Bushcraftuk.com seems less and less populated nowadays.. :(
- Thread starter Samon
- Start date
I think you are right, just as the likes of Amazon are contributing to the death of the High Street, the likes of FB are contributing to the death of the internet as we know it, I used to use FB in the early days, but got fed up with the bombardment of emails from them, one of the points to their success is the ease of use on the phones which is why they are so popular,whereas the likes of most forums are designed for perusing on a PC or Tablet.
Whenever I look at the forum on my phone, it,s full of ads, whereas on my PC I get none, making it much easier to use.
Whenever I look at the forum on my phone, it,s full of ads, whereas on my PC I get none, making it much easier to use.
Well, I guess we'll just have to get a lot of the old members back then... keep to what worked best before: members reporting on things they had done that were informative and entertaining, days out, how to's, look what I found, here's what I made sort of stuff.
I've just logged on here for the first time in about 4 years and I see theres less happening than when I was here last but it's a reflective thing, more members will contribute with more new stuff going on!
With that in mind I'll be doing a Hultafors OK4 vs. Mora companion comparison and review in the next week...
Cheers
ODP
I've just logged on here for the first time in about 4 years and I see theres less happening than when I was here last but it's a reflective thing, more members will contribute with more new stuff going on!
With that in mind I'll be doing a Hultafors OK4 vs. Mora companion comparison and review in the next week...
Cheers
ODP
It’s simple. There’s too many know it all , bullying loudmouths on the site who have a habit of talking over people, not reading or giving adequate consideration to other people’s posts and, well, not knowing what they are talking about.
Happy enough to include myself in that number.
More, there are a ton of people on the site who are the opposite of that. Kind, considerate, knowledgeable, who lurk but who are reticent or just don’t say so much. Possibly put off by the prospect of someone pointlessly shouting the odds about whatever contribution they might make.
Anyway, it doesn’t make for an attractive environment.
Happy enough to include myself in that number.
More, there are a ton of people on the site who are the opposite of that. Kind, considerate, knowledgeable, who lurk but who are reticent or just don’t say so much. Possibly put off by the prospect of someone pointlessly shouting the odds about whatever contribution they might make.
Anyway, it doesn’t make for an attractive environment.
I think that the fb argument is a good one. Also there are too many sites offering similar things. Song of the paddle hammok forums edge matters trek lite. If you want specifically one type of advice there are more niche forums and other sources. That being said sotp hf and bcuk have been around for along time.
Bcuk has also become less orentated with "bushcraft"as in fire starting etc, and has become more dilute. There is a home stead forum now, lots and lots on black smithing, not taking anything away from the site but it is more general than years ago.
Bcuk has also become less orentated with "bushcraft"as in fire starting etc, and has become more dilute. There is a home stead forum now, lots and lots on black smithing, not taking anything away from the site but it is more general than years ago.
I know a few people who no longer either visit or post because of the "mostie postie" types, doesn't matter what you have done, they have done it bigger and better than you, but strangely never seem to be able to back up their claims or suggestions with photographic evidence and become very defensive when asked.
I think I still have the largest post count on the forum, and have now been a member here for thirteen years. I find that I am embarassed by that count number, but the Boss says I can't have it frozen or removed. I find myself in the awkward position of asking if I am part of this perceived problem, and genuinely hoping that I'm not.
Over those thirteen years I have seen the membership surge and ebb, and people we knew and liked, enjoyed their company and conversation, disappear from the site,( and sometimes from life
if not our memories) and often quietly reappear to post for a while again..
Most can usually be contacted though; there's a wide range of cross overs among the assorted outdoor type forums and we trip across folks on different boards. At one point there were at least ten online bushcraft forums in the UK....that's a heck of a lot of them really for a country this size.....and it did predate the facebook groups and Youtube was very much in it's infancy.
I think that BcUK is still active, still rambling along, after all these years (Tony set it up in 2003) has to be the clearest indication that people still come to sit and read, and post.
However, if only the prolific posters do post though, then the tone of the forum changes, and the only way to adjust that is to encourage others to post too. To post 'their' bushcraft, 'their' world view and 'their' experiences.
There is another point though; seasonality.
