Lack of response to posts

[RayW]

I don't know if it's just me or if other forum members are finding the same thing, but response to my recent posts, both on my Alyn Foundry RLE and on my Mystery (Leek) engines has been almost non existent, with, perhaps, one comment if I am lucky, but more often no response at all. I don't know whether this means they are simply not being read, or are not of any interest, but it makes me seriously question whether there is any point in continuing to post if no-one is interested.

[pgp001]

I must admit I was thinking the same myself.

The time it takes to prepare photo's and upload them to a hosting site and then make a post on here, is all time that could be spent in the workshop if nobody is interested in them anyway.

Phil

[Doc]

I can relate to that there seems to be their little click and anyone outside gets no response. Oh well as you said just more time to do other things. I have given up on doing a lot of posting here.

[Dave Otto]

I have noticed the same thing but I don't have an explanation for it. I does seem that updates are being read based on the views, but people just don't comment like they have in the past.

Dave

[steamer]

Im sorry.  My daughter has been sick for some time and my hobby time has been limited.   My participation will get netter with time

Dave

[tangler]

Firstly,  I think your posts ( and, I hope, mine) are being read.  However, unless we have a query or advice then most of us don't know what say in response, especially us Brits who tend to be less effusive in our praise.  There are only so many times you can reply " still watching ". Perhaps this is a situation where a like button would be useful.

Secondly,  though, I have to say that for my own part I often will not read those posts with the picture thumbnails attached to the bottom since there is no narrative flow.

Anyway Ray, I do read and look forward to your posts,

Stay well,

Rod

[RayW]

Thanks for all your comments. Seems to me that viewing numbers are also much lower than in the past. My two latest threads have attracted around 4-4500 views, whereas my 1895 Otto thread a few years ago got 50,000+ hits.

Dave, please don't apologise. Family comes before everything and I wish your daughter all the best.
Rod, I take your point about not including photos in the text, but have to confess I only know how to add them as attachments.

[Kim]

Thank you all for your posts!  And please don't stop posting.  I for one, read and enjoy each and every post someone makes on the forum.

Yes, I've noticed that posts have gone down overall on the forum, and I can't explain that. We have a steady stream of people signing up as new members, and overall, membership is growing, but most people don't seem to post, for whatever reason.

Personally, I read every post.  I comment when I have a question or something to say, but since I've never built an IC engine, I have very little to comment on there. The same goes for Stirling cycle engines - never made one so no experience.  I intend to rectify both of these situations someday, but I am where I am.  I tend to comment more on steam engines since that's what I've done.

But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate all the posts. I do. And I learn a lot from reading others' posts even in areas that I have no experience with - I probably learn even more there!  I just tend to have less to say.

I would encourage people not to give up posting.  That certainly won't help the situation!  People read the posts (you can see that in the number of views) and I'm sure they find it interesting and educational, otherwise, they'd stop reading.  I know I do!

If you want to make your post more interesting to others, here are my suggestions:
1) Post your pictures inline with your text.  It makes it easier for people to follow along with the narrative, as Rod has already said.
2) Post your failed attempts as well as your successes.  That adds interest and is something EVERYONE can relate to.
3) Post more details of your build, not just the completion of things.  Again, more interesting and more instructive.
4) Post Videos, but do keep them short - less than a minute in my opinion. I love videos, but long videos take a lot of time to watch, and many of us don't have the time to dedicate to that.  This is a mainly picture & text based forum. But short videos are super helpful and great to see!
5) Comment on other people's posts.  If you comment on other people's builds, they're more likely to comment on yours.

These aren't pointed at anyone, they are just my personal observations and things I try to do (though not always successfully ).

One other thought on this just to be complete - keep all posts civil.  Be very careful with teasing someone on the forum - it is TOO easy for online communication to be misunderstood.  You don't see the facial expressions of the sender, you don't hear the tone of voice - none of that subtle non-verbal communication thing.  And that can lead to misunderstandings.  I fear we have had some of that happen lately on some threads and it has had a direct impact on our readership.  I don't like seeing it and I doubt others do either.  I know some members have stepped away from the forum because of it. This forum has been a very fun place to be - a very open and inviting place, and I want to see that continue. I'm sure we all do.  But I believe it bears talking about in this type of discussion.

Sorry, the last paragraph was a bit of a downer, but it's real.  The first set of points are much more positive and are also real, so consider this too.  Not saying that any of you haven't been doing this.  It's just some food for thought for the whole forum.  I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on what makes for 'interesting posts'.  These are just my observations.

