I have took a few years off from frequenting this site like I use to. I have noticed since returning there is not much activity at all going on anymore. It seems as there is not even 25-30 posts in a days time when back a few years ago, it was very active with triple maybe more posts in a days time.

is there a more popular site these days or what? Or is bowling just becoming less popular? What's the deal?

I know I don't come out here anywhere near as much, but I think the changes put in place for what filters to the top for 'Latest Forum Posts' has a lot to do with that!! 

I believe the 'Miscellaneous - NON Bowling Related' posts are not included in that.  It looks like the 'For Sale' sections might not be included as well...and I am sure there might be others.

That alone would account for the less activity you are seeing because of all the political posts.

There is still a wealth of information to be found on this site and its archives. 

I've learned so much about cover prep etc, that is what I've found it to be most useful for.  The non-forum is there, for me, for entertainment only but it should be kept off the home page "latest posts" lists, as this is predominantly a bowling site.  That is a more active board, and the bowling side won't be quite as active as there are more non-bowling related topics in general, so for the bowling side to be held in comparison with the non side (with all the more active "regulars") is a stretch.  As FOR the bowling side, let's be honest, bowling has declined.  The Poker forums have a TON of traffic, as that is related to the popularity of the game.  I won't get into that as much.

I think the attitude a lot of bowlers here give is based upon things they view as having been covered a million times.  Especially when OBJECTIVE things are tested and repeated, yet an ingnorant and uneducated bowler (ego) resists often to accepting OBJECTIVE facts.  That is fair to say it is frustrating...when you are trying to help a noob.   

Though these things are just the come across not so well to a casual viewer, thus less participation.  HOWEVER, new bowlers do not understand that the sometimes harsh and forthright information IS, quite often, ACCURATE.....and accurate is what counts.  The message of delivery does NOT diminish the objectivity.

That is just my theory, subject to new data.