What happened to everyone?

[F250XLT]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

I got back into the hobby 2-3 months ago and I was also pretty shocked by the lack of BST posts. But it's not just here, it's everywhere. It seems like either there's a secret flashlight selling area (that's not another forum, facebook or eBay) or people just aren't selling lights anymore.

I think part of the reason WTS has slowed considerably is the fees here on CPF. Why pay $5 or 10 when you can sell for free on various social media sites. I pay because I like this place and enjoy many of the other regulars company but, I see why others aren't willing to.

Although I sometimes like the way this place is kept clean so to speak, many don't like over moderation and this place tends to be governed a lot more tightly then the rest. I think that turns a lot of people off.

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I had no idea they started charging members to sell, when did that start?

I own a fairly popular watch forum, and over moderation elsewhere is the complaint of many that come to our community. I do agree, over zealous mods can really take the fun out of things.

 

[Tachead]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

I had no idea they started charging members to sell, when did that start?

I own a fairly popular watch forum, and over moderation elsewhere is the complaint of many that come to our community. I do agree, over zealous mods can really take the fun out of things.

You have always had to be contributing member to post for sale ads as far as I know.

Yep, sure can.

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[Chauncey Gardener]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

CPF has always strived to be family friendly. A place where even children can safely enjoy learning about all things illuminating sans profanity, sexuality, politics or religion. 🙂

 

[Stoneking]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

One of the main reasons I love CPF is the lack of politics and religion.

 

[F250XLT]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

I got back into the hobby 2-3 months ago and I was also pretty shocked by the lack of BST posts. But it's not just here, it's everywhere. It seems like either there's a secret flashlight selling area (that's not another forum, facebook or eBay) or people just aren't selling lights anymore.

CPF has always strived to be family friendly. A place where even children can safely enjoy learning about all things illuminating sans profanity, sexuality, politics or religion. 🙂

I agree with the elimination of all that, but over moderation can still exist outside that criteria.

Okay, back on topic, don't want to get locked. :ironic:

 

[bykfixer]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

CPF has always strived to be family friendly. A place where even children can safely enjoy learning about all things illuminating sans profanity, sexuality, politics or religion. 🙂

And discriminating adults too.

 

[novice]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

I have always enjoyed the moderation on this website, and I have never thought of it as being too much. Protracted personality conflict exchanges and trolling get old very quickly. I can't imagine that having that responsibility is very carefree at times, especially when it ventures into grey areas.

 

[DayofReckoning]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

I first made an account here back in 2009/2010 (lost credentials, forced to make a new account), which was probably near the peak of membership/activity here, back when some of our most valuable/knowledgeable members were still posting and active. I lurked for a long time before deciding to create a new account a few years ago. So with that history, I have a pretty good understanding of what has occurred on this site in the last decade.

The slow down of manufacturers pumping out new lights, along with the natural process of people acquiring a new hobby then losing interest, yup, that's most certainly the reason for the astronomically lower membership and activity here on CPF compared to back in the day. No question about it.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

I first made an account here back in 2009/2010 (lost credentials, forced to make a new account), which was probably near the peak of membership/activity here, back when some of our most valuable/knowledgeable members were still posting and active. I lurked for a long time before deciding to create a new account a few years ago. So with that history, I have a pretty good understanding of what has occurred on this site in the last decade.

The slow down of manufacturers pumping out new lights, along with the natural process of people acquiring a new hobby then losing interest, yup, that's most certainly the reason for the astronomically lower membership and activity here on CPF compared to back in the day. No question about it.

That's not really it.

I've seen the WWW. internet traffic graphs overlaid on one another, for CPF and BLF and the usage for both is inversely proportional. IIRC, as CPF started to slow down, BLF started to rise.

Why is this?

More people are getting into the 'modding game' and since modders are going to immediately rip everything out and just use the light as a host, there's little need to buy expensive lights, since most everything will be replaced.

There are other reasons that I've read, but I won't delve into them.

