-in-the-mud sees some value, just not enough to actively participate. To each our own. But progress will continue to roll out new evolutions...... just think how things have changed since you became aware of the world around you. It boggles my mind when I consider what has happened during my lifetime........
Arik, you are spot on. I think that what might be going on here is that Facebook has all that you mention to offer and perhaps even more. But the reason that I, personally don't care for it, and perhaps I speak for some others in here, is because none of the things on your list hold even the slightest interest to me. Absolutely no interest in or use for any of that or anything else on FB.
It may be that when all us anti FBers experess our opinions we don't make that point. And I think that the resentment comes in when those that like and frequent FB try sooooo hard to sell it to the rest of us. It will never work with me and I'm sure that others feel the same. I think another possible reason for the resentment is that, as in my case, some may have lost good lifetime friendships because a lot of people are forsaking some forums they have been on for years, 19 years in my case, and gone to facebook.
At first I was hurt. The hurt turned to anger. And now the anger has turned to indifference. Actually these changes are the natural evolution of everything. Stuff changes. Some will like the changes and some won't. Life goes on.
I believe in live and let live. It's why we have different brands of coffee, different kinds of cars, different color shirts and different everything, so we can all have it like we want to.
And just as I believe that those that want to use FB should be able to do so with out criticism I believe that those of us that don't may receive the same consideration.
Every aspect of life evolves. With the advent of the internet evolution will not only continue but I think it will speed up. In a way I'm kind of glad that I won't be around to see just how things are going to go.
In the meant time, if I may quote Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"
........ I think another possible reason for the resentment is that, as in my case, some may have lost good lifetime friendships because a lot of people are forsaking some forums they have been on for years, 19 years in my case, and gone to facebook........
In the meant time, if I may quote Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"
Agree, and I have seen more than one lifetime friendship dissolved by activity on FB.
Arik
Member
Arik, you are spot on. I think that what might be going on here is that Facebook has all that you mention to offer and perhaps even more. But the reason that I, personally don't care for it, and perhaps I speak for some others in here, is because none of the things on your list hold even the slightest interest to me. Absolutely no interest in or use for any of that or anything else on FB.
It may be that when all us anti FBers experess our opinions we don't make that point. And I think that the resentment comes in when those that like and frequent FB try sooooo hard to sell it to the rest of us. It will never work with me and I'm sure that others feel the same. I think another possible reason for the resentment is that, as in my case, some may have lost good lifetime friendships because a lot of people are forsaking some forums they have been on for years, 19 years in my case, and gone to facebook.
At first I was hurt. The hurt turned to anger. And now the anger has turned to indifference. Actually these changes are the natural evolution of everything. Stuff changes. Some will like the changes and some won't. Life goes on.
I believe in live and let live. It's why we have different brands of coffee, different kinds of cars, different color shirts and different everything, so we can all have it like we want to.
And just as I believe that those that want to use FB should be able to do so with out criticism I believe that those of us that don't may receive the same consideration.
Every aspect of life evolves. With the advent of the internet evolution will not only continue but I think it will speed up. In a way I'm kind of glad that I won't be around to see just how things are going to go.
In the meant time, if I may quote Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"
I actually don't have it either, never did, and have no interest in getting it. But it's not because I think it's all about Kardashians or some other popular person. I simply never had a use for it.
I just posted that because some people over exaggerate and over simplify it.
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I think sometimes there is a 'clouding' of the definition that is assigned to the word "friendship". Cyber friendships differ greatly from personal face-to-face friendships. I have some cyber friends, but we share no experiences beyond that which takes place with a keyboard or smart phone. I also have personal friends that I have shared true life experiences with. Truly, I can count on the latter when the need arises. A friendship has many facets, and cyber interaction cannot support but a few of them. Please do not take me wrong, I am quite grateful for my acquaintances and interactions here on this forum. This is a well run gathering place where the collective group is fantastic. If I could, I would like to take some of these relationships another step and drink a Guinness or two with y'all..... But, alas, that is tough because I don't know where to get Cyber Guinness.
In my particular case these were definitely face to face friendships. We associated a lot. Cruises and vacations together, partied together. Visited together in each others homes etc. Then all of a sudden facebook takes off and they disappear like a puff of smoke on a windy day.
Those were true friendships. My bad for assuming otherwise.
I am quite sorry to hear about the outcomes. I can although feel your pain, as FB actually came between my wife and me. Got that fixed, but can appreciate well your feelings.
Circumstances seem to either temper or melt friendships. It is sad that some are fragile enough to be disrupted by something like FB. Cherish those that remain by your side.
Lobogunleathers
Member
As a business we do use facebook as a tool to show some of our recent work and some of the things that we are currently working on. The forums are a wonderful melting pot of different people with amazing backgrounds and knowledge. We all can learn and glean from each other and use different forms to reach that. As someone who has used both types of media and has used them frequently, I honestly see a place for both of them. If I posted pictures of our work here, some would consider that to be advertising. This place,the forum, is a place where we all can help each other with knowledge about a certain subject and gun related issues.
I haven't personally encountered the premise that forums are being replaced by social media (Face Book) until encountering this thread. Like the OP, at 58 I'm probably getting dangerously close to becoming a semi-old geezer, at least some time in the next 30 years or so.
In the meantime, I have no intention of ever experiencing Face Book, just don't see the point.
In the meantime, I have no intention of ever experiencing Face Book, just don't see the point.
Thank you sir. I agree 110%.
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