I notice that we get about 400 views on the forum per day. Yet the actual posts are a very small percentage of that. Do you think that the people viewing the forum are getting answers to their questions without posting? Are they afraid to post? Are they just curious to see what is going on? Do they prefer the huge mega-forums that are commercially run? What do you think?
Take away the 5 views per day from me and there will be passing and curiosity views There will be views to links that I and others put directly onto other forums etc. Then those using the forum as a guide book who may or may not ask questions close to their vacation dates. I have noticed that some plan for a couple of years before booking a flight.
Of the (Ireland) forums I contribute to this is probably just 3rd most active behind Fodors 2nd and TA 1st. VT has lost some interest since changing its format, LP gets little spurts, Fromers have lost the plot changing internet providers and loosing all past history and members, then another forum that gets 1 or 2 daft questions and only me answering
On the plus side I have not made enemy's on this site which is more sociable and open than others.
Have to confess I'm a full time lurker and a part time poster. Again, like others I need a daily "Ireland fix".
We just received a shipment of Irish turf to burn in our outdoor fireplace, so when not lurking here, we will sit on the patio and dream of the sweet smell of Ireland.
My passion for Ireland started as a child after my first trip over. Whenever I was asked to draw something, it was always an Irish cottage. I took my daughter to Ireland when she was a child and each grandchild thereafter to get them hooked.
I think I am addicted and need help.
-- Edited by Judy on Friday 21st of June 2013 03:43:49 PM
I usually look 2-3 times a day, most of the time not posting!
For most of us, who only get to travel to Ireland once a year or less, I think it is our best way to get a daily "Ireland fix"
I also feel that we are lucky to have a few (besides Michele) Tony, Bob, and Bit and others, who are very well versed on Ireland, and as a result I hesitate to give advice, as it seems they cover most topics and questions extremely well. (Hopefully this comment doesn't discourage them....keep it coming!)
My biggest disappointment of the day is looking on this sight and seeing NO new posts!
I will try to do my part and post more, and lurk less!
I'm usually looking at this forum around 5 times a day or so. I like to read what everyone else has posted, stowing away some tip or place into my brain that I may be able to use or want to see on my trip. Other times someone else asks something that I hadn't thought of but would be interesting to know the answer to.
I agree with Dan that it is my way of getting my "Ireland fix" until I depart for my own trip at the end of September.
I also agree with Tony, I booked everything in February and early March. Only after plan tickets were purchased and reservations were booked did it dawn on me that I should maybe try to plan some of the smaller details or sights to see along the way. This forum has helped tremendously with that! :)
One point worth mentioning is that most other forums are based on sites which put their main interest in Reviews. Lots of travellers love reviews and a forum where they can ask rather than be told is a slightly outside of the box concept.
These Review/Commercial web sites show little value to the forum contributors and have unreachable gods in the engine room.
Forums which have more answers from more people have to be more valuable, so no one should be afraid to contribute to any post. Having knowledge of a place and concept of logistics is one thing but opinions and experience are of greater value. Being Anglo Irish with a turn of phrase that even the neighbours don't always get can be of less value than information given by a native of the questioner who themselves have been in the same situation. Any one who has been on the ground has knowledge gained which is of value.
So Dan... pen to paper in future
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Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour
Thanks for your insights everyone. At times I feel I am too close to the forum and need wider opinions. It's great having regular forum members who jump in to fill the gap with their knowledge. Plus, everyone has their own view on different things. For instance Tony is not keen on Dingle. I'm not crazy about Bettystown or Bundoran. Bob loves Milltown. Bit likes everything.
Glad we can all get our Ireland "fix" here and feel at home.
Sure isn't it just more Irish than the rest of the forums? More of a community, an Old cottage that always has the door open, Kettle on the stove and bread on the table. Come in sit down and have the craic (news and gossip not drink and savagery) a brew and a bite to eat, don't be shy and don't be standing looking through the window waiting for an invite to come in because it's not needed.
Fresh scones and Coffee cake came out of the oven last night, just got the gubbins ready for Bacon and Cabbage on the stove for tonight's feed so if your passing, pop in the doors seldom locked.
