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Quiet

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 10:34 pm
by James McGrath
I can't believe there are only 4 active topics at the moment (not counting this one). Must be the quietest week on record.

Has everyone gone on holiday or something?

Re: Quiet

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 11:30 pm
by vaux16v
I could start a whole lot of topics up as need alot of help but one stage at a time. Lol

Re: Quiet

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 1:29 am
by Robsey
Yep - this is quite normal for the month of August.
Especially as it was a bank holiday week too.

Things will return to normal service in the next week or two.

We also have to remember that Cavalier / Vectra-A owners are a constantly shrinking group of people.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 5:06 pm
by Cavalier342
Definitely been on the quiet side recently.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 8:31 pm
by James McGrath
I've not known it to be this quiet before though. Last week wasn't this bad.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 8:28 pm
by iangsi
James McGrath wrote:I've not known it to be this quiet before though. Last week wasn't this bad.
You'll have to get busy then Jame's

Re: Quiet

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2017 12:27 am
by Envoy CDX
Aye, it certainly looks quiet.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 7:39 am
by cavalier1990
Noticed this with a lot of forums, think more people on facebook more than forums nowadays.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 8:51 am
by Robsey
Many prompted by the photobucket fiasco.

Strange though, as I still see a constant stream of new members signing up.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 10:05 am
by Cavalier342
That's the problem with society nowadays, everyone gets super glued to "social media" instead of being active on here, after all this forum was created for a good reason. But people tend to forget about that and instead choose to spend their time looking at random crap on some "social" site. That's why it's quiet on here. It's pathetic in my opinion.

What we need to do is stay active on this forum for the general stuff, project threads, random banter, etc etc, and perhaps set up an instant messaging channel, say for instance on Skype or Discord, put a link up on the forum allowing members to join and ask for real-time advice about something and our resident experts can walk them through it, say someone is working on their car and get stuck on something, simply ask about it in an instant message, put a photo up if necessary, and whoever is online can immediately respond.

I know that some will say that it will take people away from here, but look at how quiet it is anyway and I've seen so many threads here with folks asking for advice about this and that and they remain un-answered for hours if not days. I'm not saying it's anyone's fault as everyone's lives have busy periods, but with most people getting distracted on "social media" anyway this may help somewhat and make this forum more active.

It's just a suggestion.

Andrei.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 6:00 pm
by Mk3alan
I think your probably right about distraction. I am registered on an Astra forum which went quiet and found that folk were using the faceache site, I registered, never posted and got so much crap I ended the experience. I suppose the crap is being read by lots, but I have better things to do with my time on earth.
All forums have quiet spells that's just the way it is.

Alan

Re: Quiet

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 9:50 pm
by cavalier1990
Personally I've just been generally busy with other stuff, cavs been on the back burner a bit recently. Robsey all those new members - are they signing up maybe more as viewers rather than contributors? Mind you can see most of the stuff even as just a visitor.

I joined here some years ago with my old cavy but never really added much until more recent years as I like documenting everything now and keeping tabs on my work, and of course sharing it all to help and inspire others :) and show how much fun (ahem) cavalier ownership can be!

Re: Quiet

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 11:22 pm
by Robsey
I suspect that most new sign ups are just observers or people looking for a how 2.

I used to get a lot of pm's from members looking for help or advice, but not feeling confident to ask questions on a public facing forum.
It is amazing how many people say " I am new to this forum so please be gentle".
Possibly in fear of ridicule.
I suppose we all have to start somewhere, and for some people posting a question is just too big a jump to make.

All I know is that due to being an "admin" on this site and another car related diagnostics site, I get dozens of messages reporting new sign ups every day.
More for this site than the other, although my other site is always very busy.

Social media - pah. I have a healthy dislike for platforms on while people are able to tell me that they are bored, having spaghetti on toast for tea, or where people actively bully or victimise each other.

There are many factors for quiet spells.
1 - social media
2 - reducing numbers of cavaliers / owners
3 - photo hosting issues
4 - due to having useful information, we have been able to assist in fixing everyone's car.
Many people only visit for a fix-it solution.
5 - many topics have already been covered and so some people choose not to repeat an old topic.

And
6 - people are fed up of Robsey spouting cack - ha ha.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 2:22 am
by James McGrath
Things have picked up a bit this week.
Last week was dire; I think there were only about 5 posts made all week.

