|
Post by NoelSmith on Sept 22, 2020 16:49:52 GMT
I have noticed that this forum is not utilised as much as it could be. Some of the last posts in a number of threads have been up for a long time. Maybe we do not promote the forum enough in the magazine?
|
|
techie52
New Member
Just discovered the 1/144 scale models and enjoying them.
Posts: 9
|
Post by techie52 on Sept 25, 2020 16:55:07 GMT
I totally agree with your comment. In these times with no shows or meetings we should be using the Forum a lot more.
|
|
|
Post by John Tapsell on Sept 28, 2020 8:21:29 GMT
Unfortunately, most of the active forum members who used to visit here on a regular basis have long since jumped onto Facebook. There are pros and cons to both mediums but most people seem happier with the broader 'chat' format that FB uses rather than the long-form message format used on forums. It's also a lot easier to set up groups on FB so we have lots of very active Branch and SIG Facebook groups for example as well as the corporate IPMS Facebook groups. I don't use Facebook for social activities, but I do use it on a daily basis for the group functionality. The search function on Facebook is poor and content often slips down the tree very rapidly as new posts arrive, which can be very frustrating (I prefer the more traditional forum format for that reason). I still visit a number of forums on a daily basis, but they are specific to my interests and even the big ones are seeing a drop-off in user-generated content. Where I used to see 15-20 posts a day, I'm now seeing 5-10 posts a day at most.
I also visit a number of Facebook groups each day, in part because it's just a more convenient way to communicate, post photos and to get a rapid response to questions. I'm dealing with many of the same people I used to deal with on forums, but through a different format.
This forum has never gained the traction that the big indpendent forums have (ARC, Armorama, Britmodeller, Hyperscale, Missing Lynx etc) so we've never reached a point anywhere in its history where this forum generates enough content to make it a must-stop place for the wider modelling community. Even at its busiest, there was a core of just 15-20 members who posted regularly and drove the conversations (which is typical of most forums if you take the time to analyse them). Comparison with other Society forums (IPMS-USA and AMPS to name two that I frequent), show the same lack of regular input. Typically you get one or two people posting semi-regularly and then only 2-3 times per month if that, so it isn't a problem unique to IPMS (UK).
In the current circumstances many Branches and some SIGs have gone 'virtual' and make use of Skype or similar communication tools to hold regular meetings. Such software is easily accessible and free, so it makes it practical for groups to set it up and use it themselves. My own Branch meets on our usual club nights via Skype and we maintain an active Facebook page, so we can chat socially and also exchange more detailed information when we want to.
We are looking at revamping the forum soon but it will be a much smaller, more streamlined environment (a lot fewer themed areas). If it generates sufficient interest we can expand it, but if it doesn't then we'll maintain it as a smaller environment.
|
|
|
Post by NoelSmith on Oct 1, 2020 19:27:44 GMT
I agree with what you are saying John. It is just a pity that the forum appears to be in decline.
|
|
|
Post by andy62 on May 25, 2021 11:04:54 GMT
I am a new member and I very disappointed about forum. As I do not do face book or any other social media. But I will persevere
|
|