User Experiences

[Devonian]

Lots of good and valid points there Little Lou

[preservefreak]

It’s been a long time since I’ve come on this forum because of a lack of time and so in many ways I feel like I don’t have a right to comment on this, but I’m going to give my two pennies worth. Also as I’ve not been here in a while my ideas may be out of touch with the forums problems.

I’m not personally in favour of restricted or VIP sections as I think it will make matters worse for the forum. If as this thread suggests the forum has a core of posters and a large number of lurkers who don’t contribute then then over time those small number who contribute may just share all their posts and articles in the restricted section. I’m not convinced that would help the forum to grow. Rather to those many that can’t see the VIP section it could look like the forum is no longer used and updated, perhaps losing the forum future members.

However, if this tiered system of members is used then I think it is very important that there is some basic information for new preppers who come to look at the forum for advice. Maybe a beginners section that anyone can see with a few articles that complete beginners would find useful, for example an article on food, water and medication storage. One on how to cook and keep warm in a home with no services. Etc. These articles could also talk about some cheap and simple tools to achieve a basic level of preparedness. This would give the complete beginners some information to start out with and not completely shut out potential new members who after reading the beginner info could be directed to sign up and contribute to the forum for further information and resources.

Anyway, just my immediate thoughts. I know I haven’t been around in the last few months but I like the forum and have learnt a lot from its members so I will do my best to find some time to check in and contribute more.

[Lightspeed]

SD a question for you:

LL's comments are completely on track if the objective of SUK is popularity, and that you define popularity by the numbers of hits on the site and the number of enrolled members.

What is your vision for SUK, what's the objective, and how do you define success?

[Grumpy Grandpa]

SD,

Personally, I wouldn't like SUK to change. It has what I see as a good balance between the experienced and the inexperienced, those who live the life and those who wish they could.

A couple of things have been keeping me quiet of late though. One, is that, it seems to me, so many threads just break down into pointless wandering, entrenched opinions and personal attacks. I want nothing to do with that and would much prefer to see everyone's views respected.

The second, is that I am trying to come to terms with the realisation that I cannot be much of a do-er, for both fiscal and physical reasons. About a year ago, when I found SUK, my head still believed I was capable of the things I was learning - sadly, that's not the case, as I've discovered attempting some smaller projects inspired here. I find that I must resign myself to the fact that, other than procuring sustenance for my family and any equipment that I can, that my future contribution to their survival, must principally be with information - knowledge.

Now NR, you say we're, "...contributing nowt and just taking...", and you want to separate the newbies and hobbyists (I'm sure that's how I'd be categorised, as I'm obviously not a do-er,) from the elitists and deny us the important information that we need by excluding us from it. What would be left of SUK for me and those like me? Would the elite descend occasionally from Mount Olympus to distribute small parcels of knowledge to the 'unfortunates' before ascending once more? (a shade too dramatic maybe but I hope you see what I mean ) As for the lack of contributions, what efforts might a newbie make when it's likely to be deemed, "Banal, inconsequential waffle"?

I am thankful though, there are some with the status and reputation of HL and AL who remain ready and willing to advise and assist those of us who are not in as fortunate a position.

Little Lou - great post - not dull at all!

[NorthernRaider]

I am all for ensuring newbies ( I still hate that term its disrespectful) get access to the essential hard core info and lists , it is after all why I have been producing and giving away my basic prepping guide for over 12 years free of charge to anyone who asks. Its in the download section along with petabytes of other info folks have donated gladly for all to benefit from without charge.

But this is a FORUM, SUKs forum, forums are for discussion, debate, chat, informing, disagreeing, countering, advising, opinionating but not just reading, downloading and leaving.

This is supposed to be a FORUM not a BLOG, not a NEWSPAPER and not a MAGAZINE, for it to be a successful, vibrant and thriving FORUM it requires EVERYONE to chip in and do their bit, large or small. The download section is there courtsy of SD for folks to access whatever they want.

SD has grafted his chubby little ass off for three years, funding the forum, creating a superb free archive and running the forum, most members treat his efforts with contempt.

All I am hearing is comment from people who think the status quo should remain IE a small hard core of contributors graft there collective asses off to research, track down, confirm and publish articles, reviews, news items etc and the masses continue to take take take and give nothing back in return.

Even the guys I frequently disagree with, often viciously still come here and join in, make contributions, announce findings, organising RVS, sharing books, providing discounted gear, We have Americans who are willing and able and DO provide interesting articles, commentaries and views. THEY PARTICIPATE because it is a PARTICIPATORY forum.

I remember one lovely chap who used to use SUK who produced some great research including videos of his development of arrows and assorted bow, building workshops and developing PV systems, He gave up and left in part because in his own words he was doing all the graft but no one else was joining in the debate or research.

There ARE far to many who use the forum like a discardable newspaper where they come, cherry pick the best bits and leave, one only has to look at the numbers of hits most threads get compared with the numbers of replies.

