The slowing/disappearance of forum users

[Bob]

I think a lot of people come here and, eager to get advice, post a lot.  Some get fired up now and then with new interests.  After awhile, many leave.  Maybe they lose interest in the site, maybe they lose interest in piano... but after they've gotten some responses to their concerns, then it's up to them.  If they don't act on the replies, then they are left at the same point as when they asked, except they have more information.   So if you don't pursue the information, that line of interest stays kind of static.

Agree/disagree?


I include myself in this of course.  It's difficult to stay focused on one project over a long time.

[Siberian Husky]

janice got a new boyfriend thats what happened

[stevie]

i farted a lunar eclipse, and it fell like raindrops, shattering me to the core.

BUT, bob, i have been a member of this forum for longer than you, and bernhard, i am highly esteemes, and im here to stay

[steve jones]

I disagree.

They all thought I was a flash in the pan, but behold Im still here insighting unrest   

SJ

[lagin]

Personally, I just discovered 3 much nicer piano forums !  Yes, I'm a traitor, I know.  But they have way more information as opposed to more random chatter, which has it's place too I suppose, but I'm pretty single minded with my piano obsession . 

And the moderators tolerate a lot less so they are generally nicer places to be.  In fact, one forum doesn't even let you be mean to other forumers, let alone swear, tell crude joke, draw or link offensive images, ect...  It's amazing how much we become accustomed to internet "abuse" and how nice it is to be in a place where people still treat each other as people and not just user names. 

And also, I'm primarily interested in the teaching aspect of piano, which lags here the most, as it seems to be a more performer based forum.

I check in occasionally, but you can more readily find me at ABRSM forums, piano world forums, and Nancy and Randall Faber's forum, respectively.

[Barbosa-piano]

 I agree.  Well, I must say, the reason why I am posting off and on is lack of time, and for example, I leave for a long period of time and return, as this weekend, in which I got back on the forum after a long while. I'm not sure, but I think this is the only time this year that I started posting frequently. I remember that the last "period" I posted, there were many more users that were on-line frequently. I haven't heard of Skeptopotamus, Bolivar Allmon or Chopinabin in a long time, for example (there are many others). Some people seem to always be around, as Pianistimo and Bernhard. I am impressed with the number of new members that are posting now. 

[stevie]

Personally, I just discovered 3 much nicer piano forums !  Yes, I'm a traitor, I know.  But they have way more information as opposed to more random chatter, which has it's place too I suppose, but I'm pretty single minded with my piano obsession . 

And the moderators tolerate a lot less so they are generally nicer places to be.  In fact, one forum doesn't even let you be mean to other forumers, let alone swear, tell crude joke, draw or link offensive images, ect...  It's amazing how much we become accustomed to internet "abuse" and how nice it is to be in a place where people still treat each other as people and not just user names. 

And also, I'm primarily interested in the teaching aspect of piano, which lags here the most, as it seems to be a more performer based forum.

I check in occasionally, but you can more readily find me at ABRSM forums, piano world forums, and Nancy and Randall Faber's forum, respectively.

prepare for invasion by moi

rape may , indeed, be the answer

[steve jones]

Ah, but it doesnt have Bernhard!

SJ

[Bob]

I check in occasionally, but you can more readily find me at ABRSM forums, piano world forums, and Nancy and Randall Faber's forum, respectively.

Do you links for those?  I agree with a lot of what you say.

[e60m5]

Some of us are still around from the old days. My profile informs me I've been a registered user since 2002. 4 years have flown by, and probably more than that, since like probably most people here, I was reading the forums for quite a while before registering.

[lagin]

Bob, I'll pm them to you right now.

[tompilk]

other forums seem to be more active though... and more media e.g. mp3s, free sheet music, piano videos. Gamingforce seems to be going strong and I have to admit i spend more time there... although the environment ther isnt as cosy and warm... if you get what i mean...
Tom

[Siberian Husky]

i must admit..i have abandoned this forum for..

www.honda-tech.com
www.zilvia.net

and my favorite

www.philosophyforums.com

[thalbergmad]

https://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/upload/index.php

Kwality

[gorbee natcase]

I am here       





                       here                                       
           

                                                        here



                                                                          and here


       
                                                                  bouter bougie is still pianoing and hope her all the best.


