Forum activity

[Rocker]

There is good news and bad news about the forum; the good news is that, as I noted a week or two ago, this forum seems to have the second highest membership (3685) of any woodwork forum in the world. The bad news is that only a tiny proportion (2.8%) of its members can be called committed and active. I know someone will ask why I don't get a life, but I spent an hour or so going through the members list and found that only 102 members have more than 100 posts. It is true that there are probably another fifty or so who are active, but joined too recently to have amassed the magic 100 posts. I am not going to speculate about why so many people, probably at least 50%, join the forum, but only make one or two posts before disappearing into cyberspace. Perhaps there is a sizeable proportion who actively follow the postings, but do not post themselves.

I hope this rather dismal news will not discourage the administrators who work so tirelessly to keep the forum running smoothly. Discovering this forum was one of the best things that has happened to me in cyberspace this year.

Rocker

[multinut]

rocker
so what is the bad news ?
i like to sit back and just read
if i know the answer to a question i will submit a reply
its a great forum
look ive reached the 100 mark
ye-ha
cheers
multinut

[Grunt]

I don't have time to read all the posts that get posted anyway so I'm happy with the level of posting on the group.

[Rocker]

Multinut,
I stand corrected, 103 active and committed members I grant you that the forum still has plenty of activity and interest, but it is a pity that it depends so heavily on such a small proportion of its members.

Grunt,
you are right; it does take some time to keep abreast of all the posts, so we have nothing to complain of. But I am sure there must be more latent talent out there waiting to be unearthed. People may be getting a bit sick of the same handful of garrulous posters like myself

Rocker

[MikeK]

Rocker,

I think that this is a great BB and I get a lot of value from it. Just a couple of points:
- not sure of "committed and active" means > 100 posts; and
- at the risk of invoking some heat from the group, I have noticed that there are a lot of very "chatty" posts that deliver pretty low value / insight. I think that if you recut your analysis without these posts, you would actually find that the 100 post club is lower!

So, what does this mean? Not sure, but if your posting encourages more people to post relevant information and answers, then more power to you!

Regards,
Mike.

[Sturdee]

Rocker,

I think your research is interesting and worthwile. However whilst it would be better if more members post I don't agree with your assumption that only those posters with a minimum of 100 posts can be called active or committed.

IMO regularly logging on and reading the posts is what makes them committed. Neil has in the past given statistics on the number of hits and according to that this board is very healthy.

I also think that the mix between serious posts and advice and a bit of lighthearted entertainment is also very good.

All work and no play will keep new members away.

Peter.

[Wongo]

Rocker,

I can understand how you feel. Imagine all of us just enjoy reading others contributions without contributing. (It won’t be anything to read in the first place.) The forum will be pretty quiet (if not dead).

That’s why we need someone to get things going. You people who have more then 500 post are the pillars of this forum. This is a woodworking forum but it does not mean we have to talk about wood every time. Let all do our bit to this small community.

Oh, I have no problem with people who don’t have many posts (just want to make it clear)

[silentC]

I tend to agree with Rocker. Putting aside new members who have not had the time to clock up 100+ posts, I think that frequency of posting is an indication of the member being committed and active. If people are just reading the posts, then they cannot really be described as active. I would call that passive.

It would be nice to see a few more people joining in. Some great contributions have been made recently by self-described 'long time lurkers, first time posters'. Wouldn't it be great if one or two of these went on to become a Rocker, a Sturdee, a Derek Cohen, a Journeyman Mick, a Wayne Davey? Not a definitive list by any means but that's were the real value of the forum lies: the collective wisdom of some of the people who devote their time to answering questions, sharing their inventions, spreading their enthusiasm.

I really consider myself to be a social member. I'm not at a point yet where I can contribute on the level that some of these other characters can. I help out where I can but mostly I'm one of the 'chatty' ones.

[davo453]

I reckon a more accurate way of assessing active posters would be to count those that have posted within the last month regardless of their actual number of posts.

That way you take into account the regular turn over of 1 or 2 time posters.

Anyway the important point is that the forum works in attracting a high percentage of quality input where many fail, not quite sure why but that’s the way of the net.

Cheers Dave

[Slavo]

I know for myself, being a novice at woodwork it is difficult to provide input into some of the threads regarding technical issues and I can't provide input based on recent experience because I did most of my woodwork many moons ago at school, and the memory is very selective about what happened at that institution. But as my knowledge grows and my skills improve I hope to be able to provide more input. I'm sure there would be quite a few people such as myself, who, as their knowledge and confidence grows will become more active in posting.

Anyway, this forum is a fantastic resource and everybody should ave a go.

[Zed]

Now children, lets all hold hands and sing "kumbai-ya". After this a stiring rendition of the wodworkers prayer will be spoken and a great tree hug will commence.

I write this soley to get my numbers up so I too can be considered amongst the great al time prodigious posters - my next goal is 500. One day I too hope to be considered the holder of a golden member....

ook ook....

[macca2]

I visit this forum every day and have gained heaps of valueable info from searching past posts and reading the posts that are of interest to me, and responding only if I think I have something to add.

I don't see much value in posting something just to get my numbers of post up.

Sometimes it is better to say nothing and be thought a fool than open your mouth and prove it.

Macca

[outback]

This BB is like any other public forum or meeting. There are those that say heaps, command respect and everyone thinks are just swell.
Theres others that have a lot to say, waffle on to hear their own voice and everyone wishes would just siddown and shuddup.
Still others just seem to want to argue and denegrate anyone with a different opinion to their own
The majority sit quietly, nodding knowledgebly, and say nothing.
Perhaps the latter group took Murphy's advice, "It is better to remain silent and appear a fool, then to open it and remove all doubt"

Which group do you fall into?

[silentC]

Which group do you fall into?

b. Theres others that have a lot to say, waffle on to hear their own voice and everyone wishes would just siddown and shuddup

[craigb]

Actually, I think that the signal to noise ratio on this BB is pretty high.

Certainly it's a lot better than most other forums I've had experience of.

Anyway, what's wrong with a little harmless chatter if it doesn't get out of hand?

A lot of the time I find it very amusing.

I don't think there's ever been much denigrating going on on this board and since the rep points have been instituted there has been even less IMO.

Craig