"Where have all the people gone? Long time passing!"
Goldbully
Posts: 17,777 ✭✭✭✭✭
I've been on these forums since 2006 and I cannot understand why forum membership and or participation has gone down so drastically.
Yes, this has been discussed before, but I'm witnessing up to and over 50% decreases in online forum folk....even in prime time weekend traffic.
Two questions: Where have these forum members gone? How do we get these forum members back?
PCGS is the premier coin grading company in the world....what is the problem?
Is it something RYK and I have done? Sorry, that was for light hearted fun.
Crazy thought, once Bear left us, the coin forum lost a gem+
Folks like RWB should be still posting....but they are gone.
There are many other stories like the above, but there must be a solution.........please post your much needed solution.
Thanks for listening to my Saturday night rants folks.
GB
Yes, this has been discussed before, but I'm witnessing up to and over 50% decreases in online forum folk....even in prime time weekend traffic.
Two questions: Where have these forum members gone? How do we get these forum members back?
PCGS is the premier coin grading company in the world....what is the problem?
Is it something RYK and I have done? Sorry, that was for light hearted fun.
Crazy thought, once Bear left us, the coin forum lost a gem+
Folks like RWB should be still posting....but they are gone.
There are many other stories like the above, but there must be a solution.........please post your much needed solution.
Thanks for listening to my Saturday night rants folks.
GB
0
Comments
i'd love to see the amount of unique ISP that visit this forum daily/weekly/monthly and averages of the above over 1, 2 and 5 years.
.
More coin topic threads and less off-topic, non-coin related threads might do the trick.
peacockcoins
I think many have left because they feel they can't voice their opinions as freely here as in other locations. Not gone, just relocated.
Here are some random thoughts on the matter...
In many ways my interest in coins has been intertwined with my interest in the forum. As I participate in other activities, my time with coins (and here) has diminished.
Some of my old pals from the forum are now gone or virtually so. Many of the more controversial posters are also gone. Some have left the forum, some have left coins, and some have passed away.
It is really hard to find new topics to discuss.
It is more difficult to post using a mobile device and much of the time I am online I am on one.
Facebook has a much broader spectrum of topics for reading and discussion.
Online message board type forums seems to generally be on the decline. Sleepy Hollow is even sleepier.
There may be a cyclical nature to any individual online forum or perhaps a shelf life, and we appear be on the decline (cyclical or secular).
PCGS has discouraged some of the participation that once made things lively and has banned some well-liked forum members, over the years.
Etc.
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
A few people on this forum and other forums (same people) were really oppressive and negative every time I posted ... and it turned me off to spending a lot of time and energy on the forums. Actually I not only stopped posting a lot, but also stopped buying a lot of coins as my passion and enthusiasm was squashed pretty good. (so perhaps some might say that I wasn't a true hard core collector?) But I certainly was spending a lot on coins over the past 3 years and had a lot of interest and new ideas that I have since dropped. This drop off in my passion and enthusiasm has led me to submit MUCH MUCH less to PCGS and I recently cancelled my CoinFacts and PCGS subscription. So I am one example of somebody that is causing a very slight dip in PCGS's bottom line (but multiply someone like me by 10,000, and PCGS might find their profits falling?)
Sometimes I would try to research something and post about it ... but those days are over for me on this board ...
An old thread
My Coin Blog
My Toned Lincoln Registry Set
I'm sorry to hear your enthusiasm has waned WL57. You have some really beautiful coins and your websites were really great efforts while they lasted.
<< <i>I'm sorry to hear your enthusiasm has waned WL57. You have some really beautiful coins and your websites were really great efforts while they lasted. >>
So what to do???
Break up the registry sets by re calculating REALISTIC point values for scarcity. Yep, it will piss folks off, but it WILL make it more interesting.
Add a few new sets that folks have been suggesting.
Open a free forum, no politics, but you can have your say there - even if its about PCGS.
Stop putting down newbies…remember we did not start here as GODS of collecting either.
Start a dealers only forum..we can not post, but can read.
Get the PCGS to start RESPONDING to questions we ask.
