User Panel
Posted: 11/7/2011 11:09:47 AM EDT
[Last Edit: M4Madness]
Hey all-
Been contemplating building a new board here on dedicated to archery and bowhunting and want to get some feedback. The argument against it is that this forum and the associated EE forum do not get a great deal of traffic. Dedicating a board to the topic, and creating a bunch of new forums would split the little traffic we get. On the flip side I suspect that with more options, more people will be attracted to the forum which in turn will attract more traffic and so on... If we do it, we'll be supporting the forum just like the rest of the site. For instance, coverage from the ATA Trade Show (right before SHOT), archery sponsors and giveaways, etc. We'd need to figure out how many forums, and what those forums should be, etc IF we decide to go forward. I'm all for it, and I think we can definitely build the traffic, but what say ye? PROPOSED LAYOUT GENERAL - New User Forum - General Discussion EQUIPMENT - Bows - Accessories - Crossbows - Tuning / Technical - Targets APPLICATIONS - Bowhunting (we could later break this out into its own section w/sub forums for various game- this is separate from generic hunting forums) - Traditional Archery - Bowfishing - Target / 3D EQUIPMENT EXCHANGE (would definitely break this down once traffic increases) - Bows - Accessories INDUSTRY (can list the main bow manufacturers?) New Board |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#1]
I'm all for it. I am fairly new to archery, but its fast becoming an obsession. I find that with a 6yr old and a 6 month old I couldnt find the time to shoot as much. It is far easier to go outside with the boys and sling a few arrows than to try and make it to the farm to shoot. Not sure how many new members it would attract, but I am sure it would draw out the archery guys and make some new ones from the current members.
I am on AT as well, and it seems to be a different group of people there. To me, this is home and the members seem more like minded. |
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[#2]
How about a forum dedicated to hunting and have the smaller sub forums dedicated to things such as
archery taxidermy outfitters and guides deer hog varmit big game bird hunting gear cleaning, preperation and recipes for wild game. I see that getting much more traffic than a archey only forum. I think the reason this forum doesn't get much traffic in the first place is that it's kind of hidden. If there was a dedicated hunting forum I think traffic would pick up, but thats just a guess on my part. |
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just becasue you can shoot well does not mean you will fight well when the time comes. Get trained!
"Ignorance is curable with knowledge. Stupid is forever." unknown |
[#3]
Originally Posted By clharr:
How about a forum dedicated to hunting and have the smaller sub forums dedicated to things such as archery taxidermy outfitters and guides deer hog varmit big game bird hunting gear cleaning, preperation and recipes for wild game. I see that getting much more traffic than a archey only forum. I think the reason this forum doesn't get much traffic in the first place is that it's kind of hidden. If there was a dedicated hunting forum I think traffic would pick up, but thats just a guess on my part. Well the "OUTDOOR" board (board meaning the collection of forums), has hunting forums as well as the current archery, survival, etc. Creating an ARCHERY/BOWHUNTING board (again, just a collection of forums) would allow us to group all the archery and bowhunting specific topics. I'm not sure the separation would be made by game type, as I think bowhunting (regardless of what animal) has enough interest to bowhunters to keep together. I think we might keep the hunting forums on a new HUNTING board as you suggest (and maybe reorganized), and keep only the bowhunting specific threads in the ARCHERY board. The archery specific board might be broken down into something like: Equipment (something like our technical forums) Applications Bowhunting Bowfishing Target Shooting (and or 3D?) Equipment Exchange Bows Accessories Targets This could be broken down more, or less or whatever, but the idea is to keep it unique enough in the umbrella of ARFCOM forums. What it does buy us is the same login/account, code for forums, membership, community, etc that is simply extended into another vertical market. It can also have a dedicated URL such as archery.ar15.com for easy access, but it would have a main tab at the top just like the current AR15 | AK-47 | etc. as well. |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#4]
I'm 100% behind it.
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[#5]
Mind throwing in a section for the more traditional stuff, recurve and longbow folks?
Still looking to get an English war bow, but can't get over the nerd nature of all the LARPing. I just want a HUGE long bow |
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[#6]
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[#7]
In order to keep things organized, I'll update the original post up top and just post an update when I do so so that that folks will see that there's new updates...
Posting a prelim board layout in the OP for comments. Definitely want to work through the layout before we create it, with the understanding that rather than fragment into too many pieces when we start, we'll keep it more generic and expand some of those forums as we go and traffic increases. So we want a nice general layout with room for expansion. Anyway, updating now, so feel free to discuss and hopefully we can hammer this out rather quickly. |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#8]
I like the general concept. I also think as far as the hunting sections go, it would be nice to have some geographic breakdown so we can discuss things we are seeing such as rut activity by region, etc.
