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Are car forums slowly dying?
- Thread starter Kipper
- Start date
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- Jul 24, 2009
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I use both. Im using FB more over posting on forums, however forums have their place as described early in this post; bank of knowledge to pull from.
FB is more about keeping in-touch with local friends and family for me. I tend to post up more silly crap like new tools I buy and stupid car projects I have going on. On this forum I strip all the crap out and post up a more refined and relevant pics and information.
FB [social networks] = play
EK9.org [forums] = solid knowledge/data/help
FB is more about keeping in-touch with local friends and family for me. I tend to post up more silly crap like new tools I buy and stupid car projects I have going on. On this forum I strip all the crap out and post up a more refined and relevant pics and information.
FB [social networks] = play
EK9.org [forums] = solid knowledge/data/help
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2006
- Messages
- 10,695
- Car(s)
- EK9/Civic
In my opinion time is changing and most of the forums are not evolving; the big problem is that most old forums (6+ years old) have is that they're not mobile freindly.
I'll give you and example, 40% of ek9.org visit comes from high end mobile devices (iphone, galaxy s4, etc) and I imagine most of this users struggle to navigate the forum because of the forum theme which I consider now obsolete for mobile users; but for desktop users the interface is simple and fast.
Now every mobile smart phone has a facebook app, this apps are mostly fast and simple except the piece of ***t of the blackberry OS 7 facebook app.
Most forum admins struggle to decide whether to make the change to a responsive design, which will need to invest in a new forum software and migration.
I bought a xenforo license, and the migration process went smooth on my tests, the only problem I have is that I can't make it look "similar" to the actual forum theme which all the users like and are used to.
Right now EK9.org Fan Page has more than 80K+ fans and I think most of the users who liked the fb page; visit the page even as guests and had found useful information here
For me a FB page, group is good to share photos, and organize meets but for knowledge hmmm we have to browse the forums...
And I completely agree with tama666:
I'll give you and example, 40% of ek9.org visit comes from high end mobile devices (iphone, galaxy s4, etc) and I imagine most of this users struggle to navigate the forum because of the forum theme which I consider now obsolete for mobile users; but for desktop users the interface is simple and fast.
Now every mobile smart phone has a facebook app, this apps are mostly fast and simple except the piece of ***t of the blackberry OS 7 facebook app.
Most forum admins struggle to decide whether to make the change to a responsive design, which will need to invest in a new forum software and migration.
I bought a xenforo license, and the migration process went smooth on my tests, the only problem I have is that I can't make it look "similar" to the actual forum theme which all the users like and are used to.
Right now EK9.org Fan Page has more than 80K+ fans and I think most of the users who liked the fb page; visit the page even as guests and had found useful information here
For me a FB page, group is good to share photos, and organize meets but for knowledge hmmm we have to browse the forums...
And I completely agree with tama666:
Last edited:
).gif ":)) :))")
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2006
- Messages
- 10,695
- Car(s)
- EK9/Civic
Another thing that is killing the forums is that car forums are being bought by investors that only care about how fast they can see a return of investment by adding around 6 google adsense ads per page + sponsors.
One of this company contacted me that they wanted to buy ek9.org, but my response was a big NO.
One of this company contacted me that they wanted to buy ek9.org, but my response was a big NO.
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2009
- Messages
- 6,294
In my opinion time is changing and most of the forums are not evolving; the big problem is that most old forums (6+ years old) have is that they're not mobile freindly.
I'll give you and example, 40% of ek9.org visit comes from high end mobile devices (iphone, galaxy s4, etc) and I imagine most of this users struggle to navigate the forum because of the forum theme which I consider now obsolete for mobile users; but for desktop users the interface is simple and fast.
Now every mobile smart phone has a facebook app, this apps are mostly fast and simple except the piece of ***t of the blackberry OS 7 facebook app.
Most forum admins struggle to decide whether to make the change to a responsive design, which will need to invest in a new forum software and migration.
I bought a xenforo license, and the migration process went smooth on my tests, the only problem I have is that I can make it look "similar" to the actual forum theme which all the users like and are used to.
Right now EK9.org Fan Page has more than 80K+ fans and I think most of the users who liked the fb page; visit the page even as guests and had found useful information here
For me a FB page, group is good to share photos, and organize meets but for knowledge hmmm we have to browse the forums...
And I completely agree with tama666:
RVM always looking out for the forum and users. The one reason this forum is #1 can attribute to RVM's consistent visits and posts.
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2006
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- 10,695
- Car(s)
- EK9/Civic
Jimbo
B18C-R
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- Oct 27, 2010
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- 3,204
Another thing that is killing the forums is that car forums are being bought by investors that only care about how fast they can see a return of investment by adding around 6 google adsense ads per page + sponsors.
One of this company contacted me that they wanted to buy ek9.org, but my response was a big NO.
Legend
JDM_Dan
сука блядь
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2012
- Messages
- 116
I think forums are a much better source for knowledge and advise, they're much easier to search to learn about **** from all the old knowledge heads from years back as well.
Facebook, to me seems alright for showing off pictures of your car on groups, or for people who want to ask those quick questions, other than that, I don't see how facebook is killing off forums.
However, I'm not disagreeing that forums are beginning to die now, a number of forums I have been a member of are down and out now.
Maybe its the fact that the type of forums we are looking at are for cars that have been around for a decade or more? Therefore, most of the questions you want to ask have already been asked and you don't need to create a new thread. Possibly a bad thing as new knowledge cant be added unless a thread is either bumped, or created again that people notice and add extra info too.
