Just some thoughts.

[hmc1981]

Just have a question.

Do any members and or visitors of this site ever get the impression that lately, things in here have been a bit lacking in the discussion area? It comes off to me that there’s a specific group of people who converse and engage in discussion, and anytime someone outside that group has something to share, it’s looked over, no discussion, nothing? It’s almost immediately any new posts get bumped down and forgotten.

If you look at the Facebook groups, there’s much more activity and actual engagement amongst members.

It used to be that I would visit this site because of the camaraderie and information that was shared. I just don’t see that here anymore.

I was thinking about becoming an official member and paying my dues, but I just don’t see spending my money only to come on here and find only a small select group of people essentially bumping everyone else’s attempts at beginning new discussions down to the bottom where they will be quickly forgotten.

I’ve seen John try so very hard, putting so much effort into trying to create something for all of us to enjoy, only to have others ramble on incessantly about how great they used to do it. No words of encouragement for something new.

I don’t know. I’m not trying to start an argument, and if it becomes one, those who make it into that only have themselves to blame.

I guess what I’m saying is that this site just doesn’t seem at all what it was. I can only imagine the struggle of those actually spending their personal time trying to create content to keep things going, only to have people complain about it being too soon to ask thoughts for an upcoming holiday issue.

There’s a lot of bullies on here, it seems.

Anyway. I know I’m not the only one who has thought this, just wanting to see if anyone else is willing to say that they’ve noticed it too. Also, it seems as though Fred and Robert never participate.

And I posted this in the vintage section intentionally.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

As much as I love my sweepers, they are not the primary focus in life. I work 60+ hours a week on top of being a full time college student. Most days the last thing I want to do when I get home is rattle off a post online or toy with a sweeper. These days getting the vacuum sweepers out or working on then is a treat for me.
Just my two cents...

 

[lesinutah]

Touche

I was going to post on 505 trim post but seeing overwhelming amount of posts I don't like talking to myself.
I did see your 562 sanitronic with white cord and it has dark handle.
My 562 is sparkly tan. My sanitronic 7 is light tan and d50s are the tan Kirby sells everywhere.
I don't have facebook. I don't post much and I am not as intense posting.
I used to post more than anyone.
I look and see maybe three posts in each section and no replies.
I don't post much because nobody seems to care.
Les

 

[lesinutah]

Work

I work 40 hours in a new profession and I drive an hour each way. I go to school 7 in the morning Saturday and get home at 630.
I also have homework, yard work and I been fixing and selling a few vacuums.
I still would like to talk vacuums but it's more lively in a cemetery.
Les

 

[madman]

Speaking as somewhat of an outsider - I don't see myself as a vacuum cleaner guy (despite the fact that I seem to own 10 vacuums [hmm...]) - it does kind of seem that way. Not much conversing goes on. Rather, not much out of the ordinary conversation, anyway. I try to pitch in for technical questions - as I'm good with that - but all the chit-chat about the intricacies of Kirby colors and styling cues is not really my cup of tea.

I imagine other people here feel similarly about other topics that people want to talk about, and don't say anything. Honestly, that's perfectly normal. Even if you asked everyone to contribute something to every thread, what would they end up saying? 'Nice?' Hardly the conversation that was desired in the first place, I think.

 

[huskyvacs]

Ive been reading the archives a lot, and I noticed the place had a lot more going on in 2007+. I think just the time changes and the vacuum cleaners out on the market now aren't much to talk about like it was back then. I have seen a lot of new members around that just joined so that's a good thing at least.

I have a lot of backlogged vacuum finds to post here, but I've been busy a lot as well with housework - I think th problem is just everyone is busy. Maybein winter there might be more going on.

I joined here in 2017 and I never got many comments on my posts either. Maybe 4 if I'm really lucky. Most of them just get buried under Kirby or Dyson accessory discussions or when a new Miele is coming out and that's about it - it gave me the impression that maybe eBay sellers are right and nobody wants old vacuums anymore and I'm just crazy. lol

I haven't even been finding any vacuums in thrift stores either. I seen a Dirt Devil 100 series hand vac and a Dirt Devil stick vacuum and that's about it.

Youtube is not exactly a great site for discussion based chatting, but youtube has a lot going on with people making vintage vacuum videos.

I think maybe this site just needs some more exposure and to be more known, that might help bring in more talkative people and kind of filter them in from youtube and other groups.

It seems like if anything isn't instantly accessible and clickable within 0.005 seconds on those dumbphones these days, then nobody knows about it.

 

[hmc1981]

All very good points

Being busy (I am too), new machines not being interesting, only topics about specific trim pieces, etc.

But there was more going on a couple years ago. I have seen a lot of us and them, albeit very subtle, but I know who the people are and their little Hatfield vs McCoy battles, it just is childish and is a turn off.

It’d be disingenuous for everyone to comment on a post, yes.

Les - you don’t have to create a personal page, you can “be someone else” the Facebook groups have a lot more going on, more discussion and encouragement. Better sense of being in a group. Give it a shot!

 

[davevac]

My 2 cents

Trust me, I have little knowledge compared to the people on this site. I have found the archive posts invaluable to me....it seems the current posts are not as "good".
It may be attributable to a few things -
Quite a few of the questions/observations have already been addressed. When I have a question, I usually first search the archives and find the answer..then there is no reason to post anything;
I have seen some confrontation or ill feelings here....I do see that on all social media...I know that I come across much differently on the internet than I do in person...not because I'm trying to confront but because I don't write as I speak..
Facebook and Twitter are horrible (I'm not on either) as friends and family fight over politics and other issues..I think I liked it much better when people talked on the phone or face to face;
As was said previously...WORK and other time consuming tasks...I may go for weeks without even looking at this website and may then look everyday for a while;
I have posted questions with no responses at all. I figured no one had an answer but did wonder if it was read at all..maybe a quick "good question" or "you may have a hard time finding an answer" would be a good idea.

