Starting to think of demise of this board

[Chancellor]

Every time I tell you guys this, you tell me you come and read the board every day. But no one is posting. I've had 7 posts since Sunday of this week. 7!
So, unless I see actual movement on this board, I am going to wrap it up. It's not really worth the money or effort for so few posts.

[texsuze]

Sorry, Chancellor, that the DDBB doesn't seem to be viable. Is there something we can do to encourage you to continue as Site Administrator? For me personally, I'm currently not riding, being horseless since 2022, but I do like to follow what's happening with others. On the rare occasion I might even be able to chime in to add a tidbit of personal experience on a particular topic, horse or human. And I've found the Obs Lounge non-equine topics very interesting. But that's just me, one person, and it takes "community" input to thrive.

[Tanga]

Sorry. It was so slammed with the spam I think everyone just gave up trying to post. Thank you for cleaning it up

[Srhorselady]

Thank you for all you have done for this board, Chancellor. I understand if you have to close it down, but I hope you won’t. I DO check it daily but don’t post much. I’m down now to one elderly mare (she’s twenty seven), but I enjoy hearing about everyone’s journey. The people on this board feel like friends who I like to keep in touch with and hear about their horses. Thank you.

[heddylamar]

I'd hate to lose this community, but completely understand

Is there any chance of moving to a subscription method? That doesn't remove the work, but it would help alleviate the costs.

[Chancellor]

Guys, it isn't about the work. It just feels like it isn't worth it if we are getting 10 posts a week.

As for the SPAM, it might have been nice to have people alert me to it. That is what makes me wonder if people are actually coming here. Only one person alerted me to the SPAM.

[StraightForward]

I'd also be sorry to see this board go, but would understand. If it is shut down, I hope we can find a way to stay in touch with the main posters here. I feel like I know everyone and really enjoy following the ups and downs of their journeys and training details.

I think no one reported the SPAM because we knew you were on vacation.

[blob]

Given your notice about being away for some time, I didn't want to bother you about the spam.

I do think this community is extremely valuable and I do literally come here every day. But, if it doesn't feel worth it, I wonder if people would be open to using another forum like a private facebook group or even a google doc or something that wouldn't require any cost or the same kind of oversight.

Chancellor, I'm not sure what all goes into your housing of the board from an admin/cost perspective, but I would be willing to help

[Chancellor]

Aw man. I always feel guilty thinking about closing down this board. Mark really built a great group of people, didn't he?

[SnowHorse]

Nobody would blame you, Chancellor, for closing the board. But like others said, I also would hate to see it go.

I belong to a photography board that some people started after Shutterstock forum was shut down. It has seven members currently - and two of those contribute very seldom. Not sure how that one keeps going, but I guess the expectations are not high, so everyone is fine with that. Like here, it's a group of people who got used to chatting and sharing photography related things, and continued elsewhere after the bigger board wasn't available any more.

In case it's of any help for you, that other board is through proboards, and I don't think it costs anything for two admins who started it.

Oh, and Happy New Year to everyone

[zevida]

I am definitely guilty of reading and not posting so contribute to that lack of posts. I’d be sad to see it go but understand why. There are other (less good) options for these kind of communities (COTH, FB groups).

As for the SPAM, it might have been nice to have people alert me to it. That is what makes me wonder if people are actually coming here. Only one person alerted me to the SPAM.

I also didn’t flag them because you had said you would be on vacation and unplugged and didn’t want to bother you.

[mari]

I miss the days when there were lots of new posts every day, and I completely understand that it might not be worth it for you anymore, Chancellor.

I adore the training/progress thread and pics and updates. I'm sure we can recreate that thread idea on COTH. I'm on COTH every day as well, but I find it to be more posts about what's happening in the horse world, and not so much members' personal journeys and training ideas (which is what I crave).

Alternatively, maybe an FB group? The only problem there is that the threads don't stay at the top if they have replies, which can be irritating.

[Flight]

I enjoy reading this board and visit most days.

I didn't report the spam either, sorry! Thought you were on hols and you'd get to it when you came back.
I like the format of the forums, but I guess people have moved on from them now...

