Is IIS in Decline?

[glend]

Just asking the question. It seems to me that the IIS community maybe in Decline. How do I come to this view? Well in the absence of month to month stats that can be researched, it comes down to:

1. Past major contributors seem to be staying away.
2. The quality of the threads and posts are dominated by the usual beginners questions and things that could only be described as social, conversational, and chat. Sure it increases your post count but does it count?
3. Declining face to face interaction, whether this is Star Parties, morning teas, local dark site get togethers, etc.
4. Classifieds not moving gear that in the past would have been grabbed quickly.
5. The recent appeal for Mike to revamp, update, or get more involved again.

And so on.

Now this maybe a global thing afflicting amateur astronomy in general, as something similar is happening at Cloudy Nights but off a much larger user base.

How do you see it? :shrug:

[47Tucanae]

I've found this pattern with numerous niche topic forums over the years - Facebook in particular has removed a lot of the general conversation that was the lifeblood of forums, and so people only drop in with specific questions, and there's not enough of a critical mass to sustain it. Old timers understandably get tired of the beginner questions. It's really sad when forums close down.

As a newbie, I'm a little uncertain about 'diving in' and how much 'chat' is permissible - some forums are tightly moderated and others don't mind going off topic or wandering a little, so that's a bit tricky.

I'd certainly encourage people to keep using the forum, and to try to get away from relying on Facebook. On-topic forums are a much better ongoing resource (quite apart from ethical issues with FB).

[cometcatcher]

Dunno about the classifieds. A lot of things I wanted got grabbed an hour after the OP posted it!

[redbeard]

Yes it is:

There has been major disputes on who's turn it is to do the dishes, the cleaning and the cooking!

:P

[Startrek]

I’ve only been in the hobby 2 years ( post retirement hobby ) and most of my progress particularly in astrophotography is due to IIS members helping me along the way via responding posts
I would repay the help in the subsequent years to newbies who post questions requiring help as I was one of those newbies
I do hope this forum continues for many years to come as it offers so much to the astronomy community

[xelasnave]

Things change.

I see it this way.

People come and go but this place helps folk starting out.

I try to encourage new folk to start and old folk to continue.

I dont try for post count ...there is no need ...even if I shut up most days my post count will go up..what is in a post count?...I look at my post count and think why have I wasted so much time here...well then I think "you enjoy it so it not a waste really".

I like to encourage folk to have a go and this place gives opportunity for that...and I still need help just look at my last twelve months...questions questions and more questions.

The experienced folk have heard it again and again but for a new member it is fresh...what scope should I get...and if you are new that is a great big concern...I always feel like saying buy them all as you will sooner or later☺ but if starting you think maybe to invest say $300 is a big deal and when it starts going past that or whatever folk like help and assurance...Also I think hobbies hold a certain time period in a persons life..so many memebers will never be here for all that long...I have been here for a while because I dont get upset with others..many do.. dont...


As to the adds who knows what is going on but it is my feeling that if something is priced realistically it sells right away.

Some of the adds simply show folk to be greedy and unrealistic which I dont think reflects upon the site but upon their out of touch reality.

Heck I have seen a mount offerred for about $100 less than retail...will it sell? Never.

The market is here ...if it dont sell price maybe the problem.
Look at the numbers a lot of viewers pass thru.

Face to face..I cant comment other than I dont see any people ..I am a hermit even in the city...really I find it un necessary but many times I have felt like going to a night at ...mmm just North of here... but I dont not because I am if anything just lazy....I have only met two people from here but that only shows that I am a hermit...no reflection on the site.

Mike not being here...

Mike has had his time with astronomy and now he is doing other stuff..good on him and I wish him well and will stand behind the guy until the day I die...look at what he has done (not to exclude all the others but when I talk of Mike there is a group) for astronomy...how many got their start here...give Mike a break if he remains silent from now on he has done more than most can hope for.

I often think the place goes down hill because I am here.

I bet I make many folk sick... they must see me as they must..yap yap yap...I know that but I really try to encourage newcomers being chatty is my way..they come and go and a word of encouragement can be very helpful.

I try to entertain, to provide an insite into a crazy mans mind☺ to help folk laugh or to think...as I often say I ppst to remind folk there are people like me out there...not all are the same is my message.


If the place is going down hill thats the way of it...things are born things die, nothing is forever...but while its here lets get behind it..