I like nice people who are constructive over distructive and there are some real freaks on this forum who say the most disgusting things to other people and I have to bite my tongue especialy in the chat room when I see this kind of thing going on.

Theres a difference between disagreeing with someone and charactor asassination
and carrying a disagreement on is unnecessary and spitefull

Its easyer to be nice than nasty
and thats better than looking ugly

[Mozartian]

I've been here since 2004 (and yes, am on my second account. my irish temper flared up at some point last year if I recall correctly..  ).

I've been on a couple forums since 2003. VERY funny reading my old posts. Ah, to be 14 again. 

I tend not to abandon forums I like, but my interest does ebb and flow, and my participation usually goes along with my interest level.

Also, I've had moments of extreme disgust with members of this forum, which should explain some of my longer absences from posting.

[contrapunctus]

I agree.  Well, I must say, the reason why I am posting off and on is lack of time, and for example, I leave for a long period of time and return, as this weekend, in which I got back on the forum after a long while. I'm not sure, but I think this is the only time this year that I started posting frequently. I remember that the last "period" I posted, there were many more users that were on-line frequently. I haven't heard of Skeptopotamus, Bolivar Allmon or Chopinabin in a long time, for example (there are many others). Some people seem to always be around, as Pianistimo and Bernhard. I am impressed with the number of new members that are posting now. 

Skepto still posts as I love Xenakis or soliloquy, and Bolivar still posts often.

[tosca1]

This forum is supposed to be "a web based service for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano lovers". When I joined several years ago it was more exclusive in its sign on requirements. As pianoforum.com, the website was hoping to attract serious, or aspiring professional pianists which it did. However, many new members who joined seemed to be more interested in random chatter and clocking up posts rather than treating the forum for its intended purpose. Gradually, I became aware that posts from a number of well informed, genuinely committed members began to slow. 
While it is vital for any forum to have a full range of opinion it is also essential that there be a level of control and moderation to ensure discussion is balanced, civil and relevant.
Robert.

[etudes]

where is robert henry,meiting sun,Koji Attwood?

[tosca1]

Indeed! These concert pianists brought invaluable comment to this website.  I would also like to see more discussion from piano tuners and technicians who presumably know more about technical aspects of pianos than most of us who just play the piano. A piano tuner/techician discussion board could be very interesting and helpful. 
Robert.

[nanabush]

Ppl leave because someone new might post a friendly thread asking if their technique is up to par with Fantaisie Impromptu for example.  Some people that have been here for a while will reply:  what N00b OMGWTFBBQ STOP POSTING THESE OMG.  They get discouraged, and never show again.

[thalbergmad]

Ppl leave because someone new might post a friendly thread asking if their technique is up to par with Fantaisie Impromptu for example.  Some people that have been here for a while will reply:  what N00b OMGWTFBBQ STOP POSTING THESE OMG.  They get discouraged, and never show again.

That is so true.

I have seen new people post and someone will come along and tell them to use the search function.

That does not encourage posting.

Thalx

[dinosaurtales]

Well, actually, part of it has to do with the fact that there really aren't that many "new" topics to be had after a while - Pianists like myself have ocassional need to gather new info or advice, but mostly I just have a desire to chat with friends of a similar ilk.  Once the topics of OC, La Campanella, and the worlds hardest piece are tackled, I was usually sent packing with the "use search you idiot" sort of response, which will certainly kill any kinship I was seeking.

[stevie]

the people that leave are pussies that cant take the pressure, the constant agony, and the delightful whimsy

[contrapunctus]

Yep, the golden age of the forum (early '04 to fall '05) is most definately over. Actually, that may not be seen as the golden age by some because it was basically a time when piano forum was a nearly exclusive close-knit cliche of forumers. During this time, people came to the forum to talk with other members of the group, not for the intended purposes of the forum, itself. But, Nils effectively destroyed that with his switch to pianostreet. With the overflow of new members, the tight sense of community was lost, and many people just left.

This actually leads to a catch-22 situation for the forum: Old, established members are leaving because other old, established members are leaving.

[ahinton]

the people that leave are pussies that cant take the pressure, the constant agony, and the delightful whimsy

or death wishes, perhaps...