All I know is people usually laugh or give me a strange look when I tell them I collect vacuums and washing machines (as well as many other items)./..there are not that many of us and we should make a serious attempt to have fun and get along.

 

[vinvac]

I still enjoy visiting this site. Life is busy for most of us.

There are several reason I believe why perhaps we don't see the conversations we used to see on here.

Many of us are no longer an active part of the VCCC which originally started this site until fighting and bullying forced us to get out of it. There were always down times in the year when the site was not as active. The convention brought us all together and activity would spike before and after.

Now we have Facebook and other ways to communicate, which are all good. However it does have an affect on this site in my opinion.

Quite honestly, I have found Automatic Washer to be of more interest to me. Not because of washers but the conversations that happen in Dirty Laundry. That group seems so much better at polite conversations and able to agree to disagree.

Robert has done an outstanding job with this site and Automatic Washer. I still enjoy both and check in when I can.

 

[bnsd60m9200]

there's a simple reason. facebook killed the internet forum. almost all of the people that used to post here regularly several years ago have now shifted thier activities to facebook, myself included. i know many of them personally and interact with them there often. i have a vintage vacuum group there myself. i post to help people out with techincal problems here, but finds and other daily musings of vintage machines i post there.

 

[fantomfan57]

Personally....

I love visiting here and hearing about other guys finds and successes. I have found a lot of answers and suggestions to my posts. I also check the Archives first (99% of the time) before I post.

I try hard to make sure I spell correctly and my grammar is correct, because I want my posts to be understood. But most of all, I want to add something constructive.

There will always be cliques, bullies and people who hijack your post.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I agree with so much of this.

First, Thanks, Robert, for having this available. Yes, Vacuumland AND The VCCC. I'm understanding that Fred is no longer a part of V land.
I love to see others adding topics, points, pics, etc.Sam Addison and I 'brought the VCCC Newsletter back to life. and it's thriving. Our VCCC has just increased membership by 7 people.
I, too, have experienced the 'bullying'. I was bullied as a child. I'm sure others were as well. THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME AGAIN!. I simply will not 'allow it to hurt me', along with any person so inclined to do so.
So...... I suggest, forge ahead! post, ask, show, tell, share. that IS why we are here. tho indulge our passion for vacuums. And the others, to quote the nuns I had... "can go and fry ice"!
But, thanks for noting the elephant in the room. it's a good thing.

 

[huskyvacs]

For me I'll never join Facebook because I hate that site. I only made a dummy account to use for my PS4 to transfer game footage off there and some websites that require Facebook to post a comment. Just today I was locked out of my account for "suspicious activity" (there was none). They want my mobile number to unlock the account - I don't own a phone. Then they say they want me to scan my government issued photo ID and send it to them - not a chance! They want you to use your real name, real phone number, and all that just to make an account, I will never be a part of a site that requires that before you even register. Way too much that hackers can get into when they breach those websites and access with that info, and the less easy you make it for them the better.

 

[human]

I'm certainly no vacuum expert but I do read threads on machines and brands that interest me. If I feel I can add meaningfully to the conversation, I will; otherwise, I just read and absorb information. I also like to chronicle my own repair / renovation projects, both to elicit assistance and input from other members when I need it and to provide a record of what I did so others might not have to make the same mistakes I did. And of course, there's also the excuse to show off new acquisitions.

 

[lesinutah]

Human

Your the jet mechanic that has a carport likes lawn mowers and you have a couple videos on Riccar supralite. If I'm wrong I'm sorry but I'm thinking I'm right. Your videos are great.
Les

 

[electrolux137]

~
~


As I'm getting older, I'm gradually becoming less inclined to throw myself into the difficult, messy work of restoring old vacuum cleaners.


 


Also, having accumulated so many machines and related STUFF has become a burden -- physically and emotionally. The happiness that my collection once brought me has greatly dissipated and has become a source of anxiety.


 


A major ("and I do mean major") household move looms in the foreseeable future, meaning I am going to have to relieve myself of the bulk of my collection other than a half-dozen cherished machines. Which, I suppose, is a good thing -- all things considered.


 


All of this is factoring into a "diminishing of my fervor" for vacuum cleaners. And that, in turn, means I tend to post less and talk less about them.

 

[tolivac]

I have reduced acquiring vacuums----I have just run out of space!So enjoy the vacuums I have.

 

[hmc1981]

Facebook

Absolutely has killed traditional Internet forums. I myself am a co-moderator on a Kirby group, and as other have mentioned, I too have a personal life and do not always have time to reply to everything posted. There’s members from all over the globe and I just do not have the time to focus on every individual post. Time is not anything I was ever speaking of though, nor the shift from Internet forums to Facebook. It was more the “elephant in the room” as mentioned by John and the subsequent who is heard and who is drowned out that seems to happen more on here than it does in the Facebook groups.

I’m not saying that I no longer enjoy visiting this site, but I am seeing a very large difference in how it was only a couple of years ago to what is today.

As far as archives, yes it is wise to search them before asking, but there still is no harm in not searching and asking anyway - I’ve read some quite curt responses in those situations.

Anyhoo... I’m on a break from work, have to get back. I’m actually polishing the old terrazzo flooring today with an old Johnson’s polisher I picked up locally from somewhere. Works great!

Have a good day, all of you.

 

[human]

Les,
I'm not a jet mechanic, just a humble college humanities professor. I do have a carport that contains an old convertible. I haven't posted any videos to this site, only still images of some of my project machines.