I occasionally check back here to see what’s happening. Since ‘THE CHANGE’ a couple three years or so ago … you still notice the lack of activity relative to what it used to be. WOW!! Pretty sad. From award winning (IMO) to lackluster … virtually overnight. Some of the die hards keep things going. Is this a full time job for Dan H.?
It’s really unfortunate. Some of the posts at the top of the posts list are weeks old. Some have no replies. This must be what progress looks like. Sigh.
Replies
all too true...
I don't understand why it is so dead, crippled mostly by lack of participation.
. My computer skills are barely basic and it works for me.
Lack of participation ... fueled by making changes to the website that simply didn't make sense and generally upset the users. When they did it, we routinely 'vented' our thoughts, feelings, suggestions ... but to no avail. 'Management' (I use that term loosely) ... gave us all a litany of excuses and reasons why they 'had to make changes'.
It works ... but it used to work so much better. And the participation was phenomenal (IMO).
People would post and it was rare to have a post sit more than hours before getting multiple responses from a variety of experience. Now, I see posts that sit for days before any response and often only a response or two on a post.
The response was so extreme that another look alike (the old version) web site appeared and we used that site a lot. I forget the host of that site. ...
This site IMO was truly award winning. Lots of participation. Very user friendly. It was a great one stop shop for answers to questions.
We'd love to have some specific suggestions for bringing it back.
Stay away from Facebook
I ignore anything that requires me to have a Facebook account.
Breaktime doesn't require a FB account.
I know it doesn't. Please don't ever go that route.
I know it doesn't. Please don't ever go that route.
Well, I replied once to your question, but the reply got lost by the screwy web software. And I know my way around here pretty well. I'm sure a lot of folks just give up when they can't get through after a few tries.
Yep. That's the sort of thing we need to know. Sorry for the issue, and thanks for the feedback.
Well, it's not as slow as it used to be. so that is some improvement. But the 4 years that it was broke will keep alot of people from coming back. The forums we have moved on to are much easier to use, and the moderators, with some exceptions, are part of the forum, not a king that rules from on high. I doubt it can be brought back to what it was. No pop-up ad evertime I open a thread either.
Speaking for myself, as a novice computer user when I first found the "Breaktime" forumn,, the ease of use was what kept me coming back. I had a subscription to the mag for 5 or 6 years before that.
Threads on left, discussion on right. I could see what I read, and not read.
4 years later, I come here when I have a feew days off, and have read all I want on other forums. I understand you were here in the past, but I don't think this will ever be what it was.
Yeah, the old format was far easier to navigate and read.
Bring it back
Phone apps.
I used to contribute/particpate an hour or two, nearly every night. I still participate in forums an hour or so every night.
I got an iPhone, and found forum apps for it. You folks don't seem to have one. You have a magazine app, that works nicely on an iPad, but the phone doesn't have the screen size to run it comfortably. So, I dont use it.
It is far easier for me to participate actively in a forum that has a phone app. And, the hour or so I used to spend on breaktime, I now spend on the phone app forums.
Posting issues are a big problem.
I posted a response to this about ten minutes ago. I showed up once, and then dropped off the thread. Tomorrow it may be back, or perhaps the next day.
That is an issue.
Stopping spam: Develop a database of trusted posters. If they post more responses than new threads, and only occaisionally post links to external sites, they are probably real users.
I found the spam filter most annoying. I comment on a few sites and this is the most difficult to use because of the filter. I did notice the kitchen folks across the pond have no problem with any filter.
The kitchen folks across the pond are a major pain in my nether regions. I delete a couple of their posts a day, and I think Calvin does the same. Clearly they don't reach their customers through us, and it's just an SEO tactic.
I wish I could tell you that fixes to the spam filter are iminent, but that's not likely in the short term. The entire website is being re-designed, with a launch date about the beginning of next year. Honestly, that's where the resources are being used right now, so it's not likely much technical will happen with BT until then.
That said, specific complaints are very helpful in guiding the site developers, so don't hold back. Personally, I find the site painfully slow, and I don't like when ads pop-up and block the posts.
