Just reading through the last few posts, and it appears that I can post directly from my photo library on my phone or iPad, is that correct?
Tap on the My Media text below the text box, select add images, wait for them to upload and then click the box next to the image then finally tap Insert Into post.
If a UI needs explaining...
Said it before but the whole change makes the Sonos update last year look well planned.
Can I suggest, with reference to the OP's original question, that the fact this thread is still trundling on after nearly 2 weeks and 450 replies, that no, the forum isn't dead or dying.
Can I suggest, with reference to the OP's original question, that the fact this thread is still trundling on after nearly 2 weeks and 450 replies, that no, the forum isn't dead or dying.
But is it the same small number of people complaining vs the small number of people saying its fine?
Can I suggest, with reference to the OP's original question, that the fact this thread is still trundling on after nearly 2 weeks and 450 replies, that no, the forum isn't dead or dying.
Not if once upon a time it would have got 1000 replies 😀
I don't believe it's dying... but it's got a decent fleshwound and needs some surgery IMO
But is it the same small number of people complaining vs the small number of people saying its fine?
If that's true then I'd say it's a good sign - complaints are always the loudest voices on the Internet as people tend not to post comments like "I did a thing and it was fine".
If that's true then I'd say it's a good sign - complaints are always the loudest voices
Not if it's just a small number of people bickering for the sake of it, as is an all to common trait in low moderated forums. There'll usually be people ready take on the role to "self moderate" if it isn't moderated officially.
Ultimately, the telling sign will be the subscription rates. It's a fickle world and if people aren't happy then they'll vote with their pockets if they feel the site doesn't give them value for money - be it in content, style or usability.
I often wonder whether the driver to subscribe is driven by a combined desire for both magazine and forum as it once was. Does the site add to the magazine, vice-versa or not at all?
I suppose the acid test is to visit here, PinkBike, BikeMagic as well as the various other sites and Insta/TikTok places that the cool kids hang out these days - as much as possible logged out so as a new visitor to get the full 'freeloader' experience.
If you were the customer of tomorrow for these forums, where would you spend your time and money based on content, style and usability?
I suppose the acid test is to visit here, PinkBike, BikeMagic as well as the various other sites and Insta/TikTok places that the cool kids hang out these days
You might struggle to post anything on Bikemagic.
Pinkbike forum "Active Threads" list is 25 posts long, the last one was updated 2 days ago.
STW latest threads list - 25th oldest was updated 3 hours ago.
Is the Pinkbike forum dead/dying?
as is an all to common trait in low moderated forums.
Odd, I thought the usual accusation was that this place was over-moderated.
Maybe, just maybe...
I guess its a question too about quality over quantity; example being this thread still at top of list
I suppose the acid test is to visit here, PinkBike, BikeMagic as well as the various other sites and Insta/TikTok places that the cool kids hang out these days
You might struggle to post anything on Bikemagic.
I didn’t actually say to use a forum, just look at the experience with fresh eyes to see whether you would stay somewhere long enough to create an account to use a forum.
Although you’ve quite likely hit the nail on the head. STW was spawned from a busy Usenet group and where is that now? Maybe forums have ran their course and this is a dying group as a result?
Which takes me back to my question … if you were the STW customer of tomorrow, is this somewhere you would stay after your first visit?
Which takes me back to my question … if you were the STW customer of tomorrow, is this somewhere you would stay after your first visit?
Well, I reckon it's mostly about content and engagement, which is why I started the thread. I was genuinely interested in what topics folk thought weren't popping up that once were.
I didn’t actually say to use a forum, just look at the experience with fresh eyes to see whether you would stay somewhere long enough to create an account to use a forum.
Well the latest news on there is who is going to be at the NEC Bike Show.. 2015.
However, yes forums have suffered from other media like Facebook Groups.
I'm one person who went from viewing STW several times a day to a couple of times a week. I largely put that down to the new forum being immensely slow and frustrating to use in a time when almost all forums are struggling against social media, and the cascading impact of fewer posts = less content to read. I usually use reddit or discord for other hobbies and the only reason I come back here is the mtb subreddit is awful. Honestly, an r/stw would be perfect but I suppose there's no revenue stream there.
