The life cycle of an internet forum.

[GOK]

I so want to find a flouncy frock to offer up...

Your wish is my command, O Great One...

It's just your colour I think!

 

[Phil]

It happens with more than just forums

Although this study may be true for internet forums, it's true for a lot of things in life. Sitcoms are a good example. While there are the sitcoms that can grab and really hold some people (usually bored teenage girls) for the show's duration, there are the normal people who will watch it almost religiously, but get bored of the show after a while and watch it if they have the time. Another example is lesiure email. I rember when I first got my leisure email, I would check it every day at 3:00 and 7:00. Now I check it maybe once a week, if at all. The decline of people doing anything is because the forum, the store, the game, the drive, the sport have all lost their newness. That's also why making up your own words is a lot of fun too.

 

[GOK]

That's also why making up your own words is a lot of fun too.

Befignog! lol

 

[doghouse]

Your wish is my command, O Great One...

It's just your colour I think!

My God! That's horrid! *vomits in her mouth a little*

 

[Johnnysan]

My God! That's horrid! *vomits in her mouth a little*

...oh, I don't know. My three-year old daughter thinks it's the "cat's meow!"

 

[GOK]

...oh, I don't know. My three-year old daughter thinks it's the "cat's meow!"

She's allowed to, she's only three!

Doghouse - are you familiar with uglydress.com? It's an education, I swear!

 

[RedPop4]

GOK, didn't mean to cast aspersions, you are right about people being people.
I think it's different on an internet forum of adults with common interests as opposed to school boys or school girls. As I said, the cliques often change when people actually meet each other.

I find this to be the case on the other forum. It's a cigar-related forum, and friendships are cemented when members happen to get together for a cigar.

 

[scotrace]

It's perfect! I know four or five folk it would fit.

 

[GOK]

GOK, didn't mean to cast aspersions, you are right about people being people.

No, I didn't think you did! I was merely concerned that you might have been offended by what I'd said! lol

I think it's different on an internet forum of adults with common interests as opposed to school boys or school girls. As I said, the cliques often change when people actually meet each other.

Oh, I know. I've never been on a teen forum before but do mod a couple that have a few teen members. Funny though, it's usually the older (females) that form the cliques in my experience. And yes, you're right, when people meet up, things often change. I've met a few people that I hadn't really had much to do with online but IRL proved to be absolutely adorable and now we meet on a regular basis. Conversely, I met up with one girl, with whom I got on really well and whilst in real life she was still a lovely person I found her to be just a bit too....hyper!

I find this to be the case on the other forum. It's a cigar-related forum, and friendships are cemented when members happen to get together for a cigar.

With my chums, it tends to be soap! How exciting is that? I do lead a wild life ya know! lol

It's perfect! I know four or five folk it would fit.

That few eh?

 

[Andykev]

It is a cycle, ...not like the spin cycle mom does for you.

I have read this in a news group years ago but I believe it applies to forums too. Tell me if this rings true for you.

All forums have a sort of life cycle:


Simply put most things that begin good become victims of their own success

Kind Sir, you have simply reiterated the "cycle of life". Our society forgets what the old teach us, the young state "we don't want to hear" , or "we know it all", and then as they age, they become discarded..and the new, "newbie" begins the cycle all over again.

This site is wonderful. The Lounge is vibrant. It is a place to exchange ideas and information, and hopefully meet new friends.

It is, unfortunately, a place where some people come to cause discord. Some people to only hawk their agenda or products.

But, rest assured, as your tree falls, and your log decomposes into the forest floor, new life will once again spring from your remains into new life.

 

[Vermifuge]

Kind Sir, you have simply reiterated the "cycle of life". Our society forgets what the old teach us, the young state "we don't want to hear" , or "we know it all", and then as they age, they become discarded..and the new, "newbie" begins the cycle all over again.

This site is wonderful. The Lounge is vibrant. It is a place to exchange ideas and information, and hopefully meet new friends.

It is, unfortunately, a place where some people come to cause discord. Some people to only hawk their agenda or products.

But, rest assured, as your tree falls, and your log decomposes into the forest floor, new life will once again spring from your remains into new life.

