Future of boards.ie lack of young blood

TheAnalyst_ · 25-12-2017 5:07pm

I don’t understand the decline in forums. Nothing else compares in terms of functionality. Twitter, Facebook or reddit. The debate, high jinks and anonymity are incomparable.

Wibbs · 25-12-2017 5:31pm

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Think Arghus nails it: lack of young people. An influx of young people would shake up more than just discussion: it would filter into how the place is organised and run also. As it is, the people with influence over such are either older or employed by the business. Keep it ticking over; what you have you hold; minimise perceived negativity and drama.

I would say this is a large part of it LL. I have noticed with my peers the trend is the older they get the fewer loud noises they like and the more they like stasis. They tend to reach a point(particularly men) in their 30's where they've figured out a template for who they are and will ride that all the way to the grave. This approach bleeds into how they view and organise the world around them. There tends to be a drift to the safe, to the Beige. Passion is generally mistrusted and to be avoided("youth" tends to be mistrusted or patronised). I've seen that hereabouts. It's very much more a play it safe and much less freewheeling dynamic and I would say that is a reflection of both the ageing demographic of those in charge and the corporate business side. Take mod appointments. I could name a shedload of very good mods who really enlivened forums and the community back in the day who wouldn't be next nor near in the running for that role today. And they were usually well known big posters. Nowadays with most appointments it's much more a case of "who?". Nothing against any individuals, but that's a big shift.

As Arghus notes the older swing also hit the community sense. Good luck in organising a beers these days. Maybe among the private forums(though they tend to have a 2-3 year trajectory of growth - peak - stagnation - game over).

Moderation is a bit of a red herring, but the perception of Boards moderation has not been helped by it. I would say thread closures happen too damned often. Board's, now you're talking locked. The Left/Right thing is another one. The fact that so many, usually at the more extreme, are convinced it's too right/left[delete as applicable] near proves it's neither. Things like Feedback being castrated is only a sign that far fewer people actually care. That's the bad sign. Ten years ago the merest suggestion that Feedback would be "restructured" in such a manner would have had a lot of people crying fowl, including most of the mods and admins. Then: WTF! Now: Meh.

TheAnalyst_ wrote: »

I don’t understand the decline in forums. Nothing else compares in terms of functionality. Twitter, Facebook or reddit. The debate, high jinks and anonymity are incomparable.

Anonymity I would say is a major aspect. It's much less seen as a "feature" these days, especially with the younger set. More than the younger set of say ten years ago they want to be known. They want recognition. Nothing wrong with that BTW, it's just a different viewpoint. If anything one could argue that the anonymity of the wilder days of the interwebs was more unsocial, even odd.

Four Phucs Ache · 25-12-2017 5:57pm

Im fookin stuffed.

Autochange · 25-12-2017 6:34pm

Four Phucs Ache wrote: »

Im fookin stuffed.

You are banned.

wakka12 · 25-12-2017 6:35pm

TheAnalyst_ wrote: »

I don’t understand the decline in forums. Nothing else compares in terms of functionality. Twitter, Facebook or reddit. The debate, high jinks and anonymity are incomparable.

Yeh I don't get what people are saying about boards being boring. I think theres lots of witty posters still even if the forum is more serious than in the past, and really interesting topics and debates with very knowledgable and interesting posters

UrbanFret · 25-12-2017 6:41pm

Childish moderation.

beauf · 25-12-2017 11:07pm

I don't think it's a lack of younger people. I think it's a general decline across all age groups. It maybe more noticeable in the younger group, if you are younger yourself.

Since they fractured the sub forums a lot of the smaller sub forums withered and died. No content, nothing to engage with regardless of age.

Wibbs · 25-12-2017 11:15pm

beauf wrote: »

I don't think it's a lack of younger people. I think it's a general decline across all age groups. It maybe more noticeable in the younger group, if you are younger yourself.