And if someone like me ticks you off realise I am just one guy.. dislike me but enjoy the site...if you think there is a click dont...folk who are clicky are mostly insecure and should not worry you.

My experienve here is everyone is decent respectful and helpful...if you can find that at another place go there and be happy.

A lot of us are old but we have some bright new folk like Logan and Tony who no doubt will become famous so let us old folk be positive helpful and demonstrate old age means wisdom not grumpyness.

If there is concern that things ate going down hill lets address the problem even if it means I must leave.
Send me a pm if you wish to vote..I wont take it personal.

For me I promote this place to most folk I talk to...it starts with I show them a photo on my phone of something that I have captured and then tell them about here...if everyone did that maybe that could help with the numbers.

I was going to print out a photo of one of my widefields with reference to here.

And if the administration has problems lets not jump on them lets try and help...it would be nice to thank the mods ...they are magic...there are no better.

I "will" everything to be better please join me☺
Alex

[redbeard]

Oops, my bad, I didn't read the title correctly and previously responded as if it was the ISS. :drink: LOL.

As for IIS, I think every day is different. I do touch base most days and it is my goto website. The beauty is you never know what you will get on any day and some days some of the best info is provided, another could be the right person on line who can help you, or vica versa and you give help. I have seen bargains and I have seen prices too high, (not that often though),
and it's all a great learning experience. Other days I guess everyone is living their lives, like Mike and enjoying their other non astro hobbies. When Edwin Hubble stopped looking through that giant telescope, there was always someone else waiting in line for their first go.

I see many who are only too keen to help people, even if they have been around for years, but some days we can all be tired and not reply to any posts that you just don't have the energy to go over again etc.

The only decline part for me is when people get too personal and tell others they are wrong when perhaps they should just air their opinion and keep things at that. It simply gets ridiculous at times. I think one sign of decline would be if the non astro posts started to out weigh the astro posts, after all it is Ice In Space. So all in all, I do not think IIS is in decline because it feels like a website home to me and each day is completely different IMHO. I love it!
:)

[The_bluester]

It is not IIS, it is forums in general. This is actually one of the forums that is faring the best out of all the ones I have been frequenting for years. Social media such as Facebook has been the death of forums, which is a pity, FB is utterly useless as the kind of technical and howto resource that forums excel at.

One of the others I am on has been running for at least 15 years and until a few years ago was almost unmoderatable (I was a mod, one of about a dozen) due to the volume of posts. Not is it not uncommon for there to be only a couple of posts in a day, with the GPDR being a headache the current admins are seriously discussing just closing it down.

A couple of other forums are even more dead than that.

[RB]

Thanks Alex.

:)
RB

[RB]

LOL Damian, the dishes on the ISS just get tossed out the newly added hole.

:lol:

[LewisM]

Yep, IIS is definitely in declination and right ascension. (go on, you know it was corny, but appropriate :) )

Decline? Nah...just quite lately.

[RB]

Not when you posted that Cigar......

:lol:

[LewisM]

I said QUITE not QUIET. I know spelling isn't your strong suit (obviously not mine either :lol:)

Haven't you got some chickens to go pluck or something? (I said PLUCK - that I spelled RIGHT!) :P

[RB]

:lol:

[LewisM]

Actually, haven't seen a single photon captured by that TOA lately...no, scratch that, a LONG LONG time. :poke:

Hmmmm

[RB]

Which one?
The 130 or the 150?

:P

You stick to identifying Hungarian registered planes and I'll stick to dreaming about imaging.

:rofl:

[RyanJones]

I'm a relatively new member but as my fiancé will tell you, I'm addicted. I've actually caught her several times recently taking a look herself.

As with all forums, they are gathering lots of different people. Astronomy brings us all together. To be fair, many people with this shared interest may have different personalities that we wouldn't necessarily chose to hang out with. Every now and again this may cause some small feuds, but as a whole the variety of knowledge, experience and depth of discussion that is on this site I think is great :)

The trade section is fantastic and gives newbies not only a chance to purchase equipment at a fair price, but also is being sold by somebody that has experiment using the equipment. Much better than any shop can offer.

Keep it up IIS :)

[RB]

So true, IIS is so addictive.
Unfortunately, after 13 yrs of this, when my wife sees I'm on IIS, she kicks the power cord out of the socket.

