Not a lot going on in this forum

[Screenman]

As the title says, this forum needs promoting or dropping either way it needs something doing.

[AshfieldAutospray]

Not many replies 

[Mike]

It did start off very well but guys seem to loose interest or they are too busy to find time to come on,
I would think its because there are not many new posts due many questions being gone over time and time again on other forums.

We need new topics and maybe not just about repairs.
I know I can get bored of the same old things being talked about, but am willing to help were I can ,

New topics are more interesting though

[AshfieldAutospray]

Still no takers? 

[Screenman]

Mike, what would you like talked about? I try and start quite a few topics but even the mods do not join in, I am considering calling it a day with this forum. Bit like telling myself jokes, it never makes me laugh as I have heard them all before.

[Owen]

We suffer exactly the same problem on another forum I own/run.  The proliferation of social and instant media like facebook and twitter has brought forum traffic down on every forum out there.  People used to interact more on forums, chat, have a bit of banter, get technical advice.  None of that is done much anymore now.

The only criticism I have of this site is that for the first time visitor, it's a bit unwieldy with the shoutbox, and the myriad of ads left and right.  Otherwise, it's excellently organised, and it's got very good contributors.

I think what could be a huge resource and bring people to the site would be if we could maybe have a virtual workshop.  Show each other our techniques, tricks, so we can train each other.  We could use static photos, or youtube vids.  Having a resource like that, and changing the site description to include training for Google to see would drive traffic here like a magnet.

[Carfixer]

I spend a lot of time on the other smart forum and am used to the format. I find this forums topics go over the same stuf as ive contributed to a couple of years ago there, and im bored going over old ground. The design of this one and the layout ( shoutbox) winds me up and the colours could be less stark , this stops me contributing as much as i would, I guess when you get to be an old fart like me , you tend to stick to what you've been used to.  Is there room for two forums, yes there is as i have friends on each, but if im looking for advice on a colour or problem, i know there are more "time served " guys elsewhere, As this one matures, there will be less What gun do you use and What kit do i need to start up, and more of the posts i'm interested in. Sorry if its harsh but there it is !

[Smart-Tech]

I spend a lot of time on the other smart forum and am used to the format. I find this forums topics go over the same stuf as ive contributed to a couple of years ago there, and im bored going over old ground. The design of this one and the layout ( shoutbox) winds me up and the colours could be less stark , this stops me contributing as much as i would, I guess when you get to be an old fart like me , you tend to stick to what you've been used to.  Is there room for two forums, yes there is as i have friends on each, but if im looking for advice on a colour or problem, i know there are more "time served " guys elsewhere, As this one matures, there will be less What gun do you use and What kit do i need to start up, and more of the posts i'm interested in. Sorry if its harsh but there it is !

A few Techs on here would argue the point over time in the business. I can think of 5 that account for over 100 years experience. 

[jonathan]

Hi CarFixer,
The adds down the side all belong to members. You are also entitled to one for FREE (contact me)

The shoutbox can be minimised by clicking on the - or + symbols at the top left of the shoutbox. All is explaine within the help system, that no one ever reads!!!

This forum is driven by its members. I simply act on members requests and the general concensus as seen within the fourm.
I will disable the shoutbox on the forum pages. It seems that not many members use the live chat rooms, so there is little sense in keeping the shoutbox who's purpose is to let those reading a forum post to keep up to date with any live chats that are going on.
Please let me know (this is to all members) if you would like the shoutbox re-activated.

As for promoting the forum: well that is the responsability of the members as it is the members who own this forum. Remember I am but a web dveloper and I gave this forum to the SMART industry. Th emembers run it etc. I just do the technical stuff for free for the forum as I have agreed to do for the life of the fourm.
Page views are have dropped slightly compared to August, but the page views per day are still very healthy.

I do have a new and exciting system coming soon. It's whole purpose is to get work for SMART techs. Members of this forum will be included on the system FREE of charge subject to each members approval. I can't say to much more at present: As many will know there are those who copy what we do. This new project is too technical for them anyway, but I'll still keep the details close to me chest until launch.

For those of you who may have read my post regarding a national associatation. I can now tell you that it was a ruse for those who copy to follow. I'm pleased to learn that true to form the plan has worked. All will become clear soon!!

As usual: please contact me if I can offer any FREE assistance with your various web projects.
Regards
Jonathan

[Carfixer]

Hi all, i wasnt trying to say that there were no mature contributors or denegrate the experience on offer Smart-tech,but that when you start out, you are finding your feet and after a while, as you grow with the forum a level of understanding develops between the regular posters, who tend not to ask the usual startout questions i.e what kit do you need, but can point in the direction of a previous post . I promise to read up about the controls inc disabling the shoutbox thankyou Jonathon.

[xxxxxx]

My opinion on not alot going on in this forum is that it certainly for some is not be all end all,
from time to time some may be on more than others ,some may just seek advise some just
to catch up on if there`s a new product etc, so in short i think it`s up to the individual how
long they spend on a forum and how much they may want to contribute ,ive heard some say
its just like the other forums yes may be so but i want it to be different as in it`s not rammed
down your throat ? moderators and admin do check the forum and were applicable make
contributions and yes it`s starting to become a good community so it`s going in the right
direction only time will tell ? So thats my view on the forum and were it lies you may agree
or disagree we all have an opinion it`s late i will stop babbling away and call it a night
and all my friends take care have a good un ......

Andy

[Brainpicker]

I like this forum, but the level of activity is an issue, no doubt about that.
I can well understand Graham frustration..........
Sometimes on forums I choose quality over quantity of members though.

As in - I know I can ask a question here, and just between one or 2 'seasoned players' with decades of experience between them I will get a good, helpful and objective answer - and for free 

Maybe when the time of year comes around again to pay their 'Pay 2 View subscription' once again; some will not bother ?

I will try and log in more often, I rarely use the other forum at all, despite haveing paid my fee, but it does now have a lot of content which makes searching for answers a fast job.

[xxxxxx]

I appreciate the comments but as i do not have the experience to push the forum forward
i would appreciate some guidance on how to achieve this but hopefully in time numbers here
will increase and more quality content will be added but i would say the members we already
have are good tech`s in their specialized trades thanks chaps for your support 
as you can see numbers are up to last time i looked 69 members i dont think it`s to bad to say
we dont ram it down anyone`s throat and i dont mean any other forum does that ?
just as as you talk of level of activity page views as follows,
september and october have achieved 25500 thousand page views
and august was the best with 47500 page views so not all bad .

Andy 

[ferret]

Here`s my opinion for what it is worth .I actually like the layout with the members adds  down the sides .I feel these can be inspirational to other members wanting to set up there own web sites etc. . However there are people who really get the arse over content  theft so those should refrain from putting there`s up for view LOL LOL LOL .There are a good few on here who can have a good chuckle without having to have a postmortem of everything that is said  enough said there then .I do feel that with time this forum could grow and hope it does .The repetitive nature of topics will always be here as more new people enter the trade .A gallery of members work could be a very useful tool to many members .I am a member of many forums some related to our trade and some not and some of those slow down  from time to time and imho the main ingredient to a successful  forum is the happy family feel  and feeling involved and valued part of the community .Unfortunately this does not happen over night .Well thats enough of my waffling .

[alanh]

"However there are people who really get the arse over content  theft "

Can't say I blame them. If you were to see someone using your images without your consent, would you be ok with that?

I am more than happy to post images of my work but that does not mean I am happy for people to use my images to promote their own business without my permission.