the dead zone

[Splitpin]

As of just now , only 2 posts all day today , as far as i can see.
Something has changed around here ... i know we all have lives ... but it has never been like this before.
Come on buckaroos .... what's up? Bit sad really , not sure if you can give cpr to a forum ... but this one needs it now.

[toprob]

Something has changed, I've been thinking about this a lot, because the general malaise has also spread to my business -- a continual increase in interest from outside New Zealand, and almost no interest from New Zealanders. Ok, that's my problem, but I do think that the abandonment of the forum and my declining sales are due to the same factors.
Now this is just conjecture...
The hobby has kind of split recently, starting with the decline of PC sales, the shift to consoles and mobile gaming, and then the death of MSFS. Sure, you could argue that it is still very much alive, but we are talking about almost a decade-old simulator, which is a long time in terms of graphic development. So although we did get a new sim which is very much like the old sim -- and compatibility is a big thing for most of us -- there have been a few too many changes for a lot of us, such as purchasing online/downloading, and even the development process -- we've seen a lot of updates for Prepar3D, which is great for the future, but a bit off-putting for those of us who have been used to 2-yearly releases. The update cycle for P3D might remind too many of the FSX SP 'fiasco'.
Now we have FSX reborn, in the Steam edition, but rather than being a simple decision for us oldies, it just adds another choice, and the same unknown quantity which is the development process.
For me, too, there's the split which happened when Orbx quickly released NZ, and then just as quickly pulled out of any future development. So if you want to keep using Orbx scenery, you have to wait for updates to installers for the new sims, and even then you need to consider it 'finished', in that Orbx won't ever release any more scenery for NZ. And of course Orbx's answer is just to follow them elsewhere in the world, buy a different 'region', with a much better future. Great for them, not that great for NZ simmers.
Now the latest enforced change -- a new-look NZFF, which has had a few teething problems, so it is easier to just find another hobby.
So revitalising NZFF isn't as easy as you'd think, and maybe it would be more work than would makes sense for the return. Maybe we should have had a modern update a while ago, before everyone just wandered off to find other interests, but that's hindsight. Maybe a forum is no longer what people want, maybe it's something entirely different -- or the same, but just a lot more. Maybe a site which encompasses a forum, library, news, tutorials, blogs, galleries etc.
Maybe what we need to survive is to track down some young blood. The forum was started by a couple of young guys, and they are long-gone. The membership -- and admin -- have become older and older, and inevitably a bit, ahem, set in their ways. Any brash, young, cheeky pipsqueak who has dared to stomp around here has been met with the inevitable -- 'no respect for his elders', 'he needs to prove himself before having any say', and suddenly nobody under the age of 50 wants to even show themselves.
I've tried a few things to get some action around here -- including one attempt at getting into a fight -- but it'll take something new, exciting, and different to bring people back.
Any ideas?

[Splitpin]

Very good points Rob ...... something did happen , and it happened fast . The old format was comfortable , easy , almost safe in an odd way.
I dont want to blame the change ... ON the change , but it seems to be the main suspect ... for whatever reason.
"Maybe a site which encompasses a forum, library, news, tutorials, blogs, galleries etc." good thinking ... i really dont want to see it (the forum) die.
"Now the latest enforced change -- a new-look NZFF" ...... i think , enforced may be a little harsh ... but it did seem that the change was agreed too with minimal group consultation , and to me , thats not what forums are about ...
SO ...what can we do ?to the rekindle the fire ....as you said , not even a potential fight seems to stir the masses these days .... in fact its hardly worth posting sometimes.
It would be interesting to see what would happen , if we were to "un migrate " back to the old format , but , teething problems aside , it cant just be that ....
Going to re-read your post ... i think theres a cure in there ....

[Splitpin]

Point in case Rob .... my post at 7.51 , your reply at 8.40 ... and NOTHING! else (other than me) on this subject.
Sad .

[Fozzer]

I'll tell you what I notice, every day, both on the NZ Forum and my Sim-V Forum, is that most of the posts are of; "Screen-shots", with the occasional reply of; "Nice shot"...and that's about it!

The posts I like are of "Off Topic", etc, subjects, which mostly generate an interesting discussion!

I tend to search for Threads where there aren't any; "Screen-Shots"....sorry Lads!.... ...!

After zillions of years of MS Flight Simming, been there, done it all, got the tee-shirt, I just look forward to a bit of Forum fun and laughter now.

I spend most/all of my Flight Sim time now just exploring, in great detail, "scenery", with the help of my trusty Cessna 150, Wikipedia for local information and Google Maps, etc, for ground detail.
In my excitement of exploration, I haven't got time to press; "Print Screen".... ...!

A good-old Forum Laugh is what keeps me going during the day!

