Offroadsubarus.com asleep ?

scalman said:
Well if you have some interest it doesnt matter what others do, for me at least, im reading just what interest me not world news. Well google pics my news to what i like. And like now im searching for abs error codes problems and nooene seems to responding via couple forums.
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If you're on Facebook, join the group "Subarus offroad international and ask your question there.
 
Ben Up North said:
Never occured to me to use the site's hosting for images as I already use an image hosting site. I find it easier to have my photos all in one place. :)

Plus it reduces load on the forum by hosting them elsewhere, which I consider a huge advantage.

Does the forum need to increase its traffic?
It's not really a conversation site like the book of faces, more technical in my opinion. It's also a great place to document your travels & trials, far better than twitbook for that sort of thing.
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Sorry to disagree but the Facebook groups I'm in are both social and technical. I have been provided with a lot more technical help with my SH Forester from the FB groups than I was able to get here. Ditto for linking with locals for off road excursions. For older Subies the technical help is less on FB.
 
[MENTION=15642]Beachworm[/MENTION]

I'm not disputing that there is terchnical content on facebook. Finding historical information on it is pretty tedious though.
 
[MENTION=15642]Beachworm[/MENTION] - There will be a number of reasons why there's no info on forums about the SH - firstly, not enough hipster owning SHs use forums, that'd be like using dial up (if they knew what this was!). Secondly, they're a relatively new model and I bet there aren't many owners that are willing to mess around with them - and many people aren't backyard mechanics as such these days.

There's also loads of misinformation that kicks around facebook reguarly - then the skirmishes fire up. That can happen on forums, but it's usually sorted out without the same amount of egotistical heat - and if there is it's actually moderated if the mods are active on the forum (most are).

I hope forums continue on for a long time - and out live the facebook phenomenon. I love the ability to use the forum's search function to find historical information, and if that doesn't work, a google search that's site specific usually finds what I'm looking for. One thing that facebook doesn't do is allow historical info searches. It was near impossible to find information from the previous week or longer on the group pages I used to be on. I doubt they'll ever do this either, they're based on traffic, new sharing all the time, it's kind of like the need to always grow the stock market, even though we all know that's not sustainable!

Facebook also fosters an unhealthy need for instant gratification. Be careful with this one, it'll sneak up on you without you knowing. Narcissists love facebook for this reason - and ignore all that don't give what they want.

One thing I really love about forums is how you can tell your story and integrate photos at the points in the story that you want to show them. I love reading other's stories as well, we all have our own style of writing and sharing on the forum!

Many of my build threads on a number of forums are basically a blog now, I'm the only one that really posts in them these days. They're a handy reference at times - and with pics!

Over my time on forums I've had many awesome trips and loads of support from fellow members - in vic and across the continent! The recent facebook organised trip just didn't have the same feel about it. There wasn't the same cohesion and the younger participants cowboy'd around - they should've left that for their own trip without others around. We were all lucky not to cop a fine for their antics at one point.

So I'll continue to avoid facebook (personal and professional reasons) and continue to drop in regularly on the forums ;)

I also don't see why admin needs to drive/create interest or traffic, that's not exactly organic.

Fact of the matter is that facebook is good at worming itself into your life more than you know about. Forums don't have direct apps to access them and some forums are really clunky on a mobile device. Personally I prefer the computer version of many forums when using my mobile. Other's can't deal with that inconvenience of having to use the internet browser to access a forum. Newer generations probably don't even know about forums!

Many seem to believe that it's not official/it didn't happen/you're not worth knowing about unless it's on facebook!

Anyway, I think I'm done with this. A pic to finish off with - because you won't find these of mine on facebook :poke:

7noKX5.jpg


Cheers

Bennie

PS: going by this thread it doesn't seem that asleep.
 
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Ben Up North said:
[MENTION=15642]Beachworm[/MENTION]

I'm not disputing that there is terchnical content on facebook. Finding historical information on it is pretty tedious though.
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Agreed, but it's not necessary. You simply ask your question and there is usually someone who will provide you with the information, a reference to a web site or the name of a business to contact.
 
