MSTA Forums

Regional Forums => Southeast => North Carolina => Topic started by: Brick on February 03, 2018, 01:26:28 PM

Title: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: Brick on February 03, 2018, 01:26:28 PM
Hmm... Does anyone actually use/check this?

Where is our State Director?

What's happening in North Carolina?

Is anything happening in North Carolina?

2018 Big Lynn Lodge Ride is happening! Go see... what's happening in the SE region... http://msta-se.com/

 :trink39:
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: DirtFlier on February 03, 2018, 04:36:08 PM
If you look at the dates/times for the latest posts, the Forum often goes several days without any new stuff. 

A lot of the state groups have their own Facebook page so that further reduced traffic on the Forum.  OH is one of those with a Facebook page but it doesn't see much traffic. 
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: TN2Wheeler on February 03, 2018, 07:50:50 PM
If you look at the dates/times for the latest posts, the Forum often goes several days without any new stuff. 

A lot of the state groups have their own Facebook page so that further reduced traffic on the Forum.  OH is one of those with a Facebook page but it doesn't see much traffic.
1500 or so total members and maybe 50% enjoy using a computer.  What would you expect? 
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: DirtFlier on February 04, 2018, 05:07:38 AM
Of that 50%, I'd guess at least half or more are merely "lurkers" and don't add content, unless something happens to press their hot button! 
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: NinjaBob on February 04, 2018, 09:19:52 AM
Hard to compete with FB. We have had 65 members online over the last 5 days. About a 3rd of those have never posted.
Many of the state and event child boards  have no new content for  months if not years. Any suggestions?
Title: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: RIDEMYST on February 04, 2018, 10:43:51 AM
After Van (FL State Dir) posts the Florida events on the MSTA Florida website I cross post to both FB and to this forum. We often get members visiting the Sunshine State so we get the word out the best we can. -JEP-


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Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: brider on February 04, 2018, 11:26:02 AM
After Van (FL State Dir) posts the Florida events on the MSTA Florida website I cross post to both FB and to this forum. We often get members visiting the Sunshine State so we get the word out the best we can. -JEP-


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I'm not a fan of Facebook at all but I know it isn't going away so why can't ALL MSTA related info cross post  to the forum? 
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: NinjaBob on February 04, 2018, 01:07:26 PM
After Van (FL State Dir) posts the Florida events on the MSTA Florida website I cross post to both FB and to this forum. We often get members visiting the Sunshine State so we get the word out the best we can. -JEP-


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I'm not a fan of Facebook at all but I know it isn't going away so why can't ALL MSTA related info cross post  to the forum? 
I currently have the STAR 18 FB page feeding to the website as a way of keeping fresh content there and promoting STAR. I am pondering on your suggestion. If we do this would you then avoid FB and spend more time on the forum? I have a fear that if we do that everyone will just post on FB and not here.
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: brider on February 04, 2018, 02:13:48 PM
I check this website pretty much daily.  I like the fact that I can see the entire thread vs that crap you get on FB.
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: NinjaBob on February 04, 2018, 02:37:52 PM
Agreed. I feel like I have no control of my facebook experience. It seems to work differently every time I visit and half the time it shows me stuff I don't want to see and I can't find what I want to see.
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: fartymarty on February 04, 2018, 03:26:09 PM
Agreed. I feel like I have no control of my facebook experience. It seems to work differently every time I visit and half the time it shows me stuff I don't want to see and I can't find what I want to see.
(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frs134.pbsrc.com%2Falbums%2Fq88%2FREALCAMBA%2FEMOTICONS%2Fjustcuz_goodpost.gif%7Ec200&hash=7c1601a4de34e464dc0eea523854c5f2cf2a7683)
I agree 100%! I always have trouble with fb. It is surprising to me that those that normally don't use computers would gravitate to fb when they do. I don' t get it. (I guess 'cause I'm old?)
So much easier to find and enjoy stuff that's organized into different threads. I can find things I'm looking for on a forum. On fb it seems to be just one long thread that hops from subject to subject.
In the past I've tried to add content here but (like my wife says  :-[ ) I just don't have that much to offer.  :'(
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: RIDEMYST on February 05, 2018, 08:53:11 AM
Facebook is linear so what’s posted today is difficult to find next week that’s why I prefer the forum. -JEP-


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Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: bcd on February 05, 2018, 09:18:18 AM
I'm not a huge fan of FB, and I agree the interface and behavior is confusing and unpredictable.