:P :lol:

[Allan_L]

Decline?
Well, this depends on your own perspective.
And what measuring criteria you use.
Members, visitors, number of posts, number of reads, whatever?

I have seen changes since I joined 10 years ago.
Then it was a fun place of sharing and light heartedness.
We could talk about Pink and other non astronomy topics freely and have a laugh. (There are as many daylight hours in a day as there are Dark after all).

But then someone complained about the number of non-astronomy related posts in the General section, and it suddenly got more serious, and IMHO dull. Some suggested that "chat" belonged in a chat room. From memory, Mike was brought into the story. And it seemed, a lot of people either left, or stopped posting to avoid criticism. I know it gave me pause for thought before hitting submit. I think it has been a little sad since then.

But as has been said, people come and go. And everybody has different personalities and interests. And I guess a waning of interest over time.

Personally, I love this place, I have awe for what Mike has created here, I thank the mods for the ongoing (often thankless) work. I hope it continues to inspire newcomers and old hands alike for a long time to come. Just sometimes someone needs to say … lighten up folks!

(now... shall I hit submit or not ? ...:question: )
Long live IIS :thumbsup:

[The Mekon]

I'm still as keen as ever, though over 11 years of membership my activity has waxed and waned. Most of the those whom I know and follow still post regularly, and just this year I went to a star party at Coolah and met up with members who were, up to that time just usernames.

The forum is still a very important resource for me to both ask questions and share knowledge. Sure some of the threads are a little trite and frivolous - just recently I was going to ask those with an aviation enthusiasm to cut down on the pictures of aeroplanes, but thought what the heck, they are not doing any harm.

I still get a kick out of posting an interesting observation, and find that this section, though not so busy, can be the most valuable part of the forum. Les (ngcles) post re Zwicky's ring was one recent gem.

As for the classifieds - there is so much stuff out there now that I am surprised stuff sells as quick as it does!

[multiweb]

This site has been around for so long that there is a generational gap starting to show up now. :lol: Fantastic resource. Always has been. Classified are gold. Probably got 90% of my gear from them and still buying/selling with minimal hassle. Astro interest comes and goes depending on work and weather patterns but in the end aren't you just glad you have an active forum to come back to share your pics and ask questions? :thumbsup:

[RD400C]

I am relatively new and do a lot more reading than writing on the forums. I hope the site is not in decline, but I think it could do with a birthday or spring clean, especially on the opening page, a quick update of images of the month and other links to current date. BUT we all have day jobs and lives to get on with so I imagine like most things Australian this is all run by volunteers.

I find this forum very helpful and the insight provided by the members is highly valued.

I hope it continues to grow, but to grow it needs new members across all age, gender and social groups.

Perhaps we all need to just do more posting, keeping it respectful and helpful as always

Cheers

[FlashDrive]

Maybe she's trying to ' tell ' you something ....:P

[pmrid]

If there is a perceived decline in astronomy-related activity, and I can't say there is not, a few other factors could be at work.

1. For the past year the weather has been anything but friendly. Summer was longer and hotter in most parts of the country and cloud cover seemed to be almost unending for the greater part. My own astrophotography activity dropped down to almost zero for a long while. This would also have impacted on spontaneous star-parties and get-togethers.

2. I think that we went through a period during which there was a deal of high-handed and somewhat uncivil posting with self-described experts in this and that pontificating endlessly and heaping scorn on those with the temerity to disagree with them. It was discouraging to say the least.

3. For my part, newcomers should be welcomed and encouraged. Today's newcomer will be tomorrows purchaser of that item you want to sell.

Peter

[RB]

:party::lol2:

[raymo]

The only thing I have noticed is that the number of experienced members
answering newbies' questions seems to have declined, resulting in newbies
with two minutes experience helping newbies with no experience by
offering advice which is often incorrect, which is unfortunate, to say the least.
raymo

[AndyG]

Thankfully, Townsville weather has been perfect, possibly enviable for others "down south". Though with this comes another year of vicious water restrictions...

#2: Sadly yes, though having lurked 4Chan for 12+ years, I guess I'm desensitised. Now that is a a site "in decline". Traffic wise, it was once the 5th most popular site on the whole internet. Now, it resembles a sad, failed experiment. Still, the specific interest sections can be good, with wisdom to be found. Most sections however, are best forgotten, from a public (mental)health point of view.

