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Are forums on their death bed?

Discussion in 'Forum Management' started by usasportstraining, Nov 20, 2009.

?

Forums Dead?

  1. Yes, especially in the past year

    17 vote(s)
    18.5%
  2. Yes, but it's been dieing for a while

    5 vote(s)
    5.4%
  3. No

    66 vote(s)
    71.7%
  4. No opinion

    4 vote(s)
    4.3%
  1. #1
    It seems like in the past year I've noticed several forums really take a dive.

    I know there are some that are still doing well, but many really seem empty compared to before.
     
    usasportstraining, Nov 20, 2009 IP
  2. TehAkiSan

    TehAkiSan Peon

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    #2
    Yeah, noticed same thing about some of my favorite forums but those are only few and we cant say that all forums are dying out or something.
     
    TehAkiSan, Nov 20, 2009 IP
  3. abstroose

    abstroose Notable Member

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    #3
    I noticed that too. I really can't imagine what could be causing it though..
     
    abstroose, Nov 20, 2009 IP
  4. Love*

    Love* Well-Known Member

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    #4
    Hmmm, well definitely not this one..
     
    Love*, Nov 20, 2009 IP
  5. RmcStudios

    RmcStudios Peon

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    #5
    I haven't noticed any change at all.
     
    RmcStudios, Nov 20, 2009 IP
  6. r0y1993

    r0y1993 Peon

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    #6
    I honestly never known much of a change either. But then again, there's many other places that people go on now like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and those places. It pretty much took away the traffic to forums I guess.
     
    r0y1993, Nov 20, 2009 IP
  7. GreenGambler

    GreenGambler Notable Member

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    #7
    I've noticed some forums go downward in traffic and quality while other rise! It's all about what that forum is providing and whether there is a current need for that info or service.
     
    GreenGambler, Nov 20, 2009 IP
  8. dlprentice

    dlprentice Well-Known Member

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    #8
    Economy bad? No more free time due to lack of money to spend on forums? Going back to school? Just some things that might affect the general net.
     
    dlprentice, Nov 21, 2009 IP
  9. D-Fraz

    D-Fraz Peon

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    #9
    Forums are old, sadly.
    I wish I could think of something new that's never been made, but I can't do that, lol.
    :rolleyes:
     
    D-Fraz, Nov 21, 2009 IP
  10. taminder

    taminder Peon

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    #10
    I don't think forums are dying, but I think blogs are taking over! I remember one of my earlier sites in 2003 was made on a weblog script I made & I converted it to phpBB because it was preferred by the visitors.
     
    taminder, Nov 21, 2009 IP
  11. webcosmo

    webcosmo Notable Member

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    #11
    Lot of times the owners move on to different things, letting the forum on mods only.

    I think DP was following the same route at certain point. Then this year they seem to get a hold of it again.
     
    webcosmo, Nov 22, 2009 IP
  12. NickR25

    NickR25 Peon

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    #12
    I agree; there are many factors that can cause to a forum's diminishing activity, one of which is loss of interest by the owner.

    I wouldn't say that forums are on their deathbed. Forums provide a unique resource full of information and interaction, that I believe they will be around for a while. Some people feel that social networks are taking over, but social networks and forums are two different animals.
     
    NickR25, Nov 22, 2009 IP
    webcosmo likes this.
  13. webcosmo

    webcosmo Notable Member

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    #13
    And better yet, the new forum softwares seem to be trying to get some social vibe within the forum itself; with improved profile page, blog etc.
     
    webcosmo, Nov 24, 2009 IP
  14. ThreeGuineaWatch

    ThreeGuineaWatch Well-Known Member

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    #14
    I think this is a niche-specific phenomena. In the older established niches then people like to have a go to see whether they can break in to the niche, then reality sets in and forums are abandoned. In fresh niches, forums still do very well.
     
    ThreeGuineaWatch, Nov 25, 2009 IP
  15. matt53

    matt53 Peon

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    #15
    i dont think so
     
    matt53, Nov 25, 2009 IP
  16. Sir Rusty

    Sir Rusty Guest

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    #16
    I don't think so. Well, not now.
    But, some big forums are getting inactive but, smaller forums are on the rise.
     
    Sir Rusty, Nov 26, 2009 IP
  17. suganindia

    suganindia Peon

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    #17
    definitely sensing changes in forums , hope they will be back on track in 2010...
     
    suganindia, Nov 26, 2009 IP
  18. lordadel

    lordadel Active Member

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    #18
    yes...
    And i think the reason is FaceBook.

    Alot of people using facebook instead of their regular forums..As it becaume more popular.
     
    lordadel, Nov 26, 2009 IP
  19. alistair80

    alistair80 Well-Known Member

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    #19
    I don't think it's due to the popularity of any particular site. Many people tend to think that instead of sharing their knowledge with other in a public forums, they'd better do something more "private" that would benefit them and not the members and owner of a forum :)
     
    alistair80, Nov 26, 2009 IP
  20. jmpf

    jmpf Peon

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    #20
    in my most humblest of opinions I think web forums are a relic of the late 90s that should've died out a LONG time ago -- they are such a horrible user interface and the information that is contained within them (which is def. a lot) is so hard to get to sometimes in comparision to other methods of communication

    the only reason we still have forums around is because they have been around forever and everyone knows how to use them so it's not like having to learn howto use a new website -- even older people (60+) are very comfortable using them
     
    jmpf, Nov 27, 2009 IP