Huh?

[philrob]

Is that "Gift Supporting" link at the bottom of each post new?

I accidentally clicked it while thumb scrolling and almost gifted @Grmblz a membership.

That would have been kinda comedic if I did.

As far as I can tell, it pops up for everyone, other than Pro-Supporting Members.

 

[Reg Holt]

The posting on this forum has dropped off for a number of reasons (well, through my observations at least).

1: A lot of the old guard have moved on (either jumped ship, or no longer engage in the online brewing community)
2: Facebook and other sources of information have become more prominent, and have reduced this site's traffic
3: A lot of us are getting a bit older and busier with family/work, so something has to give (I certainly don't have the same number of spare hours I did a few years ago).
4: Australia has a limited population (compared to the USA/UK) and we just don't have the same number of brewers to divide between a number of forums
5: The well documented KK vs KL battle and the bickering between people who clearly had a vested interest in either party (this has certainly turned a number of people I know off the forum).
6: Quite a number of people I know have moved on from brewing for a variety of reasons (health, time, other hobbies, downsizing etc).

The moderator factor is not something that bothers me. I'm more than happy with the job they do (and it's an unpaid and thankless one). I'm sure they don't get it right all the time, but no one is perfect. Striking a balance between open and free debate and keeping this place civil is almost impossible, and I think (by and large) the moderators have kept a pretty good balance.

JD

Most of those points don't hold water.
Take 1,3 and 6 all covering the same point, 1. some have moved on. 3. same statement busier, moving on. 6. again moving on.
While members move on according to the bottom of the opening page we have New Members, everyday or almost there is a new member signing up, sometimes two. The forum is being replenished daily so that would be more than enough for those lost.

5. KK KL bickering! really, that would put people off? Look at the sister sites there is more arguing and bickering going on in their equivalents to 'Off Topic' threads. Secondly look at Australian craft brewers, there is no bickering whatsoever on that forum. And since the moderators, both involved with Australian Craft Brewers started running this forum deleting posts and removing threads this forum has ended up the same. Both are as dull as dishwater. That is what makes people leave.

2 Facebook has always been there, so where do those who are not on Facebook go who aren't on here. There are plenty of brewing forums doing really well, why? They don't get posts removed and threads locked. Grmblz mentioned sterile I agree.

When Austin sold his forums to Keith they were a viable proposition AHB at the time would generally come up first on the search engines it was informative and busy. So what went wrong, not the exodus. AHB was becoming just as busy while Australian Craft Brewers was flagging. I don't have to point out what happened I think most members know, they tried to fix something that wasn't broken. If Keith tried to sell this forum today he wouldn't get a brass razoo for it. A forum needs to be busy have members willing to pay to be a member and sponsors, which is another thing they have lost. I wouldn't be surprised that the only paying sponsors are Keg Land, Brewman and Inkbird.
As an aside here is a book well worth a read, 'The clowns are in charge of the circus' Kenneth A Scott.

 

[JDW81]

Most of those points don't hold water.
Take 1,3 and 6 all covering the same point, 1. some have moved on. 3. same statement busier, moving on. 6. again moving on.
While members move on according to the bottom of the opening page we have New Members, everyday or almost there is a new member signing up, sometimes two. The forum is being replenished daily so that would be more than enough for those lost.

5. KK KL bickering! really, that would put people off? Look at the sister sites there is more arguing and bickering going on in their equivalents to 'Off Topic' threads. Secondly look at Australian craft brewers, there is no bickering whatsoever on that forum. And since the moderators, both involved with Australian Craft Brewers started running this forum deleting posts and removing threads this forum has ended up the same. Both are as dull as dishwater. That is what makes people leave.

2 Facebook has always been there, so where do those who are not on Facebook go who aren't on here. There are plenty of brewing forums doing really well, why? They don't get posts removed and threads locked. Grmblz mentioned sterile I agree.

When Austin sold his forums to Keith they were a viable proposition AHB at the time would generally come up first on the search engines it was informative and busy. So what went wrong, not the exodus. AHB was becoming just as busy while Australian Craft Brewers was flagging. I don't have to point out what happened I think most members know, they tried to fix something that wasn't broken. If Keith tried to sell this forum today he wouldn't get a brass razoo for it. A forum needs to be busy have members willing to pay to be a member and sponsors, which is another thing they have lost. I wouldn't be surprised that the only paying sponsors are Keg Land, Brewman and Inkbird.
As an aside here is a book well worth a read, 'The clowns are in charge of the circus' Kenneth A Scott.

I did say these were my observations and certainly not gospel.

I also didn’t intend them to hold water, just highlighting what I see (and have spoken to a number of former members who also see the same thing).

We’re all free to agree/disagree as we see fit, however I do agree that the monetisation of the forum hasn’t been a raging success.
JD

 

[Brewmerang]

As a new member (with much to offer) it appears that the greatest deterrent to activity on this forum is negativity. This thread is a prime example.

