Where Have the Good Threads Gone? CPF Kinda Boring Lately?

[jtr1962]

I certainly don't do well-crafted custom lights nor impressive mods, but can say that documenting a project can be a pain. You're sloppily sketching out concepts that only make sense to you, laying out a pattern on some scratch paperboard, headscratching in front of a tool, stripping wires, inhaling solder fumes, mixing up epoxy, standing on ladders, scrapping a piece of material you messed up, crimping connectors, etc, and occasionally remembering to take photos or make mental notes of what you did. Then you distill that down to a forum post and wait for responses that make the posting effort worthwhile ... responses that sometimes don't come, are annoying, or ask questions you answered in the first post.

You're right, and this is coming from someone who has done a lot of DIY projects. It interrupts the work flow to try and document everything, so often I just stop to take pictures at each major step, like I did in this thread, or this one.

 

[calipsoii]

Fair points Calipsoii. I certainly could do more, and I will try to do so. I can try to come up with some interesting ideas.

In my defense, I have started 98 threads in my time here. Granted, some were sales and some were just dumb thread ideas, but some were good. I have reviewed a couple of my favorite lights, started a few collection threads for my favorite makers, wrote an adventure survival thread, a homebrewing thread (really thought that one would have caught on) started discussions on the reliability of different lights and knives, shared some stories of flashlight use and abuse... Considering I don't have much technical skill to mod or build lights myself and document it or even give advice to others trying to mod, I do try to offer other content where I can. :sigh:

Maybe I will peruse some of the old threads for ideas. It seems after some years things tend to come back in style so maybe there are a few worth recycling.

No need to say "in my defense" nbp! It wasn't my intent to put you on the defensive, I was hoping to inspire yourself and others to take the charge instead of calling for change. As you've said, you've started many interesting threads here already and I'm sure you have a few more in you.

You're right that CPF lacks the intrepid experimentation that used to be so prevalent here. Most of that is because every flashlight has been built and can be bought online and shipped to your house in a couple days for < $70. The hobby is mainstream now and there's no going back.

My hopes for the forum are that people will decide to make their own instead of buying from someone else, and that they'll take the time to document and share what they've done.

 

[ledmitter_nli]

I haven't been creating new topics for awhile

Having found my grail quad XP-G2 single 18650 light months ago, and knowing its output wont be bested to any significant degree for quite some time, marveling isn't needed anymore.

I also got a new tablet, so I've been hanging out on the tablet forums lately really digging in on how to hack and desuck windows 8.1

 

[Monocrom]

I spend much of my time warning newbies about the dangers of CR123 lithium primaries. That's the main thing I post nowadays.

 

[Jay R]

I go with the fact that there is nothing 'new' in the hobby anymore.

When I started posting here around 10 years back, high power LED's were just arriving. Everyone was talking about the Nuwai Q3 ( Remember that one..). Batteries were just starting to get good with available rechargeable lithium cells and Nicads were old hat compared to the new Ni-MH cells. Nobody else but us had any LED lights and ours were SO much more impressive we received kuodos for having such a cool light from our friends. For the next 8 years every new light was a big advancement over the last. More lumens, better battery life, adjustable, programmable, smaller, brighter, control rings, strobe, HA3 coating, titanium bodies, etc…
The past few years, it's all gone a bit dead. There are no big steps forward in light output anymore, batteries haven't become much better, coatings haven't moved on at all. Anyone can walk into a shop and pick up a 200 lumen plus LED light for an affordable price meaning that, to them, there is nothing 'special' anymore about our lights. Even if LED and battery technology got to the point where you could get 10,000 lumens and 6 hours runtime out of a light the size of a Coke can, it's not really going to look 'that' much better than a $40 Skyray knocking out 2,200 lumens.

Sure, if you are a collector there are still nice lights coming out but most of us don't have that sort of money and is your titanium McGizmo really any more impressive to the untrained eye than any commercially available light. Probably not.

