What is going on here?

[KevinK]

Going to start this thread not as to spread negative information, but just for clarification. What is happening to ball-pythons.net? Are people just moving to Reddit and whatever? There were 11 comments total yesterday and it was a Sunday. I don't feel interest in the hobby is dwindling. Is it just that forums are kind of an old technology rather? I feel this is hanging over everyone's heads and it's not being addressed. I've never seen lack of activity like this on here...there are slow days, but the site has been very, very slow lately and I have been here roughly 10 years. I feel like mods and whoever else need to clarify. This is sad.

[Toad37]

I've noticed the same thing. I just assumed that a lot of newer people have moved on to social media. I don't have any social media whatsoever so this is my only reptile platform I'm a part of. It's also close to the holidays so maybe people taking a little break.

[KevinK]

I've noticed the same thing. I just assumed that a lot of newer people have moved on to social media. I don't have any social media whatsoever so this is my only reptile platform I'm a part of. It's also close to the holidays so maybe people taking a little break.

Reddit, to me is a jumbled mess of misinformation and I try to avoid it. Besides that I also don't use social media. In the past it seemed site traffic actually increased around holidays. This is not normal.

[Zincubus]

Reddit, to me is a jumbled mess of misinformation and I try to avoid it. Besides that I also don't use social media. In the past it seemed site traffic actually increased around holidays. This is not normal.

This^
Same applies to Facebook , Instagram, Pinterest etc etc


Unregulated chaos the lot of them.

It’s so sad to see forums in decline ..
We have RFUK in the UK which is a similar site to this one but it went close to folding early this year with traffic nearly drying up .. thankfully the members rallied around and were proactive in posting new threads and replies to queries- things are looking better these days ..


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[Hugsplox]

I agree it's definitely slower here than it is in the BP sub on Reddit, and I would hate to see a mass exodus or just a lack of activity in general. That being said, I would rather be here any day of the week than go back to Reddit. I was on there for almost 10 years and left because of the toxic environment in the reptile and fish keeping subs. In the few months I've been on BP.net I've learned more about animal husbandry than I ever did on Reddit, or anywhere else for that matter.

I just feel like here I get a higher caliber response and overall more seasoned guidance on any issues I may have or am curious about than I do on say the Facebook groups or Reddit. Plus Reddit has this weird, attack culture. The BP sub moderator over there will straight jump down your throat if you suggest keeping a ball at under 70%-80% humidity constantly. There's no wiggle room, or room to suggest you keep animals any way that isn't in line with their care guides, and if you suggest it you get downvoted into oblivion.

So in conclusion, from a new member's point of view. Is it slow here? Oh yea. Will I continue signing in every single day to see what some of you have going on and to continue learning from you? Absolutely. Quality users over quantity of users is what'll keep me hanging out here until they shut the site down.

[Bogertophis]

I've been wondering the same thing. I've assumed it's a mix of issues- pandemic & politics that have been distracting to many, & perhaps the slow-down of forums in general. I don't use other forms of social media either, & would prefer not to, so it's sad & a little confusing to me as well. This has been a good forum, IMO, & I don't want to see it die out. WHERE IS EVERYBODY? Hello out there??? I don't think it's just the holidays, as it's been getting quieter here for quite some time.

I do check here multiple times a day...if anyone has more ideas, let's hear 'em?

[Reptile$ 4 Life]

I totally agree there has been a lot less activity and I am guilty of it. I know I am still a newbie around here, but I will try to help out with keeping this awesome place going. I don't have any social media or reddit so this is my only reptile platform and I would be devastated to see it go. Honestly, for me it was finals for all my classes that kept me from being on here, but now that the break is here I should be on a lot more.

[Zincubus]

I've been wondering the same thing. I've assumed it's a mix of issues- pandemic & politics that have been distracting to many, & perhaps the slow-down of forums in general. I don't use other forms of social media either, & would prefer not to, so it's sad & a little confusing to me as well. This has been a good forum, IMO, & I don't want to see it die out. WHERE IS EVERYBODY? Hello out there??? I don't think it's just the holidays, as it's been getting quieter here for quite some time.

I do check here multiple times a day...if anyone has more ideas, let's hear 'em?

Maybe we should all try and be a bit more proactive ??

Everyone check in a few times each day , reply to new threads promptly, start new threads etc etc


One of the busiest sections in RFUK is the Off Topic section .. .. Where we chat about something or nothing , some threads share jokes , talk about things that get us down/annoy us , or make us smile , there’s a popular boxing thread , tv series , movies etc etc .


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[jmcrook]

I've noticed the same as well. Fewer and fewer comments, threads, etc. When there are new threads it's the same questions/topics that have been answered here a million times over. I've been on here 6yrs in April and while there have been waves of higher and lower activity levels, it's been particularly sparse recently.

Surely some of that is due to folks being busy/holidays/etc, but I can't help but think that some of it is due to lack of interesting content on here and instead seeing hundreds of threads from new users asking why their new ball python isn't eating/shedding/pooping or the same people offering terrible husbandry advice without having ever owned a reptile. I imagine many members (myself included) are easily fatigued with such activity and choose to ignore the BS by no longer participating on here. Just my 2 cents.

[Spicey]

Reddit is a hot mess, and I can never find anything over there. I prefer the slower-paced forums over here. Of course I am older, lol, so maybe it's just what I'm used to. This really is a friendlier site. People are brutal on Reddit. Also, it could be that since most younger people are into immediate gratification thanks to the "smart" phones that old-fashioned communication taking a bit longer to get your information just doesn't give them the jolt they they have gotten used to.
Also, this is a weird year. Who knows what is going on, really?