what happened here?

logan · Posted: Dec 28, 2011 11:43 pm Post subject: what happened here?

Why is it so dead?

dbismyname · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 5:16 am Post subject:

Winter

logan · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 7:55 am Post subject:

Back in the day winter was crazy on here, I got my most of my posting done in winter because I spent so much time riding in the summer.

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

It's been this dead for months.

Craig-R · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 19 Dec 2008 Posts: 1676

GnarShredd · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 9:19 am Post subject:

Winter does see a pretty good dip in activity.

Overall it's kind of a bummer it's not as active here as it used to be. Part of growing a community site is a responsibility for us members to take on since we provide all the content. While there unfortunately aren't that many people to have a discussion, complaining about it isn't going to attract new people. (not that you guys specifically are really complaining at all, just pointing out the truth).

Just make it a goal to post at least one or two new topics a week that can stir up discussion. Sure, some won't stick and some will, but hopefully as people search for specific problems or questions in google, they'll be driven in to the discussion boards.

We've got a group of knowledgeable people here, just have to get everyone talking!

wakechick13 · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 9:29 am Post subject:

GnarShredd, I agree. that is why i joined. Many of the questions that I've faced have been answered. (newbie:)) but there are forums that havent been commented on for so long, and I feel wierd for bringing them back into focus!

GnarShredd · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 9:35 am Post subject:

wakechick13, Great! On that note, don't hesitate to ask anything about technique, gear, etc. Even if it's been asked before, there might be new ideas out there or wakeboard technology may have changed enough to warrant a completely different answer. People like you who are new to the sport are just as (or maybe more) important to the growth of the sport as those of us who have been doing it for a long time. Those just getting in to it will be the future of the sport.

wakechick13 · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 9:46 am Post subject:

GnarShredd, As you said I am pretty new to this sport/still a teen but I absolutely love it. This is my go-to place when I need to find out anything because I dont know anyone who...one stupid question though...how do u start the forum?

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Social networking has taken a lot of the space from topic based forums. Back in '03 we used to come on here and share our lives with people who had similar interests: boating, lakes, wakeboarding, being young and dumb. Now that Facebook etc have become so popular, people choose to share this info with their friends instead.

It also doesn't help that wakeboarding isn't growing like it was back in the day either. Gas prices and economy haven't helped the sport, and this site.

GnarShredd · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 10:09 am Post subject:

Wakebrad, True. But things like cable parks and winches make the sport a lot more affordable than it used to be. I've been riding boat-free for a while now.

Great point about social networking but I think things like Facebook don't really fill the role as well. These forums are a pretty niche thing for sure, but I think they have use as a good resource for people whos friends might not be in to what they like to do, just like any other hobby site.

wakechick13 · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 10:16 am Post subject:

Well I agree with that Facebook has become the main social networking system, but i also agree that this is a place for people who dont have wakeboarding friends, like me, to come and find out what they need to know and people who enjoy doing it.

SCBrips · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 11:23 am Post subject:

WakeBoarder.com used to be neck and neck with WakeWorld (IMO). But in the past few years WakeWorld has continued to provide consistent, fresh content and updated site features while this site has not. Most of the stuff you see on the front page seems to be generic press releases or content that is available on every other wake site. If a site feels stale or dead, people will eventually move on.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not slamming WB.com. Just saying that the reason for lack of activity isn't a mystery to me.

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

I have had a number of guys offer to do content but nothing ever seems to pan out. Everytime I get someone hot on doing content something has happened with them.

If anyone really wants to do some content feel free to jump on it. I need some self motivated people that can work on their own and get stuff done without much assistance.

We still get a huge amount of traffic and numbers on the site are actually right in line with other sites visitor numbers I have seen.

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

wakechick

Just make a post in a thread and it will mark that thread as newly updated so people will see it..

wakechick13 · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 3:06 pm Post subject:

flixmaster, I understand how to do that, but what I dont understand is how to make your own question so people can answer it.

