DieselMinded
Well-known member
Yes, there is no denying that Facebook has seriously compromised "traditional" discussion forums. Particularly Facebook Groups that mirror the functionality of forums. As Facebook grew in popularity forum members started dropping like flies.
Even those who I had met and became personal friends with showed up less or not at all, but clogged up my Facebook Newsfeed.
Some even had the gall to invite me to Facebook Groups that were in my Boards genre. Its like they didn't have a clue that our boards are often a business and our product is participation and personalities and we have made a substantial investment of time and money to make possible.
The true test was when an active Member who previously expressed no interest in Facebook, suddenly friend requested me on Facebook. Then the countdown began....Participation on my Board decreased, crap posted on Facebook and Facebook Groups increased, and often times they pulled up their tent stakes and POOF, were gone.
Luckily our boards have survived but not without casualties. This survival is largely due to converting to cutting edge softwares, which we think best competes with Facebook as far as Uploading of images etc.
And the connections to other social media venues is a benefit. But unlike Facebook that provides FREE EVERYTHING in exchange for ripping off people's "Likes" and interests and shopping habits, we traditional board owners pay monthly for the data needed to support our membership. That is something many members don't or refuse to understand or just don't care.
We have to adapt NOW!
So why would anyone start a new forum today?
Not a good idea unless you intend to provide tools and features that social media giants do not, with intent is not to supplant the giants but to be used in conjunction with them.
Privacy is one of these items thats often over looked that we all should emphasis on our sites... Facebook has become the #1 investigative tool of law enforcement, rarely do they touch a crime scene without reviewing the victims Facebook. The information is invaluable to the investigation as it shows friends and recent un-friends, locations and check ins , where they ate , even selfies can show potential suspects in the back grounds ect…
Perhaps the only valuable benefit Facebook has added to todays society other than keeping in touch with distant family and friends. Most of the other effects have proven to be a regression. Just look around and you will see it.
Forums Are Not Dead.... but are being killed by the following mistakes....
Non-responsive designs
Lack of mobile support
Difficult uploading of images
Clunky software
Clunky interface
Not offering things that social media giants do not
Poor leadership
Poor site culture
Hidden content
Lack of SSL
No Push Notifications
Too many forums
Too broad of genre
Too shallow of genre
Off topic forums
Poor SEO
Lack of direction or goals
Competition with other forums of same niche (someday we will have to join together to stay live)
More....
Even those who I had met and became personal friends with showed up less or not at all, but clogged up my Facebook Newsfeed.
Some even had the gall to invite me to Facebook Groups that were in my Boards genre. Its like they didn't have a clue that our boards are often a business and our product is participation and personalities and we have made a substantial investment of time and money to make possible.
The true test was when an active Member who previously expressed no interest in Facebook, suddenly friend requested me on Facebook. Then the countdown began....Participation on my Board decreased, crap posted on Facebook and Facebook Groups increased, and often times they pulled up their tent stakes and POOF, were gone.
Luckily our boards have survived but not without casualties. This survival is largely due to converting to cutting edge softwares, which we think best competes with Facebook as far as Uploading of images etc.
And the connections to other social media venues is a benefit. But unlike Facebook that provides FREE EVERYTHING in exchange for ripping off people's "Likes" and interests and shopping habits, we traditional board owners pay monthly for the data needed to support our membership. That is something many members don't or refuse to understand or just don't care.
We have to adapt NOW!
So why would anyone start a new forum today?
Not a good idea unless you intend to provide tools and features that social media giants do not, with intent is not to supplant the giants but to be used in conjunction with them.
Privacy is one of these items thats often over looked that we all should emphasis on our sites... Facebook has become the #1 investigative tool of law enforcement, rarely do they touch a crime scene without reviewing the victims Facebook. The information is invaluable to the investigation as it shows friends and recent un-friends, locations and check ins , where they ate , even selfies can show potential suspects in the back grounds ect…
Perhaps the only valuable benefit Facebook has added to todays society other than keeping in touch with distant family and friends. Most of the other effects have proven to be a regression. Just look around and you will see it.
Forums Are Not Dead.... but are being killed by the following mistakes....
Non-responsive designs
Lack of mobile support
Difficult uploading of images
Clunky software
Clunky interface
Not offering things that social media giants do not
Poor leadership
Poor site culture
Hidden content
Lack of SSL
No Push Notifications
Too many forums
Too broad of genre
Too shallow of genre
Off topic forums
Poor SEO
Lack of direction or goals
Competition with other forums of same niche (someday we will have to join together to stay live)
More....