As for social media, technically a forum like this one is a form of social media so be careful what you say on that.
Facebook has undoubtedly had an effect on us. Allot of traffic has been taken away that's for sure but I don't think it's been a major issue.
This forum has always been made up of a few core members no more than about 20 or so who did the majority of the posting.
We've lost allot of core members over the last 4 years or so. People like planetc, Gaz, TurboDan, Squig and FoxyCav were all very heavy posters and without them it feels allot quieter.

It's not their fault of course, we've all got lives to lead, kids to feed, mortgages to pay ect. and Cavalier numbers continue to fall.

To be honest though, we've had an excellent innings. Most niche forums like this only last a few years but we've made it past the decade marker.

I blame myself for allot of it lately. I should be doing more as an Admin.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 11:30 am
by Tobias_CDX
James McGrath wrote:It's not their fault of course, we've all got lives to lead, kids to feed, mortgages to pay ect. and Cavalier numbers continue to fall.
I think these are the main reasons. Cavalier will be 30 years old next year. It's the course of time that interests in this model decrease. And young people aren't so much interested in cars like in the 80's or 90's.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 1:59 pm
by Cavalier342
I do admire the fact that the forum has been running for a decade, that is a very good achievement. I have to disagree with James however about this forum being "a form of social media" It's most definitely not, it's an online community that has been brought together with one focus - The Mk3 cavalier. There is nothing more to it. Social is meeting people face to face, not blogging about it while sat behind a screen.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 7:31 pm
by Envoy CDX
Robsey wrote:Many prompted by the photobucket fiasco.

Strange though, as I still see a constant stream of new members signing up.

That won't have helped, I know a few people who lost alot of images because of that unfortunately.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 11:19 pm
by Robsey
Sad to say - I remember vividly a lot of ex-members stating that the format / layout changes that came along with the name change from CavMk3OC to VauxhallCavalier had put them off.

Some identified the loss of tapatalk as a factor.
Suffice to say - there are many reasons.

Strange how this particular thread is the most active at the moment.
How ironic.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 12:22 am
by Cavalier342
That's usually how these things turn out..

Re: Quiet

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 8:25 pm
by cavalier1990
Actually was thinking about this tonight and I realised is it maybe that we have all now fixed every little problem on all our cavys and there is nothing left to fix? :)

Re: Quiet

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 8:32 pm
by Robsey
I doubt it my friend.

My Cavalier always has at least two jobs that need doing...
And that is besides my un-necessary mad-cap crazy modifications.

Almost definitely due to the niche area that we cover as a group.

As with any forum, most people visit to find a fix...
There probably isn't much that isn't covered somewhere in the bowels of the forum - so not much need to post a new help topic.

I think most threads these days are work in progress type stuff or wanted / for sale topics.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 8:55 pm
by cavalier1990
Was being a bit ironic there Robsey :), I could list a whole, well list, of stuff for one of my own cars, and I bet we all could lol it's finding the time to do it is always the hard bit!

Robsey wrote:I doubt it my friend.

My Cavalier always has at least two jobs that need doing...
And that is besides my un-necessary mad-cap crazy modifications.

Almost definitely due to the niche area that we cover as a group.

As with any forum, most people visit to find a fix...
There probably isn't much that isn't covered somewhere in the bowels of the forum - so not much need to post a new help topic.

I think most threads these days are work in progress type stuff or wanted / for sale topics.

Re: Quiet

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 6:59 pm
by Robsey
Oh eck...
It's going to get even quieter.
It seems to be "Sell Your Cav Season"
:(

Indeed - I got the irony tone. :P
I think that is part of thr Cav charm.
Always something to do to ease the boredom.

Thankfully it cannot be maligned by phrases like...

FIAT - Fix It Again Tomorrow
Or
FORD - Fix Or Recover Daily.

:evil: :evil:

Re: Quiet

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 7:30 pm
by Cavalier342
AUDI - As Usual Driven Irresponsibly

Re: Quiet

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 10:56 am
by Envoy CDX
Cavalier342 wrote:AUDI - As Usual Driven Irresponsibly
Audi...
Another unsufferable dickless idiot..

BMW..
Bloody minded W@nker