Would an app have saved waygook.org?

Although I have been a big fan of this website for many years, its apparent that many newer ESL practitioners have not been adopting it as one of their go to sites for a long time. I find that websites like Reddit and Facebook have taken users that in the past would have come to use Waygook.org.

One of the main reasons that waygook.org fell out of the spotlight is that it didn't create an app which you use through your smartphone. Unlike the past, when I would go to my desktop or laptop to consume internet content, nowadays people mostly consume content via their smartphone. The main way they do this is by using apps. Sites like Facebook and Reddit have excellent apps that one can use for reading and engaging in their content.

I know financial challenges were at the heart of this. It ain't cheap to develop an app for a website, but had it been done around 5 years back, I feel that some of bleeding this site is currently taking would have been minimized, at least in part.

Thoughts?

Depends on how much the app would charge.

For public school teachers, at least, a lot of the day is spent in front of a computer. I think the decision to start charging for materials without warning is the biggest factor in the decline of this site. The chat on the other site is much more active than here. And the decision to charge for materials was the driving force behind the creation of that site. All of the people using k or share would have previously been drawn to waygook.

My next phone will be the cheapest in the store with the cheapest plan. I use
my phone for messaging and calling. That's it. I don't have Facebook on it or
Insta or Twitter. I certainly wouldn't have Waygook on it.

Also, this site has a decreasing number of users coupled with ESL in Korea being
pretty much extinct.

I seriously don't think the investment would be worth it.

Although I have been a big fan of this website for many years, its apparent that many newer ESL practitioners have not been adopting it as one of their go to sites for a long time. I find that websites like Reddit and Facebook have taken users that in the past would have come to use Waygook.org.

Part of that is the platform. It's independent vs. big boys Facebook and Reddit.

But part of it is that well, time has moved on and a large number of people here haven't. I keep on saying this- the general consensus amongst the bulk of the NET crowd is that this is a place for materials and as far as the discussion forums go, it's pretty much considered where a bunch of racists hang out. Like, I don't think some posters realize just how off-putting some of their views and attitudes are to the general NET public at large, particularly as it trends younger and more liberal.

No one hangs around here for the same reason young people don't hang around a bunch of surly ajosshis.

I think it would be better to figure out how many people, and how often, go on to Waygook outside of working hours.  I sometimes open it when I'm waking up on a weekend morning or anytime I just find myself lazing in bed.  My iPad is always next to my bed.  Once I'm up Waygook is done.  The rest of the time it's for killing time at work.  All my classes were cancelled yesterday, two of four today, and two of six tomorrow. I'm not a gamer, so it's YouTube and Waygook for the most part.  I have never tried to look on Waygook on my phone.  So, an app would be neither here nor there for me.  And, I'd say that's par for the course for most people here.  Most people here have a life.  And, I'm including Jethro in that, even tough he often remarks that's he's likely talking to no one on the weekend here.  I don't think most people here would be part of the happy, superficial chat that takes place over at K   or  S ha re. 

My next phone will be the cheapest in the store with the cheapest plan. I use
my phone for messaging and calling. That's it. I don't have Facebook on it or
Insta or Twitter. I certainly wouldn't have Waygook on it.

Also, this site has a decreasing number of users coupled with ESL in Korea being
pretty much extinct.

I seriously don't think the investment would be worth it.

Case in point.

I can't imagine why a bunch of young people don't want to socialize with people who are stuck in 2005 technology wise, stuck in 1985 when it comes to music, and stuck in 1965 when it comes to racial attitudes and attitudes towards women.

Part of that is the platform. It's independent vs. big boys Facebook and Reddit.

But part of it is that well, time has moved on and a large number of people here haven't. I keep on saying this- the general consensus amongst the bulk of the NET crowd is that this is a place for materials and as far as the discussion forums go, it's pretty much considered where a bunch of racists hang out. Like, I don't think some posters realize just how off-putting some of their views and attitudes are to the general NET public at large, particularly as it trends younger and more liberal.

No one hangs around here for the same reason young people don't hang around a bunch of surly ajosshis.

LOL, Marti can't just answer without having a whine.  Pure Marti.  I like how Marti thinks people might believe that the ESL community at large just happens to have the same opinion as he does about Waygook.  Marti, the number one thing I have found when talking to other foreigners about Waygook is that they only say things along the lines of "Is that the site with that racist gyopo always attacking white westerners?" 

Just kidding.  Waygook obviously never comes up whatsoever as a topic with other people.  Could you imagine the losers that discuss what happens on Waygook outside of Waygook?  Talk about a group of incels. 