Either way, I think it would be a great addition. |
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"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
Proud Member of "Ranstad's Militia," The Fantastic Bastards |
[#9]
Originally Posted By bowhuntr09:
I like the general concept. I also think as far as the hunting sections go, it would be nice to have some geographic breakdown so we can discuss things we are seeing such as rut activity by region, etc. Either way, I think it would be a great addition. Definitely agree- the tradeoff while we get this up and running is that we don't want to fragment it so much that we have 5 posts per day split over 20 forums. So we need to increase posts, and it becomes self sustaining- more people come, driving more traffic, bringing more people in... the key obstacle is resolving the chicken and the egg problem we have. A temp solution for what you're referring to is to create a sticky thread by region within the one bowhunting forum until we have enough to break that down into regional forums, or even by game type. I think we'll allow 24hrs for discussion and then put a stake in the ground and tweak it from there. |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#10]
I like the idea.
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[#11]
I'm in full support of the proposal.
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Loud mouthed loose cannon.....Now with more ammo
IA, USA
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[#12]
I am all for this as well
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[#13]
Looks good to me, I'm just 'bout ready to buy a crossbow
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In New Jersey, CCW means Can't Carry Weapons.
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[#14]
Oh, heck yeah! I might not even need to go to AT any more once it grows here. There's some... "interesting" folks on AT that just gives the place a flavor I don't care for all that much.
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“Truth and freedom either go together hand in hand or together they perish in misery.”
Proud Member of Team Ranstad...The Fantastic Bastards |
[#15]
I love this idea.
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Small thing to a giant. I can overcome this.
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[#16]
We will be starting Monday.
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#17]
Very cool :)
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[#18]
I don't know how I missed this thread for so long.
I've become such a hardcore bow hunter that I've only gun hunted a total of 3.5 hours in the last four deer seasons combined. Edward, if you think you can bring this board up to a level similar to ArcheryTalk.com, then hell yeah I'm all for it! It won't be easy, but hey, when do you guys take the easy route. I'd LOVE to see the various bow manufacturers have forums here just like the AR-15 manufacturers do, and have reps from each company available. I don't know if that would ever be feasible or not, but I can always dream. |
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It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
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[#19]
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
I don't know how I missed this thread for so long. I've become such a hardcore bow hunter that I've only gun hunted a total of 3.5 hours in the last four deer seasons combined. Edward, if you think you can bring this board up to a level similar to ArcheryTalk.com, then hell yeah I'm all for it! It won't be easy, but hey, when do you guys take the easy route. I'd LOVE to see the various bow manufacturers have forums here just like the AR-15 manufacturers do, and have reps from each company available. I don't know if that would ever be feasible or not, but I can always dream. Well we're certainly gonna try. The key is going to be getting the acceptance and traffic and that's going to start with all of you ARFCOM bow hunters. Any ideas you guys have to make it successful will help so your input is invaluable. |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#20]
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
We will be starting Monday. tag for the link |
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Originally Posted By swingset:
I feel like printing this thread out on some quality paper, so I can go wipe my ass with it. |
[#21]
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Any ideas you guys have to make it successful will help so your input is invaluable. Advertising, advertising, advertising... |
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It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
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[#22]
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Any ideas you guys have to make it successful will help so your input is invaluable. Advertising, advertising, advertising... Need the eyeballs first... |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#23]
I'm looking forward to this! I very much want to get into traditional archery so I'll participate. I understand the issue with low post count on state forums, how about regional forums so like minded individuals can get together? If you did NE, MidAtlantic, SE, etc. that might help with the post counts.
If the board doesn't get the traffic needed I would recommend expanding it to other hunting prior to calling it quits. |
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[#24]
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Any ideas you guys have to make it successful will help so your input is invaluable. Advertising, advertising, advertising... Need the eyeballs first... The question is: How do we get the membership of large archery websites to come here? It probably wouldn't be very prudent to go to those sites and post, "Hey, Arfcom has created a new archery forum that we need to fill with members." You are probably going to have to resort to an ad in publications such as Bowhunter Magazine, etc. if you are wanting something as huge as the firearms portion of Arfcom. |
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It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
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[#25]
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
The question is: How do we get the membership of large archery websites to come here? It probably wouldn't be very prudent to go to those sites and post, "Hey, Arfcom has created a new archery forum that we need to fill with members." You are probably going to have to resort to an ad in publications such as Bowhunter Magazine, etc. if you are wanting something as huge as the firearms portion of Arfcom. Informative articles, a better software infrastructure, and the ARFCOM community will kick start it, then getting manufacturers to participate will help get it going. |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[Last Edit: EdwardAvila]
[#26]
Originally Posted By GENESMITH:
tag for the link Link for the new board will be here Have also requested the cname record for archery.ar15.com If we can come up with a domain name that is available and catchy, we can point it there too. For now we will have to keep the sales forums in the EE, but some updates coming soon will let us also have them hosted on the new board along with all the other archery forums. Also, I will leave this forum here with a link to the new board, and we'll probably move the existing posts over. Still need to assign some mods over there... ETA: Will be public either late(r) tonight/ sometime tomorrow. |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#27]
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Originally Posted By GENESMITH:
tag for the link Link for the new board will be here Have also requested the cname record for archery.ar15.com If we can come up with a domain name that is available and catchy, we can point it there too. For now we will have to keep the sales forums in the EE, but some updates coming soon will let us also have them hosted on the new board along with all the other archery forums. Also, I will leave this forum here with a link to the new board, and we'll probably move the existing posts over. Still need to assign some mods over there... ETA: Will be public either late(r) tonight/tomorrow. |
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[#28]
Looking forward to it!
