This forum is dead

[Platypus]

A few possible reasons?

shitty trolls that for some reason are allowed to repeatedly come back.

the way people consume content changes over time, I use less forums these days where in the past they were a great medium.

fragmentation of topics to subforums that breaks up discussion

random behavior from staff in banning certain members which removed significant contributors to the community

 

[Miramonti]

This forum has been on a steady decline for years now, ever since all of the sub forums neutered ATOT which used to be a great mix of everything. Most long timers would agree that the branching out into all of these subforums was completely unnecessary and hurt the forums.

Since then traffic has slowed down more and more, and now with the forum software switch, I feel like it's gotten even worse. I mean on the first page right now the last post on the page was replied to around 8 hours ago. I remember back when you could refresh the first page every 5 seconds and things would be pushing down.

So wtf happened? What forums did everyone go to? I'm starting to get bored when I have down time at work thanks to you all not keeping me entertained.

Hush, newbie.



I switched to the VB Style (Experimental) layout to revert back as much as possible. The biggest issues were that I couldn't handle the lack of density of topics/posts, and I hated all the distracting thread icons. It made 20 threads per page brutally inadequate and superfluous of empty space, even tho 25 on the reverted theme still tests patience.

In regards to all the subforums added, I wonder what research would say, whether that is a helpful or hurtful factor for AT's growth or sustenance. It's important to be able to filter/find information, and target audiences, but views are critical as well and posting in some subforums feels like posting in a desert that only a small population traverses regularly. I believe one-click navigation to AT's subforums was a very helpful key to increasing traffic to these less-popular topics.

 

[MrSquished]

I've noticed a big decline in ATOT activity since the forum software switch recently

 

[RossMAN]

A few possible reasons?

shitty trolls that for some reason are allowed to repeatedly come back.

the way people consume content changes over time, I use less forums these days where in the past they were a great medium.

fragmentation of topics to subforums that breaks up discussion

random behavior from staff in banning certain members which removed significant contributors to the community

Add lack of dongs to your list.

 

[effowe]

Hush, newbie.



I switched to the VB Style (Experimental) layout to revert back as much as possible. The biggest issues were that I couldn't handle the lack of density of topics/posts, and I hated all the distracting thread icons. It made 20 threads per page brutally inadequate and superfluous of empty space, even tho 25 on the reverted theme still tests patience.

In regards to all the subforums added, I wonder what research would say, whether that is a helpful or hurtful factor for AT's growth. It's important to be able to filter/find information, and target audiences, but views are critical as well and posting in some forums feels like posting in a desert that only a small population traverses regularly. In the least, I believe one-click navigation to all subforums is very important to maximize traffic/interest.

Wow, thanks for that. The forum is looking like it used to, now all they need to add is shortcuts to all the sub-forums on the left hand side and I'll be somewhat happy.

 

[edro]

I have been posting less due to the software change. I just haven't gotten used to the layout and the color scheme looks bad and is harsh on the eyes.

 

[pyonir]

TridenT is the only reason I'm still here.

Oh and Kaido as I still have more kitchen gadgets to acquire.

 

[edro]

Wow, thanks for that. The forum is looking like it used to, now all they need to add is shortcuts to all the sub-forums on the left hand side and I'll be somewhat happy.

Yeah, that too.
I don't go to sub-forums because it takes more clicks.

 

[Miramonti]

Wow, thanks for that. The forum is looking like it used to, now all they need to add is shortcuts to all the sub-forums on the left hand side and I'll be somewhat happy.

I was adding a comment to that effect as you were replying. I agree, one-click navigation is very important with this forum. Currently, the sidebar, for the most part, has little practical benefit imo.

 

[Aikouka]

Yeah there used to be a lot of people posting there. I think a lot of it also has to do with this gen being terrible for the most part.

I think the problem is that there's just not that much interesting to talk about in regard to console gaming. The only interesting question at this point is "What is the NX, and how badly is Nintendo going to fuck it up?" Oh, and maybe "Will Square-Enix delay Final Fantasy XV again?"

I'll say that I usually stop by Console Gaming before checking out Off-Topic, and I rarely post in there, because I just have nothing to say.

 

[JTsyo]

The lack of posts in Console Gaming blows my mind. I realize there's a million other places to discuss console games, but Jesus. It's not even a new thread per day in there. Let alone sometimes barely a post.

Not surprising. Those that are attracted to AT probably come for the tech articles and reviews. Those making their on computers are less likely to be into console gaming.

 

[rh71]

It's all about the new style forums for me - can't stand it. Now that I've switched to the experimental style, it's better.

 

[zinfamous]

I have been posting less due to the software change. I just haven't gotten used to the layout and the color scheme looks bad and is harsh on the eyes.

*scrolls to bottom of thread, finds "Styles" drop down menu button on bottom left of screen. selects "vb-style"

Or, you could check the thread in technical issues where people have been posting their own Stylish themes for the forums (that "official" VB theme is actually from KenG who originally posted the Stylish code in that thread). In fact, I'm pretty sure that official themes will never happen as promised, because the community is too quick and successful at making their own, heh.

(but actually, I prefer to use KenG's Stylish code, because the "official" VB style "experimental" version doesn't work with the other user-created script that removes the right sidebar. I can't deal with these forums with that sidebar being active, but I haven't seen that thing in 2 weeks now, so it's like this switch never happened (sorta)

 

[zinfamous]

Why isn't this your avatar?

 

[Mai72]

All the hipsters are on Instagram and Snapchat.

 

[brianmanahan]

wowwwwwwwww


i joined this forum 10 years ago today!

 

[BxgJ]

wowwwwwwwww


i joined this forum 10 years ago today!

What are you doing to celebrate?

 

[Platypus]

Add lack of dongs to your list.

Of course, how could I forget that?

 

[brianmanahan]

What are you doing to celebrate?

i wanted to post a thread entitled "what were you doing 10 years ago today?", but i figure i'd get infracted

 

[ImpulsE69]

*scrolls to bottom of thread, finds "Styles" drop down menu button on bottom left of screen. selects "vb-style"

OMG Thank you! I had no idea that was there...as I"m sure most don't..because...how often do I look at the borders? Or look at the forum tech thread? Like..never?

I feel a resurgence in the force.

Nope..just gas.

 

[BxgJ]

OMG Thank you! I had no idea that was there...as I"m sure most don't..because...how often do I look at the borders? Or look at the forum tech thread? Like..never?

I feel a resurgence in the force.

Nope..just gas.

Given the number of people who complained in some way about it, perhaps they should have some sort of announcement? Or maybe they did and I missed it...

 

[BxgJ]

i wanted to post a thread entitled "what were you doing 10 years ago today?", but i figure i'd get infracted

So you want to do something but can't? Are you frustrated? You know that's not good for you...

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I think the members either got banned or got older and less interested. Older and less interested is my excuse. Still enjoy checking in every now and then just not with the same frequency.

 

[John Connor]

I have been posting less due to the software change. I just haven't gotten used to the layout and the color scheme looks bad and is harsh on the eyes.

At the bottom left chose VB Style Experimental. That makes it more tolerable.

 

[edro]

*scrolls to bottom of thread, finds "Styles" drop down menu button on bottom left of screen. selects "vb-style"

omg, its back!!!