what happened to automotive forums?

master hec0 · #1 02-02-2009, 11:05 PM

i used to be on here quite regularly but stopped coming on here in 07 i come back because i have a question and i look around and their isnt much activity anymore the site hasnt changed in 5 years graphically and active members seems to be very slim anyone know what happened? this place used to be very active

VR43000GT · #2 02-03-2009, 01:13 AM

This thread has been discussed before. From what I have heard from other members is that they were fed up with a couple of the moderators (certainly not all) and the fact that newcomers often times weren't given a chance, thus driving them away. Some just faded off into the distance for an unknown reason.

raysoh8 · #3 02-03-2009, 01:48 AM

Some members like me are still active. But we just dont post.

master hec0 · #4 02-03-2009, 09:12 AM

thats a shame.

'97ventureowner · #5 02-03-2009, 09:35 AM

A lot of the members started out here at a young age , and as time goes on , commitments such as schooling , jobs, marriage and family demand more time from them as they get older. So they end up spending less time here than they previously have done. Also, there are more forums out there now than in the past , and some are more manufacturer or model specifics, so that could draw away traffic from a site as well.

fredjacksonsan · #6 02-03-2009, 10:24 AM

I know that a harsh reception to many newcomers didn't help anything either. Not talking about the spammers or trolls, but rather the prospective new member that got blasted for not knowing everything right off the bat.

We should treat our newest members lightly until they get used to the site.

RazorGTR · #7 02-03-2009, 11:37 AM

I know from personal experience when I was very active on AF, we had an abundance of spammers, know it all's, and childish members who didn't contribute outside of worthless and false informational posts. It really got bad for a while.

As for new comers. I treat them as anyone else I have in the past. I prefer to take things to private messages explaining the guide lines. We are all bound by them, even moderators have guide lines to follow.

As to why the message boards have slowed greatly, I'm sure many can draw their own personal conclusions as to why. We here at AF certainly do not own exclusivity on message boards life spans. Many have an initial explosion of a membership base, then taper off over time to generalized size of activity.

An Automotive forums is much different than say a gaming forums. Gaming forums as an example will have new games, patches, updates, etc are continually released and discussed. Thus creating a living forums and as long as the admins can keep up with new areas to suit it will continue to remain fairly strong.
Automotive type forums such as these have the initial growth spurt then taper off as problems are solved and the resolutions to these are found via searches with no need to post a new thread. Until there are great changes in the automotive industry as far as going to say electric cars and an example. You can only discuss the internal combustion engine so much.

AF still has one of the strongest databases of problem solving that I know of. I'm sure over time things will change and we'll once again see another increase in active posting users with a new wealth of knowledge.

ericn1300 · #8 02-03-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

I know that a harsh reception to many newcomers didn't help anything either. Not talking about the spammers or trolls, but rather the prospective new member that got blasted for not knowing everything right off the bat.

We should treat our newest members lightly until they get used to the site.

Amen brother, and that sentiment could be particularly extended into certain forums were the mods are territorial and often unfriendly to new comers. There are a few I avoid religiously and I have a high tolerance level.

fredjacksonsan · #9 02-03-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericn1300

Amen brother, and that sentiment could be particularly extended into certain forums were the mods are territorial and often unfriendly to new comers. There are a few I avoid religiously and I have a high tolerance level.

Yeah, being intolerant of a new member that doesn't know x about car y isn't the best approach. We were ALL there at one time or another. Giving someone a verbal lashing and telling them to do a search for their (to them) new problem ....

CL8 · #10 02-03-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

I know that a harsh reception to many newcomers didn't help anything either. Not talking about the spammers or trolls, but rather the prospective new member that got blasted for not knowing everything right off the bat.

We should treat our newest members lightly until they get used to the site.

Are you saying after members have been here a while THEN get unfriendly, blast them and drive them away? (pun intended)

I'm pretty new, and I can't say Iv'e seen unfriendliness towards me.

Does anyone know why the Admin has blocked access to the members listing?

kris · #11 02-03-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL8

Are you saying after members have been here a while THEN get unfriendly, blast them and drive them away? (pun intended)

I'm pretty new, and I can't say Iv'e seen unfriendliness towards me.

Does anyone know why the Admin has blocked access to the members listing?

AF is in the process of a upgrade, which is a time consuming process for Igor.

Also, while new posts may not be as active in COT, AF is pretty busy as far as archived threads goes. There are also other sections busy as ever.

If you all could improve on AF, what would you do? Just a curious question.

BeZerK2112 · #12 02-04-2009, 01:29 PM

Honestly I gave up AF for local forums. I found more support there. My biggist thing was people flaming me for no reason. People treat other people like crap because they don't actually know each other. Local forums arnt like that. YOu get to know the people locally and you treat each other with respect.

RESPECT!!!

And theres something wrong with firefox and posting. I have to click preview post and then submit every time. Thats anoying. It's on in firefox and only on AF.

'97ventureowner · #13 02-04-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeZerK2112

And theres something wrong with firefox and posting. I have to click preview post and then submit every time. Thats anoying. It's on in firefox and only on AF.

Like kris mentioned in the post above, we are testing a newer version of software for the site and it appears that those issues have been solved. It is a labor intensive procedure as AF is customized and transferring all those customizations takes time. Hopefully the new version will be ready to roll out soon. Keep checking back for any notifications about this.

fredjacksonsan · #14 02-04-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL8

Are you saying after members have been here a while THEN get unfriendly, blast them and drive them away? (pun intended)

I'm pretty new, and I can't say Iv'e seen unfriendliness towards me.

Does anyone know why the Admin has blocked access to the members listing?

Yes, now STFU N00b!!

(now that you've been here awhile you can be abused.)

opcorn:

speediva · #15 02-04-2009, 10:56 PM

It'll come alive again after the next FnF... people always get curious and need help finding information about the latest starter car they've bought with the intention to put huge vinyl graphics and giant wings upon.

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