Forum Familiarity and Pessimistic Feelings

[winkrich]

I can only say that those of us living in the "colonies" are very grateful for this connection with Shads fans and Shads news "over 'ome". I suppose, as our generation fades away, so will the need for a Forum like this, but in the meantime many thanks to all who keep the forums, both past and present, going.

Cheers, Richard (Canada)

[bridev]

Hi Steve,

Looking at the member list all (or most) names from previous "homes" are here, it may just be that other things are currently taking priority. As for the cold feel, the colour may well have a lot to do with it as blue is always considered cold. Perhaps when the new logo is chosen it will enhance the look. But It's early days and Bob, Dave and the team have done a cracking job getting the new site up and running and I am sure things will get going again soon.

Cheers
Brian

[Bob Dore]

Different people like different colours which is why, once the site has become stable, I intend to offer a choice of colour schemes depending on peoples' preferences. The current colour scheme is the default one for the board software.

One advantage this board has over its predecessors is that it will run on a large number of different computers without licensing or cost issues. If, for any reason, I am unwilling or unable to host ShadowMusic in the future it is possible to move it completely with a loss of just a couple of hours. Most members would be unaware that it had moved.

Bob.

[bassgod]

I think we have to accept that as The Shadows and the majority of people who listen and/or play their music move into their 70's, it is inevitable that to a large extent the following has dwindled and will continue to do so. Some people are too ill or have passed on to the other side, some have lost interest or can't be bothered, or have different priorities. I think it is also true that there are endless repeats of the same old subjects on Shadows forums and there are only so many times the brain can withstand reading posts about "that sound" etc. At its height I think I am right in saying there were something like 5,000 members on the MSN site and one has to say there was a great atmosphere about that place that certainly was not present on the site we have just left. Many people did not come over from there and the same seems to be happening again, but that too, was inevitable I think.

With few exceptions, young people are not interested in The Shadows and most of them have never heard of them. Instrumental music is just about dead and until or unless someone comes up with a modern instrumental format that grabs the kids, it will stay that way. Having seen what tracks are on the new Cliff & The Shads CD, they certainly cannot be interested in attracting any new audiences, just regurgitating old tracks, with not one newly written number. It's hard to see who they are aiming the CD at really. Most of us will already have all those tracks on original vinyl or later CD's. I for one certainly wouldn't buy them all over again. The tracks I have heard are good but they have lost the raw excitment of the originals, so why bother.

I guess what I am trying to say is, the music has had its day, evident by the dwindling numbers on these type of forum and also at the Shads clubs around the country. Will be interesting to see what happens when the Cliff/Shads tour is over!!

Andy

[Bob Dore]

The membership of the msn board grew to around 5000 over 9 years and, I suspect, a good many of the members hadn't visited the site for a very long time. Chris's site grew to around 1800 members in the course of a year but remember that you had to be a member to read anything, which forced the membership up a bit. This site has been up for exactly a week and stands at 663 members. I don't think a lot has changed in terms of membership over the long term.

Bob.

[bassgod]

Chris's site may have grown to 1800 but a very very small percentage of that number took any active part. Perhaps we can get some stats on how many members on this site actually take part after its been going for say 6 months?

[Admin]

Chris's site may have grown to 1800 but a very very small percentage of that number took any active part. Perhaps we can get some stats on how many members on this site actually take part after its been going for say 6 months?

So far on here 29.95% of members have been active.

Bob.

[OLDEREK]

I think there has been more activity from members on here and more interesting threads to read than we've seen in a long long time..............People must be positive in life, I was 65 this year and I'm still as keen to play Guitar / visit Shadow clubs and run one / spend my time on here with everyone and enjoy every day while I have good health...............And remember this site was not even built a fortnight ago, Bob Dore has worked so hard to get it up and running, it's stil like a new house that needs decorating..............Just with till it's finished, with a new banner ( yet to be chosen by the members here) and new colours to choose for ones own tastes...............This is the place to be and the future is bright....................

[John Boyd]

Derek,
I'm with you on this one.
Every new venture needs a shakedown period so let's not criticise the site prematurely.
Bob and the other administrators deserve a huge thank you for arranging 'our new home' so quickly.
I for one, visit several times a day and always find something new that interests me, so I'm in for the long haul.
For those of us in 'the colonies' it's a very important resource which enables us to keep in touch with the music and musicians we love.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers,
JB

[stagetech]

Chin up old boy. You have built it, they will come!