Do you think social networks kill discussion boards?

**Kirsten** · 07-11-2011, 04:14 PM

Noticed that Pet Talk has become quiet lately, and the same goes for other discussion boards, as far as I can tell. I figure that the social networks like Facebook are too blame for this. And yes, I have to admit that I'm hanging out on Facebook a lot. It's nice, and I like it there, but on the other hand, discussions in a forum (like Pet Talk) have another quality as they often have more substance compared to the usual talk on FB. I'm missing that, and yet I'm often too tired these days to post more. But I'm still thinking of Pet Talk as my "home" in the net, as it's been for more than 10 years...

**Freedom** · 07-11-2011, 04:22 PM

PT - and other forums - often slow down in summer time, as folks are outdoors more. Winters, it gets dark early, more time to be online.

I don't think social networks have caused a slow down on forums - even my FB news feed has slowed down for the summer!

And, when I see someone on FB posting about an issue, I refer them to the forum for in depth discussion, support and so on. (Mostly this is bichon stuff, lol).

**Kirsten** · 07-11-2011, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Freedom

I don't think social networks have caused a slow down on forums - even my FB news feed has slowed down for the summer!

Hmm, yes, you could be right. Noticed the same about my FB news feed, too. I guess people are on vacation, or doing outdoor activities.

Originally Posted by Freedom

And, when I see someone on FB posting about an issue, I refer them to the forum for in depth discussion, support and so on. (Mostly this is bichon stuff, lol).

Good idea!

**Karen** · 07-11-2011, 06:13 PM

I do think it does, and see people on Facebook that used to post here, and that we miss.

I'm not on Facebook constantly like some people, and I like the "discussion" feel of a forum better than the Facebook way, that feels much more random, and less like a real community, to me anyway!

**krazyaboutkatz** · 07-11-2011, 06:51 PM

I'm only on either Pet Talk or Facebook but I prefer PT over FB. I rarely post anything about myself on FB. It's still usually all about my cats. I guess I just feel more comfortable talking about my cats than about myself. Summer has always been much slower on forums but I'm still here.

**Freedom** · 07-11-2011, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Karen

I I like the "discussion" feel of a forum better than the Facebook way, that feels much more random, and less like a real community, to me anyway!

ME TOO!!

I discovered the games on FB -- so I am on there much more than I should be.

But communicating? Not much at all.

**phesina** · 07-11-2011, 11:03 PM

I sure hope not!

**wombat2u2004** · 07-12-2011, 02:54 AM

On facebook one can certainly have more privacy, and people have all of their friends there, and can easily send undesirables off into pixel-land. I guess that "Delete a Contact" button is a bit of a magic wand.
On forums such as PT, one does not have that choice. And on PT (the same as all other open forums) you always get the troublemakers who just want to spew their garbage and cause arguments. Yes, we have three or four of them here who must thrive on that. I know of, and am in contact with, so many good members who have left PT because of them.
I'm not pointing any fingers here, we all have our up days and down days, but I can safely say there are some here who take much delight in being very rude.....and I believe that is 99% of why we here on PT, and others on other forums lose members. Where do these people go ??? Facebook !!! Where they are safe from such behaviour.
My two bobs worth.

**chocolatepuppy** · 07-12-2011, 05:12 AM

If I had to give up FB or Pet Talk, FB would be gone.

**pomtzu** · 07-12-2011, 10:58 AM

I think FB has had a big impact on discussion boards such as this. I was noticing a downturn here quite some time before the weather got nicer and the days got longer, and people got outside more to shake that cabin fever. A lot of the older and frequent posters seem to have melted away, and I know that at least some have turned more to FB.
As for me - FB showed me nothing. I gave it a shot for about 6 months then closed my account. It seems there is always some security problem popping up here or there - stolen identity, spammed, virus implanted. Not my idea of fun trying to keep up with that every day..........

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 07-12-2011, 12:07 PM

I think it probably does have an effect on message boards. However, I, for one, don't really see the appeal of FB though. I have an account, but mainly just to keep in touch with friends that live far away. I'm not sure why anyone would spend any significant amount of time on it. Maybe it is more fun if you use it more? I just don't think it's all that special and I prefer PT for sure!

**Edwina's Secretary** · 07-12-2011, 03:56 PM

I have to agree with Wombat. As one of the longer members on here - since early 2001- I have seen some of the fun we had lessen because of newer members who join for reasons I cannot understand. Not even sure some of them have pets!

I don't come as often as I once did - and know others who feel the same - because of the antagonistic nature of these folks.

It is still a special place - and Facebook just isn't the same as PetTalk was.

**Kirsten** · 07-12-2011, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by wombat2u2004

On facebook one can certainly have more privacy, and people have all of their friends there, and can easily send undesirables off into pixel-land. I guess that "Delete a Contact" button is a bit of a magic wand.
On forums such as PT, one does not have that choice. And on PT (the same as all other open forums) you always get the troublemakers who just want to spew their garbage and cause arguments. Yes, we have three or four of them here who must thrive on that. I know of, and am in contact with, so many good members who have left PT because of them.
I'm not pointing any fingers here, we all have our up days and down days, but I can safely say there are some here who take much delight in being very rude.....and I believe that is 99% of why we here on PT, and others on other forums lose members. Where do these people go ??? Facebook !!! Where they are safe from such behaviour.
My two bobs worth.

Interesting. I never saw it that way. But I have to admit that you CAN have more privacy on FB (given that you know how to customize your settings when posting) than in any public forum. In fact, there was something I would have loved to talk about on PT a while ago, but decided not to because I cannot control who else would be able to read it.

**Asiel** · 07-12-2011, 06:51 PM

Facebook isn't a place I would ever join. I've watched so many of my friends get into trouble with privacy issues, stolen identity and other stuff like viruses etc. And from what I'm told some of the stuff people put on there is pretty disgusting, some choose to bare their souls on there and so forth. From what I gather FB is mostly frequented by teens who can be pretty awful on there. If I had kids they would never be allowed to join FB either.

**caseysmom** · 07-12-2011, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary

I have to agree with Wombat. As one of the longer members on here - since early 2001- I have seen some of the fun we had lessen because of newer members who join for reasons I cannot understand. Not even sure some of them have pets!

I don't come as often as I once did - and know others who feel the same - because of the antagonistic nature of these folks.

It is still a special place - and Facebook just isn't the same as PetTalk was.

It is really strange some that come and never discuss their pets but love to argue politics, it isn't a political board...very strange indeed! By the way we need pics of the E's.