|
|
Post by Ronv69 on Jan 20, 2023 12:16:34 GMT -5
I've noticed that we seem to have a dwindling membership here at the Patch. I visit some other forums, but I don't post much away from here. We must have bad breath or something. Even the owner, sparks, posts on other forums, but on here he only chimes in if we get out of line. Is it my fault? As the major contributer I will be glad to go away for the good of the forum. |
|
|
|
Post by zambini on Jan 20, 2023 15:46:06 GMT -5
I've noticed that we seem to have a dwindling membership here at the Patch. I visit some other forums, but I don't post much away from here. We must have bad breath or something. Even the owner, sparks , posts on other forums, but on here he only chimes in if we get out of line. Is it my fault? As the major contributer I will be glad to go away for the good of the forum. I've been on this site long enough to have seen several people leave either on their own or as part of a schism. I hope we won't have to all migrate somewhere new! I appreciate your contribution on this site. |
|
|
|
Post by Plainsman on Jan 20, 2023 16:14:05 GMT -5
Whatsamatta, you got indigestion or sumpin’?
|
|
|
|
Post by trailboss on Jan 20, 2023 17:28:13 GMT -5
Since this site started there are a ton of other venues for pipe smokers to go to. Instagram has scores of places to check in on, Youtube, etc…
This really is my only watering hole because I have limited online time and I really don’t want to check in on quite a few sites. Forums are more old school, whereas the newer social media platforms have more of a sound bite attraction to some.
There have been a few instances on this forum where people got upset and left, and I have received invites… they all fizzled out.
Tempest in a teapot incidents.
|
|
|
|
Post by don on Jan 20, 2023 17:45:23 GMT -5
I only post here or much less frequently at the Pipes Magazine forum. This forum is more general chat and less actual pipe content. Other groups have more tobacco reviews, pipe makers, collector talk, sales and trades, etc. It seems like we used to have more of that here. I don’t plan on leaving until I assume room temperature.
|
|
|
|
Post by don on Jan 20, 2023 17:48:45 GMT -5
I've noticed that we seem to have a dwindling membership here at the Patch. I visit some other forums, but I don't post much away from here. We must have bad breath or something. Even the owner, sparks, posts on other forums, but on here he only chimes in if we get out of line. Is it my fault? As the major contributer I will be glad to go away for the good of the forum. I don’t think this group slowing down is your fault or anyone else’s doing. Things have just slowed down here and some other venues just have a more active and engaged core of enthusiasts. They also seem to have more ad content. |
|
|
|
Post by trailboss on Jan 20, 2023 17:55:46 GMT -5
Don makes a good point...there is a lot of money/ temptation to be made allowing ad content by a forum owner, glad that is not the case here.
|
|
|
|
Post by william on Jan 20, 2023 17:59:09 GMT -5
I just popped in to say this: I stopped smoking for a period, and rarely smoke in the winter (as I am an outside smoker and hate the cold). Also, I primarily posted in the WAYS thread (and on the rare occasion in the "What Are You Listening To" thread). So I never really had much to say. I did pick up a new "hobby" during the pandemic and tend to spend time at that forum during the day. But I am not part of any "schism" and I do not care for snazzier social media platforms--sort of an old school type. But nobody has offended me in any way. Just developed a waning interest. I almost posted a picture of my beautiful Ruger Vaquero (polished stainless steel with birds eye grips) chambered in 45 Colt in the recent (or maybe continuing) "Revolver" thread. Decided it would be too much trouble and took a nap instead. Anyway--carry on. Time for my nap....  |
|
|
|
Post by Ronv69 on Jan 20, 2023 18:08:43 GMT -5
I just popped in to say this: I stopped smoking for a period, and rarely smoke in the winter (as I am an outside smoker and hate the cold). Also, I primarily posted in the WAYS thread (and on the rare occasion in the "What Are You Listening To" thread). So I never really had much to say. I did pick up a new "hobby" during the pandemic and tend to spend time at that forum during the day. But I am not part of any "schism" and I do not care for snazzier social media platforms--sort of an old school type. But nobody has offended me in any way. Just developed a waning interest. I almost posted a picture of my beautiful Ruger Vaquero (polished stainless steel with birds eye grips) chambered in 45 Colt in the recent (or maybe continuing) "Revolver" thread. Decided it would be too much trouble and took a nap instead. Anyway--carry on. Time for my nap.... I want to see it! As they say, pictures or it didn't happen. 😁 But if you really don't want to, then I understand. |
|
Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 4,358
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
Location:
|
Post by Zach on Jan 20, 2023 18:17:07 GMT -5
Nonsense, Ron. You're one of the main drivers that keeps people together here I'd imagine. The reality is forums dwindle. Our forum over at PipeSmokerUnlimited is effectively dead now after the past few years. You know all this though, you joker. |
|
|
|
Post by rectifythis on Jan 20, 2023 18:26:53 GMT -5
I do frequent 1 other forum and it is getting more of my time for 3 reasons.
