Are Internet Forums Dying?

[Jerry]

I've noticed people using all forums seems to be diminishing. Take a look of the post rate and those on-line on ALL the MG forums.

What is the cause?

I know we are new, but its a thought provoking thread and meant to give us food for thought!

[Byron]

It's gone quiet i think it's because no Mg's are being built currently,as soon as production start's and they start selling again it's going to pick up,but on the other hand alot of forum's are too blinkered with what and cannot be talked about and this will never happen on here whilst we are here i hope.

[mgmti]

A few pointers (there are probably some more):

There is only so much cake to go round and the slices are getting smaller.
Once a slice gets too small, people aren't interested.
The other thing with most forums, is that they are free, therefore there is no commitment by the registered members.
A few forums have a lot of members, but most of them (members) are inactive. A forum only survives if it has active members.
Once the business of Longbridge went quiet, people moved onto other makes.

Everyone I know on a forum, can be found on another. If I was active on all the MG / Rover forums, I wouldn't get any work done.

regards,
Patrick

[Jerry]

This Forum will never have banners or be profit making - this needs to be remembered.

There is nothing in it for any of us apart from passion.

Yes we nned active members and to do that it has to be attractive.

VB software is adaptable and we can include all marques if we sub divide Foums.

Early days............

[JLD]

Idon't think that the concept of internet forums is dying. Far from it. I do, however, think that some are stagnating and that others are starting to implode.

[Jerry]

I suppose the Q was too broad brush, after buying other cars you realise there are some great & large Forums out there.

Most thrive by free speech, the members do the moderating. This is what we will do here.

But I should have said are MG Forums dying?

[Rich]

I think a lot of forums become stale due to the nature of it's members. As pointed out above...the site has to remain attractive and fresh to keep interested and also not overly moderated as per other forums I've experienced.

Including other Marques MAY be a thing to look at in the future.

Rich:FIREdevil:

[Jerry]

Reggie,

Yes, - it needs to be very proactive to survive, therefore any ideas will help......

I mean this Forum/Gallery is like any other - ideas.

[JLD]

I agree that there are some very good forums out there (I'm currently using a brass instrument one quite a bit). The best ones are those which aren't blinkered in their outlook.

[Jerry]

The best ones are those which aren't blinkered in their outlook.

EXACTLY! If we have an open mind all new members will be the same.

[Rich]

We also need to look a friendly and helpful bunch. Like a family environment. Not a divided them and us attitude. I think with keeping the basis simple and an enjoyable experience more and more people will join this site.

I've joined as I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you in person so I know your passions for the brand.

I for 1 will be visiting here frequently as well as the forun I am member of for the marque I currently drive.

Rich

[Jerry]

We also need to look a friendly and helpful bunch. Like a family environment. Not a divided them and us attitude. I think with keeping the basis simple and an enjoyable experience more and more people will join this site.

I've joined as I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you in person so I know your passions for the brand.

I for 1 will be visiting here frequently as well as the forun I am member of for the marque I currently drive.

Rich

Rich,

Friendly and pro-cative are the two most important words - maybe not enough at the moment though!

[Harbs]

I have noticed that the forums i visit(:v.small MG logo: related forums!) have gotten quieter as of late!, but imo it's not necessarily that the forums are dying as such- it's just that there's not that much happening at the minute!

In regards to the MGR forums- then there's no new cars or products to speak of!,& it's too early in the year for outdoor event's/meets!

Also its partly a case of same old same old too!

It's the same kind of thing that keeps cropping up again & again!

In relation to say the zs's- you'll get newbies sign up who have maybe bought & are enjoying there car's- but then ask questions that have been asked & answered a thousand times before! (failing or failed clutch hydraulics/vis issues etc etc!)

Ok that is part of what forums are for in a way (collective experiences/problems, and there possible remidies/solutions etc!), and it can be extremley helpfull too! I know- i'm benefiting from Sheddists excellent upgraded clutch kit, and have been able to strip down & repair vis motors too!

But in the end it's the lack of "new" stuff that is slowing things down imo!

If MG production was to kick back off, and there were new exciting models being produced- that were recieving rave reviews etc etc- then the forums would would pick back up again- as folks would have something new to discuss!

[Ian-ZTT]

I think you need to get people to meet and have fun. You know the ingredients. Spring is coming maybe a big gathering would be a cool place to promote, but with the MGR manufacturing include the Rovers which are excellent...

Silverstone 2007 would be a cool time to promote the forum..Enough time to organise, I am sure enough peeps will show to support a massive stand...

I know of a ZTT and a MGB that will there..

Ian.

[Byron]

Ian have a look in the event's section it's pretty hectic to say the least with 4 or 5 event's already listed.