Thread Drift

[Aromig]

I've been lurking for about a year. I post occasionally if I feel I have something to add, but most often others here are so much more knowledgeable and I just like to follow and read along. I have noticed that there's not as much posting now as there was last year but I presume that's just ebb and flow (or the fact that TE has been around so long that there is such a knowledgebase already here that can be searched so people just might not be posting as many questions).

I'll probably buy a new road bike in the next few years so I'm always watching the threads talking about new things (disc brakes) or how certain bikes fit (I'll probably buy a Ruby or a Silque)

Amy

[OakLeaf]

It does seem like there's been more ebb than flow in the last couple of years. To me FB is a totally different space, but other social media may well be sucking away potential new members - it's a lot easier now to reach out to extended friend/acquaintance/business circles when someone has a question. Most of us probably came here initially with questions, and stayed for the camaraderie.

I wonder whether it would be helpful to TE as a business if they were to have more social media involvement. Lots of the businesses I follow on FB regularly post discussion topics to keep their customers/followers involved, as well as to data mine the responses and responders (little as many of us may like it, that's the reality of marketing in the 21st century). I wonder whether, if TE did that, whether it would have an effect on forum participation - I can see it potentially going either way.

[Helene2013]

I am on a few discussion boards (been on those for ages) and we too noticed it has toned down a lot to the benefit of FB. I don't do FB or other types - no interest as I have enough as it is.

But there sure is a trend towards those. Too bad as it is not the same format and harder to keep it all into one spot. As far as I was told.

The FB I have is a fake one for contests or other places that required FB only. But it does not mention my name and is locked anyway to almost anything. Deuh. haha

[OakLeaf]

it does not mention my name and is locked anyway to almost anything. Deuh. haha

OK, now I'm curious. How do you lock it down and yet allow enough of the scripts to participate in contests? Do you have a browser set aside just for that? Which I kind of do, but I still don't allow FB apps to run, just as a matter of principle.

(I'd be surprised if using a fake name isn't a violation of contest rules if you won, anyhow ...)

[Helene2013]

Sometimes, to access a certain contest, you need to like them on FB. So in order to do that I need a FB account. But the information they require once that is done, is your real stuff. It takes you to another window. It's like if I want to check something out on a radio station, I have to go into their Facebook and it asks me for my FB name.

Same for my city. If I want to do something, I need to be on FB and then I can send them my real information. Hard to explain but easy to do.

As to lock, I simply go into my privacy settings and check marked private, only me, etc...

[ny biker]

I'm just too busy lately. I read things and think of responses but don't have much time to type them, and then time passes and I forget.

[OakLeaf]

simply go into my privacy settings and check marked private, only me, etc...

Ah ... May I suggest using a script blocker? You realize doing it the way you are, doesn't hide your information from FB or from its advertisers, only from other users.

[Helene2013]

I don't know much about FB. But rarely using it. Never received a message to join, etc

Sorry for sounding ignorant, but how do you do a script blocker?

[PamNY]

Most of us probably came here initially with questions, and stayed for the camaraderie. .

That's exactly what happened with me, and I will always be grateful for the help, advice and encouragement that I found in this group. Very likely it made the difference in whether I kept cycling.

I love this group, but I just don't have much to say lately, and my cycling goals are fairly modest. I do check in occasionally and hope the group continues.