Low membership activity

Is OOD forum a low membership activity discussion board?
Can't seem to access active topics without twenty five post?

Naw I think it's just the winter doldrums, hunting is over, guns are cleaned and about the only thing left is ice fishing for the moment. Things will probably pick up around the time the Sportsman show start.

Not what it used to be that's for sure.

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Originally Posted by Species8472

Not what it used to be that's for sure.

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You could say that again. It is the slow season now but before people used to post more pics and stories and now it just seems dead regardless if it’s the slow season. The only post now are complaining no one’s posting lol The members are the forum and we are the ones to blame. If we don’t share and post, the forum slowly dies. Turkey and trout opener are around the corner and that’s when things pic up again.

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Originally Posted by tom gobble

Y The members are the forum and we are the ones to blame. If we don’t share and post, the forum slowly dies. .

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This is one of the cornerstones of any assessment of the Forum status-which i could never ever understand.
Putting the blame square back to the members.
The other one is-well ,all the forums are dying...so we are, too.

Yet-when we lost many prolific members(most of them were really active)it was kind of the last straw which broke the camel's back ….i know there were some questionable actors there ,yet the Forum kind of took an avoidable deep cut...with no recovery in sight.
Just my 2 cents.

Not challenging You TG...you are not the only one saying this ,please do not take it personal.

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Originally Posted by gbk

This is one of the cornerstones of any assessment of the Forum status-which i could never ever understand.
Putting the blame square back to the members.
The other one is-well ,all the forums are dying...so we are, too.

Yet-when we lost many prolific members(most of them were really active)it was kind of the last straw which broke the camel's back ….i know there were some questionable actors there ,yet the Forum kind of took an avoidable deep cut...with no recovery in sight.
Just my 2 cents.

Not challenging You TG...you are not the only one saying this ,please do not take it personal.

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I totally get what you’re saying but if people leave it’s for a reason. If people don’t post it’s for a reason as well. You could only blame the site when there is glitches or it’s hard to post pictures but other then that it’s us. There has to be a reason but maybe with new blood and people starting a new adventure it might spark something new I hope.

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Originally Posted by tom gobble

I totally get what you’re saying but if people leave it’s for a reason. If people don’t post it’s for a reason as well. You could only blame the site when there is glitches or it’s hard to post pictures but other then that it’s us. There has to be a reason but maybe with new blood and people starting a new adventure it might spark something new I hope.

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Lets use this opportunity to try to make more "traffic"on te Forum.:)

Assume there is a party of ,like 15-20 people.
The party can -and will go flat,if there are NO"goofs",No party "entertainers" or a "conversation starter"present.Despite all the good attentions of the "average" attendees.There will be nothing to write home about.

Same as the Oscar Gala-no good anchorman = no great show-just Awards and Audience.

Same goes(i think- and i see)the Froum needs some people they are-interested ,entertaining(regardless which way)persistent and active.
We apparently miss all that recently.

Not in the past.

Try one thing:
Search for a word, then watch the Forum bring you up all the old threads and posts related to your word.
Then-look at the posters AND look at their posts numbers.
You are here very long time-so you will see AND remember MANY names,you do not see anymore. Many big and very active names. With a lot of good contribution.

Some are shown the door(right or wrong) some left due of loosing faith in the Forum(for whatever reasons-many stated it though)and some just get disheartened with all the ebbs and flows, and walked away.

Back to the party analogy-we have still a lot of good Members.Some are more prolofic then others,but generally -WE are all on a "low and slow"side.
We have very few-if any "life of the Party "persons left.

Only solution is to motivate old members, and increase the membership numbers,with hopes of the bigger number will have some good party Entertainers,to keep the show going .

Just my 2 cents

I think part of the problem is the hit and miss website, either down, or you get partway in and then it kicks you out again, then you can sign in, etc. People get annoyed and go elsewhere.

The forum could expand into additional topics of related interests such as civilian SAR including dog training and land nav.

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Originally Posted by gbk

Lets use this opportunity to try to make more "traffic"on te Forum.:)

Assume there is a party of ,like 15-20 people.
The party can -and will go flat,if there are NO"goofs",No party "entertainers" or a "conversation starter"present.Despite all the good attentions of the "average" attendees.There will be nothing to write home about.

Same as the Oscar Gala-no good anchorman = no great show-just Awards and Audience.

Same goes(i think- and i see)the Froum needs some people they are-interested ,entertaining(regardless which way)persistent and active.
We apparently miss all that recently.

Not in the past.

Try one thing:
Search for a word, then watch the Forum bring you up all the old threads and posts related to your word.
Then-look at the posters AND look at their posts numbers.
You are here very long time-so you will see AND remember MANY names,you do not see anymore. Many big and very active names. With a lot of good contribution.

Some are shown the door(right or wrong) some left due of loosing faith in the Forum(for whatever reasons-many stated it though)and some just get disheartened with all the ebbs and flows, and walked away.

