Forum Activity

[Oldbeavo]

Hi Folks
Has there been very little activity on the forum, my login on says no posts since the 25th, and Down Under since 10th.
Or do I need to log out and relog in?

[paus]

I noticed that, so I thought I had been "DISMEMBERED"

[The15thMember]

No, it's not you, there has just been very little activity lately.    We moderators have been discussing it with growing concern to be honest.  I'm chalking it largely up to the fact that we didn't have our customary big jump in new membership in northern hemisphere spring this year.  We therefore have very few/no first year beekeepers on the forum this year to be asking all kinds of random questions, and now our active season is winding down here in the north.  We're looking at you guys down under to pick up the slack and keep us all occupied through our winter!       

[paus]

Our bee club has many new members and I have been negligent by not suggesting BEE Master.  That will be corrected.

[The15thMember]

Our bee club has many new members and I have been negligent by not suggesting BEE Master.  That will be corrected.

Thanks paus!  That would be great! 

[Ben Framed]

Oldbeavo their has been some interesting post in the DownUnder section lately but these post have been placed in the 'stickied' section of that forum, (the white area above the regular post), which can be 'very easy' to overlook or miss if one is 'not' accustomed to checking out that particular area of the Forum. Each Specific Beemaster Forum Heading  has this special 'set aside area', including the DownUnder Heading. Check these out..

Phillip

Examples as follows:

Varroa detected in Australia  New
Started by max2 << 1 2 3 4 5 6 ... 10 >>
198 Replies
6464 Views   Last post September 28, 2022, 10:02:21 am
Last Post by Michael Bush
      
News from Down Under  New
Started by max2
14 Replies
563 Views   Last post September 28, 2022, 04:51:38 am
Last Post by max2
      
What's flowering: Queensland  New
Started by max2 << 1 2 3 4 5 6 ... 36 >>
701 Replies
92207 Views Last post September 28, 2022, 04:48:27 am
Last Post by max2

[Oldbeavo]

We are in a mad Spring, weather too bad to work bees and poor flying time for honey collection.
But to confuse us the bees seem to be spending bad weather time to build queen cells. as soon as we get a warm day, out they go.
We still have 60 to split, maybe less as some will have swarmed. Still takes time to go through them and determine what has happened.

[Lesgold]

I?m finding the same problem Oldbeavo. The weather has been ordinary for a while now. Wind and rain has kept me out of the bees for a couple of weeks. Some of the local beeks have had an issue with swarming. I?ve been lucky so far due to the fact that I had a major honey extraction last month and I removed all queen excluders at that time. Hives have built up quickly due to the extra space. When the rain clears in a few days, I?m expecting the bees to be in their usual spring mood.

[max2]

This has been the worst Spring in 30 years.

Not my quote ( but i do agree) but a quote form a beek with about 600 hives  - this is the first year he got no honey, NO honey off his hives in the Mac nuts.
And my mate with about 2500 hives has not taken honey off since December.

We are liking our wounds, mate.

I have a handfull of jars with honey in store...but wait...is this honey I can smell coming from the yard?

We have to be optimists or mad to be beekeepers.

( I killed a hive full of SHB maggots/larvae this afternoon. It was a strong hive ready to add a super last Saturday)

[Acebird]

No, it's not you, there has just been very little activity lately.    We moderators have been discussing it with growing concern to be honest.

Begs the question as to why there are so many new moderators.

[rast]

No, it's not you, there has just been very little activity lately.    We moderators have been discussing it with growing concern to be honest.

Begs the question as to why there are so many new moderators.

Just to handle you and Iddee.

[Ben Framed]

Just to handle you and Iddee.

 

[BeeMaster2]

Ace,
We used to have more active moderators than we do now. When I was handed the reins, it was just Robo and I and occasionally Buzzbee would drop in. Robo and Buzzbee only come on very occasionally so I started looking for members who spent a lot of time here on BeeMaster and also have the right temperament, morals and strength to do the job correctly.
It?s not an easy job keeping an even balance keeping Beemaster family friendly, keeping the personal attacks to a minimum and keeping it a place where people want to come to for information on beekeeping and a wide variety of subjects.
If you look at most other forums out there, personal attacks and foul language seem to bee the norm.
I want to personally thank all of our moderators for keeping BeeMaster family friendly.
Jim Altmiller

[Kathyp]

a lot of people default to facebook and there is (was?) a group from Beemaster on there.  If you are on the Facebook page and want to put a plug on there for this, the mother group, it would help too.  A lot of our old members are there and also have their own pages.

[Oldbeavo]

For a hobby i race pigeons, we have a forum that has been active for about 16 years but is slowing down due to people migrating to a Facebook option.
I don't know why as it only dilutes information and means you have to log in to both.
PS i don't do Facebook for anything.

