Post by Domenick Swentosky on Dec 6, 2016 0:10:32 GMT -5
Way back somewhere in 2012, a few of us had some email threads that were getting long and hard to follow. Sloop had the idea to sign us up with a forum. I spent a little time setting things up, and there ya go. We added a few guys over time. Some worked out, and some didn't because it can take a while to get into the rhythm of checking and posting on a forum.
That forum was probably the best thing that ever happened to my fly fishing world, and I think many of the other guys would agree. We built some wonderful friendships and really got down into the details of how to catch more and bigger trout. We shared links, articles, ideas and strategies, and we all improved faster than we ever would have on our own. We also formed friendships by sharing common experiences, agreeing, disagreeing and just learning that other guys really love the woods and the water as much as we do.
We wanted to add more guys, but here's the truth: after four years and over 15,000 posts there was just too much "unshareable" content there -- too many bad jokes -- too many secrets.
So we moved to the Facebook Group.
Facebook is great for some things, and it's horrible for others.
The Trouble with Facebook Groups
1. No Structure. No separation of information. It's just one linear wall. There's no way to post about carp, for example, and not bother the people who don't care about carp. Different categories for posting is just better.
2. Notifications. While Facebook notifications are great for keeping us active and in the loop, there's not much to be done in the way of customizing. Again, if someone posts about carp, you're gonna be notified whether you like it or not.
3. Facebook clutter. When I log on to check the Troutbitten group (especially on the desktop), I get frustrated by all the other stuff that Facebook wants me to see.
3. Information is lost to history. And there's no good search. All the information is lost in the linear feed, and there is no way to reach it other then scrolling through an infinite wall.
What we miss most about the forum is the ability to catalog things long term and search through them. That's how a better community is built, and that's how we can really learn from each other.
Thankfully, forum software has improved in the last couple years, now allowing us to include some of the good things about the Facebook Group (check the other sticky threads under Help for info about Notifications.
So the forum is our home again. We archived the old forum on a hard drive and we're starting over here.
We hope you'll feel like this is your home too.
That forum was probably the best thing that ever happened to my fly fishing world, and I think many of the other guys would agree. We built some wonderful friendships and really got down into the details of how to catch more and bigger trout. We shared links, articles, ideas and strategies, and we all improved faster than we ever would have on our own. We also formed friendships by sharing common experiences, agreeing, disagreeing and just learning that other guys really love the woods and the water as much as we do.
We wanted to add more guys, but here's the truth: after four years and over 15,000 posts there was just too much "unshareable" content there -- too many bad jokes -- too many secrets.
So we moved to the Facebook Group.
Facebook is great for some things, and it's horrible for others.
The Trouble with Facebook Groups
1. No Structure. No separation of information. It's just one linear wall. There's no way to post about carp, for example, and not bother the people who don't care about carp. Different categories for posting is just better.
2. Notifications. While Facebook notifications are great for keeping us active and in the loop, there's not much to be done in the way of customizing. Again, if someone posts about carp, you're gonna be notified whether you like it or not.
3. Facebook clutter. When I log on to check the Troutbitten group (especially on the desktop), I get frustrated by all the other stuff that Facebook wants me to see.
3. Information is lost to history. And there's no good search. All the information is lost in the linear feed, and there is no way to reach it other then scrolling through an infinite wall.
What we miss most about the forum is the ability to catalog things long term and search through them. That's how a better community is built, and that's how we can really learn from each other.
Thankfully, forum software has improved in the last couple years, now allowing us to include some of the good things about the Facebook Group (check the other sticky threads under Help for info about Notifications.
So the forum is our home again. We archived the old forum on a hard drive and we're starting over here.
We hope you'll feel like this is your home too.