Forums change over time.

Most of the forums I frequented have had the plug pulled on them as the critical mass of members have drifted away to other interests or niche FB groups. The ones that are still going are pretty much a small cadre still arguing about Nissan V Toyota, politics and conspiracy theories. So Exploreoz stands out for still being here and not a cesspit.

I agree FB algorythim is all about engagement, so posts quickly get hidden and no one seems to use the search function, they just start a new post and demand attention of the world to answer their question or validate their actions.

Posts here also slide own the page and get archived. It does stop old posts getting dug up and comments added, but doesn't stop them being a resource for those that want to search.
There are plenty of watchers too, some don't feel the need comment or have the desire to cop unwarranted analysis of their decisions, so they read a bit and carry on with their lives.

None of us are getting any younger either, probably more than a few of those regulars have not only just left the chat....

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Yes Cuppa, I agree wholeheartedly with what you have said. No doubt you read my expression in Thread 151854 where I instanced the actual number of Forum contributions at an earlier time. And you would perhaps have seen my earlier postings where I referred to this forum as being "somewhat like a group of mates chatting around a campfire".
As you say, this forum differs from all other 4WD forums in the way members communicate….. but it does seem to be changing. The exchanges are often more challenging and intolerable.

But it is not just here on the EO Forum that it is becoming more robust. The whole of society is getting more aggressive….. just look at how AFL has changed over the years to become more like a contest in a Roman arena, encouraged, even driven no doubt, by the game organisers for the benefit of commercial monetary profit.
If it is changing social behaviour that is responsible for our Forum decline then I believe we have no way of stopping it.

Something I observed whilst researching the Forum activity of earlier years was the regular appearance of recognisable names such as "Mick O" whom we never see these days. Have they simply become disenchanted with the Forum behaviour? We are the poorer for their absence.

Thank you Cuppa for this Thread but I am really sorry that this conversation has to take place.

This reply is a simple, thank you as you have summed up the opinion of long term user/ visitors. This site is about travelling our great country not denigrating those who have questions or reply with their opinion.

Great comments and perspectives, Cuppa, Hoyks, Allan B, Glenn M8 and Wo12.

My memories of EO go way back to when I first met David and Michelle, with their tiny baby daughter, in a parking bay at Merredin, WA. They said they were going to set up an online site to assist 4WD travellers—which they did, and it's this forum. For me, it's been the go-to place for information and to provide information. Well done to D & M.

The demise of what we traditionally had in sharing information, joining 4WD clubs and such has changed. In WA two 4WD clubs are closing down because they can’t get members and don’t have enough members to be viable. Some clubs don’t meet in person; they engage online in FB pages and such. It’s a changing world, people want instant information, won’t commit or if they do, it's only at the last moment. Then there is the rise of influencers who are capturing a large proportion of 4WD interest. And sadly, even common courtesies of please and thank you when asking or getting information are disappearing. It’s a changing world, at times not for the better.

I still check in most days, but not a lot is happening. I enjoy getting out there and checking out my favourite haunts, but rust in the joints and a few other ailments are curtailing my adventures these days.

ATB

I agree. While I have found a few useful tech tips and tips about ExplorOZ Traveller here, the key feature of this forum is information and advice about remote travel. There is less of it these days. A pity. Cuppa's blog is also a useful source, and we used his recent NT posts as a guide for part of our winter trip this year, and even beat him to one camp site.

People change over time as well !

Just saying


Cheers
Gazz

May I just say that a quieter Forum doesn’t mean the ExplorOz brand is in decline – it has little impact on our business. Most sales of the ExplorOz Traveller app happen via word-of-mouth or travellers seeing it in use and going straight to the app store, often bypassing the Forum entirely. These days, when people first hear about ExplorOz, it’s usually in the context of what truly sets us apart—our Traveller app and offline maps.

The Forum, while still valuable, is no longer as unique as it once was for two reasons:

1. Social media platforms and Facebook groups have largely taken over as the go-to spaces for instant, topic-based discussion and entertainment. Its quieter activity is more a reflection of broader online behaviour trends than a decline in interest in ExplorOz or its products.

2. The website (of which the Forum is a part of ) was critical in the early years for our sales because in those days we didn't have the app, (we had a massive online book/map/gps shop) but we have since evolved from an online resource to a full offline mapping, navigation, tracking, and POI/campsite app.

Today, communication and community still happen under the ExplorOz brand – it’s just mostly inside the app rather than the Forum. People post photos and comments about Places they visit as reviews in Places in the app. The Forum remains part of our ecosystem for those who prefer it, and it still holds immense value, while our apps continue to deliver real value to travellers across Australia.

We are very grateful to all our long-term Forum supporters – your dedication and contributions over the years mean a great deal. We also warmly welcome new members to join the Forum and become part of the ongoing ExplorOz community.

Michelle

I totally see where you are coming from. I have been on this forum and paid-up member for so long I simply don't remember.

It remains my home page, and I always scroll and look before I head for whatever reason my internet access at login

In my opinion the lack of the type of post your referring to is more about some of the old/original members who have sadly passed away.

These old-timers were the real adventurers and trail blazers, and they posted a significant amount of firsthand knowledge of many remote areas. Long before the digital age became the norm, used paper maps and posted freely "lost locations", together with travel tips, bush mechanics waypoints etc

Add to that is social media (so sad), sat phones outperforming HF radio, and now Starlink!

Back in the late 80's and 90's we went remote with an esky, dried food and RFDS radio with a long wire arial chucked over bush on run along the ground using little lights on the unit to tune it. We didn't check in unless for an emergency or at times a weather report if where we were looked dicey and we needed to reevaluate our intentions.

The Canning was a remote adventure; you couldn't rely on a passing traveler coming by same day or use the internet / Starlink to post pictures in real time or drone pictures!

Rudall River NP was accessed by a roundabout route via Telfer to access and travel south or out through Nullagine and access to travel North.

There was no Rippon Hills Road to Carrawine Gorge. It was an expedition to get there. Only suitable for camper trailers or no tow. Now it's a brand-new sealed road with 2-wheel drive sedans and caravan access.

The list goes on; remote is not remote - is there any left by the original standards of remote?

So, in summary the forum posts have changed owing to technology, social media but most impact is the passing of the older characters

Some I recall, some are on the tip of my fingers, but I can't place them some of these are (but by no means exclusive to)

Doug T a well-known lifetime member regular knowledgeable poster.
Another name I cant recall is an expat South African (relocated to South Australia), experienced remote area helpful traveler - but he had a cranky streak that came out at times if he didn't like query ofrchallenge to post. :)

I believe these two members have sadly gone to the great outback in the sky or wherever that is

Another of names that are still around but quiet compared to previous activity

Mick O, Mike Willis.

Others will perhaps add to the above

Exploroz remains my homepage, Traveler is now my sole reliable off-road maps. Some of what would have been forum posts have migrated to the FB Traveler user group

David & Michelle offer unique un paralleled products on the market and improving regularly by being hand on themselves and interacting on reading form posts, FB traveler user group, available by phone etc.

Its evolved today from what it was at the beginning owing to all of the above. But its Gold 5 star

The South African/Sth Australian was Willem Kemp.
He was really good to read. Ironically after recent posts, it was moderation that saw him go.