I'm one person who went from viewing STW several times a day to a couple of times a week. I largely put that down to the new forum being immensely slow and frustrating to use
Same here, I keep hoping it will get 'fixed' but thats looking less likley as time goes on............................
I also have dropped away from here for while. Quick lurk now and again.. almost post something, make a comment. Then can't arsed to log in and do something.
But, what turns me off somewhat is the Freeloader comments on this and other threads.
I'm a user presented with adverts (don't care) but made to feel like a second class citizen.
Facebook, Reddit etc. dont go out there way to highlight your rank.
As mentioned before STW was a Usenet group, then this, perhaps it needs to move again ;-). Sub Reddit, discord, Bluesky or plain old YouTube with comments below or something.
Mayby a Xenforo forum or similar, something decent.
Look at EMTB Forums that came from nowhere.
Easy to sling them some money.
STW is a business with employees and the only revenue they have is pop up ads on website.
I must get more inspired to post things again on here, but I"m finding it hard. Can't even be bothered with tractors anymore :-(.
STW is a business with employees and the only revenue they have is pop up ads on website.
And subscriptions.
And subscriptions. True.
Perhaps a another title could be introduced, "forum supporter" I'd would donate every year.
If your going have little badges and things, add a few more options.
But not that interested in the mag anymore. So don't want to subscribe.
So I suck it up.... Or drift away
Can you remember in the past if you tried to post to fast, you were told to slow down... Just a myth now.
But, what turns me off somewhat is the Freeloader comments on this and other threads.
I'm a user presented with adverts (don't care) but made to feel like a second class citizen.
Don't let it get to you. That used to irritate me a little before I became a subscriber, so I make a point of not doing it now I am. However, that label is never bandied about by STW staff, so it's definitely not an "official" view. It's only ever said by a handful of (small minded imo) subscribers.
Most of us don't give a flying **** what the "status" of another forum user is, we take people as we find them. That's life, on forums and IRL. You get a huge mix of people, a small minority of whom get their jollies by winding people up or throwing insults. Toughen up a little. The same as we all had to do in the school playground once (a good analogy imv) and let it wash over you. The vast majority of users would never say that to you, just ignore those that do.
However, that label is never bandied about by STW staff
I'm sure it used to an official 'tag' next to the name of a couple of users in a bygone age. 🙂
But not that interested in the mag anymore. So don't want to subscribe.
That's where I'm at too. I do the Digital Subscription to support the forum. Sure, a forum-only subscription would work for me but I also I understand that's not an option that Mark will consider. I guess the question is; how much would you be willing to pay as a Supporter, how much more does a Digital Subscription cost, and is it worth just sucking up the difference for an improved experience? For some (e.g. me) I've done the cost/benefit thing and just pay up.
I was bored, so I did a control F search for the word "Freeloader" on every page of this thread. Prior to you raising it, it appeared twice. Once by @binners in what seemed to me to be an attempt at humour, unflatteringly likening those whose use the phrase to an obnoxious Harry Enfield character. And once by a non-subscriber in what seemed to be an ironic way. In 475 posts. Hardly a torrent of abuse worthy of making someone feel uncomfortable, is it?
I'm sure it used to an official 'tag' next to the name of a couple of users in a bygone age. 🙂
Before my time so I'll take your word for it! However the way I see Mark communicate on here I can't imagine him saying it, or tolerating other staff doing so? I do tend to always see the good in people though. Maybe I'm naive and he prowls the lawns of non-subscribers in the dead of night, armed with frozen sausages and a hammer?
My memory is very hazy, but I think it was poking fun at a couple of well-established and vocal users who would understand the joke, and certainly not at free members in general.
I used to be a full member but found i never actually read the mag.
I think the stating of Free or Full under the name adds nothing to the forum and does seem to be designed to create a two tier system to drive up subscriptions to "be in the club" which i understand 100%. But it also isn't that inclusive and may, in a small way, run counter to a broader and more lively debate.
I think the stating of Free or Full under the name adds nothing to the forum
It was previously a different colour icon and does help when troubleshooting user problems.
