Is IIS in Decline?

[glend (Glen)]

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?

[47Tucanae (Helen)]

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 (Kevin)]

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

[redbeard (Damien)]

Yes it is:

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

[Startrek (Martin)]

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 (Damien)]

Originally Posted by redbeard

Yes it is:

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

Oops, my bad, I didn't read the title correctly and previously responded as if it was the ISS. 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 (Paul)]

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 (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

it would be nice to thank the mods ...they are magic...there are no better.

Alex

Thanks Alex.


RB

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by redbeard

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

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

[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 (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

Nah...just quite lately.

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

[LewisM]

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

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

[RB (Andrew)]

[LewisM]

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

Hmmmm

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

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

Hmmmm

Which one?
The 130 or the 150?



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

[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 (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by 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.
....
Keep it up IIS

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.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

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 ? ... )
Long live IIS

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

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!