True enough at least in my experience. I'm on a few forums, mostly speciality ones and have noticed most have taken a nose dive in the last few years. Some are near ghost towns. Where once they could have lots of chatter, now they're down to a few posts per week. One in particular, a particular model of car forum, which was fantastic for the techie stuff has died a death. Most went to Facebook. A few to Reddit. So today if you want techie information in a database you go to the forum as a reader, if you want to have general chats, with pics of folks cars(and sales) you go to Facebook and if you're really bored or want a techie question answered quickly you go to the Reddit sub(though majority rules there and can too often be wrong info). Oh and these are across age groups too. I'd say most owners of the cars are well in their 30's and older.

Another forum I'm on for years is a watch forum and the majority of those were always older guys and even there the traffic has dropped right off.

In neither forum's case was moderation ever an issue. TBH I couldn't even tell you the names of most of the mods. Actually that goes/went for most forums I've been on. Except in the very early days when the "cult of the moderator" was common enough. Boards for some reason kept that going as a thing for far longer than most? Maybe it's a local cultural thing? The Irish and authority. We love to think of ourselves as rebels and sometimes we are, but we are also quick to tug the forelock to authority too.

briany · 25-12-2017 11:19pm

If you're properly nerdy about something, I don't see much of a replacement for a good old-fashioned forum. It's the place that offers its users the ability to engage in interminable discussion on a subject or strand of thought. You can't really get this in the same way on Twitter or Facebook, or even Reddit. Even the largest Reddit discussion has a shelf life of only a few days.

IMDB closed its forums last February. Every page they had for an actor, a movie or TV show had it's own dedicated board, and all that discussion was lost. Granted, many of the posts on that site deserved never to be seen again because the lack of moderation made it a bit of a troll's paradise, but among all that was some great insight and knowledge, especially on more niche stuff, or stuff that was more than a couple of years old. Discussions on such content rarely got the troll attention that more current/popular stuff did. Anyway, IMDB said they were to close these forums and move the discussion to Twitter and Facebook. Do they offer the same level of discourse? You tell me, because I'm never on them, but I do know that my use of the IMDB has plummeted.

In a way, I like being part of something a little bit arcane like a message board. I remember seeing older computer users talking with zeal about the days of the BBS, when the users you'd communicate with would all be from the same town, usually, and it was a pretty close-knit community, and comparing that to the encroachment of the web. We'll probably be, or really already are, talking about message boards in the same way vs. social media 2.0.

youngblood · 25-12-2017 11:20pm

I know I dont post much but..............

dublinman1990 · 26-12-2017 1:59am

briany wrote: »

If you're properly nerdy about something, I don't see much of a replacement for a good old-fashioned forum. It's the place that offers its users the ability to engage in interminable discussion on a subject or strand of thought. You can't really get this in the same way on Twitter or Facebook, or even Reddit. Even the largest Reddit discussion has a shelf life of only a few days.

IMDB closed its forums last February. Every page they had for an actor, a movie or TV show had it's own dedicated board, and all that discussion was lost. Granted, many of the posts on that site deserved never to be seen again because the lack of moderation made it a bit of a troll's paradise, but among all that was some great insight and knowledge, especially on more niche stuff, or stuff that was more than a couple of years old. Discussions on such content rarely got the troll attention that more current/popular stuff did. Anyway, IMDB said they were to close these forums and move the discussion to Twitter and Facebook. Do they offer the same level of discourse? You tell me, because I'm never on them, but I do know that my use of the IMDB has plummeted.

In a way, I like being part of something a little bit arcane like a message board. I remember seeing older computer users talking with zeal about the days of the BBS, when the users you'd communicate with would all be from the same town, usually, and it was a pretty close-knit community, and comparing that to the encroachment of the web. We'll probably be, or really already are, talking about message boards in the same way vs. social media 2.0.

I agree with you said in the point I highlighted above in that what makes Boards so good in specialist subjects. It really is an eye opener the amount of information you can get on Boards from particular forums that suit your interest. Reading the specialist mega threads on Boards about Saorview Connect, BusConnects, DART Expansion Programme/DART Underground & Metro North by naming a few examples to me is just fascinating. What makes these topics so good is that you get unlimited access to a whole heap of information right in front of your eyes about what you want to look at or what question you want to ask from people who are in the know on that subject. I'm fascinated by it all simply with just reading the quality of content that is available from all the posters in these threads. These things do keep me on Boards for a very long time to come. I'm sure that I could name a few more threads that I like reading on here but the list would be far too long. This is the sort of stuff that keeps Boards to survive long into the future. I hope that stuff like this does continue into the future because it will be a huge loss in not getting that information to other generations from other avenues of modern social media such as Twitter or Facebook & so on.