Taunton websites
I know that specific suggestions are most helpful, but I'd like to relay my personal experience.
I used to check the FHB forums daily. This was a couple of years ago. Then I discovered GBA, and since they cover a variety of things, especially building science issues, I started reading there more often. Over a period of time, that became my first stop for reading about building, and shortly I stopped reading FHB forums (though I still subscribe to magazine) even though FHB had a lot of excellent, regular contributors whose posts I felt I could trust. I like many of Taunton Press's publications, and the writing (online and in print) of most of the staff and many of the regular contributors. However, I must agree with the general sentiment that Taunton's websites are annoying and that the company does not seem to be technically competent in this area. The GBA website is a daily mess until Martin or one other person wakes up, logs in, and clears out the spam. Or the site is just unavailable. This has gone on for months and months and months, in spite of repeated customer complaints and regular apologies by the front line people.
The whole thing is depressing, as FHB and GBA are tremendous resources and potentially educational for a wide audience, but the websites are killing the product. This is a big loss.
I hope for better days...soon.
Thanks, Andrew. We're well aware of the technical issues. We've had problems maintaining a reliable supply of coal to our steam-powered servers.
Seriously though, this is all part of what we hope to solve this year.
Read past comments/suggestions
The forum was full of suggestions and comments when 'the change' happened. Suggest you read those, Andy. Were you here then? In our minds ... it wasn't broke ... and as guys usually say ... if it ain't broke ... don't fix it. If the mag had an issue/problem, they should have considered alternatives before ripping apart a perfectly good thing. Kind of like having a really nice house that is right in many many ways, but then tearing it apart because of some issue you had with it. Like taking an academy award winning movie and re editing it in all the wrong ways ... to some how save a buck.
I wasn't here then. I worked at FHB and FWW from '96 to '05, then freelanced a few years, and worked for the competition for 6 years. I've only been back since February, 2013. That said, I never totally lost touch with my old colleagues, and so I've been peripherally aware.
I agree that mistakes were made here. Anyone who knows me from the old days when I was the chief moderator here knows that I always tried to have the community's back, and that I always was honest. That hasn't changed. Which isn't to say that I have a lot of influence, but I won't knowingly (jobsite word) you.
Andy,
Well ... when 'the change' was made many of us spent many hours explaining why we didn't like this or that or that things should be (or were) this way or that. I used to spend a LOT of time reading stuff. Helping some out ... getting tips from others. Daily I would be on line reading stuff. Picking up tips and handing some out.
Each new post seemed to get numerous responses ... enough where the guy felt he was actually talking w/ people and getting points of view and explanations of how their way was right. In other words ... posters left feeling they were in a position of making a pretty darn reasonable informed decision that worked the best for them. WOW! What a resource!
When asked ... 'why the change', we got what I felt was excuses after excuses about cost or some other business BS about this or that. To no avail ... they plunged forward and didn't look back. Some posters bailed after trying to convince, explain, etc. Some of us hung on for a while simply because we believed. Until the last day or two, I don't recall the last time I logged in and posted ... I'm guessing 8 months ... a year? The last 10 posts rather than being from the last day of activity, were from the last 3-4 weeks! Some only had 1 or 2 responses. That's not enough to form good decisions with.
Roll your sleeves up, Andy ... you got work to do. Dig out the old archives and read the stuff we posted.
... I step off my soap box ... sorry for the rant ... you did ask ... sorry I couldn't repeat all the 'helpful' stuff we said back then. It's a fading memory.
Mark W.
Believe me, I appreciate your frustration. I was deeply into BT in its heyday, and appreciated how vibrant it was. And while I wasn't here for "the change", I had something similar occur when I was editor of Professional Deck Builder. That was about the last straw for me there. What's worse than knowing you're about to witness a train wreck, and not being able to get anyone to listen to you?
Most of what I can ask right now is to be patient, and to contact me anytime.
That reminds me
There was an 'impending train wreck' ... call Katrina. Should we send a medical ship or not? Great for training. ... eh ... let's not. I still believe this to be one collosal idiotic decision.
