What do you think of non-active forums?

[Deleted member 49125]

I've browsed some forums that have been around a long time yet the last post was several years ago & nobody, not even Admin, has logged in. Do you think forums like this should just be deleted? Not by others I mean, but the owner finally deciding enough is enough & calling it quits. What irks me is joining a forum where I can't see posts only to find, again, the last post was several years ago.

 

[meetdilip]

They might still be generating huge revenue and traffic from the old content.

 

[Deleted member 4320]

I don't think they must be deleted but if they're completely inactive then they're kinda pointless.

I mean, there's plenty of inactive websites all over the place, it's not really a huge deal in the grand scheme of things though.

 

[Mutiny]

Depending on the type of forum, they could be home to some useful hard-to-find content. If content moves to Facebook it may be hidden behind a private group, whereas in a forum it may be more public.

If the forum is known to be inactive, the admin should put a notice on the forum that it is there for archival purposes only and disable new registrations, but keeping the old content alive can be very valuable if the niche of the forum is one that has content that answers questions users are Googling for.

 

[Page]

I been on forums and seen sites that just went dead and inactive, doesn't mean they are making money still though. those that run on freeboards will last longer than paid server/software. If the site is dead and the owner not around and yet paying for it still? Man, why spend good earning money then. Or unless they brought in advance like I myself do and get three years.

 

[MrDawn]

I've browsed some forums that have been around a long time yet the last post was several years ago & nobody, not even Admin, has logged in.

I've seen a few forums like that. The thing that boggles my mind is that they were popular at one point with thousands of members. I don't know how all of those members just decided to go inactive.

Do you think forums like this should just be deleted?

I think the owners should take down their dead forums. There's no point in leaving it up.

 

[Katrina]

There are forums that still have a wealth of information out there that could be used by other people so I don't see why that has to be taken down because there isn't a lot of current activity. I am thinking about a cancer site I visited when I had cancer on my tongue and went looking for how other people got through it. Their words were written 10 years ago but still gave me some awesome tips on how to deal with things, especially on how to swallow so I could be released from the hospital sooner (hint, tilt your head to one side).

 

[Deleted member 49125]

There are forums that still have a wealth of information out there that could be used by other people so I don't see why that has to be taken down because there isn't a lot of current activity. I am thinking about a cancer site I visited when I had cancer on my tongue and went looking for how other people got through it. Their words were written 10 years ago but still gave me some awesome tips on how to deal with things, especially on how to swallow so I could be released from the hospital sooner (hint, tilt your head to one side).

Being Archived for information is one thing. But if I'm looking for a forum to participate in, I would like activity to get help in the Now. Reading may help but there are sites & blogs for that. I go to a Forum to TALK about what I'm reading 🙂

 

[MrDawn]

I go to a Forum to TALK about what I'm reading 🙂

Me too! I have to have other members to socialize with. A dead forum is not a good forum. Not a happy place at all.

 

[Carlos X]

They might still be generating huge revenue and traffic from the old content.

This. And its also the perfect time to go in and try to buy it. Dead forums can be money makers. BUT, you have to have a plan for it.

 

[Deleted member 17779]

I've browsed some forums that have been around a long time yet the last post was several years ago & nobody, not even Admin, has logged in. Do you think forums like this should just be deleted? Not by others I mean, but the owner finally deciding enough is enough & calling it quits. What irks me is joining a forum where I can't see posts only to find, again, the last post was several years ago.

I don't see why it wasn't deleted in the first place. If you're not going to bother taking care of it in the first place, either delete it or turn it over to someone who is willing to put the effort into it.

 

[Razor1911]

They might still be generating huge revenue and traffic from the old content.

Only if the articles are informative. That is possible because one of my friend who created a forum five years back, is still earning decent amount out of it. Although he had stopped promoting the forum long ago.

 

[Bookwormlux]

I think the posts there could be helpful to people who are having interest in learning. Posts about crypto currencies on any forum would still be relevant even In years to come.

 

[Ash]

There's nothing wrong with the sites being kept up I guess especially if it allows users to visit the forum and see what content was posted. Like mentioned above, sometimes they may be making the owners money as well.