Is The Samba participation on the decline since the “pandemic”?

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Has anyone else noticed a small decrease in posts/replies to the site in general since March, or so, or is it just me? I know a lot of non-forum friends have blown up my FB page during all this stay at home crap. I realize it’s the Summer, and people usually post less, but really hope this isn’t a trend.

[anthracitedub]

Seems a little slow... I know the current happenings have changed things up a little for me at home. I spend more time cleaning and doing most of the shopping, just to make sure my family has a clean and safe home to stay in.... I’m the only one working outside the home.

Summer time always keeps me busy with outdoor work as well... I have a lot of yard work and home projects too.

Lastly, so many of the things being posted have all been answered, to many people just don’t wanna search... would rather start a new thread and have someone link them the answers.

Also, I feel many of the topics being posted are so basic that the OP should have just spent the time they took to post and just dealt with the problem...ie “How do I get this broken bolt out?” Or “ Is this crusty case I found in the ocean ok to use?”

There’s many that I won’t chime in on because of those reasons alone.

Many topics I just leave for the Samba experts to jump in cause I don’t feel like arguing opinions. Also, I don’t know how many times I’ve typed a big reply and just deleted it because I don’t feel like getting into a pissing match or holding someone’s hand through troubleshooting why their horn doesnt work.... guess I’m getting old, tired and wise(ass) in my age😁

[andk5591]

It's because half of the members are on Facebook or Twitter expounding on their medical, constitutional law and race expertise that is on par with their VW knowledge....
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[anthracitedub]

^ That’s probably taking a lot of people’s time as well.... so many experts and warriors in the comment sections.😊

[[email protected]]

Hmm... I was thinking I was going to get more rona related comments.

You guys must have that ESPN...

Just when I get amazed about the first response posting the EXACT same reply about the situation I’ve often thought about, someone else adds another EXACT same thought...!


WOW....!

[rcroane]

[Glenn]

It's been quiet since we banned some of the trolls.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[vwracerdave]

Maybe a lot of people that have been laid off don't have enough money to build or fix their VW so they are just sitting.
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2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK
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[clarkare]

I enjoy browsing Samba and very occasionally I make a small contribution. On the whole I find Samba to be a much more positive place with people ready to help as opposed to Facebook. I subscribe to a number of Ghia forums on FB but I can get quite disheartened by the negativity that is almost common currency

I suspect that the Covid 19 pandemic has distracted many regular contributors as they will have many more challenges to face but in spite of that the contributions remain informative, interesting and importantly upbeat
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1960 RHD Karmann Ghia

[EverettB]

[anthracitedub]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

I think it always slows down in the summer...kind of becomes a ghost town of sorts. before the Covid-19 people were getting ready for shows, doing some travel etc and it seemed that participation here got a little slower after kids got out of school as well.

it would pick up some as shows were posted about, camping trips got talked about, and what broke on the way to the shows and camping i think many just got sick of being cooped up and are doing other things... i mean so many work from home, teach from home, are stuck at home they just don't want to be in front of a computer unless they have to.

i don't think there are as many builds (or at least new builds) going on either. no doubt they are happening but i think many want the instant "like" or "followers" on other platforms which in my opinion suck to follow...i would much rather a forum layout than 100 random b/s posts.

i bet Everett could look back on site traffic and see how this month/year compare to past months/years.
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[jason]

The last few years I thought it slowed down. Everybody is on Facebook.

[Glenn]

[anthracitedub]

I deleted my FB about 5 years ago.... best thing I ever did.

[VW_Jimbo]

I have noticed a decline, as well. I figured it was that everyone in the house is home and demanding attention, from each other. That has been what is happening in my home. Each and everyone of us needs that person to person interaction we got when we were out in the world. We tried playing Mario cart. Heck I even tried posting to the Samba while driving the Wario car through the desert! I would venture that everyone has a new focus, that being family! They will return.

I have made it a point to keep checking in. Helping where possible and updated the builds as they move forward.

The other thing going on is vacation time. A number of families around here have taken off to places elsewhere. Many are going tent camping and keeping to them selves. We are heading up to the house in Havasu to go play in the water in a week. Meeting up with some close family. Going to go have fun and stay to ourselves! Maybe we will get some Quail hunting in as well!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Xevin]

I think there is something to all these posts. It’s just not a singular thing. First thing that popped in my head is, not a lot of places to drive to with any kind of distance that might reveal an issue with their cars or things to do. Whether it be camp outs, shows, long road trips, and etc. A lot of stuff got canceled. This was the year Xatie was to get her bug back to our home she lives in 120 miles away after a two year engine rebuild and refurbish. She doesn’t even care to have it there now, because she is currently working from home and only needs to drive it 4 blocks to the grocery store every now and again. Full disclosure, I’ve been driving the hell out of it, having a great time in my work commute and participating in VW challenges and I’m bored. So I still post up useless stuff and not don’t do social media, except a couple VW forums.
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Keep on Busin'

[andk5591]

Thanks for the troll reduction....I had noticed that. And the facebook groups are fine, but just like on here I say "do a search on thesamba.com, there are MANY posts with the solution."

And how many VW Facebook groups do you need....I am on about 5 and its 3 too many IMHO. Oh well.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[OB Bus]

We have a 2002 Eurovan Camper. The EV section on The Samba is not heavily used. There are at least 3 Eurovan FB groups that are very active and informative. Problem is that there is about a 60% overlap, so the same question gets posted in multiple groups. Clutters up the FaceBook feed.
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Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.