But I digress
Andy
Would that you could find the countless emails I sent to Dan and Rob. They listed the problems as they came up and suggestions generated here on what might be done to deal with them.
If and when the developers do concentrate on the new construction, I'd hope they would consult with those that deal with the current set up here. We've been through the "drop it in the suggestion box" quite a few times already with not much success.
The easy answer would be-set it up like b/4 with the same page layouts, notifications and "table of contents".
And of course-don't forget compatibility with I.E.
I hope you're right, and there is some will to improve BT.
But - Given all the previous promises with no action - I hope you'll pardon me if I'm skeptical.
Consider yourself pardoned
I understand completely. And all the other forums I'm on are faster and simpler than this one. Clearly, that can be done.
The following is not written really well... just a few related thoughts, really.
I can't believe that its the structure of this site that keeps it from becoming more active... more popular. Sure, its combersome but so's a lot of things. At least the site is fairly consistent, people can adapt to it. Just try using the really popular web sites like Netflix or YouTube. It seems that they change their look fairly often and that doesn't seem to make users go away.
When the big change happened here, people hit the po'd wall not because of the change but because of the callous attitude by the FHB management. And, aside from you, Andy, that doesn't seem to have changed at all. Those guys went off to the offshoot site where they grouse still about what happened here. And why is that? I think its because that after the move, they became a very insular group. With no magazine sponsor to guide new users to them, all they have to talk about is themselves. They don't have the DIY's to ask new questions and spark new debate.
Unfortunately, although this site has a the means to attract the new guys (via the magazine) it seems to fail miserably in nurturing anyone. I would bet money that the bulk of those who left would come back here (some already "visit") if some olive branches were spread around and the FHB management would eat a little crow. I think this site will never come back unless the management wants it to and is willing to work for it. Until then, well... its sorta like trying to teach a pig to sing.
Good idea
I'd love to bring those old timers back into the fold, but I wouldn't think of making the effort until the structural issues are fixed here. And I wonder if they'd come back anyway. Honestly, I participate in a closed FB forum with a lot of those guys. Post something there, and it shows up. No issues. I wonder if any forum can compete with that?
Andy
Here's another suggestion-similar to the one I made earlier about auto blocking any registration that uses the same first and last name.
(**sorry, since I'm on I.E.-evidently I cannot copy and paste in the message box). I reported this a couple weeks ago.
What I attempted to paste was the current "Member Visits" list: Most names shown contain 15 letters. These I'd bet the ranch on, are bogus registrations. No one in their right mind would type that many letters as a user.............
33 posts in a week, a new post collapse record?
Looks like folks do check back occasionally to see if anything is happening.
Junk
junkhound wrote:
33 posts in a week, a new post collapse record?
Looks like folks do check back occasionally to see if anything is happening.
?
Hi , been a while
So, I had a moment, and remembered that I was a regular poster in this forum, so logged in to say hi. What a change. Been a while, quit when the change happened, was busy timberframing, was putting more effort into the TFG postings, but really, less time on the 'net and more time to work and the kids. Scored some teaching gigs at the local college, been 10 years since I got my carpenter ticket, and what a wild 10 years it's been. Have so much to share with the apprentices it's not funny. Still timberframing, we do the frames and sometimes the roofs. Still doing renos on my wartime story and a half.
The thing is, I can tell this forum is dead in 2 minutes. I have let my subscription to FHB lapse. I miss the banter of the old days, the tavern, etc.
wishing everyone well, just touching base. If anyone in southern ontario needs a timberframe cut, you know where to contact me.
Be good kids, keep your fingers on your hands.
dave
Thanks for the info Andy.
One thing I have seen that must work because I never see spam on this site (http://www.heatinghelp.com/Forum) is a simple random math puzzle in order to post. Like: solve 7+8 and then key the answer into a box before submitting post. It is easy to read and easy to answer and the puzzle is shown on a graphic that would make automatic intrepretation difficult.
Another forum I know blocks IP addresses of offenders. I do not know how they do it but it works great.