[gww]

Oldbeavo

PS i don't do Facebook for anything.

Me either, not even to check up on those who do.
Cheers
gww

[Acebird]

I want to personally thank all of our moderators for keeping BeeMaster family friendly.
Jim Altmiller

You know I do too.  And you know I know that being a moderator is impossible because you have to be without opinion.
I do FB mostly for family.
You have to actively advertise to make noticeable gains in membership.  Letting the google crawler find people will get the occasional member but not large numbers.  I suppose I shouldn't say this but the strong conservative membership will drive away more than half the potential beekeepers that could be members.  Beemaster is family friendly but not politically friendly. 

[The15thMember]

And you know I know that being a moderator is impossible because you have to be without opinion.

So in your opinion literally no human should be a moderator?

I suppose I shouldn't say this but the strong conservative membership will drive away more than half the potential beekeepers that could be members. 

This is not untrue, and I think it's unfortunate, because there should be nothing wrong with respectful political discussion, especially if it's kept separate from other topics, like it is on our forum.  Healthy political debate is the backbone of democracy, and while a bee forum might not be the best place for it, in our world today it seems like it's the only place left where it's acceptable, and therefore I appreciate it.     

[BeeMaster2]

Ace,
Why can?t a moderator have an opinion? Really, you are given way more slack than most members need.
As long as they treat all members fairly they are doing their job.
Jim Altmiller

[gww]

Moderators, somebody has to do it and I am glad it is not me.  After retiring from work, I am running from responsibilities and not looking for more.  I think it is hard to do right and am glad somebody is willing and wish them luck.
Cheers
gww

[Kathyp]

This is not untrue, and I think it's unfortunate, because there should be nothing wrong with respectful political discussion, especially if it's kept separate from other topics, like it is on our forum.  Healthy political debate is the backbone of democracy, and while a bee forum might not be the best place for it, in our world today it seems like it's the only place left where it's acceptable, and therefore I appreciate it.     

one of the brilliant things John did was make the coffee house.  Most of us had belonged to other sites that ended up having political fights in the middle of beekeeping info.  As much as I enjoy the political debates, I left those sites because it got nasty and obscured the beekeeping info.

We have an outlet for political and other debate here, and those who don't want to participate in that stuff don't even need to look at it.  I can't see why anyone would be discouraged from joining for beekeeping info just because some of us enjoy other debates...as long as it is kept separate.

[Acebird]

So in your opinion literally no human should be a moderator?
   

No.  Some people may not have an opinion on any given topic but the key thing for a moderator is not to voice theirs.  By doing so in a discussion you have chosen a side and in that case you are not moderating.

[Acebird]

I can't see why anyone would be discouraged from joining for beekeeping info just because some of us enjoy other debates...as long as it is kept separate.

Keeping it separate is a great idea and as you say this site has had better success then any other site I have been on.  That being said a club is a club and controlling pack mentality requires not joining one side or the other in a discussion.  The pack will most likely drive the opposing view from the club.  If you don't think that has happened here then the membership is not going to change much.

[The15thMember]

This is not untrue, and I think it's unfortunate, because there should be nothing wrong with respectful political discussion, especially if it's kept separate from other topics, like it is on our forum.  Healthy political debate is the backbone of democracy, and while a bee forum might not be the best place for it, in our world today it seems like it's the only place left where it's acceptable, and therefore I appreciate it.     

one of the brilliant things John did was make the coffee house.  Most of us had belonged to other sites that ended up having political fights in the middle of beekeeping info.  As much as I enjoy the political debates, I left those sites because it got nasty and obscured the beekeeping info.

We have an outlet for political and other debate here, and those who don't want to participate in that stuff don't even need to look at it.  I can't see why anyone would be discouraged from joining for beekeeping info just because some of us enjoy other debates...as long as it is kept separate.

The only reason it worries me is politics is SUCH a hot topic, especially right now, and there has been so little activity on the bee sections lately.  When people are thinking about joining the forum, it may seem like the bee section is dead and the only people left on here are arguing about politics.  If there is equal activity on bee threads, then I don't think the presence of the Coffee House affects anything, but when the first thing they see is the Coffee House, I worry about prospective members' first impressions.

So in your opinion literally no human should be a moderator?
   

No.  Some people may not have an opinion on any given topic but the key thing for a moderator is not to voice theirs.  By doing so in a discussion you have chosen a side and in that case you are not moderating.

I can't see why anyone would be discouraged from joining for beekeeping info just because some of us enjoy other debates...as long as it is kept separate.

Keeping it separate is a great idea and as you say this site has had better success then any other site I have been on.  That being said a club is a club and controlling pack mentality requires not joining one side or the other in a discussion.  The pack will most likely drive the opposing view from the club.  If you don't think that has happened here then the membership is not going to change much.

