Debated making this thread....

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb

Originally posted by: vi edit
Times between posts and replies certainly *feels* like there is less volume than what it's been in years past. But I don't have access to any stats that can really back it.

You do have access to stats...

Google Trends for forums.anandtech.com

So the whole of anandtech (all subforums) has gone from 60k in July 2007 to under 30k at present

Looks like that references the main site. I honestly don't know if I've been to the main page more than once or twice (and that was by accident) in the last 5 years.

You appear to be correct, deleting the forums. doesn't seem to change the stats

Also, check out the trend for Hard forums/mainsite. Almost an exact clone of this one. I think that console gaming and dirt cheap PC's has dramatically taken a bite out of computer enthusiast sites like these. And that's not even counting the impact that social portals like Facebook and Myspace have on forum poster retention/new users.

Just back from work...

Yup Hard forums and xbitlabs both show a very similar trend, and possibly some others

Arstechnica has taken a massive hit, but it started later...

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
The forums are hostile and nasty nowadays. There's always been an element of that here, but it used to be more in fun than it is now. It seems like most of the current breed of posters exist simply to criticize/cut down/make fun of everyone else.

No way you idiot, that isn't the problem at all! :frown:



(I'm kidding, I agree with Ned, please don't hurt me!)

 

[AreaCode707]

Recombine the social forums except for OT and P&N and I think we'd see an upspike in traffic again. I think the mods do a good job between banning harassing trolls and leaving the annoying trolls. Like it or not, they are a necessary part of a forum ecosystem. Half the inside jokes really do go back to trolls, and that common lexicon is part of what helps an online group feel like a community.

 

[Chiropteran]

Trolls are a positive thing actually. Banning them just makes the forums suck.

Historically the first trolls were just posters fed up with stupid newbies asking questions that are answered in obvious FAQs and other sources..

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: DaWhim
this is what happen when you have more and more sub-forums just to take away traffic from OT.

this is definitely part of it, and i think oddball changes or inconsistency in moderation is another part of it. ill spare the regulars a forum history, and i understand moderating/controlling a forum with the kind of activity that used to be here/is here can be daunting, but its also been annoying to a lot of the users.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: moshquerade
and can i say something about Derek Wilson? i invite him to read this post, but he's just not around enough. he's supposed to be our fearless leader? without a leader the masses don't have direction.

derek? he is about as usefull as tits on a bull when it comes to users on the forum.

they tell you to go to him if you have a problem with a mod. say one gets a stick up there ass and bans you for a week. you are sopposed to contact Derek about it. sure..great.

he never gets on. never looks at it. never talks to you BEFORE the damn ban expires.

so i question what hte point of it is?



but anyway. this thread is just going to go like all the rest. when people actually talk about the issues they get banned then the tread gets locked.

so there is no POSSIBLE way to have a honest discussion about it. anyone that read "change of colture" should know that.

sadly, i agree with you. i think Derek has good intentions, but not the time, or the care, for this place?

well, even if we make no progress here, it's good to talk about these things and know we realize this place is tanking.

I think he's just a lazy stoner

I think you guys really have no idea what you are talking about.

The amount of bullshit many of the mods and higher-ups have to deal with, for free, on their own time, is immeasurable and the fact they continue to do it and not go insane, gets them a cheers and a big bro-hug from me.

KT

did you miss the post where i gave props to the mods? : /

as far as the mods having to put up with all the bullshit here for free. don't do it if you don't want to. it's that simple.

as for Derek, i would bet that even he would admit he doesn't spend as much time here as he should.

I did not miss anything, I was speaking more to the general attitude of many people, I was not intending to single anyone out. I bet you are right about the last point, he probably would like to be around here more; not sure what else to say about that.

I honestly still believe the membership dictates the culture and atmosphere of the forums, not the moderators as some seem to be implying (aside from splitting up the forums, which did change things), so if anything is changing or has changed in that respect, it may have a lot to do with either a new user base coming in, or a change in attitude by those already here.

FuseTalk is broken, but I don't think ATOT is. Maybe I'm just a happy-go-lucky optimist.

KT

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: buck
Then why are people told by mods to go to him with frontend problems?

*shrug*

He's the boss. If a member can't cope with the entire hierarchy of mods given the rules/guidelines set forth by Derek, then he ultimately is the go-to guy. But that doesn't mean he's going to break his current routine to immediately address a rather trivial personal issue in the grand scheme of things. Its like those whiny customers that get fed up with whatever level of service they expect, and scream "I want to talk to your manager!", and when the managers don't give them any better news, they scream "I want to talk to your CEO!". How many of those calls make it that far?

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Bu B3ar

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: meltdown75
my work apps can freeze up and give me downtime... like what just happened. hi

hi melty


but seriously... the responses that say have more girls of anandtech post pics of themselves in every thread. Topless. Bottomless. In lingerie.

that doesn't cut it. i don't want attention whore threads like that.

we need substance people.

You heard the boss, start bringing in drugs.

i'd invite her over to boss me around..... but i think she's got a boyfriend

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
Recombine the social forums except for OT and P&N and I think we'd see an upspike in traffic again. I think the mods do a good job between banning harassing trolls and leaving the annoying trolls. Like it or not, they are a necessary part of a forum ecosystem. Half the inside jokes really do go back to trolls, and that common lexicon is part of what helps an online group feel like a community.

