What do you want to have on Bushcraft UK?

[Tony]

This thread is inspired by the one HERE by @HillBill where he talks about the forums being a quiet place compared to the old days.

So, this thread is to get ideas and thoughts on what would encourage users to post more, encourage people to join and help the forums grow. I'd also like to hear about what would be good benefits for subscribed members (I know that most subscribe because they like the place and want to support it, thank you for that!)
One thing I read in the other thread was about posting images easier, which is a full member benefit at the moment.

So, all members able to post images

anythign else?

 

[Wildgoose]

I’d be cautious opening up the photo option to all, full member status is not expensive and shows a degree of commitment and allows a bit of vetting too.

I’m liking this current trend of linking older posts that are on the same topic, saves a lot of repetition.

I still think BCUK is awesome and accounts for the majority of my non work internet usage.

 

[tamoko]

Like to see some Ethnographic research. Some think like a Jesup North Expedition research of native tools culture technology.

 

[JonathanD]

Interaction needs to be encouraged. So less of the ‘do a search we’ve covered that many times’ posts. That discourages conversation and makes the person asking the question less likely to add input to other discussions and maybe even creating their own threads ever again. Does it really matter if we have another thread on ferro rods, when we have 7000 already. Nope. As replies and members adding input will vary from anything gone before.

It’s a difficult one. A deep ponder is needed. This forum is still very active and attracting new members.

As for all members posting images. Is there a level where you can set the resolution of the images for different members? Or the size. That way non members can still post pictures, but not as hi def or as a large as full members.

 

[Wildgoose]

Whilst I’d hate to discourage anyone posting, I do prefer that people do a little reading/research on the subject first.

We had a run of “why can’t I go live in the woods” and “why can’t I carry my 12 inch machete on the bus” threads a while back and I think the longer served members stopped replying in the end.

To use the ferro rod example, I personally prefer a “I’m looking to buy a new ferro rod, looking at the LMF/RM or BCB ones, any other suggestions?”

 

[Chris]

Whilst I’d hate to discourage anyone posting, I do prefer that people do a little reading/research on the subject first.

We had a run of “why can’t I go live in the woods” and “why can’t I carry my 12 inch machete on the bus” threads a while back and I think the longer served members stopped replying in the end.

To use the ferro rod example, I personally prefer a “I’m looking to buy a new ferro rod, looking at the LMF/RM or BCB ones, any other suggestions?”

That does rather turn the forum into an encyclopaedia rather than a discussion board, though.

Pointing people somewhere to join the discussion seems fine, but just saying ‘use the search’ or something is not conducive to discussion.

 

[Chris]

This thread is inspired by the one HERE by @HillBill where he talks about the forums being a quiet place compared to the old days.

So, this thread is to get ideas and thoughts on what would encourage users to post more, encourage people to join and help the forums grow. I'd also like to hear about what would be good benefits for subscribed members (I know that most subscribe because they like the place and want to support it, thank you for that!)
One thing I read in the other thread was about posting images easier, which is a full member benefit at the moment.

So, all members able to post images

anythign else?

Would this work as an image posting option? Images hosted elsewhere, but adds a button to add pictures to the forum interface.

Edited to actually add the link; https://xenforo.com/community/resou...-and-host-images-videos-for-free.7698/updates

 

[Chris]

This is another idea. Using webhooks, it’d be possible to automatically post links to threads to FB, Twitter and the like when a thread is created. This could be limited to certain forum areas, or just new threads in general.

XF 2.3 - Automate workflows with webhooks

In what is probably one of the worst kept secrets in XenForo 'Have you seen...?' history, the eagle eyed amongst you may have picked up on one or two... or three... clues that we may be talking about this soon, and the day has finally arrived! Today we're excited to show you our take on the...

xenforo.com

If there are BCUK social media pages/accounts, they could be used to drive traffic and conversation to the site - don’t allow comment and conversation on the social media pages themselves, but turn them into a feed which directs people to the forum.

 

[gibson 175]

This thread is inspired by the one HERE by @HillBill where he talks about the forums being a quiet place compared to the old days.

So, this thread is to get ideas and thoughts on what would encourage users to post more, encourage people to join and help the forums grow. I'd also like to hear about what would be good benefits for subscribed members (I know that most subscribe because they like the place and want to support it, thank you for that!)
One thing I read in the other thread was about posting images easier, which is a full member benefit at the moment.