I suspect that over the next year or two this forum will become the place for Connoisseurs of high quality, limited edition lights. Who else is going to want to talk about lights to the same extent when everyone can go buy a fully adjustable, 1,000 lumen, waterproof light in the corner shop for thirty bucks?

 

[degarb]

Because I come here for the efficiency revolution, and because some of these may make it to lighting world directly, I would like to see a sub-forum, which would be fascinating: Alternative Energy Production (carbon myths, to thorium, to fuel cells, to cold fusion, to solar and wind)!

While the led march toward 200lpw seems slow, there is the silicon technology. To me, the most interesting topic of late is the glaring problems I see in LiIons that don't seem addressed: labeling, some common standard for the pcb quality and what it does & making them damage proof by epoxy setting them onto cell, shipping without plastic case, perhaps the vent mechanism could be better to avoid any explosion, simple user manual with cells (which would warn for multimeter/current range/cell damage/charger warning, simplifying care warning (heat, charge state, shorts), reviews that force light makers to do a better job at house all 18650 size variations (like springs on pos and neg). Once these issues are solved, liion will be boring again.


I don't visit the cafe much, as jtr1962 points out, in this forum especially, all we are left with is mundane drivel. There is meaning, history, and purpose of the word, "forum".

 

[jtr1962]

Because I come here for the efficiency revolution, and because some of these may make it to lighting world directly, I would like to see a sub-forum, which would be fascinating: Alternative energy production (carbon myths, to thorium, to fuel cells, to cold fusion, to solar and wind).

Same here. I think this will be an area of great interest as the world starts transitioning off fossil fuels. Along those lines, I for one would like to know if the ECAT generator is for real because if it is, I'm not seeing why we should be using anything else for power.

 

[Stress_Test]

I want to know where all the power-outage related threads are. Lately in the US there have been lots of storms and power outages, and I keep looking for threads from CPF members detailing their light usage stories, but I haven't seen anything!

A power outage used to be the "holy grail" of flashaholism!

Maybe everybody now has generators and a power outage doesn't affect them at all

Outages are very rare in my neighborhood, but back in 2011(?) the power was out for about 5 days and I wrote a long review of that incident.

Another thing, remember when people used to post photos of beamshots when they were out and about with their lights? Seems like you hardly ever see that sort of thing anymore. That was one of the cool aspects of the forum; you'd see photos of interesting places lit up at night by flashlight and read a story to go with it. Some of the best were the "urban explorer" stories, but I think eventually everybody who posted one of those topics was banned!

 

[BVH]

Just in case you have - don't overlook the HID and spotlight sub forum. Some interesting mods and builds going on there. Read the entire NightSword build thread. What a great piece of work!

I still find CPF as interesting now as when I joined in 2004.

 

[subwoofer]

This thread caught my eye in the list of 'What's New' which is how I pick up on new discussions.

As a user of several forums, I see the two main trends being covered by Jay R's and calipsoii's posts.

I go with the fact that there is nothing 'new' in the hobby anymore.

The past few years, it's all gone a bit dead. There are no big steps forward in light output anymore, batteries haven't become much better, coatings haven't moved on at all. Anyone can walk into a shop and pick up a 200 lumen plus LED light for an affordable price meaning that, to them, there is nothing 'special' anymore about our lights. Even if LED and battery technology got to the point where you could get 10,000 lumens and 6 hours runtime out of a light the size of a Coke can, it's not really going to look 'that' much better than a $40 Skyray knocking out 2,200 lumens.

Sure, if you are a collector there are still nice lights coming out but most of us don't have that sort of money and is your titanium McGizmo really any more impressive to the untrained eye than any commercially available light. Probably not.

I suspect that over the next year or two this forum will become the place for Connoisseurs of high quality, limited edition lights. Who else is going to want to talk about lights to the same extent when everyone can go buy a fully adjustable, 1,000 lumen, waterproof light in the corner shop for thirty bucks?