Chris

 

[F250XLT]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

That's not really it.

I've seen the WWW. internet traffic graphs overlaid on one another, for CPF and BLF and the usage for both is inversely proportional. IIRC, as CPF started to slow down, BLF started to rise.

Why is this?

More people are getting into the 'modding game' and since modders are going to immediately rip everything out and just use the light as a host, there's little need to buy expensive lights, since most everything will be replaced.

There are other reasons that I've read, but I won't delve into them.

Chris

From what I can tell, modding was more prolific in the past, when compared to now. The past was filled with talented folks producing expensive, custom hosts/lights, not nearly as much of that happening now. If you're gonna mod a light, it still needs to have the cool factor, and that's hard to get from overseas IMO. Then again, I'm getting old, and will always prefer a Surefire host.

Oh, and what is BLF?

 

[Fish 14]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

From what I can tell, modding was more prolific in the past, when compared to now. The past was filled with talented folks producing expensive, custom hosts/lights, not nearly as much of that happening now. If you're gonna mod a light, it still needs to have the cool factor, and that's hard to get from overseas IMO. Then again, I'm getting old, and will always prefer a Surefire host.

Oh, and what is BLF?

BLF, = budget light forms

Sent from my LM-V350 using Tapatalk

 

[DayofReckoning]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

That's not really it.

I've seen the WWW. internet traffic graphs overlaid on one another, for CPF and BLF and the usage for both is inversely proportional. IIRC, as CPF started to slow down, BLF started to rise.

Why is this?

More people are getting into the 'modding game' and since modders are going to immediately rip everything out and just use the light as a host, there's little need to buy expensive lights, since most everything will be replaced.

There are other reasons that I've read, but I won't delve into them.

Chris

Apparently, the [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]sarcasm[/FONT] in my post was not clear enough 😀

No need to delve into the other reasons, as someone who has been around here as long as I have, I'm quite well aware of them.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Dang, this place sure has slowed considerably

Apparently, the sarcasm in my post was not clear enough 😀

No need to delve into the other reasons, as someone who has been around here as long as I have, I'm quite well aware of them.

Sarcasm really doesn't translate well to the 'written word,' but I still like this place and post here first, since I'm not a modder.

Chris

 

[Kestrel]

Thread merged w/ existing thread (comparable topic) in the the Cafe.
Best regards,

 

[ragweed]

What Happened To CPF's ?

This was a top go to site in the day. Now I see few posters & reviews. What happened.? You can PM me if you wish. Thanks ! ragweed

 

[nbp]

Re: What Happened To CPF's ?

I guess whatever kept you away a few years kept them away too. Haha

Lots of other instant gratification social media sites became available for people who just want a quick answer and not to be part of a community. That would be my best answer.

 

[raggie33]

Re: What Happened To CPF's ?

yeah forums kind of lost steam. i like the family feel of the forums

 

[ragweed]

Re: What Happened To CPF's ?

That sounds plausible. After I bought a few LED flashlights that worked well for me I kind of lost interest in reading all the high power flashlight stuff being posted years ago. I still have my Arc-P though.! Looks like you were here before me by about 3 years so congratulations on that.!

 

[adnj]

Re: What Happened To CPF's ?

In general, few people post information. Many of the old internet forums were modeled on the older internet bulletin boards where you actually posted answers to questions. That population has always been relatively limited.

With respect to flashlights, unless you're nodding, you may just be shopping. You can get reviews from blogs, Youtube and webstores now.

I always read selfbuilts reviews here. There were others maybe 20 years ago. I guess the market matured.

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[dotCPF]

Re: What Happened To CPF's ?

I have found it mostly "still there" though I'm rather green. Definitely slow on some days compared to past traffic stats (at least before the weird doxxing/ typhoon last year) but I think CPF is kind of like the quiet coffee-house of discussion, I still find it a bit more refined than other forums, perhaps because it's boiled down to lots of the die-hards?

Probably largely a demographics thing too.