Craig-R · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 19 Dec 2008 Posts: 1676

bottom left where it says "newtopic" click that

wakechick13 · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 3:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks:)

logan · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 6:55 pm Post subject:

what happened to scotta, k-dub, chavez, camera-boy and russian? Those guys used to post like crazy, it was fun in those days.

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

chavez I have seen over in non-wake..

logan · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 7:10 pm Post subject:

i think you're right, it's just so crazy to me. i've been here and drifter away and come back. I was on here when I 14 years old and now I'm engaged and the member base is so different now!

wakechick13 · Posted: Dec 29, 2011 7:18 pm Post subject:

logan, Thats been awhile Razz

I didnt even know this has been around for that long. haha but im fortunate its here

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

pet575 · Posted: Dec 30, 2011 7:36 am Post subject:

I think there are a couple different types of members here.

1. New to wakeboarding with tons of questions.

2. Been wakeboarding long enough and using the forum long enough to view/post in both wake and non-wake topics. Comfortable with using forum and finally found the "show posts since last visit" button.

3. Been around for awhile and used to get more out of the non-wake threads that social media seems to have killed.

I've been a part of all 3 in my time here. I used to really get a kick out of the non-wake discussions that used to take place. These days, though, it seems that people would rather troll FB or Twitter than discuss anything at length on here. Plus, a few years ago you would get actual opinions from people based on experience if you posted something like "help me get my lawn looking nice" and you'd get a lot out of the discussion. Lately, it seems like a lot of the responses are "Google is your friend" when you ask a question. Now there are lots of times where I'll Google my question about something I'm trying to learn about and come here to ask only as a last resort.

Plus the party pics threads and pics of Aubs lady lumps are dwindling and you know THAT is hurting the post counts.

Swass · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Oct 2011 Posts: 427

Hi.

logan · Posted: Dec 30, 2011 10:30 am Post subject:

Bahahaha

vossy003 · Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 19 City: Highland

I think part of it is the instant answer to go to learnwake. I've noticed in a lot of threads people not answering and just referring them there. But I'm down to get the popularity back up Cool

wakechick13 · Posted: Jan 06, 2012 6:13 pm Post subject:

Is learnwake another site??

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Jan 08, 2012 6:28 am Post subject:

Not saying this is the sole reason but another thing that drives people away are the new hipsters that join the site and get into personal heated arguments with long time users. Some long time users get sick of dealing with the attitude of the younger bunch because they're much more into flaming / trolling than when I was growing up on the forum (and I'm only 26).

My $.02 is to also always be polite and respectful because a lot of people have better things to do than deal with childish behavior.

Another trend that's true in my life is that the forum is great for beginners learning things especially if they dont have friends into the sport. You can learn all sorts of little things here that you can't learn anywhere else. After you learn enough things and grow a group of friends into the sport you might taper off on this forum though, which is what happened to me. I finally have a crew of at least 2 dedicated riders which means I'm riding a lot.

wakechick13 · Posted: Jan 08, 2012 7:17 am Post subject:

Wakeboarder3780, Well I agree with the beginners statement. I am a beginner and I find it pointless to argue with people that have more experience than myself/other beginners. I personally love the advice and knowledge that yall give me because as you said I have no friends that are really into this sport like I am.

ray4man · Newbie Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 45 City: Joplin

Personally, lake season is still a few months away for me and chatting about it makes me miss the water even more. I had to pick up another hobby to get me through the depressing months of winter. Confused

wakechick13 · Posted: Jan 13, 2012 5:13 am Post subject:

ray4man, Same here...:/ I started riding dune buggies:)

Liquid*Force*Rider · Posted: Jan 18, 2012 11:27 pm Post subject: Re: what happened here?

[quote="logan"]Why is it so dead?[/quote]

Cause im not posting much anymore :lol:

wakechick13 · Posted: Feb 09, 2012 4:08 pm Post subject:

Liquid*Force*Rider, who are you?? Razz