Mighty insightful Andy.

I’m sure you understand that everyone is here because of a common passion. Just as in life not everyone will get along. The majority will be conservative and others may be a bit more radical. The point is the forum brings people from all over with different backgrounds together to discuss a common topic.

Having participated in numerous failed and successful forums it still huts to see these communities suffer losses. Hopefully having read this some of the departing will reconsider and will continue to contribute to this forum to the benefit of others.


P.S. I do my own laundry, but I prefer cotton / sturdy.

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

Take Delphi for example. It is a great example of a community that was a victim of its own success.

I'm part of what was once once of Delphi's most visited forums. Unfortunately the people who ran it got rather miffed when Delphi decided that due to rude words and occasional "adult" conversations it should be moved into the "adult" section which meant most of the good features were taken away. Moral of this story - never annoy paying customers who happen to be a big bunch of nerds who are perfectly capable of building, hosting and running a forum entirely on their own given a reason to get off their bums and do it. Delphi has probably lost thousands of dollars because we all left last year.

 

[PeeWee]

I suppose that could be true. The same thing seems to have happened on a bird forum I enjoy.

 

[Vermifuge]

I'm part of what was once once of Delphi's most visited forums. Unfortunately the people who ran it got rather miffed when Delphi decided that due to rude words and occasional "adult" conversations it should be moved into the "adult" section which meant most of the good features were taken away. Moral of this story - never annoy paying customers who happen to be a big bunch of nerds who are perfectly capable of building, hosting and running a forum entirely on their own given a reason to get off their bums and do it. Delphi has probably lost thousands of dollars because we all left last year.

I was actually a member of the MaximumPC’s (Formally Boot Magazine) discussion forums on Delphi. They were often ranked in Delphi’s top 5 boards. Back then I was a very active member and was even invited into the PC “Privet Club” at one point. Eventually Maximum PC abandoned the board. Even though it ran successfully for a long time after constant restrictions from Delphi made contributing to there forums unrewarding.

 

[Jack Scorpion]

Gee. Makes me feel bad about being a newbie.

 

[jamespowers]

Gee. Makes me feel bad about being a newbie.

No such thing. I am pretty sure you can answer questions after being around as long as you have. You are only a newbie so long. Knowledge sinks in whether you know it or not.
Our life cycle is no where near the end. As the mighty redwood, we just add more rings to support our core. There are more member areas and more areas of interest now than there were when I first joined. I suppose your perspective depends on which ring you are a part of or if you want to remain part of the bark.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

I was actually a member of the MaximumPC’s (Formally Boot Magazine) discussion forums on Delphi. They were often ranked in Delphi’s top 5 boards. Back then I was a very active member and was even invited into the PC “Privet Club” at one point. Eventually Maximum PC abandoned the board. Even though it ran successfully for a long time after constant restrictions from Delphi made contributing to there forums unrewarding.

That's exactly how it was with The V and it was often at the top as well. Shot themselves in the foot good and proper, Delphi did! But now The V has its own domain and one year on is just as active as ever with every single original member migrating over and new members joining all the time.

 

[Mr Maltby]

Cross-posted.

"Most important thing i have learned in my two days on the Lounge?

That I am not alone."

I think that this is the most important quote that has been said in the last few days. my posts may be few, but my time put in as a member(join date) borders on almost starting to look like ive kinda been here a short while. So I've watched a lot of things go on here. Marc and Root leaving is sad. Root is my FAVORITE person to read up on. But as for people casting threads around about the lifecycle of an internet forum, and things like that, well, phooey.

Root and Marc are a GREAT source of knowledge, and it will be missed(do not take this as an insult to anyones departure!!). But knowledge is only one reason people come here. This is a group of people who gather on many levels, information being just one. How about the common passion for a way of life that may as well be gone with the wind. And oh my, how that just BEGINS to touch the surface of what dwells within this place. If two sources of knowledge leave well, thats sad. But there will be others. And there still are others. Matt's here. Miss Jutterbugdoll is in the powder room, and there are SO MANY OTHERS--things are on track. If you think this place would fold just because two guys throw in a towel, your heart was never here in the first place.