uch · 26-12-2017 2:02am

As long as Two Sheds Jackson is around, we're safe

Esel · 26-12-2017 3:15am

dublinman1990 wrote: »

I agree with you said in the point I highlighted above in that what makes Boards so good in specialist subjects. It really is an eye opener the amount of information you can get on Boards from particular forums that suit your interest. Reading the specialist mega threads on Boards about Saorview Connect, BusConnects, DART Expansion Programme/DART Underground & Metro North by naming a few examples to me is just fascinating.

What makes these topics so good is that you get unlimited access to a whole heap of information right in front of your eyes about what you want to look at or what question you want to ask from people who are in the know on that subject. I'm fascinated by it all simply with just reading the quality of content that is available from all the posters in these threads. These things do keep me on Boards for a very long time to come.

I'm sure that I could name a few more threads that I like reading on here but the list would be far too long. This is the sort of stuff that keeps Boards to survive long into the future. I hope that stuff like this does continue into the future because it will be a huge loss in not getting that information to other generations from other avenues of modern social media such as Twitter or Facebook & so on.

Paragraphs, ta!

Doltanian · 26-12-2017 12:12pm

This is a Marxist site and you can only have one opinion or you will get banned.

Wanderer78 · 26-12-2017 12:18pm

Doltanian wrote:

This is a Marxist site and you can only have one opinion or you will get banned.

Again, I'm a lefty, and I'm constantly getting warnings and bans, your statement doesn't make sense at all!

Doltanian · 26-12-2017 12:21pm

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Again, I'm a lefty, and I'm constantly getting warnings and bans, your statement doesn't make sense at all!

BANNED :D

Hotblack Desiato · 26-12-2017 1:01pm

boombang wrote: »

Anyways, I'm off to the post office to collect my pension; where's my Zimmer frame?

All the cool OAPs just get it paid into their bank account these days. The forum of the post office on pension day is dying off...

pilly · 26-12-2017 1:14pm

Can't understand people complaining about ads. I don't get any ads on Boards?

limnam · 26-12-2017 1:21pm

King of Kings wrote: »

I occasionally drop in and our of boards
I'm 40 so not exactly young.
But I find the place over moderated and speech quite regulated.
It's less appealing cos of that.

40 with a dashing of teenage angst.

You'll do.

o1s1n · 26-12-2017 1:43pm

Boards.ie was completely ruined when the menu system was changed to the current one.

Previously folks would browse random forums as they were all immediately available in the dropdowns at the top of the page. You'd just hover your mouse and you'd see loads of places to discuss different things.

Now you've got four drop downs only, two of which arent even dedicated to discussion forums. There are way too many clicks to get to anything of substance.

Not only has this killed random sifting through forums (and as a result, traffic in a lot of them is at zero), I even find it difficult sometimes to find the forums I'm looking for.

server down · 26-12-2017 1:50pm

When people criticise the mobile version do the mean touch.boards.ie or m.boards.ie.

Do yourselves a favour. Use the legacy touch site. Fast and easy.

Randle P. McMurphy · 26-12-2017 10:23pm

Was just reading an amusing thread about the boards prison. It came to an abrupt halt with only 3 words. (MOD: were done here). If your were trying to run young people or anyone else from the site that's an excellent way to do it. Clueless.

Paddy De Plasterer · 26-12-2017 10:28pm

young people have no views on anything really anymore,only drink,drugs and sex ?

Ken. · 26-12-2017 10:36pm

Randle P. McMurphy wrote: »

Was just reading an amusing thread about the boards prison. It came to an abrupt halt with only 3 words. (MOD: were done here). If your were trying to run young people or anyone else from the site that's an excellent way to do it. Clueless.

The problem between me and you is that you can't see what's going on in the background. That thread was taking digs at people who are no longer around and unable to defend themselves.

Also any thread that has been started about feedback of the site outside of the feedback forum has been closed pretty much immediately but we've allowed this one to continue.

So to cut to the chase. Lay off and give the mods a break.