LOL, Marti can't just answer without having a whine.  Pure Marti.  I like how Marti thinks people might believe that the ESL community at large just happens to have the same opinion as he does about Waygook.  Marti, the number one thing I have found when talking to other foreigners about Waygook is that they only say things along the lines of "Is that the site with that racist gyopo always attacking white westerners?" 

Just kidding.  Waygook obviously never comes up whatsoever as a topic with other people.  Could you imagine the losers that discuss what happens on Waygook outside of Waygook?  Talk about a group of incels.

Yes. I keep reading Marti saying this and honestly I'd be surprised if anyone under the the age of 25 has even heard of this place. It has what? Ten regular users?

I'm only here to irk HG77 into threats of hilarious violence and buggery down by the river. also to kill some time on a site that, if someone was overlooking my shoulder, could pass as a resource for work.  you couldn't get me to download an app for this site if you promised a full tank of gas from a Winnipeg gas station for free.

LOL, Marti can't just answer without having a whine.  Pure Marti.  I like how Marti thinks people might believe that the ESL community at large just happens to have the same opinion as he does about Waygook.  Marti, the number one thing I have found when talking to other foreigners about Waygook is that they only say things along the lines of "Is that the site with that racist gyopo always attacking white westerners?" 

Just kidding.  Waygook obviously never comes up whatsoever as a topic with other people.  Could you imagine the losers that discuss what happens on Waygook outside of Waygook?  Talk about a group of incels.

It comes up for teachers looking for materials. Some only know it because of that. Some don't even know of that and just think it's the racist site.

Dude, the ESL community at large mostly views this as a place for materials. They might glance at the forums and the second they see people ranting about Koreans, using 'gay' as an insult and posting music from the 1970s they realize it's just a bunch of NET ajosshis.

Augustiner, go spout some of you various beliefs amongst the general NET/foreigner public under the age of 35 and see how well that goes down. From your Korea bashes to your right-wing stuff, to your view on the Thai sex trade. Then we'll see who really is mainstream.

It comes up for teachers looking for materials. Some only know it because of that. Some don't even know of that and just think it's the racist site.

If people think it's a site for racist old men, wouldn't people also perceive the resources as similarly outdated and avoid this place?

It comes up for teachers looking for materials. Some only know it because of that. Some don't even know of that and just think it's the racist site.

Dude, the ESL community at large mostly views this as a place for materials. They might glance at the forums and the second they see people ranting about Koreans, using 'gay' as an insult and posting music from the 1970s they realize it's just a bunch of NET ajosshis.

I think that calling the users of this site "racist" is quite inflammatory. I have been on this site for years and haven't seen evidence of that.  Having  experienced teachers who have been in the ESL game for long periods of time (thus making them older), should be a plus.

When I was younger I used to love reading through the forums on Dave's ESL cafe. Those guys had such a wealth of knowledge and I appreciated that. I know that young people are dismissive of people more experienced than them, but surely some will appreciate the depth of knowledge on this site.

It comes up for teachers looking for materials. Some only know it because of that. Some don't even know of that and just think it's the racist site.

Dude, the ESL community at large mostly views this as a place for materials. They might glance at the forums and the second they see people ranting about Koreans, using 'gay' as an insult and posting music from the 1970s they realize it's just a bunch of NET ajosshis.

Augustiner, go spout some of you various beliefs amongst the general NET/foreigner public under the age of 35 and see how well that goes down. From your Korea bashes to your right-wing stuff, to your view on the Thai sex trade. Then we'll see who really is mainstream.

Not gonna work Marti.  Stop trying to bait me back into that conversation and stay focused.

The views that you are trying to imply are held by the community at large hilariously mimic your own views.  Right down to their feelings about music from the 70s being posted.  Even for you Martin, this is a little too transparent.  Does the rest of the ESL community also happen to view your hometown in Michigan as the blueprint for all western cities? While they glanced at Waygook for lessons, then left because it has a paywall, did they come to the conclusion that that SPQR character is never going to really retire in Thailand, by any chance?  Uncanny!

Marti, I often deride you for having all of the ignorance and annoying habits of Hangook without any of the humour, but this is pretty funny.  I would like to hear more about the opinions of the ESL community in Korea you don't hang out with.   

Things that killed waygook:
1. The 2017 paywall implementation and Arsealans attitude towards concerns and complaints.

1a. The migration of a lot of users to Kor share, which came about in response to the Waygook paywall. The design, chatbox and hugbox nature of the site suits younger and fresh off the boat NETs more.

