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The future of Diff'rent Strokers
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DSBBadmin
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Joined: 13 Nov 2006
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 5:15 pm    Post subject: The future of Diff'rent Strokers Reply with quote

Or, to put it another way, does it have one ?

Has Diff'rent Strokers run its course ? We're beginning to think so. The forum has pretty much died, there's little interest in anyone other than the usual handful of people helping us out at events, the merchandise runs at a loss and we're wondering why we're bothering any more.

We're aware that everyone has a million other things to do that are far more important than this of course. Life and work get in the way of most hobbies, for us too.

Personally, we feel there are now far too many events competing for your attention, and ours. If you have reasonably broad tastes, you can pretty much fill 52 weekends a year with something going on somewhere. It's not really sustainable though is it ?

We're curious why you've all drifted away ? Is it Photofuckit that's killed it for you ? Has Facebook taken over ? Are you bored with our clunky forum software and dated style ?

Or have you (as has been suggested) moved to other more specialist forums and clubs, that cater for the specific bikes you're into ? We've lost count of the number of forums we've joined ourselves, and in a lot of cases, abandoned for one reason or another. If your needs are being met elsewhere, we're genuinely delighted by that - this forum and indeed this club were only ever a response to what we felt was lacking anywhere else 12 years ago.

Or has your taste in bikes moved on ? The Grey Import movement burned brightly in the 1990's, faded and then came back again a few years ago. As far as we can see, there seems to just as many people bringing bikes over from Japan now than there were in the heyday of BAT and FastLine etc. So maybe you're now just into newer bikes, or older ones, or something else altogether ? Things change, we get it.

There's no witchhunt here, no-one needs to feel guilty, we're just genuinely interested (and a bit puzzled).
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emzedder



Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 324
Location: E.Anglia

PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I suspect FB is a major influence in the forum drop off. People don't have to visit specifically, Its fed/pushed to the app/user mixed with all other content (including ridiculous uninformed drivel). Photo and video upload and publication and sharing is instantaneous too which can make forums feel dated so suspect PB shite has accelerated its demise. I dip into a number of FB Groups but little substance and contribution and soon withdraw interaction.

Attendance at events is linked to the network of contributors and this probably impact interest in events (for me its more physical location and time).

I do suspect the damage to DS forum may be unrecoverable.

A good analogy ..... compared SLR/film photography with digital. the former required planning, care and saving film for really good right first time shots. Digital just fire away and 1 in 50 may be decent and worth keeping. Same applies to Forums and FB.
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Howie



Joined: 18 Oct 2009
Posts: 511
Location: Kwaksville

PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Has Diff'rent Strokers run its course ?


I don't think so, personally.
It's the whole ethic on this site that keeps me coming back, logging in every day just in case someone has acquired a rare bike or something we haven't seen for ages.

There is also the feeling that on DS, the members properly love two strokes & use them as their manufacturers intended. And when we do have to sell, it is with reluctance.

I think the major problem is the bikes themselves, they are going for stupid bloody money! Therefore all the investors & chancers are buying them, just to either keep & sell on in a few years or just to tart up & sell on straight away. And unfortunately, these people are not the sort to join a forum Evil or Very Mad

I really hope this site carries on & gets stronger, it would be sad to lose it & have to join in with the drudging gobshites on facebook.
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hollo



Joined: 28 Mar 2007
Posts: 30
Location: Berkshire

PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 9:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can only speak for myself , but if this forum stops I think it will be real shame . Personally I do not 'do' Facebook , as too many people think that I give a f**k about what they are doing in their lives.
So I only really hang about on a few bikes forums and this is without doubt one of the best , as there is a real love of bikes on here . Yes the photobucket fuck up may of slowed things down , but like me give it time and if anyone has anything nice to share , they will come around and pull their finger out and sign up with a new hosting site , like I did.
just my thoughts...

Mike
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DSBBadmin
Site Admin


Joined: 13 Nov 2006
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 4:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheers fella's. Thumbs Up

Be assured that there are no plans to switch this place off in the short term. We'll see what happens when spring arrives and everyone starts doing stuff with their bikes again. Laughing

Thinking about it, we're unlilkely to see any enlightening responses from those previously-prolific posters who now seem to have disappeared... Bang Head
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Howie



Joined: 18 Oct 2009
Posts: 511
Location: Kwaksville

PostPosted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 5:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Thinking about it, we're unlilkely to see any enlightening responses from those previously-prolific posters who now seem to have disappeared...


Without naming names etc but have they started their own forum? Ar they breaking away from DS?
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bobbyboy
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Joined: 31 Jan 2008
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 7:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The future is obviously in the hands of forum members.
I don't know what the answer is, and I can't see a way to improve traffic in the short term, maybe I should make more of an effort and post more myself.
As has been suggested, Facebook and Photobucket have probably played a part in it's decline, but I think it's been the same for many other forums too.
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emzedder



Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 324
Location: E.Anglia

PostPosted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 8:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I think the major problem is the bikes themselves, they are going for stupid bloody money!


This is a valid point and stunts flow of machines (and maybe in turn posts/articles).

I'll continue contributing to this site, hopefully in an interesting way for others!
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Top-shaggy
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Joined: 05 Mar 2011
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Location: Derbyshire

PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ahem....

