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Forum vs FB

888 views 22 replies 12 participants last post by  SpartyGirl 
#1 ·
<p>What do you miss about forums that doesn't fit on FB?</p>
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#2 ·
<p>The feel of a forum is (to me) very different than Facebook. Some of the things I get here that I don't get on Facebook are a layer of anonymity, wider margins, no hierarchy differentiating the thread starter from "responses." Oh, and I guess dancing bananas. :) </p>
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<p>The narrow margins on Facebook make longer responses feel out of place, so posts get shorter and short. That's a negative for me. </p>
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<p>Although it's subtle, the indent for responses on Facebook make it feel like we're responding to the first poster, rather than chiming in on a group conversation. And the mix of the group page and individual pages makes for a more fragmented conversation. </p>
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<p>Most people here know who I am and I'm connected to most on Facebook, but I still like the layer of anonymity. Facebook is notorious for changing privacy policies and our group there is public and our posts under our own names. I could be wrong, but I think Facebook also shares "activity" with people beyond the group. I'm not interested with sharing workout activity with non-LIT friends on Facebook. (I'm actually not interested in sharing a whole lot beyond the occasional interesting link on Facebook.) And the layer of anonymity from the public, and separation from Facebook means I can share things here that I wouldn't share on Facebook, even on my own timeline. </p>
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<p>Obviously, YMMV. </p>
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<p>We did an experiment with having the daily thread on Facebook in March/April of 2012.  It fizzled out pretty quickly. And if you go back, you can see that it was mostly people just posting their workout, and less the conversational banter, support, and even sharing about things beyond workouts in our lives. </p>
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<p>I feel very "I love you guys" about Team LIT. But I feel that even more so over here than on Facebook. And I think that's because there is more of a group feel here than on Facebook, which is very individual oriented. IMHO. </p>
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<p>I'll be curious to see if this resonates with anyone. </p>
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<p>And just imagine how far you'd have to scroll to read this in Facebook. :)</p>
 
#3 ·
<p>I guess I tend to agree with TASM when it comes to the size of the posts.  Also, I'm not always necessarily sure who is really reading my posts.  Not that I really have anything to hide.  My friends list on FB are either all people I know, or people that I want to someday meet.  </p>
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<p>Unfortunately I find that I don't get over here very much.  :(</p>
<p>I definitely need to get here more often though!!!<br><br>
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#4 ·
<p>I agree with many points TASM brought up.  I don't post whole a lot on FB, mainly responding to others, arranging group rides and such.  Anonymity here seems to give a certain comfort to share some personal thoughts that I wouldn't post on FB.  However, it doesn't feel 'we are strangers'-anonymity here.  We have been 'chatting' for many years together and certainly feel we know each other.  A sense of 'group'/'community' feels real to me.  I certainly hope to see more traffic, interesting conversations, and more posts by the people who used to be more active here (yes, that is YOU!). </p>
 
#5 ·
<p>I agree with TASM. I often feel that part of the "down turn" on the forum here is my doing, and it is, just as it is each one of us. And I am sorry for it. As you all know, my life in the last several years has migrated away from triathlon toward crazy busy (if it was just busy before). I like the forum because it is our own special place. It has a more homey feel.</p>
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<p>What's missing? Participation. By us. And by new comers. Very seldom do we have those long drawn out and highly informational thread about gear and training and life. Those were the things that kept everyone coming back again and again. They harvest new blood and kept old fresh.</p>
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<p>How do we get that back? I don't know. I fear the trend I've seen. I think we need a bunch of passionate athletes who have extra time to get here. We already have the passion. But most don't have time. However, I feel if the content comes along, time will too.</p>
 
#7 ·
<p>I think we can all agree the forum format is much better for lengthy technical discussions, as well as anonymous posting for those who desire it.  I believe what we are lacking here is fresh blood - that passionate desire to learn from scratch that only beginners have.  We've all been at this stuff for so long now that we have largely figured things out.</p>
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<p>I was really hoping the menu name change would move us up the Google ranks, but that doesn't seem to be the case.  Which means it probably comes down to lack of content (relevant search results) and links (Google assumes that sites that lots of other sites link to must be important).  Not sure how to tackle either of those, other than simply working hard to recruit our friends from the gym, etc. to check us out and create an account here.</p>
 
