Genuine Concern Over AzB

Well, I'm still pretty young here so I can't vouch for what it was or is now, but I can say from other boards from other passions of mine I follow the same issues go on. This board is no different.

I also don't get on as much during the warm months vs the cold. There really is only so much you talk about without OT posts, but that is another issue as well.

Also when you are looking for help you will visit more or are looking for something specific. There is so much room to look, that one place won't hold you forever.

This place is a good soundboard to bounce subjects off of at times other times you get zip. Some subjects I can't even follow because I'm so new to the game.

There are also many features that need fixed IMO. The board setup is pretty old in some ways, and hard to figure out. Maybe thats just me?

Board culture is always changing old blood vs new blood. Don't care what subject you always have the chevy, ford debates. Its hard to get solid answers with no bias. The market has so many options you get more confused then when you started.

I think I tend to ask questions no one has answers for at least in the ask the mechanic section. I don't get much help there.

The way I found this board was when I would google serch a question I had about a random item. AZB would pop up, and I thought man I can get answers there. That holds true most the time.

Another issue I face is having an off brand or not exactly the most popular brand of table so my information is much harder to capture. Its very frustrating. This is my only outlet until someone turns me onto something. I have this board to help my knowledge grow. Lots of times I read, but won't add much to a post. I think lots of people lurk for information.

One huge issue I see is trying to follow posts you are involved with. There is no way to know which threads you are in if they fall off. Another board I follow for football news has a dot that turns into a star when you post in a thread. Its easy to see, and follow.
 
Last edited:
A mind is like a parachute...

It doesn't work unless it's open...

[/and full of air...I]
 
justadub said:
Its not as enjoyable recently.

There were always conflicts, but they didn't always overwhelm the forum. And there were indeed more interactions here.

There is an underlying "bad vibe" lately. Its a shame. I still stop in, but far less frequently. The extreme negativity that is permitted to continue is the culprit. When all there is left is conflict, there isn't much room for anything else.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this. I've felt it for at least two years, maybe more.
 
cbi1000 said:
Very simple to understand..... The lack of respect here has grown 10 fold over the last couple years. So many people sitting behind there keyboards stating how tough they are, how great they play, how your aiming system sucks, how this or that....

And...

The for sale section has been taken over by 5 people selling 3000 cues apiece. Someone selling one item is lost in the mix.....

I don't think azb will return to something positive until the actions of people here change.
Click to expand...

Yup, the lack of respect is atrocious, to say the least. Add to that, the people who just create chaos for the "entertainment"
 
A major problem with this site is attracting new blood. In that respect, it mirrors the game itself.

There are also too few characters. There are too many threads that are only going to atttact a limited number of responses. The question may interest the OP but few others. On a site this size, anyone who doesnt pose a question that generates at least 50 responses should think twice before posting them.

And this site needs drama. Anyone thinking otherwise is lying to themselves. We all have egos.
 
u s tournaments anouncements should be moved

higher up to just below the main forum or live stream area. Its logical now but does not show unless you scroll down. Need fewer long term stickys.
 
Ron Swanson said:
A major problem with this site is attracting new blood. In that respect, it mirrors the game itself.

There are also too few characters. There are too many threads that are only going to atttact a limited number of responses. The question may interest the OP but few others. On a site this size, anyone who doesnt pose a question that generates at least 50 responses should think twice before posting them.

And this site needs drama. Anyone thinking otherwise is lying to themselves. We all have egos.
Click to expand...
Thats the dumbest thing I have ever heard. If I ask a question and someone answers it, why do I need three dozen more people to tell me the same thing? I ask a question because I have an interest in the answer, not because I want to stimulate conversation.
 
I believe the changes that slowed the For Sale section have directly affected the overall traffic of the site. Particularly the main forum. The migration to FB originated with FB markets and grew from there. If they can get the for sale forum back on track then a lot of users will return.

I would also look at expanding sub forums to those wishing to use this site as a marketing avenue. Cue makers, flippers and dealers would benefit from a dedicated sub forum to share their work. At a cost of course.

I know I would be interested in paying for a sub forum where I could show and discuss my current projects. Many here would love to follow cue makers who like to share more than just a finished project and a dedicated sub forum would help control the sometimes confrontational aspect of the cue makers forum.
 
Last edited:
Not that I would dispute your opinion on this one, but, a lack of respect how.

There are many ways to show a lack of respect to other members here.

One is to pound or have in the past anyway, the Main Forum with Daily Sales Ads.

Other Threads and Posts that are Sales Ads, and thinly disguised as something else.