Thanks
One thing I have seen that must work because I never see spam on this site (http://www.heatinghelp.com/Forum) is a simple random math puzzle in order to post.
From all appearances the spam is being done by live humans, not "bots", so "Captcha" style tests will do little good.
ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...
The forum is what it is.
Without a doubt Breaktime used to be a vibrant place. I was one of the first folks here back when it started. Back in the mid-to-late 90s there was enough talent on this forum to pretty much get any question you had answered by someone who had first-hand knowledge of said question.
The breadth and depth of talent and knowledge was pretty amazing. This place was a shared tool box.
With the good came the bad. The forum got quite messy over time. We had the good ole "Fred versus Joe" construction flame wars that were, I have to say, quite amusing. There were a couple of non-construction guys that came just to post "social messages". Nothing wrong with that until things got petty and political, and I have to say, that political and personal non-construction crap was indeed a nuisance and a distraction. For the life of me I don't understand people that "have to be right". Opinions? Everybody has one. But there are a few posters that insist your opinion be just like theirs.
The format changes? Some changes were good. Some not so good. I understand this forum is a commodity to Taunton. When this forum was going all boom-town, my understanding is that It wasn't completely visible to internet search engines. With the wholesale changes, it can now be seen. The obvious irony is now that it can be "seen", there's not much content to be seen.
While I understand the current format, there's a lot of mouse clicking to see what there is to see. With the forum being slow to load, each click breeds a bit of inactivity. But every click it important to the "click counter".
Me? I come, I go.
I read, I lurk.
I read, I post.
I click, I wait.
Then I click and go elsewhere.
So yeah, this place has changed. But so has Taunton Press. And so has Fine Homebuilding Magazine. As have I.
I still feel beholden to Breaktime, so there will always be a bit of a tug for me to "come home" to this forum. It's sort of awkward to admit it, but I have "internet friends" because of this place. And when I met them at the Fest, some of them were even sort of normal!
It is worth mentioning that over the past ten years or so I have seen several forums (not building-related) shrivel up and die, from lack of interest. Facebook, et al, have siphoned off many of the folks who used to spend a lot of time in "specialized" forums. The fact that BT has managed to hang on at all says something about its relevance (or perhaps the stubbornness of those lurking here).
hmmm...
Yeah, there is something to be learned by these numbers. Quiz is, what?
ANDY
Well ... 35 posts to my original ... but where is 34? I get numerous e-mails about this post ... but many e-mails seem like they are dupes? ... not sure, but I link from the e-mails and it seems like the same old stuff.
Also noticed some new posts are marked NEW for me ... but others aren't. Today, I checked e-mail and had 6 e-mails notifying me of new posts for this topic. None were 'NEW'. Inconsistency? Not sure.
I'd definately be back in a hot flash. News travels fast and if the site had the ease of use of the old one ... well as they say ... if you build it ... they will come. You can't build a ball field w/out the [familiar] essentials. You want to build a new ball field w/ innovation? Then you have to show 'how cool' the innovation is ... if people try it and don't like it ... or it doesn't work with ease ... forget it.
Yeah, there are definite issues with the platform. Sadly, not much is likely to happen until the end of the year, when the new site rolls out. Taunton is taking the web more and more seriously, though, and I'm hopeful. As an example, we've opened an office in Manhattan with the idea of being able to attract more programming talent. Apparently, moving to western Connecticut, with its deer, turkeys, and Lyme disease, isn't attractive to a lot of Millenials. Who knew?
I have never gotten email notices to any reply to my posts. I hope the new forum is better than this.
I never signed up for email notices. Seemed like a wasted effort, based on what others reported about how reliable they were. I just select "Recent Posts" and look for "New".
One thing that could happen tomorrow is to loose the popup ads. I had to login today even though I never logged out and along with it I got hit with four popup ads. Perhaps your marketing guys have seen this discussion and got worried that their influence is waning. So they decided to harrass us some more.
I repeatedly ask myself why I continue to visit this site.
I use "Flashblock" (in
I use "Flashblock" (in Netscape/Mozilla) and, while it doesn't totally eliminate the popups it makes them much less annoying.
