If vaping is so big, why is this place so quiet?

Thecageyone

Straight up, simple question.

jonski

It depends what you mean by 'so big' .

Vaping was just lumped in with Giving Up Smoking until eventually giving it's own heading within that Forum . Now it has a lot more traffic than there but is still hidden away . You would only find it by searching for the term , it's unlikely you would stumble across it . And then you have the fact that the majority of users don't feel the need to discuss it the same as they wouldn't discuss smoking, it's something they just do .

grindle

The FB groups took away most this forum's daily posters initially.
If you were looking for advice on vaping a few years back Boards and UKV would've figured highly on a Google search, but nowadays people searching for other people who are part of a group are prone to looking for that group on FB, because where else do people speak?
Seriously though, I've many friends who are dumbly surprised that forums still exist but take for granted that they exist when they have a google-able issue with anything.

That's what forums are good for - a lasting knowledge-base that can be looked over (although vaping's moving so fast that anything but the most basic of issues are irrelevant soon after the question's been asked). ECF, UKV and Reddit's ecig subs kind of have all bases covered, so this place is only good for those who really want a localised forum or local people who hate FB.

Replies to newb questions on FB are quicker because almost everybody checks in to FB once a day & there's a much larger population waiting to answer said questions.
It feels more personal, people probably like that.

jno547

Agree with the above, I was a member of a couple of FB groups up to last year and although the info was speedy it felt at times that it was a competition to see who had the best mod, tank, or the most expensive juice and I think new members might have felt intimidated to ask questions. There always seemed to be pressure to post even though you might have nothing to say so I packed them all in.
My vaping journey started here soon after I started vaping and it has always been and still is a place with no pressure, loads of info for new and old, nice atmosphere and some good people, oh and the odd sale of quality items lest I forget.
It would always be good to have new posters and it's great to see a few new names on here lately and long may it continue.
I think the foundation of vaping is pretty well covered in this forum and it's a testament to the contributors that there have been few if any arguments to speak off unlike some of the UK or US forums.

Doge

This forum is actually very active imo, especially for a sub sub forum.

Take a look at the Music Production and Dance Music Production forums in comparison, now theyre dying a death.

Thecageyone

Actually the FB side of things makes a lot of sense. The more immediate, chit-chat format people prefer over forums. Where you leave a post and it might be 2 days before you get a reply. I'm on a few FB pages, but I'm more a dip in and out occasionally type. I don't get why some are on there 24/7. But ... that's not my business. I actually prefer forums, because like Jno hinted at, you're not competing to have a say. You can take an hour to word your post if you need. I also find forums less ... 'cliquey' I guess. There will always be the main regulars, but a place like this is friendlier and more approachable than busy FB groups where they're actively sitting in the wings waiting to pounce on fresh blood!

It's certainly far from "very active" though. Just wondering aloud, lol.

8mm

I got kinda sucked in here over time as my interest grew. Seems to have just the right amount of "enthusiast" for me and the banter is at the right amount of silly and mature.

It's the Goldilocks theory of vaping geekism.

jno547

8mm wrote:

It's the Goldilocks theory of vaping geekism.

Love it lol

j26m

Most vapers I know seem to be happy with their set up - most of the women in work who vape have stayed with the same tank and same flavour since they started. It's not an issue to them - they have their corner of the vaping world and they're happy. They went into a vape shop once to get a tank and battery, and will only go in again when what they have breaks, and will go in to buy an exact replacement, if they can. Beyond that, it's just like buying a packet of fags, and there's no curiosity to try anything else.

I like to research stuff, and customise, and all the shiny stuff brings out the inner geek in me - hence I'm here.

j26m

Most vapers I know seem to be happy with their set up - most of the women in work who vape have stayed with the same tank and same flavour since they started. It's not an issue to them - they have their corner of the vaping world and they're happy. They went into a vape shop once to get a tank and battery, and will only go in again when what they have breaks, and will go in to buy an exact replacement, if they can. Beyond that, it's just like buying a packet of fags, and there's no curiosity to try anything else.

I like to research stuff, and customise, and all the shiny stuff brings out the inner geek in me - hence I'm here.

Thecageyone

Well, like we mentioned, the FB pages, which are busy all the time, is the main reason the forum is quiet. There's plenty of similar vapers to us out there - who like to buy new shinies, make their own juices, build coils, and vape around the clock. The types you mention will always be there too, they have been for years. I'm talking in the last few months it's quietened down a bit here.

Ionised

We need more Dr Bill sales. That usually brings a few out!

jno547

Ionised wrote: »

We need more Dr Bill sales. That usually brings a few out!

Speaking of which......:D
Have you checked the For Sale yet.:)

Penny Tration

Compared to other sub forums for specialised subjects, this one is actually pretty busy.

There aren't an awful lot of regular posters, but I've never found myself waiting more than a few hours to get a response.