Why does every discussion have to have a side?  And even if it does, why is it a problem for a moderator to voice an opinion about it?  If everyone is allowed to speak their opinions freely, then who cares?  If moderators weren't allowed to voice opinions they wouldn't be able to answer questions or help people with problems.  The moderators job isn't to arbitrate every conversation and decide who is right and who is wrong, it's to make sure the forum rules are followed and that everything is working properly for everyone, including the moderators, to enjoy. 

[William Bagwell]

one of the brilliant things John did was make the coffee house.  Most of us had belonged to other sites that ended up having political fights in the middle of beekeeping info.  As much as I enjoy the political debates, I left those sites because it got nasty and obscured the beekeeping info.

We have an outlet for political and other debate here, and those who don't want to participate in that stuff don't even need to look at it.  I can't see why anyone would be discouraged from joining for beekeeping info just because some of us enjoy other debates...as long as it is kept separate.

Agree this is a much more friendly forum than next door, however they are getting way more traffic. One possible reason may be that they hide their Coffee Klatch from non members. (As well as the even more political Tailgater) Disagree with Ace up above that only one side scares folks off. Many people are turned off by any kind of argument even on topic stuff and the folks who enjoy a fight are not necessarily who you want to attract...

[Ben Framed]

First of all I would like to personally thank each of you for 'your' kind words directed toward the moderators and moderation.

The15thMember

The only reason it worries me is politics is SUCH a hot topic, especially right now, and there has been so little activity on the bee sections lately.  When people are thinking about joining the forum, it may seem like the bee section is dead and the only people left on here are arguing about politics.  If there is equal activity on bee threads, then I don't think the presence of the Coffee House affects anything, but when the first thing they see is the Coffee House, I worry about prospective members' first impressions.

The15thMember

The moderators job isn't to arbitrate every conversation and decide who is right and who is wrong, it's to make sure the forum rules are followed and that everything is working properly for everyone, including the moderators, to enjoy.

Agree; Not only did John so brilliantly create the Coffeehouse, (a forum where 'any' topic 'EXCEPT' beekeeping can be discussed). John was just as 'brilliant' when creating The Bylaws. It is 'further' my option that 'if' the Bylaws were, 'respected', and therefore followed more closely, especially when it comes to politics in The Coffeehouse, We just might have more participants voicing their opinions and views there, which would not only be a boost to The Coffeehouse, but Beemaster Forums in general.

Phillip

[Ben Framed]

William Bagwell

One possible reason may be that they hide their Coffee Klatch from non members. (As well as the even more political Tailgater)

Thank you William. I was not aware that our neighbors conducts this practice but this is an option, and has been discussed between some of us in moderation.

Phillip

[Kathyp]

yeah, I don't have a problem with anyone expressing an opinion.  It's not my job to moderate opinions.  Only to keep people from getting nasty about them, using unacceptable language, or posting advertisements.  Beyond that, keep beekeeping in the bee section and the rest of the stuff where it goes.

I do think that the proliferation of social media choices has made forums less of a go-to for info.  I know for a fact that many of our old long-term members went to beemaster on Facebook and many started their own pages and youtube channels.  + it's winding down time for beekeeping in most of the US, so we have to live vicariously through our Downunder friends.   

I started on here in 2009ish and there was no Facebook or whatever else to speak of.  I made friends here and have met a lot of the old members at events.  Times change, people change, and unfortunately, some of our most active members from the past have died.  If you guys want to help keep this site going then mention it every chance you get on every site you frequent. 

[gww]

I agree with william bagwell.  The other sites that do not have political come up when you hit new post are more welcoming for bee talk.  Moderating out politics from bee discussions are the right thing as I personally and probably wrongly look to helpful bee advice better when I don't know the persons giving the advices political or religious leanings.  On the other sites, you either have to pursue and look for the political part or have to had some conversation there to be notified that on threads you did participate in have had some comment.  I do think that is better if you are joining the site for bee talk and admit that I come here more for political cause it is in my face and not separate where I have to search for it and have an interest big enough to search for it.  I have been in very few political conversations on other bee sites.  In fact, except for bee topics that got out of hand, I did not even know a different site had a political section until they had a forum upgrade and mixed it till they got it worked out.  This is not a dig of this site as I have got to know you guys and am not mad in anyway.  I do check this site for different reasons then I do on other bee sites.   
Cheers
gww

Ps facebook, I never been and probably am never going.

[Ben Framed]

William Bagwell

One possible reason may be that they hide their Coffee Klatch from non members. (As well as the even more political Tailgater)

Thank you William. I was not aware that our neighbors conducts this practice but this is an option, and has been discussed between some of us in moderation.

Phillip

Hiding the  Coeeffeehouse from non members view might be of some help as far as new membership is concerned. Observing the Bylaws might be a great help as far as increased posting by current nor-posting members are concerned in The Cofffeehouse.

