You know, after the move from photo.net, we had many great characters. Many of them have moved on, and along with them the interesting discussions that once filled the forums. A few have passed away.
Not that the people here aren't interesting, there just aren't enough of us. We need to change this from "assisted living" to a vibrant community again.
I'd like to see us get a lot more people in here, including some younger folks who are passionate about photography.
Forums are a tricky thing. Certain forums have a certain attitude toward them. At any time of the day, you can go to RangefinderForum.com and see a discussion that debates the various ASPH versions of a Leica lens.
DPReview, unless it has changed, is totally digital, which you would expect, filled with pixel peepers and needless discussions of minutae.
Photo.net continues, although I haven't spent any significant time on there in years, so I couldn't tell you the current state of things. I don't spend any time on Fred Miranda, Ken Rockwell, MF Forum or really any others. APUG still has a strong following - and is still always asking for money. That sort of turns me off.
Regardless, I won't be shutting down the forums, as the cost for operating them is minimal. And I won't be asking you for money.
Pnet had some major personnel changes and most of the older Mods and Admins quit. It is a great archive. Flickr forms used to also be viverant and a few were like the Wild West until someone hired me as a new Sheriff. Then on the other hand Flickr most likely won't be around in 10 years with Yahoo in the state it is in.
I would be more than happy to help recruit a younger class of people but I fear most of them are too thin skinned and have been raised with the attitude that almost is good enough and everyone is a winner. Maybe I should get off my lawn chair and just yell at the kids to get off my lawn
If we all saw the world the same no one would need a camera.
Also, please remember that NFF had its ups and downs, and slumps in enthusiasm were not uncommon. As Mike says, there aren't many of us, and a couple of missing ones makes for a big dent.
The upside of this is we are basically a bunch of friends. I've been tempted to come and vent my personal life here, as I feel very close to all of you. And in fact, I will explain now why I have posted so little: I am too sad. My country became a literal hell hole in the last 2-3 years, and is still going downhill fast. Constantly worrying about my family's wellbeing does not entice photography all that much. At least not for me.
We still have good times. I still take pictures of them. Heck, I'll share some soon.
The best to you and your family in these trying times, Santiago. I read an article today about the government's inability to pay for all the money they have had printed. How long can Maduro last under those circumstances?
Thanks a lot, friends. Maduro's government seems to be on its way out- give hime 2-3 years max. But I think the damage they have done will endure what is left of my lifetime.