OK ... here's one
I keep getting notices of new postings to this topic. But nothing is new.
Also noticed that replies #34 and 35-38 do not show.
Tried posting something the other day ... thought I was replying to you, but apparently it was the original post ... but it did not post.
Sometimes messages are posted as "new" and often they aren't.
As I always say at the office ... it is details that are important ... just like construction. If the detail isn't right, the task can often be a major flop. Some details can make or break an entire project. How do you think a house would fair on the market if the beautiful kitchen and tile floors were accompanied by shoddy trim work that was done by an amatuer? Even a low end house wouldn't do well.
OK ... what's goin' on
Now the other posts showed up? What the heck? Labeled 'new', too.
So ... the first time ... I get like 5 e-mails saying there is activity in this post. I click the link and ... it's like I said above. Nothing new and nothing labeled. Now everything seems to appear.
The page might be getting cached by your internet provider. When something seems "old" do a "reload". On Firefox you do this by holding the shift key and pressing the little curved arrow icon to the right of the URL window. I think it's pretty much the same with IE.
Dang, I thought it was CTRL + reload. Learn something new every day! That explains some mysterious malfunctions I've seen.
Yeah, CTRL+Reload means "halt
Yeah, CTRL+Reload means "halt and catch fire".
Stopped in today for the first time in ages. I used to use BT as the benchmark when lookin at other (primarily automotive) forums. Used to be tons of constructive responses to technical questions here. Does seem stale.
Mike
I see the same issues being discusse here that have genisis in why many builders have problems with their clients: unrealistic expectations. Clients aren't mind readers and they are all different. Just because you had success operating one way in the past doesn't mean it can automatically be duplicated in the future.
Personally, I don't find anything particuarly slow or structurally inept about BT format. In fact, I think it functions perfectly well in today's social media realm of reasonable expectation and on my comuter. I think some of the pop-up ad complaints some folks have here are not FH's fault at all, but rather malware that has infected the individual user's computer and manifesting in pop ads based on every day key words contained within the site. There are also other individual computer issues that will affect downloading and system processing speed. Just because your own computer is working like a Hyundai, doens't mean a website will turn it into a Lexus. My guess is they don't know what their own computer problems are, how they got them, or how to get rid of them. They may want to start to resolve their problem by getting familiar with their "add and remove" program function on their computer. Generally malware comes from being too "click happy" and surfing web sites expecting free lunches. You probably have programs running you aren't even aware of. It may not be a bad idea to defrag your hard drive once in awhile either. You change the oil in your truck, don't you? Like "Clewless" confirms; there ain't no free lunches.
As for stale content: You get out of it what you put into it. Don't bame F.H. for your own apathy. It may also be helpful to know what B.T. isn't .
A few things that come to mind that It is not:
1. a "how to" instructional manual for building.
2. a free structural engineer.
3. a free professional design service.
4. Your own personal web forum where you get to choose what is appropriate to post and what isn't.
I'm always amazed by posters who think that all the above should be included with their memebership. Gimme a break. You'll always have to take any information (and trash talk) you get here with a grain of salt--including mine.
The inability to block even blatant spam (while still somehow managing to block many legitimate posts) is not a "reasonable expectation". And from what I've seen the annoying popups are real, not due to malware on users' boxes. And there ARE many other deficiencies -- lockups, difficulty navigating, etc. The old software, while I understand it was more expensive to support, was much more functional and performed much better.
(Of course, what do I know -- I've only been a programmer for 40 years.)
It's always easy to be a back seat driver.
I've never had a post blocked...and don't get annoying pop ups very often. I have encountered a few pop ups from time to time, but I figure that is the low cost of membership. Do you really think that FH shouldn't be able to monetize and subsidize thier website? If your answer is "No", then try starting and maintaining your own. If your answer is "Yes", then deal with it. Also, I seem to be able to navigate BT very easily...and I've never been a computer programmer.