26-12-2017 10:47pm

Conspectus wrote: »

The problem between me and you is that you can't see what's going on in the background. That thread was taking digs at people who are no longer around and unable to defend themselves.

Also any thread that has been started about feedback of the site outside of the feedback forum has been closed pretty much immediately but we've allowed this one to continue.

So to cut to the chase. Lay off and give the mods a break.

I did that. Sorry. *looks away red faced*

Discodog · 26-12-2017 10:59pm

Conspectus wrote: »

The problem between me and you is that you can't see what's going on in the background. That thread was taking digs at people who are no longer around and unable to defend themselves.

Also any thread that has been started about feedback of the site outside of the feedback forum has been closed pretty much immediately but we've allowed this one to continue.

So to cut to the chase. Lay off and give the mods a break.

Why ? Surely if you want users to stay & contribute you have to be willing to allow them to voice concerns about their forum ? If new posters see that any dissent is stamped on it will hardly encourage them to stay.

I remember when a Mod started a thread inviting feedback in a particular forum. My feedback was actually used against me so maybe we should all be careful.

tomwaterford · 26-12-2017 11:02pm

Conspectus wrote: »

The problem between me and you is that you can't see what's going on in the background. That thread was taking digs at people who are no longer around and unable to defend themselves.

Also any thread that has been started about feedback of the site outside of the feedback forum has been closed pretty much immediately but we've allowed this one to continue.

So to cut to the chase. Lay off and give the mods a break.

Tbf the mods been kinda thrown under the bus with the feedback forum

Having/only allowing pre approved posts/threads on the feedback forum is like something that crazy Kim of North Korea would come up with??

(Like honestly who taught this was a good idea in this day and age :pac:??)

(Have no issue with people getting in trouble for critising those who can't defend themselves)

Ken. · 26-12-2017 11:05pm

I 100% agree that the new feedback is not working/was never going to work. I say either have a feedback forum like before or remove it all together. Multi-billion dollar empires like Facebook have no feedback forums. Their is no feedback forum on reddit or google+ or on any of the 20+ forums I frequent outside of boards.

Discodog · 26-12-2017 11:07pm

Why not have feedback sticky on all the major fora ? People will always feel better if they can express an opinion & as with this thread there will be some good positive suggestions.

Ken. · 26-12-2017 11:19pm

Discodog wrote: »

Why not have feedback sticky on all the major fora ? People will always feel better if they can express an opinion & as with this thread there will be some good positive suggestions.

I can see that working in every other forum except AH. AH has too broad a mandate to have effective feedback. I can imagine that a feedback thread here would be a bitch fest nitpicking about every little decision. That's just my opinion btw.

Discodog · 26-12-2017 11:24pm

Conspectus wrote: »

I can see that working in every other forum except AH. AH has too broad a mandate to have effective feedback. I can imagine that a feedback thread here would be a bitch fest nitpicking about every little decision. That's just my opinion btw.

But if the bitchfest is confined to one thread is it really doing any harm ?

Buford T. Justice XIX · 26-12-2017 11:42pm

Discodog wrote: »

But if the bitchfest is confined to one thread is it really doing any harm ?

Possibly not.

If criticism is justified when mods make a mistake, there are well signalled avenues to discuss those. And make no mistakes, mods do make mistakes. I have my fair share of them and reverse my decisions where justified.

But feedback was a mess. On thread grievances and grudges were continued in feedback and mods were eviscerated there, unjustifiably in a lot of cases. And there were few avenues for those to defend themselves without compromising posters private data.

I've even probably said too much now but there are similar issues taking place atm and it's horrific. Feedback as it was has no place in civilised society but there may have to be a discussion had on how to avoid trolling on that type of forum.

If you have a difficulty with a decision, PM the mod. Then if you're not happy, the Cmod. Most issues can be resolved this simply where possible.

tomwaterford · 26-12-2017 11:51pm

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

Possibly not.

If criticism is justified when mods make a mistake, there are well signalled avenues to discuss those. And make no mistakes, mods do make mistakes. I have my fair share of them and reverse my decisions where justified.

