Interesting statistics

Interesting statistics · 12-21-2006, 09:47 PM

Here (link deleted) you can generate some interesting statistics. Not particularly encouraging

DaveO · 12-21-2006, 10:06 PM

Other than the ratio of active members to registered members, what else isn't encouraging???

Dave

MikeF · 12-21-2006, 10:11 PM

I would say the number of members with zero posts is the most obvious stat.
The number of downloads also looks very high, but that is to be expected to some extent.

Steve, have you ever defined any goals/objectives for the forum?

SteveColes · 12-21-2006, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by MikeF

Steve, have you ever defined any goals/objectives for the forum?

Not really. The only goal was 500 members so that the forum was self sustaining.

The problem that I am looking at is the fact while membership is growing and so is the percentage of actve members (though at a smaller rate), the activity rate (new posts and new threads) is almost flat

NCPete · 12-21-2006, 11:26 PM

seems every day when I don't get to play at work, there are over 100 new posts when I get home? I remember that that was about the time we took the Miata.net forum from an e-list to the forum format. It was several years ago, and the member count was close to what we have now. They now have something approaching 15000 members? and so many posts I don't even go there anymore, it's hard to track anything more than 1 specific thread.

DaveO · 12-21-2006, 11:32 PM

It is possible that a "boys club" effect has been created where there is a core group of members who do the majority of posting and others are hesitant to jump into the "conversation" because they feel they don't belong well enough. I do think that this core group does all that it can to welcome and invite new members to participate, but there may be more that can be done

I surfed/lurked around Woodnet for about a year, posting only very occasionally when I had a major question. It wasn't until I felt that I started to "know" some of the members that I felt more comfortable posting more often. Even then I wouldn't post unless the thread had none or very few replies or it was a subject that I was very knowledgeable on.
Questions are answered so quickly and efficiently here, that new members might feel that they have nothing to add once the question has been covered. But that is also the attraction and beauty of the site, that if you post a question it is answer quickly and correctly...so what do you do

Dave

SteveColes · 12-21-2006, 11:39 PM

I think I'll move this thread to the general forums and see what the members think too

SteveColes · 12-21-2006, 11:39 PM

MikeF · 12-22-2006, 12:07 AM

I completely agree with Dave. I will only post to a thread if I feel what I have to add is worth reading. I also agree that there are a core group of members that make up the majority of posts.

I would encourage members to participate wherever they can. For example, the post ""Do you work in IT and if so what do you do? " generated more interest than most posts I have seen and gave a lot of insight to the profiles of the North Carolina Woodworker members... and that had nothing to do with Woodworking!

DaveT · 12-22-2006, 12:13 AM

For what it's worth, I agree with Mike and Dave. I don't post often as all can tell, and then it is only when I can contribute something or have a new project to share. I have learned a lot from reading the other members contributions, but find I don't have much to add by the time I can sit down and read/post.

Dave

dancam · 12-22-2006, 12:50 AM

I also agree with the previous posts (particularily Mike and Dave). I am reluctant to post when there are so many respondents already. I enjoy the site and have learned an awful lot from a few of the frequent posters.

Dan C.

jerrye · 12-22-2006, 01:16 AM

I agree with all that's been said so far. Being a newbie to this in all aspects tempers my desire to jump right in with my .02, though so far no one here has called me an ID10T for anything I've said (a first, methinks

). I'm not shy about talking or discussing! Plus, in some threads where I really didn't fit in but could help I've tried to contribute. As mentioned by MikeF I was able to help a forum member by directing him to a resource through PM'ing him a link to an association that could help him, though I myself do not work in IT. As DaveT said I have learned A LOT form reading the posts of others! This site has more value than is seen in total contribution of all members (after all, membership and involvement are two totally different things) because among those who do post there is a wealth of knowledge. Some of us are lurking, trying to learn; some are reluctant to chime in because of our perceived lack of ability to contribute; some are veterans, able to help those of us who lack the skill levels seen in many members. The worth of this site must be seen in its totality: a place where pros and rank amateurs alike can meet and discuss, hang out and chat, teach and learn, and do all of this together.

Just my .02, and probably not worth much more than that!

P Crews · 12-22-2006, 01:21 AM

I think Jerrye has said it well and I agree with Mike, Dave and Dan. This is an awesome site and I've learned a lot from it. Thanks for letting us be a part of it.

Paul

McRabbet · 12-22-2006, 01:38 AM

My observation? We have one stat that sits hard on ZERO -- it is complaints from members. Folks here are responsive, creative, friendly, informative and knowledgeable at many levels. Bottom line -- it is working despite the percentage of members with zero posts.

My .02 --- Rob

MikeF · 12-22-2006, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by jerrye

Just my .02, and probably not worth much more than that!

Nope. I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. (DavidF, is that good English?

)

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