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Is the Forum dying?
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Message
Posted
I like most of those who have commented, look at the Forum first and then the Gallery and only contribute if I feel I have something to add or say. I never have used or joined in any other forums before this one and do so because it’s usually interesting and informative, with the added bonus of having in the main friendly people. I have noticed a change in the last year to the forum and at one point thought that it was focusing on the change to the site most the time, not surprising as there was a lot going on. I do hope we are only in the doldrums and look forward to some headwinds to push us along a bit. I do recall a similar discussion before the site underwent its change.
Posted
Although I've been a member for a little while here, I'm not a regular visitor, mainly because I'm trying to get some painting done (amongst the other usual things of life....I belong to other non-art societies). Some years ago forums were popular and I used to belong to one or two. I think social media has captured people and taken them away; the likes of Farcebook and Twitter now seem to be very dominant; however I won't give these globalists the time of day or my personal data. It's a shame because the forum format is, I would have thought, a lot less complex to use, for people who like to get involved with the communications/arty-family side of things. All this other "likes" and "hashtag" stuff is....well, just more stuff to deal with.
I often do have questions, but being a bit of a lone wolf I tend to go off and research things on my own.
I had noticed that there was a blogs section available for individual members to set up.....but what could we write about? I already do my own, on my own website....whether anyone actually reads it is another matter....but we aren't all teachers or instructors by nature, and I get the feeling that probably people are wanting how-to-do-it stuff.
Posted
Oh Michael...I know just what you mean though are some gems on there . Not seen anything of yours recently.
Miss your cartoons.
Yes Christine people do want how to do it stuff and it is on here. I haven’t done a blog for ages it was a bit of a self indulgence ad no one seemed to comment. There seems to have been a whole lot of new artists on the site ,it would be really nice if some of them could maybe join in on occasion.
Edited
by Sylvia Evans
Posted
I have to say that I scan the forum each day and would only be contributing to the title if I didn’t add something. It’s great to read the variety of comments on each topic but I also think it reflects a community of like-minded people. I’ll admit I’m not a big contributor as I often agree with many of the responses and would only be repeating them.
Personally, I prefer forums to social media and hope that the apparent lull is temporary as I get a lot of pleasure from just reading. Tessa, maybe your idea of the views count would reflect the passive activity too.
Posted
Must admit I'm one who uses Social Media a lot more than the Forum - and of course POL uses SM too. One thing re SM is that I get notifications re posts, whereas you really have to go looking for forum answers - I use Facebook a lot - partly because I'm an admin for a local group - but also because other groups use e.g. local urban sketchers.
I do try to check in here at least a few times a week though but only respond if there is something I'm particularly interested in. Re new members - took me a couple of months before I knew there was a forum and more before I realised all members were allowed to post! Though I know now you are a friendly lot 😊I did find it a bit intimidating at first - might be the case for some of the newbies now and the will gradually join in - hopefully.
Re blogs - never done one a I'm not an expert and don't have anything especially interesting to post. Do like looking at the challenges - whether or not I enter myself.
Edited
by Margaret Nisbet