@DanH: If you've been a programmer for 40 years and know how to present a better forum product for a lower price, then what's stopping you? You seem to have time to post just as much (and probably more) than I do. Heck, I'll even participate in your public forum-- if you don't block my posts:)
You've never had a post blocked because the "button" has been "pushed" on your behalf. All the regulars have been given a "pass" on the spam filter. Newbies regularly get their perfectly legitimate posts blocked, however.
Two thoughts on that last comment:
1. At one point I had to have been a "newbie" ...and still that (those) early posts of mine were never blocked. Which begs the question: At what point does one become a "regular"?
2. if a newbie posts and it is blocked, then how do you know they even tried to post? It sounds to my like the old adage about a tree falling in the woods. It's kinda hard to prove a negative.
We know newbies are blocked because they regularly report "I'm blocked and can't post my question". Then Calvin pushes the button and they post a question. If you don't believe me, ask Calvin.
And everyone who was registered at the time of The Switch eventually got their button pushed.
And every new post that contains all the letters in the word kitchen gets an automatic pass, by newbies.
Okay.
But I'm not clear on how newbies are regularly "reporting" to Calvin. Personal Message? Calling him on the phone? What? Whatever it is, it seems like having one single person deciding on whether (or not) to push a button is a helluva cumbersome way to cull your posters. At any rate, if a newbie had a legitimate question and was dogged enough to report to Calvin in order to get posted, then I guess they weren't really blocked after all, were they? And you've probably gained the kind of member (whatever that is) you pine for anyhow. Conversely, any ones that weren't reporting to Calvin still wouldn't be known about--now would they?.
The way I see it: the editors have apparently set up a double edge sword. They've created a threshold to divert unwanted spammers, but are concerned about legitimate posters making it over the threshold. So If you're going to create a threshold (your choice, not mine), then it comes at a price. No free lunch; right? I see that price as having to work to weed out spammers regularly and blocking legitimate newbies once in a while. It's not going to always be automatic and fool proof--and it's not the end of the world or against the U.S. Constitution. So if you're not willing to find a way to do that equitably... and are so concerned about legitimate posts*, than simply don't institute a threshold. Personally I ignore spammers the same way I ignore junk mail in both my post office box and my e-mail inbox. It's not difficult. If you're regularly making that call on newbies, you can damn well make that call on spam.
* legitimate is a relavtive term that falls largley in the catagory of subjective determination. Apparently most of you all seem to feel "legitimate" means not having your ideas or advice challeged. My advice for dealing with that while operating within a public forum: If you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen.
deadnuts wrote:
Two thoughts on that last comment:
1. At one point I had to have been a "newbie" ...and still that (those) early posts of mine were never blocked. Which begs the question: At what point does one become a "regular"?
2. if a newbie posts and it is blocked, then how do you know they even tried to post? It sounds to my like the old adage about a tree falling in the woods. It's kinda hard to prove a negative.
Here's the story as I know it.
All those that were registered b/4 the changeover to this software were NOT automatically given the "trusted user" setting. So I've manually set that rating on each and every poster that either contacts me or that I see has a post "hanging" in limbo (not published). Additionally, if I see a new post I might check the setting for the person that made it. People that use a specific name are a bit easier to remember than those maybe given registration names like user (insert numbers here).
Been doing this since Morrison graciously plopped it down in my lap. There's a couple of FHB editors or staff that can do it as well, but again-it's all manual.
The Kitchen spammers? Beats me-they do not all get through I don't think. If the software or that mollum time waster weeds some out, then good for them.
The count for "looks" on the board I don't have a clue where that's listed-but.............
There's a whole lot of registrations (benign for the most part) made here (look at the member recent visits). I made a suggestion a long time ago-don't accept any two names the same (first/last) upon registration. There are a boatload everyday. A big ass 'd boatload. These are not real people-could be machines for all I know.
That may jar the real numbers of "looks" and registered users.
being a dumb carpenter-the above is all greek to me. How you make it happen correctly and keep the riff/raff out is beyond my comprehension. I'm of the mind that if you wanted to, you could make the changes necessary for all legit users to freely register and post..................until they do something that warrants the axe.