Facebook has taken over, though. An awful lot more people have Facebook accounts than have boards accounts, so Facebook groups will naturally be bigger.

jonski

jno547 wrote: »

Speaking of which......:D
Have you checked the For Sale yet.:)

I checked it ....and.... that's not what I'm looking for ,

I don't actually know what I am looking for , but that's not it .

Stealthirl

I actually prefer forums (maybe something to do with using them since the late 90's)
I don't have the time to read/keep up with all the posts on one FB group never mind several where as its easy to log in here every few days see the new posts and if there is anything i can contribute.
Posts on FB can quickly diaper if no one comments on it

Thecageyone

Stealthirl wrote: »

I actually prefer forums (maybe something to do with using them since the late 90's)
I don't have the time to read/keep up with all the posts on one FB group never mind several where as its easy to log in here every few days see the new posts and if there is anything i can contribute.
Posts on FB can quickly diaper if no one comments on it

Same here, I know it's moving with the times and all that, the whole FB pages thing. But I've also been on the forum scene a long time, and feel more comfy with it. I can do both, but I prefer the pace of a forum.

I suppose there's been those day where I posted on all the topics that interested me on here, marked all forums read ... came back later and was disappointed there nothing in bold

Doge

Just looked at the topic at bottom of the first page of this sub forum and the last post date for that topic is the 23rd of April.

Believe me this sub forum is far from quiet, other sub forums on boards have their first page spanning over a year, this sub forum's first page barely spans over a week!

Thecageyone

Doge wrote: »

Just looked at the topic at bottom of the first page of this sub forum and the last post date for that topic is the 23rd of April.

Believe me this sub forum is far from quiet, other sub forums on boards have their first page spanning over a year, this sub forums first page spans barely over a week!

I'm not comparing it to other sub forums on here though, more to forums I frequent outside of it. And dates last posted mean little when it's jut the same few thread bouncing about, but it's only like 2-3 posts at most per day.

Like i say, just a curiosity thing more than anything else.

Doge

Thecageyone wrote: »

I'm not comparing it to other sub forums on here though, more to forums I frequent outside of it. And dates last posted mean little when it's jut the same few thread bouncing about, but it's only like 2-3 posts at most per day.

Like i say, just a curiosity thing more than anything else.

2-3 posts per thread or in total?

Tbf theres far more than 2-3 posts per day!

Thecageyone

per thread!

Mark this forum as read when you're logging out tonight, see how many posts per thread are here tomorrow.

I want more! lol, maybe my thread here will actually spark it off a bit, who knows?

grindle

Thecageyone wrote: »

I want more!

And that's great, buuuuut...

This forum has been much quieter in the past. When I pop my head in nowadays there's generally a discussion happening somewhere about something - it's usually whichever new device is the in thing or some RTA so I'm not too interested, or some thread filled with Daily Mail-reading "people" who have an inability to read studies on ecigs (very tiresome).
Or a Dr. Bill firesale. :eek:
It seems to me like there are posts every day and that the people who do post are knowledgeable.

In the past you could go a whole weekend and there'd be no posts whatsoever, or a newbie would post with a problem and they'd have no replies for days. Multiple days!

It's tipping along nicely considering a few years ago it was very much the same few people wondering when the Ideal Device™ would get released. There are so many ideal devices now that tech-fix posts are almost non-existent.
That leads to less discussion because usually people find forums like this whenever there's a problem.
Less problems -> less posts- > good outcome.

In the past it was talk of wicking, top-coils v bottom-coils or whether an eGo was good enough - fast forward to today and people have iSticks and GS Airs as beginner devices rather than crappy AIOs and they can upgrade to a relatively slim 75w device with cotton-laden tank for half the price of an eGo starter kit a few years back.

We've come so far that the only meaningful discussions are about the studies (please, please read them 'Trending' apes - do the maths) and the aesthetics. Or a meta-discussion about the forum.

Thecageyone

Aye there's a lot of repetition. So when you see a lot of new posts it's often much of a muchness, but that's alright. I'm talking actual, general discussions. I feel like vaping should be a section unto itself, not just a sub of giving up smoking, but, meh, it is what it is

Ionised

I miss the days of getting a genesis tank coiled just right and being so happy you'd post a photo of the glorious glow from the coil over the steel mesh.

Might have to dig out my Aga T and relive those days.

grindle

Thecageyone wrote: »

I feel like vaping should be a section unto itself, not just a sub of giving up smoking, but, meh, it is what it is

It's hard to consider it a part of that forum when you've been vaping for a while, but there is a good intention there.
It does help people to quit smoking and I'd rather it was a part of a forum that people actively search to give up cigs rather than it's own sub where people are looking for overpowered electronic hookahs.

If just one person found this sub-forum due to browsing the Giving Up Smoking section and then they made the transition, then it's worth it being placed here.
As much as vaping is vilified or made fun of nowadays this is a tech that can and has changed lives and already saves (lengthens) many more lives annually than a cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS ever could.

What kind of general discussion are you looking for?

jno547

grindle wrote: »

And that's great, buuuuut...