#3: Amen Brother.

[AndyG]

Nah Man - no chance of that. I don't believe in Horoscopes or Deities, but I believe in you. There's always a whimsical solution, or mitigation to life's problems, to be found here, in a neat blue box with "xelasnave" in the title. If these solutions are not "right", they are at least entertaining.

Don't pull the plug on us now Dude...

[Lognic04]

I'm gonna stay away from the other convo but,
Alex, you always bring happiness to this forum with your posting! There is no chance in hell that you bring this forum down, your posts are so insightful and interesting to read!!!
Keep up posting!!! :D

[trent_julie]

I check ISS occasionally. For me it has been crucial for developing my interests. However, the thing that annoyed me the most was the apparent cliques and politics. I stopped posting images and inventions years ago because of it.

Trent

[Ric]

I don't think that IIS is in decline, I think that some members are getting too serious.

When I first joined it was a fun place to be, everyone was light hearted and there was lots of banter going on. new members got a warning that everything was good natured and don't take anything too seriously.

Nowadays every second thread is closed because it is hijacked for someone's personal agenda and usually has nothing to do with the original post.

My thoughts are that IIS will be around for a long time to come and we should just relax and have a good time which I believe was the original intention of this great forum.

Cheers :)

[FlashDrive]

I'll still be here when I turn 100 :hi:

[RB]

We agree.
Please report anything that you feel may be against the TOS.
It helps us tremendously and we do read every report we receive and will take action if necessary.

:)


They were good times Ric, where everyone had a good laugh around here.
Brings back memories.
I still like to have a good laugh.
Life is way too short.

RB
:thumbsup:

[Octane]

Decline or not, I cherish the real life friends I've made on here over the last 13 years. :)

H

[Outcast]

I for one love this place....

Lurked here a while before taking the plunge & buying my first real scope from an IIS member. Learned a lot on here about visual observing & received plenty of helpful advice & opinions when I asked for help.

A number of members on here have helped me with technical issues & encouraged me to extend myself & attempt things I would never have done before (like making my own cables)

Not a total noob on visual stuff anymore but, still much to learn. Now venturing into short exposure astrophotography & & the encouragement & advice I've received on here is phenomenal.

As for noobs advising noobs; not necessarily a bad thing IMHO, much can be gained from other inexperienced folks journey, & there is always someone more experienced here to correct anything that is innacurate. That's also part of the learning experience.

Without this place, I probably wouldn't have got started, & without this place & it's wonderfully generous members I probably wouldn't have seen a tenth of what I've seen & learned.

Oh & Alex, please never stop with your posts, they are wonderfully encouraging, generally insightful & always entertaining.

My $2.45 worth...

[Tropo-Bob]

The dust storm on Mars has made this a somewhat disappointing time.

We just need a good comet or nova to create a bit more excitement.

Or even a good space mission. I really fired up when those first pictures from Pluto rolled in a few years ago.

[gaseous]

Just keep posting your observations Bob, at least the visual side will stay thriving.

[OzEclipse]

Bob,

Just because it's you, and because you asked so nicely, here is a (probable) naked eye comet for you to observe over the next few months as requested.

http://joe-cali.com/astronomy/observation/wirtanen_2018/INDEX.html

Joe . :D

[Slawomir]

Perhaps IIS community, with so many word masters, could put together a few articles for the equipment reviews section? There are numerous reviews from 2005 and thereabouts, and then either there was less equipment being purchased, or we couldn't be bothered writing reviews, or energy is being directed somewhere else, like political threads etc.

[Tropo-Bob]

I am impressed!

Have U also any info up your sleeve on the next supernova? :D

[OzEclipse]

It will be NGC 1365, on March 5th :D

[Tropo-Bob]

:rofl:

[ChrisV]

Trouble is, I don't always get answers to questions from more experienced users. For AP, using pixinsight etc. So go to larger (CN) or more specialised forums (PI forum) if I have more difficult question.

And if I see questions from those even more noobie than me I'll jump in with a answer if no one else does.

But the IIS community is a nice one - things can get pretty hostile on some other forums.

