Why Split the Conversation?

[rheimb1]

Since it’s New Year’s Eve and nobody is really working, I figured I’d ask a simple question.

I’ve been on this board since 2014 and really like it. It’s easy to post, replies are usually direct and useful, and there are no pop-ups, no ads, no tracking or profiling, and no long instructions on how to prevent all that, which usually don’t work anyway. The layout is clean and easy on the eyes, and it used to feel like a one-stop place for good information.

Facebook doesn’t assault you with pop-up windows, but it isn’t a discussion board. It’s an advertising platform that sometimes hosts discussions. It advertises, tracks, profiles, and nudges behavior, and does it so smoothly most people don’t even notice.

I guess the reason I ask is simple: it drives me nuts to have to check two places to get one answer.

So I’m honestly curious:
What problem was Facebook solving that this place wasn’t?

Yeah… why is that?

 

[CaspersCruiser]

And Facebook doesn’t have a search function to research problems one encounters.

 

[Submariner]

Since it’s New Year’s Eve and nobody is really working, I figured I’d ask a simple question.

I’ve been on this board since 2014 and really like it. It’s easy to post, replies are usually direct and useful, and there are no pop-ups, no ads, no tracking or profiling, and no long instructions on how to prevent all that, which usually don’t work anyway. The layout is clean and easy on the eyes, and it used to feel like a one-stop place for good information.

Facebook doesn’t assault you with pop-up windows, but it isn’t a discussion board. It’s an advertising platform that sometimes hosts discussions. It advertises, tracks, profiles, and nudges behavior, and does it so smoothly most people don’t even notice.

I guess the reason I ask is simple: it drives me nuts to have to check two places to get one answer.

So I’m honestly curious:
What problem was Facebook solving that this place wasn’t?

Yeah… why is that?

I'm on both platforms and they solve different problems in my opinion. They also have difference audiences.

Facebook is easier to post photos, albums, video and interact with others. (comment section and like buttons). The forum doesn't have an app, using it on the phone isn't nearly as great as using it on a desktop. I will read Tugnuts on my phone, then pick up my laptop or tablet to reply.

It's easier to browse topics on the forum, especially going back a long time. Both FB and the forum have search bars. However, on both platforms, many don't search either and just start new topics with a question.

There are folks in the forum who do not do social media such as FB. There are folks on social media (FB) who do not do the forum since there's no simple to use app.

On both platforms, I wish folks would put their make/model/year boat in their tag line, or in their post, especially on posts like "where can I find the diesel heater?", as an example.

I also note that social media will have more posts like "We're having fun with our boat at..." while the forum is more of "How do I fix..."

I admin a Facebook private group for the Ranger Tug R27 which has grown to over 2,500 members. Each member has to be approved. I see many profiles where the account has close to 0 friends, one or two pictures of scenery, and a name. Yet, this profile has been on Facebook for several years. It's someone looking for information on social media (Facebook), who doesn't want to participate in social media.

Ranger Tug R27-OB
www.facebook.com/groups/rangertug27outboard

 

[rheimb1]

I'm on both platforms and they solve different problems in my opinion. They also have difference audiences.

Facebook is easier to post photos, albums, video and interact with others. (comment section and like buttons). The forum doesn't have an app, using it on the phone isn't nearly as great as using it on a desktop. I will read Tugnuts on my phone, then pick up my laptop or tablet to reply.

It's easier to browse topics on the forum, especially going back a long time. Both FB and the forum have search bars. However, on both platforms, many don't search either and just start new topics with a question.

There are folks in the forum who do not do social media such as FB. There are folks on social media (FB) who do not do the forum since there's no simple to use app.

On both platforms, I wish folks would put their make/model/year boat in their tag line, or in their post, especially on posts like "where can I find the diesel heater?", as an example.

I also note that social media will have more posts like "We're having fun with our boat at..." while the forum is more of "How do I fix..."

I admin a Facebook private group for the Ranger Tug R27 which has grown to over 2,500 members. Each member has to be approved. I see many profiles where the account has close to 0 friends, one or two pictures of scenery, and a name. Yet, this profile has been on Facebook for several years. It's someone looking for information on social media (Facebook), who doesn't want to participate in social media.

Yeah, I admin both a Facebook page and a discussion board, and Facebook is far harder to manage. That alone tells me something.

I’m also worn out on apps. Most don’t work especially well, and I get tired of sifting through the chaff to find one useful answer/app. Phones are too small for real reading or typing, and computers have gotten so small and portable that you can take them anywhere anyway.

Different strokes, I guess. It really seems to come down to what people are comfortable with. I do wonder, though, it seems like most boater with the newer, outboard-style boats gravitate toward Facebook, with you being the exception (ha!).

For me, the forum has just worked better, though I know others get a lot out of Facebook. The question was meant in good humor, particularly since there haven’t been many new posts over the holidays. And yes, fully agree: make, model, and year should be mandatory. Wishing everyone a happy and safe New Year on the water.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

I consider this forum as the place to go for technical solutions. If I don't get good search results or answers here, I will go to FB and see what I find there. If I want to look at the latest pictures from someone's weekend trip or check out a travel blog, then I'll go to FB first and Tugnuts second. Before the switch to the new platform, I would lean on FB when posting pictures of a mod or a technical issue where the pictures would be helpful. The new platform makes it much easier to do that now so I don't use FB for that purpose anymore unless I think the mod might be of interest to any lady tugnuts who might not follow the forum.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

……I wish folks would put their make/model/year boat in their tag line, or in their post…..

Makes things infinitely easier for the reader.