This forum has been much quieter in the past. When I pop my head in nowadays there's generally a discussion happening somewhere about something - it's usually whichever new device is the in thing or some RTA so I'm not too interested, or some thread filled with Daily Mail-reading "people" who have an inability to read studies on ecigs (very tiresome).
Or a Dr. Bill firesale. :eek:
It seems to me like there are posts every day and that the people who do post are knowledgeable.

In the past you could go a whole weekend and there'd be no posts whatsoever, or a newbie would post with a problem and they'd have no replies for days. Multiple days!

It's tipping along nicely considering a few years ago it was very much the same few people wondering when the Ideal Device™ would get released. There are so many ideal devices now that tech-fix posts are almost non-existent.
That leads to less discussion because usually people find forums like this whenever there's a problem.
Less problems -> less posts- > good outcome.

In the past it was talk of wicking, top-coils v bottom-coils or whether an eGo was good enough - fast forward to today and people have iSticks and GS Airs as beginner devices rather than crappy AIOs and they can upgrade to a relatively slim 75w device with cotton-laden tank for half the price of an eGo starter kit a few years back.

We've come so far that the only meaningful discussions are about the studies (please, please read them 'Trending' apes - do the maths) and the aesthetics. Or a meta-discussion about the forum.

Still wondering!

Agree with all there and yes it would be great to see new discussions on an issue but as was mentioned previously vaping is changing so fast that today's topic of discussion is tomorrow's history,but in general I think this forum is open to all,newbie or advanced and anything that requires discussion will be sorted and for me that's a huge positive.

grindle

jno547 wrote: »

Still wondering!

Ah yeah! I'm still waiting on an eGo-sized battery that pushes 50w and lasts the weekend, but we've come a long way from 7w, eGo tank systems and Kanger T2s.

jno547

grindle wrote: »

Ah yeah! I'm still waiting on an eGo-sized battery that pushes 50w and lasts the weekend, but we've come a long way from 7w, eGo tank systems and Kanger T2s.

We have come a long way for sure and all for the better,although it was a T2s and an ego that has me here today so I'll always be grateful for that.
I love to see and try all the new stuff but sometimes I would love to see the manufacturers put the brakes on and give us a chance to enjoy and discuss what's available,shinyitis can be hard to keep up with at times.
Speaking of battery life,the Asmodus Minikin,120w and I can get 2 full days at 60w with LG HE4's, that's for another thread though,and no,not the Sale thread.

Thecageyone

grindle wrote: »

What kind of general discussion are you looking for?

Dunno, what colour socks you wearing?

Btw, was it you I bought some DIY Virginia Prime from a few years back? I founf about 50ml left in a 100ml bottle way at the back of my old steep press a few months back lol. It was almost black, but it actually didn't smell too bad. Well passed tobacco juices these days though.

grindle

Thecageyone wrote: »

Dunno, what colour socks you wearing?

Green and red. Striped horizontally.

Thecageyone wrote: »

Btw, was it you I bought some DIY Virginia Prime from a few years back? I founf about 50ml left in a 100ml bottle way at the back of my old steep press a few months back lol. It was almost black, but it actually didn't smell too bad. Well passed tobacco juices these days though.

That'd probably be me. Past the tobacco myself as well - higher wattage + open airflow doesn't seem to suit tobacco.

Thank Christ I had the foresight to make a litre of tobacco juices just before I stopped vaping it! Derp.
I still have a dripper set up for my DIY cigar that I break open every few months. Just a shame that it destroys the coil the second it's dripped on. I should really use a genesis but... Ugh. Can't believe I ever bought a blowtorch for steel cable.

Thecageyone

Yeah when I started sub-ohm vaping I was already just about over the tobacco juices. I agree, it doesn't really suit them. It's mad when I think that Virginia prime 18mg was my ADV at one stage. Different times, and very different set ups.

I have one grey and one black sock on

grindle

Thecageyone wrote: »

I have one grey and one black sock on

Yeah, stick it to the man! You can't be tamed.

Spanish Eyes

Well my OH was using cig a likes. Read various forums and went for a big feck off yoke from VIP. Skystorm.

Never got on with it. Either the liquid went in the wrong way, or the battery just didn't work. Endless problems.

Back to ecigs, and still off the real ones six months in.

I think...looking at his efforts, that the liquid yokes can wreck your head sometimes. So it is easier just to pick up an ecig and puff away. No messy liquid and so on.

But each to their own I suppose. Some want a hit of nic without any fuss, some want clouds of steam. Some want to mix juice and hail the Nautilus.

Whatever works for you is the best way.

Thecageyone

I think i have always been the flavour chaser. I like a bit of cloud, but it' not a priority to me. I rarely go above 50w, and don't tend to do any fancy builds for RDA/RTA. I build with good flavour in mind. Once I get that nic hit, and a really nice burst of flavour, I'm happy out. Over 3 years vaping and still only tick to 2 Mods and a handful of tanks and drippers. If I wasn't DIY mixing I'd probably jut have 2 tanks on the go too.

grindle wrote: »

Yeah, stick it to the man! You can't be tamed.

I'd love to say it was intentional