[raymo]

Hi Chris, The fact that you are not getting answers from experienced members reinforces what I said.
Its great for newbies to chat about their experiences provided that any
advice given is known to be correct. Incorrect advice can lead the
receiver off in the wrong direction, and even lead to expensive incorrect
decisions being made.
Sorry about the slight hijack, but at least it is closely related to the
subject of the thread.
raymo

[AndyG]

Smashing idea. When I was first starting 1-2 years ago, I googled like crazy before my 1st purchase(s). IIS threads, and reviews/articles rated well in Google searches, and thus laid the foundation for my knowledge (prior to some real experience).

Later, I'd bought an AZ3-R mount, which was largely a blind purchase. I could not find much in the way of independent reviews, only sales pitches from websites. Turns out this mount was damn perfect for it's intended purpose, so I wrote a detailed review - 1000+ words and 8 pictures.

I wrote this, not because I'm a wordmaster, but simply to help others looking for a review as I once was. Naturally, IIS reviews and articles was the place to submit it. Sadly, this went the same way as "image of the week" - for the same unfortunate reasons.

I suspect this place helps multitude of people (via google searches of the achives), who never sign up. The "advice on Astro party hosting" thread I started a while ago could help many, thanks to the fine efforts of the member base.

I don't think this place is in decline- I only worry about it's ability to measure and organise itself. Political bants and rants are inevitable - we are passionate, mentally active humans... nothing to worry about there.

[xelasnave]

It is nice to read the posts in this thread and see the support for this place.
Long live Iceinspace.
Alex

[PeterM]

The site below is useful for recent (and past) Supernova discoveries.
Discoveries now go through an IAU working group called the TNS (Transient Name Server) then David Bishop picks them up on his Bright Supernova Page within hours of the TNS and usually with images. So those wanting to follow up/image the bright ones can get a pretty good heads up. As far as amateur discovery, while still possible/probable the passing of each year with more sophisticated professional all sky searches will make it all the more difficult, making it all the more exciting when you do find one (and you can).

http://www.supernova.thistlethwaites.com/snimages/
https://wis-tns.weizmann.ac.il//

Re IIS in decline nah, so long as people like Alex are here that will never happen.

[acropolite]

I can relate to this HRH Liz treats any online activity device as "the other woman" and reacts accordingly. Forum members come and go, many return after a period, Striker is a classic example. I notice much the same with Ausphotography forum, less members and the quality of content has diminished over the past few years.
I think IIS is still very much friendly, relevant and informative, it's still a great place to be IMO.

[MortonH]

Most equipment is reviewed elsewhere (e.g. Cloudy Nights) so there's no real need for an IIS review, unless you happen to be one of the early recipients of a new product like the Skywatcher 150ED.

[gregbradley]

Is this one of those threads you see on the Net about the Australian economy about to go into a crash and recession or house prices about to implode??

I did not know this site was in decline - by what measure? Seems the same to me if not more active with way more people posting images than say 3 years ago.

Greg.

[N1]

Well, it involves looking up too so you can't really blame them. Plane spotting with a decent scope is quite fun actually. On that subject, I have been following the atmospheric radiation research and the exposure of flight crews and passengers to it over on spaceweather.com and am seriously impressed by their work.

[Allan_L]

Perhaps it has something to do with the way some comrades will hijack a good thread, with inane comments and no respect for the OP. And the thread is eventually asked to be removed. Another one today I notice. Congratulations. :rolleyes:

[RickS]

Sometimes that sort of stuff depends on context and the purpose of the thread. Generally, it's a pretty good natured place, IMO, and folks that want help or advice often get it without too much posing and posturing. Having a sense of humour helps, just like in real life.

Cheers,
Rick.

[multiweb]

:lol: Right on Ricardo! :thumbsup:

[Terry B]

I hven't found this a problem this year. The drought has been good for astronomy but not for my grass.

I create a folder of images for each night I have used my scope. I just counted 98 nights so far this year. There would have been other clear nights that I had to work that I didn't open the observatory.


I must admit that I don't usually answer beginner questions unless they are on the science fields I am interested in. Maybe we could all be a bit better at replying.
Terry

[csb]

I too have thought there is declining activity on IIS. But the responses to this thread show there are still many who enjoy and have need to come here.

I've not been here much lately and only saw this thread today. It has been very interesting, and encouraging, to read the replies.


