Where has everyone gone

Yes. Still lots of readers though, nearly 5000 reads of the Friday funnies and hundreds of views of the most recent posts.

Still informative and good quality even if the quantity is down!

I think the site has done its job too well. Any information you need is already on here many times over so no need to ask in a lot of cases. Friendliness is discouraged by a lot of users who get narky if threads stray off topic or seemingly stupid questions are asked. A site has to seem friendly to encourage users to open up and post. There have been a lot of threads with decidedly unfriendly comments made for a while now. Too may know-it-alls, just my observation. In no way is this pointed at the site management, who I've found to be very good.
My suggestion to evolve is to have the forum split into categories with one category being fireside chat. The narks can steer clear of that one.

IMO this is by far the best comprehensive website for us outdoor people
But unfortunately there are those , nitpicking , testosterone junkie that are hell bent on pull down good post with there B.S ~ Deterring people from participating .

Ok so how many people who were on here regularly say 2004 onwards or earlier still regular. How many remember Truckster, Willem, Pesty, Roachie and bill S and his majic pills or the guy Ozexplorer who had great info on maps on PDA’s . Those were the days. Might have to go back to post no one and rejigger the memory.

Well, I guess I am one of the silent majority who read but rarely, if ever, post.

Mark

I think it might be a time of the year thing.

Spring is here, so the weather is more conducive to getting out and about leaving less time for the computer.

Other forums with similar themes are also quiet currently.

As to the numbers at the 'Gathering'. It was at what seems to be a great place but Kilcowera Station is in the middle of nowhere. Not a criticism though, as the people who put their hand up to organise it naturally wanted it to be convenient for them.

Gday Kev
I think you do a marvelous job with the gatherings, I couldnt come after much discussion with darling it was not on. But thanks to you for previous gatherings that have been great.
Muz

Gday Dave,
I still drop in here but like you say, I think the huge number of facebook groups has taken its toll on the forums. Willem's website is still of good stories and tells you what he's been up to.
Cheers

The parts of EO I look at have definitely been quieter this year than they were in the past. By "past" I mean 5 or more years ago.

I loved contributing to Canning Stock Route history - real live events as they were happening and also research I have done on the topic regarding those who have done it in the early days and those who have done it differently i.e. using foot power.

But I got smacked down repeatedly by the Moderators who felt that giving some information and then leaving a link for those interested to follow to my website, was taking readership away from Exploroz, and thereby damaging their business. I was told to copy all my research and leave it in a post here. Which is ridiculous. There is also the copyright thing. Surely better to leave a link to further information than copy into Exploroz? A lot of my research is based on uncovering old newspaper and magazine articles.

Whilst I understand that ExplorOz does not want to lose readership to another site, I believe this is a shortsighted perspective. Going to ExplorOz and finding historical information with a link to more, makes ExplorOz a valuable research resource and something I found popular with ExplorOz readers. Because people will occasionally follow a link to read more on Canning Walker, does not mean ExplorOz loses those readers. In fact, I believe it adds to ExplorOz forum interest. As a go-to place for research.

I have pretty much stopped contributing now. Which is a shame. I have uncovered a huge amount of Australian history and with my new website about to be launched, it seems such a shame not to share common interests. It is particularly ironic since the ExplorOz interactive map is part of my new website. And yes I did get permission from Michelle in writing.

Sometimes when you fear you will lose something, you hold on tighter.... only to discover you lose it faster. Lesson I have learned anyway.