Well am I right to think that the future of the forum might be under threat ?
Looking at the current 'hits' and the recent thread activity I have concerns !
I think there is clear evidence that activity has fallen away sharply over the past two weeks
I reckon there can't be more than a couple of dozen 'posters' who have converted - sadly this still leaves at least 30 - 40 regular posters out of a total of 250 registered members who are perhaps only reading the threads but no longer contributing !
Perhaps with a narrowing of the 'posters' we have sadly also lost the diversity of 'quality discussion points ?
Am I stirring up any of the regulars from the past or does the forum have R.I.P written all over it?
Longshanks is the least of your problems - although his contributions provided a welcome balance to some of the more extreme postings.
But overall there has been a dropping off in contributions since the new regime of disclosure, which is perfectly understandable, given human nature, of being willing to have an opinion without all and sundry (neighbours) knowing all about your likes and dislikes.
We all have to live in this community and it is a big step to lay our personal views on the line, for anyone to take exception to.
Speaking personally, I have reached the age where currying favour with everyone has passed it's "sell by" date and speaking my mind does not inhibit me from adding my tuppenceworth.
Personally I think it is a retrograde step in the openness of the forum to make disclosure of identity obligatory, but opposed to that, it was always frustrating to know the identity of those with whom you were at loggerheads, and those who were of like mind.
That's all very well, but new readers of the postings will not help the Forum, if they remain readers, and do not join in the fray. And disclosure will probably inhibit them from joining.
Despite there might be a few more readers, accessing the site (difficult to quantify) the thing will fizzle out if there are no new posters to provide the input, as the number of current participants has taken a nose dive since the introduction of disclosure.
Nick! Don't give up laddie!. Things will improve as folk get used to the idea, also Pat may have got it right that people are just giving it a rest for the moment.
.
I am hoping that a few of the many people who have said over the years they would post if the forum was not anonymous may make good on their words at some point in the future.
It is not as if people are totally unfamiliar with the concept of having their real names attached to their opinions - it happens all the time over on the Argyll and Bute planning website.
What's happened to jimcee pentland p and all the rest of you who have been regular posters over a great number of years
I hope that in a fortnight's time when everybody and everything settles down to the outcome of the vote that we can return to a vibrant and focussed 'SEIL CHAT ' forum ie local issues
The last eight months of the 'General' forum has in my opinion been largely a big zero - ie a small number of posts by the same small number of people - that's a real pity in my view
Gavin,
I share your concerns over the falling off in postings to Seil Chat.
Most of the really successful threads in the past were on contentious or threatening local issues, which have rather taken a back seat due to this imminent vote.
Also it has not been helped by the introduction of disclosure - this was bound to result in a falling off of participants - although it is probably regrettable that people enjoy the cloak of anonymity when airing their views - it is unfortunately a fact of life.
So as long as this regime continues, it is likely that there will be a much smaller number willing to stick their head above the parapet.
Another possible reason for the lack of input is that there is not a lot to get upset about locally at the moment, and we do not tend to air subjects like Rockfield School, congestion in Oban, heavy handed traffic wardens, A&B incompetence, and subjects that keep the Oban Times afloat.
Our Che Guevera look alike administrator, may possibly give a bit more thought to the subject, once his all consuming personal crusade is history.
It is rather unfortunate, that only those who pass muster will be able to put in their tuppenceworth on Gavin's concerns - but hopefully there are still a few around.
Am I stirring up any of the regulars from the past or does the forum have R.I.P written all over it?