Specifically regarding CPF, we are reaching a point of saturation and a slowing of improvements. The absolute difference between the more specialist lights and the normal consumer lights has narrowed to the point that our interest is no longer in such a specialist area.

Why not start a 'good' thread yourself then nbp? I'm not being facetious, I'm being serious.

The internet as a whole has gotten to the point where every person has it in their pocket. Every person has 5 minutes to check their phone and read a funny quote or look at a cat picture. There are more consumers of content than I've ever remembered seeing, and there simply aren't that many creators of content.

Taking the wider view over many forums, I think calipsoii has hit the nail on the head. Too many people simply want to take, or are too lazy to do some research first and then post new content.

I've also notice a trend, which I find really quite annoying, where a person has read your thread and then asks a question which has already been answered in the original post. So not only are they too lazy to do any research themselves, but are too lazy to read the post fully first.

I believe this is also a product of 'mobile' internet use on tablets/phones etc. If you have bothered to sit at a computer and have a proper keyboard, you will spend more time searching and much more time writing. When using tablets, writing becomes laborious and people don't bother to post at all, or create very short posts. The very nature of our internet access is having a major effect on the input of forum user content.

On my smart phone, I do read new replies to my threads, but always wait until I can sit at a PC to reply. This forewarning I get by reading the reply on my phone allows me to think about my reply more and this makes me more productive for the limited time I have to sit in front of the PC. The smart phone / tablet helps me be more efficient, but is no substitute for sitting at a PC workstation to post content.

 

[Stress_Test]

I believe this is also a product of 'mobile' internet use on tablets/phones etc. If you have bothered to sit at a computer and have a proper keyboard, you will spend more time searching and much more time writing. When using tablets, writing becomes laborious and people don't bother to post at all, or create very short posts. The very nature of our internet access is having a major effect on the input of forum user content.

On my smart phone, I do read new replies to my threads, but always wait until I can sit at a PC to reply. This forewarning I get by reading the reply on my phone allows me to think about my reply more and this makes me more productive for the limited time I have to sit in front of the PC. The smart phone / tablet helps me be more efficient, but is no substitute for sitting at a PC workstation to post content.

I second this. The same thing has occurred to me.

I recently read/skimmed through all 100+ pages of the "what did you use your flashlight for today?" thread. There were a few good stories, but the VAST majority of posts were one-liners to the effect of "to walk my dog", or "to go to the bathroom", or "to find something I dropped under the desk". It reads like a twitter feed. Totally boring!

 

[Empath]

Orbital,
This thread is an excellent thread, and is capable of holding interest and offering opportunity to voice reasonable concerns and solutions to aspects of an evolving hobby, industry, and personal interest board. Unfortunately, your postings (which have been removed) deal with something other than those concerns. Your postings are the simple whining about administrative moderation that plagues many topical boards and require the housekeeping involved in keeping boards sociably favorable. Our board, CPF, has a rule that addresses that situation. This isn't surprising to you, I'm sure, since you have on occasion been reminded of it. Likely, since the application of that rule seems to be the focus of your now removed posts, you might want to read that rule. In addition to remembering that The Underground is a designated place for posting such concerns, rule 8 itself offers the reasons and methods of addressing the concerns.

Feel free to continue to offer contributions to this fascinating thread, but continued attempts to turn the thread into a whine about administrative policy and moderation will likely be dealt with in a manner not to your liking.

 

[AnAppleSnail]

I second this. The same thing has occurred to me.

I recently read/skimmed through all 100+ pages of the "what did you use your flashlight for today?" thread. There were a few good stories, but the VAST majority of posts were one-liners to the effect of "to walk my dog", or "to go to the bathroom", or "to find something I dropped under the desk". It reads like a twitter feed. Totally boring!

I handed my flashlight to a machine operator so that he could line up a film unwinder with the other layers of fabric about six feet inside a lamination machine. Which category is that?

