Curious about the avian avenue lore, which thread can I post this topic under?

[rocky'smom]

There was another form that I was on many years before I came here. It was owned by some guy in Florida. Rocky was going blind at the time and I went there looking for advice. Oh my Lord, I have never ever been treated that badly before. They were the most rude people ever. And that form finally died a slow, agonizing death it became filled with ads, and some of them were pretty naughty.
I am so glad that I came here and I’m happy being here. 2014 is when I join.

 

[patchyjoon]

You can read through this thread from a few years ago: https://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php?threads/whos-been-here-the-longest.285320/#post-3637843 .




Debbie, that was the first month this forum went public.



I used to be a moderator there, as was @Monica if I recall correctly. Back then, I was a member of quite a few parrot based forums, and, to date myself, Yahoo used to have message groups. Honestly, I used to be quite fond of macawboard as well. Sarah and a few others were members there too. There are still a few other smaller forums around.

Why do you think there's so little forums left? What do you think changed between now and 2009? (obviously a lot, but I'm assuming amount of parrot owners hasn't changed?) and I feel like forums are still quite popular.. it's very interesting.

 

[expressmailtome]

Why do you think there's so little forums left? What do you think changed between now and 2009? (obviously a lot, but I'm assuming amount of parrot owners hasn't changed?) and I feel like forums are still quite popular.. it's very interesting.

Social media. It is really quite that simple. Why go to a dozen separate websites for things when you can just login to Facebook once and have access to hundreds of "groups"? Many people find it more convenient.

 

[Sparkles99]

This is very interesting!

I was on My Toos well before I ever got budgies, though I mostly read. I loved that forum for its honesty, which was indeed by times scathing. But they’re why I don’t have inappropriate species & haven’t had to join those in the rehoming section. So, I thought I’d put in a good word for them.

What makes AA stand out from social media is twofold.

Firstly, it would be hard to pretend to be something you weren’t. We’ve all seen such people get found out. The last instance I remember was an obscure towel being recognized & the jig was up. So, manipulative people can’t hang out here pulling at people’s heartstrings or garnering admiration & s******ing.

The second is obviously that it’s moderated. It’s one of the most civil places on the internet, most of the time.

 

[Jan]

I've been here since Nov. 2009. I had joined on The Perch at about the time it was in destruction and then followed over to here and joined in Nov. I don't like social media due to you can't easily find things you've read before. Social media really is killing off forums like this type we are on. Before I use to be on Up@Six board and Birds-n-Ways mainly because I was into breeding birds back in those days.

 

[Sparkles99]

I read a lot on Up at Six & Birds ‘n ways too. It was fascinating. It was a loss when Robirda’s website & Up at Six disappeared! She’s why I was first interested in canaries, way back when I was a teen.

 

[AussieBird]

I'd picked up bits and pieces of AA's history but this was a cool read.

I love reading forums. I find they're a much better place to learn things on than some random website, facebook page, youtube video etc. I'm forever grateful this was the first one I actually joined. AA honestly even stands out from other forums, cause I've tried them. Other parrot related ones I didn't like at all, tried a goat one once and had much the same opinion.
The only other forum I use regularly is WAY bigger than AA and I've been forming the opinion that it manages to stay so active and alive because it does function a little more like other social media than a forum.
AA has the best people, mods, and rules. I was discussing one of AA's rules that I love with a friend and think should be universal across the internet honestly. AA also contains so much info and advice that I always come here first when trying to work things out with my birds, found myself doing it last night

 

[~Drini~]

I've felt that this forum has become much less active over the years. Forums were one of the main ways I connected with the internet when I first started using it in ~2010, and they're still my preferred platform. I like how they allow for actual, organized communities. I don't know any other Gen Z folk that use forums, though.

 

[expressmailtome]

I've felt that this forum has become much less active over the years. Forums were one of the main ways I connected with the internet when I first started using it in ~2010, and they're still my preferred platform. I like how they allow for actual, organized communities. I don't know any other Gen Z folk that use forums, though.

I am not a gen z, but am very close in age (off by just a few years). I do understand your point. That said, I do agree. This forum has seen a decline. However, it is still very active, averaging posts made in approximately 40 different thread every 3-4 days. Frankly, that is very active for any forum today, and still would have been considered fair for many forums during their peak.

 

[Macawnutz]

Honestly, I used to be quite fond of macawboard as well. Sarah and a few others were members there too. There are still a few other smaller forums around.

I LOVED Macawboard. Of course the owners of that board are the reason I pay it forward here every chance I get.

AA has the traffic but fewer postings than in years past. Many more members read the forum than post on it. Take this thread for example, 41 members have read it, 13 have posted.
As long as we are helping to better the lives of companion birds, I'm happy.

 

[Sweet Louise]

I have learned a lot from folks on here. I believe there is accurate advice. I have read a lot of inaccurate and dangerous advice on FB forums.

 

[expressmailtome]

AA has the traffic but fewer postings than in years past. Many more members read the forum than post on it. Take this thread for example, 41 members have read it, 13 have posted.
As long as we are helping to better the lives of companion birds, I'm happy.

That is a very, very true point, Sarah. Not many members read the welcome section anymore, let alone post to it. I will be honest that the past year or I have not done so much either with the way that my life outside of this forum has gone. However, prior to that, I took the opportunity to welcome all of the new members who posted there as did a few other staff members. I know that @Mizzely and @Shezbug still do. My point is, when I did so more regularly, I would take note of how many members said that they had previously looked through the forum, some even said for a few years, before either posting or joining at all.

 

[zoo mom]

I love AA. I don't post as much as I used to. I thought I would give other people a chance to catch up with my post count

 

[Jan]

I love AA. I don't post as much as I used to. I thought I would give other people a chance to catch up with my post count

Is that at all possible??!!

 

[Dona]

Around 1998 I joined UpatSix and was a very active member for years discussing my caiques. I posted every day and learned a lot, but whoa, there was some drama. And then boom, it was gone.

Love AA. I joined when I put my deposit on Gigi more than 7 years ago. You guys definitely helped me figure out Linnies.

 

[expressmailtome]

Is that at all possible??!!

Probably not.

 

[zoo mom]

Probably not.

You and @Mizzely are the only active members within 20,000 posts of me. @saroj12 is the only living member with a higher post count so it would have to be a very active member.

 

[expressmailtome]

You and @Mizzely are the only active members within 20,000 posts of me. @saroj12 is the only living member with a higher post count so it would have to be a very active member.

Yes. I am 7,000 behind. Years ago, that would have been very doable for me, but as life has changed, it is no longer reasonable.

 

[Clueless]

Good grief, I had no idea of message counts until now!!!

 

[Macawnutz]

Whoa whoa whoa...

Elaine lives in the game forum. ..... How high can you count?