Ghost Town

[coil1002]

I took a ten year break. This was a fairly active forum back then sad to see it not as active. Where is every one ?

 

[Scooterman]

welcome back, yea it has been slow, forums are loosing out to social media these days.

 

[coil1002]

Maybe I am just old and cranky but its hard to discuss anything on social media

 

[spieszak]

People don't care about discussion anymore. Quick answers, someone to tell them they can put a unicorn tang in a biocube and drama are all that matter

 

[BCT182]

I lurk in the background. I don’t have a FB page or anything like that. I was wondering if there might be a way to stimulate activity. There seems to be some action on R2R and PNWMAS. Has anyone looked into what might be different?

I know I get almost a daily email blast from R2R highlighting current activity on the threads to try and draw me in.

Maybe a coral grow out competition or something?

I don’t think a give away is necessary or anything like that. Just something to engage people.

 

[BCT182]

One thing I think would be cool is to somehow incorporate YouTube.

I know for a long time people where excited about being selected as tank of the month. I enjoy watching bulkreefsupply videos and like the videos Jake has posted on reef builders where him and another guy have a beer and talk about a tank.

If there were a monthly video showcase where someone is interviewed about their tank it could be hosted on YouTube and owned by a reef frontiers account. With selfie sticks and iPhones it could be done somewhat easily. I know I have edited vlogs on my iPhone with imovie.

 

[BCT182]

I think the videos can be made private on YouTube. Possibly show a screenshot from the video on the reef frontiers title page but create a thread with the video link that is only viewable if you are a registered member with more than 50 posts or something like that.

 

[BCT182]

I may be talking to myself at this point, but while this forum has been “open to all” its always seemed that the majority of folks are in the Pacific Northwest so it could be done I think.

 

[BCT182]

We could even do videos with local shops that sponsor. I wouldn’t mind sitting down why Cy from barrier and talking about his store display.

 

[BCT182]

Scooter man, maybe you should call me lol

 

[spieszak]

The difference is that there was a coordinated effort to leave this aite.

 

[BCT182]

So is my idea a bad one?

 

[spieszak]

Your ideas may be great, I'm not in a place to.judge. You asked what the difference was. This site was still floating until folks coordinated an exit. No idea if it can come back without the pnw folks who made it go when it was going.

 

[coil1002]

Why was the a coordinated effort to exodus from the site ?

 

[spieszak]

Some folks got angry, they organized, and left. The why really isn't all that important.

 

[BCT182]

I don’t know anything about that, but i know that’s it’s a conversation that goes back at least two years and maybe longer. I don’t know that it’s something worth dwelling on. I would not be suprised if some of those involved are no longer on the hobby. I had four friends who were locals that I would have pegged as lifers in this hobby. None of them have tanks anymore. I believe the community is ever changing as people cycle through. Those are the people to attract.

 

[spieszak]

There are also lots of people still in that walked away from forums when they died and social media took over. I know quite a few that just don't bother with any of it anymore.

I agree, no reason to dwell on it, it is just worth noting though how fickle this environment is. Its also worth noting that PNW aquarists can't support a club, or even the Bob Moore, so hopes that the previously largest user group of this site can bring it back are pretty bleak.
I'd like to see more traffic too, I just think its important for anyone who thinks they want to put effort into this be aware of the obstacles they face.

 

[Scooterman]

I've been looking for someone to take over this site but no one seems interested, people don't have time, it takes lots of dedication, a big commitment, when Mike left it hurt the effort, all of the original people who supported the site one by one got busy/fustrated and stopped participating, I was left alone with no help, so I run it as long as I can but I'm extremely busy myself, I haven't had a tank in years.

 

[BCT182]

I can imagine it’s frustrating to be tied to this when you haven’t had a tank for many years. Do sponsorships cover the cost of keeping the site going? I know it’s a time hog, but is it also an expense for you Scooty?

 

[Scooterman]

Yes, we have some good loyal sponsors, enough to cover the bills.