And thumbs up to the mods :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[taminga16]

A group is only as good as it's members and as such we should all contribute, if in doubt scroll through some of the topics and realise that visitors may well not have that much to go on, when I first visited here it was a wealth of knowledge, but now? Greg.

[Kunama]

I think you're right Greg, things have changed a lot just in the past few years.
The forum contributions have swung more and more towards images/imaging.
Whilst I like to look at the pretty pictures, I much prefer the visual side and like to read observing reports etc.

This is also one forum where the "Off Topic" section is at the start of the forum, almost as the introduction to people visiting, whereas CN, AFN and SGL have their Off Topic section buried way down the page....
:question: I wonder if that might be a better place for it....... :shrug:

[xelasnave]

Hi Matt
May I ask when was your last post setting out your observing session☺
I think it comes down to this ...
Iceinspace is all we have and by we I mean the group that range from star gazers to those who could be professional astro photographers.

It is an impossible task to please everyone but it is not impossible for anyone to look at the good things and overlook the not so good knowing that perfection is something folk demand of others based on their subjective opinion of perfection.
Sure some demand no politics or what they consider irrelevant in their world and they can achieve an absence of what they dont like by not opening threads they dont want in their world...so its simple really if you see "Trump the anti christ" dont open that thread and if you notice "another damn airplane thread" you can get even by posting an observation report☺.

Now lets say you buy a newspaper you get news fashion sport and "your stars" and many adds...do you read "your stars"? or the adds on stuff of no interest to you?
Of course you read what you like and leave the rest.
Why should here be any different.
The key to a happy and sucessful existence I sincerely believe has everything to do with finding what good you can in anything presented to you...

I really think if folk are turned off by the lack of this or that or the addition of this or that or the placement of this or that I expect few things here or anywhere else is going to make them happy.

But I do not think there is any merit in trying to make people happy as often some people only find joy in finding fault in others which I put down to some discontent they have with their own existence.

I notice as one gets old you can find more and more wrong with the world and others and that is reasonable as one learns more...but perhaps one can hold off old age grumpyness by being forgiving understanding patient and tolerant of the bad stuff.

Lets be positive going forward and if you see an absence of say observation reports or technical reports or science...whatever ..take the reins and start a thread.
We all share a common interest and not one of us should forget that fact...if the place is in decline each of us could ask of ourselves..."Given that I am a member here how can I contribute?"
A report? A photo? A joke? The newest plane or grizzling about Trump is at least something...

Alex

[LewisM]

BRAVO Alex!

[RB]

Actually there is a difference Alex.
Whereas newspapers pay people to write their astrology drivel and other editorials etc.
IIS has a set of rules called the TOS that state what can and can't be discussed on here.
Mike has said it many times, "IIS is not a democracy."

While we allow some generic discussion about some political topics, we do not allow long specific discussions on politics, world domination by super-powers, what "Trump is up to" or any other world leader for that matter.
Other Astronomy forums don't allow it and nether do we.



We have a wide cross section of sub forums and topics of discussion on IIS.
It's up to each member to check and find info that is of interest to them.
As can be seen, some forums are more popular than others.
Imaging it seems is quite busy, whereas other sub forums are not as busy.
This is why we don't allow images to be placed in the Observation section, nor 'Chatter' to be allowed in Icetrades, etc, etc.
We have order to each section and it's up to the members to contribute to the sections they find an interest in.

We also allow other off topic discussion, like the aeroplane discussions and such ( which I enjoy BTW).
What we don't allow are posts "grizzling about Trump" Et Al (or America, or Australia, or you name it...) because they directly contravene the TOS set out by Mike.
I've been moderating here on IIS for over a decade and I know what Mike allows and what he doesn't.

Here's a direct quote from Mike a while back when someone got their nose out of joint because we deleted a crude joke.



So as long as I'm on the moderating team, I'll be applying the TOS rules as Mike has set out.
RB

[xelasnave]

Hi RB
I should not have refferred to politics and all you say is correct.
I was simply trying to make the point that if a thread is of no interest then dont open it.

And certainly there is a difference between a newspaper and here but again I offerred the example to underline my suggestion that one should read what they like and avoid critism of threads not to ones likes or taste.
And you certainly have done an excellent job over the years.
In the times I have overstepped the line you have been polite and I certainly have nothing but admiration for your work.

You make an excellent point that this place is not a democracy and thats the only way it should be really.
Long live Iceinspace.
Alex

[RB]

Thank you Alex.
Much appreciated.