Best,

Alistair

[jas]

Well, actually, part of it has to do with the fact that there really aren't that many "new" topics to be had after a while

Yeah, after a while everything's been done to death.

I remember that one of my earliest posts was on a thread about Bernhard. I asked who he was and someone (can't remember who) made an extremely snidey post to the effect that I could easily have found out by going through the members' list. I still cry myself to sleep at night.

I wouldn't say there's been a decline in posting. Yes, people have left but people have also joined. So really, what you're saying is that a lot of the old members are no longer posting.

the people that leave are pussies that cant take the pressure, the constant agony, and the delightful whimsy

And the colourful vocabulary.

Jas

[ahinton]

Skepto still posts as I love Xenakis or soliloquy, and Bolivar still posts often.

"Skeptoliloquakis", indeed? How holy or otherwise might such an "e trebus unus" trinity be, one does not care to wonder?

Indeed! These concert pianists brought invaluable comment to this website. I would also like to see more discussion from piano tuners and technicians who presumably know more about technical aspects of pianos than most of us who just play the piano. A piano tuner/techician discussion board could be very interesting and helpful.

This is just one example of the kind of thing that, quite understandably, seems to concern and preoccupy a number of forum members and ex-members; it tacilty points up the fact that there are those who use the forum for serious (and humorous but still relevant) discussion of matters related to piano performance, repertoire, teaching, etc. and others who prefer to use it for less worthy purposes rather than directing their exchanges to fora or other outlets more suited to their expressions. Several members, including Robert (above) have from time to time campaigned for the forum's topic headings to be widened to include other relevant and interesting aspects of the world of the piano, while others are content to continue to indulge in slanging matches entirely unconnected with matters pianistic and rather tacky pseudo-ribaldry instead.

Perhaps, therefore, no one should feign especial surprise if those who prefer to take the forum seriously tend either to leave or just refrain from contributing posts to it when so much of it is occupied by comparative trivia.

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

the people that leave are pussies that cant take the pressure, the constant agony, and the delightful whimsy

And the colourful vocabulary.

"Discoloured" would seem to be a more appropriate description...

Best,

Alistair

[letters]

it can also get quite competitive on this forum, im scared to post something in the audition room because ppl might go OMG U HAVE THE MUSICALITY OF A GNAT and everyone is posting fantasie impromptu and debussy etudes which is kinda scary for someone whos not that advanced at the piano. and i have seen lots of the same posts come up and regular posters seem to get irritated, although its not the new persons fault, how are they supposed to know?? they're just trying the forum out aren't they, seeing what happens.
this is the first forum ive got involved in really and ive found it good, the chat room is a bit dead and sometimes its a bit unwelcoming but never mind i dont go in it that much anyway.

[Waldszenen]

I always thought that people who just don't post anymore are those who get tired of discussing, more or less, the same thing day after day...

[ted]

I suppose I might post a little less often than in previous years. This is possibly because I have realised, through taking part on forums, that I really am very much my own man with respect to music. Therefore in general I am better to refrain from making suggestions to do with orthodox repertoire, technique, practising habits, performing in public and so on, because these are alien fields to me. I can probably be of most use helping people with the creative aspect, improvisation and overcoming inhibition. As I am an eclectic listener, I can also frequently direct people to music they are likely to enjoy but have not heard or played.

I enjoy listening to the mp3s people post in the Audition Room and contribute myself now and then. I cannot usually comment knowledgeably about much but I do download quite a few, especially anything original. The interest in creative stuff has fallen a bit lately, going by the numbers of downloads, so I have lessened my posting frequency accordingly.

Odd areas such as algorithmic composition and philosophy of music usually elicit at least one or two responses from me. General philosophical argument, which I do sometimes enjoy, is usually a struggle here because of too much emotion and too many non-sequiturs, that is to say, lack of solid logic within a thread. One can enjoyably read simple emotional declarations about anything, be they positive or negative, "The Kafoozalum is the Botherbumbose of the Mong Tang !", only for a short time. Without underlying discussion involving reason and cause and effect, their initially titillating effect wanes very rapidly.

My main purpose in being here is to help people overcome their inhibitions in creating and playing their own piano music. If I can do that in a small way I shall be quite happy.