[exvet]

I agree that no one would blame you for closing down the board. You have obviously committed a significant amount of time and financial resources to this group. While it is very much appreciated and I am another one who visits this board at least once and many times twice daily just to see what's going on and catch up with everyone's endeavors, I'm sure it would be a relief to one so deserved. I will miss the comraderies and mutual support that has been provided but things always change over time. I will say that a friend of mine booted up a board much like one that was well attended in the 90s for Welsh enthusiasts. It seemed that so many of the old guard missed the board and means it provided to keep up with everyone; however, it's been just over a year and it's been literally crickets after the first two weeks. So many people especially younger generations have gravitated and stuck to the newer forms of social media to chat. Deep discussions just don't seem to take place anymore or topics that require measurement over time to prove a point. Times change and we all have to adjust. While I'm not a huge fan of Facebook I must admit I do check it daily. I would hope that as a group we would be able to create an opportunity to 'stay together'.

[blob]

I miss the days when there were lots of new posts every day, and I completely understand that it might not be worth it for you anymore, Chancellor.

I adore the training/progress thread and pics and updates. I'm sure we can recreate that thread idea on COTH. I'm on COTH every day as well, but I find it to be more posts about what's happening in the horse world, and not so much members' personal journeys and training ideas (which is what I crave).

Alternatively, maybe an FB group? The only problem there is that the threads don't stay at the top if they have replies, which can be irritating.

I would want to avoid COTH personally--it's just too big of a forum and I can't see myself posting so openly or frequently there. I find it a bit toxic tbh.

I think there are ways to create pinned posts in private FB groups that could act as the training thread. Or maybe popboards or something else like that would work.

[Chisamba]

Every time I tell you guys this, you tell me you come and read the board every day. But no one is posting. I've had 7 posts since Sunday of this week. 7!
So, unless I see actual movement on this board, I am going to wrap it up. It's not really worth the money or effort for so few posts.

It got really spammed while you were away and no one wanted to disturb you.

The training thread is usually busy, but I have no idea how much work out is for you. I would be vet dad to see it die

[LindaJ]

I will agree with what everyone has said. I’d love for the board to stay, but whatever you decide , we will go with it. I was on here more when I still had my horse, but when he passed it was too hard for me to participate or even read stuff at times. Recently I’m back to dabbling in trying to find someone’s horse to ride and help with some expenses, so I’m back on occasionally checking in.

Although, and if it’s too personal, please I hope you won’t be offended. I am curious to the cost of upkeeping a board here. I don’t know what kind of education/training you need in IT to do this, but my husband created a group on fb that now has over 5000 members and I’ve thought it might be nice to move it off fb. (FB can be really meh at times)

[Lipsmackerpony88]

I saw the spam but also thought you were going to be away for awhile so didn't want to bother you.

I love this board more than any other, I would truly be sad to lose it. As far as lower posts, i chalk it up more to the time of year. I know I've been really busy with the holidays, illness and crappy weather.

You do need to do what's best for you.

I would be interested in creating a small Facebook group or something if others are interested if the board closes down.

The blonde and the bay has a good group on FB too...

[Chancellor]

The cost of this board is abut $45/month on Amazon Web Services. With AWS,you have to have a working knowledge of database etc because it is definitely not plug and play like Facebook is. This board needs to have its interface updated which I have been reluctant to do since you have to be ready for any and all bugs at a moment's notice.

[Chancellor]

Oh and by the way, I have turned off new registrations for a bit. If you guys know someone who is wanting to join, let me know and I can make it happen.

[blob]

Chancellor if you PM me your venmo or paypal, I'm happy to contribute towards the $45 a month

[exvet]

I don't have venmo but I have paypal and also can send money through Zelle. I'm more than willing to kick in to the fees.

[heddylamar]

PM your venmo/paypal? I'm happy to contribute.

And I get you on not wanting to run the update. That's a big time commitment.

[Chancellor]

Ok. I turned on registration but for now, I need to approve or disapprove new members. We don't get many new members so that should be ok. BUT, I could use some help in that department.

[blob]

Ok. I turned on registration but for now, I need to approve or disapprove new members. We don't get many new members so that should be ok. BUT, I could use some help in that department.

Happy to help--just let me know how/what is needed.

[Chancellor]

Blob, I am doing a software update for a client this weekend. So I will be busy with that. But I will reach out to you soon!

[blob]

sounds good! no rush--just happy to help however I can. And I spend enough time both on this board and in front of the computer that it should be easy enough!

[LindaJ]

Chancellor - thank you for the info on the board. I really appreciate it. I definitely don’t have the education for that.

I’d be happy to pitch in through Venmo towards fees for this board though