One other way is to constantly derail threads, only to talk about yourself, leaving it to others to get the thread back on track.

At least one of these have happened in this Thread already.

Now, you might think that by me posting this, I have shown disrespect for CJ.

Maybe, maybe not. It is how I see things on occasion and to me, it is the truth. To others, maybe not.

The Truth can sometimes be disguised as an Opinion. And we all have those, don't we. Our varied opinions are what make AZB interesting.
 
AZB detractors focus on the For Sale section and the changes made to it to support their position that AZB is failing.

Except for a few unique Facebook pages such as Cue Collectors, some of the cuemaker's own specific pages, Original by Palmer, The American Cuemaker, the 50 or so Facebook pages are mirror images of one another in that they are classified ad pages. I praise the sellers that have the fortitude to post their items on multiple pages.

My point is that if what you seek in a billiards forum is a for sale outlet in which you can comment, Facebook offers that option.

I frequent AZB and Facebook. I don't think Facebook is the coming of the new Messiah any more than I think that AZB is in trouble.

I will point this out though. One of the unfortunate downsides of the Facebook pages is that sellers on permanent ban on AZB as well as certain Facebook pages move freely from page to page on Facebook finding new victims.
 
Last edited:
It may be natural, or unnatural, depending upon how you look at things, but Face Book is probably the cause of our dilemma.
Just like pigeons replaced drums and smoke signals, the telegraph and the telephone after that, and then the wrist television (Dick Tracy had one) after that; so has Face Book replaced us. We're like dinosaurs over here. Mr. Howerton probably feels like the captain of the Titanic.
So what do we now? I don't know about you guys, but I'm putting on a dress and heading for a life boat. :)
 
Roger Long said:
I think your suspicion might be correct, Brian. I don't come on here very often anymore. I had a little free time this morning, so just out of curiosity I logged on and found this thread first thing. But normally, my time is spent on Facebook these days. I fought the FB thing for a long time, but now, I don't think I could function very well without it. If you're into pool, there are many, many pros on FB these days, and that is where you can learn about what they are doing in both their personal and professional lives. There are also many, many industry related pages where you can find anything and everything you want to find. Also, there are many, many "groups" that discuss things related to their special interests every day. It's even where you will find the owners of AZB, almost every day, discussing things that they won't discuss here

So, yes, I believe Facebook has had a huge, negative impact on AZB.

Roger
Click to expand...

I think Facebook has hurt traffic on "traditional boards" like AZB in general. Most of the car forums I mess around on are much slower now than they used to be too. Every forum goes thru ebbs and flows though. It is also universal than if a large group of argumentative individuals with strong personalities are super active on a forum it pushes down participation over time. A lot of folks with a lot on their plate just get tired of arguing every little detail to death on threads. Some people here love that shit. They can have it!
 
Changes in for sale killed azb. Nothing ever sells anymore. Less items are listed. Less people looking at cues. Just 100 s of tire kickers and low ballers. Somebody turn out the lights.....last call.
 
Blue Hog ridr said:
At least one of these have happened in this Thread already.

Now, you might think that by me posting this, I have shown disrespect for CJ.

Maybe, maybe not. It is how I see things on occasion and to me, it is the truth. To others, maybe not.
Click to expand...


He is unconscious and beyond shameless in his self promotion, coming into this thread and making it about himself.

Lou Figueroa
 
Nothing wrong with allowing JB back. Like they have done 40 times previously.

It wouldn't take long before he had to be moderated once again.

This how it happens.

JB is allowed back before his length of ban is up.

An apology Thread. I'm sorry, it won't happen again.

A week, maybe 2, JB is up to the same tricks.

It goes on for a while.

Gets banned again.

He petitions the owners to once again receive a shorter ban sentence.

They give it to him. Rinse and Repeat.

How many times does it have to happen.

Hey, he's on Face Book and most likely still reading AZB.

Old habits never die sometimes.

I wouldn't accuse John of chasing members away. I doubt that happened. He was however, the prime cause for continuing Drama in more than one Thread at a time.

Pretty quiet around here now eh.
 
Last edited:
i still come here regularly but dont often go past the first page of posts anymore. just too many stickies and i have to scroll down past them each time i go to another page on the forum. they fill my screen twice. its like i am being punished or something.
 
Azb

Quote by Ron Swanson.

And this site needs drama. Anyone thinking otherwise is lying to themselves. We all have egos.[/QUOTE]

I don't know anyone who I disagree with more then you..
I am not trying to slam you but I am not into drama and I know very few people who are, in less they are some crazed out drunk or druggy.

My point is this forum has to much drama IMO.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top