Demise of the Forum

[skullbonz]

    When the new forum was put on the CLP it was mentioned that it would spell the demise of this forum. It was said that with it being easier for people to accesss that there would be less traffic at this forum. Well it looks like they were right in part. I have noticed less traffic in this forum since then,but it is not the only reason for less traffic. Another big reason for a decline in posts or views has been because of misconceptions,anger and bickering. I as well as others have been guilty or a victim of these reasons in the past,at one time or another. We are people from many different cultures and ways of life on a common forum and must be more understanding in posting or reading posts. But I fear folks that we are on the eve of this forum's demise.
     I believe this forum plays an important role in the AA community and think it should continue. What it needs is a little ingenuity and thought on ways to save it and boost readership. I have an idea for this forum that might help it come back. Before I go on I would like to first say that I in no way intend any of my words to be harmfull to anyone.
     My idea is to have a sort of talk show once a week live on the forum for a half of an hour,possibly on Friday's at 9:00-9:30 pm est. I would gladly arrange the whole thing and be the interviewer and would call it "Bonz's Corner".  Every week I would arrange for an AA celebrity,different each week,to be here to answer AA related questions. I would ask the questions for the first half (15 minutes) and the public gets to ask the questions in the second half (15 minutes). Those watching would just keep refreshing the page to keep up with the conversation. All questions would just be for fun,but could also be educational. People that miss it could read it at their leisure. I think this could be a barrel of laughs,if all retain the sense of good clean fun in their posts. You could call me "Bonz Leno". 
     If you all just think I'm a crazy Vermonter with another cockamaimee idea then tell me to shut up now,If you think this might be a good idea let me and everyone else know here.   

[shrapnel]

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[Tbar]

Bonze,

Why are you asking for like "permission" or "approval". Just do it :)

Does it really matter what "other" people think about your idea?  Just do it and find out how it works.. if it works. Etc.   I don't think you would be doing anything that would disrupt anyone. Go for it, what harm can you do?

The only Demise of these forums is the demise of the game itself and those that have no vision at all. You don't have as much fresh blood coming in.. and we are not retaining all pilots etc. What we don't want to say and admit is the game is old .. very old. There are many new games out there attracting attention. Air Games. Some are even free to play. Problem with most in the AA community is they can't or won't think out of the box. Everything needs to be in terms of "the way we always did it". Well times change eh?

There are many that won't post on these or any other AA forums because of the constant ridicule. Some enjoy posting topics that have nothing to do with AA or this community just to stir the pot. Politics, Sex, Religion .. all very bad topics that inflame people.. and the flaming starts. Who needs it, not I or those that don't come back anymore.

Maturity. When intellectual topics are posted on these forums .. they get hijacked by the "one liners" who have nothing of substance to offer. All they can muster up is a "joke", and one liners that degrade the entire topic. Think on that for a bit. Many just move on to a forum of a little more maturity .. or simply don't come back because there is nothing of substance here.

IMHO.. these forums should entertain everything that is pertinent to life in the sky and all Air Games we might be interested in.. not just Air Attack. Open up. I have brought this up to other parties over that last two years: What would you do and what would happen to AA communities if the Game was shut down?". Answer: Move on to something else, or, not play games anymore. This is not the way a community should be, we should have a plan to entertain other games, preferable Air Games. You have a photo gallery.. yet I hardly see anything pertinent to Air or even the people who come here, what I see is "jokes". Some have been very successful at making the forums a "joke".

Bonz, just do it. If the people like it, want it, I'm sure the Management will entertain the idea or lend whatever support is needed.

You see a problem in your eyes, and are trying to offer one of many solutions. I appreciate that. Please.. just do it :)

[Tbar]

Bonz has shown, in every project he has undertaken, that he has the enthusiasm and ability to get things done. I think he should be appointed Forum Manager and allowed to run with his ideas because he is right. Unless things liven up around here (in a controlled manner of course) it is doomed to self extinction.