So, all members able to post images

anythign else?

I think a small fee for member benefits is good. People should make that little bit of effort because in life you need to make an effort. Effort is good

 

[JonathanD]

I have to admit. It’s not difficult to use an image hosting site. I did that for over a decade on here and my posts were very picture heavy. And it’s even easier now. It would be interesting to see how many members actually have a problem with this though.

 

[TeeDee]

Whilst I’d hate to discourage anyone posting, I do prefer that people do a little reading/research on the subject first.

We had a run of “why can’t I go live in the woods” and “why can’t I carry my 12 inch machete on the bus” threads a while back and I think the longer served members stopped replying in the end.

To use the ferro rod example, I personally prefer a “I’m looking to buy a new ferro rod, looking at the LMF/RM or BCB ones, any other suggestions?”

I think that run was mostly from the same person wasn't it? And I maybe wrong but I think somewhere along the line they stated that they ( I may butcher the PC term but no malice intended ) had some learning difficulties

I will admit its difficult to know when those type of posts come up if its a genuine naive question or potentially someone intentionally trolling.... I guess people make their own decision upon replying and stop interacting.

It would be neigh on impossible I think to eliminate such postings but they are , fortunately , sparse if you look through the forum.

 

[TeeDee]

Reference ideas how to get older and newer members more actively engaged and posting ( as opposed to lurking like an introvert at a house warming party ) I know there was talk of having something similar to the BCUSA list of tasks to work through?

Not so much a pressure tested qualification task , more a tickbox list of exercises to go away , do in your owntime and post photos of completion - this sort of Bushcraft Homework 101 would provide some reinvigorated activity I think.

It would be a good way for the old experienced to help the newer members and provide a sort of framework of fundamental tasks that may retain newer members?


Just a thought.

 

[haptalaon]

I have to admit. It’s not difficult to use an image hosting site. I did that for over a decade on here and my posts were very picture heavy. And it’s even easier now. It would be interesting to see how many members actually have a problem with this though.

This topic has come up on Dreamwidth, a really nice independent social media site. Whenever bad stuff goes on on tumblr everyone will say, 'let's all move to Dreamwidth!' and nobody ever does. Part of that is the network effect that everyone wants to be where everybody is, but a big part of it is that Dreamwidth has sensible hosting budgets and Big 4 social media does not. Consequently, image-driven and video-driven social media has become a norm and an expectation, backed by venture capital, that's super resource intensive and now entrants can't compete with.

So that's issue one: there is an expectation that images are central to the internet experience, including image posting privileges. It's almost like language in some way, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Issue 2: Internet skills from about 6 years ago, you cannot take for granted that younger people have them. The modern internet is all about reducing friction, and even a modest quantity of needing to learn an interface is a barrier. So yes, it's not that difficult to get a hosting provider for images - or use markdown in posts - or use an rss reader - or switch to mastodon instead of twitter - or use forums - but most people will not do it, for whatever their reasons are. There's a very real barrier, something to do with effort. I don't mean that in a disparaging way, I mean that big social media creates this effortless, frictionless, dissociative space, and it's a learning curve to approach computing in a new frame of mind.

(you will not believe the fuss people in my life make about sending me sms messages or using Signal, they want to use WhatsApp. Texts are exactly the same as WhatsApp. But they will not send me texts. They want to WhatsApp me. This is what I mean about people being used to absolutely no friction. The additional life friction of opening up your texts in their smartphone is too much.)

Related to that is the problem of forums, basically, because when you come here you have to read what other people have written, consider a reply, write it out, and build relationships over time. That's all very 'effortful'. And a lot of people's Internet time is more like napping in front of the telly. In short, you dont just need to persuade people they should be on bushcraft UK, you also need to persuade them they should be on forums full stop.

 

[HillBill]

I have to admit. It’s not difficult to use an image hosting site. I did that for over a decade on here and my posts were very picture heavy. And it’s even easier now. It would be interesting to see how many members actually have a problem with this though.

I still use one. My photos are taken on my phone these days, but i hate posting stuff using it. So i either have to send to my PC, or just upload onto Flikr (the one ive used since photobucket decided to hold all my older stuff for ransom) using that, then do the posts using my Pc. A little convoluted, but works for me.

