[mothered]

I think it's true that forums are overshadowed by mainstream social media. As such, they have way less users. However, as strange as this may sound, I think that, in a way, that makes them superior to platforms like Facebook, Twitter... A smaller community means people can get to know each other better and have more meaningful conversations. Thanks to this advantage that forums have over other platforms, I don't think they will die anytime soon. It's true that they aren't that popular, but it doesn't take too many users to keep a forum alive. Sinisterly is an excellent example of that.

Agreed.

In terms of popularity, the advantage that social media has over boards, Is that they're advertised all over the net, hence pretty hard to miss during one's online navigation. As such, It entices users to register an account - particularly kids who've just started using the Internet. On the other hand, boards of all shapes and sizes are nowhere near referenced as much, which Is one reason why people believe they're dying. The activity still exists, It's just not prominent In the World Wide Web.

[Lilin]

The theory of being inclusive, open, and nice to fellow forum members seems like a lost one these days.

Name and shame is especially very cringe.
Anything done to put another member down or discredit them without giving them ample opportunity to fix a mistake.
Insulting or pushing aside fellow members (of the same forum) for ulterior motives.
and so forth

Then there comes wonder of why forums are dying and the masses are going to their own closely-knit social media groups and leaving valuable forums behind.

[Jiggly]

I think it's true that forums are overshadowed by mainstream social media. As such, they have way less users. However, as strange as this may sound, I think that, in a way, that makes them superior to platforms like Facebook, Twitter... A smaller community means people can get to know each other better and have more meaningful conversations. Thanks to this advantage that forums have over other platforms, I don't think they will die anytime soon. It's true that they aren't that popular, but it doesn't take too many users to keep a forum alive. Sinisterly is an excellent example of that.

It also depends on the Individual. For Instance, I've been on the net for a very long time, and have never been Interested In any form of social media, and never will be. No doubt, millions of other users share the same view, hence opt for other gateways of communication - with forums/boards being a significant alternative.

That is very true as well. It's the same thing for me; I always found social media platforms to be boring and unattractive, even though everyone around me uses them and seems to love them. Forums are different though. People are always starting interesting conversations and giving their honest opinions, and with everyone sharing all sorts of stuff, from music to books to tutorials to software, it's always a fun place to be in.

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I think it's true that forums are overshadowed by mainstream social media. As such, they have way less users. However, as strange as this may sound, I think that, in a way, that makes them superior to platforms like Facebook, Twitter... A smaller community means people can get to know each other better and have more meaningful conversations. Thanks to this advantage that forums have over other platforms, I don't think they will die anytime soon. It's true that they aren't that popular, but it doesn't take too many users to keep a forum alive. Sinisterly is an excellent example of that.

We're also not selling your data. Or tracking you. Or force-feeding an algorithm with 1.4 billions ads. xD It's a very different atmosphere on a forum, to an IM service or social media site.

I love this point. It's not something I considered at first, but now that I think about it, it really makes me appreciate the value of forums even more  I feel like this just proves that forums exist solely for the purpose of forming a community and allowing its members to interact and share stuff with each other, as opposed to social media, whose primary purpose is making money rather than making a community.

It's nice you feel the same way on that front.

I also like the fact I can control the content a bit more too. E.g. I choose which subsection I click. On top of that, people can retain anonymity moreso that you would with facebook, who won't even let you sign up if you have a vaguely "fake" sounding name. xD

[Shionari]

I think it's true that forums are overshadowed by mainstream social media. As such, they have way less users. However, as strange as this may sound, I think that, in a way, that makes them superior to platforms like Facebook, Twitter... A smaller community means people can get to know each other better and have more meaningful conversations. Thanks to this advantage that forums have over other platforms, I don't think they will die anytime soon. It's true that they aren't that popular, but it doesn't take too many users to keep a forum alive. Sinisterly is an excellent example of that.

Agreed.

In terms of popularity, the advantage that social media has over boards, Is that they're advertised all over the net, hence pretty hard to miss during one's online navigation. As such, It entices users to register an account - particularly kids who've just started using the Internet. On the other hand, boards of all shapes and sizes are nowhere near referenced as much, which Is one reason why people believe they're dying. The activity still exists, It's just not prominent In the World Wide Web.

True! Social media is now so popular that it's like the default option for keeping in touch with your friends/the world. It's good enough for the average person, but there will always be people who will be looking for something more - which they might be able to find in forums.

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It also depends on the Individual. For Instance, I've been on the net for a very long time, and have never been Interested In any form of social media, and never will be. No doubt, millions of other users share the same view, hence opt for other gateways of communication - with forums/boards being a significant alternative.

That is very true as well. It's the same thing for me; I always found social media platforms to be boring and unattractive, even though everyone around me uses them and seems to love them. Forums are different though. People are always starting interesting conversations and giving their honest opinions, and with everyone sharing all sorts of stuff, from music to books to tutorials to software, it's always a fun place to be in.

---

We're also not selling your data. Or tracking you. Or force-feeding an algorithm with 1.4 billions ads. xD It's a very different atmosphere on a forum, to an IM service or social media site.

I love this point. It's not something I considered at first, but now that I think about it, it really makes me appreciate the value of forums even more  I feel like this just proves that forums exist solely for the purpose of forming a community and allowing its members to interact and share stuff with each other, as opposed to social media, whose primary purpose is making money rather than making a community.

It's nice you feel the same way on that front.

I also like the fact I can control the content a bit more too. E.g. I choose which subsection I click. On top of that, people can retain anonymity moreso that you would with facebook, who won't even let you sign up if you have a vaguely "fake" sounding name. xD

I agree. The anonymity in forums gives so much more freedom than social media, because you don't have to be afraid of real life repercussions. You can express your views and ask questions freely, without having to be scared. Naturally that can be a bad thing, since it can lead to annoying trolls XD but it can also be an amazing thing when used for the purposes of learning, debating, and having productive discussions.

[mothered]

True! Social media is now so popular that it's like the default option for keeping in touch with your friends/the world. It's good enough for the average person, but there will always be people who will be looking for something more - which they might be able to find in forums.

You're spot-on.

I have a lot of friends who use social media as a point of contact, and then there's those who're addicted to a given platform. Personally, my mentality differs to most others (my blog says It all), which Is why I've never found social media of Interest. Hitting a few likes and viewing GIFs etc, Is not my cup of tea.

[Takairtas]

Not really, to be honest.

[Jiggly]

There's another side to this: Often when people talk about forums dying, they're thinking of the 3 new forums that popped up last year, that weren't successful and died.

Forums aren't just cybersecurity and tech. There are ones for niche interests, gaming communities, parents, medical discussions and more. Forums as a thing: They aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

[anwiteain]

The number of members joining, the number of members browsing, the number of members posting, etc. How would you compare it all between now and 2019?

[Jiggly]

The number of members joining, the number of members browsing, the number of members posting, etc. How would you compare it all between now and 2019?

We actually happen to know... For SL, it's gone up.

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It seems to me that the forums have not died rather than faded into the background due to their "nature". In more modern networks, it is easier for new users to join communities, in forums it is a whole ritual

I get what you mean. Although, I find that people very much come and go as they please. In my head, SL is a bit like a bar. There's the bar staff, the bar owner, the regulars and some who come and go.

[Oni]

The number of members joining, the number of members browsing, the number of members posting, etc. How would you compare it all between now and 2019?

Spoiler: From 2019

Spoiler: From 2021

The numbers speak for themselves. There's some outliers, so I'd take them with a grain of salt.