It is NOT elitist to expect members of a forum to stop making excuses as to why they cannot contribute to discussion or debate, after all I assume they are all mature educated adults who want to be part of the prepping community

GG with respect you ask " what would be left for me" I reply all the SUK download archives and the other UK forums where you and HL and AL spend most of your time.

Further folks will ALWAYS remain " newbies" unless they get stuck in along with the rest of the community, sitting on the edge just reading is never going to help people become better prepped, I'm sorry but there are folks on this forum who have been here between 2 and 3 years and STILL use the " newbie" excuse not to contribute.

I look at it this way anyone who plays the newbie card for over a year is not someone I would want to rely upon or cooperate with because its clear they are only ever going to consume everyone elses efforts.

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That was the long version, here is the short version I know SD will delete.

If you want to come here and just parasitize us taking and taking never joining in then you should stick to the archives where there is lots of stuff for you to hoard.

As for the FORUM ( this bit designed for discussion, debate, research, NEWS (dig at SD) opinions etc if you are NOT going to participate as an equal I believe you should Ffffffffffffff ........... go elsewhere where you can read about knitting patterns, what you have eaten for tea, what your granddads 13 yr old spaniel did to your nephew etc.

I believe ALL the best, wisest, most intelligent and productive members cept LS and TH have gone because the consumers took everything they grafted to produce but gave nothing in return. I miss their knowledge, experience, guidance and wisdom and as a very poor prepper my self I am much worse off without them to guide me.

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Oh aye correct me if I am wrong but I believe P2S is the UKs most populated forum with the most active members, and I also believe it has graded membership systems in place.?

I believe SB in the US has extra closed access forums for its paying members and it rocks.

I also detect a whiff of the malignant attitude of socialism pervading the forums with some folks thinking people should give willingly with others just make sad excuses and take.

[Lightspeed]

Good Rant NR. Like it :-)

GG My take is that you are not a taker who gives nothing in return. Quite the opposite, that you have contributed greatly to the debates. Its people like you that SUK needs to value and retain.

[NorthernRaider]

Let me be ABSOLUTELY clear about this issue, what I want for SUK is the same as I want for ALL UK based prepper forums, I want people to get stuck in, participate, learn, thrive, improve our preps TOGETHER, COOPERATE in driving up standards in our plans, kits, resources, publications.

I want to see all the forums rocking with discussion, debate, news, feedback, tips, ideas, concepts, plans, pertinent targeted adverts, fdeals with suppliers for members etc.

Look to everyone from my heart and with respect to all but WE the UK prepper community are bloody 25 years BEHIND the Americans and Aussies, we are still pissing around at 1990 levels of development. We must do better and its both selfish, wrong, parasitic and immoral to leave ALL the hard work to half a dozen forum owners, moderators and about a two dozen motivated contributors.

Adapt and thrive or be banal and die.

[NorthernRaider]

There is no such thing as NEWBIES in my book, just folks who became enlightened at different times, I have personally read article from NEWBIES on the first day on the forums that have been brilliant.
I hate the term Newbies its demeaning, discriminating and unfair.

[Nix]

Everything said so far is very valid and it made me think of why I don't post as much as perhaps I should. Stating the obvious, everyone is different and their expectations of SD's site inevitably will vary from one extreme to the other. Fact is, you can't please all the people all of the time!

I have definitely benefitted from SUK. I hope I gave something back in one or two postings but I found that it was in going to a few of the meets that real contacts were made. Let's face it, most preppers are going to be reasonably intellegent people because they've become aware of the world around them and see it for what it is and also for what it isn't. That in mind, I'm sometimes surprised at how much "static" there is in the postings ie petty waffling/tit-for-tats due to disrespect or disagreement, incessant quotings (not as bad as it used to be but how about getting rid of the "quote" button altogether?) and I think this is what made me tail off on my posts, I simply haven't got unlimited time to trawl through static. There are the repeat posts but I don't think that is such a bad thing. Ever tried to find specific information in an old post? NR has reposted some stuff but they are quality postings and certainly beneficial for some.

I see any real SHTF/TEOTWAWKI scenario as an inevitable, the only question being what, how bad and when. I also recognise that if we are to increase our chances of survival, not only must we be prepared but we must also form groups/relationships/ties with those who are like us. What sort of relationship depends on how serious you are but there's always someone else you can match up to. That can be priceless.

Back to the site. As I said before, everyone is different. We all have different knowledge, experiences and abilities. A site like SUK is where we can share and help each other out. Ok, there are always going to be those who lurk in the background and those who use OPSEC as an excuse to hide away completely. Fair enough, that's up to them. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with the SUK site but could I suggest some additions? Perhaps a section explicitly for "Help" in any given topic ie specific queries regarding a project? Also a section for people who really do want to discuss world news and events. This could help others in understanding what's actually going on by those who have a better insight? I know SD is against news waffling, and I can see his point of view but I still think a section dedicated to news stories is not necessarily a bad thing, after all, it's the media that ultimately may give us the warning we need.

At the end of the day, we log on to this site for a reason, it makes contacts and valuable information possible.

Hope it stays that way.

[Skean Dhude]

LS,

I'll wait before answering your question because I don't want to influence any comments.