I'm back

Ok ok.. I've been lurking and never really been away

I love this site and I'm a big D'S fan. Yes the Photovomit thing stung me and I'm still aggrieved as I can't even log on to it now and lost all my pics. That's not the fault of D'S.

Yes, I will still support events and bring the odd bike...maybe even an AR... Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes

I even had my D'S T-shirt on last weekend.. admittantly I was fencing at the time Shocked

I really need to suss out another photo site.

Anyways... how could I survive without Howie.. (snigger)

Here's hoping I can make the Donny event. This time on something more 123cc Cool
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Bitacticus



Joined: 13 Apr 2009
Posts: 276
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Its a good site
My interest is only Suzuki two strokes sorry cant handle the other bikes though they are build better and look much nicer sometimes.

So i check daily if something is posted about Suzuki.

The photo thingy is a big one.
I would post pics if it was easy to do
Like admin said there are lots of forums i have to keep giving atention.

But i hope you will keep this one alive

Most off my time on the net is for searching for parts for my bikes and posting progress on FB


Regards Erik
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StrokerBoy
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Joined: 15 Nov 2006
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As you probably all know, I use this username for my own personal stuff, but I'm also DSBBadmin so I'm kind of answering my own question here... Rolling Eyes

I use Facebook. A lot of it is inane, but I try to restrict my friends list to people I know in real life, and I'm very selective as to which groups I join too. You can filter out a lot of the crap if you put a bit of work into notifications etc. Joining a Group but then clicking 'unfollow' means you can dip in whenever you want without having your news feed inundated with stuff you don't care about. You can do that with Friends too. Wink I turn down the vast majority of friend requests I get, and the same is true with invites to like pages or join groups.

I like the ability to take a photo when I'm out and upload it to FB with a comment straight away. Usually, if it's relevant here, I will also post it on here too, but that has to wait until I get home, fire the laptop up, copy the photo over, upload it to my webspace and then post it with a comment. A bit more hassle obviously, but not much. If I could be arsed, I suppose I could set all that up on my phone too and do it anywhere, but then I'd be messing about online instead of making the most of where I am.

(emzedder : I really like your analogy of digital versus film photography, I think that's spot on. Having said that, I love the instant nature of digital even if - in a lot of cases - it just results in poorly thought out snaps rather than carefully composed photos)

Posting on here feels more permanent, and I'll get sensible responses and maybe a discussion rather than just a smiley face. It's worth making the effort. Thumbs Up

I'd probably call myself a reluctant fan of all social media (which includes this forum as well as FB). There are many downsides to it, but it has also made a lot of stuff easier, and in some cases it's led to amazing things that I'd never have got to do if I'd just stuck the blinkers on and maintained zero online presence.

I don't do much with the Diff'rent Strokers facebook account, just share the odd event we're planning to attend. It's really saved the day a couple of times though - we were all set for Stafford a couple of years ago when someone had to drop out at 6pm the night before. A quick post on FB, and within 30 mins someone had kindly offered to bring a bike along to fill the gap. That wouldn't have happened via the forum. Very Happy
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Straycat



Joined: 22 Jul 2015
Posts: 165
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I dont use facebook so I cant really speak to that. I think the Photobucket debacle hurt a number of forums, seeing pictures of peoples projects and sharing in their passion is a visual thing for many people and helps drive engagement.


My experience here is that its a very welcoming and well informed group. there is no "snobbery" (if thats a word) that you get on some forums, be a shame to loose that.
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James P



Joined: 31 Mar 2013
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Location: Sydney, Australia

PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tim, I'm in the same boat as Straycat (i.e. not on FB, recognise the problem with posting photos etc.).
I have downloaded the "work-around" so that the Photobucket photos are visible again, but I'm reluctant to add any more photos using this service. I keep meaning to investigate other services, but always seem to have something else to do!

It certainly would be a shame to lose this site as a resource - I'm sure all of us would like it to continue. If it seems as if you are making a lot of effort for not a lot of gain, you may consider reducing the DS presence at shows and events. However, there could be some other ways to publicise the forum (apart from paying Google to put the forum at the top of every search result list Laughing ).
I am part-way through a project (early Suzuki PE250 kind-of-vintage-supermotard), which I intend to post photos of....as soon as I sort out a suitable service to use.

I vote to continue with the forum and would very much appreciate you keeping it going Cool .

Thanks & regards,
James
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Howie



Joined: 18 Oct 2009
Posts: 511
Location: Kwaksville

PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 6:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
A quick post on FB, and within 30 mins someone had kindly offered to bring a bike along to fill the gap. That wouldn't have happened via the forum.


Maybe facebook is the way forward for the DS site?

Not as in just being another facebook page but advertising the site on FB?

Then we can all like & share 'the Hell out of it'.............

Apparently, liking & sharing 'the Hell out of it' is what people do on facebook, only they use a small h for Hell?

Just a thought.
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yamfan



Joined: 11 Jul 2016
Posts: 122
Location: Ireland - South east

PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 11:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Straycat wrote:
I dont use facebook so I cant really speak to that. I think the Photobucket debacle hurt a number of forums, seeing pictures of peoples projects and sharing in their passion is a visual thing for many people and helps drive engagement.
.


Wot he sez Laughing

The photo thing is really a problem, There are other hosting sites, We just need to find the right one.

This is a great place and will surely pick up as the weather improves and people are doing more with their bikes.
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