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[#29]
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
I'd LOVE to see the various bow manufacturers have forums here just like the AR-15 manufacturers do, and have reps from each company available. I don't know if that would ever be feasible or not, but I can always dream. Me too. That would be awesome. Does AT have that? I quit going there years ago. |
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ARFCOM.....Time well wasted.
Originally Posted By Keith_J: Just remember to pay it forward. If someone is in need, do something positive. |
[#30]
Originally Posted By krpind:
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
I'd LOVE to see the various bow manufacturers have forums here just like the AR-15 manufacturers do, and have reps from each company available. I don't know if that would ever be feasible or not, but I can always dream. Me too. That would be awesome. Does AT have that? I quit going there years ago. No- many of the sites are "vendor-biased" but none have real organized representation from the various manufacturers, and that's one of the things we're looking to bring with this new endeavor. Add to that a software infrastructure that let's us expand any way we want, seamless integration with any other tools we build, and all under a single umbrella (i.e. one login/site for all your interests!). By bringing the consumers and the manufacturers together, the industry flourishes with direct communication between the two. As a side-effect, the ability to research a product, complete a purchase, and provide feedback directly to the manufacturers supports all of the various participants as well as nourishing product innovation, improvement, and overall industry growth. |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#31]
Thanks Ed for the new section. I was going to suggest a new domain name pointing directly to the archery section but I just assumed you didn't want to start a completely new brand/image.
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"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
Proud Member of "Ranstad's Militia," The Fantastic Bastards |
[#32]
Originally Posted By bowhuntr09:
Thanks Ed for the new section. I was going to suggest a new domain name pointing directly to the archery section but I just assumed you didn't want to start a completely new brand/image. Certainly one goal for us is to strengthen the AR15.com brand, but each of these "mini-sites" will have their own identity while maintaining it's relationship under the ARFCOM umbrella. We will always be able to refer to it under the AR15.com domain, but having an alternate domain is not out of the question; that way users can get to it a couple of different ways. Perhaps we should have some sort of a contest for a domain name / logo... |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#33]
Should be live now... let me know if anything seems to not be working correctly.
We'll be adding custom header, etc. later today. |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#34]
Looks great! I'm in a treestand now so I can't check it out but so much, but what I see looks good! Thanks!
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"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
Proud Member of "Ranstad's Militia," The Fantastic Bastards |
[#35]
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Perhaps we should have some sort of a contest for a domain name / logo... The logo should be a bolt face with an arrow sticking into the firing pin like a bullseye. |
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It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
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[#36]
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Perhaps we should have some sort of a contest for a domain name / logo... The logo should be a bolt face with an arrow sticking into the firing pin like a bullseye. That was my original thought, but none of the versions I tried looked good. |
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"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." -- Albert Einstein
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[#37]
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Perhaps we should have some sort of a contest for a domain name / logo... The logo should be a bolt face with an arrow sticking into the firing pin like a bullseye. That was my original thought, but none of the versions I tried looked good. https://www.google.com/search?q=arrows+in+bullseye+photo&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=LFL&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=vCzMToDSHqis2gX1x5m2Dw&ved=0CCAQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=665 |
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It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
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[#38]
Ed, please check your e-mail.
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It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
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[#39]
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Perhaps we should have some sort of a contest for a domain name / logo... The logo should be a bolt face with an arrow sticking into the firing pin like a bullseye. Fired out of a PSE TAC15, lol |
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[#40]
Originally Posted By IIRC:
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Perhaps we should have some sort of a contest for a domain name / logo... The logo should be a bolt face with an arrow sticking into the firing pin like a bullseye. Fired out of a PSE TAC15, lol You wouldn't. |
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It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
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[#41]
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
Originally Posted By IIRC:
Originally Posted By M4Madness:
Originally Posted By EdwardAvila:
Perhaps we should have some sort of a contest for a domain name / logo... The logo should be a bolt face with an arrow sticking into the firing pin like a bullseye. Fired out of a PSE TAC15, lol You wouldn't. I really figured that would have had you a little more fired up than that. |
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