The core group of posters on the SF...aprox. 50, with almost 5,000 members ?

[Paco Dennis]

I was on another forum that had about the same statistics. I know people have moved on, or once every month or so chime in, but that leaves a lot of folk who just read . The core group has a certain feel, or the term I like is "virtue". That virtue here is attractive /interesting. I wonder if this is about how most forums operate. I don't know about other social media like twitter, facebook, instagram, or the others. Forums have exited since about 1990, first in the form of news groups. They have come a long way since then.

I wish more people would post, but I understand why they don't...and that's fine too.

 

[Bellbird]

Yes forums are not for everyone. I found over the years until you get to know how the forum operates as far as its members go, keep your head down.
On the other side a forum can be a great place to chat with like minded people.

 

[Murrmurr]

I was on another forum that had about the same statistics. I know people have moved on, or once every month or so chime in, but that leaves a lot of folk who just read . The core group has a certain feel, or the term I like is "virtue". That virtue here is attractive /interesting. I wonder if this is about how most forums operate. I don't know about other social media like twitter, facebook, instagram, or the others. Forums have exited since about 1990, first in the form of news groups. They have come a long way since then.

I wish more people would post, but I understand why they don't...and that's fine too.

I remember message boards, the first "forums". Did you ever use those? I think the one I used was called MySpace. Or it had a similar name. Anyway, we were a really chummy group of maybe 30 or so, then a group of about 5 buttheads sort of took over. And their numbers grew and the friendly-folks' numbers shrank. And then there was a new group, just a gang of trolls, and another cycle. And then the website died.

 

[Pepper]

I find it hard to start threads, because then I would have to commit to it and I find it very difficult these days to do that. So, I enjoy all you folks who do. I like the people here, even those I am in basic disagreement with on some issues because I feel kinship in so many other ways. If I have a problem to discuss, I trust the advice of the members here and am grateful for that. Thanks, all! You mean a lot to me.

 

[horseless carriage]

I wish more people would post, but I understand why they don't...and that's fine too.

It's my guess that those who post regularly not only enjoy the interesting and topical, they like the tease and banter too. Those who prefer to read, some call it lurking, but I feel that's a harsh description, get just as much pleasure, it's just that, maybe they feel shy. It's possible too that they haven't the confidence others have.

Everyone is welcome, long may it be so, and the gender mix also makes for a varied and fascinating insight into the variety of subjects.

 

[Alligatorob]

The core group of posters on the SF...aprox. 50, with almost 5,000 members ?

Not sure I am in the core, maybe on the fringe of it. Posting a bit more as my hand heals. I do think this is about how most forums go, not a bad thing.

Forums have exited since about 1990

Back in the early 80s I was on a kind of forum on CompuServe, not internet but kind of a precursor. It was just people who could leave messages, mostly talk about where in the world we were and the shared amazement that something so exotic existed. I was on a dumb terminal with dial up, text downloaded at about the rate I could read it. Remember thinking that was fast enough at the time, LOL. The world has changed since then.

 

[Paco Dennis]

I remember message boards, the first "forums". Did you ever use those? I think the one I used was called MySpace. Or it had a similar name. Anyway, we were a really chummy group of maybe 30 or so, then a group of about 5 buttheads sort of took over. And their numbers grew and the friendly-folks' numbers shrank. And then there was a new group, just a gang of trolls, and another cycle. And then the website died.

LOL. I started on a Buddhist news group. WOW, it was a mess of differing views. Arguments were regular, and name calling began. The I got on a Zen forum....same thing. I got banned from that forum, because my view was to "universal".

 

[Victor]

This data of membersis typical for all large
associations clubs and forums online and real life. Meetup is the same way. People join groups with no intention of being active especially if it is free. There is nothing to lose and no obligation. I sée this everywhere with all organizations. SF is no different. There must be a big incentive. Same with Facebook.
Admission fees do not matter for this

 

[Paco Dennis]

This data of membersis typical for all large
associations clubs and forums online and real life. Meetup is the same way. People join groups with no intention of being active especially if it is free. There is nothing to lose and no obligation. I sée this everywhere with all organizations. SF is no different. There must be a big incentive. Same with Facebook.
Admission fees do not matter for this

An analogy could be the many ways we "browse" in a large environment. Like a walk in nature.