How about it Rob, it looks like we've got a lot less activity now than before, any stats on that? Art
i'm not rob but i don't think there's less activity. i've been away from fchat since about 10:00 ET this morning (so seven hours) and there were about 150 threads with new activity - figure 200 to 400 new posts. what sort of activity do you think we should be at? doody.
I don't really notice less activity, but I sure notice many regulars and occationals have yet to appear on the new site... I for one don't use Fchat as much as I used to, there's more overhead now. Best! Ben.
Ben, I have yet been able to put my finger on why I'm not on here as much and like you said the overhead. The old site was very simple and didn't take you too long to see what was new or what had changed. My broswer used to be open the entire day and now I just check in from time to time. Now Rob I'm not saying that I dislike this site I think it will just take time to get used to and Great Job by the way. Pat
I much prefer the new look and functions now that I've worked them out, but I do sense a general downturn in activity. I wonder if its the fast approaching winter and depression at having to put our toys away (at least here in the North East). Rob - any comments on activitity levels? Dan
guys - it's actually easier to get to the new content on this board. you just click "View New Posts" since your last visit (in fact this is what i have bookmarked) and bammo - there's a list of new stuff. you can scroll through the list and click on the items that interest you - it even jumps to the first unread post in the thread of interest. two things would help this process: * it'd be cool if that search were limited to the forums youre subscribed to - so i don't see forums i don't really care about. * it'd be cool if clicking on one of those thread links opened it up in a new window by default (like the old s/w). i don't buy the "it's too hard" arument one iota, guys. you're just being resistant to change (my two drachmas). doody.
Ben I agree with you. I can't place my finger on it but I am on the site less freguently. The site maybe easier to use and have all the "latest bells and whistles" but there is something about the site that is less inviting. One example is the icon that shows if any new posts have been made to a thread. This is a time saving feature but now I don't even bother to look at the thread if there hasn't been any new posts. On the old site I was forced to check for new posts. This kept me on the site longer but in a good way.
I just can't get used to the new look. Simply don't like it, too busy with stuff I never need. Also the fact, that we can't post more than one picture bothers me as taking pictures is one of my favourite hobbies. From a technical perspective I can't get my browser to tell me, what messages I have already read. On the old site they used to be in a different color and a quick scan was easy. Now I have to go by time stamps as I have no color telling me reliably whether I have read the latest posts or not. I can understand Rob who has to move on with the latest software update, but from a user perspective, this was a big step backwards. Sorry Rob, but that's how I feel and I have to deal with computers for a living.
I am on more - it took a while to get used to it, but now I like it more. Except for the posting of 1 pic per post. But that's not a big deal. Great site Rob. I think traffic is down a tad but it will heat up as people get used to it.
I think there are several factors to have that conclusion... 1) Still only two weeks into the new software. Not everyone has converted yet. 1,950 users is more than I expected to be converted at this time though. 2) Many users are still getting used to it, that was expected too. Actually, I'll post the stats below, but users are getting more active faster than I expected. 3) We have more topic areas. Everyone is a little more spread out. 4) I think the board is just more efficient and handles the number of users and activity better. It seems like less activity, but it may just be smoother. 5) People are using Private Messaging more instead of just posting. You wouldn't believe the hundreds of PM's that go out each day. Not only does it work for all users, unlike the old board, but it has a great interface that offers more functionality. 6) Seasonal this time of year we always get a little lull, summer is the slowest, but then it picks up early in the year and grows through around July. Here's registration statisitcs since the switch over, still many users signing up each day... October 30, 2003 0 October 31, 2003 195 November 01, 2003 410 November 02, 2003 184 November 03, 2003 243 November 04, 2003 142 November 05, 2003 133 November 06, 2003 65 November 07, 2003 61 November 08, 2003 57 November 09, 2003 62 November 10, 2003 77 November 11, 2003 62 November 12, 2003 54 November 13, 2003 65 November 14, 2003 9 November 15, 2003 29 November 16, 2003 34 Here's the number of unique vistors that visit the board each day. Things are much slower Friday through Sunday. The trend is more active users from 7 days earlier... October 30, 2003 1 October 31, 2003 196 November 01, 2003 557 November 02, 2003 589 November 03, 2003 789 November 04, 2003 832 November 05, 2003 905 November 06, 2003 910 November 07, 2003 878 November 08, 2003 768 November 09, 2003 798 November 10, 2003 1001 November 11, 2003 1011 November 12, 2003 1067 November 13, 2003 1052 November 14, 2003 740 November 15, 2003 862 November 16, 2003 879 Here's the number of new posts each day, again, updward trend from 7 days previous... October 30, 2003 0 October 31, 2003 383 November 01, 2003 942 November 02, 2003 842 November 03, 2003 1092 November 04, 2003 1126 November 05, 2003 1091 November 06, 2003 977 November 07, 2003 924 November 08, 2003 620 November 09, 2003 693 November 10, 2003 893 November 11, 2003 1028 November 12, 2003 1171 November 13, 2003 1300 November 14, 2003 513 November 15, 2003 735 November 16, 2003 670 The last graph shows the unique visits per day for the past 2+ years. Since the new board switch we're down about 20% for number of unique visits, although in October right before the switch we had a huge amount of growth and user activity. The level we've been at the past two weeks is still much higher than from early October previous. The past two weeks we've had about 4,200 unique visits each weekday. That is twice what we had a year ago! Thank goodness we're on the new software, it can actually handle if we get 100,000 unique visits a day.