#8 ·
<p>'We' don't have the market here.  If you look at beginnertriathlete you can find most everything you can think of.  I have an account there, but don't post on the forums largely because it feels less anonymous than here.  I do like there site for race reports though - it's a good source for recon.  I think of this forum as my athletic friends that won't look at me crazy for spouting off about wanting to do an IM and then not swimming for a year...you also are the same friends that understand how awesome it was that I actually signed up for a Y membership and USED IT TO SWIM this weekend (albeit 600y).  This 'team' is the first group I can feel comfortable with telling I'm signing up for a HIM next June AND I made the decision to go back to school and work toward the pre-reqs to apply for a DPT (doc of phys therapy, taking my first class this fall!).  I can express my excitement and fears here that I can't on FB, thanks to the small town crowd I grew up with and am still friends with.</p>
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<p>FB gets what I want the public to see, you all get the rest of the story. <img alt="biggrin.gif" id="user_yui_3_10_0_1_1372707756391_1139" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="line-height:1.231;"></p>
 
#9 ·
<p>For me, I rarely check into the FB group, mainly because this is where I come for multisport stuff. I want to see what people are doing with their kids, their pets, and so on, I'll stop into FB, but then even forget we have a group. But this is where it all started, and the comfort level is high. I don't post very often for two reasons. One, there just aren't the entertaining threads with lots of info to give and get like there was in past years. Secondly, I stopped racing for a couple years (and still have seen my last tri I think) so didn't have any questions. So other than tossing in the occasional jab for fun, I mostly lurk around just to see what folks are up to.</p>
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<p>Anybody ever go deeeeeep into the archives and read some of the posts from the beginning of kickrunners? Funny stuff. Not sure if the coolrunning / active forum has old archives.</p>
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<p>I feel bad for the newbies on here that can't remember Bannon's knee, Bannon's alter-ego, jroden's neverending guidance, etc. etc. And of course when Thor was single, known as ussoccer, and was just a wimpy triathlete who tended to run everyday. The list could go on and on.</p>
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<p>I suppose there are just so many sources of info (begginertriathlete) and place for social banter (FB) that a place like this that has a taste of both sides just struggles.</p>
 
#10 ·
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>jkaiser20</strong> <a href="/t/78899/forum-vs-fb#post_2055409"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><p><span style="line-height:1.231;">I feel bad for the newbies on here that can't remember Bannon's knee, Bannon's alter-ego, jroden's neverending guidance, etc. etc. And of course when Thor was single, known as ussoccer, and was just a wimpy triathlete who tended to run everyday. The list could go on and on.</span></p>
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<p>Or haven't read the race report written by Bannon's bike...</p>
 
#14 ·
<p>I agree with what's been said here. I don't like to post my workouts on FB - too many other people there who may not "get it".  I like the comfort, experience, and trust that has been built here. I do enjoy reading folks other exploits, seeing pics of non tri life,(especially baby Camden) on FB. It is a nice blend for me.</p>
<p>I do read Beginner Triathlete and ST from time to time - some of the info is helpful and ST just amuses me but this is home.</p>
 
#16 ·
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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Muffin Queen</strong> <a href="/t/78899/forum-vs-fb#post_2055955"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I agree with TASM. I was not an old poster though and would appreciate it if someone could re-post the RR from Bannon bike. Please :eek:)</div>
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<p>See the "Tri Me" link in my signature line?  Click on that and look for "fun stuff" on the left side of the page.  I wrote race reports by my bike, Tri-Tammy's dog, my kids, etc.  Good times...</p>
 
#18 ·
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>MBannon</strong> <a href="/t/78899/forum-vs-fb#post_2055957"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><p> </p>
<p>See the "Tri Me" link in my signature line?  Click on that and look for "fun stuff" on the left side of the page.  I wrote race reports by my bike, Tri-Tammy's dog, my kids, etc.  Good times...</p>
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<p>I'll have to re-read the dog one now that I've met him. :) </p>
 
#20 ·
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Tri-Tammy</strong> <a href="/t/78899/forum-vs-fb#post_2055992"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><p>Be prepared to laugh TASM....  now that you've met the dog, you'll be even more impressed by Bannon's ability to see life through is eyes. </p>
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<p>Yeah, I think that one is pretty much my finest work.  And I recognized it at the time and retired at the top of my game.</p>
 
#21 ·
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>MBannon</strong> <a href="/t/78899/forum-vs-fb#post_2055996"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><p> </p>
<p>Yeah, I think that one is pretty much my finest work.  And I recognized it at the time and retired at the top of my game.</p>
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<p>"wow salty" :)</p>
 
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