Back to the party analogy-we have still a lot of good Members.Some are more prolofic then others,but generally -WE are all on a "low and slow"side.
We have very few-if any "life of the Party "persons left.

Only solution is to motivate old members, and increase the membership numbers,with hopes of the bigger number will have some good party Entertainers,to keep the show going .

Just my 2 cents

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The problem is the Moderation and censorship which has been a feature on here since I joined 16 years ago. If they dont like your opinion your banned off certain sections, polititcs and off topic.
That stiffles debates and exchanges of ideas and therfore no traffic.

If a Moderator steps overboard and its pointed out to the Administration and the member is completely brushed off then nothing can improve , the member feels taken for granted and simply stops posting.

Folks even get afraid to post anything in case they get labelled so just don't bother with the drama.

Thats my two cents worth but I also know from PM,s that more then just me thinks this way.

A re posting by Administrators and Moderators of posts already available on the OOD Facebook page does bring some reading by not many debates on the topics posted.

I'd post more pics if it wasn't such a pain... This problem was identified when the site went online in 2008. 17 years later, it still hasn't been addressed. Don't blame the members for leaving - it's not very good software.

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Originally Posted by werner.reiche

I'd post more pics if it wasn't such a pain... This problem was identified when the site went online in 2008. 17 years later, it still hasn't been addressed. Don't blame the members for leaving - it's not very good software.

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I agree that posting pics is awful… hit or miss. I’ve resorted to using Flickr but that adds additional steps to something that should be simple.

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Originally Posted by BoltgunBill

Is OOD forum a low membership activity discussion board?
Can't seem to access active topics without twenty five post?

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The only restriction I'm aware of is a 50 post min for the for sale section otherwise should be free to access and participate thorough out the forum.
What exactly are you having trouble accessing?
As said the forum is only as good as the members participation and to encourage that participation all that is asked is to follow the forum rules:
https://www.oodmag.com/community/sho...-Rules-Conduct
Yes for some time the site has been glitchy at best and can make participating frustrating but I just look at it as an analogy to participating in outdoor activities. Fair or foul outdoors person still perseveres.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

As said the forum is only as good as the members participation

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I would supplement that by adding the forum would support increased member participation with additional subject matter linked to other related forums. Business case studies show companies who team up with other like companies each offering an opportunity to take advantage of each other's economic advantages do better than companies that operate independent of each other.

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Originally Posted by Marker

I would supplement that by adding the forum would support increased member participation with additional subject matter linked to other related forums. Business case studies show companies who team up with other like companies each offering an opportunity to take advantage of each other's economic advantages do better than companies that operate independent of each other.

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I'd guess that it would be true if this forum was a for profit venture.
Can't speak for Admin but speculate its a free for use space for like minded people to interact.
So in essence you get what you pay for.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

The only restriction I'm aware of is a 50 post min for the for sale section otherwise should be free to access and participate thorough out the forum.
What exactly are you having trouble accessing?
As said the forum is only as good as the members participation and to encourage that participation all that is asked is to follow the forum rules:
https://www.oodmag.com/community/sho...-Rules-Conduct
Yes for some time the site has been glitchy at best and can make participating frustrating but I just look at it as an analogy to participating in outdoor activities. Fair or foul outdoors person still perseveres.

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Thanks, was an off topic issue with posting.

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Originally Posted by BoltgunBill

Thanks, was an off topic issue with posting.

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Could be.
There was some talk amongst the mods/admin about instituting a min post requirement in the off topic section to curb some bad players joining an outdoors forum just to spread off topic discord.
Didn't realize it was implemented.
In any case I'm sure you joined to enjoy some outdoors topics so have at it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gbk

Lets use this opportunity to try to make more "traffic"on te Forum.:)

Assume there is a party of ,like 15-20 people.
The party can -and will go flat,if there are NO"goofs",No party "entertainers" or a "conversation starter"present.Despite all the good attentions of the "average" attendees.There will be nothing to write home about.

Same as the Oscar Gala-no good anchorman = no great show-just Awards and Audience.

Same goes(i think- and i see)the Froum needs some people they are-interested ,entertaining(regardless which way)persistent and active.
We apparently miss all that recently.

Not in the past.

Try one thing:
Search for a word, then watch the Forum bring you up all the old threads and posts related to your word.
Then-look at the posters AND look at their posts numbers.
You are here very long time-so you will see AND remember MANY names,you do not see anymore. Many big and very active names. With a lot of good contribution.

Some are shown the door(right or wrong) some left due of loosing faith in the Forum(for whatever reasons-many stated it though)and some just get disheartened with all the ebbs and flows, and walked away.

Back to the party analogy-we have still a lot of good Members.Some are more prolofic then others,but generally -WE are all on a "low and slow"side.
We have very few-if any "life of the Party "persons left.

Only solution is to motivate old members, and increase the membership numbers,with hopes of the bigger number will have some good party Entertainers,to keep the show going .

Just my 2 cents

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You do make a good point and I agree with you. Especially after the examples lol

At the moment.