 

[Stress_Test]

I handed my flashlight to a machine operator so that he could line up a film unwinder with the other layers of fabric about six feet inside a lamination machine. Which category is that?

Ask yourself, if someone else wrote that, would you enjoy reading it? Would you read it and think it was interesting, or would you skim that line without a second thought? If I wrote: "I loaned my flashlight to a co-worker so he could see down inside a maintenance pit", would you think that was interesting and worth reading?

No, of course not. It's merely a statement of fact. It's not a story. It's not any more interesting than writing "I ate a sandwich".

You guys see what I'm getting at?

 

[Monocrom]

Another concern... I've seen some regulars change from the way they were back in the day. Although change itself is not surprising, even in attitudes and personality. In every case, no one changed for the better. Some changed so much that you begin to wonder if we're not seeing their true personalities now, and just a front back then. Whether it's the countless modders who ended up screwing over other CPFers who were loyal to them, or just regulars that used to make CPF so enjoyable to visit. In some cases, it clearly wasn't a front. Something clearly happened but we don't know what it was. And that's fine. No member is required to divulge personal details of their lives. Especially not the ones that clearly effect them to a, in some cases, radical change in personality that couldn't be clearer if every member shined their brightest light onto it.

Thing is, as fellow regulars, they still continue to post. But the enjoyable, fun, funny, kind-hearted comments from them have been replaced with apathetic, depressing, and yes; even bitter ones. Those fellow regulars whom I've seen change, none were for the better. Yes, we do have some who are, Thank God, still the same as they ever were. Those are the guys who make CPF an enjoyable place to visit. Make it a real community. I'm glad those members are still around, especially since there are fewer of them here. They know who they are. I sometimes wonder if those members who changed, know who they are too.

I recently sent a PM to a particular member who made an off-hand comment about another regular. It reminded me of the warm and caring nature he had years ago. I distinctly remember one time when I posted when I wasn't feeling well. I posted something odd. Something to him that was concern-inducing. I remember clearly the sincere way he inquired as to whether or not I was okay. I appreciated his concern. When I look back on how he was just a few short years ago, and I think about the way he changed; I wonder to myself if that illness of mine took place today... Would he ask if I was feeling alright? And I'm forced to answer, "No." It bothers me. Perhaps more than it should. Okay, yes; more than it should considering that CPF is an internet forum... An internet community... A community. So yes, it bothers me. I made the mistake of telling my best friend years ago that I had store credit of about $50 at a big sporting goods store that was an Authorized Dealer for SureFire (Still is). And that I was considering using it with $450 to get myself a SureFire M6 that I wanted for awhile. He looked me in the eye and absolutely serious, told me he'd kick my *** if I bought a $500 flashlight. Bought it anyway, never told him, still have it. You guys understand why I bought it. You guys understand why I upgraded it with custom battery carriers to let it run on 3x17670s and bought new bulbs so I could run it on those 17670s. That's why this place is a community and that's why the changes in personalities bothers me.

You guys know me. I can't put on rose-colored spectacles and pretend everything is just as good as it was "back in the good old days." No matter how much I personally want to. My blatant honesty won't let me. (No surprise there.) I can't pretend that the fat, ugly, hairy naked man wearing a crown on his head and riding that big white horse through the crowd, is wearing a beautiful set of Regal clothes and robes.

I still have hope that things will get better. Mainly because thankfully Greta hasn't changed for the worst. Yeah, that's the main reason.

 

[residue]

I have long held similar sentiments but just accepted it as part of the evolution of the hobby and the forums.

I contributed a few stories to carrot's collection but haven't had anything worthy of posting in ages. I don't have time to bump into Ron Darling at the movies anymore because the kids consume my time. NYC no longer allows tours of the Atlantic Avenue tunnel. Larson's hasn't had a night (or any corn maze) in years.

