Where has everyone gone to ?

[tonyb]

I’ll say it again: I value the FL and I wish it a long and prosperous future, for its owners and participants.

I am not privy to the business aspects of this operation — what revenue it generates, what it costs to keep it up and going, etc., but my guess is that no one is getting rich off it. Still, though, I can’t help but think that sometimes it is running on autopilot. People still listed as moderators (“bartenders”) haven’t stopped by in months, and even years in some cases. And the look (I’ve never really liked it much) hasn’t changed since I joined up, back in 2005. I’m confident it could be revised (I resist saying “updated”) without compromising its identity as an online social club for people drawn to the popular artistic and material culture of the first half (or so) of the last century. What all would be involved in such an undertaking is well outside my areas of expertise, so my perspective is worth about what it cost you.

 

[Fedora Frank]

I’ll say it again: I value the FL and I wish it a long and prosperous future, for its owners and participants.

I am not privy to the business aspects of this operation — what revenue it generates, what it costs to keep it up and going, etc., but my guess is that no one is getting rich off it. Still, though, I can’t help but think that sometimes it is running on autopilot. People still listed as moderators (“bartenders”) haven’t stopped by in months, and even years in some cases. And the look (I’ve never really liked it much) hasn’t changed since I joined up, back in 2005. I’m confident it could be revised (I resist saying “updated”) without compromising its identity as an online social club for people drawn to the popular artistic and material culture of the first half (or so) of the last century. What all would be involved in such an undertaking is well outside my areas of expertise, so my perspective is worth about what it cost you.

Once again my friend you have summed it up nicely!
It doesn’t help the site much when you have “ dead” Threads that no one has commented on for a long time,it creates the image that the Forum is dying on the vine.
I also noticed the same things you have noticed and a few of my inquiries have gone unanswered by the mods.
It could just be me but the pop ups alone and the sluggishness of the page doesn’t help, in fact the other day I just got off of it because it was frustrating just trying to post something.
I do realize the pop ups are the money generating factor but I also belong to a Astronomy site and every so often they have a fund drive, everybody contributes and that keeps the site running and up to date.
In closing I’m not “ knocking” this site but just like you these are observations that I have noticed.
As always thanks for responding and I look forward to talking with you again soon.
All the Best, Frank

 

[Tiki Tom]

Periodically, I have gently Invited members to post more or to reply to specific stories, but —of course— such invitations are not worth much if the topic isn’t that compelling or if people are just “lurkers” by nature. At the risk of being annoying, I have also taken to viewing certain threads as my own personal BLOGs. I’ll continue to add material to them even if few people ever respond. Mostly those threads are silly stuff about unsolved mysteries and the like. (since politics and current events are mostly discouraged, there is Only so much to talk about.) But I know they are being read by the “lurkers” who probably outnumber the “posters” by a sizeable margin.

And I try to respond to new threads that are bravely posted, in the hope that they will gain traction. Oh well. My two cents.

 

[Fedora Frank]

Periodically, I have gently Invited members to post more or to reply to specific stories, but —of course— such invitations are not worth much if the topic isn’t that compelling or if people are just “lurkers” by nature. At the risk of being annoying, I have also taken to viewing certain threads as my own personal BLOGs. I’ll continue to add material to them even if few people ever respond. Mostly those threads are silly stuff about unsolved mysteries and the like. (since politics and current events are mostly discouraged, there is Only so much to talk about.) But I know they are being read by the “lurkers” who probably outnumber the “posters” by a sizeable margin.

And I try to respond to new threads that are bravely posted, in the hope that they will gain traction. Oh well. My two cents.

That is a noble endeavor, my friend and you’re right about the Lurkers when you look at how many members versus how many other people are on here it’s astounding!
I guess I’m just still shocked at the lack of activity here, but after all, I’ve been gone for seven years, but when I had left, this place was a beehive of activity now not so much.
thank you for responding to this thread appreciate it!