Separate St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas forums?

Post by **Anthony** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:33 am

Is it time? Should we make the current Travel Forum the St. John forum, and create new ones for St. Croix and St. Thomas? I think - YES. What do you think???

They would all be easily accessible from this page:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum/index.php

Exit Zero · Post by **Exit Zero** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:59 am

I think the "Club" that has been referred to should have their own forum and the rest of the majority of helpful posters can exist amicably and offer useful and helpful information for the many people interested in all facets of Virgin Island tourism and welcome new and return visitors with non acerbic posts and friendly acceptance.
When I voted there was 1 NO [me] and no YES.

oldbuddy · Post by **oldbuddy** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:18 am

When I was new to this forum, I thought it was only about St John. I was surprised when someone wrote about St Thomas; I thought they hit the wrong button. I recently returned form St Croix and didn't write a trip report because I felt the only thing most people on this forum would want to hear is that it is not as good as St John. So, maybe it is time for the split.

Post by **Anthony** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:33 am

I just don't believe it would be as "separate" as people think. For instance, in the left column there, the "Latest Forum Posts" are from across all 3 forums, (USVI, Off Topic, and Relocation) - and if we added St. Thomas and St. Croix, the new posts would still show up there, on the home page of the site, go out in the RSS feed, be sent in the email update (if you get it), posted on FB and Twitter, etc. So I think a user would still be involved in all places but can get a little more granular focus if they wanted to...

But I see we are running in the negative on the poll - as usual

ToonMann · Post by **ToonMann** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:35 am

I vote for no separation of STJ, STT and STX boards.

First, there are frequent questions which involve both STJ and STT: car rental, Cost-U-Less, the drive to Red Hook, comparison of accommodations, ferries, etc.

Second, there aren't so many STT or STX posts that we have to weed through them to get to the STJ posts.

I'm also somewhat interested in STX and am enjoying the current "is the grass always greener" thread.

TM

Post by **Anthony** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:44 am

ToonMann wrote:Second, there aren't so many STT or STX posts that we have to weed through them to get to the STJ posts.

Well - exactly! The point is that the "forum" seems to be dominated by St. John - and it is called the USVI Forum, so maybe if we just had 3 separate places here http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum/index.php it would encourage/promote more discussion for St. Croix and St. Thomas. Like I just said above, it is not that far away from here, etc.

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:31 am

If you think that creating individual forums would increase traffic and posts about St. Croix and St. Thomas, I think it might be a good idea. I'd be interested in learning more about both.
Thanks for all you do, Anthony!

JT · Post by JT » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:54 am

Personally, I enjoy reading almost all of the posts from all the islands, including the rare, occasional post of Water Island. That said, I think that you should do what's best for you. We're all the beneficiaries of all that you do.

FinsUp · Post by **FinsUp** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:20 am

I agree with JT, if you build it,they will come!! Thanks for all you do, Anthony. Without this forum, many of us would not have our daily connection to the places we love!!

GraysonDave · Post by **GraysonDave** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:30 am

I'm one of those who is most interested in STJ, but I do believe that splitting the forums would result in an INCREASE in STT and STX posts. People are almost apologetic when they post about those islands.

byado18 · Post by **byado18** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:46 am

As long as the left side list includes all posts AND there is NO antagonism if someone "mentions" one of the other islands on any of the "wrong" board, I'm in favor of the split. I think it will encourage people to post about all three of the USVI and that info will be of interest to even those of us who consider ourselves "St. John people" and will promote tourism to all three islands!

Anthony, thanks for doing such a great job of seeing the needs!

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:39 am

As long as all three forums are easily visible/searchable, if you think it would bring more traffic and registered posters than why not? I personally like reading about (and looking at pictures of) all of the islands.

hoosierdaddy · Post by **hoosierdaddy** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:43 am

oldbuddy wrote:When I was new to this forum, I thought it was only about St John. I was surprised when someone wrote about St Thomas; I thought they hit the wrong button. I recently returned form St Croix and didn't write a trip report because I felt the only thing most people on this forum would want to hear is that it is not as good as St John. So, maybe it is time for the split.

Please give us a Trip Report. I would love to read it and see some pictures. I bet many others would enjoy it also.

jmhouse · Post by **jmhouse** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:46 am

Do it. If anything it will help unregistered and new users find/get info about a specific island easier.

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:48 am

When I was new to this forum, I thought it was only about St John. I was surprised when someone wrote about St Thomas; I thought they hit the wrong button. I recently returned form St Croix and didn't write a trip report because I felt the only thing most people on this forum would want to hear is that it is not as good as St John. So, maybe it is time for the split.

As Minde and others point out, it might be much more likely that folks would post more about the other islands if they were split out where their information wouldnt get overwhelmed by the STJ stuff. This forum has only gotten more and more STJ-centric over time and there is no reason to think that trend will reverse itself.

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