here are some other statistics. the board has been up for a few hours past 17 days now. we've had 15,963 posts since then. that's 932 posts per day, or 39 posts per hour. that's about a post every 90 seconds. for comparison, 6SpeedOnline.com (primarily porsche) went live 07/09/03, and has a bit more than half our members but on average has seen less than a third our post count per day @ 257 posts per day. and nobody there would complain it's an in active board, for sure. fyi/fwiw. doody.
I think since many people changed their screen names it seems like many people have stopped posting when in actuality they are posting under a different name. I like the new board as well.
One thing that I have noticed is that I am not getting "credited" with every post that I make. I can make several replies,but the post count doesn't change until I go off the site,and come back on. I will NEVER catch up to DES at that rate! But,other than that, I have gotten used to it,after some initial pouting and whining. But,like some of the other guys said. I don't go on as much,or,if I don't see any new posts or activity,don't bother to continue. But...You wanna hear something really sad? I was on the FCA site,before I found FChat. I haven't been visiting barely at all,since I found FChat. I go on to see whats new,and it's as if I was never away. I mean,a post that I made a few months ago,is now only 3 or 4 posts down,now! And,It's a shame,because it's a really good site,too.
The new board is great! My only complaint would be the 1 pic per post. Any way to fix that Rob? Ferrari chat is the best - Only thing that keeps me sane while getting to understand my first Ferrari. In the last 3 days, I have had a fellow F-Chatter whom I had only met once help me for 7 hours with wiring, and rear deck liner removal at my house. I have also talked on the phone to a great F-Chatter in Virginia for an hour tonight. He walked me through the proper way to re-do the rear deck liner in leather. I owe so much to F-Chat. Rob is my hero.
Ahhhh... I think you did put your finger on it... the site is more effective such that you read and post all the same, but do it in much less time, with much less redundant scanning of posts. Thus, it feels like you have much less stuff to read... but in fact, you're just doing a lot less re-reading or re-scanning! Thanks, Rob!! Brian
With FerrariChat, if the conversation isn't about relevant to me, I usually keep my opinion to myself. However......I'd like to chime in for a moment. Personally....I think traffic appears to be down for a very specific reason.......... I think a WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE are really sick and tired of being subjected to having to read all that flaming and name calling that has been taking place over the last several months. I can't begin to explain how much all that garbage turns me off of FerrariChat. As a sidenote, we are all very computer literate. Are people serious when they say that this new forum doesn't work for them? I for one have not even scratched the surface on how to use the new options available to me, but it doesn't make me like the site, or use the site any less. It's just something else to figure out......not that hard. Luddites need not apply. And while I'm on my soapbox, I'd like to give kudos to Rob. Nice work, thanks.
Oops....I meant to say 'isn't about racing, or relevant to me'..... man...this site sucks...doesn't even edit for me.
But hey, unlike the old site, you could have hit the "Edit" button and edited your post such that it says exactly what you meant... no need to leave around those typos (or brain-os).
Brian In a way you are helping me make my point. You're right I am doing less re-reading or re-scanning but this is not necessarily a good thing especially from Rob's perspective. Rob is trying to sell sponsorhips for the site. If users don't spend a lot of time on the site, this site has less value for sponsors. Every business operates this way. The longer you are in the store the better the chance they have to get your money. Las Vegas is built on this concept. They want a customer to spend a lot of time in the casino. Grocery stores put the milk, eggs, bread, etc in the back so people have to walk thru the entire store to get what they need. Now from my perspective, this site may be too efficient. It's taking some of the fun out of reading the threads. Just my .02
I think this logic is pretty flawed. Should I change the software to a 286 processor on a 28k so you're here 7 hours a day waiting for each page to render? The number of unique visitors hasn't dropped, so the same number of people are visiting the site each day. Every new page they visit they'll get another banner displayed. Again, the fact is this site can handle more users, the old one couldn't, whether we have more users or not, I don't care. 20 users would suit me just fine sometimes. Matt, I have to disagree with you, but maybe just my perspective because I'm on here a little more than you. I personally think things are much better. Allan has been nicer, JRV isn't around, and even Gary Green has been better this week. What else do you want? It's the internet, this site has a much nicer environment than 90% of the sites out there. Even www.worldpeacechat.com had flame wars the other day over who was more peaceful.