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Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour
I wouldn't say that I like "everything"... I am quite opposed to the Disney spots in Ireland... and do my bets to avoid them...or at least counter balance them with faery-led moments
I think Tony has it pegged... we are friendly here...a sense of Cead mile failte.. come on in...have a cuppa... We have a good blend of Irish here... irregulars that we might be...
Judy, mo chara... Once you've breathed Irish air there is no curing ya...ya just have to return on a regular basis for additional dosages
And now I am hungry for Bacon, cabbage, scones... and good craic... wishing I was up the lane and at Tony's door... here's to next June, mo chara!
-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Wednesday 26th of June 2013 12:13:30 PM
I run quite a few large online forums, and what you're seeing is pretty typical. I've run a forum that averaged 5,000 - 10,000 views per day and the number of posts rarely exceeded 250/day. Currently that place averages around 1,200 views/day and around 25 posts/day.
It's also worth asking what you're using to get your view #'s. If you're looking at page impressions in analytics then keep in mind that someone reading through an eleven page thread is counting as eleven views. Additionally, some forum software is incapable of differentiating a few from a person vs one from a bot, so some of those may be indicative of a search engine bot re-indexing a page.
From a user standpoint, I've asked questions here, on TA, and on Fodors and I've definitely had a better experience here. The quality, quantity, and timeliness of replies here is much better than the others. The only bad thing about this place is that our upcoming trip extends beyond just Ireland and I'm stuck going back to TA or Fodors for those other places.
-- Edited by Moyer921 on Wednesday 26th of June 2013 02:36:33 PM
I lurk a lot but seldom post. One reason is I can only post a line or two at a time if I'm on my antiquated work computer. I'm always online at work when I don't have actual work to do but I rarely sit down at the computer at home unless it's for something like banking.
"our upcoming trip extends beyond just Ireland" Scotland? UK? ask away.. Fodors does my tree with its Europe wide questions on the Ireland forum even when they don't have Ireland on the Itinerary.
Sorry Bit no scones left, but Chris has taken to making "Muffins" Big sponge buns to me. Muffins are oven bottom bread rolls where I was dragged up
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Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour
Thanks for all the comments. I will abridge the comment about Bit to "almost" everything! Tony, I like the "homey" idea. Roy, I think that we treat people here the way we would like to be treated. All are welcome and no question is too tiny to ask.
I look through 3 sites; Fodors, TA and here. Fodors folks seem to be a bit 'haughty' and seem to have tons of money. TA questions seems to be quick hitters, where's a good spot for lunch, is this a nice B&B, etc.
This spot is like the main course, all Ireland, all the time. I post infrequently because my knowledge base just doesn't compare to the regulars; I've only been twice to Ireland.
Before we went in May, I posted a question here that was answered thoroughly..I didn't post anymore because I was albe to find out most everything else by reading old posts. I have noticed that people who put some work into their own research receive more response when they do ask questions, which is very understandable.
I would ask people to please write trip reviews. I like to read those in the depths of winter. They provide great pleasure and a glimmer of hope that Lake Effect snow will stop at some point, and we can get on with nicer times.
I'm a regular lurker - if there is such a thing.I check this website dailyjust because I enjoy the posts.I received great tips when I was planning my own trip last fall and try to post if I feel I can be helpful.However I agree with bdokeefe that the regulars have much more knowledge than I do.I am using old posts and old trip reports now to help 2 friends plan trips to Ireland this summer.They think I'm an expert as I have been to Ireland 5 times.I quickly directed them to this website and will tell you that I have added 2 new lurkers to your site.
Thanks for all of your great tips and answers to many questions!
I look in here periodically. Like right now over the past few weeks am planning another trip (#4), starting in SW England, up through Wales, across the sea to Dublin. So far all that's planned, now looking for hints about where to go in Eire for 2 weeks, so far probably the Burren and Connemara.
I must admit that I "lurk" frequently, especially on the years I do not get to travel to Ireland. I enjoy seeing and reading what others are planning and this is the only site I go to for that! As others have said, I get my Ireland fix. Keep up all the great work!!!!