Keeping folks here . . . - Woodworking Talk

steve mackay · 02-28-2009, 11:39 AM

Awhile ago there was a thread asking how this site might atract more members and retain current members and / or encourage members to post. The thread "reason", even after the issue has been debated at great length and, one would think, run its course, continues with jibes, barbs and insults. My, my, the "original cadre" here does assert itself as a dog. Dog-pile that is. Outsiders need not apply. Adieu.

SawDustJack · 02-28-2009, 11:53 AM

Well I havent read the post you're referring to , but from experience on most other forums , regardless of the type of forum , the number of members who post is very small as a percentage of the registered members , and the number who post on a regular basis is even smaller ..

This forum has just under 7600 members as of this moment , I would venture to say , less than 10 % have more than 20 posts .. And those who post regularly , maybe less than 100 members ..

windstorm · 02-28-2009, 05:41 PM

Steve, this is the only woodworking forum I belong to because, on the whole, the members are very helpful. I, too, would like to see more members participate (I had no idea there were 7600 of us!), but it seems that the top 100 are keeping it alive (and lively!). On occasion there's a butthead, but no more than I deal with in my everyday life. Maybe we should give awards to the "Most Helpful

," "Member of the Month

," "Biggest Goober...

," to encourage more participation.

**Nathan** · 02-28-2009, 05:44 PM

We have a simple set of Posting Rules. The basics are keeping this site family friendly and respecting each other. If you see something that breaks our posting rules in any way PLEASE help us out by reporting it. You can report any post by pressing the

button in the bottom left hand corner of the persons post.

I think keep the site on track is what will keep people here and we really do need your help to do that.

Thanks!

Tony B · 03-01-2009, 12:40 AM

This is so philosophical and requires more thought power than I have, but I'll give it a whirl anyway.
The only way I know of to attract new members is by referrals from members on here.

To retain members, thats a different story.
A certain number of members just burn out after a given length of time. I am fairly new here so I still have a while before I burn out. Members burn out because of boredom because after a certain period of time the same questions keep coming up over and over again. This is normal, natural and unavoidable. It happens on every forum, not just woodworking. As long as the number of lost members due to attrition doesnt exceed the number of new members and we maintain a constant increase in overall membership all should be OK.
What keeps current members on any forum is the level of activity.
Another is the quality of the responses. Nothing like a newbe asking a question and someone responds with a list of books to read. Its Ok to reference some book titles but at least answer the question also.

As for the post "Reason", well, that is highly unusual on here and is not the norm. Even I got caught up in that one. LOL.

I feel that everyone is entitled to post a reply regardless of their experience level. It would be nice however to state that you have never done this technique before if you havent. By not qualifying a statement, a newbe can be really frustrated and read 20 replies
and not come up with an answer to satisfy his question. If he says we has $1000 to buy a table saw and asks which manufacturer, he will get replies recommending everything from a 50 year old rebuild to Harbor Freight to Laguna. So in the end he is exactly where he started out before he came on here. Unless, maybe if we told him what kind of work we do.
I generally dont do much much scroll work and no marquetry so I wont even try to answer a question in that area.
I also think that maybe we should all be a little more careful with our replies as not offend anyone. Words and phrases if used wrecklessly can cause problems.
Oh yea, one more thing...when a newbe asks a question, there is no bigger turn-off than telling him to 'search'. Just about everyone knows about a 'search' button on any website.

BTW Steve...what happened to your profile and incredible tanks?
Yes, I look at profiles and albums. Lots of people do. That also adds interest to a site.

Great question. Hope you get a ton of responses.

rusty baker · 03-01-2009, 12:50 AM

Tony B. is right. I belong to car forums, contractor forums and a bunch of flooring forums. People will join, post hot and heavy for a while and then leave to never return. Some will connect and stay, but most seem to get bored after a while. I have two that I have posted on over 1600 times.

creative novice · 03-01-2009, 07:15 AM

i have not been posting much lately due to multiple excuses.
number one is, i am not a "woodworker" so to speak. i play at woodworking, just as i play at other projects.
number two: i am spending my spare time right now re-upholstering my sofa (never did this before either!)
number three: there have not been many posts that i have experience in to respond to
number four: i did get (just after i posted to a newbie about how great everyone was) some disrespectful responses in a thread ...i'm fine wth it but i quit that thread

as far as staying? i'll be staying a long time i'm sure, but my frequency will probably reflect my current projects ...not on much when not woodworking......alot when i am!
julie

GeorgeC · 03-01-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve mackay

Awhile ago there was a thread asking how this site might atract more members and retain current members and / or encourage members to post. The thread "reason", even after the issue has been debated at great length and, one would think, run its course, continues with jibes, barbs and insults. My, my, the "original cadre" here does assert itself as a dog. Dog-pile that is. Outsiders need not apply. Adieu.

What???

