Is forum losing members? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Snowdog · 04-27-2005, 01:17 PM

Marriage... I'm against it.

I always liked Barrow Downs for the fact that the name wasn't a subject covered in the PJ movies, so it always felt more 'booklike' to me. It is the way of things on the internet, where popularity waxes and wanes depending on whats popular at the time. This is happening to pretty much all Tolkien sites.

Amrod the Hunter · 04-27-2005, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowdog

I always liked Barrow Downs for the fact that the name wasn't a subject covered in the PJ movies, so it always felt more 'booklike' to me. It is the way of things on the internet, where popularity waxes and wanes depending on whats popular at the time. This is happening to pretty much all Tolkien sites.

Yeah,I think the same.But people who only came here because the movies were popular,didn't stay when something new became popular.But still,I think that we should encourage new users and make them a friendly welcome,so they feel comfortable and stay.Because it will become boring if only a few users participates in the discusions.

Ainaserkewen · 04-27-2005, 06:34 PM

I think I brought something like this up last year but got shot down royally because I was being unmotivating...

I think we need something to happen. A marriage would be nice, especially if it were right here on the site (I wonder if that's legal anywhere?) but then it wouldn't be very Tolkien-like. But we can look forward to the Anniversary party next month, that is always so much fun.

Or maybe all of us who are interested could come up with a new game or t-shirt or contest or something fun to do thats brand new and attracts the quitters back.

Imladris · 04-27-2005, 10:42 PM

All things run their course. The flowers blossom in the spring and die in the winter -- but spring always comes back around again. It's the way the world works: things live, continue, die...

Including Tolkien.

Lindolirian · 04-28-2005, 10:34 AM

First off, we're in our traditional spring slump of attendance. Most people have too much going on in the real world as compared to summer (students on break) or the holidays (which used to include the release of the movies). Secondly, as Formendacil brought up, a lot of the "Movie Members" who registered just to talk about the movies have run out of things to talk about and seem to be slowly dwindling out. Not to discount those who come for the movies and end up discussing the books; we have plenty of those.

And lastly BW might be cleaning up old unused accounts, resulting in a lower number of registered posters.
Like Ainasaid, the Barrow-Downs Birthday Party next month will wake things up a bit as will summer with people having more free time.

AbercrombieOfRohan · 04-28-2005, 06:59 PM

Just out of curiousity, why do a lot of members have their last activity as being in the year 1969? For instance Arathlithiel, s/he was reportedly last on BD on Dec. 31, 1969. Is it because of the great switch?

mormegil · 04-28-2005, 07:44 PM

Well I'm a long time Tolkien fan (pre-movie) and I have been frequenting this site for a couple of years now but I guess I always went to the quizes and didn't notice the forum. I guess I never looked that low on the page. I think it needs a bit more of a predominant spot on the site to attract new members. I am thouroughly loving the discussions I've been engaged in and hope to add some insightful comments on occasion as well.

mark12_30 · 04-28-2005, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbercrombieOfRohan

Just out of curiousity, why do a lot of members have their last activity as being in the year 1969? ... Is it because of the great switch?

Yes. That is essentially Unix Zero time: UNIX time began Jan 1, 1970.

04-27-2005, 06:34 PM	#3
Ainaserkewen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A cosmic waiting room Posts: 651	I think I brought something like this up last year but got shot down royally because I was being unmotivating... I think we need something to happen. A marriage would be nice, especially if it were right here on the site (I wonder if that's legal anywhere?) but then it wouldn't be very Tolkien-like. But we can look forward to the Anniversary party next month, that is always so much fun. Or maybe all of us who are interested could come up with a new game or t-shirt or contest or something fun to do thats brand new and attracts the quitters back. __________________ Solus... I'm eating chicken again. I ate chicken yesterday and the day before... will I be eating chicken again tomorrow? Why am I always eating chicken?

04-27-2005, 10:42 PM	#4
Imladris Tears of the Phoenix Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby. Posts: 1,453	All things run their course. The flowers blossom in the spring and die in the winter -- but spring always comes back around again. It's the way the world works: things live, continue, die... Including Tolkien. __________________ I'm sorry it wasn't a unicorn. It would have been nice to have unicorns. I'm your huckleberry.

04-28-2005, 10:34 AM	#5
Lindolirian World's Tallest Hobbit Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Where the view is long Posts: 2,117	First off, we're in our traditional spring slump of attendance. Most people have too much going on in the real world as compared to summer (students on break) or the holidays (which used to include the release of the movies). Secondly, as Formendacil brought up, a lot of the "Movie Members" who registered just to talk about the movies have run out of things to talk about and seem to be slowly dwindling out. Not to discount those who come for the movies and end up discussing the books; we have plenty of those. And lastly BW might be cleaning up old unused accounts, resulting in a lower number of registered posters. Like Ainasaid, the Barrow-Downs Birthday Party next month will wake things up a bit as will summer with people having more free time. __________________ 'They say that the One will himself enter into Arda, and heal Men and all the Marring from the beginning to the end."

04-28-2005, 07:44 PM	#7
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,651	Well I'm a long time Tolkien fan (pre-movie) and I have been frequenting this site for a couple of years now but I guess I always went to the quizes and didn't notice the forum. I guess I never looked that low on the page. I think it needs a bit more of a predominant spot on the site to attract new members. I am thouroughly loving the discussions I've been engaged in and hope to add some insightful comments on occasion as well. __________________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

04-27-2005, 01:17 PM	#1
Snowdog Emperor of the South Pole Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The Western Shore of Lake Evendim Posts: 667	Marriage... I'm against it. I always liked Barrow Downs for the fact that the name wasn't a subject covered in the PJ movies, so it always felt more 'booklike' to me. It is the way of things on the internet, where popularity waxes and wanes depending on whats popular at the time. This is happening to pretty much all Tolkien sites.

04-28-2005, 06:59 PM	#6
AbercrombieOfRohan Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 311	Just out of curiousity, why do a lot of members have their last activity as being in the year 1969? For instance Arathlithiel, s/he was reportedly last on BD on Dec. 31, 1969. Is it because of the great switch?