But feedback was a mess. On thread grievances and grudges were continued in feedback and mods were eviscerated there, unjustifiably in a lot of cases. And there were few avenues for those to defend themselves without compromising posters private data.

I've even probably said too much now but there are similar issues taking place atm and it's horrific. Feedback as it was has no place in civilised society but there may have to be a discussion had on how to avoid trolling on that type of forum.

If you have a difficulty with a decision, PM the mod. Then if you're not happy, the Cmod. Most issues can be resolved this simply where possible.

I do not claim to know what happens about people's private data and I do believe (well hope) that boards deos if best to keep it private and I do thank everyone involved aswell (I do value my privacy and am much more open here than I would be IRL)

But without allowing on tread back chat to mods and banning feedback and having a dispute resolution forum...which looks from any glancing I ever seen to be an exercise in rubber stamping/frustrating anyone who engages with it to nearly giving up with frustration.....

Like I'd probably not bother with it....it seems too many hoops to jump through and "send the fool further" for want of a better phrase.....it deosnt seem anyone has final say and everyone has to talk to someone else

>>none of above is meant as a personal dig to anyone....just seems pointlessly beurotractic for a forum (but on other hand I can see need for harsh enough moderation at times)

LuckyLloyd · 27-12-2017 12:06am

Castrating the Feedback forum makes things easier and makes it all look cleaner and happier. But it’s not an improvement. It just killed off the last vestiges of a community feel.

Unjustified though it may be, there was a time where mods and the site didn’t receive such a consistent kicking in Feedback. The specifics of how it’s expressed may be problematic, but the recent message was fairly consistent. In that context, disabling the ability to express dissatisfaction publicly is hardly a solution to anything.

Though a business that just wants things to tick along may not care. Less noise, less trouble. I agree that no Feedback forum would be better than the 1984 knock off we currently are left with. Cut the charade.

27-12-2017 12:12am

The strength of this site in my view lies in it's ability to form communities so I think having a feedback forum is an important part of that.
I rarely posted in the previous incarnation of Feedback. It was like many have said, a mess. At times it seemed more like a sounding board for misplaced anger and aggression. We do need a place for site wide discussion and opinion but the last one didn't work and the current one is another kind of awful.

Buford T. Justice XIX · 27-12-2017 12:13am

tomwaterford wrote: »

I do not claim to know what happens about people's private data and I do believe (well hope) that boards deos if best to keep it private and I do thank everyone involved aswell (I do value my privacy and am much more open here than I would be IRL)

But without allowing on tread back chat to mods and banning feedback and having a dispute resolution forum...which looks from any glancing I ever seen to be an exercise in rubber stamping/frustrating anyone who engages with it to nearly giving up with frustration.....

Like I'd probably not bother with it....it seems too many hoops to jump through and "send the fool further" for want of a better phrase.....it deosnt seem anyone has final say and everyone has to talk to someone else

>>none of above is meant as a personal dig to anyone....just seems pointlessly beurotractic for a forum (but on other hand I can see need for harsh enough moderation at times)

My saying posters data was the wrong phrase to use there. As a mod I only have whatever data posters post on threads themselves. Just to clarify that.

LuckyLloyd · 27-12-2017 12:18am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

The strength of this site in my view lies in it's ability to form communities so I think having a feedback forum is an important part of that.
I rarely posted in the previous incarnation of Feedback. It was like many have said, a mess. At times it seemed more like a sounding board for misplaced anger and aggression. We do need a place for site wide discussion and opinion but the last one didn't work and the current one is another kind of awful.

I’d suggest the last one *did* work for a very long time, even if it was imperfect. It created an awareness of the site as a whole; it had direct impacts on reversing poor Admin decisions over the years or establishing improved ways of doing things. And it provided a vibrant dialogue between those running the site and those using the site.

As a public discussion forum, discussion of the site itself should hardly have shackles placed upon it. Unless, of course, you’ve just run out of ideas, energy and answers and prefer to just shut it down because you can and it’s easusf to do it.

27-12-2017 12:28am

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

I’d suggest the last one *did* work for a very long time, even if it was imperfect. It created an awareness of the site as a whole; it had direct impacts on reversing poor Admin decisions over the years or establishing improved ways of doing things. And it provided a vibrant dialogue between those running the site and those using the site.

