Are we losing it?

[hercster]

When I first joined GOC, I found it refreshing in that it is was a Canadian forum that was better disciplined than others and the focus was on firearms, shooting and hunting.

My habit is to log on and then click "What's new". It seems to me when I do that these days the bulk of the listing is of political and other news stories. Even the political entries are less likely to be on firearms politics and I have to sift through a long list before I see items of interest that have to do with guns and shooting.

Am I missing something?

[Foxer]

Well - just looking over the 'whats new' button right now, the largest number of posts actually seems to be new members, so that's not bad (not terribly exciting thread wise i'll grant you but still )

there's a few threads by shalimar that are kind of 'off topic' so to speak and one about a car and one about a bug out vehicle, the rest are all pretty much gun related. It does kind of feel a little like there's less 'pure gun' stuff. I used to post gun news stories but i stopped because it felt like it was taking away from things a little. I still post to the firearms related posts.

I dunno - i guess it's kind of inevitable in a way - news and politics happens every day, but there's only so much new to talk about with regards to guns themselves. Maybe we do need to really encourage more gear reviews, more 'associated' stuff like the bow and knife discussions, that sort of thing.

Any suggestions on how to improve the posts?

[Foxer]

Well - just looking over the 'whats new' button right now, the largest number of posts actually seems to be new members, so that's not bad (not terribly exciting thread wise i'll grant you but still )

there's a few threads by shalimar that are kind of 'off topic' so to speak and one about a car and one about a bug out vehicle, the rest are all pretty much gun related. It does kind of feel a little like there's less 'pure gun' stuff. I used to post gun news stories but i stopped because it felt like it was taking away from things a little. I still post to the firearms related posts.

I dunno - i guess it's kind of inevitable in a way - news and politics happens every day, but there's only so much new to talk about with regards to guns themselves. Maybe we do need to really encourage more gear reviews, more 'associated' stuff like the bow and knife discussions, that sort of thing.

Any suggestions on how to improve the posts?

[hercster]

I really don't know what can or should be done Mr. Foxer but I find my fingers are doing the walking more and more. GOC used to be the first forum I opened from the large number where I have a membership. Since you named names, it's clear that just one or two posters can stack the deck of new entries. I find it getting tedious and can just as easily join a forum where 95% of the chatter is about firearms. I'm a bit concerned that others will find similarly and GOC will dwindle which would be unfortunate.

[3MTA3]

Yeah- I am feeling kind of the same way. The very positive nature of this forum seems to be shifting as well.

[Foxer]

well i guess we could make a rule that only firearms related discussions be started and no politics.

[Doug_M]

I've always wanted (on many forums, not just here) a way to personalize the what's new button so only the sub-forums I'm interested show. Don't know if vbulletin has that ability.

[Gaidheal]

I've lost a lot of interest here as all threads seem to dissolve into a rant about one particular person's view of how unfair life is.

I too use the what's new button (on all forums I visit) and just open threads that look like they would appeal to me - and many USED to.

[Gunexpert007]

For my two cents worth , I think any post is a good post as it can generate interest . If GOC start to heavily restrict posts and threads , then there will be no posts to browse through.......and the lack of posts and topics will kill any site . For me personally , when I sign on to GOC , I hit the whats new button , and scan down through the threads . Any that interest me , I open and read , and maybe comment.....others I do not even bother to open if the topic is not an interest to me......if anything , we need more members putting up threads and posts to generate interest , not fewer....

[Gaidheal]

Yes. But we need a lot fewer of them hijacked into one common rant.

Or at least that's how it feels to me.

Off to the range. Hopefully I will feel better about the site later.

[Grey_Wolf]

Yes. But we need a lot fewer of them hijacked into one common rant.

Or at least that's how it feels to me.

Off to the range. Hopefully I will feel better about the site later.

While I agree with you I don't see it as a problem only with this forum. It seems that on any forum (admittedly I am on very few) a lot of posts end up being hijacked to a rant, becoming a spraying contest (should start with a P) or worse and get locked down. Sort of defeats the purpose of Gun owners, outdoorsmen or nutz getting together to share fun stories and ideas about all that is great about our chosen sport - doesn't it? Or is that just the way society is going these days? Keyboard commandos?

[mtlgun]

Personally I never use the ' what's new button' so I guess I haven't noticed if there's more or less off topic stuff than usual. I'll take a peek in Black Powder, Archery, or Prepping every blue moon but I tend to stick with what my interests are.

Summer has been a bit quiet it seems. I accept a level of personal blame for this. I've been buying more tools than guns lately and didn't want to bore anyone with my less than thrilling drill bit reviews. I promise to try harder.

On the other hand, while I haven't noticed much in terms of off topic or spam I have remarked that we seem to be more of a beer crowd than whine. Compared to certain forums there seems to be ALOT less diaper dumping/look at me look at me/I want a pony type bs here, and I'm quite very happy about that.

Wish me luck at next weeks gun show. I'll post pics if I find anything sweet. Or if you're really bored I'll review my drill bits.

[Strewth]

As the election looms closer, we're going to get more political threads, I would think. Since the CSFLA was floated we're also getting an agitated minority demanding large changes at every turn which is getting very tiresome. Having said that, and not to turn this thread into one of the ones the OP is worried about, I appreciate what Mr. hercster is saying.
I'm going to the range today, I will remember my camera. I'll try my hand at some form of review maybe.

[Strewth]

Personally I never use the ' what's new button' so I guess I haven't noticed if there's more or less off topic stuff than usual. I'll take a peek in Black Powder, Archery, or Prepping every blue moon but I tend to stick with what my interests are.

Summer has been a bit quiet it seems. I accept a level of personal blame for this. I've been buying more tools than guns lately and didn't want to bore anyone with my less than thrilling drill bit reviews. I promise to try harder.

On the other hand, while I haven't noticed much in terms of off topic or spam I have remarked that we seem to be more of a beer crowd than whine. Compared to certain forums there seems to be ALOT less diaper dumping/look at me look at me/I want a pony type bs here, and I'm quite very happy about that.

Wish me luck at next weeks gun show. I'll post pics if I find anything sweet. Or if you're really bored I'll review my drill bits.

lol. Bore, drill bits. tee-hee!

[bettercallsaul]

The only thing I can suggest if you don't see the kinds of threads you like is to create them yourself.

I see this place as a place to discuss guns (which we do) but also it's a place where people with the same political values come together. We are all gun owners politically just as much as we are physically owners of guns.