Before my time so I'll take your word for it! However the way I see Mark communicate on here I can't imagine him saying it, or tolerating other staff doing so?
That was back in more relaxed times, I think Mark had the tag ‘resident grumpy’ next to his name
I used to be a full member but found i never actually read the mag.
That was the dilemma I reached. I have a level of empathy with the history and nature of STW which kept me contributing on and off but I've read all of the 10 page wilderness exploration articles with many, many photos padding the pages out that I can be bothered to read these days. It's a quality coffee table mag, no doubt about it, I just find there's nothing new to read in it any more - and the wife keeps moving it off the coffee table.
So if the magazine isn't of interest and I don't engage with the site much other than the odd thread, then it's just a charitable donation to keep the staffers in food at night ... and to be fair there are more worthy charities out there that can use the money (no offence meant).
Obviously YMMV, as we used to say in the good old days.
I used to be a full member but found i never actually read the mag.
That was the dilemma I reached. I have a level of empathy with the history and nature of STW which kept me contributing on and off but I've read all of the 10 page wilderness exploration articles with many, many photos padding the pages out that I can be bothered to read these days. It's a quality coffee table mag, no doubt about it, I just find there's nothing new to read in it any more - and the wife keeps moving it off the coffee table.
So if the magazine isn't of interest and I don't engage with the site much other than the odd thread, then it's just a charitable donation to keep the staffers in food at night ... and to be fair there are more worthy charities out there that can use the money (no offence meant).
Obviously YMMV, as we used to say in the good old days.
For me it's basically that, i don't want to be the one to see someone out of a job, so for the case of being 'nice' i pay a Sub... it's also for the advert removal, but it's certainly not for the magazine or articles i'm afraid. I think i've read the PDF about 3 times over the years, i did find the odd article in there to read, but not a lot for me. I am a fairly specific case though in my MTB scope of interests.
My profile says i've been a member since 2012, but I've had an account for way longer than that, and have been reading the mag on and off, in digital and print, since 2004.
Afraid I can't add anything more upbeat to much of what is being said...it's been a very long time since i've found much of genuine interest to read. It is a mix of how the magazine, media, and the sport has evolved over time. The forum is definitely a declining interest for me, and that goes in tandem with interest in the magazine. It's clunky and not very useable on my phone, there are some topics of discussion that are like a corner of a locals pub you very much want to avoid - it's extremely tiresome as are the members involved. The cycling topics don't vary that much, or more likely I just don't care about other people's maintenance oddities or spending recommendations any more!
I've also been actively 'quiet quitting' internet time-sucks for a couple of years now, and this forum is part of that. I also don't care very much about the constant churn of marginal bike products I will never want to own, and especially bikes that cost thousands more than I ever want or could spend. I also couldn't give a flying fig about e-bikes. Probably most (if not all) of it is down to middle-age and the elements that form my particular interests. I'm still a bit unhealthily obsessed by bikes and riding, but the forum and mag no longer cater to much of my needs any longer, so I don't have a sub nor read or use the forum much.
I wish STW well though, don't get me wrong; that's just how things are for me at the moment, and the past few couple of years.
TL:DR - Dear John "it's not you, it's me" letter 😆
similarly to a few other recent posts, I think I have moved on from where I was 10 or 15 years ago with it all. I have been a subscriber for a long time, and do have a decent flick through the magazine when it lands, but there is little in it that is of much interest to me. I'm now in my late 50's I seem to ride mainly gravel, then road, and don't actually own a proper MTB anymore.
The forum has been a great help, support and entertainer for me over the years, and I do hope it keeps going. I think these days I get more out of some of the chat threads, EV's pensions etc, which is probably a reflection on the stage of life I am at. I do still come on to ask the odd bike tech specific question and always find the answers generally very useful.
I like the ad free looks of it, and appreciate that my subscription goes towards the sustainability of the whole stw business so I'll keep it going for now for sure.
There also seems to be a lot of folk on here who don't actually ride anymore, and seem to stick around not for any love of cycling, but to make snarky comments act holier than thou or generally stir shit up. They contribute nothing interesting, cycling related, so far as I can see. This is both strange and annoying, what with it being a forum that is supposed to be about cycling.