Long gone are the regulars like Brock that brought me here, Craig with his unorthodox Led Museum reviews and a slew of others that made it feel quirky and special. It's hard to get excited about the never ending posts about the usual topics. At times, I wish there was a forum for stories and actual usage because it's tough to sift through the noise for the gems.

 

[Stress_Test]

......
..
At times, I wish there was a forum for stories and actual usage because it's tough to sift through the noise for the gems.

There is... they made a CPF adventure forum at some point a little while back... BUT, it hasn't seen much activity. In my humble opinion, it was made entirely too broad; it has half a dozen topic subforums. I kind of doubt it was needed in the first place. I'd say anything posted there should've been going in the Cafe to begin with.

Btw, I remember well the Larson's corn maze story. One of my favorites! The other was the Mansfield (sp?) penitentiary ghost tour. The other one I want to go back and read was.... The Pumphouse!!

 

[nbp]

No need to say "in my defense" nbp! It wasn't my intent to put you on the defensive, I was hoping to inspire yourself and others to take the charge instead of calling for change. As you've said, you've started many interesting threads here already and I'm sure you have a few more in you. You're right that CPF lacks the intrepid experimentation that used to be so prevalent here. Most of that is because every flashlight has been built and can be bought online and shipped to your house in a couple days for < $70. The hobby is mainstream now and there's no going back. My hopes for the forum are that people will decide to make their own instead of buying from someone else, and that they'll take the time to document and share what they've done.

Don't worry buddy, we're good. I appreciate your points and they have given me food for thought. If we want change, we all have to do our part to effect it, not simply point out problems and wait for others to fix it. Everyone who has posted in this thread has done so because they care about the community, and that means we are the ones who should take charge in helping to keep it the kind of place we want to hang out. We all can help to make it fun and exciting again.

I do agree that the capabilities of mass-produced lights has contributed to the decline of some of the more interesting discussions here. Most anything you want can be purchased easily...and that doesn't make for much of a conversation. :sigh:

Like you though, I have been following some of the cool projects that are still going on with zeal. I can't wait for my MBI Torpedo to arrive!!

Just in case you have - don't overlook the HID and spotlight sub forum. Some interesting mods and builds going on there. Read the entire NightSword build thread. What a great piece of work! I still find CPF as interesting now as when I joined in 2004.

This is a a refreshing post, and a good suggestion too, thank you. There are a few subforums I have historically not spent much time in, such as that one. Maybe I have been missing out on some good threads in there! I will be by to check it out.

 

[nbp]

There is... they made a CPF adventure forum at some point a little while back... BUT, it hasn't seen much activity. In my humble opinion, it was made entirely too broad; it has half a dozen topic subforums. I kind of doubt it was needed in the first place. I'd say anything posted there should've been going in the Cafe to begin with. Btw, I remember well the Larson's corn maze story. One of my favorites! The other was the Mansfield (sp?) penitentiary ghost tour. The other one I want to go back and read was.... The Pumphouse!!

My thread trying to drum up enthusiasm for the CPFEDCAQ site: (I think the acronym scared people off, lol)

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...vity-on-the-CPF-Adventuring-and-Questing-Site!

I will have to track down those old threads as well, I can't remember them so well anymore!

 

[Norm]

The Evolution of a hobby.

The reason for the changes are no different to any other hobby, in its infancy you have an active crowd interested building from scratch because there isn't any product or that product is far too expensive, as time goes by people with skills and funds to invest get involved in producing product for people who are just as keen but don't have the time or ability to produce their own, as the numbers of enthusiasts grow with the availability of pre made or kit product, manufactures see the opportunity to fill a gap by providing product at prices custom builders can't compete with, the product price becomes low enough that the average Joe can afford to get involved in what once was a specialist area, there is no longer any reason to build, as the product has become mainstream and can be bought for far less than the cost of a custom build.

Far fewer customs and DIY = far fewer threads on custom building.

This applies to Amateur radio, model building, Flashlights or any other hobby.

Norm