Yep, the GF is seriously addicted to FB and so is her family. I don't care what your third cousins best friends yougest sons 2nd child did yesterday....
( for future reference: Just saying that you don't care is not the correct answer)
Facebook and forums...
- Thread starter moparlvr4406
- Start date
Yep, the GF is seriously addicted to FB and so is her family. I don't care what your third cousins best friends yougest sons 2nd child did yesterday....
( for future reference: Just saying that you don't care is not the correct answer)
JustRight
Active Member
- Aug 4, 2013
- 103
- Boat Info
- 2005 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer
1996 Renken 190 open bow
1981 Chris Craft Catalina 350
- Engines
- Twin 8.1 MPI inboards
No Facebook for me or my wife... the drama and trivia. Also, once upon a time I was involved in Counter-terrorism at work, and learned/realized that Facebook publicly identifies everyone important to you to anyone that cares. Sometimes in life bad people take an interest and can seek you out, or worse, seek out those you care about. Food for thought...
scooper321
Well-Known Member
FB is fine. But over there, when you ask questions you get short, one sentence, quick answers. It’s social medial where everything is 155 characters or less. Over here you get real discussion. If you want to share pics of your boat, you go to FB. If you want to learb how to rewire the helm, replace an impeller or re-bed a port hole, you come here. It’s the same with the motorcycle forums and FB groups I’m in. Real discussion is in the forums.
WV 320 Dancer
Well-Known Member
- Oct 28, 2018
- 969
- Boat Info
- 2003 Sea Ray Sundancer 320
- Engines
- Twin 350 MAG - V Drive
I use FB because that is where the car show information resides. That being said my FB account got hacked and so I had to all kinds of posting telling people I had not lost my mind.
scooper321
Well-Known Member
- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,153
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
Exactly...........From the content provider's side of things, I don't waste time trying to answer questions on FB. If you think about it, one line or 155 character answers seldom provide enough information to steer the guy needing help in the right direction, much less giving him a complete answer.
We are moving in that direction here, but I think it is because people are using smart phones rather than computers for posting and they just don't won't read a long answer that requires scrolling down several pages. You just cannot answer most serious boat questions in a cell phone friendly (or Facebook) length.
Will that affect the content available on CSR at some point?
scooper321
Well-Known Member
I think it already has. In general, Facebook has significantly reduced the activity on forums and groups like this. But there's a place for these forums. What we discuss on CSR is usually very technical, sometimes quite intricate. There's truly no other place to go to get this sort of info. YouTube would be closest, but you get generic videos and guidance there, not always specific to your year/model/configuration Sea Ray. So there's definitely a place for forums. Whether they survive long term depends on how we all value them, and how active we are. Go check out a Carver or Silverton forum sometime. They are there, but wow - there can be weeks or months between posts on some of the most recent threads.
As for the content itself, I don't see a significant degradation in CSR. We all already shoot one-liners and emoji's at each other, we post single sentence comments like "I just follow Frank W's advice", and we post long missives describing how to replace a black-water duckbills. I know in my case, I respond differently on my phone at CSR than I do from a computer (obviously, I'm on a computer right now). But I do both. I hope others do as well.
JimG
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2008
- 6,085
- Boat Info
- 2007 310 DA
Kohler 5ECD
- Engines
- Twin 350 Mags
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drives
I voted NO in this poll.
I peruse FB almost daily to keep up with family and friends, but I post very little and rarely "like" anything.
I visit here every weekday at work (don't tell the boss!), always on a PC... not so much on the weekends because I don't like it on my smartphone.
I peruse FB almost daily to keep up with family and friends, but I post very little and rarely "like" anything.
I visit here every weekday at work (don't tell the boss!), always on a PC... not so much on the weekends because I don't like it on my smartphone.
For much of the younger generation, forums don't even exist. Users and activity on forums/message boards has declined over the last 10 years. That is a fact. Social media gets you instant gratification. Forums, generally speaking, can take some time to get a response. We live in an instant gratification world, unfortunately.
I own several forums and have tried to use FB groups and pages to capture those people and direct them to the forums. For me it's been a success, but my definition of success may be different than yours.