[MENTION=145]El_Freddo[/MENTION]

What you say about the SH is true on this forum but the contrary is the case on FB. The SH is 10 years old this year so it's not exactly new and there are quite a few people now modifying them and taking them off road. If I can manage to get a photo into this post I'll give you an example.
https://offroadsubarus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2263&stc=1&d=1559166090
I understand that some people prefer forums. That was never a point in contest. I also agree that for some functions such as researching historical information, developing a build sequence etc. the forum is the best unless you have your own FB page for your posts. The point I'm making is that there is very little activity on this site in recent months in comparison with what is happening on FB. I'm interested in the reason for this disparity and if there is anything that can be done to change it. As I said previously, I'm not suggesting everyone should abandon this forum and look to FB alone for solutions to their problems or for interest sake.

Your criticisms of FB are well-founded and I use it with discretion. I haven't put anything on there about myself that I wouldn't want the world to know, even my photograph and I'm prepared for the trolls and I get a bit of fun out of putting them in their place but this is on FB generally. Closed groups on FB are a different animal. They are moderated and inappropriate posts do get deleted and people excluded if they persist in being uncivil. I have found these groups to be supportive, congenial and very helpful as an SH owner who is happy to modify my more modern Subaru and take it off road. I don't see why I can't use both FB and this forum.

So if this forum is to remain active, interesting and relevant, it needs to adjust to appeal to a changing world. The change needs to be gradual and judicious and if the admin are not the one's to do it, who is?
 

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[MENTION=15642]Beachworm[/MENTION] Rather than quoting the entire post, it's easier on all of us if you just reference the relevant section of the post.

Do you have any suggestions on how the forum should be adjusting? I'm sure admin would appreciate some positive input if you do.
 
I'm no expert on forums or anything else on the internet. I'm just and old retired bloke who's had a hundred different jobs, likes fiddling with cars and testing their limits. I'll say what I think but I have no real foundation for my views other than simple logic.

Why is traffic slow? Perhaps asking for responses to a survey might help a little (but I doubt you'd get too many responses). My opinion is that most people don't mind reading other people's posts but unless they have a problem they can't solve or are publishing their modifications/adventures, they're just readers. What you need is more contributors.

How do you get people to contribute? People contribute for a number of reasons: (you may think of more)
1. pride in achievement - they want everyone to see what they've built or where they've been able to drive.
2. altruism - they think they have something of value to share and want others to benefit.
3. debate - some people can't bear to leave a differing opinion unanswered.

The question is, how can these motivating factors be tapped into to stimulate more people to post? I suggest that admin set the example by posting regularly about their builds and their exploits and occasional posts that are designed to stir up the hornets' nest.

I don't know if anyone has picked up on it yet, but I'm a stirrer (in a positive way I hope).
 
[MENTION=15642]Beachworm[/MENTION], I think that people do more reading here.

IME, most internet fora are cesspits, or at best, ordinary. This is one of the few polite forums on the entire internet. Treasure it for what it is!
 
Ratbag said:
[MENTION=15642]Beachworm[/MENTION], I think that people do more reading here.

IME, most internet fora are cesspits, or at best, ordinary. This is one of the few polite forums on the entire internet. Treasure it for what it is!
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OK let's apply that logic to another situation and see how it sounds.

I have an old bicycle hanging in the shed. The wheel bearings are rusty so it's really hard to turn the wheels and I hardly ever ride it any more. I see shiny new bikes going down my street all the time and think I should get in and do some maintenance on my old bike so I can get out there and ride too. The problem is, I see these hooligans riding on one wheel, failing to stop for red lights and riding down the footpath putting people's lives in danger and I realise, my old bike might be hard to ride but at least it's safe. I'll be content with what I have. :rotfl:
 
@Beachworm

Good ... :poke:

I'm a member of Faecesbook, and several other such platforms and fora. I avoid most of them, even though I am a member of a closed group on FB.

I simply do not prefer that challenge/response and trolling model.

Had to do some serious research involving FB for a court case once. Made me feel ashamed of being a human. However, so do lots of other things. There is something seriously wrong with our entire species (almost certainly including self).
 
I agree that FB has its problems.

So does television. Have you seen the rubbish that goes to air in the name of entertainment. I'd rather sit and watch the leaves of my passion fruit vine blowing in the wind!

Politics is the same story. Lies, half truths, innuendo, gossip, all part of political campaigns. Politicians seem to spend all their energy on winning the next election. They've started already. Don't worry about governing the country in the interests of the Australian people, let's just win.