As a public discussion forum, discussion of the site itself should hardly have shackles placed upon it. Unless, of course, you’ve just run out of ideas, energy and answers and prefer to just shut it down because you can and it’s easusf to do it.

I've only been around these parts for three or four years now so I'm only commenting on threads within that timeframe. There were quite a few posts along the lines of thinking boards was some evil machine out to squash dissenting opinion. That if you didn't follow the status quo you would be banned and the constant mention of "wagon circling". That's what I remember.

tomwaterford · 27-12-2017 12:37am

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

My saying posters data was the wrong phrase to use there. As a mod I only have whatever data posters post on threads themselves. Just to clarify that.

I do worry about this....as I remember an long disgraced member of ogra sinn fein (suspected mi5 iirc) who was an admin on dissident republican forum when they were in serious dispute with sinn fein (years and years ago) was exposed as being able to read people's PMs

I did see this issue raised on boards once....poster banned and thing deleted....

Buford T. Justice XIX · 27-12-2017 12:46am

tomwaterford wrote: »

I do worry about this....as I remember an long disgraced member of ogra sinn fein (suspected mi5 iirc) who was an admin on dissident republican forum when they were in serious dispute with sinn fein (years and years ago) was exposed as being able to read people's PMs

I did see this issue raised on boards once....poster banned and thing deleted....

No, the only PMs I can see are ones sent to me and Admins can only see reported PMs.

Debunker · 27-12-2017 12:49am

Well, I'm in my mid twenties. Even though I use reddit a lot I am getting sick of it and have been using Boards more often.
Over there you can select your own community. That's fine. However what really gets me is that because communities aren't really that diverse. You get hiveminds. I'm fairly liberal like most of reddit, however I do feel that people just circlejerk or blindside themselves and either accept everything that goes with them and more often these days just remove opposing opinions.

I've never really used Boards before, and most of the time there is a negative stereotype of Boards from there, though again people were complaining about something.

I do feel like though I will have to find yet another irish forum for certain things, but then when I go to other sites like political or news sites I find a lot of alt right posts and deleted accounts that spread misinformation and opinions, and well, I don't know anymore. I also don't want to have to make a thread everytime I have something to say to fellow Irish users about this or that, then catagorise it too. Boards seems like a good place to be for me currently though. If you want more people I'd suggest letting people grow up and learn to live with other people giving differing opinions. There will most likely be something the whole of reddit will disagree with you on, in that case you'll probably want to come to Boards where at least you have a equal say. You can share your opinion and not get downvoted. I like that.
I'm also against racism and other negative things, but because you're in a open discussion like Boards, if people are saying negative things or something then people can explain and root out the ins and outs/pros and cons of certain trains of thoughts. People can see where they went wrong and learn from it. Other sites its either shouting or censorship.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 27-12-2017 1:01am

I'm 52. Been on boards since (I think) 2006 and moderated on various forum on it.

I mainly use the cycling, motorcycling and long term illness/diabetes forum.

Tbh I use these more out of habit than need.

I browse AH because its like lunch time, Jeremy Kyle TV. Its a cesspit, but a train wreck that just keeps giving.

I had a boards.ie account before I had facebook & instagram and at the time it kept me in touch with the scene I'm most closely involved (martial arts).

I don't see the attraction for a younger person to register with boards.ie ~ they can post away to their hearts content on other social media platform without the worry of heavy handed moderation and bans (how pathetic that must appear to someone finding boards.ie after the relative freedoms of of platforms).

All that aside there are things which its good for, motors forums are helpful with motorbike, car, tractor issues... Long term health has been a huge help for me this year. But the likes of AH, Politics and a host of other forum, why would you bother when freedom of expression is so repressed.

Negatives aside, boards.ie still has its benefits and worth having an account, but you must thread very carefully, not take things too seriously and not get too involved.

***an edit***

A lot of us from the forums I use also have Whatsapp group chats set up, which narrows the spectrum for platforms like boards.ie even further.

Stephen15 · 27-12-2017 1:22am

I'm not saying boards.ie should completely change it's image but I do think it needs to become a little more user friendly to appeal the younger generation and incorporate certain of social media into its account but only if the user desires. Here are some strengths and weaknesses of the site. I do think the brand image is a little and could do with a freshen up.

