Simple Living

[davidmcowan]

Has anyone noticed the activity here has been significantly less than the old site?

I've been a lurker forever and am trying a little blogging on to document my wife and I's journey.

Just thought I'd share it: http://milehighjinks.wordpress.com

Be well!

-Dave

[razz]

Sounds as though you are working out a sense of direction. It will be easy to get led astray though.

[davidmcowan]

Razz, where's the positivity?

[Spartana]

Has anyone noticed the activity here has been significantly less than the old site?



Yep! I've been trying to post alot and start new threads but there just doesn't seem to be much interest. Or maybe the interest lies on threads I don't read - like the cooking or farming boards. It's discourging for sure. Lots of old members have drifted away - even those who started out pretty active on the new boards. I may be moving on myself soon.

[loosechickens]

oh, I think participation waxes and wanes depending on season of the year, whether there are things coming up in life that people want to chew over with others, etc. While we had a larger number of people registered at the old site, when an administrator looked down the list of members to see when they had last logged in, the membership list was littered with large numbers of people who hadn't visited the site for months, or years.

Also, the recession is easing a bit (not that the unemployed can feel it yet), so fewer people are finding themselves driven to Google for frugality, simple living and other subjects that impending job loss or financial worries impel.

What we probably should be considering is not how MANY people participate, but whether the discussions are worth our attention, help us solve problems, share solutions with others, make us feel as though we have a community of like minded people here, since so many of our members live in "simple living deserts" surrounded by the consumerists........

I honestly don't see much less in numbers of threads and lengths of discussions. As a moderator, I try to at least skim all the threads, especially those in the forums for which I'm responsible, and I can tell you, it takes me about as long as it used to, so I really don't think there are a lot fewer comments, or threads themselves. But that's a subjective view, and could be wrong, but so is the feeling that not many people are interested. I guess time will tell.

[Spartana]

You're right Loose chickens - It's not the size that counts, it's the quality :-)! But it does seem to me that many of the things that we use to talk about on the old boards - things that interest me personally like minimalism, alternative and adventurous ways to live, ways to retire early on a small amount of money, etc... - aren't of interest to anyone anymore and the threads sort of fall dead right away when those things are brought up. It seems more focused on back to land and "homey" things now. So I have drifted a bit to more of those kinds of sites that interest me - like the ex-pat sites, Lonely Planet, etc.. I guess that's normal in any forum. As you said, people come and go, interests wan and wax. I do hope things pick up a bit though. I like this site.

Sorry for hogging the thread David, will read your journal and respond!

[Gina]

Razz, where's the positivity?
Davidmcowan, at this moment you have only 3 posts here yourself - two in this thread that you started in order to advertise your new blog.

There can be thousands of lurkers, but a board is what the non-lurking members make it. If you want to read more here, why not pitch in yourself and post more - instead of ragging on those who do.

Posts beget posts.... Just sayin'. ;)

[davidmcowan]

Maybe its because of warm welcomes from the folks like you?

Adding a wink to the end of an otherwise confrontational post doesn't make it all better. Perhaps too much time in the forum-o-sphere?

I agree though with prior posts, I used to love the Enough sub-forum and the post on Ted Williams has been sitting at the top of it since this new forum opened. Bummer.


Davidmcowan, at this moment you have only 3 posts here yourself - two in this thread that you started in order to advertise your new blog.

There can be thousands of lurkers, but a board is what the non-lurking members make it. If you want to read more here, why not pitch in yourself and post more - instead of ragging on those who do.

Posts beget posts.... Just sayin'. ;)

[danna]

Dave
Maybe you would like to introduce yourself and we can try to make you feel welcome....

[Gina]

I used to love the Enough sub-forum and the post on Ted Williams has been sitting at the top of it since this new forum opened. Bummer.

Perhaps you could contribute something to it and move the conversation along.


Perhaps too much time in the forum-o-sphere?
This forum is relatively active compared to other small forums. When I first check 'new posts', there are always quite a number to check out. I think one of the strengths of this particular forum is that most people are actively involved in their own lives and bring RL perspective to the various threads.

There is a nice nucleus of people actively posting with a full array of life experiences. If you want to associate with people who spend too much time in the 'forum-o-sphere', you need to check out other sites. You won't find them here.

Forums always ebb and flow, but in the end, they are what the posting members make them. This is one of the good ones. Not too big, not too small, just 'goldilocks' right. :)

[puglogic]

Wish I could contribute more but it would mean I'd have to:
1) come in out of the garden
2) wash my hands so I don't get my keyboard all gross
3) remember to turn on the crock pot for tonight's dinner
4) make a note to pick up new videos from the library
5) oh, my busy simple life. Just not a lot of time for the forum-o-sphere, I'm afraid

I know that this is a textbook way to advertise a new blog - put a link onto a somewhat popular forum with relevant Google keywords. I've done it myself in the past. But if it's not just linking you're after and if you really would like to be part of a good, supportive community, how about introducing yourself? You may gain more than just a little more traffic to your blog. We're nice when you get to know us. Oops. Forgot to wash my hands again. Heck.