And I am sure you all can add more suggestions.
WS
<< <i>Still wish there would be amnesty day here, where all the ones booted have the option of returning if they wanted. A permanent ban is pretty ridiculous imho. >>
Give them another chance!
<< <i>I've been on these forums since 2006 and I cannot understand why forum membership and or participation has gone down so drastically.
Yes, this has been discussed before, but I'm witnessing up to and over 50% decreases in online forum folk....even in prime time weekend traffic.
Two questions: Where have these forum members gone? How do we get these forum members back?
PCGS is the premier coin grading company in the world....what is the problem?
Is it something RYK and I have done? Sorry, that was for light hearted fun.
Crazy thought, once Bear left us, the coin forum lost a gem+
Folks like RWB should be still posting....but they are gone.
There are many other stories like the above, but there must be a solution.........please post your much needed solution.
Thanks for listening to my Saturday night rants folks.
GB >>
GoldBully..easy answer ..economy..those who own assets such as stocks are having a boom.. those in the middle are left behind with wages less etc. .....less interest in posting
<< <i>I think the economy had a lot to do with it as well. The average citizen may not be able to afford truly rare coins. >>
Say What?
Since when has an "Average Citizen" been able to afford a "truly" rare coin? Meaning, something in the thousands? There are many collectors out there that will spend hundreds on a coin yet hesitate to spend a thousand of more simply because those funds are not and have never been available for the "average citizen".
From what I see, coins are still selling and selling strong. They may not be climbing as high and as fast as they did a few years back but they are still selling.
As for "Where have all the people gone?"
A lot were banned for speaking their minds which happened to not coincide with PCGS's business philosophy. They are posting on other forums where they can freely express their opinions.
Others have migrated away out of fear of being banned which is too bad since these forums have a lot of "mature" and "sophisticated" collectors on them.
The rest of the crowd is still here and I expect that a lot of them simply read but do not post unless they have a strong opinion on some topic which has not already been expressed.
Are the forums different? Absolutely because folks want to feel good about what they say and they usually say what they believe. If that belief is in conflict with the hosts, they've learned, through observation, that some things are better left unsaid.
What used to be a well moderated forum, through warnings and edit's of posts (Yes the mods can EDIT Posts), has been reduced to nothing more than slash and delete either through inexperience in administering to a forum or just because that's the easiest method to use.
Rules have been posted but then those very rules are selectively enforced and that is an unarguable statement. Such selectivity only serves to confuse folks who would rather post freely about what's on their minds. As such, they find a medium where that can occur.
The bottom line is that a LOT of folks use this forum simply as an online get together amongst folks that share the common interest in coins. It represents a certain aspect of a social life if you could call it that. Friendships are formed, clique's are formed, business is conducted, coins are bought, coins are sold and information is shared.
Had it not been for this very forum, I would have never known about the 2008 Rev of 07 SAE's and their spot availability! That, in and of itself, serves to attract a lot of folks but just as when the popularity wave crashes on shore, so do the many throngs of folks looking to turn a buck.
But, whatever. It is what it is and there's always something NEW to learn which is why I come back day after day and night after night.
The name is LEE!
<< <i>Thank you for the comment about the Newbs as one it was very hard to get my foot in the door with people telling me I dont belong here and to go someplace else. Well I am sticking it out and maintaining my presence. I will continue to do so I am a Paid PCGS member after all. >>
Wow, sorry to hear that John. That's a shame and I hope it improves. Thanks for hanging in there.
Eric
Bring back RWB, Coinguy, Conder, and many more. Forgive the past and start anew. It would be good for CU and this forum.
Lance.
jeff
Fade to black reverse toned
My Washington Type B/C Set
Goodness knows I have never been in any controversy here...
But I can honestly say I have not jumped in a newbies head.
Of course, I know you were making general statements. I welcome all
I just don't think anyone gives a hoot what I say! Sometimes I think everyone has me on ignore!
That's OK, because you can learn more by listening.
