Forums... Going the Way of the Dodo?

Now that's a BIG serious question, Justin.
You and I share a history on some forums and have seen them come and go, change for better and change for worse.
For a simple minded chap like me I'll have to go home, think about it, make some long hand notes and then post my comments here Scribes like Pappyjoe and others could reply quicker

Interesting topic to think about, though.

Having been here from Day 1 and every day thereafter I can say that The Briar Patch is the most friendly place I've been. I have also been pa PM since 2010 so I've witnessed quite a bit there as well.
Most, if not all, forums have an ebb and flow of new and old members passing through, staying and, sometimes, just vanishing. Forums also trend toward forming cliques among active posters that can dominate the discussions. I remember the Sinister Six at PM who many considered the "cool guys" with their inside jokes and good natured ribbing of one another. They were at it for a couple of years and dominated many of the conversation. Now, not one of them is active there.
I have not seen that here and the comportment of our members is sterling. Because ours is a type and read platform I can see when someone may take a comment as untoward or offensive. If we were face-to-face with the other person there probably wouldn't be a problem. So, the lesson here is to think before typing.
To address the original question about forums dying I'd say "No". Do they change over time? Absolutely.
I believe that most people join a forum looking for kindred spirits who want to share experiences and learn new things. Personally, I have made new friends because of forums who I never would have met otherwise and for that I am grateful.
With engaged management from the top person and moderators a forum will remain healthy, friendly and welcoming.
The simple act of asking members what they think and acting on the good ideas that they present shows the care for our community.

The moderation here is very fair and seldom used. The forum grows due to relaxed attitude and having fun.
I am a member of two forums and have to force myself to post in the other.
I'm very grateful that this club is here and is not only an alternative, but a preferred one.

I am a new member am also a member of two other forums.I believe you have to be able to give and take as long as you are not being offensive I like this crowd and really havn't seen too much to get annoyed at. I think the moderators do a great job often unthanked. Hope this blog keeps getting stronger and stronger.

As someone who had his wrist slapped, I think the moderation is definitely fair and balanced. One of the main problems with forums is politics, and I admit to having an itchy trigger-finger when somebody says something that I feel is unjust, racist, or just factually wrong. I also know that my response will likely just exacerbate the situation, leading to a pointless back-and-forth, name-calling etc. So I think some strictness in moderation of controversial off-topic subjects is the right way to go - and a total ban on politics.  

Overall, I do find this a more laid back place than PM, and with a better site design. There is less sarcasm here, less of a sense than people are scoring points off each other, and more camaraderie.

Everyone has made good points, but John and Darin kind of zeroed in on how I see it. 


I too wish I could go back and edit...quite often I post at O-dark thirty on an Iphone with bad lighting and eyesight being what it is, I often don't get it right on first try...but, I understand why the editing window has to have a reasonable closure time.

Oh, yes, I know why the edit is short. No problem, just asking.

If a post is considered something that should be reported, the quote feature is a good one. IMO, quote the post and report it. That way nothing can be hidden by editing.

I spent a lot of days/months moderating a very busy and sometimes combative forum. I completely understand why rules must be in place.

Thanks again for hosting our 'club' as David put it.

Justin the forum here is alive and well!!! I have not seen any strong personalities taking over and the ones that have tried become irrelevant. We survive because we are brothers and sisters with a common goal ,enjoying smoking pipes...the politics and such can be found elsewhere and must stay there. Because of that we stay strong.. the bond of pipe smoking is stronger than what else may try and come to poison this forum...!

I just want to add that I knew kinda knew Justin from another forum, I was pretty much a wall flower and said little. I asked a few questions and replied to a few posts but was not really well known to him. When Justin started this forum he invited me..ME of all people! The guy that really said nothing, wasn't a forum "POWER BROKER"...just started smoking pipes again after an 11 year hiatus..and did not own 50 pipes and 400 lbs of tobacco.
At the other forum I always felt like I needed to 'Qualify" to be a member and to always be quiet and let the "Adult" pipe smokers talk.
I came here on day one and can say this forum is a place where pretensions are left outside, everyone is a valued member and that this place is all about the enjoyment of our hobby..NOTHING more! Is it all lollipops and daisies?..No, there have been minor dust ups and feelings have been hurt, but overall we all are adults and act like adults. That is why this forum is growing while others are shrinking.

Being a founding member of this forum, and having known Sparks and Papipeguy from other places, I can say they do their jobs well, as do the other mods.

I've heard it said elsewhere that forums are more important than people. I won't bother to explain why that is a stupid comment as everybody reading this already knows the answer. The members make the forums, and those of us who contribute mostly do a very good job. I would urge those who lurk to contribute posts, ask questions, answer questions, have fun, and enjoy the company of friends. Everything will be more lively and entertaining and informative, and forums can always use more contributors.

I don't think forums as a whole are dying and they will be around for a long time yet to come,
Individual forums may die or grow stagnate and the members that they may draw in or let go will change on a somewhat regular basis too.

Fair and balanced moderation is a must and from what i have seen (or have not seen) i think things go pretty smoothly here.

Pipe and Tobacco Snobbery appears to be minimal here - so that is a good

I like the structure of a dotcom forum such as this because it makes it easier to find topics of interest Compared to the structure of the facebook forums they don't really have the capability of any structure other than a single pinned post at the top.

As far as any other mentioned forums - i no nothing, i have not seen anything, i don't remember anyone and i plead the 5th if asked ...

I agree with John on this. Posting in here gives us people to talk about over in chat.

I was invited here by Jim,and can Honestly say I was Excited that he would
invite me anywhere.I'm not a high-end smoker.I have a bunch of estate pipes,
and a few cobs.I've a meek cellar going,and most of it is mystery mixes.But,I
enjoy reading Jim's reviews, and his descriptions of his pipes.It's better than
window shopping cause I can do it sitting down.I enjoy the comaradery and friendly
ribbing among the users here.And I believe that as long as we're having fun and
learning from each other that others who visit will be more inclined to join in.
I feel that the admin and mods are doing a fine job,and wouldn't presume to be able
to offer advice.I'm good at starting arguments not stopping them.Albeit,I do try to
make them fun(mostly).

Very new on this forum. I enjoy the welcoming feel and sense of community this forum encourages.