16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 942

For one, "MOVING" 16ga.com to SGF is not going to happen. There will be no move. They are simply trying to build an alternative for when this site goes dark. Which I believe (I could be wrong) is nearer than further away. Eventually the outdated forum software is going to cause problems with the continually evolving browsers. They can only maintain backwards compatibility so long.

If the forum/sub-forum is constructed and moderated correctly it will be a good alternative, especially for new people interest in joining a 16ga discussion that can't here because it takes months if ever, to get a logon id activated.

Then when 16ga.com goes away, there will be an established place to continue the discussions.

But I do say, with just a simple 16ga forum for all topics, it is no better than the 16ga forum over on SGW. Go look in the topic "The Fringe". It got moved into there after a software update.

I also saw your post over there about late season hunting and everyone was respectful, congratulatory etc. Sure there are a few puds there. Same as here, but less than on SGW which has way too many.

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 2180

drcook,

I don't disagree with anything you have stated.

IMHO "The Fringe" as far as 16 gauge stuff goes is a waste of time. It's buried and it doesn't get used very much. I know it's there, commented a time or two, but it moves like a snail in Maine in January.

The guys that answered on Bird Hunting on SGF were nice, as were those that commented here and on SGW. Kind of a benign forum post really, but fun.

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 2180

drcook,

I don't disagree with anything you have stated.

IMHO "The Fringe" as far as 16 gauge stuff goes is a waste of time. It's buried and it doesn't get used very much. I know it's there, commented a time or two, but it moves like a snail in Maine in January.

The guys that answered on Bird Hunting on SGF were nice, as were those that commented here and on SGW. Kind of a benign forum post really, but fun.

Well I am finding this interesting.

Regards Nick

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 2180

Mr. Hammack do you know how to get in touch with s_long?

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 942

The last new user that was able to signup and get approved to post was back in the beginning of May.

Joined: 21 May 2024 Posts: 104 Location: Eastern Tennessee

I’ve mostly moved to reading and occasionally checking in here. Mostly because of much of the concerns about the current state of site, I want to say something in contrast to the common held perspective.

I was not an old man when I joined back in 2014 (I think it was that year). In fact, I most likely could serve as grandkid to many of you. I came here through interest and a lack of knowledge. Without this place, the people to share my experiences with, I would never have picked up that first 16 gauge, hunted with them, learned to reload them, load and test some myself, attended shoots in Minnesota with many of you, or any of the other things that have come with membership. Our inability to bring in new members and fix simple account issues has most likely kept a few years of younger people like me from becoming me.

I didn’t know Doug or his vision, but I’d like to think if he could hear me now, he’d listen and support changes that preserve the legacy of supporting a gauge and uses he loved his whole life. It’s time. Let’s honor him through keeping the spirit alive, not watching it waste away.

Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 530 Location: WI

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 942

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 2180

drcook,

I understand your concerns, but be honest, take a good look at Shotgun Forums. There is very little activity there. There is the same if not more activity right here on this supposed sinking ship.

For the SGF website to be user friendly it costs money.

I agree something needs to happen with 16ga.com, but that something needs to be a step up, not a step sideways or down.

The post count only shows their number of posts. It doesn't tell us where or not they tried to post. Some folks just read and don't care to post, or only post when they feel they have something to say.

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 942

I quite understand all that.

There are 2 things going on.

1. As of right now (and it could change) 16ga.com is adrift in the night. For whatever reason s_long is not minding the store. Could be something terribly impacting him, but the fact is at this time he is the only one that has the keys to the kingdom and he is AOL.

2. They were trying over there. It didn't get configured as I suggested. Additionally not a lot of folks know about it.

If it gets built right, it can be a viable alternative, IF people can find it.

The absolute best result is that 16ga.com gets back on track. Becomes fully self supporting with MORE THAN 1 person in charge. As it is, it is a dangerous investment.

A few years ago, we had bought a subscription to a major Corvette magazine and the largest Corvette show in the country. They took our money and closed up shop a few months later. Just long enough to not be able to recover it. So I don't spend anything on anything that can go away the next day.

What started out as me poking the bear has really opened my eyes. I was trying to see if I could get s_long's attention without being TOO obnoxious, a little obnoxious yes, but not too, as I completely understand the situation. I personally know people that want to take part and a PM to s_long from an existing member about a new member is vouching for that new member.

There is just as much drama and stuff here as on SGW, based on the percentage of people.

I have been tried to be edumacated as to the history of this site, as if it really meant a sh*t to the subject of trying to get people activated to take part in the conversations.

I have had people pointing things out without them taking a good look at what they were trying to attack me with.

Additionally does the prior poster really think that other than the bots and scammers that people are trying to join just to read ? They can do that without logging on. As I have said, I personally know people wanting to get back on and months ago when I had simply changed my email address I was locked out and had to have people take extraordinary efforts to get in touch with s_long to get my account reactivate.

This whole thing is turning into a hemorrhoid. Maybe the right thing to do, at least for me, is to just let it continue on the path that it is and if it dies it dies. Se la vie

I, for one, would be incredibly annoyed if this site disappeared. A wealth of knowledge in the previous posts, and a number of gurus to answer new (or revisited) questions. Even just the casual discussions can reveal some insight.

When I found this site it was a Godsend. I had only recently acquired a couple of 16 gauge guns, had started reloading, and was looking for information from like minded people who didn't start their replies with "get a 12 ga (or 20 or whatever)". I stopped visiting for a while when I started using a 12 more often for ducks and geese than my Citori, and I had all the 16 ga upland loads I needed. That was a mistake. I missed out on a lot of info and discussions.

Respectfully, it seems to me that if s_long would like some help running the site he could ask with a post. I hope he's OK. If he would prefer to have someone else own and/or run it then the same applies.

The timing on this is interesting as I had been contemplating putting some stuff up for auction here with the proceeds to go to the site, as others have done in the past. But likewise, I would prefer to donate to something that will be staying around.

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 942

This is why (for whatever reason) the site is where it is at today.

This came from this post. In such post I defend Smith Long, if you read. But as we can see, having only one person with the keys to the kingdom isn't the best way to go.

http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=242955&highlight=#242955

Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 530 Location: WI