My final statement; Thank you all for your posts!  And please don't stop posting.  I for one, read and enjoy each and every post someone makes on the forum.
Kim

[propforward]

I tend to feel the same way about lack of response to posts. I don't expect to be one of the most popular posters here with my meagre attempts, but I have nevertheless been disappointed in response at times. I did wonder what the cause might be, thinking maybe there was a forum "clique", or whether this forum was suffering an unusual lack of activity or whatever. But actually I am more inclined to think it is simply that online forums are on the decline. I have a look at some other boards around this pass time, and also some other things I am interested in, and honestly there isn't that much activity anywhere. I am now inclined to believe that social media groups on facebook and similar are taking over. Which is a shame, because the interaction on forum boards like this is a lot more direct, personal and consequently more valuable. Also people like to subscribe to youtube and just sit back and watch, rather than making an effort to take part.

Don't know for sure. Just some thoughts on the subject. But similarly I'm not feeling like posting further (bungled) work on my build thread is worth the effort. Maybe a shot of the finished engine when I get there, but not sure it's worth starting a new build thread on my next engine or my boiler, which is a shame because I'm really excited to start those projects.

I thought about starting my own youtube channel. "100 ways not to make things" or something. Lot of effort involved editing video though.

[Dave Otto]

Like Kim said, I also read every post to the forum and mostly enjoy the time spent.

I comment on things that interest me, and sometimes if I can help, but usually the help requests are answered long before I get a chance to read the original post. I think that there is a lot to be said about the social media platforms taking way from the forums. I have seen the same thing happen with the antique engine community, these platforms are good a snap shot in time, but not necessarily for long term projects (IMO). Wayne Grenning has done a god job of documenting his engine work on Facebook, but that is his space, page, what ever you call it, and you have to follow it to see it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is while I look at stuff on Instagram and Facebook I still prefer the forum style for documenting the type of projects that we work on.

Dave

[Jo]

Honesty time: I stopped posting back in January because:

1, One particular member reacted in what I thought was a bizarre way to what I intended to be a helpful post - this left me feeling that lockdown had impacted my mental health more than I had anticipated and I was not sure if what I was posting was coming across as intended. So I decided best to stop before I did something I regretted 

2, There has been a "bad smell" that follows me round and criticises almost everything I post. I don't want that negativism discouraging others posting their builds so I stopped posting on other's threads as that negativism grinds me down and I don't want any one else being discouraged in the same manner on their threads. If you don't participate on other's threads then they don't post on yours 


These two points have put me off doing any model making and I have not been in my workshop since the beginning of January. Instead I have been doing cross stitch and joined the cross stitch forum. Ok so it is in the main other ladies (one fella who also is also a model engineer ) but they have a different attitude to their forum posting they:

Always make positive comments about what others are doing and it is more than just " oh that's good" they respond as if they are really interested, engaging in the subject matter, asking questions. Every single responding post makes you feel you want to post more

They never criticise ANYTHING. Any suggestions for improvement are very positively put across 

They have a few non cross stitch areas like: the Virtual pub (the Stash and Grab) which is a laugh and includes bringing along  virtual cooking  , our word game - which tells you a lot about the others and the way they think.


Hopefully the threat of Covid will be behind us soon and we will be able to get out to discover a new normal 

Jo

[AOG]

I’ve been on this forum for quite a few years now and I’ve noticed there is a certain pattern to the ebb and flow of comments here. Give it some time. Fall and winter seems to be our peak periods for both builds and comments. Right now you’re competing with spring and the beginning of outdoor activities. The other thing I’ve noticed is that when we have a large amount of “advanced” builds like we do now there are less comments. In some ways I think the skill level on display right now can be quite intimidating to some and that impacts the number of comments.

Tony

[maury]

I think y'all said it all. I've stopped bothering to post too. Little response, but lots of browsing the pictures. I'm on my 3rd engine since the COVID fiasco started, scale model casting kits...that also seems to be the kiss of death.

maury

[Mcgyver]

Phil and Ray, 100% agree...and I guess as one who hasn't responded to those threads I suppose I'm part of the problem.   I'd done lots of long photo posts on other forums and its disheartening after all that effort and its radio silence.

Here's the problem as I see it, at least as it affects my behaviour.  Way too many sub forums.  we're all busy and I only look a few areas when I sign in.  so 90% of posts go unnoticed by me.   

26 forums suggests an need to want to organize.   However, I challenge the leadership to ask why?  The goal (imo) of social media should fun and free flowing conversations, show and tell etc....not methodical grouping and organizing.  Things are found nowadays by searching not index cards.

I'd cut it down to 5 forums so each would be much more active/dynamic.  It would be a manageable number to click through so more of us would see more of the site.  I've said it before I know others oppose my view, but I'll keep chipping away

[pgp001]

I don't even bother to look under each sub forum, if its not it in the recent posts list on the LHS then I don't see it at all.
I look in most days and therefore most newish stuff is still on that list.

Phil