There are a lot of discussions about this very subject on webmaster forums and you'll find a lot of different opinions. Personally, I doubt forums are going anywhere any time soon but I do believe that forum software is not evolving at a fast enough pace to keep with FB and the like.
I own several forums and have tried to use FB groups and pages to capture those people and direct them to the forums. For me it's been a success, but my definition of success may be different than yours.
There are a lot of discussions about this very subject on webmaster forums and you'll find a lot of different opinions. Personally, I doubt forums are going anywhere any time soon but I do believe that forum software is not evolving at a fast enough pace to keep with FB and the like.
I unfriend you.
AMFM3
Active Member
- Mar 11, 2012
- 1,390
- Boat Info
- 370 Sundancer 1995 Raymarine C 120 Plotter / Radar
- Engines
- 7.4 L Twin inboards,
V-Drives
It's an interesting question Jim. Like you, I use Facebook. Perhaps not to the extent I did when in the Radio industry, but I'm still on it.
I think that Social Media has an affect on forums in general. While many of us visits sites like CSR frequently, it can't be denied that Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will have an affect of sorts. Visits to Forums may go down, but engagement of participants will remain the same. The challenge will be to keep the younger users engaged and accepting of Forums as a bonafide place to interact with people of like minds and interests. Like Y.O.L.O. states, the software is the issue. If it doesn't evolve, then that's when it's in trouble.
I liken this to how Power Squadron eduction has gone. I taught Basic Boating and Navigation for over 15 years with 2 different Squadrons. As time has passed, the numbers in class have depreciated while the online learning continues to grow. While the learning is the same, the material the same, the execution has changed.
My thoughts anyway.
Mark
I think that Social Media has an affect on forums in general. While many of us visits sites like CSR frequently, it can't be denied that Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will have an affect of sorts. Visits to Forums may go down, but engagement of participants will remain the same. The challenge will be to keep the younger users engaged and accepting of Forums as a bonafide place to interact with people of like minds and interests. Like Y.O.L.O. states, the software is the issue. If it doesn't evolve, then that's when it's in trouble.
I liken this to how Power Squadron eduction has gone. I taught Basic Boating and Navigation for over 15 years with 2 different Squadrons. As time has passed, the numbers in class have depreciated while the online learning continues to grow. While the learning is the same, the material the same, the execution has changed.
My thoughts anyway.
Mark
MonacoMike
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2009
- 14,721
- Boat Info
- 2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
- Engines
- 85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
Yep, the younger generation wants to, "Hey Siri" do these manifolds need changed...
MM
P.S. All the posts on this forum and others has likely been fed to AI for the future, to give those immediate answers. Under the premise that we enjoy helping others, which we do, I think others will take that help, and ultimately monetize it.
MM
P.S. All the posts on this forum and others has likely been fed to AI for the future, to give those immediate answers. Under the premise that we enjoy helping others, which we do, I think others will take that help, and ultimately monetize it.
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KevinC
Well-Known Member
Actually I think this generation now wants the boats internal computer to know when the manifolds are scheduled to be changed and then when at dock connect via bluetooth to put a wireless work order in to the mechanic who will drop ship the manifolds the dock. The shop will get a text that the manifolds arrived and they will Whatsapp the mobile tech to install them. When completed the tech will close out the ticket and bill their credit card or collect via Venmo. The user will then get a snapchat of the tech with a happy filter say your service is complete!
-Kevin
MonacoMike
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2009
- 14,721
- Boat Info
- 2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
- Engines
- 85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
Tonka Boater
Well-Known Member
You're not far from the future. Why wouldn't (shouldn't) this be the case. Back in the day I would get an oil change every 3,000 miles and rotate the tires every other oil change. Now, my truck tells me when to get an oil change and rotate the tires - usually 10,000 miles or more based on my driving. My wife's BWM requires an oil change once a year.
So yes, your example is a parody of today's youth but between the onboard diagnostics, apps and a dealer network that can talk to your boat via apps, why shouldn't your boat tell you when it needs service?
mmcguire2002
Active Member
- Mar 3, 2008
- 597
- Boat Info
- Previous boat - 2003.5 Sea Ray 340 DA
Current boat - 2003 Mikelson 50
- Engines
- Cummins 480 CE
Agreed. There is not liking the changes technology brings and then there is not liking technology. I’d be perfectly happy if my boat could diagnose for me and find the proper servicing as well. I don’t like all the changes technology brings (FB is useless for finding the answers I can find here on CSR), but I would never fail to take advantage of technology once it becomes useful enough to solve the problems I could solve with more effort.