Phillip

Not only did John so brilliantly create the Coffeehouse, (a forum where 'any' topic 'EXCEPT' beekeeping can be discussed). John was just as 'brilliant' when creating The Bylaws. It is 'further' my option that 'if' the Bylaws were, 'respected', and therefore followed more closely, especially when it comes to politics in The Coffeehouse, We just might have more participants voicing their opinions and views there, which would not only be a boost to The Coffeehouse, but Beemaster Forums in general.

Phillip

[Lesgold]

As a relatively new member I would like to make a couple of comments on the structure and running of Beemaster. I have found moderators to be polite, friendly, respectful and encouraging in their comments. It is a site that has a warm, friendly and welcoming feel that encourages participation. As on other forum sites, there is always times where participation and membership goes through some quiet times but as long as politics and internal bickering are eliminated, membership and content should improve. I like that there is one section left out on its own where more robust discussion on just about any topic can be raised. This means that politics, religion beliefs etc can be eliminated from the main forum areas. I have looked in this section a few times but generally escaped quickly as I found myself experiencing the full range of emotions when reading comments made in some of those topics. I now don?t enter that section and feel comfortable participating in the other areas of the forum. It?s great to have that choice.

[Ben Framed]

As a relatively new member I would like to make a couple of comments on the structure and running of Beemaster. I have found moderators to be polite, friendly, respectful and encouraging in their comments. It is a site that has a warm, friendly and welcoming feel that encourages participation. As on other forum sites, there is always times where participation and membership goes through some quiet times but as long as politics and internal bickering are eliminated, membership and content should improve. I like that there is one section left out on its own where more robust discussion on just about any topic can be raised. This means that politics, religion beliefs etc can be eliminated from the main forum areas. I have looked in this section a few times but generally escaped quickly as I found myself experiencing the full range of emotions when reading comments made in some of those topics. I now don?t enter that section and feel comfortable participating in the other areas of the forum. It?s great to have that choice.

Thank you Les.

Phillip

[Acebird]

The moderators job isn't to arbitrate every conversation and decide who is right and who is wrong,

When the moderator assumes they are right they are doing just that.  You can see it happen.  The pack chimes in on the assumption and there you have it.

[BeeMaster2]

Ace,
That is not moderating, it is communicating. When we moderate we delete and send notices of the infraction and possibly more to stop the infraction.
Jim Altmiller

[Kathyp]

I have looked in this section a few times but generally escaped quickly as I found myself experiencing the full range of emotions when reading comments made in some of those topics. I now don?t enter that section and feel comfortable participating in the other areas of the forum. It?s great to have that choice.

That's fair and understandable.  I don't mean this in any negative way, but a lot of people from other countries are hesitant to debate because within their experience exist things like "hate speech" laws.  I completely get that.  My sister lives in England and her husband gets kind of nervous over the debates my sister and I have.

In the US we do not have such laws and I think that is a good thing.  On this site we have moderators to keep people from going off the rails. 

I will say this to anyone who reads anything on here that they don't understand or that has made them uncomfortable, let us know.  Some of it may well be something I have written and if you PM me with a concern I will do my best to clean up my mess   

[Acebird]

Ace,
That is not moderating, it is communicating.

Yes but there is psychology involved.
Only trying to make suggestions as to why activity might be low or membership may not be all inclusive.

[Ben Framed]

We thank you for your input Brian.

Phillip

[Acebird]

yw

[Bill Murray]

So, I dont normally do much computer surfing, but I just punched in 3 simple things. " MY Bees have Diarrhea", "how to feed bees sugar water" and "Varroa".  First page, Beemaster was not to be found. So in todays world the first few places at the top of the list get the traffic. I looked at some you-tube vids, but found it like reading the tons of books, like when I first started keeping bees, just not as enjoyable. A lot of info that has to be sorted through to figure whats true, relevant to your area, and your management style.

[Ben Framed]

So, I dont normally do much computer surfing, but I just punched in 3 simple things. " MY Bees have Diarrhea", "how to feed bees sugar water" and "Varroa".  First page, Beemaster was not to be found. So in todays world the first few places at the top of the list get the traffic. I looked at some you-tube vids, but found it like reading the tons of books, like when I first started keeping bees, just not as enjoyable. A lot of info that has to be sorted through to figure whats true, relevant to your area, and your management style.

Thank you Bill

And thank you all. Each and every reply, opinion, and input is 'so' very much appreciated! 

Phillip

[Acebird]

First page, Beemaster was not to be found.

If you advertise with google it will be there, no different then FB or any other media source.  The other bee forum is very commercialized.  And then there is the crawlers which seek out new content.  So the more active the forum is the more it will reach the top.