Paul.... ...!

Just exploring Manzanar airfield and the local area in "Owen's Valley", California, using Wikipedia, Google maps, Plan-G, and FS Tramp maps...>>>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzanar

..and the abandoned airfield...>>> http://www.airfields-freeman.com/CA/Air ... m#manzanar

Owen's Valley, like Death Valley, a truly fascinating place!...>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owens_Valley

[Ian Warren]

... and NOTHING! else (other than me) on this subject.
Sad .

Yeah .. we had all been pulled over by the Police ... I was dragged into the station again , most mornings I did see anywhere between 50 to 70 but these latest 3 to 4 since the change over, Its just the "change over and the blackouts" I noticed , but I'm sure if we stick in here , get in and release a few incomplete files that still work perfect to get people looking again.

[Ian Warren]

I tend to search for Threads where there aren't any; "Screen-Shots"....sorry Lads!.... ...!

Funny over the last few years I have done less screenies than the early years .. have not done any airport builds for well over 4/5 years .. bitta scenery tho .. autogen but that is about it .

[steelsporran]

As of just now , only 2 posts all day today , as far as i can see.
Something has changed around here ... i know we all have lives ... but it has never been like this before.
Come on buckaroos .... what's up? Bit sad really , not sure if you can give cpr to a forum ... but this one needs it now.

Well it's not compulsory Marty
Seriously, perhaps people can't be bothered waiting. For instance it took 40secs from hitting the quote button to get this reply page. A couple of days ago I gave up after waiting 3mins to get on.
Hopefully the solution to our accessing woes will be found soon.

Edit at 11:35
Tried to get back on at 11:27:30 after 2min45sec got the sql error then tried again and got in after 30sec

[Ian Warren]

Just gotta stick in there, I do go to 'the dead zone' then simply plug away on my artwork , come back and find someone has replied already or not .

[omitchell]

I didn't have anything to say so I didn't say anything. I'm also not gonna respond to a post just because it's there or for the sake of just saying something.

[jpreou]

I've been away from simming for a while since my pedals broke and I just couldn't be arsed.
Now I have new pedals am I'm just getting in.
What I think needs to be offered, and I'm in this boat, is a site that can help someone from scratch, whether they have ORBX or not, *build* the best NZ they can.
That is, list and provide links to all the 'best' (yes, I know that is subjective) NZ scenery, airports, traffic, aircraft, etc.
That way someone, like me, that wants the 'best' NZ they can have, can just go and get and install everything they need by going to the "This is NZ" page and away they go.
I *know* there is good scenery out there. Somewhere. But I don't know where, don't always have logins to the other forums or download locations, not sure which is which, or what is compatible with what, or with ORBX, etc.
End result ... I haven't really bothered. I've stuck with ORBX and Godzone and the old freeware HamiltonX and TaupoX and that is about it.
If people can easily build their 'best NZ', then we might find them coming here to talk about it...

[Ian Warren]

End result ... I haven't really bothered. I've stuck with ORBX and Godzone and the old freeware HamiltonX and TaupoX and that is about it.
If people can easily build their 'best NZ', then we might find them coming here to talk about it...

All that's need is to follow your nose .

[deeknow]

It would be interesting to see what would happen , if we were to "un migrate " back to the old format , but , teething problems aside , it cant just be that ....
Going to re-read your post ... i think theres a cure in there ....

Hey Marty. I know you are interested in the broader sense and reasons for why action seems quieter since the migration but please let's not bother focusing on the forum mechanism itself. The unfortunate fact is that the old forum engine however familiar was well past its use by date. It was way out of date, had security issues (we were lucky not to be targeted), the licensing was expensive, the host we were using had changed hands and costs were going up, there really was no alternative but to relocate and update to a new forum.

I'm not having a go at you, but I have to say it's not fair to say there wasn't enough consultation. There's only much you really can do given the situation and requirements. There was due diligence taken and a lot of effort went in by a number of individuals here behind the scenes to make that transition as smooth as it was. The fact is we've moved, and we need to make the most of the new arrangements and make improvements as we go. It's unfortunate if some folks have dropped off but I'd say you'll find things will organically go back to the way they were eventually.

Re steps to make the place more vibrant, yes you're right would be good to get some ideas out there. You guy's already have a good discussion going here, lets keep it going. One thing (which I think Fozzer hit on) is it would be great to see more original content being authored, everyone can play their part here, and lots of you guys already do. Not everyone finds writing easy but we should encourage it wherever we can. That could be an alternative to the screenie comp maybe? the best piece of original content written in the month, or the best flight report, or product review, or technology discussion, or best home hardware or cockpit setup? something along those lines?

