CamdenRob Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I'm a relative newcomer to BC and have no experience of the good old days... I like BC as it currently is. I do feel for some of the original members, its a shame when anything you care about changes to the point that you no longer wish to be a part of it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 It seems to me that discussion forums (fora?) have a limited shelf-life. The more successful they are the more they become victims of their own success - more members means a higher percentage of people that are prepared to have a pop at others and spend a lot of time saying not very much at all. The atmosphere (ethos ) changes, people leave because it isn't the same any more, leaving more of the noisy minority to remain - and so it descends into a downward spiral. I hang around mainly to both fuel and cure my GAS. I had exactly the same thing in a specialist 'sub-tropical gardening' forum I started in the infancy of the internet back in the late 90s. At first it was brilliant - back then exotic gardening was one of the coalfaces of horticulture and everything was new and exciting. Well, the Victorians had a decent bash at it but then everything was lost during the two wars. Some of the best gardening brains tuned in and we genuinely moved in uncharted territory discovering new plants, new uses for old plants - wonderful. Then slowly it became incredibly popular, the whole thing 'dumbed down' and became a chore. After 9 years I pulled the plug - but for some time afterwards I spoken of as the guy who shut down the forum, not the one who dreamt it up in the first place and kept it running. I just hope this place can either keep going in some form or another or, if the time comes, fall down naturally and gracefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Hi everyone It's true that a handful of established BC'ers have chosen to leave recently for their own reasons. It's a shame, especially as I count a few of them as old BC friends. Here's a bit of perspective. The most recent thread list suggests it's not just usual suspects starting threads. It's a whole range of users, most of whom have no interest in who 'the old guard' are (and I consider myself an old-guarder), and most of whom will never have any contact with a mod. I've done a quick non-scientific check, and about 15 new members a day are signing up, holding steady. Consider this: there are 433 people online at the moment. Put 433 people with different personalities and opinions into a pub, and I guarantee there'll be a few 'did you spill my pint?' moments. It'll still be a canny night out, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadgie Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Hmmm..what is 'good'? Who knows really. what's good for one person , another might find it bad. To be honest I get the feeling in this thread that there is a snobishness about it. Someone maybe hasn't posted in several months....could be for several reasons. Sold his/her bass, told by a spouse that there will be no more internet forums as it takes up cuddle/diy time etc. Why jump on the idea that it is because some posters are rude. what I find strange is in this thread there have been a few comments about not knowing someone off this forum...actually outside the forum. Why is this? I suppose it's because you have enough friends already, and no need to cluter things up with others off a forum. NOTE: Not sure if that came across correctly. Good poster = a lot of posts mostly of non relevent nature? Good poster = A few posts but very helpful? I am not in a lot of forum, however I am in a bike forum where the people actually try very hard to get together throughout the year. that does not mean a 25 mile trip to see a new shop (insert bike shop) with another forum user. I'm talking about riding from South England to North Scotland for a couple of days riding and a curry. I can't imagine any good or otherwise posters on here doing that on a regular basis. I could be wrong of course because I am wrong about a lot of things as my girlfriend always tells me. I think a forum needs various types of posters, informitive ones, funny ones, and even ones that wind folk up now and again....it is like that in real life as well don't you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1427050924' post='2725126'] Put 433 people with different personalities and opinions into a pub, and I guarantee there'll be a few 'did you spill my pint?' moments. It'll still be a canny night out, though. [/quote] Mmmmmmm, perhaps however there are some very busy establishments in my area that I would avoid like the plague. That being said I do still enjoy it here though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1427051227' post='2725132'] Mmmmmmm, perhaps however there are some very busy establishments in my area that I would avoid like the plague. That being said I do still enjoy it here though. [/quote] It would be good if 433 punters turned up to our gigs though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) i'm not on BC as often as i used to be but that's down to being a bit busy elsewhere. i do find that when i need to post something i have to spend too much time working out what section it fits into otherwise you get the aggresive comments about it being in the wrong section. That's more of a minor niggle that comes with age. A "Meldrew" moment Too many sub-sections when one major heading would cover more subjects. Many items now get missed because people can't be bothered searching thru the many sub-sections for new items. When i first joined there were a handful of headings and you just went thru the topics that interested you. There is an element of "Big Brother" now where Moderators seem to intervene on occasion for no real reason IMO altho it is rare but more than they used to. i still find a lot of helpful and genuine people replying to most posts tho. There's a lot to gain from the BC'ers knowledge and advice. All in all its a great forum and very much worthwhile. Just think it needs to be simplified. Seems that every time new people come on board they want to make more and more complicated changes just to make their mark on the system. Its like that in every walk of life tho and could be classed as progress. That's my wee greetin completed. Back to enjoying the forum Dave Edited March 22, 2015 by dmccombe7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 [quote name='Number6' timestamp='1427051441' post='2725135'] It would be good if 433 punters turned up to our gigs though [/quote] It would be good if 33 punters turned up to my gigs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I still enjoy BC and will continue to log in to it most days, but I really don't understand why people get so upset by people who have opinions that are different to theirs, and start arguing and insulting them personally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1427051643' post='2725141'] It would be good if 33 punters turned up to my gigs! [/quote] Either / Or will suffice lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I miss Fumps He always said the right thing to make me smile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted March 22, 2015 Author Share Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) [quote name='gadgie' timestamp='1427051178' post='2725130'] Hmmm..what is 'good'? Who knows really. what's good for one person , another might find it bad. To be honest I get the feeling in this thread that there is a snobishness about it. Someone maybe hasn't posted in several months....could be for several reasons. Sold his/her bass, told by a spouse that there will be no more internet forums as it takes up cuddle/diy time etc. Why jump on the idea that it is because some posters are rude. what I find strange is in this thread there have been a few comments about not knowing someone off this forum...actually outside the forum. Why is this? I suppose it's because you have enough friends already, and no need to cluter things up with others off a forum. NOTE: Not sure if that came across correctly. Good poster = a lot of posts mostly of non relevent nature? Good poster = A few posts but very helpful? ................ [/quote] I wouldn't know when those I'm talking about joined so being here from the start means not a lot to me. But, they do have an awful lot of posts and not all of them posted glib one liners in OT to get there. Not that there is anything wrong with glib one liners anyway... it is social enough. I'd only meet up with people I had something in common with and was relatively local.. I'm also pretty sure they didn't just drift away... Edited March 22, 2015 by JTUK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1427049911' post='2725106'] I really miss Dingus and his input... [/quote] ... and I miss his top TV totty avatars! The site has grown hugely in membership since I joined in September 2012 (not that I'm claiming the credit for that). Yes, there are a lot of non-UK newbs trying to flog high-end instruments, but I just ignore them. There is still plenty of enjoyable discussion to be had here, which is why I contribute more to this forum than to the other two forums I belong to put together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 [quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1427051733' post='2725144'] I still enjoy BC and will continue to log in to it most days, but I really don't understand why people get so upset by people who have opinions that are different to theirs, and start arguing and insulting them personally. [/quote] It is an inherent human trait to vigorously fight to the bitter end in defence of ones beliefs..... Unfortunately beliefs are merely emotionally based opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 yep there does seem to be less fun comments made or maybe i'm just missing them. ? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I have to agree with [b]dmccombe7[/b], I think there are too many sub-sections as well, I tend to just look at a couple of them at most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) There are some in that recent exodus who I'm going to miss hearing from, and their leaving wasn't something I could have seen coming. I know that some of the more strongly opinionated or abrasive members were never going to stay on one forum for long, but some of the recent disappearances weren't really that sort of poster. Edited March 22, 2015 by Beer of the Bass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I don't think it helps this situation when folk read BC using a phone. The reading is ok but posting on a dinky screen can be a pain. Speaking for myself, I've been spending a lot of time on scottsbasslessons. Apart from that I think it's cyclical. After a year of being here you can get to the point where you've explained how to do a set up, for example, to so many folk you get to thinking it's someone else's turn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1427051866' post='2725148'] ....But, they do have an awful lot of posts and not all of them posted glib one liners in OT to get there.[/quote] Indeed so. In the last couple of months or so a surprising number of established members have 'disappeared'. Of these, five of them were responsible for a combined total of 79,628 posts. [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1427051866' post='2725148'] I'm also pretty sure they didn't just drift away... [/quote] To my certain knowledge several 'lifers' have left expressing general reservations about forum moderation and one instance in particular. Of course, this sort of attrition happens on forums all the time but BC seems suddenly to have hit a bad patch after quite a stable period. One hopes that this trend will change direction. On the other hand, the influx of new members has included some diamond types. While it may be invidious to single out individuals, I would like to tip my hat to Blue who not only posts some classic wisdom but somehow seems to be in the same time zone as the rest of us despite being umpteen thousand miles away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 [quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1427051733' post='2725144'] I still enjoy BC and will continue to log in to it most days, but I really don't understand why people get so upset by people who have opinions that are different to theirs, and start arguing and insulting them personally. [/quote] That nails it for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Hey, it's OK....I'm still here ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 [quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1427053724' post='2725199'] On the other hand, the influx of new members has included some diamond types. While it may be invidious to single out individuals, I would like to tip my hat to Blue who not only posts some classic wisdom but somehow seems to be in the same time zone as the rest of us despite being umpteen thousand miles away. [/quote] Quite agree there Skank, Blues posts are mostly thought inducing, rather than provoking, and get a wide range of responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestar Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I know what Jack means about change in ethos and for me the tone of debate in many threads , having been on here for ages since the days when BC was called something else and only available on black and white. However I couldn't explain it to a newcomer either, only that it's just not as much fun( except for Skankdelvar's contributions - always a good read) and a lot of my favourite posters have either left or gone quiet. There are moments of heartwarming community spirit, there's one going on right now, and good humour but also an increasing number of depressingly negative threads and just downright rude gits on here too. If one can't express a strongly held view or engage in debate, without being obnoxious then I don't want to bother. There are a few posters recently that I'll no longer engage in conversation on Basschat with because I just can't be assed with them. That's a recent development for me on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 [quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1427051733' post='2725144'] I still enjoy BC and will continue to log in to it most days, but I really don't understand why people get so upset by people who have opinions that are different to theirs, and start arguing and insulting them personally. [/quote] +2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockfordStone Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I still come on here daily, but the place certainly has been changing... the biggest thing ive noticed is how things turn very quickly into arguments... there seems to be a lot less tolerance for other peoples opinions, and i think that probably gets peoples backs up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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