RE: Are all RC forum's activity in decline?
I do believe that the forums are losing ground. The internet has become a place that anything you read must be taken with a grain of salt. There are shills promoting substandard products and distributors . You have the "instant experts" giving advice that even sounds wrong and hobby suppliers ripping people off.
You can't buy or trade anything on the forums for being afraid that you'll get ripped off.
Look at the bio stats of some of the posters here on this forum and notice how many provide a location to where they actually live. What would happen if every member had to provide not only where they live, but their real name as well? It would be a lot different than posting behind a "screen name". What would happen to all the frauds, scammers, shills, instant experts and the like? Would they disappear?
Old "Mr Xpert" claims he's been flying RC for 20 years and is an expert on LiPos and advises Mr. Noobe, to put that LiPo 5 S in the freezer for 24 hours before charging, and it will be alright. Those in the know will know better. But Mr. Noobe says, " Hey that's great MrXpert. I'll do just that."
Now, "MrXpet has to use his real name, "Joe Blow" and advises Mr. Noobe the same thing. Then "MrHobbyShopOwner" posts, "Mr. Joe Blow" was in my shop last week asking all kinds of dumb questions and bought his first foamy airplane. He's nuts, don't believe him.
Would MrXpert be giving out bad advise? I don't think so.
Do you think that user "ilhk" would be posting, " I've made 10,000 purchases from XXXX company and never had a problem, in fact I get my stuff the day before I order it." or
"ilhk" posted "Have you guys seen that YYYYY plane at XXXXX company (link), it's so fantastic. I'm ordering one today." With a join date of XXX 2007 and a total of 3 posts.
What if "ilhk" had to use his real name and location, would he be posting stuff like that? I think not!
Hiding behind the vale of the web, breeds corruption.
Will the internet change? No, it will stay the same.
I would rather be told that the poster represents XXXX company and they have a new plane on the market. As for the MrXperts, I tell eveyone to get the same answer from 3 or 4 people before you believe it, or make sure the advisor has some type of creditials first. For instance, am I going to believe some Joe Blow or Clarence Lee about advise about engines? I'll go with Mr. Lee.
That's only my opinion.
Frank
AMA # 5810