1. There is active banter and excitement mostly centered around the hobby and not what you're eating or watching.
2. This forum doesn't allow you to turn on or off specific thread notifications. It's all on or all off. I would like to get email notifications on threads I can hen peck, not the whole swath.
3. On the other forum, if I want to attach a picture or multiple pictures, it's 1 click. Easy and fast. This forum I must go to an outside website, upload to them, wait, copy and paste a link for every. Single. picture.
What I love about this forum is the openess, (see lack of micromanaging), the 100 post count minimum before you can access the marketplace, and the general no nonsense self management and courtesy.
I don't plan to leave, but I find myself straying much more frequently.
|
|
|
|
Post by urbino on Jan 20, 2023 18:57:03 GMT -5
I don’t keep track of the membership, and I can’t say I’ve noticed the numbers dwindling. Seems like most everyone who was active here when I started is still active here. A few aren’t anymore, but not a ton. Maybe the problem is we don’t attract many new members who stay long.
Some of the things already mentioned make sense to me as reasons for that. Some don’t. (Two of the most active threads here are WAYS and What’s In The Mail, both of which are very on-topic.) People like social media sites. Personally, I don’t. That puts me and anyone like me in a small minority. Take the intersection of that set with the also small set of all pipe smokers, and you get a rather small set of people.
|
|
|
|
Post by turbocat on Jan 20, 2023 19:08:46 GMT -5
Nothing to do with you Ron, I enjoy your posts and the interactions we’ve had. I think what others are saying here is spot on. I can see why most newbies and less experienced pipe smokers wouldn’t bother with this site, there is very little in the way of discussion of tobacco blends, new tobaccos, etc. which is not the case at the magazine forum. They also have a great cat section as well which I have browsed a few times. However for me, just keeping up with the posts there is just too time consuming for me. This site, maybe because it’s not very active is very convenient for me and I’m glad that I’ve met the people here that I have.
|
|
|
|
Post by william on Jan 20, 2023 20:58:25 GMT -5
I just popped in to say this: I stopped smoking for a period, and rarely smoke in the winter (as I am an outside smoker and hate the cold). Also, I primarily posted in the WAYS thread (and on the rare occasion in the "What Are You Listening To" thread). So I never really had much to say. I did pick up a new "hobby" during the pandemic and tend to spend time at that forum during the day. But I am not part of any "schism" and I do not care for snazzier social media platforms--sort of an old school type. But nobody has offended me in any way. Just developed a waning interest. I almost posted a picture of my beautiful Ruger Vaquero (polished stainless steel with birds eye grips) chambered in 45 Colt in the recent (or maybe continuing) "Revolver" thread. Decided it would be too much trouble and took a nap instead. Anyway--carry on. Time for my nap.... I want to see it! As they say, pictures or it didn't happen. 😁 But if you really don't want to, then I understand. Posted in the appropriate thread. Feel free to gaze upon my stainless steel beauty. |
|
|
|
Post by Yohanan on Jan 20, 2023 20:58:58 GMT -5
No one here has ever posted anything to make me angry or want to leave, I think I'm mature enough that if I don't care for the subject at hand, I don't have to read or react to it. I usually just read it and keep my mouth shut, as much as I like it here, it's just a pipe forum.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ronv69 on Jan 20, 2023 21:23:32 GMT -5
I just wonder why we don't have more action. We are a great bunch in my experience. Maybe we seem cliqueish?
On the other forums there are more people offering advice that I either agree with or choose not to express my disagreement. I don't feel like long explanations every time a new member asks a question, though I will give my opinion if directly asked. I dunno, I just wish we had, more? I'm happy here, but I guess I'm missing some people who have moved on, one way or another.
|
|
|
|
Post by trailboss on Jan 20, 2023 21:29:56 GMT -5
I just wonder why we don't have more action. We are a great bunch in my experience. Maybe we seem cliqueish? On the other forums there are more people offering advice that I either agree with or choose not to express my disagreement. I don't feel like long explanations every time a new member asks a question, though I will give my opinion if directly asked. I dunno, I just wish we had, more? I'm happy here, but I guess I'm missing some people who have moved on, one way or another. Scripturally it is about refinement, getting rid of the dross. From a Secular viewpoint, it is about culling the herd, sometimes it takes place in the family. |
|
|
|
Post by Ronv69 on Jan 20, 2023 21:34:47 GMT -5
I just wonder why we don't have more action. We are a great bunch in my experience. Maybe we seem cliqueish? On the other forums there are more people offering advice that I either agree with or choose not to express my disagreement. I don't feel like long explanations every time a new member asks a question, though I will give my opinion if directly asked. I dunno, I just wish we had, more? I'm happy here, but I guess I'm missing some people who have moved on, one way or another. Scripturally it is about refinement, getting rid of the dross. From a Secular viewpoint, it is about culling the herd, sometimes it takes place in the family. Maybe we're too picky? |
|
|
|
Post by trailboss on Jan 20, 2023 21:42:09 GMT -5
I don't think so...those that hang around choose to do so those that move on, we respectfully support their desire to do so.