Shrapnel,
You of all people should know that a "Forum Manager" has nothing to do with what the BoD or Mgmt does or does not do or allow on this site. The Forum Managers job is simply to "moderate" according to the rules set forth by said Management.  It simply does not matter 'who' the Forum Manager is within the content of this topic post.

It is also NOT the responsibility of any Forum Manager to supply entertainment or content... that job is up to the users and of course the site Management.

[shrapnel]

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[Vipor]

Well oh my goodness.

Talk about throwing a bucket of water on the fire.... geesh

Bonz and Shrap were trying to be productive and enhance these forums....


Where is that one liner!!!

Edited bc i can and wanted to....

[Rb_Tullamore-Dew]

Reading what Tbar wrote, it seems that there isn´t a co-existence of  those that just want to have ´fun´with those who want to debate on a more serious level possible.

I don´t think so. It works quite well on the UK-site but never worked here or on the german boards. Why is it ? I have no idea but have a couple suggestions....

1.) when there is a serious debate going on and someone posts an attention seeking  ´silly one-liner´as a reply it simply gets ignored by everyone, who is interested in said debate. It seems to be a rule and sometimes even appears like a conspiration. It works a treat. Seems to be pure british but is easily to understand and to adapt. Amazingly there seems to be seldom a cause to moderate a thread.

2.) does it mean, there is no humour at all possible within those serious debate-threads ? Of course not. But there is childish and silly humour and there is high quality humour. Good humour is wanted and when it happens nobody feels the need to even top a good and really funny incidental remark.

3.) emotions on difficult political - and/or religious topics:
everyone is aware of the fact, that most people having a different point of view on whatever. (some would probably say: opinions are like arseholes. Everyone has one)

Different opinions are even a requirement for a debate. Otherwise there would be no reason to discuss anything. Try to convince your dialog partner by arguments, based on facts. One doesn´t need necessarily to prove his/her arguments by providing the sources. It only requires some respect for your opponent. If you don´t believe his words, you can look it up yourself. But avoid to be arrogant, ignorant or to hurt your opponent or e.g. his pride. If he/she is intelligent enough, he/she will ignore it and comes up with an even better counter-argument. So,  don't argue with a fool, unless you need practice.  (I admit, I sometimes enjoy it  )

There are simple rules for a serious conversation, not everyone knows or even knows but doesn´t follow. It´s easy to track down. Most brits I know, are masters in doing so, while there are only a few germans and yanks. At least within the AA-communities.

Having said that, I´m german. .

[shrapnel]

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[Rb_Tullamore-Dew]

Very nice  closing rate.

[Rb_Tullamore-Dew]

Or maybe not ? 

I want to add, that when I was in the states (ca. 25 years ago), that I found very polite people. I can´t tell how many ´sorrys´and y/w´s, I´ve heard. I was very impressed by the politeness of the people, even though (or because of) I was a foreigner.

I can´t say such nice things about Germany.


Has it changed ? I don´t think so but the virtual world of the internet seems to be different ?
 

[skullbonz]

   Wow, I was just wondering if it was a good idea,lol,Well I guess it's a BIG GO. The only question I have is Which section of the forum should I use,,, being it will be AA related,,and also be Fun?

   Thank you all for the comments. 

[USHA_Kid]

The USAAC forums are here to use for the AA game.It serves it's purpose of that.
Anything game related is posted here as well as in other forums.Leagues are born and die on here.
Events are discussed and are born and die here.The USAAC staff and members confer within these forums.

Just because the site is slow doesn't mean it's going to die.All other community forums have been slow also.

As long as there's an Air Attack game,the USAAC forums will always be here.

Keep in mind that we are a gaming site,not a Saturday night live show.

But if Bonz wants to put his time into entertaining others, then have fun with it.

[USHA_Kid]

   Wow, I was just wondering if it was a good idea,lol,Well I guess it's a BIG GO. The only question I have is Which section of the forum should I use,,, being it will be AA related,,and also be Fun?

   Thank you all for the comments. 

Use the pilots lounge.It's the only place that's supposed to be, un-air attack related.

[freshy]

Great thinkin bonzie :)
 

[Tbar]

Bonz

Again I say... just do it :)