Wot is going on with AJB007?
ppw3o6r
Great BritainPosts: 2,280MI6 Agent
Ive put this in collecting & clothing for a very good reason. This week the number of hits a topic has received vanished. The James Bond Car Collection post had over two million hits, now I think it is down to 7.5k replies? My own Modest Collection topic has had just under 700 replies but it had previously received just under 190k hits. Of recent not too many comment on the items I post. There are those die hard AJBers who do post a comment for which I thank you but without a record of how many hits a post or topic has received how do you gauge if anyone is interested in the items which you yourself clearly think warrant posting? Should I continue with The Modest Collection topic/sticky? I've always tried to show things which AJBers may not have seen or heard of before and have always tried to post something unique each December 25th.
Recently a collector on the forum posted an image which he entitled HOLY GRAILS ...the Sears Gilbert suited boxed James Bond doll of 1965 vintage and the Cecil Coleman boxed James Bond doll of 1967 vintage. By his own comment he could quite happily now give up collecting James Bond toys as he felt his collection was now complete ...Not one person posted a reply ...Not One (Donkey PM'd him).
If you visited AJB & saw a topic had received 7k or 700 replies instead of in excess of two million hits would you click on that topic yourself? perhaps not. If you saw the Holy Grails post which had received no replies which previously may have received thousands of hits would you click on that topic yourself? again perhaps not.
Happy holidays AJBers -{
Recently a collector on the forum posted an image which he entitled HOLY GRAILS ...the Sears Gilbert suited boxed James Bond doll of 1965 vintage and the Cecil Coleman boxed James Bond doll of 1967 vintage. By his own comment he could quite happily now give up collecting James Bond toys as he felt his collection was now complete ...Not one person posted a reply ...Not One (Donkey PM'd him).
If you visited AJB & saw a topic had received 7k or 700 replies instead of in excess of two million hits would you click on that topic yourself? perhaps not. If you saw the Holy Grails post which had received no replies which previously may have received thousands of hits would you click on that topic yourself? again perhaps not.
Happy holidays AJBers -{
Comments
The view count is a useful gauge to see what's currently trending and the reply count is an additional useful tool to see what's going on at a glance. For instance if there's a new post with 50,60 views but no replies it is often spam or something rather silly like a 8uttolug joke (who'd do such a thing?!) and in a rush it's helpful to see what's going to be more interesting.
There has been an unprecedented shift away from home brew projects, fan made props and forum lead initiatives and the general interest these days is simply clothes. But it's gone passed that and we even had threads about what DC wears in his own time and even in other films. Now call me a grumpy **** but, other films?! What the hell is that about?
Remember a time when several members posted updates of their builds?
Remember when items out of stock of custom made had a limited run produced, by and for AJB members?
Care to glance back at the rich cross section of interest, from props, models, diecasts, figures, posters and artwork, costumes, screen used stuff, hard to find things, holy grails and where members helped each other identify items and even components of props etc?
These days it just seems to be clothes, which I understand has a massive following sure, but while it appears a lot goes into promoting that side of collecting, the rest has been neglected and left behind.
What the forum needs imo is a balanced encouragement of all areas of collecting all cool bondian stuff.
Vive le droit à la libre expression! Je suis Charlie!
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I think respectively you may be missing the point so to enlarge on the first post and indeed follow on to some of Minijeff's comments, back in late 2005 I was introduced to AJB007 by ASP9mm because of shared interests. This lead to light hearted banter with Danjaq_Off which in tern lead to a meet up at Leicester Square in London ....boy was that a shock! The gent in question is now one of my closest friends. My friendship with ASP lead to dealing with & getting to know Higgins who is a purveyor of fine timepieces and a wearer of obnoxious green trainers and a true gent. Posts on The Modest Collection page lead to a number of replies and PM's from Acacia_Avenue who is now like ASP9mm and Danjaq_Off one of my closest trusted friends ...a true diamond geezer as we Brits like to say -{
We all had different collecting interests when it came to Mr Bond be it printed materials, time pieces, replica props, original props or Fleming's books. Without this forum we as a group without a doubt would not have met so for introducing me to these individuals I as a Donkey am truly grateful but I honestly believe if I had happened upon AJB today instead of 12 years ago this would be a very different story ...without a doubt my life would not be as full as it is now and that is purely because of the personalities who have graced my door with their presence because of AJB007 ....It's not just a forum guys so please don't fook it up ...Anyone for Commanderbond.net?
As for posts it always amazes me what people achieve on this site. Be it creating the magazine from DAF, building an Aston or getting a major band to do reruns - it’s frankly amazing. So I think it’s there but what you need is those willing to take up the mantle, put in what is in many cases considerable effort to produce such fantastic results. My sense is people are busier now more than ever so many such projects are slow burners.
We are also in a lul one of the longest between films and so threads will naturally diversify I would be surprised if the same did not happened in the past. But I don’t think anyone is hijacking the site if they mention other films. Reality is if we all like Bond we will likely have other similar interests. So long as it’s posted in the right place, it helps fill time, keep people engaged with the site until B25 kicks off. Then like last films (and I consider myself a newbie compared to some I only joined at the time of SF back in 2012) this place will be a hot bed of debate and analysis with many SME’s chipping in.