Can you post a reference? I do not remember such a thread.

G

Handyman · 03-01-2009, 08:35 AM

Personally I think this is a great site. One with lots of talented people willing to share what they know. That is why I like it so much. Unfortunantly people will people and yes you get folks now and them that fell the need to degrade others. It is this kind of thing that does drive old timers away and scare off new comers. All in all the administrators try to stay on top of these things and keep the thread moving in the right direction. However myself did get a little disappointed to see one moderator post in the thread in question. Now this my be the pot calling the kettel black, because I posted in it twice as to lighten the mood. However I dont have the power to shut the thread down with a warning to all involved. "Keep it friendly or move on". I have no idea what it takes to run a forum like this, but I would amagin it came be quite time consuming. Knowing Nathan has more that one forum, I my self am thankfull of his and others that keep it running. I have no idea how these thing work, and how a guy can have a forum on the internet, Free for all the use. Internet time is not cheep. This forum is costing someone some money to be here, And yet is free to use. Now don't get me wrong, I like free, And while I like the forum, I dont think I would be here if it cost to be a member.
As for keeping folks here I beleive falls on the powers to be, to monitor threads and shut the ones down that or going in the wrong direction. Basicly inforce "Posting Rules" Keeping it a family friendly place everyone want to be. I can be the called to "add buster" because I am the first to report someone using this Free forum to promote there products. I never thought about reporting threads gone south. I like others, like to be here, and will mostlikely be here for a few more eons.

Gerry KIERNAN · 03-01-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve mackay

The thread "reason", even after the issue has been debated at great length and, one would think, run its course, continues with jibes, barbs and insults. My, my, the "original cadre" here does assert itself as a dog. Dog-pile that is. Outsiders need not apply. Adieu.

My own feeling is that most responses from members tend to be very helpful and informative. As one member put it, you do tend to get the odd "butthead", but fortunately they are few, and can be weeded out.

Gerry

mike65072 · 03-01-2009, 07:04 PM

I belong to several forums and contribute when I have something meaningful to add to the discussion. I try not to do the "I agree, that's funny,

...etc type of responses. I'm retired, so I have more time to visit my favorites site than many people do. I think many people who have a problem look for a site to get a quick answer, then don't come back until they have another problem. This site (which is great) is very similar to the others to which belong has a core of very knowledgeable/helpful people who keep the site interesting. Keep it up guys!

**TexasTimbers** · 03-02-2009, 01:53 PM

I was one of the original members of this forum. I have watched it morph from a small, extremely-friendly forum, to a moderate sized, extremely forum, to what it is now; a growing, still-friendly forum with the vast majority of contributors respectful of each other.

We do have a small number of members who rub people the wrong way semi-frequently, and an even smaller number who seem to, maybe not seek out confrontation but, to choose to read the worst in a post and respond as harshly as they feel they can get away with. But there are only a few of them and this is my own personal opinion.

The vast majority of our members, some whom do not particular care for another member or two but who still treat them respect or simply do not respond to any of their posts. This all normal on any type of forum. A forum really is an online community, because though we are not face to face, words can be powerful. We have to make the choice to realize while they are "only words", we are still human and even the most disciplined individual can be offended, and in a moment of weakness respond in a way they later regret.

Maybe this post by the OP is one such case and point, because I would not thought him one to make a post like this. I looked at his past posts and as far as I could tell he never participated in these types of threads. He didn't strike me as the type to feel he needed to make a Grand Exit like some members of forums do when they get their feelings hurt. I don't understand the need to do that, but that's just me. I have left forums before but no one knew. I just left.

I don't believe this forum has a higher degree of inactivity by members than any other, and maybe a higher percentage than most. The administrator of this site is always open to new suggestions and the rules he has set for the side are as moderate and reasonable as any forum I have ever belonged. Most forums seem to be too heavy-handed or way too liberal for me. I am still here because I like the balance we have achieved here. If this forum ever becomes a place I cannot enjoy, I will quietly say my goodbyes to Nathan and the mod team and go down the road without fanfare.

For those who have the need to make that grand exit, well that's their choice and all I have to say to them is simply a friendly . . . . adieu.

cabinetman · 03-02-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeC

What???

Can you post a reference? I do not remember such a thread.

G

George...where were you???
Here Today - Gone Tomorrow

dbhost · 03-02-2009, 03:36 PM

While I agree this is a great forum, this is by far not my favorite. No disrespect intended to anyone involved here, quite a few members here are members at my favorite forum as well. My big issue here is with my level of equipment and skills. I do get some ideas and advice here that help me keep growing in my woodworking. But the tips and advice for the most part are above my skill level at this point.

As far as the name calling goes. It happens of internet forums, which is unfortunate. It sets a poor overall tone for the site... The suggestion that the offended users should grow a thicker skin is a good example of why I steer elsewhere most of the time...