Curious, how many people here still carry up to date paper charts, versus only using electronic charts and carrying a backup electronic version independent of the power source on the boat (iPad or handheld as an example).
Interesting debate.... I'm 69 and like to consider myself somewhat tech savvy.
So, do I look at this forum less because of FB and other social media? No but I do find myself looking at the FB stuff as more of a general Social Platform and the Forums as a place for technical advice.
Shawn
I originally got a FB account to keep up with my kids. They are all adults with their own families and they were posting pics of their families there. I have an older brother (75) who, like some of you, claim, "I've never had a FB account and never will." Now I think there is a lot wrong with the social media sites but I also think there is a lot good about them. My brother, who has never even seen FB, states all content is anecdotal. That is so not true. Much is,but I do get some news there as well as info on some new products that I have purchased. Are there some scams present? Yup. You just have to beware. And as far as quitting because you don't like seeing someone's post about laundry or their political views you have the option of blocking their content without them knowing. During the last presidential election I got sick of the negative posts from my liberal friends so I blocked them. That included my other brother, my ex-wife and a number of old friends. I still like them as people, but in person we know what not to discuss. On line, they have the right to say whatever they choose. I, in turn, have the right and option to not see it.
The bottom line is this....Facebook and other social media sites are here to stay....they're not going anywhere. My choice is to recognize them for what they are....a tool. And like any tool I will use it as I choose.
That brings us to the OP's question. I am no longer a Sea Ray owner but I have been a member of this forum for about 12 years. I currently own a classic (1985) 23' Cobalt. There are currently 2 Cobalt forums. One is very active but is a horrible format. Navigating and posting a picture is a painful process but everyone is friendly and mostly supportive. The other forum has a beautiful format and was styled much like this one. Easy to navigate, photo friendly but for some unknown reason the participation is weak.
There is also a Cobalt Boats Group on FB that is fairly robust with much participation. (Cobalt Boats also has a FB page of their own) Now, I've observed a couple of interesting differences between the Cobalt and Sea Ray sites.
The bottom line is this....Facebook and other social media sites are here to stay....they're not going anywhere. My choice is to recognize them for what they are....a tool. And like any tool I will use it as I choose.
That brings us to the OP's question. I am no longer a Sea Ray owner but I have been a member of this forum for about 12 years. I currently own a classic (1985) 23' Cobalt. There are currently 2 Cobalt forums. One is very active but is a horrible format. Navigating and posting a picture is a painful process but everyone is friendly and mostly supportive. The other forum has a beautiful format and was styled much like this one. Easy to navigate, photo friendly but for some unknown reason the participation is weak.
There is also a Cobalt Boats Group on FB that is fairly robust with much participation. (Cobalt Boats also has a FB page of their own) Now, I've observed a couple of interesting differences between the Cobalt and Sea Ray sites.
- Cobalt boaters are considerably less knowledgeable about General Boating
- Cobalt boaters put their boats away during the winter and hibernate
- Cobalt owners think salt water is instant death to their boats
So, do I look at this forum less because of FB and other social media? No but I do find myself looking at the FB stuff as more of a general Social Platform and the Forums as a place for technical advice.
Shawn
Interesting point Rob. When I managed a boat repair shop in Southern Cal I would track the hours my customers used their boats. Based on that info we would contact them and inform them their boats were due for service. We would then schedule the dockside service or, bring their boats to our facility by water or on their trailer. Now, the newer technology would make that task simpler. And I don't see a problem with that. Many boats become neglected and improperly serviced.
In my mind there is a difference between making boat ownership easier and making boat operation too easy. I feel boat manufacturers should install joysticks, thrusters and electronic navigation devices with a coded on-off switch and the default position would be "off." To get that technology turned on you would have to pass an exam demonstrating you know how to safely operate your boat without them. Crap, they even have that thing that allows you to not have to tie a boat to a cleat. It's getting out of hand.
Shawn