Then there's religion. So many varieties, all insisting they are correct and everyone else is wrong. Some people kill in the name of religion.

This doesn't mean we should give up on watching TV, voting or believing. It means we need to be discriminating in all things. It also means that there are opportunities to make improvements. It has been said (and I have no idea by whom) "All it takes for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing." I'm not saying everything is evil but if we see something that could be improved, why not try to improve it.

Please don't detour this conversation into Facebook versus other forms of communication. I used FB as an example to show that discussion about off road Subarus is going gangbusters, just not on this forum. I'd like to see that rectified.
 
"Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing" John Stuart Mill, 1867. Attributed (wrongly) to Edmund Burke in a different form. Very little is really original ... E=mc^2 was ...

I could say a lot more about your post, but politics, religion and climate change are prohibited topics here ...
 
[MENTION=15642]Beachworm[/MENTION] - if you’re learning new things about your SH, wouldn’t it be your “responsibility” to share/document this info on the forum - then other, maybe new members, might join to share their experiences on the same issue or float some questions about their SH, then more SH owners might chime in.

Fact of the matter is that many have become busy in life - work, careers, family... facebook. Some move on from their old rides never to be heard from again. I for one am still rocking “the old school” because I love it and I don’t see the point in “upgrading” to, what now is, the same as just about everyone else has out there! I hope to see her on to 600k km...
[MENTION=2832]Ratbag[/MENTION] - I’m on number of forums and many of these are and have always been quite polite places, except for those odd occasions when someone needs drama in life and tries to stir things up. Why do we thing we need drama in our lives to be happy or active about something?? Simply we don’t. It’s a waste of time and energy.

Another thought as to why forums are so quiet these days - anyone notice many threads seem to end with the last post in build threads in 2017? And what happened in 2017 or thereabouts?? Photobucket’s attempt at extorting it’s free membership - holding many good threads and information at ransom. I feel this turned many away from forums at this time with many to never return.

I’ll leave off here for now ;)

Cheers

Bennie
 
Ratbag said:
"Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing" John Stuart Mill, 1867. Attributed (wrongly) to Edmund Burke in a different form. Very little is really original ... E=mc^2 was ...

I could say a lot more about your post, but politics, religion and climate change are prohibited topics here ...
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Thanks for the source to the quote Ratbag. You will notice I didn't actually comment on politics or religion but mentioned them as examples. I agree they are inappropriate topics for this forum.
 
I fully understand those who stick with the older models of Subaru. There's a special challenge in keeping a car going long after the dealers stop stocking parts. Perhaps you haven't noticed but I have been putting a post in now and then. The last one about the SH was the amazing difference in performance and off-road capability that can be had by getting an expert to massage the ECU. The strange thing is the underwhelming response by SH owners. I've managed to fit a different snorkel than everyone else uses too. Perhaps I should post that and see what the response is.
 
[MENTION=15642]Beachworm[/MENTION] - everyone seems to be interested in snorkels that fit our Subies
 
I somehow disagree that this forum is biased toward older Subarus. There may be one or two members who are extremely against newer models or even the CVT but, again, not all. New members would say hello to the forum and then one or two would say, "Good luck with your newer Subaru" or "Good luck with your CVT," when newer ones, although different, perform actually well. Most would welcome them to the club. After seeing negative posts toward their newer Subarus, most posters would just look for another place they can belong.

As I've said before, it looks like the negative trend toward newer Subarus has died down in the past few weeks/months and judging by this thread, the forum is far from asleep. :thumbsup:

I agree with [MENTION=145]El_Freddo[/MENTION], photobucket's move paralysed many forums, even toyotanation that I frequented during my JZX and SVX15 days.

Some who are also a bit reluctant to increase their digital footprint would think twice about commenting or posting. Not replying does not mean they don't like it. Upvotes would help, though. Cheers.
 
I agree with ABFoz. I didn't say the site was biased against newer Subarus, but that it was baised toward older ones in that most of the posts are related to older ones.

The advantage that FB has over this and other forums (fora if you insist on using the Latin singular) is that you can just signal a like for a comment without actually posting anything verbally. This gives encouragement to posters. Perhaps this could be a consideration for an improvement.

To Kevin - once I send all the photos from my phone, by email to myself then save them in my album, I'll have a go at writing a post about fitting my snorkel and the associated plumbing.
 
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