I have followed this thread since I joined, and it is the only thing that has had me questioning my decision to join.
I have no doubt that if some of the members who have posted here would otherwise put their time and effort into constructive conversation we would all benefit from increased activity, more new members and fewer 'drop outs'.

I have seen some very intelligent conversation here and an air of pride in what some would say "was" a great forum.
It still is a great forum! We just need to encourage others to become as good as those before them, and you guys are the key to this.

Turn it around.

 

[Reg Holt]

I did say these were my observations and certainly not gospel.

I also didn’t intend them to hold water, just highlighting what I see (and have spoken to a number of former members who also see the same thing).

We’re all free to agree/disagree as we see fit, however I do agree that the monetisation of the forum hasn’t been a raging success.
JD

As a new member (with much to offer) it appears that the greatest deterrent to activity on this forum is negativity. This thread is a prime example.

I have followed this thread since I joined, and it is the only thing that has had me questioning my decision to join.
I have no doubt that if some of the members who have posted here would otherwise put their time and effort into constructive conversation we would all benefit from increased activity, more new members and fewer 'drop outs'.

I have seen some very intelligent conversation here and an air of pride in what some would say "was" a great forum.
It still is a great forum! We just need to encourage others to become as good as those before them, and you guys are the key to this.

Turn it around.

Without going into a lot of detail I will say this, have a look at other forums, 'Off Topic' I am on an Aussie 4x4 forum the off topic posts are similar to the results of this forum and 100's of other forums they are the ones with the most contributions. Just scroll down the forum list.
All forums have them and all forums have discerning posts, arguments and general banter. Just take this thread, over the last 10 days the views have more than doubled. Look at the views on the other threads, nothing comes close apart from KL Q & A. Then tell me no one is interested.
Grmblz pub analogy is a good one go to a pub for a good night out, the first pub has few drinkers and long faces, what do you do?
Go to another pub of course with lots of discussion, banter and hosts.

 

[wide eyed and legless]

I spoke to him today, his account has been suspended. Pretty low act after all he did for this forum in their time of need. When others were busy recruiting members from this forum to move over to another. But you know all about that.

No explanation for why my account was suspended today was the first day I have logged on and no warning nothing just back up and running.

Without going into a lot of detail I will say this, have a look at other forums, 'Off Topic' I am on an Aussie 4x4 forum the off topic posts are similar to the results of this forum and 100's of other forums they are the ones with the most contributions. Just scroll down the forum list.
All forums have them and all forums have discerning posts, arguments and general banter. Just take this thread, over the last 10 days the views have more than doubled. Look at the views on the other threads, nothing comes close apart from KL Q & A. Then tell me no one is interested.
Grmblz pub analogy is a good one go to a pub for a good night out, the first pub has few drinkers and long faces, what do you do?
Go to another pub of course with lots of discussion, banter and hosts.

Well the numbers don't lie, I think it does go to prove that there is more interest in other subjects other than brewing. Silly idea to moderate so heavy in the Off Topic thread. No one is forced to read any thread.

News to me about WEAL. I've not deleted or redacted any postings since the wars of some years ago. I'm OK with frank debate, even criticism of myself. I don't care what others think of me, quite frankly, as it's almost invariably incorrect anyway. As I've said before, the moderators authority on here is quite limited. I have no control over any administrator functions or actions.

What were the wars?

 

[livo]

At least this forum hasn't yet descended to the point where apparent trolls call supposed trolls out for being actual trolls and then the so-called actual trolls defend themselves and declare themselves as being not at all trolls and support this by accusing those apparent troll troll callers as being the actual trolls.

 

[YAPN]

At least this forum hasn't yet descended to the point where apparent trolls call supposed trolls out for being actual trolls and then the so-called actual trolls defend themselves and declare themselves as being not at all trolls and support this by accusing those apparent troll troll callers as being the actual trolls.

This is the story of so many forums. I like to think that all the trolls are just one ****** talking to himself.

 

[Dave70]

Not again..
Why cant we all just get along..

Section 15(a) of the Forums.net Terms of Service

 

[bradmcm]

A message went up on the board at New Years that the moderators were closing it on Jan 3 and to save any info/threads before then. I think it was just the cost of running a board plus effort vs reward.

 

[wide eyed and legless]

Never was a good idea in the first place. Just an ego trip of one individual ruined a completely good, active forum. This one. I am not saying it now the horse has bolted, I spoke out against it 5 years ago.

 

[Dave70]

A message went up on the board at New Years that the moderators were closing it on Jan 3 and to save any info/threads before then. I think it was just the cost of running a board plus effort vs reward.