And just being a pain in the ass isn't one of the criteria for a beheading as is evidenced by some users continuing to post.
One big issue with the old software was that it was invisible to search engines. Given how much of our content is (was) generated on the forums, that was a big problem from our end.
could have been a blessing
Having the "Fred vs Joe" flame wars and most of the content in Ye Olde Woodshed Tavern invisible to search engines? That could be considered a good thing. lol
Yeah, it was a nuanced decision...
How's that working out for you? Is there any evidence of more traffic?
What is really surprising
Is that this specific post has received over 60 replies ... while important stuff like how to insulate a wall properly might go weeks w/out but a couple of replies.
Must've hit a hot topic ...
Kinda sad.
They didn't have exposure on search engines w/ the old structure? Seems like a non issue considering how many people were coming here. Whatever the problem(s), they may or may not have solved them, but ruined the atmosphere ... so it was all for naught.
At the time they talked about ... what was it ... zinga and droople or some such computer dribble. Made no sense to me. I even asked some seasoned computer geek types and they didn't know what it was all about. Part of it was saving a buck, I think (the 'old format' was too expensive). Maybe because the greedy ______ at Tauton didn't see customer value in having a customer liked/used tool out there.
sigh
clew
What page do you open when you come on here?
http://forums.finehomebuilding.com/
why do you ask?
Clew
I wanted to know what you open that you see a list of weeks old posts. Not necessarily what you see upon entering BT, but what folder you open after you get here.
While there's not a lot of action, there's usually more than what you are seeing
I open the folder " RECENT POSTS". You get a chronological list of all new messages be it replies or new topics.
try that, see if you see anything different.
Actually, Google scanned the old forum (if they hadn't I never would have found it). The Google-relevant attaction of the new software is presumably that it sends posts to Google as soon as they're made (vs waiting passively to be scanned), so changes here are reflected in Google almost instantly.
Threads like this one have always gotten a lot of traffic here. And elsewhere. Why? Well, I'm no socialologist, but I think its because forums like Breaktime serve more than a construction how-to-do-it service. Its primarily a social gathering among people that share a common interest. Its a bunch of guys sitting around yakking about whatever. And every now and then somebody new pops in with a question or some news to share. Everybody likes this party because one can come and go as they please and it doesn't cost anything but time. One can even invent oneself here if desired. One of the reasons I participate in forums is because I can "hear" the conversation. My real hearing is so poor that in a live social setting... I'm lost.
So what happened when Taunton changed this place? They changed the party. They effectively said that the participants don't get to set the rules. They threw away old discussions and old pictorials. They acted like those things weren't important which implies that the participants aren't important. This was like saying all the things that everyone had been talking about was irrelevent. All this really teed people off. So most left. But everybody still remembers the good party. We all would like it back.
Talking about construction is important and interesting, sure. But the regulars here really don't need much help. They're here for the atmosphere. When Taunton decides to open the window again, the party will get better. Until then, the air is a bit stale.
Yeah, basically they replaced the old, comfortable chairs with fancy new ones chosen by a "designer", and repainted everything in designer colors.
Important things will resurface in time.
Sapwood, you may not be a socialogist, but I think you describe the situation very well. Personally I think it is a shame to throw out old threads because many do contain valuable information for someone doing a keyword search. However, spring cleaing is a periodic essential...and it's important to not be too sentimental about y(our) efforts. Much of the good stuff will be re-created in time.
Sometimes it doesn't take long to be re-introduced with new (and perhaps better) insights. Heck, even feature articles in F.H. are quickly rehashing techniques that have been presented before. Just take a look at Gary's coffered ceiling article in this month's issue. I know I've seen that before (maybe it was TiC; I dont remember) not that long ago. Anyhow, same basic techniques; different project. Personally I'd rather see new techniques presented by someone other than a regular; but it's good work nonetheless.
From someone who was around here a long long time ago. There're posts and replies going on now that are beginning to look like the bad old days.
I will second that, Mike.
Looks like I can't delete my own post
I erroneously posted and wanted to delete ... 'guess I can't do that.