(09-25-2021, 02:41 PM)Shionari Wrote: 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.

(09-25-2021, 02:41 PM)Shionari Wrote:

(09-25-2021, 04:13 AM)mothered Wrote:

(09-25-2021, 02:41 AM)Shionari Wrote: 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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(09-25-2021, 09:01 AM)Jiggly Wrote:

(09-25-2021, 02:41 AM)Shionari Wrote: 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.

(09-25-2021, 04:44 PM)mothered Wrote:

(09-25-2021, 02:41 PM)Shionari Wrote: 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.

(09-25-2021, 09:23 PM)Jiggly Wrote:

(09-25-2021, 02:41 PM)Shionari Wrote:

(09-25-2021, 04:13 AM)mothered Wrote: 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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(09-25-2021, 09:01 AM)Jiggly Wrote: 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

(09-27-2021, 03:48 AM)Shionari Wrote: 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.

(10-07-2021, 02:32 PM)anwiteain Wrote: 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?

(09-29-2021, 05:42 PM)theronmad Wrote: 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

(10-07-2021, 02:32 PM)anwiteain Wrote: 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