Remember when this Forum used to be so busy with traffic?

Hi there, I really remember when this forum used to be so busy with traffic, where there were 4-5 replies all at once and sometimes had to post every 15 minutes or something like that… Just my thoughts…

1 Like

I’m guessing there were a lot of initial posts asking how to fly or naviagate, but over time they’ve used what they learned. A lot of posts are generated with beta releases or new planes or major airports, and of course discussions about 2024.

5 Likes

Part of the explanation for reduced posts might be that although they officially state they are making a “digital twin” of all things aviation, they actually have a restrictive approach to videos about real-life aviation topics (eg aircraft accidents) even where the video includes MSFS footage to help explain the topic. This reduces learning opportunities for fliers and promotion opportunities for MSFS. Cheers.

I’d argue this has nothing to do with it.

These posts were never allowed, it’s not like the traffic was there for these types of posts and then it was decided to no longer allow it and that traffic stoped.

As already stated by Hester who ran the reports, the forums see a slow down during this time period.

9 Likes

Anecdotaly, in my 2 1/2 years on the forum, it feels just as active as it ever was.

5 Likes

It’ll pick up again for the next SU. Probably again with more hard FS2024 news. Rinse and repeat until FS2024 comes out

Then when that comes out, these forums will be buzzing again!

1 Like

I too have noticed reduced visitor participation especially in a few of the forums…

Maybe that means everything is going smoothly or maybe people are getting their answers somewhere else on line. FWIW

1 Like

I thought about this. I had the fleeting thought people figured out how to use the search function :joy:

Search and Discord.

Most third party Devs are on Discord and are very active and quick to respond, along with having massive followings of users who offer support as well.

And if it isn’t necessarily a third party issue, there is enough expertise in the channel to help identify (and resolve if possible) a sim issue / conflict / etc..

Yes, I agree.

It usually gets busy when there is something new to comment on whether that be a new addon, a new World Update or a new sim Update.

I expect, like you, when news starts coming out about FS24 the forum will be chock-a-block with comments, questions and replies.

And complaints :roll_eyes::joy:

2 Likes

I read almost every day. And I will reply from time to time. But I have stopped creating topics. It’s too hard to keep track of what goes where. Everytime I created a topic in the past it got moved by moderators. So all I do now is read and reply from time to time.

1 Like

Its always seemed pretty healthy and active on this forum. Watch it go crazy when the next FS2024 trailer drops and in the lead up to the release. Not to mention after its released.

It’ll be a busy year here.

We’re all too busy enjoying the sim, now that we have great aircraft such as the PMDG, Fenix and BAE146. (and the 777 coming soon!)

A lot of the bigger errors have been smoothed out. A lot of the larger improvements have been made. A lot of the lack of knowledge of how to fly has been asked and answered and mods do a pretty good job of shunting folks in the right direction. SMEs have settled into roles as mentors and they have increased their knowledge of what was once a fledgling sim. But their content is also known to be available elsewhere, using platforms that have gained popularity since the sims inception.

Third-party devs have (re-)established their reputations and people have gotten a better idea of the sim’s limitations and what to expect. There is a lot of good stuff out there keeping us busy, entertained, and sated.

Those who are more critical have maybe suspended their disbelief enough, or maybe shuffled off to other games and/or fora. And we have a new sim coming soon, so those who remain hopeful that certain things will be addressed may just be holding their collective breath until it does or doesn’t prove to be the case.

In short, a lot of the original energy has been turned into experience and attention isn’t needed.

Rising tide lifts all boats.

4 Likes

I always find these type of topics funny. That is why I read them. One remark was a complaint about the posters topics being moved to other categories. I guess it is just human nature and the age of social networking to complain about anything and everything. I considered the topic about a slow down of the MSFS fourms. Maybe a slow down of the incessant drumbeat of negativity and complaints. Naw… lol no such luck.

I think you get a bit of saturation where most answers over time are covered dozens of times in threads and the proliferation of youtube videos that shortcut most of the ‘discovery’ process. The ‘new’ has been knocked off of it so information is more definitive of what works or doesn’t. Even a loosely worded question in google will find multiple threads here with hundreds of posts. Somebody done figured it out.

1 Like

They stopped posting since any vaguely critical comment is supposedly ‘flagged by the community’ AKA removed by a moderator

1 Like

I’m not sure if other users can simply ‘flag’ a post to get it hidden. There are some grumple-dumples around.

Posts aren’t automatically hidden when a forum member flags them. Every flag is manually reviewed by one of our volunteer moderators or one of the Community Managers. Only if the post violates the Code of Conduct do we remove it.

Edit: and to be clear, we do not and never will remove posts simply for being critical of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Negative feedback – if expressed constructively and in accordance with the CoC – is always permitted.

4 Likes