It's still Summer.....well, for a given value of Summer, it's sodden wet here again, and well, I'm not doing anything bushcrafty just now. I have been foraging, but that's for food, for stuff to make to stash away for Winter, and I've talked about that a lot before, so like a repeated conversation, I don't want to tire folks ears. I suspect other long time members feel the same way.
Anyway, Summer, folks are out and about, kids are just back to school, the Moot is just past, folks are busy, and there\s always a down turn in the posts in Summer.
Be helpful and encouraging; post something yourself, I believe the new forum thing supports and Ignore function for the folks who irritate (the Mods don't get that :roll: though I think you can ignore Mods posts on the forum but not the pm bits (note to self, pester Admin and ask)
To post or not to post? that's the question
M
Over those thirteen years I have seen the membership surge and ebb, and people we knew and liked, enjoyed their company and conversation, disappear from the site,( and sometimes from life
if not our memories) and often quietly reappear to post for a while again.. Most can usually be contacted though; there's a wide range of cross overs among the assorted outdoor type forums and we trip across folks on different boards. At one point there were at least ten online bushcraft forums in the UK....that's a heck of a lot of them really for a country this size.....and it did predate the facebook groups and Youtube was very much in it's infancy.
I think that BcUK is still active, still rambling along, after all these years (Tony set it up in 2003) has to be the clearest indication that people still come to sit and read, and post.
However, if only the prolific posters do post though, then the tone of the forum changes, and the only way to adjust that is to encourage others to post too. To post 'their' bushcraft, 'their' world view and 'their' experiences.
There is another point though; seasonality.
It's still Summer.....well, for a given value of Summer, it's sodden wet here again, and well, I'm not doing anything bushcrafty just now. I have been foraging, but that's for food, for stuff to make to stash away for Winter, and I've talked about that a lot before, so like a repeated conversation, I don't want to tire folks ears. I suspect other long time members feel the same way.
Anyway, Summer, folks are out and about, kids are just back to school, the Moot is just past, folks are busy, and there\s always a down turn in the posts in Summer.
Be helpful and encouraging; post something yourself, I believe the new forum thing supports and Ignore function for the folks who irritate (the Mods don't get that :roll: though I think you can ignore Mods posts on the forum but not the pm bits (note to self, pester Admin and ask)
To post or not to post? that's the question
M
Personally the upgrade was good for me as I tend to use my phone, and the old version didn't seem to have a mobile friendly version.
I've been here a while and was on equipped before I found bcuk. I don't post much, but I enjoy reading all the stuff on here and contribute when I feel I have something to say, lots of fb groups these days are diluting forums and buliten boards
I've been here a while and was on equipped before I found bcuk. I don't post much, but I enjoy reading all the stuff on here and contribute when I feel I have something to say, lots of fb groups these days are diluting forums and buliten boards
Hello Steve Fair points too.
For everyone else; there's a glaring disparity right there in our post counts though.
He's been a member two years longer than I have and I have talked sooooooo very much more and yet, we both get something out of, and put stuff onto, the forum.....and we're both still here, after all these years. Both typical members
The forum is a kind of chilled out place to post stuff, ask questions, catch up with people, make contact with others, see what folks are up to, what they're making, widen our knowledge base, be inspired to try something for ourselves....
Maybe we need to kick start some threads on the basics again ? Thing is though that there are a million youtubers posting so everyone rather feels everyone knows all this stuff.
In reality, I don't think they do. There are some incredibly capable people, but well, editing, y'know ?
Ah, I'm becoming cynical. I'd rather see folk prepared to try, to have been given enough knowledge to go and give it a damned good shot, and footer around with it themselves until they get it. Rarely is there only one way that works, every time in every situation, in every season, on every site. That's the crux, to be capable enough to be adaptable and still able.
I'm away to put the kettle on; lapsang souchong has just enough eau de campfire about it to suit
M
Fair points too.For everyone else; there's a glaring disparity right there in our post counts though.
He's been a member two years longer than I have and I have talked sooooooo very much more
and yet, we both get something out of, and put stuff onto, the forum.....and we're both still here, after all these years. Both typical members The forum is a kind of chilled out place to post stuff, ask questions, catch up with people, make contact with others, see what folks are up to, what they're making, widen our knowledge base, be inspired to try something for ourselves....