 

[Kepis]

I still use one. My photos are taken on my phone these days, but i hate posting stuff using it. So i either have to send to my PC, or just upload onto Flikr (the one ive used since photobucket decided to hold all my older stuff for ransom) using that, then do the posts using my Pc. A little convoluted, but works for me.

Im exactly the same, post to Flickr or email it to myself from my phone, then post here on the PC

 

[haptalaon]

This is another idea. Using webhooks, it’d be possible to automatically post links to threads to FB, Twitter and the like when a thread is created. This could be limited to certain forum areas, or just new threads in general.

XF 2.3 - Automate workflows with webhooks

In what is probably one of the worst kept secrets in XenForo 'Have you seen...?' history, the eagle eyed amongst you may have picked up on one or two... or three... clues that we may be talking about this soon, and the day has finally arrived! Today we're excited to show you our take on the...

xenforo.com

If there are BCUK social media pages/accounts, they could be used to drive traffic and conversation to the site - don’t allow comment and conversation on the social media pages themselves, but turn them into a feed which directs people to the forum.

This is a good idea, tho it's worth doing some research as well because these social media companies work for them, not you. When accounts don't have interaction, the algorithm disfavours them - in some cases, even if someone is following you, they won't necessarily see all your posts.

Social media management is a bog that devours your life & I wish it on nobody, but it is where people are. I do think the automated links are great idea, as a start point. But we probably need to have a person on the account as well, engaging on other people's accounts to drive traffic back to ours.

We could also look to trying mastodon and bluesky, ie places where people who are dissatisfied with the contemporsry Web already congregate. We are more likely to find people there who are hungry and ready for forum-like engagement.

I know a lot of bushcraft content is driven through YouTube and probably tiktok. It would probably help a great deal to get a shout out from some influencers, but obvs that comes with a cost as influencing is a horrible job, and it's not in their best interest to direct people off-platform.

 

[haptalaon]

Aside from that, I've actually been thinking about a black and white paper poster that members could print to advertise the Bushmoot events, but equally we could make one for the forum itself.

It strikes me that bushcrafty types are pretty offline anyway, and I can think of loads of places where putting up a physical poster would attract an audience that might not be on Instagram.

 

[demented dale]

I keep saying it but I would like a separate classifieds section away from the main feed so it can focus on bush craft and forum topics.. I also think that £15 to be a member is nothing and if and can afford it then why not? I have had way more than that in terms of help, knowledge and deals. so thank you everyone. DD x

 

[haptalaon]

Reference ideas how to get older and newer members more actively engaged and posting ( as opposed to lurking like an introvert at a house warming party ) I know there was talk of having something similar to the BCUSA list of tasks to work through?

Not so much a pressure tested qualification task , more a tickbox list of exercises to go away , do in your owntime and post photos of completion - this sort of Bushcraft Homework 101 would provide some reinvigorated activity I think.

It would be a good way for the old experienced to help the newer members and provide a sort of framework of fundamental tasks that may retain newer members?


Just a thought.

I think this would be really fun, esp if the challenges were open ended enough to be solved in lots of different ways.

Hmm, there was a History Sewing Monthly (this is going somwhere I promise) challenge every year run by sewing blogs where there was a theme each month. It was motivating, but from a cynical perspective it was also a cross-promotion drive for bloggers. Maybe if we phrase it not as 'homework' but as a Wilderness Ready Challenge, maybe we could get people outside the forum doing it too, and that would provide traffic in and out.

 

[Chris]

Reference ideas how to get older and newer members more actively engaged and posting ( as opposed to lurking like on the an introvert at a house warming party ) I know there was talk of having something similar to the BCUSA list of tasks to work through?

Not so much a pressure tested qualification task , more a tickbox list of exercises to go away , do in your owntime and post photos of completion - this sort of Bushcraft Homework 101 would provide some reinvigorated activity I think.

It would be a good way for the old experienced to help the newer members and provide a sort of framework of fundamental tasks that may retain newer members?


Just a thought.

This was something I raised on the suggestions forum a while back, but I think needed more than just me to build it as it’s a mammoth task.

I’m a fan of iterating these sorts of things and just getting anything at all going to get us started and then build from there. Something is better than nothing.

If @Tony is happy for me to do so then I can get cracking and people can join in. Maybe an appropriate forum area, which I believe Tony suggested? Then we can mess around with formats for it and see what works.