Strengths
-Good for in depth debates on the categorical forums

-Most posters know their stuff which is good as you don't have the not thought out stupid comments you get on social media platforms such as the Facebook or website comment sections such as Journal.ie comments.

-Good moderating when it comes to attacks from trolls and other disturbances

Weaknesses
-Could be more user friendly. It also should easier for people to post images when posting in threads as it is on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

-A better app would be good that's user friendly and easy to use. Boards is one of the few websites where I would use a webapp over an actual app.

-More connectivity with sister webpages and apps such as the Journal.ie particularly which is popular newsource.

-A more updated and with times brand image and webpage. Even the new versions are about 3-4 years behind the times.

-I know I said mods were good but at they can be little heavy handed and they shouldn't keep trying to shutdown which may be offensive.

jeonahr · 27-12-2017 1:22am

I joined mid last year at 15 and have just turned 17 now. You can find almost no teenagers in any other forums besides those concerning school and whatnot.

I'd say a lot of it has to do with the stigma of being on a forum anonymously. It's an outdated concept as in today's main platforms of social media it's all about who you are and showing that to others.

The format is really outdated. Teens hardly use a desktop or laptop for the sole purpose of going online because we have our phones on us a lot of the time, so the mobile format, even touch.boards.ie, is really outdated in that perspective.

I won't even get into the condescending users on here, especially those with a romanticised version of their childhood that trash my generation and millennials.

keepalive213 · 27-12-2017 1:24am

The pop up ads are driving them away, pain in the ******* ***

server down · 27-12-2017 2:23am

I doubt that it’s both heavy handed pc biased moderation and the fact they are snowflakes who want controlled speech that’s keeping the youngsters away. One or the other surely.

I also agree that there’s a lot of criticism directed against the young, those in their twenties anyway. Of the “if they didn’t buy phones, avocado toast,TVs they could buy a house” nonsense.

That’s probably a symptom of the place being middle aged, not a cause.

Yester · 27-12-2017 2:30am

Randle P. McMurphy wrote: »

Was just reading an amusing thread about the boards prison. It came to an abrupt halt with only 3 words. (MOD: were done here). If your were trying to run young people or anyone else from the site that's an excellent way to do it. Clueless.

Yes I started that one and was suprised to see it locked. I was enjoying the "Life of Brian" references (which I had in mind when I started it). I love Boards but I don't post too often because I honest to God don't understand the rules here.

Discodog · 27-12-2017 8:50am

Yester wrote: »

Yes I started that one and was suprised to see it locked. I was enjoying the "Life of Brian" references (which I had in mind when I started it). I love Boards but I don't post too often because I honest to God don't understand the rules here.

I think that's a good point. I have been here for many years & I understand the rules. But they vary a lot between fora & Mods.

On a general note I think that it's going to be difficult to appeal to all generations. "Modern" changes may attract new users but alienate the regulars who like things how they are.

The changes to the site layout are a classic example. Boards feels that it has to be updated, because that's the done thing but it wasn't universally popular.

King George VI · 27-12-2017 11:01am

My theory is that young most people aren't interested in hearing/reading what others have to say, which is what an internet forum is by definition. They're only concerned with other people hearing what they have to say and other people seeing their pics. Which is why they stick to Twitter and Instagram and Snapchat these days because there isn't really much of a back and forth thing. Instead of "here's my idea, what do you think?". it's just "Here's my post, like it"... Which kinda makes me a bit sad when I think about it.

suicide_circus · 27-12-2017 12:03pm

King George VI wrote: »

My theory is that young most people aren't interested in hearing/reading what others have to say, which is what an internet forum is by definition. They're only concerned with other people hearing what they have to say and other people seeing their pics. Which is why they stick to Twitter and Instagram and Snapchat these days because there isn't really much of a back and forth thing. Instead of "here's my idea, what do you think?". it's just "Here's my post, like it"... Which kinda makes me a bit sad when I think about it.

100% this.
Boards.ie as a platform does not offer the youff of today what they want - a narcissistic soapbox for them to duckface on.

Future of boards.ie lack of young blood

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