[omitchell]

I'm not having a go at you, but I have to say it's not fair to say there wasn't enough consultation

Actually it is. There was not a great deal of consultation. There was in fact very little. We were told we were moving and the details would be revealed and BOOM there we are new host.. BUT that doesn't change the fact the move was defiantly needed. You are right the old board was very out dated and a large security risk. You are right in all the reasons you pointed out for the need to move to the new host and I support them all, but wrong when you say there was enough consultation. It was quite a rapid transition overall.

Marty raised some good points. Maybe a forum isn't just what people want. We have many sub forums that are largely un-used. Maybe it's time we started using them. How about first impressions or reviews of aircraft and sceneries? How about step by step tutorials? With FSX going to Steam that introduces it to a new crowd that will be looking for help and guidance. Why can't us old dogs do something to help guide them in how to use the sim, or what is a good aircraft and how to use it, or what is a good scenery or just how to set the sim up correctly?

I think between us all the collective knowledge is just staggering. Maybe we should use it...

[Fozzer]

Every morning when I get up, and say goodbye to my Teddy-Bear, I fire up my favourite two sites; NZ and Sim-V, and search out for some discussions on all sorts of interesting and fascinating subjects to get involved with....
...especially if there's lots of fun and laughter to be had in the process!

A lot depends on the layout of the various different Forums, allowing for different subjects to join into!

For me..."Humour" Forum is always worth a visit over morning breakfast and a cup of hot tea.... ....!

"General" covers all sorts of things.

The "Café" is an excellent place to relax, sit down, chequered tablecloth, flying birds on the walls, beans-on-toast, discuss food...and anything else DEFINITELY NOT concerned with anything involving; "Flying".... ...!

...any subject, as long as it fun and interesting...

Paul...mostly funny.... and attempting to be interesting/intelligent... ... ...!

[omitchell]

Every morning when I get up, and say goodbye to my Teddy-Bear,

You got a teddy bear? I got a Wuzzle!!! (Wonder how many know what a Wuzzle is lol)

[Fozzer]

Every morning when I get up, and say goodbye to my Teddy-Bear,

You got a teddy bear? I got a Wuzzle!!! (Wonder how many know what a Wuzzle is lol)

Swap my Teddy-Bear for your Butter-Bear?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/wuzzles

(Teddy is looking sad)... ....!

Paul.... ...!

[omitchell]

Swap my Teddy-Bear for your Butter-Bear?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/wuzzles

(Teddy is looking sad)... ....!

Paul.... ...!

LOL The first one on that page, Hoppopotomus is the Wuzzle I have...

[Fozzer]

Swap my Teddy-Bear for your Butter-Bear?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/wuzzles

(Teddy is looking sad)... ....!

Paul.... ...!

LOL The first one on that page, Hoppopotomus is the Wuzzle I have...

It just goes to show that we little boys never grow-up..... .....

...thank goodness!..... ....!

Paul.... ....!

[toprob]

....
I'm not having a go at you, but I have to say it's not fair to say there wasn't enough consultation.

I guess I brought this up with my 'Now the latest enforced change -- a new-look NZFF' which was never meant to mean that the change was enforced, just that most members would not have seen it coming, or would not have taken much notice if they had, or wouldn't have known how to ask for info. This speaks more to the general lethargy of most members, rather than the actions of the admin.

It is time that the admin accept that although they did a great job of the shift, it did bring to a head a few issues which have affected the interest in the forum over the last year, at least, and that these need to be dealt with, starting with the performance problems.

Some great ideas here so far, including the need for humour -- (I did laugh out loud on the ferry reading Fozzer's post, which made the captain a bit uncomfortable) -- I'm particularly interested in a member's blog system, which has been used before here, I think, without much success, but that's just because it needed to be more seriously implemented. I can think of at least three blog subjects I'd love to talk about, and no doubt there are a lot of members with similar ideas.

I like the idea of something which runs parallel to the forum, but whether this is possible with the software we have I don't know. There are addons for this sort of thing, but I don't have enough info to know whether they would be suitable -- the phpBB community is a bit haphazard, and many resources have disappeared over the years, so I got a bit frustrated when I did a quick search... On the other hand, I have also been doing a similar exercise to expand my own site (using Wordpress), and these are common features.

So my rough ideas for a blog:

• Any member can propose a blog, subject to admin approval of the initial blog post;
• Bloggers need to keep it alive -- at least monthly blogs, the more the merrier;
• Feedback can be via the forum, if this is possible, to keep the forum active;
• Not too many limitations on blog content, once approved as a blogger they get pretty much free reign, subject to the normal rules;
• Blogs don't need to be FS-related:)
• ...but they shouldn't be 'fillers' either.

(Hey, I've just figured out the List function...)