It could be that we don't own new cars where there are more likely to be forums for, as they're a more current market? But then the current market of cars seem to be less mechanical and more OEM only, problems are to be diagnosed at a garage and more often these days the manufactures dealership. However, this doesn't prevent people from gaining experience of what solved their problem and people asking questions still.
**** knows tbh, I don't use forums as much these days compared to maybe 7 years ago. Just prefer to do other stuff in my free time other than working.
Another theory: the current cars of the forums we associate with now are a more older persons market, I assume a lot of members on here are not at uni or first car drivers, and therefore have a job now and not as much free time as what we used to have when we had first cars and were on forums everyday? Forums may not be dieing, it may be our age group that is the reason and we notice the changes, someone who is older and more submerged into their career and everyday family life, but are still a petrol head may have a more upmarket car, and the forum for that particular car wont be as busy as the type of person will be a more professional with spare time on a sunday evening?
So I conclude, **** knows still.
Facebook, to me seems alright for showing off pictures of your car on groups, or for people who want to ask those quick questions, other than that, I don't see how facebook is killing off forums.
However, I'm not disagreeing that forums are beginning to die now, a number of forums I have been a member of are down and out now.
Maybe its the fact that the type of forums we are looking at are for cars that have been around for a decade or more? Therefore, most of the questions you want to ask have already been asked and you don't need to create a new thread. Possibly a bad thing as new knowledge cant be added unless a thread is either bumped, or created again that people notice and add extra info too.
It could be that we don't own new cars where there are more likely to be forums for, as they're a more current market? But then the current market of cars seem to be less mechanical and more OEM only, problems are to be diagnosed at a garage and more often these days the manufactures dealership. However, this doesn't prevent people from gaining experience of what solved their problem and people asking questions still.
**** knows tbh, I don't use forums as much these days compared to maybe 7 years ago. Just prefer to do other stuff in my free time other than working.
Another theory: the current cars of the forums we associate with now are a more older persons market, I assume a lot of members on here are not at uni or first car drivers, and therefore have a job now and not as much free time as what we used to have when we had first cars and were on forums everyday? Forums may not be dieing, it may be our age group that is the reason and we notice the changes, someone who is older and more submerged into their career and everyday family life, but are still a petrol head may have a more upmarket car, and the forum for that particular car wont be as busy as the type of person will be a more professional with spare time on a sunday evening?
So I conclude, **** knows still.
M.1
Gearslut
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2010
- Messages
- 1,128
I think forums that really have useful information but on top of that have a close relationship with users usually tend to stick it out, for example I have recently bought a 350z after selling the EK, after a week or so searching for 350z forums I have come to realize that the forums available really are not that great and tend to be run by sponsors rather than an actual enthusiast, hence the reason I won't leave these forums. But in regards to the question yes they are on the decrease however good forums will always be there.
ChrisEG6
EG6 SiR II
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2012
- Messages
- 424
Anyone else feel the car forums just don't have the same "buzz" or activity in them like they used to? I personally think it's mainly down to these Facebook car groups and other social network sites, everything seems to be up forsale there these days, questions asked etc... there doesn't seem to be as many true enthusiasts making posts like they used to either IMO. I don't like the fact that "cars" have migrated with social networking if I'm honest, I like coming to places like this to avoid all the other crap posted on Facebook and the likes.
Anyone else have any thoughts of their own? I'm i just a bit "old school" even being 22?
Respect to all the guys that still make this first website I visit every time I open my browser
agree 100% mate
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2008
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- 4,081
RVM, I am one of your visitors coming via an iPhone. Please don't change the site to responsive design, they're always ****. I really do not get why anyone would buy a phone capable of viewing proper web pages in all their glory, then want to view it in some cut down, blown up version that looks like it was intended for a WAP enabled phone from about 15 years ago.
Responsive design sucks. EK9.org rulez, obviously.
Responsive design sucks. EK9.org rulez, obviously.
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
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- 8,917
Agree. I'm always on the iphone, much prefer the site to remain as it is.
Only issue I have is viewing videos posted on the forum through my iphone.
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Apple iphone is the issue...Apple sucks
R1PPU
Well-Known Member
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- Jan 1, 2011
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Another thing that is killing the forums is that car forums are being bought by investors that only care about how fast they can see a return of investment by adding around 6 google adsense ads per page + sponsors.
One of this company contacted me that they wanted to buy ek9.org, but my response was a big NO.
Hero
Kipper
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 27, 2008
- Messages
- 2,163
Some good points raised there and it's beneficial to see other point of views on the topic. I'll admit, I think the likes of facebook is great for having a browse through pics but that's all I think, the real stuff should be kept in the forums. And maybe it's better the jokers are posting their crap somewhere else as some had touched on?
Interesting to hear about the advertising side of it too RVM.
This has been without doubt my favorite Honda forum since I joined at the age of 16, where does time go?
I have even moved on with my recent DC2, however ITR-DC2 has began to get very quiet over the last few years, although there is some solid information there. EK9.org has always been the one to go to for me and I hope it stays that way.
Interesting to hear about the advertising side of it too RVM
.This has been without doubt my favorite Honda forum since I joined at the age of 16, where does time go?
I have even moved on with my recent DC2, however ITR-DC2 has began to get very quiet over the last few years, although there is some solid information there. EK9.org has always been the one to go to for me and I hope it stays that way.