Unsubstantiated Rumours

When was the last time someone posted an unsubstantiated rumour that triggered a fierce debate that went on for 10+ pages on this forum?

You may have noticed that it’s been very quiet here recently. If it wasn’t from the regular and persistent contributions of a small few, this place would be a ghost town.

From what I hear, County Chat on Facebook has become the main centre of discourse, the new message board, if you will.
Many of our former contributors now use All Things County. It’s been said before, but it’s a shame that we’re spread over two forums like this. It weakens both platforms in the long term I feel.

Bottom line is, we need to either attract new users, or bring former users back to inject some life back into this place. Would love to hear ideas on how this can be done.

I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to anyone over on All Things County to heed my call and return to the homeland.

Your Country… urm… I mean County needs you!

Signed,
The Prince of Wales

I left this forum for two reasons. The first was that I believed it was going to close down. The second was that I would probably have left anyway. The exact reason being that I was sick to the teeth of threads being hijacked by one or two 'contributors', who seemed determined to take over every thread in order for it to become a personal slanging match. I now post 'serious' posts almost entirely on 'all things county' and less 'serious' posts on FB.

I have posted this just to indicate why many former members may have left. That is to answer the point in the OP. I have no current intention to return to this group.

While it is true that there are many fewer topics posted here than before, quantity is no substitute for quality. It is also true that topics on here still receive hundreds, sometimes many hundred of views. So it suits me.

People still read this board and some still post. I give County chat on Facebook a miss as I've no wish to get involved in pointless arguments with the now identified JimmyBangitWeinstein.

People disagreeing and arguing is good. Thankfully the venom has gone. Let's hope it stays that way.

Who is he on FB then Stan? Genuinely interested.

I'm on both but prefer this ones format.

I think perhaps many people on here thought it might pick up as the season started. It hasn't yet. I persevere on here trying to introduce topics (and viewpoints) to generate interest, but seems some members read topics but don't contribute. As the old adage says 'You can lead a horse to water...'

I read you Ringo. Sometimes agree, sometimes don't. Always enjoy your contribution.

Yes I also find it frustrating. I’ve often.gone to the effort of posting an item that should at least generate some debate but the views/replies ratio is astonishingly high. I fear fora like these are destined to die unless visitors stop “ ghosting “ the site. Ffs lurkers say something even if it’s “ I disagree “

In fairness, I reckon there must be a lot of bots viewing the forum as these are the sort of view counts I’d have expected to see in its hay day. It’s the only explanation really.

wattsville_boy wrote:As the old adage says 'You can lead a horse to water...'

"...but a pencil must be led, mate"