Eric
<< <i>One thing I notice here is this. Look at who's posting in this thread. You are all long timers, dealers, well acquainted with each other, know your stuff, etc etc. Has anyone thought, "hey, lets ask a newbie what their first impressions are?" There aren't any newbies chiming in here. Wanna know why? The topic has been lightly touched so far in this thread and I am by no means saying it's the only problem but it seems to some that newbies are nothing more than someone to put down for not knowing what a long timer would.
I've had more than one heated discussion on here and lostincoins has taken an absolute beating. You all started at the same place and it's the same place all newbies are at right now, the beginning of your coin collecting hobby. There's way too much criticism and right out slams on here to newbies. Who in their right mind would willingly take it when there's so many other forums around and who really needs them anyway with the amount of information that is sitting at our fingertips. Harmless joking is absolutely great. To make people want to join and want to stay, insulting people for not knowing as much as the folks on here doesn't promote membership interest. It just drives people away and also makes them talk about it in other forums.
I've thought about bailing and I'm sure many others have too. Bottom line is this and I say it with the utmost respect for every member on here, you're gonna catch more flies with honey than vinigar. Insulting someone for not knowing something doesn't make them want to stay and truthfully, is an instant killer of respect. If you find more enjoyment from insulting someone for a question asked rather than enjoyment in helping someone learn ( and there's a ton to learn here) by answering their question and helping them to understand, then there in lies the problem.
As I said, this is all said with the utmost respect to each and every member and if I've stepped over a line and get the boot, well, I was looking for a forum when I found this one. This is all imho. >>
As far as I can recall, the only NEWBIES that EVER got slammed were folks the asked an opinion, received several opinions and then proceeded to tell well educated folks how wrong they were..........
A lot of folks like to say that newbies are put down and insulted on the PCGS Forums and this is simply not true.
Otherwise, Goldbully wouldn't still be here!
Actually, a computer forum is not THE best place in the world to express an opinion since communicative punctuation is not everybody's field of expertise. Many times I've had to reread a post which really irritated me to try and figure out exactly what the poster was saying. Such things are often misinterpreted as an attack or an insult.
Are there some cranky old folks on here?
Yep.................. but we eventually come around.
The name is LEE!
I do think it would be cool to have some kind of amnesty for previously banned posters but it's not my choice and I respect whatever choice our host has made or makes in the future on that matter.
Erik
type2,CCHunter.
type2,CCHunter.
<< <i>Actually, a computer forum is not THE best place in the world to express an opinion since communicative punctuation is not everybody's field of expertise. Many times I've had to reread a post which really irritated me to try and figure out exactly what the poster was saying. Such things are often misinterpreted as an attack or an insult.
Are there some cranky old folks on here?
Yep.................. but we eventually come around. >>
This is true IMO... Lee, you helped me attribute an IKE FEV that I got off eBay over at cointalk without hesitation when I pm'ed you to ask of your opinion. Thank You for that
Also, a small piece of genuine advice for newbies here at CU. Internet forums have been around for 15 years (less here if I'm not mistaken), some of the collectors/dealers here have been in the game for many many years before that....some, before computers...and a small few before electricity. There is a wide spectrum of folks here, some live paycheck to paycheck, while others have unlimited funds. There is a wealth of knowledge to be shared so just be yourself and act like a sponge whenever possible and contribute whenever possible. Always try to show respect for the OG posters or at the very least, show no ill will towards them... Live and learn
I still and probably will always consider my self a Newbie in Numismatics as well as here at CU for a very very long time...I got no beef with that.
