topic Re: Where Is Everybody? in Discussions & Feedback

Where Is Everybody?

Glory1 — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 22:45:05 GMT

The forum is dead. Very few questions being asked. Very little chat in Off Topic. Few new topics being raised.

What's happened and why?

Any suggestions, ideas on revival most welcome. As at the moment it appears to be dying and I for one don't want to see that happen.

Help urgently needed!

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Bambino — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 23:03:46 GMT

@Glory1 I think the introduction of the new home page has confused many people, and they don't know how to post questions. Unless some changes are made I think it could be the forum's demise.

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Cleoriff — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 23:18:11 GMT

To be honest, I thought the forum was becoming very quiet before the introduction of the new layout.

It seemed we were welcoming less people over the last 4 weeks or so.

However, it seems to be getting worse, so I would have to put that down to the new forum layout.

I can't think of any other reason.

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Glory1 — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 23:31:22 GMT

@Bambino and @Cleoriff I agree with both of you.

The forum was going quiet before the new layout but the new layout has definitely made it worse, without question.

I'm all for a new look and an updating of the forum if it makes it easier to use and/or move about. Unfortunately the new layout has failed on both counts.

Also it's not been designed with the regulars in mind, only with newbies most of whom post once never to return. Forgive me for thinking it's us regulars that keep this forum going!

Perhaps a rethink is in order?

Re: Where Is Everybody?

blissgirl — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 22:07:02 GMT

I'm here I just lurk alot

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Glory1 — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 22:09:16 GMT

@blissgirl wrote:
I'm here I just lurk alot

Well stop lurking woman and speak up

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 08:52:07 GMT

@Glory1 wrote:
@blissgirl wrote:
I'm here I just lurk alot
Well stop lurking woman and speak up

@blissgirl you like posting on the 'What I am Listening to' thread

I am generally confined to Off-Topic as I have very little IT knowledge to impart

I agree with @Glory1 @Bambino & @Cleoriff above

It has taken me until yesterday to discover how to search for the boards ... since the change I have been using 'unread posts' to access the boards from there

Re: Where Is Everybody?

adamtemp64 — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 09:12:21 GMT

This is why I posted my how to get more members post etc the community seams to be dying on its feet so to speak !

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Mi-Amigo — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 10:50:18 GMT

As a newby, may I offer my observations?

I found the search facility particularly helpful and, as I mentioned on another topic, it was thanks to the posts on this forum I have been able to resolve an issue I had with unsolicited texts I was charged for.

I did find it a bit hard to find out how to post and/or set up a new topic when I first registered, but stuck with it and have now got the hang of it.

I am not technically minded and somewhat of a technophobe, so this is definitely a help to oldies like me but hopefully I`ll be able to make contributions to the off-topic threads.

I guess that many folks might come and view - as I did - but perhaps it needs something to encourage them to join and take part - well that`s my view

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Titanium — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 13:04:57 GMT

I've been a member of this forum for about a year now. I still find this forum quite difficult to access and navigate if I'm honest, I'm on an awful lot of forums for other subjects so it's not that I'm new to them lol.

Originally signed up to asked a question i couldn't find an answer for, and whilst it turned out there was no 'fix' for my problem, I found the regulars to be very quick, knowledgeable and helpful!

Due to the nautre of the forum though, I find it quite difficult to keep involved. I'm a very light phone user and not really interested in them tbh so I've only had one further question to ask since. I dont have the knowledge to be able to answer other peoples questions. I posted a few times over the xmas period in the advent calendar posts. But again since then haven't really found anything to comment on, then forgot about it for a few weeks until I received an email.

It's a decent forum with a lot of knowledgeable people so I'd like to see it kept active, but I'm not really sure of how that could be improved unfortunately!

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Glory1 — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 13:21:11 GMT

You make a very good point @Mi-Amigo.

I am an 'oldie' though not a technophobe. However, I'm not a tech wiz like many on this forum so help where I can on the non-tech questions but post mainly in Off Topic.

When I joined, nearly 2 1/2 years ago, we had 2 places to go, one where no tech talk was allowed and the Virtual Lounge where we could chat about anything over virtual drinks. The threads were long and fun until a new head of community decided both threads were too long and set up new threads. It caused an uproar and we now only have the virtual lounge where things have never really been the same.

