Why bother

[Operation Cobra]

When I first joined this forum it was full of "Do your homework before you buy" "Always post pictures before you buy" etc etc but these days you post pictures for advice or because you want to share and half the time no one bothers to answer. Even though you often see many many views. Thankfully you have the reliable few who always make an effort but nothing compared to a year or so ago. Is the forum dying? I appreciate that one should not always rely on the forum to buy but it used to be such a comfort knowing that fellow collectors would give an opinion using their hard earned knowledge. Whats happening and why?

[Yubari]

I was thinking actually same and have my theory. I was member like 5 years ago and returned just recently so I can compare too. It seems many ex-active people just lost their time. Nothing wrong as it is simply normal.

Another problem is that new collectors are simply lazy to do their homeworks and old collectors lazy/not willing to answer same questions all over again! Especially, when the "database" of various models and makers is here on WAF really full of fine stuff and keyword search work kind of well.

[Yubari]

+ the technical issues are not helping too. When WAF can crash week or more, people lose their interest to go there or post. I had quite long post prepared to comment on some topic and when I pressed the Sumbit all crashed. I was upset and did not want to waste time to write it again.

[Operation Cobra]

I was thinking actually same and have my theory. I was member like 5 years ago and returned just recently so I can compare too. It seems many ex-active people just lost their time. Nothing wrong as it is simply normal.

Another problem is that new collectors are simply lazy to do their homeworks and old collectors lazy/not willing to answer same questions all over again! Especially, when the "database" of various models and makers is here on WAF really full of fine stuff and keyword search work kind of well.

Very interesting take on it. I completely agree with what you have said. Thank you for responding.

[wf789]

Another problem is that new collectors are simply lazy to do their homeworks

I can't respond to the main post because I am just a new user and not been here long. But I want to reply to this.. As a new collector its not always the case. I mean, books are quite expensive and I have been here about a month looking at many EK posts but still no where near knowledgeable as some others.
At first it was a bit overwhelming but now it will just take time to research and look through many posts.

[Casper]

I have seen a rise lately in posts where people post 3-6 different awards in one post asking "is this real, who is maker" Or just making 3-6 different posts in forum asking the same question.

The above mentioned posts seem to often be accompanied by photos that look like they were taken with a gameboy in the 80s while is was being violently shaken. I really do understand why people feel less inclined to help out in those posts.

In the "normal" posts where people ask about 1 badge and show nice sharp straight photos, i feel like the forum is still willing to help out. People dont always want to spend their time asking for "better pictures".

[Operation Cobra]

I have seen a rise lately in posts where people post 3-6 different awards in one post asking "is this real, who is maker" Or just making 3-6 different posts in forum asking the same question.

The above mentioned posts seem to often be accompanied by photos that look like they were taken with a gameboy in the 80s while is was being violently shaken. I really do understand why people feel less inclined to help out in those posts.

In the "normal" posts where people ask about 1 badge and show nice sharp straight photos, i feel like the forum is still willing to help out. People dont always want to spend their time asking for "better pictures".

Some good points Casper, thank you

[Operation Cobra]

I can't respond to the main post because I am just a new user and not been here long. But I want to reply to this.. As a new collector its not always the case. I mean, books are quite expensive and I have been here about a month looking at many EK posts but still no where near knowledgeable as some others.
At first it was a bit overwhelming but now it will just take time to research and look through many posts.

Well said, knowledge is power. Thank you for responding and belated welcome

[AndyC]

As an old collector, started to collect in the mid 70s and joined WAF in 2006 I say that I help as soon as I can.

I am not modern and be on internet for full time, I check status then and then and try to help when it´s possible.



Andy

[Tony T-S]

It can be frustrating. I've asked for opinions on things and had no comments, but the search function has come to the rescue happily. I've asked about other things and the response has been overwhelming. I find that if you do the research and still can't find the answer people will happily pitch in. The other side of the frustration is that we have pinned posts all over the forums which would answer lots of questions, (our RK file is a good example), but people don't use them. People get frustrated at having to answer the same questions over and over again.

At present the technical difficulties have really made things slow, but thanks to the efforts of various Mods that's moving forward.

[Operation Cobra]

As an old collector, started to collect in the mid 70s and joined WAF in 2006 I say that I help as soon as I can.

I am not modern and be on internet for full time, I check status then and then and try to help when it´s possible.



Andy

I have to say Andy, you are one of the regular guys who comments and helps and its appreciated by many I am sure. Thank you.

[Operation Cobra]

It can be frustrating. I've asked for opinions on things and had no comments, but the search function has come to the rescue happily. I've asked about other things and the response has been overwhelming. I find that if you do the research and still can't find the answer people will happily pitch in. The other side of the frustration is that we have pinned posts all over the forums which would answer lots of questions, (our RK file is a good example), but people don't use them. People get frustrated at having to answer the same questions over and over again.

At present the technical difficulties have really made things slow, but thanks to the efforts of various Mods that's moving forward.

Valid points Tony and I agree with what you are saying. Thank you for contributing. I really need to pay more attention to the pinned posts myself. As you say the technical problems have been a nightmare but things seem to be improving. The problems were so bad last week I actually sat and had a discussion with my family lol

[Rick C]

My dumb ass impression is that many folks feel that the research’s been done and if you’re asking then you haven’t done your homework. The “research’s been done” mindset implies there’s nothing more to learn through observation & dialog ~ just pull up the appropriate threads (half of them with their original photos purged) and you’ll have your answers. I honestly think that’s a cop-out. It’s an excuse for members to not exercise their brain, their observational skills as well as their ability (or lack thereof) to make their case one way of the other.

We’ve all seen the remarks: “Do your homework” and “Do a search”. With a tad more effort one could A. Be helpful, B. show you have some observational skills. C. Demonstrate that your interpretation of said observations has some merit, D. Isn’t some subjective nonsense lacking factual evidence and E. Spark observations (from others) that may not have occurred to you. I often wonder if Bianchi or his Moderators removed the emojies if it wouldn’t benefit ALL by forcing folks to relearn to have to freaking articulate what they mean rather than use some ‘thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’ thing.

The tendency for some to demonstrate a level of arrogance that they’ve seen a reference (somewhere) that might answer the question but are just too damn busy to share their thoughts beyond saying “Do a search” and you too might be enlightened or, making a judgement on some collector’s ‘find’ without providing a modicum of their observations, analysis and evaluation leading to said conclusion leads to some frustration and might contribute to a general lethargy in forum participation.

[sniper11]

I think WAF has an excellent database of known original items and known fakes ect and yes folk can be lazy by not doing a search of certain threads first however even then I always think it prudent to ask for a second opinion.Debate on items for discussion are IMO good for the forum so would a debate take place if we all just searched the forums for answers?

Troy

[Tony T-S]

More good points. Yes, I'm very glad of the no external posting rule as yes we have lost tons of photos. And yes, check what you can and then come a have it double checked.