Erik
<< <i>One thing I notice here is this. Look at who's posting in this thread. You are all long timers, dealers, well acquainted with each other, know your stuff, etc etc. Has anyone thought, "hey, lets ask a newbie what their first impressions are?" There aren't any newbies chiming in here. Wanna know why? The topic has been lightly touched so far in this thread and I am by no means saying it's the only problem but it seems to some that newbies are nothing more than someone to put down for not knowing what a long timer would. I've had more than one heated discussion on here and lostincoins has taken an absolute beating. You all started at the same place and it's the same place all newbies are at right now, the beginning of your coin collecting hobby. There's way too much criticism and right out slams on here to newbies. Who in their right mind would willingly take it when there's so many other forums around and who really needs them anyway with the amount of information that is sitting at our fingertips. Harmless joking is absolutely great. To make people want to join and want to stay, insulting people for not knowing as much as the folks on here doesn't promote membership interest. It just drives people away and also makes them talk about it in other forums. I've thought about bailing and I'm sure many others have too. Bottom line is this and I say it with the utmost respect for every member on here, you're gonna catch more flies with honey than vinigar. Insulting someone for not knowing something doesn't make them want to stay and truthfully, is an instant killer of respect. If you find more enjoyment from insulting someone for a question asked rather than enjoyment in helping someone learn ( and there's a ton to learn here) by answering their question and helping them to understand, then there in lies the problem. As I said, this is all said with the utmost respect to each and every member and if I've stepped over a line and get the boot, well, I was looking for a forum when I found this one. This is all imho. >>
I think your post is pertinent, though I see an inherent issue with it. Too many 'with all due respect' references. Respect is something that is earned, never owed. I am a newbie on this forum. But I am a veteran of the ebay Stamp forum and the Richard Frajola Postal History forum for closing in on almost 2 decades. There were similar lifecycles in both. The beginning was, well, close to chaos. Chaos turned into a vibrant free for all discussion of all topics. That turned into more directed and technical discussion of certain topics. Leaders emerged. Douchbags emerged. There was a battle between education and condescension. In both cases, condescension won. After a while only certain individuals posted, only certain topics were discussed, and the majority of all threads/conversations were personal battles. I haven't even looked at the ebay stamp forum in almost 5 years. I surf the Frajola Stamp forum about once a week, but never post anymore. Just for the record, I have the finest collections ever assembled in two postal history areas that are both popular, and frequently discussed, on these forums. I am not bragging, just statements of fact to illuminate the fact that I could add to either forum, but was driven away, and no longer contribute.
My experience on this forum has been almost entirely positive. My questions have been answered. I have received feedback on purchases and images that was positive and helpful. My one 'wince worthy' moment was seeing a post saying 'that coin is not rare, anybody with 'xxx' amount of money can have one'. Is that untrue about any coin? I am a quiet person by nature and read much more than I speak. In forums, that means I learn much more than I post. I appreciate all the knowledge here and in the last 2 months have learned a tremendous amount on many subjects, in most of which I do not have a direct interest. Having said all of this, I have one suggestion. This is based on all of my experience in 40 years of collecting stamps, postal history, and coins.
WHITE. OLD. MALE. I am in this group. Attract African, Hispanic, and Asian Americans to the hobby. What better way to assist them in fully appreciating the history of THEIR country? Thanks to all of the informative posts that you have provided, and I have read. I continue to learn from each and every post!
The forum software is dated, visually passé (in a visual hobby), and tends to be buggy.
The definition of forum is something akin to a place where information can be freely exchanged. I won't argue with the right of our host to set the rules, enforce the rules, or ban people ... they are paying for the server space & bandwidth after all. But, squashing passionate people might make for a dispassionate arena.
I imagine PCGS sees this site as more of a headache than an asset. It seems that way anyhow. My interest in the PCGS brand grew almost exclusively from my interactions here. They make a little money from me that they probably don't realize is a direct result of the forum.
<< <i>Forums in General are suffering from a gradual move to mobile devices. People no longer spend as much time in front of a PC. >>
Oh yes, that! All those groups I mentioned are all on Facebook now, and I do not do FB or any of that so I no longer exist. I forget sometimes.