If you have any ideas for new topics in Off Topic, feel free to post them. What this community needs is new blood and new interesting topics to get people talking, joking, laughing and making it the fun place it was when I joined.

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Cleoriff — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 13:33:13 GMT

When I joined 6 years ago I was a technophobe. In fact I had been dragged kicking and screaming into the world of smartphones by my sons.

I asked a question and found no-one laughed at my stupidity. So I stayed. Made some great forum friends along the way. One of the regulars taught me a very valuable lesson...'The only stupid question is the one you never ask' (Thanks @Bambino) x

Now I'm not such a technophobe (only half of one ) and find I can help out with many of the questions asked. I also enjoy the banter and love off topic....

@Mi-AmigoI see you have posted in Off Topic today. That's a great subject and one I enjoyed joining in with.

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Glory1 — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 13:36:43 GMT

@adamtemp64 wrote:
This is why I posted my how to get more members post etc the community seams to be dying on its feet so to speak !

I fully got your post @adamtemp64 and I agree with you this community is dying on its feet. We need new members posting fresh ideas to bring it back to life.

I'll be honest, I'm fresh out of ideaa at the moment. My post is a cry for help for the community.

Maybe it should be made clear that you don't need to be a tech wiz to be a member. Technophobes are also welcome. Though no technophobe myself, I love reading about new tech, my own knowledge which has improved since becoming a member is still limited. Which is why the majority of my posts are still in Off Topic.

Re: Where Is Everybody?

EmilieT — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 13:57:36 GMT

Thanks everyone for all your comments and for sharing your concerns! We appreciate all the feedback, and everything you've shared up until now on the new homepage has been taken on board. We'll share more details on our next steps soon.

We also wanted to reassure you that the community is still alive and kicking: for example last week we had 43% more topics than the same week last year, and 21% more replies. We're also working on trying to get more new members, and as @adamtemp64 spotted earlier this week we had a shoutout on social media. It's one of the many things we're working on in the background.

Do you think it could feel quieter because the Latest topics section is a little bit further down on the homepage now than it used to be? We'd like to understand better where this impression is coming from, as it's not something we've noticed on our end.

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Mi-Amigo — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 14:16:53 GMT

@EmilieT

I would just like to say how much I appreciate the effort you have put in. I know from experience, as I was admin to unrelated forums way back, how much time it takes and that not everyone will be happy all the time.

My only comment, and in no way is this a criticism, is to "bump up" and/or make info on posting on threads or creating a new topic more visible on the home page - as this might help attract new people.

As I say, this is only a thought and being new to this forum more than likely has been already considered.

Thank you so much to you and the other posters for making me feel so welcome and as you`ll see I am so getting into it with posts and starting new threads - just hope I am not a pain in doing this.

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Cleoriff — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 14:25:51 GMT

Not a pain at all @Mi-Amigo

Very pleased you are here and joining in

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Cleoriff — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 14:33:18 GMT

@EmilieT

You asked "Do you think it could feel quieter because the Latest topics section is a little bit further down on the homepage now than it used to be?"

Yes, is the answer from me. I have really really tried with this new layout and to be honest it gives me a real headache looking for stuff nowadays. I am constantly bookmarking sections so I can get to them more quickly.

I honestly don't think a system which NOW requires 3 clicks to find what you want, is anyway superior to having something displayed on the homepage which required only ONE click.

Re: Where Is Everybody?

EmilieT — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 14:41:07 GMT

That's really lovely of you to say, thanks for your kind words, @Mi-Amigo.

It's a good point that you make about making how to post clearer, it's important for us to gather everyone's perspective as we all have different ways of browsing and using the forum. I'll add it to the rest of the feedback we've gathered, and if feel free to share any further suggestions or comments with us, privately or publicly!

I also second @Cleoriff's comment on how pleased we are to have you around!

@Cleoriff

Thanks for explaining your feeling in a bit more detail, that's really useful. We're planning on gathering more information on how you each browse the forum soon, so we'll get back to you on that.

Re: Where Is Everybody?

Glory1 — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 15:06:15 GMT

Post away @Mi-Amigo. That's exactly what the forum is all about. As @Cleoriff says, we're very pleased to see you joining in.