I think some areas are also specialist which may mean the general masses have limited if any knowledge to be able to comment or know anything about what is being posted. Personally I experience that with some threads but I read out of curiosity naturally because they are linked to Bond. But I take your point if someone found their grail no matter what it was, you might expect a response or two.
I have to admit I tend to come and go to this site depending on commitments elsewhere so sometimes can miss posts as I usually go direct to ‘Active Posts’ where I get a page of the last 24hr posts. If it’s not there I will miss it unfortunately (I don’t remember this specific one). That said I always try to help and encourage all no matter what their interest after all we are a community of Bond lovers and I like to help if I can. As do many on the site
I think this site is truly amazing with many gifted individuals and not like any other I frequent, it has a warm welcome for anyone, is self policing and has a level of humour and banter I can identify with (even if I don’t understand the history of some ‘in’ jokes).
It’s fair comment and never hurts for guys like yourselves who have a greater history with the site to highlight these comparisons to the past and how things have changed or could be changing.
I look forward to all the new projects and achievements of everyone on AJB in 2018 be they Bond, B25 or Holy Grail related. I know I achieved a Grail this year and members of the site were gracious enough to indulge me and I am more than happy to return the favour to anyone who achieves their goal or posts if I spot it.
Just my thoughts.
Cheers :007)
P.S It’s a community site, Donk you post away mate and screw the numbers, I promise I will read and comment on your Christmas Day post as I find all your posts most insightful!
I understand your viewpoint and wish I had a magic wand to make everyone happy...alas I only have a fairy wand and tutu to wear for removing posts ;%
Maybe the following quote from SiCo will explain some of the losses you ask about...?
As for the rest...?...it’s up to the people that post here to decide what content there is...AJB can’t force people to talk about one thing more than another - but I’d like everyone to be catered for...I’m amazed by the quality of knowledge that people have here...from props and paper tat to budgie smugglers -{
Full of what? :v
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Also, there hasn't been a Bond movie in awhile. There are only so many Bond related topics that can be discussed. It's really new members that bring life to those. How many times can you review a movie, rank them, or talk about the movies/books? This forum has been around for a long time so odds are that most of the old members here have already discussed these topics to death.
The clothing aspect is a big part of it for me. I enjoy wearing the clothes that I really like from the movies and being introduced to new pieces through an actor or simply members on this forum. It's simply a big part of Bond in general.
As with all communities like this, you just have to accept that they will never be the same. The golden age of the 2000s internet forum is long gone. The people and the communities have moved on. Appreciate what's left of this site and be friendly to new members to encourage new life into the site.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
There are moderators that see to it that nothing goes overboard.
When I see how long some members here have been around then I know this place works and why shouldn't it be around for many more years.
If someone has a real interest and passion like James Bond for instance, then he'll find this place and look around and probably stay.
The content of the threads posted is purely a member type issue, more members interested in clothes and props are posting. But when someone does re ignite an old thread about something different then it gets hits, the recent yolt obituary newspaper was popular for example as is the am dbs rebuild thread, the ppk thread always garners attention.
On a smaller scale something similar was pointed out on the watch porn thread that it was being overrun by omegas and omega guys posting, I responded there that if it's just the omega guys posting then that's what you get, somebody post something different, as a watch lover I'm interested in them all as I am with most things bond, from Ken Adams sets to the musical scores, from the cars to the lighters and from bonds toe nails to the last follicle on his head.
In my short time here I've interacted with some wonderful people and even done my own project which led me to do some very interesting research and produce a pin badge for AJB-ers.
Diversity is king and I for one hope ajb enjoys a diverse and long rein as the best bond forum.
As for the content that is very much up to the members, I remember the forum when there was nothing! Then it was movies, then it was literature, then it was collecting. It just changes as the people change. It's the members who make it so share your posts on Facebook and get people here!
As someone else has said forums are dying due to Facebook, Reddit etc. Only members taking part can keep them going and support the community! The site will still be here while the members are!!
Please continue to do what you do so well.
Happy holidays
Best wishes for 2018
Donk :x
These types of live interactions, as Donk stated, ARE the best part of who we are. My best friends have been found through Bond and we vacation, cajole, and even lean on each other because of our original connection. And they do happen when we make them happen but it's a proactive moment we all need to work on. I notice the gents over at James Bond Radio host a lot of get-togethers. I have a Bond party at my house at least once a year. Others get together at pre-determined events. Whatever the reason, whatever the environment, and whatever the "channel" interest, Bond friends tend to be long-lasting.
This may surprise some, but I do often wish for more prop threads. I make it a point to comment in these because I do want to see them flourish and expand in number. I realized long ago that 'hits', or 'likes', or 'follows' are much less important than people connecting on a subject. I can tell you that channels like Instagram and Youtube compel a much larger audience than this forum but I would warrant that no one is more passionate than us here on AJB.
Donk, I admire your passion on this subject and I would be happy to help in any way. If nothing else, perhaps your post will induce a new influx of topics gravitating to a more diverse interest.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Your fine fashion sense does have that effect on people that meet you
bloody hell Rob, you will be having him thinking that he is a fashion icon next
Well he is to the over 60’s
This is THE place for many things, clothing is just one facet of the action here. But segregating clothing threads still more in their own section will make the table of contents read differently to visitors. I keep meeting prop collectors, for example, who don't realize the immense resources here.
That’s his wife alright, but are you sure it was Higgybum if it was a pleasure
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I can assure you that isn't the case.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!