Eric
jeff
jeff
<< <i>Well, with all due respect..had to say it. Seriously though, I was merely stating that so as to not step on any toes and to make it known that I understand that pretty much everyone else on here knows more than me. It's not my place to join something like this and start pointing fingers and crying foul but when I read the thread, I felt it was a good time to not state my opinion but rather to bring to light what I have noticed. I absolutely love this forum and have learned a great deal. If I have something to offer, I post in the thread. If not, I see if there's something to learn in it. Just as you panexpoguy, I do more reading on here than posting. I became disabled a few years ago and found coin collecting to not only be something I could physically do but also something that I enjoyed doing. I've lost just about everything that made me who and what I was in life and coin collecting fills a lot of those holes. Plus, since I have no way to build up a retirement in a company matched 401k anymore, collecting is giving me something I can leave to my kids when I kick the bucket. Some of the members on here amaze the crap out of me. To know all the different die varieties, types, what's valuable, what's not, what's common, what's rare and on and on. Blows me away. So as to repeat the respect too much, I don't think I can say it enough to someone who has devoted pretty much a lifetime to something they're so passionate about.
My post was no criticism. Say what you think. If some toes feel stepped upon, then maybe they need some introspection.
jeff
<< <i>Still wish there would be amnesty day here, where all the ones booted have the option of returning if they wanted. >>
Wouldn't that be an almost impossible task though, viz., for our host to somehow locate/contact former banned members to inform them of their return-ability and convince them to return, all in one day - or even in one week or more?
- Jim
<< <i>if you have nothing good to say, then do not say anything at all. >>
I leave with one more comment to think about that David Hall says that I just love and we should alway remember when we discuss our coins
<< <i>Ownership always add a point >>
Ken
My Washington Type B/C Set
<< <i>
<< <i>Still wish there would be amnesty day here, where all the ones booted have the option of returning if they wanted. >>
Wouldn't that be an almost impossible task though, viz., for our host to somehow locate/contact former banned members to inform them of their return-ability and convince them to return, all in one day - or even in one week or more? >>
Theoretically, you can make it known and the word would spread to the other forums where many of those people post now, so it wouldn't be impossible or overly difficult, if that path was chosen.
jeff
<< <i>A lot of folks like to say that newbies are put down and insulted on the PCGS Forums and this is simply not true. >>
Hahaha. Yeah .. ok.
I remember, because I still have the PM, on Apr 22, 2013 12:41 PM a certain someone on here raked me over the coals for, I think, making an adjustment through a reply on my own BST thread instead of editing. A fairly simple mistake for a relatively new member. When I tried to explain that my memory is not that great because of a disability I was then further insulted so I lashed back. He then sent a PM calling me a whiner, insinuating I was a liar, and that "He was giving me a pass". So gracious of him to be tolerant to that degree.
<< <i>I became disabled a few years ago and found coin collecting to not only be something I could physically do but also something that I enjoyed doing. I've lost just about everything that made me who and what I was in life and coin collecting fills a lot of those holes. >>
Careful ... You are on the verge of "Whining". Actually, when you think about it, this entire thread is just a bunch of whining.
Where is Bochiman when you need him. Maybe he will give everyone here a pass as well.
I just have to wonder how many other 'newbs' he treated in that manner and why PCGS allows that but bans people for some of the reasons they do. Especially when those people (not me but others like Roger, Mark, etc) have so much to add.
<< <i>AS far as I know, RWB is alive and well and posting elsewhere. >>
He absolutely is alive and well and publishing a extremely educational Journal of Numismatic Research (JNR) and it can be had at Wizard Coin and Supply if a person wishes to still benefit from his vast knowledge and research.
+5.6%
Herb
I don't post as much because many of my old friends have left or were removed.
Part of the fun I had here left with them and many of these folks don't care to come back.
Some folks don't or can't login but visit just to read. This site is still a great source of information.
People are not as friendly here as they once were. New members don't seem to stay very long.
I wish things were different.
<< <i>Thank you for the comment about the Newbs as one it was very hard to get my foot in the door with people telling me I dont belong here and to go someplace else. Well I am sticking it out and maintaining my presence. I will continue to do so I am a Paid PCGS member after all. >>
Actually, you were the person I thought of when I started reading this thread. I've seen countless newcomers here subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) being told they and their questions really don't belong here on the esteemed PCGS board. Some even going so far as to point them to other chat boards. No doubt this isn't the only reason for the drop in interest around here but the "old boy's network" attitude around here at times doesn't exactly give newcomers a warm, fuzzy feeling.
My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.