Originally Posted by
rebbonk
I think one of the biggest issues is that things like facebook have largely taken over from these boards. Whilst I do use F/B I'm not really a big fan, but I do see the attractions. - Easy picture uploads/viewing, ease of seeing just who has posted etc.
Sadly, many bulletin board based forums are dying.
My missus is exactly as you say Cathidaw, "go and find yourself something to do, get from under my feet!" So much so that I've recently thought about starting a small business.
I'm not sure if the Telegraph would play ball with you. They try to encourage discussion on their own pages, though they don't like it when you criticise them. - I've had several comments removed after I extracted the urine at their very poor reporting standards. - But any call that way will have to come from Lex.
The bottom line is, like any 'club' we're only as strong as our members. The only way we will grow again (and I'm not sure WOL was ever that big) is to encourage fresh blood. Political discussions will often frighten people away (we're all experts aren't we?), immigration discussion will often attract real extremes (both ways), male discussion turns the ladies off and female discussion turns the blokes off. It really is difficult striking the right balance.
Just an aside, have you tried mumsnet or gransnet? Whilst there are some extremely interesting discussions going on there, mumsnet terrifies the life out of me.