However, if you're a member of a FB group, there's a feed called "Shortcuts" on the left side that lists the groups you're in. If you click "Edit" next to Shortcuts, you can change the listing for a particular group from "Automatic" to "Pin to top", which will keep that one in the visible feed. Then you can click on the group name in the Shortcuts feed, and go to that group's feed. Looking at the group's feed will usually make it easier to find something you're looking for.

You can also just type the group's name in the FB search bar at the top and then click on the group to go to its feed.

I do personally prefer the forum, but there's a lot in the FB stuff that doesn't show up here. I think some people go to FB by default because it's not only where MSTA is, but basically everybody else they know. They'd rather stick with one thing than deal with multiple paths to information, for whatever reason. If I'm going to try to be sociable (those of you who know me, know I'm not very good at it), I guess I have to deal with how other folks operate. That said, I'm still a dinosaur with no instagram or snapchat.
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: Patmo on February 05, 2018, 09:23:27 AM
FB is a different animal with a different purpose.  It’s aim has always been to bring INSTANT gratification to its users by making the sharing of CURRENT events quick and easy.  It is designed for MOBILE use primarily.

However, it does have some uses that are more long term in scope.  The ability to set up a separate page that is dedicated to one event....like STAR....makes the sharing of information pertaining to that one single thing very easy and organized. 

The ability to set up Events that are linked to individual groups, and use those to get a head count on people interested in, or going to, an event is very helpful to event organizers.  It also allows easy promotion of an event to large groups of people, literally into the millions of people. 

It is also a very easy platform to use and the software they use is very intuitive for us non-computer people.  Unlike setting up a website/forum, there is NO COST and it doesn’t take any computer knowledge to set up a page, a group, or an event.

I plan to do a seminar at STAR that will be set up to help people negotiate both this forum and the MSTA FB page.  MSTA social media for Dummies....taught by a computer moron.  😁

 
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: Brick on February 05, 2018, 09:52:04 AM
Pat has the right idea! It seems to me, and I’m old and out of touch, that the rest of you who complained about Facebook are linear computer literate. And proficient in many computer programs. I on the other had use computers just enough to forget how a program works the next time I try to use it. So because of my infrequent use programs are frustrating to me.
FB is none of that,to me, and to my way of thinking works this way... the more I like or share or comment on something the more I will see it and other similar postings. Read but don’t do anything... no like, no share, no comment and that post, thread and similar post will not show up on my feed. I can like Bryan say do a search and bring up something I want (that should count as a like too)
So you computer literate types are actually fighting Facebook.
I like and us and see value in both.
Pat your seminar at STAR sounds very appropriate.


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Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: normkern on February 05, 2018, 10:29:46 AM
+1 for Pat's Seminar!

Norm Kern
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: NinjaBob on February 05, 2018, 10:38:28 AM
Some excellent posts! This turned into a good thread.
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: Ride4MS on February 05, 2018, 04:17:12 PM
Well, mark me as one of those, "fighting facebook".    I use the excuse that it is too much junk from what I have been shown by some users.  But, I am sure it has it's good points also, especially for the younger generation that we are trying to attract to MSTA.


That is one seminar that I plan to attend so I can learn about FB.


Oh, by the way, this thing is On and working, by the looks of how many comments have been to just this one post.  I think it is just that some days nobody has any thing to say or complain about.  I try to look at it at least once a day to see if anything is new.