There are currently 6015 users online. 9 members and 6006 guests

Most users ever online was 44,368, Yesterday at 08:55 AM.

overyonder, B.C.Duck, Bo D, Fisherman, outback, Sam Menard

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

The problem is the Moderation and censorship which has been a feature on here since I joined 16 years ago. If they dont like your opinion your banned off certain sections, polititcs and off topic.
That stiffles debates and exchanges of ideas and therfore no traffic.

If a Moderator steps overboard and its pointed out to the Administration and the member is completely brushed off then nothing can improve , the member feels taken for granted and simply stops posting.

Folks even get afraid to post anything in case they get labelled so just don't bother with the drama.

Thats my two cents worth but I also know from PM,s that more then just me thinks this way.

A re posting by Administrators and Moderators of posts already available on the OOD Facebook page does bring some reading by not many debates on the topics posted.

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Unfortunate circumstances of crushing free speech.

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Originally Posted by BoltgunBill

Unfortunate circumstances of crushing free speech.

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This "free speech" thing comes up from time to time. Free speech can be practiced in public. Stand on a box and Queen and Main and have at it.

The OOD forums are a private, members only platform. Members agree to rules in order to participate on these forums when they sign up. Although we try to let members have their say, there is a code of conduct here that is enforced to keep OOD a family gathering place.

Here are the rules again in case you did not read them before clicking "I agree".

https://www.oodmag.com/community/sho...-Rules-Conduct

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Originally Posted by BoltgunBill

Unfortunate circumstances of crushing free speech.

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Exactly what is happening.

So the interpretation of the rules are that "free speech" is for a public area only and this is a private place and added to this we have "OOD a family gathering place." Not to sure where I read that in the rules.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

The problem is the Moderation and censorship which has been a feature on here since I joined 16 years ago. If they dont like your opinion your banned off certain sections, polititcs and off topic.
That stiffles debates and exchanges of ideas and therfore no traffic.

If a Moderator steps overboard and its pointed out to the Administration and the member is completely brushed off then nothing can improve , the member feels taken for granted and simply stops posting.

Folks even get afraid to post anything in case they get labelled so just don't bother with the drama.

Thats my two cents worth but I also know from PM,s that more then just me thinks this way.

A re posting by Administrators and Moderators of posts already available on the OOD Facebook page does bring some reading by not many debates on the topics posted.

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Originally Posted by BoltgunBill

Unfortunate circumstances of crushing free speech.

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Originally Posted by TroutSlayer

This "free speech" thing comes up from time to time. Free speech can be practiced in public. Stand on a box and Queen and Main and have at it.

The OOD forums are a private, members only platform. Members agree to rules in order to participate on these forums when they sign up. Although we try to let members have their say, there is a code of conduct here that is enforced to keep OOD a family gathering place.

Here are the rules again in case you did not read them before clicking "I agree".

https://www.oodmag.com/community/sho...-Rules-Conduct

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Please do not conflate "free speech" and social decorum. Although the site is intended primarily for outdoors topics of interest there is a certain need for a place for things that don't quite fit in other areas.
debate is encouraged and like any debate there are moderators in place to keep things civil and on tract.
Those that have a problem with following agreed upon rules of the forum seem to have the most concerns.

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

Exactly what is happening.

So the interpretation of the rules are that "free speech" is for a public area only and this is a private place and added to this we have "OOD a family gathering place." Not to sure where I read that in the rules.

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This might help Gilroy , Rules 2 and 3 pretty much covers it.
2. Controversial, religious or political threads deemed inappropriate or needlessly provocative will be removed without warning.

3(a). Personal insults, inappropriate or offensive content, the incitement of violence, or disrupting behaviours, which are detrimental to discussions in the forum will not be tolerated.

You can clearly see here some topics are just of no value to an outdoors forum that they can be removed without a second thought. If you want to purse them them the soap box on the corner is where you go.

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

Exactly what is happening.

So the interpretation of the rules are that "free speech" is for a public area only and this is a private place and added to this we have "OOD a family gathering place." Not to sure where I read that in the rules.

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Reading past threads, seems some type of mass exodus of unhappy unwanted or banned members took place a time ago here.

Moderation and censorship can certainly play a role and reflect membership numbers and presence.

Meta/Facebook going through transition from heavy censorship resulting in millions of deleted accounts of unhappy members. Meta has since open free speech, ditching fact checking censorship to secure reclaim member accounts..

Well I’ll contribute if I can, our winter goose season starts Monday for a month, that’s right I have another month of waterfowl hunting so hopefully I can post something.

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Originally Posted by BoltgunBill

Reading past threads, seems some type of mass exodus of unhappy unwanted or banned members took place a time ago here.

Moderation and censorship can certainly play a role and reflect membership numbers and presence.

Meta/Facebook going through transition from heavy censorship resulting in millions of deleted accounts of unhappy members. Meta has since open free speech, ditching fact checking censorship to secure reclaim member accounts..

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I am sure a few members will reach out to you and let you know what happened.