Is that right?
Kind of lazy. Perhaps a group e mail would have had more outreach.
As someone who has taken way more in terms of advice then they've given, would have been nice to have said thanks, for what its worth.
A shame, but inevitable.

 

[AHB_Admin]

Do you think it will return again?
And banned members can use the contact us link at the bottom of the page if they would want to be considered to have the ban lifted.
No promises, it would be on a case by case basis.

 

[philrob]

I doubt it will return. As best as I can tell, it was the financial cost of running it with probably insufficient backing via sponsorship or member contributions which led to the decision.
There has been a Facebook page set up to take its place to the extent that it can replace a forum.
I'm sure some past members might wish to accept the offer to return here, which is a welcome gesture.

 

[Eddy Monsoon]

What's closing down?

This Forum ?

 

[philrob]

Another forum, ACB, has closed. AHB continues as usual.

 

[sponge]

There are plenty forum member still giving advice WEAL. Do you see many questions go unanswered on here?

There are new members but I think they find most of what they need to know is already covered on here and elsewhere these days. I would bet most new brewers find all they need to know without joining.

Years ago there was a lot more to discuss amongst members, like building your own brewery or keezer etc. These days all you need to do is decide whether you buy everything from KK or KL. Then just make sure you ferment under pressure and never ever allow oxygen near your brew from fermenter to keg.

And stick a kitten in the airlock for good measure.

 

[TwoCrows]

I believe a Catfish would last longer !!

 

[Dave70]

And stick a kitten in the airlock for good measure.

Will kittens prevent botulism if I no chill?

 

[sponge]

Will kittens prevent botulism if I no chill?

No, but it will assist with laminar flow from beer taps.

 

[Dave70]

Excellent.
Bulk buy then?
I could use a new clock too.

 

[Mayor of Mildura]

Excellent.
Bulk buy then?
I could use a new clock too.

Sounds good. What sort of warranty do they have?

 

[dkril]

Sounds good. What sort of warranty do they have?

They come with a standard warranty of 9 lives. I'm not sure if additional coverage is available.

 

[Dave70]

Sounds good. What sort of warranty do they have?

Lifetime.
Guaranteed to be right at least twice per day (analog only)

 

[Grmblz]

Another forum, ***, has closed. AHB continues as usual.

That's a worry, so nothing has been learned?

 

[Grmblz]

Quick question, why would you need money for a "server upgrade" when you have a declining membership?

 

[DJ_L3ThAL]

Quick question, why would you need money for a "server upgrade" when you have a declining membership?

Admins home server, for gaming…

 

[TheWiggman]

That is pretty funny:

Online forums are competing with other forms of media, namely YouTube and Facebook it seems. forums used to be the leader in online knowledge sharing, and took over - in part - other forms of media (i.e. newspapers and magazines). I don't like it because I'm old and cantankerous now and live in the past, but you can't beat good old-fashioned face-to-face meetups which is still a huge benefit of these forums. COVID-19 seemed to beat the social element out of us so now we're stuck with old friends like a schoolyard who catch up and wonder "why isn't anyone else here?".
I'm quite bummed the old forum shut down. It was a financial decision but also the participation was falling off. Admin's comments are very welcome above, but I doubt many (if any) will return because there are reasons they left and have different principles to me.

 

[Eddy Monsoon]

Quick question, why would you need money for a "server upgrade" when you have a declining membership?

Possibly Software updates and patches that stop it falling over on Browsers and Operating Systems that have already changed

 

[wide eyed and legless]

That is pretty funny:

View attachment 124139

Online forums are competing with other forms of media, namely YouTube and Facebook it seems. forums used to be the leader in online knowledge sharing, and took over - in part - other forms of media (i.e. newspapers and magazines). I don't like it because I'm old and cantankerous now and live in the past, but you can't beat good old-fashioned face-to-face meetups which is still a huge benefit of these forums. COVID-19 seemed to beat the social element out of us so now we're stuck with old friends like a schoolyard who catch up and wonder "why isn't anyone else here?".
I'm quite bummed the old forum shut down. It was a financial decision but also the participation was falling off. Admin's comments are very welcome above, but I doubt many (if any) will return because there are reasons they left and have different principles to me.

Well, I asked more than once the reason for a breakaway forum and never got a satisfactory answer. The way I see it is Brad thought he could make a better forum, but never got a reply that made any sense! Australian Craft Brewers had been formed well before the mass migration! Did he think he was going to make money from the forum? Or was it just purely an ego trip?
Whatever, he failed. Another natural-born loser, but the biggest losers are the losers who followed him!
Pretty obvious with the incursions that followed of those who were banned. If a forum was sound then what is the reason for incursions to a forum that was abandoned for a new forum, and there were many?
Home Brew Talk, Homebrew Forum UK hasn't declined due to Facebook pages so that excuse goes out the window.\
Brads ego got the better of him and he ****** up nothing more nothing less.