Prior to splitting off L&R, sex topics weren't allowed. Besides sex topics, a lot of very personal stuff is posted - and one of the nice features is that L&R is not accessible without authentication.

I'd rather see OT and P&N merged back together.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: SagaLore
I agree. I've personally met Derek. A lot of ignorance in the above posts. He runs the forum backend - he lets the senior mods run the frontend. The backend costs money, and that is what he focuses on. The frontend costs time, which he doesn't have, and shouldn't be expected to have.

and what about the ignorance of the moderaters about what we are talkign about? Whenver there is a issue with a mod we are told to go to Derek.

IF he does not have the time or care then maybe there should be someone else? that is one of the problems many have and it seems to be ignored. there is nobody to act as buffer between mods and users when there is a real problem.

Hmm... excellent point. I'll pass that along to Derek.

 

[JDub02]

toga! toga! toga!

oh, sorry, wrong forum

 

[Safeway]

I'll be your buffer.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: buck
Then why are people told by mods to go to him with frontend problems?

*shrug*

He's the boss. If a member can't cope with the entire hierarchy of mods given the rules/guidelines set forth by Derek, then he ultimately is the go-to guy. But that doesn't mean he's going to break his current routine to immediately address a rather trivial personal issue in the grand scheme of things. Its like those whiny customers that get fed up with whatever level of service they expect, and scream "I want to talk to your manager!", and when the managers don't give them any better news, they scream "I want to talk to your CEO!". How many of those calls make it that far?

Ahhhh, so you are saying that when we are told to go to him it means don't expect resolution.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: buck
Then why are people told by mods to go to him with frontend problems?

*shrug*

He's the boss. If a member can't cope with the entire hierarchy of mods given the rules/guidelines set forth by Derek, then he ultimately is the go-to guy. But that doesn't mean he's going to break his current routine to immediately address a rather trivial personal issue in the grand scheme of things. Its like those whiny customers that get fed up with whatever level of service they expect, and scream "I want to talk to your manager!", and when the managers don't give them any better news, they scream "I want to talk to your CEO!". How many of those calls make it that far?

Ahhhh, so you are saying that when we are told to go to him it means don't expect resolution.

I'm just a Jr. Mod, I know nothing. *runs away*

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: moshquerade
and can i say something about Derek Wilson? i invite him to read this post, but he's just not around enough. he's supposed to be our fearless leader? without a leader the masses don't have direction.

derek? he is about as usefull as tits on a bull when it comes to users on the forum.

they tell you to go to him if you have a problem with a mod. say one gets a stick up there ass and bans you for a week. you are sopposed to contact Derek about it. sure..great.

he never gets on. never looks at it. never talks to you BEFORE the damn ban expires.

so i question what hte point of it is?



but anyway. this thread is just going to go like all the rest. when people actually talk about the issues they get banned then the tread gets locked.

so there is no POSSIBLE way to have a honest discussion about it. anyone that read "change of colture" should know that.

sadly, i agree with you. i think Derek has good intentions, but not the time, or the care, for this place?

well, even if we make no progress here, it's good to talk about these things and know we realize this place is tanking.

I think he's just a lazy stoner

I think you guys really have no idea what you are talking about.

The amount of bullshit many of the mods and higher-ups have to deal with, for free, on their own time, is immeasurable and the fact they continue to do it and not go insane, gets them a cheers and a big bro-hug from me.

KT

I agree. I've personally met Derek. A lot of ignorance in the above posts. He runs the forum backend - he lets the senior mods run the frontend. The backend costs money, and that is what he focuses on. The frontend costs time, which he doesn't have, and shouldn't be expected to have.

Then why are people told by mods to go to him with frontend problems?

You weren't supposed to notice that. /jedimindtrick


It's all fine and good that he's a great "mechanic" for the hardware; although at the end of the day he may have that 300hp V8 humming along and all shined up the end result does not matter much when the doors are snapping at the hinges and the floor boards are rusted through.

Unless he has gone to bulk deleting, I've still got unanswered PMs to him well over a year old; but if you pester his email box enough he will give a response. Of course the "I'm too busy" may not be what you are looking for.

To some degree this place would be better just getting rid of all the mod activities except for the illegal things.

In the true spirit of friendship I'd welcome him to come here and reply himself in this thread.... But as I've sent him a couple pm's over the last couple weeks on this very matter and haven't gotten any response yet I wouldn't do any holding of the breath for it.

 

[Jeffg010]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: buck
Then why are people told by mods to go to him with frontend problems?

*shrug*

He's the boss. If a member can't cope with the entire hierarchy of mods given the rules/guidelines set forth by Derek, then he ultimately is the go-to guy. But that doesn't mean he's going to break his current routine to immediately address a rather trivial personal issue in the grand scheme of things. Its like those whiny customers that get fed up with whatever level of service they expect, and scream "I want to talk to your manager!", and when the managers don't give them any better news, they scream "I want to talk to your CEO!". How many of those calls make it that far?