Now if we could move the member users of this forum to 75% or more, than we would have a very useful tool.
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: fartymarty on February 05, 2018, 09:22:09 PM
Maybe some sort of automated transfer function (bot?) could be set up by someone that knows what they are doing. That is a section of this forum that would automatically get the latest from fb sent and posted into it. It could be called..."Here is what you've been missing on the MSTA fb page!" It wouldn't have to show everything that's on the FB page, perhaps the fb posters (is that what they're called?) could put in certain text or something at the bottom of their post that would indicate they wanted it cross posted to the forum?

If it couldn't be automated..well then "nevermind (https://youtu.be/OjYoNL4g5Vg)"  :)

regardless, ...yes I have to agree this thing is turned on.
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: tunerider335 on February 06, 2018, 07:54:53 AM
As one of the "lurkers", I check both but do prefer the forum because I can follow numerous types of threads that peak my interests from technical to marketplace items to just informative discussions such as this one.  I also appreciate the members who make things happen from a technical perspective.  Thanks Bob! 


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Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: NinjaBob on February 06, 2018, 08:20:47 AM
You are welcome, Scott!
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: NinjaBob on February 06, 2018, 09:19:13 AM
Maybe some sort of automated transfer function (bot?) could be set up by someone that knows what they are doing. That is a section of this forum that would automatically get the latest from fb sent and posted into it. It could be called..."Here is what you've been missing on the MSTA fb page!" It wouldn't have to show everything that's on the FB page, perhaps the fb posters (is that what they're called?) could put in certain text or something at the bottom of their post that would indicate they wanted it cross posted to the forum?

If it couldn't be automated..well then "nevermind (https://youtu.be/OjYoNL4g5Vg)"  :)

regardless, ...yes I have to agree this thing is turned on.
Modifications are available to get FB feeds to the forum but I am not convinced this would ultimately help the forum traffic. There are some who dislike FB and I do not want to alienate them.
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: RichGrab on February 06, 2018, 04:45:46 PM
As one of the "lurkers", I check both but do prefer the forum because I can follow numerous types of threads that peak my interests from technical to marketplace items to just informative discussions such as this one.  I also appreciate the members who make things happen from a technical perspective.  Thanks Bob! 


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I have to agree. A FB specific page (like for STAR) is a good idea I think. But if you want to follow the train of thought on a specific topic, the forum is the place. Facebook too easily becomes a jumble of posts, etc. that are difficult to follow. And like NinjaBob said, some folks dislike FB (and have sworn not to use it) Don't want to alienate them.
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: Brick on February 06, 2018, 05:42:46 PM
I agree with Bob and Rich. I like seeing things on Facebook that could be of interest and attract potential members. But think the specific forum posts are not necessarily appropriate for the gen pop!


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Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: stevegrab on February 14, 2018, 01:46:01 PM
After Van (FL State Dir) posts the Florida events on the MSTA Florida website I cross post to both FB and to this forum. We often get members visiting the Sunshine State so we get the word out the best we can. -JEP-


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I'm not a fan of Facebook at all but I know it isn't going away so why can't ALL MSTA related info cross post  to the forum?
It takes a volunteer who is on both FB and the forum, who wants to do it. Who is going to do that? Existing volunteers who are already burning out? I run our local forum, but I'm not on Facebook and I'm not joining just and spending time there just for this purpose.

It is interesting that this thread exists, because we went through the same thing just recently on our Northeast Ohio forum (Yahoo group).
Its a cascade effect, content drops, people read and post less frequently, less content and more people take longer breaks. I used to check in almost daily, proably every couple of weeks now (might pick up again during riding season).
Title: Re: Hello... hello!! Is this thing ON?
Post by: stevegrab on February 14, 2018, 01:52:23 PM
I think some people go to FB by default because it's not only where MSTA is, but basically everybody else they know. They'd rather stick with one thing than deal with multiple paths to information, for whatever reason.
This is the key from what I have experieneced and it isn't a good thing. People get on FB, their friends are there (mostly, if not bye friend) their family are there (grandma better get on FB if she wants to see her grand kids) MSTA is there, so why go anywhere else. While the vast internet has so much, they've got FB tunnel vision.
Family members who I used to hear from regularly are gone, because they're on FB but I'm not. And I'm not joining.