Maybe we need to kick start some threads on the basics again ? Thing is though that there are a million youtubers posting so everyone rather feels everyone knows all this stuff.
In reality, I don't think they do. There are some incredibly capable people, but well, editing, y'know ?
Ah, I'm becoming cynical. I'd rather see folk prepared to try, to have been given enough knowledge to go and give it a damned good shot, and footer around with it themselves until they get it. Rarely is there only one way that works, every time in every situation, in every season, on every site. That's the crux, to be capable enough to be adaptable and still able.
I'm away to put the kettle on; lapsang souchong has just enough eau de campfire about it to suit
M
LikeToddy, I've become a high poster over the years, and hope I'm not part of the problem too.
I've posted a lot of things that I hoped were relevent, and asked many many questions of the hive mind, and answered posts to the best of my ability. But I think mainly it has been chatting with the many good friends I've made since I joined BcUK in 2009. Also I've always made a point of welcoming new members, I think that is very important, as I still remember how welcomed I was made to feel when I first joined.
Anyhow ramble over.
I've posted a lot of things that I hoped were relevent, and asked many many questions of the hive mind, and answered posts to the best of my ability. But I think mainly it has been chatting with the many good friends I've made since I joined BcUK in 2009. Also I've always made a point of welcoming new members, I think that is very important, as I still remember how welcomed I was made to feel when I first joined.
Anyhow ramble over.
Hello Steve
For everyone else; there's a glaring disparity right there in our post counts though.
He's been a member two years longer than I have and I have talked sooooooo very much more
The forum is a kind of chilled out place to post stuff, ask questions, catch up with people, make contact with others, see what folks are up to, what they're making, widen our knowledge base, be inspired to try something for ourselves....
Maybe we need to kick start some threads on the basics again ? Thing is though that there are a million youtubers posting so everyone rather feels everyone knows all this stuff.
In reality, I don't think they do. There are some incredibly capable people, but well, editing, y'know ?
Ah, I'm becoming cynical. I'd rather see folk prepared to try, to have been given enough knowledge to go and give it a damned good shot, and footer around with it themselves until they get it. Rarely is there only one way that works, every time in every situation, in every season, on every site. That's the crux, to be capable enough to be adaptable and still able.
I'm away to put the kettle on; lapsang souchong has just enough eau de campfire about it to suit
M
I don't know how to use a compass.. how about there?
Went to a nearby forest the other day to look for mushrooms and brought aling a cheap compass to have a play with and to see if I could find my way back to the car. Needless to say I did it wrong and got 'lost' (and stung in the butt 4 times by some thug wasp).
Why haven't I started the 'how do I use a compass' thread like I would have done years ago?
Probably because the felt lack of posters nowadays coupled with the obvious abundance of information online elsewhere. Why not google it then? because it's all so over whelming.. Why not just start the thread then? because there might not be many people around to help and they'll probably just direct me to another website..and I'll look like a moron for not being able to use a compass properly. lol
It's a mind bender and there are so many options I often end up doing none of them! I'm a hands on person and was never much of a book learner and the only book I have that might have the info on compasses is the SAS handbook (which I haven't read in about 10 years).
Oh and I'm not sure if the few high posters are carrying the rest or intimidating everyone or anything. It does seem like there are less newbs and with them, less strong voices.
The reason I joined the forum 7 years ago was because every time I googled about a particular axe, tool or technique.. I was led here. Seems only natural to folow the information and learn other rnadom stuff while there.
The reason I joined the forum 7 years ago was because every time I googled about a particular axe, tool or technique.. I was led here. Seems only natural to folow the information and learn other rnadom stuff while there.
Samon, If you want a good, easy to follow video series on navigation, search YouTube for The Bushcraft Padawan, he has some great video's on the subject, even as a long time compass user there were/are things that I picked up from Craig's videos that will benefit me when I eventually get fit enough to get out and about again.
That's a good idea on the compass thread. Could expand it too, and show the count beads as well, and basic map making by pace. Know yourself kind of thing. Good way to teach children confidence in the landscape.
What we could really use there is someone capable to do the write up to kick start it all off. Could maybe resurrect an earlier thread, edit it into a new one ?