[lhamo]

I have had an especially busy first part of the year, and haven't posted as much as typical. I agree that there is a natural ebb and flow. I do personally find I don't like the setup of the boards as much as the old one -- I got used to automatically showing new posts under the different sub-forums, and I don't really like how they are now all lumped together -- makes it a bit harder for me to find the topics that interest me most, because you are basically just going by post header (though I know you do see the forum location on the side). It is a subtle change, but does affect how I use/feel about the boards.

lhamo

[EarthSky]

I love this forum, because when I DO have time to log in, learn and/or comment, it helps re-ground me in my own novice efforts to simple liviing! I appreciate those who do log on and contribute regularly, because their presence helps create a sense of community and continuity. :)

[mm1970]

I have to admit I was much more active on the old forums. But life goes on. My job is busier, plus I have a husband and a 5 year old. Once a week is about it for me.

[Gardenarian]

I like to think that we are all enjoying the fruits of our simple lives so much that we feel less need to chat on the forum. ;)

I think that's true for me!

[Simplicity]

I'm such a terrible lurker!! I log in here every single day and read all of the new posts that interest me, but I never ever post. I don't know why. Maybe I don't think I have anything worthwhile to contribute? Maybe I'm shy? Lazy? who knows.

I think I'll make a commitment right now to post something once a day. (Phew! Today is covered! :cool: LOL)

[KayLR]

I'm with Llhamo...I think it's the formatting. It keeps me from exploring like I used to. I can't seem to get the whole color coded envelopes on the side. Plus the homogenization of the threads (at least under the "new messages" listing) makes it hard to find the topics you prefer to track.

[Tiam]

I've noticed that when forums go down and recreate, they don't bring all of the old members with them. For some it represents a time to be done and move on and they do.

[nswef]

I also lurk, then make a few entries or comments all in a flurry. I do enjoy this board. Of course, I still miss the AOL travel boards.... I'm not a very simple liver compared to many on this board. I have gotten wonderful ideas that I use and I try to respond to things that I think I can offer good advice. Thank you all of you who post regularly.

[Miss Minimalist]

I think, generally-speaking, that blogs have taken some attention away from forums; there's only so much time in the day, and so much out there to read. However, SLN has had a special place in my heart for over a decade, and I'll always stick around -- I don't know of any other community quite like it. :)

[davidmcowan]

I've lurked and posted for about five years on the forums. I too find this place an excellent place when seeking affirmation and ideas for what I am currently doing to lead a simple, deliberate life. And I posted over in Enough to see if we could get the ball back rolling again...

[HappyHiker]

I haven't been posting with any frequency myself here and I want to do better 'cause I love this forum. So there!

Just posted two posts tonight. Might do more. Been AWOL 'cause I just completed my first novel and am shopping it around to agents. Been a bit depressed, truth told...Why? A friend said I have post-partum book delivery syndrome. Maybe she's right. After being in the birthing process for 2.5 years, what do I have to show for my labor? Not a lovely little bundle of printed pages but a list of agents to whom I've emailed my query. I want a book to cradle in my arms; to sing to sleep. But alas, 'tis not the case at the moment.

So here I post to distract myself from my post-partum delivery angst.

Anyone know a good agent who'd like to see a query/synopsis/sample pages from a quirky, futuristic, brave new world novel with a strong protagonist. If you do, hey, I'm you're gal!!

Meanwhile, I shall keep posting...

[setis]

Razz, where's the positivity? I have been posting a few years now under the old and just found the new after being offline a few months. I thought I was the only one who noticed the negativity. I seriously thought this way a forum to discuss the simpilist way to live frugally.Most of the posts are political, politics are good, i think. I want to know the best way to live this life with fewer expenses and the smallest pile of garbage. Who has the best pie
receipt and how do you make energy out of water. There are several ways.

[Bronxboy]

Posts beget posts.... Just sayin'. ;)
True, I've sometimes posted on a subject just to drum up interest in something that's not getting attention.

OTOH, I haven't been here much lately, but have I've probably posted more this weekend than any time since the boards moved. An injury is limiting me from more active things right now, but I'm hoping to be able to take a short hike by Saturday.

[Jemima]

I agree with Ihamo and KayLRZ - I just don't care for the formatting. I liked seeing all the threads under each subforum and I liked having the older, inactive ones drop off into an archive.