There have been a few comments in the 'power of the press' and the do transports make a difference' thread about the influence of both magazines and forums/fora, and how the latter in particular are perceived by the industry. Therefore I think the issue is worthy of its own thread!
I think there is plenty of room for magazines and forums to co-exist but what often suprises me is the contempt that they hold for each other. I find it ironic that in many cases both are read by the same customers/members. Its as if both are in direct competition with each other. Its a shame in some senses because I think that forums play a useful role in providing a place for people to discuss this sometimes obsessive hobby in a real time interactive way that the printed media could never achieve. On that basis forums shouldn't be a threat, but I believe the competition is really about whose opinion carries most credibility.
It does sometimes worry me when you consider the effective anonymity that members have on the forums. I can see how magazines consider forums to be potentially dangerous places as credetials are unknown and nobody can be held accountable for their comments. Context is often also unclear, and in some places kit gets slated on the back of a two min experience, or worse still on the back of no experience but a hidden agenda or ego. On the positive side however a forum of this smaller size has social benefits. I think the number of bakeoffs we collectively hold is a testament to the number of genuine people in the tent. Through regular meetings trust can be built and comments and opinions develope context and deeper worth. The reviewers in magazines can't hide behind their keyboards in the same way, but im sure they do suffer an element of commercial pressure. Pressure to shift magazines foremost. But where does that leave us? We are all customers at the end of the day...
Discuss...
I think there is plenty of room for magazines and forums to co-exist but what often suprises me is the contempt that they hold for each other. I find it ironic that in many cases both are read by the same customers/members. Its as if both are in direct competition with each other. Its a shame in some senses because I think that forums play a useful role in providing a place for people to discuss this sometimes obsessive hobby in a real time interactive way that the printed media could never achieve. On that basis forums shouldn't be a threat, but I believe the competition is really about whose opinion carries most credibility.
It does sometimes worry me when you consider the effective anonymity that members have on the forums. I can see how magazines consider forums to be potentially dangerous places as credetials are unknown and nobody can be held accountable for their comments. Context is often also unclear, and in some places kit gets slated on the back of a two min experience, or worse still on the back of no experience but a hidden agenda or ego. On the positive side however a forum of this smaller size has social benefits. I think the number of bakeoffs we collectively hold is a testament to the number of genuine people in the tent. Through regular meetings trust can be built and comments and opinions develope context and deeper worth. The reviewers in magazines can't hide behind their keyboards in the same way, but im sure they do suffer an element of commercial pressure. Pressure to shift magazines foremost. But where does that leave us? We are all customers at the end of the day...
Discuss...