Just so long as it doesn't all bog down into the best compass and advice that unless you have gold plated, fully illuminated, latest whatever, you'll never do it right
While I mind, the Tristan Gooley book, the Natural Navigator. I found it interesting, but my husband found it a right royal pain to read and gave it up as tedious. So, I am acutely aware that not everyone learns in the same way, and multi strands on the same topic is often no bad thing.
M
What we could really use there is someone capable to do the write up to kick start it all off. Could maybe resurrect an earlier thread, edit it into a new one ?
Just so long as it doesn't all bog down into the best compass and advice that unless you have gold plated, fully illuminated, latest whatever, you'll never do it right
While I mind, the Tristan Gooley book, the Natural Navigator. I found it interesting, but my husband found it a right royal pain to read and gave it up as tedious. So, I am acutely aware that not everyone learns in the same way, and multi strands on the same topic is often no bad thing.
M
Just to be clear, IMHO, none of the high-posters that have responded to this thread are at all part of the problem; on the contrary, I find their posts very valuable.
I personally find FB very difficult to use as a multi-thread conversation platform - maybe I'm using it wrong and need instruction on it
I do miss some of the posters that used to be on here though; people that had applied knowledge and experience. Recently, I've seen others actually criticise some past members that I have a lot of respect for - we really need to be more tolerant and use less personally critical language at times I think.
I personally find FB very difficult to use as a multi-thread conversation platform - maybe I'm using it wrong and need instruction on it
I do miss some of the posters that used to be on here though; people that had applied knowledge and experience. Recently, I've seen others actually criticise some past members that I have a lot of respect for - we really need to be more tolerant and use less personally critical language at times I think.
speaking as a newbie, though not one who uses Facebook, i use the site primarily for gear (clothing, load carrying, cooking etc..) reviews/discussion, location ideas, and wider conversations about the countryside and outdoors.
i'm not really the target audience - i'm not a 'bushcrafter', i have no interest in sitting in a wood for a week building evermore elaborate shelters, toilets, picnic tables, work benches and whittling cutlery - i'm a hillwalker/backpacker with an interest in using the environment i'm in to make me more comfortable and allowing me to carry less: so i'm looking to find hints on putting up a tarp more effectively, on building a fire design that throws out more heat than a simple burning pile of wood, and i'm looking for gear reviews that give me the good and bad of a product.
ok, the bad stuff:
i was going to post an in depth review of the Arktis B110 smock in Comb Arid, but i can't pictures of it, so i can't show you how effective, or not, the camouflage pattern is in different environments. other forums i use allow me to post pictures from my phone at the click of my fingers, but because i can't do that here, i haven't posted the review as the pictures are fundamental to whether its suitable for the person reading it or not.
i'm not really the target audience - i'm not a 'bushcrafter', i have no interest in sitting in a wood for a week building evermore elaborate shelters, toilets, picnic tables, work benches and whittling cutlery - i'm a hillwalker/backpacker with an interest in using the environment i'm in to make me more comfortable and allowing me to carry less: so i'm looking to find hints on putting up a tarp more effectively, on building a fire design that throws out more heat than a simple burning pile of wood, and i'm looking for gear reviews that give me the good and bad of a product.
ok, the bad stuff:
i was going to post an in depth review of the Arktis B110 smock in Comb Arid, but i can't pictures of it, so i can't show you how effective, or not, the camouflage pattern is in different environments. other forums i use allow me to post pictures from my phone at the click of my fingers, but because i can't do that here, i haven't posted the review as the pictures are fundamental to whether its suitable for the person reading it or not.
There's been forum gobshites as long as there's been the internet.
Maybe a 'Bushcraft Beginners' section might make a useful area to encourage people to ask 'basic' questions?
All hobbies and past times suffer from the need to keep reinventing and reinvigorating themselves, but a Bushcraft Beginners section may be a receptive and appropriate place for those simple questions that bedazzle a beginning and a place that grizzled old veterans can offer their experience and stay a part of the community. Maybe.
Maybe a 'Bushcraft Beginners' section might make a useful area to encourage people to ask 'basic' questions?
All hobbies and past times suffer from the need to keep reinventing and reinvigorating themselves, but a Bushcraft Beginners section may be a receptive and appropriate place for those simple questions that bedazzle a beginning and a place that grizzled old veterans can offer their experience and stay a part of the community. Maybe.
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