@el_boufador speaking as someone who unfortunately had to stop cycling years ago, please do not tar us all with the same brush. Actually, you've inspired me to start a cycling thread but unsure whether there will be any responses! After 20 years of riding bikes how can one not be interested in anything bike or racing related.
There also seems to be a lot of folk on here who don't actually ride anymore, and seem to stick around not for any love of cycling, but to make snarky comments act holier than thou or generally stir shit up. They contribute nothing interesting, cycling related, so far as I can see. This is both strange and annoying, what with it being a forum that is supposed to be about cycling.
Sticks hand up! 🙋♂️
Although I hope I'm not considered one of the argumentative ones who stirs shit up! 😬
I haven't cycled for years (high blood pressure put an end to it for me), but I've been with STW since the beginning and I've never found an online place with quite the mix of people we have here.
There also seems to be a lot of folk on here who don't actually ride anymore, and seem to stick around not for any love of cycling, but to make snarky comments act holier than thou or generally stir shit up. They contribute nothing interesting, cycling related, so far as I can see. This is both strange and annoying, what with it being a forum that is supposed to be about cycling.
I’ve not ridden for years, I still love cycling but I lost interest in it and many other things due to my mental health. There is those who like you say have an attitude but it’s not just non cyclists and we do try to prevent that behaviour. There is a cycling forum and a chat forum though, I spend most of my time on the chat now.
TL:DR - Dear John "it's not you, it's me" letter
Although to be fair, STW have changed too. You've just grown apart, you're not who you were. You want different things....
(for those who can remember - change is not a bad thing)
A subscriber since circa 2012 but was a gift membership , paid each year by my wife for my Christmas gift ,so still listed as a free member!
Still read the mag, its ok, but having been reading it for so long its a credit really that I do.
Some good chat on here. And a late comer , just the last few years
More of a reader than that "active" on posts.
Interesting insights and the odd bit of really useful advice makes it worthwhile.
Fading interest a bit in the forum but is that me or the forum or too much screentime as part of lifestyle?
I suppose its like owning a football season ticket, you need to see a few bad games before seeing a classic one!
Some great threads with some good insight and view points.
There also seems to be a lot of folk on here who don't actually ride anymore, and seem to stick around not for any love of cycling, but to make snarky comments act holier than thou or generally stir shit up. They contribute nothing interesting, cycling related, so far as I can see. This is both strange and annoying, what with it being a forum that is supposed to be about cycling.
@el_boufador speaking as someone who unfortunately had to stop cycling years ago, please do not tar us all with the same brush. Actually, you've inspired me to start a cycling thread but unsure whether there will be any responses! After 20 years of riding bikes how can one not be interested in anything bike or racing related.
I haven’t managed to get on a bike since 2020 due to SPMS paralysing my body from the feet upwards, it’s done my legs totally and is now going to work on my arms/hands etc, I still like to talk shit on here though and if it winds up “certain” members who I consider as dicks then so be it.
Last time I managed to get on my bafang throttle equipped conversion on my cove hummer was one night late in 2020, I went out a run along the coast here in Galloway and hit a rabbit hole and fell off, I couldn’t get back on the bike and with no phone signal I was stuck, unable to move so I spent a rather cold night till I was found the next day, to be honest if I was offered 24hrs to ride as I was able to 20 years ago, fit/healthy (within reason) and able to ride then I’d take it, when the 24hrs was up I’d happily ride off a cliff to the rocks below.
To all those who moan/complain about cycling/not cycling etc…..you don’t know just how ****ing lucky you are, quit yer ****ing griping and go ride.
😉
I hit 53 this year and bought an Audi, an e-Bike, and did a 80+ mile road ride. I feel I could revive the forum all on my lonesome by announcing these facts as individual topics.
I hit 53 this year and bought an Audi, an e-Bike, and did a 80+ mile road ride. I feel I could revive the forum all on my lonesome by announcing these facts as individual topics.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it's STW man! The world's crappiest superhero! 😉
