Well, the FB page is WAY busier obviously. But it's mostly adverts, pictures etc. Any useful information is often lost in the ether isn't it. But that's all social media. I enjoy it too.

I wonder how many of the FB users even know this site exists. The HUBB is a goldmine of information and it's a shame that more people don't contribute to it. Probably because forums aren't as easy to use on a smart phone. Even with Tapatalk etc.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Aye from Cape Town

I know none of you know me but hello from London

Aye

Aye!

Hello

There is a parallel world on Facebook?

sushi

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My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere

Aye! from Whyteleafe.
After taking quite a while to find password and remember how things work...

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TTR250 - London to Cape Town

I write also - so reader don`t fit

So true!

All three sources are very helpful - blogs, commumitys like hubb, expo, advriders and FB

Surfy

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About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

Why Aye - from Newcastle (well, California now of course ;o)

Funny, I have just made a similar comment on a Facebook page this morning...

Certainly I've noticed that coinciding with the advent of 'lock down' all over the world in recent months, there has been a significantly increase in people either creating or joining existing 'groups' on that platform (if only judging by the shear number of same old 'newbie' questions being posted day in and day out on pages like the Trans-America Trail and CB500X which I most frequently frequent) - if only as a way to remain connected with others with similar interests during this enforced down-time... after all, there is only so much YouTube and Netflix you can watch right?!

The problem with social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter is they are designed to have a high turnover of posts as that is what drives their revenue streams... but what that ends up being for the user is very superficial at best.

There is a search function of Facebook to pick up on previous posts using keywords, but apparently the vast majority of people either don't know how to use it or simply can't be bothered... and in that regard, whenever anyone posts a technical question (quite apart from the fact they are using a bloody machine that can Google in the first place!) I increasingly suggest if they want more detailed information, to join a respective forum [or sub forum on big platforms like ADVrider] on that subject - not least as a traditional forum [page] layout is far better for imparting lengthy and more detailed information and photos etc. - and especially if anything is episodic like ride reports and servicing/rebuild illustrations.

Like you say Ted, Facebook has it's place in the mix of things, albeit typically for more superficial 'news' information and primarily opinion sharing; but for quality content, I feel the traditional forum platform still has more to offer - not least as people tend to take more care with the content they publish on a dedicated website.

These are just my thoughts on the subject...

Jenny x

That's an AYE from me as well. Though I have to admit to being less on the HU.com and a bit more on the FB one. This is also because I am a member of other forums on FB.

I much prefer the .com version. Much easier to use and a beter public. The FB seems to have a lot of one timers and clueless people posting crap.

The .com is for when you can take the time and sit down with a cup of tea and login. The facebook is for the coffee to go brigade. It's fast.

Anyways it all helps. Stay safe, stay sane and keep on dreaming..... Vince

facebook Ride Live Explore

Great analogy.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I'll say aye with a small "a".

I was dormant for quite a while, but now that "have bike, will travel" applies once more, I'm in the mood to read and learn, follow others' adventures and dream of my own, even if my chances of a lengthy trip are slim any time before my two become undergrads....

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Good grief. I'm a digital luddite: I didn't even know there was a FB page!

I tell you: this 19th century is full of surprises....

(Hangs head in embarrassment)

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Picking up on both Jenny and Vince's points Facebook isn't so much a drive 'thru' as a drive by, where you're encouraged by the culture of the place to let fly at any slight inaccuracy or difference of opinion. Stand out and you're shot down. The place encourages short, snappy, shoot from the hip type responses. And there's plenty of them, even from people who ought to know better. I was just reading there this morning a request from a US rider, currently in Ireland but setting off shortly to ride his Transalp to Istanbul. He was seeking info about problems he might encounter but his plan was described dismissively as "A route devoid of jeopardy or challenge" by someone well known in overlanding circles. Well, yes it probably is but that description equally applies to about 3/4 of the planet these days. Terra Incognita has now become is what each of us, individually, make it.

The Hobbesian nature of HU Facebook makes it a far less valuable resource for me than here but despite the nasty, brutish and (generally) short nature of the contributions it does attract a lot more people than HU.com. Where the balance lies between turnover and profit lies (in both senses) only Grant will know, but if most of the contributors on Facebook don't even know this place exists I wonder if there's much long term point in keeping it as a vanity project.

I ahve already said Aye once but I keep coming back far more regularly than I should so a second Aye is in order.

Aha - Mr McCrankpin. I am currently reading your blog of your trip to Cape Town and thoroughly enjoying it. I am planning on doing a similarish route down the East Coast of Africa and what you have written is very interesting so Thank You very much.

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You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.