2. The old userbase dwindling each year (particularly 2020 onwards) until only 12 or so old timers remain having the same circular arguments.

3. Most new users who come for advice or the like get their threads hijacked by the usual suspects, or get talked down to, or have the thread derailed by someone like hangook. They rarely return.

4. The 5-post-mod-approval requirement for new users - By the time the (now) non-existent mods approve their posts, topics have moved several pages or users have found answers elsewhere.

5. The main allure and purpose of the site was for the lesson materials. After the paywall, the amount being shared dwindled to nothing and there's no reason to pay the subscription unless you want a bunch of outdated and ugly ppts from 2012. The only reason to sign up is to shoot the shit with a userbase that is, as Marty says, very out of touch with the country they live in (and for about a third of the regulars, haven't even lived in for a long time). At least this holds true for the loudest and most opinionated members. Also yes, most of the other online communities consider waygook to be full of toxic and racist lifers. Go ask about waygook on reddit or kor share or any of the myriad FB groups.

6. Poor moderation in the past - protecting predatory recruiters while neglecting the rest of the board. Inconsistent rules. Now there have been no mods around since what, summer?

7. Bannings and mutings (though often asked for) further drain the forum of what life it has left.

8. The waygook front page usually consists of 1) boring blog-tier topics such as 'What am I watching' or 'What am I eating' or 'What music video do I want to link'. 2) American-centric politics or culture war topics. 3) Occasional interesting questions that prompt discussion, however they don't last long unless derailed as the userbase is so small. 4) Dogpiles on hangook77 and VanIslander, god bless 'em. These 2 deserve case studies.

9. General decline of old school forums and message boards.

Despite all of the above, it's still an entertaining place to have a laugh and rib each other on, without any of the forced positivity or strict rules that other sites have. Try being critical or anything but supportive anywhere else and you face moderation.

Things that wouldn't save waygook:

1. An app. Look at how poorly designed and maintained this site is, with the constant errors. Can you imagine an app being better? No one would download an app for a boomer relic forum anyway. Plus lesson materials (the site's main purpose once) such as PPTs etc. are awful to browse or edit on a phone.

The paywall started the slow unavoidable death that this board is suffering, nothing would have fixed that. I'm surprised the plug hasn't been pulled already tbh.

If one were to ask other foreigners what they thought of Waygook, you'd first have to check off which foreigners are a little too eager to tell you "Waygook.org.  I never even go there.  Especially the ranting/venting thread or pointless Friday threads.  Never even heard of them.  Is Chinguetti still single.  I mean, who?" 

Then when you find the normal people out there they would say "I don't know.  Just seemed like a bunch of bored bell ends having the same conversation day in and day out.  Sometimes funny.  Sometimes idiotic.  So, I never went back." 

I honestly think the only seriously bigoted and borderline racist person here is Martino. He has been peddling the same arrogant and ignorant western whitey schtick across two boards, in at least three identities, and with thousands upon thousands of posts for years now.  His hate against this rarely seen enemy knows no end.  I mean every word of that.  But, bigotry and racism towards white people seems to be accepted here.  Marti gets away with things no other poster could.  He'll say we're all bigoted towards Koreans, despite most of us having Korean SOs, but he'll stick to his needy beliefs.  I can already hear the aghast "Dude, you don't think people here look down on Koreans everyday?" and then provide some fake references. 

What a victim, our Marti is, but he's our special guy.  And that's what makes us all part of the outcast Waygook family. 

Things that killed waygook:
1. The 2017 paywall implementation and Arsealans attitude towards concerns and complaints.

It all goes back to this. Any chance of keeping this site fresh by having new NETs sign up was lost when the paywall decision created kor share. The chat on there is active and those users could easily have been part of the forums on here.

It all goes back to this. Any chance of keeping this site fresh by having new NETs sign up was lost when the paywall decision created kor share. The chat on there is active and those users could easily have been part of the forums on here.

So, a blessing in disguise is what you're saying?

So, a blessing in disguise is what you're saying?

I like their positivity and supportive nature. But I think a balance is needed. hangook would be shut down far too quickly on that site. Sometimes it's good to let the fun flow.

I like their positivity and supportive nature. But I think a balance is needed. hangook would be shut down far too quickly on that site. Sometimes it's good to let the fun flow.

The few times I caught him in the chatbox he was shut down and muted within seconds. Pretty funny to watch.

The few times I caught him in the chatbox he was shut down and muted within seconds. Pretty funny to watch.

I guess he got the wrong door.