RB

[xelasnave]

I encourage members to take some time to think about how lucky we are to have this place and to respect any mods call without getting cut or upset.
As I said perhaps concentrate on how to contribute in a positive manner.
Alex

[xelasnave]

You are most welcome.

Alex

[cyberblitz]

The Image of the week hasn't been updated since 2016, the events calendar hasn't been updated since 2012, the IIS Astro camp hasn't been updated since 2015..
What gives???

[LewisM]

Already discussed: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=170402

It is a bit disconcerting when the events, images etc aren't updated, and the powers that be won't relinquish the capabilities to change this / update to someone else, yet never come to the site themselves :shrug:.

[casstony]

IIS still seems plenty active even if the front page isn't changed. The glass looks half full to me :)

[xelasnave]

Some stuff gets neglected but its no big deal.
What we could do as members is start a thread photo of the week and that way we can decide what photo gets the nod.
As to the camp I dont know what to suggest.
I think the guys who run the site probably have enough to do and its not like its their paid job.
I suppose we could start another site where its professional with paid employees and membership fees or we could take the bad with the good.
Things come and go if it dies it dies but lets all hold its hand and do what we can as members to support it while it lives.
Mike has other interests and cant be here as he took the trouble to explain recently and I think we could thank him for not shutting the place down.
And think of the mods who put in to keep it going ... so lets be positive and be grateful there is anything at all for us.
I have been a member of two other sites that closed down over a decade ago and heck that was sad.

Alex

[xelasnave]

Thats the spirit Tony.
Alex

[JA]

What about all the things that ARE constantly being born, updated, produced and interacting?

For me, things are what you make them.:D

Best
JA

[dreamstation]

I'm only a relatively new member and while I don't post all that often I do try to check in at least once a week. A lot has happened since I got into astronomy and joined IIS including building a house and having a baby. Throw in some long work hours and you have a recipe for very little spare time. Have only had the scope out a few times in the new place unfortunately.

[luka]

One way to find out if and how bad the decline is would be to look at the statistics, for example at the daily/monthly number of visits/posts. It should all be in the database.
There may be also seasonal variations...

To improve things, apart from posting more in the forums we should also look at ways to attract and keep new users. The 2-years old front page has been mentioned several times. While most of us know that the real action is on the forums and don't mind (much) the front page, new uses will definitely be turned off by it and may go elsewhere.
How about replacing it with a static image that possibly links to the imaging forum. Not the best but better than the current alternative, considering the difficulty to keep it updated regularly (as per Mike's explanation in another thread). We could also have a vote about which image to use.
And our 2-year old news section is best removed. It was a great idea but in its current state it is not helping.

Also a comment regarding the decline of the interest in visual astronomy. The sub-forum "Observational reports" is our one and only sub-thread. It would make sense to "elevate it up" to the level of other threads instead of keeping it buried. It may help to make it more prominent. I only noticed it today after all the years :shrug:

[luka]

I was actually suggesting getting rid of the stuff that need continuous updating. It would be once-off change to the front page.

And the incentive - users. Make the site more attractive and people will come and stick around for longer. More users = more money from ads.
Otherwise, if the site is in decline, once people are gone it will be difficult getting them and also the ads back.

[Shano592]

I'm fully in line with this.

Granted some things are set so that only the Iceman can edit them. Still, they aren't critical to the running of the site. Image of the Week is easy enough to click past, though it has been a treat to log in to a new image in the past.

For mine, my interest waxes and wanes with the clouds (and their appearance over successive New Moons). I recall 3 or 4 years ago, there was an 18-month period where I didn't even touch my scope, because of the poor run of clouds. I would log in to IIS maybe every 3 or 4 weeks at best, and I know I went a good 3 months without even doing that at one stage. On the other side of the coin, earlier this year, the New Moon weather had been fantastic, and my appearance here was a lot more frequent.

I also upset/confound one or 2 people with my brand of humour and wordplay... but I don't take others' responses personally... I'm made of stiffer stuff than that. :lol:

I think it comes and goes. I have recommended people come over to visit from Whirlpool and they have. We have seen old members returning after large blocks of time off recently. I'll go silent for the busy period at work, and come back in a couple of months.

More people will keep coming, and we just have to have the welcome mat out for them.