Your not getting it Derek is were we are to go when we have a problem with mods. It is different with a COE because they not the person to deal with those type of problems. DEREK IS THE PERSON FOR THIS BOARD! If he can't time to get someone that can.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: buck
Then why are people told by mods to go to him with frontend problems?

*shrug*

He's the boss. If a member can't cope with the entire hierarchy of mods given the rules/guidelines set forth by Derek, then he ultimately is the go-to guy. But that doesn't mean he's going to break his current routine to immediately address a rather trivial personal issue in the grand scheme of things. Its like those whiny customers that get fed up with whatever level of service they expect, and scream "I want to talk to your manager!", and when the managers don't give them any better news, they scream "I want to talk to your CEO!". How many of those calls make it that far?

Ahhhh, so you are saying that when we are told to go to him it means don't expect resolution.

I'm just a Jr. Mod, I know nothing. *runs away*

Careful, saying stuff like that just might get you a promotion.

:laugh:

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: buck
Then why are people told by mods to go to him with frontend problems?

*shrug*

He's the boss. If a member can't cope with the entire hierarchy of mods given the rules/guidelines set forth by Derek, then he ultimately is the go-to guy. But that doesn't mean he's going to break his current routine to immediately address a rather trivial personal issue in the grand scheme of things. Its like those whiny customers that get fed up with whatever level of service they expect, and scream "I want to talk to your manager!", and when the managers don't give them any better news, they scream "I want to talk to your CEO!". How many of those calls make it that far?

Ahhhh, so you are saying that when we are told to go to him it means don't expect resolution.

I'm just a Jr. Mod, I know nothing. *runs away*

lol.

but this brings up a exelent point i was trying to make. i don't expect to talk to the CEO when i have a problem. i expect to talk to someone who can fix problems and wants to do the job.

Derek was assigned the job. if he can't/won't do it then maybe get someone else.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
And decided to do it anyway.

Is this forum dying? It seems slow(er) and boring as of late. I think the promise of a move to better forum software and then it just not happening is part of the reason.

What can we do to increase activity here?

yes, i think it's dying.

this is just recently, like April.

it was getting slow back then too, but it feels like there is a HUGE drop off since then.

What happened?

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: moshquerade
And decided to do it anyway.

Is this forum dying? It seems slow(er) and boring as of late. I think the promise of a move to better forum software and then it just not happening is part of the reason.

What can we do to increase activity here?

yes, i think it's dying.

this is just recently, like April.

it was getting slow back then too, but it feels like there is a HUGE drop off since then.

What happened?

i agreed to post nudes of myself. i think i killed off half the population the other half is still fapping.

 

[tyler811]

Mods abusing power. Gigglegirl had a thread about anything and it was locked yet there are threads that where the OP just posted "wow' or any other single word. Her next thread was about her dancing naked while eating yogurt and was interupted by a mod saying stay on topic. There is hardly a thread in here that stays on topic.

Some are very unprofessional also except Zim. He can spank you but make it fun.

K Talent is very pro too and most of the time he likes my jokes

 

[oogabooga]

Im still here mosh

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Prior to splitting off L&R, sex topics weren't allowed. Besides sex topics, a lot of very personal stuff is posted - and one of the nice features is that L&R is not accessible without authentication.

I'd rather see OT and P&N merged back together.

given more recent events wouldn't it make more sense that L&R and P&N get merged? afterall, who could use relationship/sex advice more than a politician with two mistresses and a wife

I do think the forums have slowed down quite a bit, even in OT we don't seem to have as many threads about as many thing as we used to. Not just counting L&R or Car/Fitness threads that have migrated to their own world. I think there's also less pride in being part of ATOT. The ATOT effect has gone from "donedonedonedonedonedone" to "I voted for some other person" "that other person was hotter" etc.

And I think we could really probably combine some subforums to make each forum a little busier... but that's not necessarily the problem in and of itself.

Also, like any culture I guess- ATOT's more famous posters are pests/annoying/trolls vs people who really contributed.

 

[zgmfx10a]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
And decided to do it anyway.

Is this forum dying? It seems slow(er) and boring as of late. I think the promise of a move to better forum software and then it just not happening is part of the reason.

What can we do to increase activity here?

Have you considered that you might have out-grown posting endlessly on the internet? For a time, I personally felt the world moving past me, as I incessantly typed away.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: zgmfx10a

Originally posted by: moshquerade
And decided to do it anyway.

Is this forum dying? It seems slow(er) and boring as of late. I think the promise of a move to better forum software and then it just not happening is part of the reason.

What can we do to increase activity here?

Have you considered that you might have out-grown posting endlessly on the internet? For a time, I personally felt the world moving past me, as I incessantly typed away.

RossMAN isn't black.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
The forums are hostile and nasty nowadays. There's always been an element of that here, but it used to be more in fun than it is now. It seems like most of the current breed of posters exist simply to criticize/cut down/make fun of everyone else.

Damn Ned, you say that like it's a bad thing...


Yes, there are some people who seem to only post to denigrate others...but IMO, most of what you describe is well deserved for the posters who receive such treatment. (casiotech, tridentboy, etc.)