Not really about numbers, it is about quality of the contributors.
|
|
|
|
Post by Yohanan on Jan 20, 2023 23:10:23 GMT -5
I don't think so...those that hang around choose to do so those that move on, we respectfully support their desire to do so. Not really about numbers, it is about quality of the contributors. Exactly!!! |
|
|
|
Post by toshtego on Jan 20, 2023 23:19:22 GMT -5
I vow to post more interesting items.
|
|
|
|
Post by Yohanan on Jan 20, 2023 23:54:36 GMT -5
No one here has ever posted anything to make me angry or want to leave, I think I'm mature enough that if I don't care for the subject at hand, I don't have to read or react to it. I usually just read it and keep my mouth shut, as much as I like it here, it's just a pipe forum. The only time I had a problem with a forum, was a few weeks ago, when they were discussing British Royalty, and a Dickweed lawyer from Humansville Mo. posted a picture of Wallis Simpson, and stated that's what the USA done to be related to royalty, I stated that Wallis Simpson and Edward the VII were Nazi sympathizers, and was ridiculed and the thread locked. I was also Blended Scotch Drunk, but what I stated was the historical truth. YMMV. The deniers can kiss my arse. |
|
|
|
Post by Yohanan on Jan 21, 2023 0:14:11 GMT -5
This is a Great Place, I hope we can keep it this way.
|
|
|
|
Post by bonanzadriver on Jan 21, 2023 1:13:29 GMT -5
I vow to post more interesting items. After over 14,000 non-interesting posts?  Surely you jest!?!  (i keed, i keed) |
|
|
|
Post by bonanzadriver on Jan 21, 2023 1:19:22 GMT -5
I'm prolly one of the guilty members of not posting as much as I used to. Typical "life gettin in the way stuff".
I do usually get on the chat a few times a week, but that too has pretty much become just the regular 4 or 5 folks nowadays.
We've definitely lost a few folks along the way. Some I'm really sorry to see go, others .... not so much.
I grew weary of the so called "moderate" folk that would espouse their political rhetoric / leaning view points only to feign injury as soon as anyone posted an opposing view or challenged their groupthink.
Anyway, I'll make a concerted effort to visit more frequently and to invite more acquaintances and buds from the local B&M to "come on over and sit a spell".
|
|
|
|
Post by Silver on Jan 21, 2023 1:24:35 GMT -5
Good to see you on the Forum side of the Patch, Dino. Haven't been to the Chat side in a couple weeks, but will try to drop in very soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by Silver on Jan 21, 2023 1:28:13 GMT -5
Nothing to do with you Ron, I enjoy your posts and the interactions we’ve had. I think what others are saying here is spot on. I can see why most newbies and less experienced pipe smokers wouldn’t bother with this site, there is very little in the way of discussion of tobacco blends, new tobaccos, etc. which is not the case at the magazine forum. They also have a great cat section as well which I have browsed a few times. However for me, just keeping up with the posts there is just too time consuming for me. This site, maybe because it’s not very active is very convenient for me and I’m glad that I’ve met the people here that I have. I'd be happy with more pipe/tobacco related threads. |
|
|
|
Post by Yohanan on Jan 21, 2023 7:41:58 GMT -5
No one here has ever posted anything to make me angry or want to leave, I think I'm mature enough that if I don't care for the subject at hand, I don't have to read or react to it. I usually just read it and keep my mouth shut, as much as I like it here, it's just a pipe forum. The only time I had a problem with a forum, was a few weeks ago, when they were discussing British Royalty, and a Dickweed lawyer from Humansville Mo. posted a picture of Wallis Simpson, and stated that's what the USA done to be related to royalty, I stated that Wallis Simpson and Edward the VII were Nazi sympathizers, and was ridiculed and the thread locked. I was also Blended Scotch Drunk, but what I stated was the historical truth. YMMV. The deniers can kiss my arse. Forgive the Typo, that was supposed to be Edward the VIII, apologies to Edward the VII, aka Prince Albert back before He was King. |
|
|
|
Post by oldcajun123 on Jan 21, 2023 9:00:40 GMT -5
 Good folks here, I’m gonna stay!
|
|
|
|
Post by Plainsman on Jan 21, 2023 9:01:42 GMT -5
Indeed they were, Wallis and Edward.
|
|
Good folks here, I’m gonna stay!