The advantages of Blogs over Forums . . .

What I’ve observed about forums on this and other sites is that a relatively small group of members dominate most of the discussion and as this relatively small group spends more and more time on the forum, the conversations become more abbreviated, less relevant and more like chat sessions with lots of one-liners thrown in. The downside to this is that unless you are spending a lot of time on the forum yourself and meeting a portion of your social or entertainment needs from such interactions, there becomes a lot of irrelevant “stuff” to wade through to find discussion of value or interest. It becomes more like reading a tabloid instead of the New York Times. By the nature of the immediacy of forums, a lot of comments not well-conceived or relevant get posted. Many—perhaps most—individuals just can’t spend the time necessary to wade through even 10% of it.
Well-managed blogs on the other hand, are much more focused and efficient. They can be like a column or an editorial in a newspaper assigned to individuals with particular niches or areas of expertise. Well-conceived essays can be submitted for consideration and chosen for publication. Comments, well-constructed criticisms and questions can be received and reviewed by a moderator who chooses the best for publication. It takes time to moderate and manage a blog system, but in the end, you have something much more valuable and easier to navigate and use. It has a longer shelf life because the quality is there. The downside to blogs is they really don’t satisfy the social needs which some people have and seek out on the Internet.
If I were PCGS, I would be asking myself, “What are the forums providing for the business which is of value to the business and its customers?” I don’t think the primary goal of the PCGS website is to provide a social opportunity for individuals to exercise their freedom of speech in any direction they wish and to otherwise provide a reprieve from everyday boredom. I don’t think it serves PCGS to provide a place for individuals to complain without restriction and slander either PCGS or other individuals with impunity. Yes, any business would be well-served to be open to well-stated and polite criticism or questions, but I’ve seen many individuals complain first about a problem with PCGS in the forums before ever contacting PCGS directly to work out the problem! Many individuals believe that PCGS reads every post—or should read every post—to listen to their complaints and concerns. Frankly, I don’t see how they can practically speaking—in fact, I don’t see how anyone can and get anything else done!
Well-managed blogs on the other hand, are much more focused and efficient. They can be like a column or an editorial in a newspaper assigned to individuals with particular niches or areas of expertise. Well-conceived essays can be submitted for consideration and chosen for publication. Comments, well-constructed criticisms and questions can be received and reviewed by a moderator who chooses the best for publication. It takes time to moderate and manage a blog system, but in the end, you have something much more valuable and easier to navigate and use. It has a longer shelf life because the quality is there. The downside to blogs is they really don’t satisfy the social needs which some people have and seek out on the Internet.
If I were PCGS, I would be asking myself, “What are the forums providing for the business which is of value to the business and its customers?” I don’t think the primary goal of the PCGS website is to provide a social opportunity for individuals to exercise their freedom of speech in any direction they wish and to otherwise provide a reprieve from everyday boredom. I don’t think it serves PCGS to provide a place for individuals to complain without restriction and slander either PCGS or other individuals with impunity. Yes, any business would be well-served to be open to well-stated and polite criticism or questions, but I’ve seen many individuals complain first about a problem with PCGS in the forums before ever contacting PCGS directly to work out the problem! Many individuals believe that PCGS reads every post—or should read every post—to listen to their complaints and concerns. Frankly, I don’t see how they can practically speaking—in fact, I don’t see how anyone can and get anything else done!
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Just read David Hall's post regarding new forum rules which I appreciate and respect . . .
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)