One-sided conversations

Rex · 01-30-2005, 08:12 PM

I can see everyone is real lively here.
The want ads seem to be thriving but noone wants to participate in anything else. I know there are people that come here, I read the "online status" whenever I am here to check out things.
Participation is the KEYWORD here. I've run enough forums to know it's a one-way street most of the time, and that's what kills most of the good forums.
Yesterday we had 11 new members and today we had 8. There's a total of 2964 people who are members. Yet out of all these people we can't get at least 2 post a day on the forums? I've been a member for a little over a week and besides Links-to-the-past I think I am the only one who has posted. Plenty of views but evidently it's to hard to post a word, a Hi or anything.
Well that's my 2 cents, for what it's worth.
So if you'd like to post or comment, I at least will have the manners to answer, even if it's only to say hi
Rex

**keith** · 01-31-2005, 03:42 AM

Hi Rex,

We actually just put a big push on Forums here in the last couple of weeks and I am delighted with the increase in posts, and the quality and quantity of the posts by our new Moderators - all volunteers besides the few of us staffers!

We're getting there. The more Members like you we attract, the livelier the place will get. Thanks for being here, and for giving us your post.

Regards,
Keith

**LinksToThePast** · 01-31-2005, 06:44 AM

All I have to say is the Titanic was not built in a day.

I think some people are afraid to speak out. Others do not think what they have to say will be interesting to others, so they remain quiet until something prompts them to speak out.

I have been following theBubbler's progress for the past 6+ years and only within the last two weeks have I gotten "sucked in" and motivated enough to take the time out of my already busy day to share what all the voices in my head are trying to spew out all at once <grin>.

Rex, my personal goal is to put enough interesting information here in the forums that will possibly prompt someone to join in and put in their two cents worth. If we continue to build the foundation, more and more people will join and be active.

Build it and people will come, people will go, people will come back again.

LinksToThePast

**keith** · 01-31-2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinksToThePast

....Build it and people will come, people will go, people will come back again.

LinksToThePast

:wink: Well said!

Rex · 02-01-2005, 12:09 AM

I wasn't the contractor on the Titanic...

I know, it takes time and I will continue to post, sometimes just blowing off steam and other times I might even say something constructive lol

Thanx for the feedback
Rex

**LinksToThePast** · 02-01-2005, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex

I wasn't the contractor on the Titanic...

Well perhaps you should consider yourself a sub-contractor then. <grin>

I enjoy your posts Rex, keep up the good work!

LinksToThePast

AlumniClub · 02-10-2005, 06:23 PM

A little information from 1998 about " forum participation". This still seem to be the same in 2005. Since I have been working with forums - out of all the people registered with the forum - only 10-20% of them use the forums and the the 90-80% only read them.
What is comes down to it ...is your post interesting enough for a least - a hit on that topic (which tells me someone read it) - then I guess I feel it is worth for me to write about it - as long as I am getting the users to read my posts, I am happy. Good job to theBubbler for "beefing up" the forums in the last three months.
~RedRaven~

Quote:

Interested Participants

People need several things in order to participate in online conferences:

* Equipment (hardware, software, and an Internet connection)
* Training (computer and Internet skills, plus understanding of online forums)
* Time
* Motivation

If any one of these is missing, your conferencing project is likely to fail. Think especially about the last two items on the list. It takes a significant amount of time to participate in an online conference. Is your target audience sufficiently interested in the subject of your conference to get involved? And interest in the subject, by itself, is not enough: your audience must also be convinced that the conference has something concrete to offer them. For most people, participation in public discussions on a community network is an "extra" -- you're competing for their attention against all the other things they want to do with their scarce free time.

**keith** · 02-15-2006, 11:28 AM

Rex was right. A few folks kept plugging away anyhow, including 2005 Co-Mods of the year RedRaven and AJE (Earl and Amber).

In the last couple of weeks weeks seen a big push by veteran RedRaven AND a wicked-fast start by new fireball Mod greenbean2 - prodding yours truly to try to keep up.

I've noticed these gents joining me in signing Members' guestbooks with invitations to join the conversations in the Forums, too.

Hope everyone will join in.

Regards,
Keith

AlumniClub · 02-15-2006, 01:31 PM

I try to sign other peoples guestbooks as much as i can and i appreciate those that have signed mine as well. I have to agree with what was mentioned above regarding people hitting on posts. If i have something i feel will be helpful to just one person to me thats great. All it takes is just that one person to read it and say to a buddy "hey i saw something like that on thebubbler.com!" Then that friend he told comes to visit and realizes that there is alot of great info on here. Kinda like that commercial a few years back...he tells 2 friends...they tell 2 friends...etc..., next thing you know new members register here. Now im not saying i brought alot here, maybe i did and dont recognize the screen names, but when word gets out about the bubbler more WILL come to check the site out. I know i have passed the word out to not only this great site but a few others as well. Keep up the great work everyone!

GB2

pk · 10-03-2006, 08:19 PM

Well? The last post was almost 8 months ago on this topic. I'm guessing and pretty certain I'm correct when saying the forums have really grown since then. But I think more people could get involved. It's really easy, fun, and alot of information is here to read. So if you haven't joined in yet, take a deep breath, look around, and pick a subject of interest and let us know what you think! I know I've been having fun reading and reading and reading what everyone has to say!

pk

**Kris10** · 10-04-2006, 08:40 AM

The forums have definitely grown over the past year. Don't be afraid to post new threads! Some may not warrant a lot of conversation, but we have many threads that have gone on for pages and pages! You'll never know unless you post!

The number of site users versus forum users can also be deceiving. There are a lot of interactive features on this site. Many users are only interested in one area, like the classifieds or link directory. Just because they're not using the forums doesn't mean they aren't using the site.

**MrKhay** · 02-17-2007, 05:35 PM

Looks like it's time to hit this thread. I have a 2 cent value to toss into the pot.
When I visit with a friend, and notice they have an internet connection,, I tell them to http://www.theBubbler.com, and tell them about the great Wisconsin community website. A few have joined, and a few have said they just don't have the time to "goof around" with the internet. Many have no idea of what a forum is.
I find the forums to be a good place to let some of it 'hang out', and a venue for some wise cracks. I try adding from my "cache 'o' knowledge" from time to time, mostly when appropriate or applicable.
Google is keeping count for us.

**keith** · 04-29-2007, 10:00 AM

Sure wish Rex would come back here now!!

Regards,
Keith

**CarolsCritterCare** · 04-29-2007, 03:55 PM

I went to the beginning to see what you were refering to Keith...........I'd have to agree.... to bad Rex is not here now to see all the posts!!

His head would spin with joy! LOL

Carol

**CarolsCritterCare** · 04-29-2007, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brain

Looks like it's time to hit this thread. I have a 2 cent value to toss into the pot.
When I visit with a friend, and notice they have an internet connection,, I tell them to http://www.theBubbler.com, and tell them about the great Wisconsin community website. A few have joined, and a few have said they just don't have the time to "goof around" with the internet. Many have no idea of what a forum is.
I find the forums to be a good place to let some of it 'hang out', and a venue for some wise cracks. I try adding from my "cache 'o' knowledge" from time to time, mostly when appropriate or applicable.
Google is keeping count for us.

I've told A Lot of people about it. Sent invites from the "Tell a Friend" link. One said she joined........but I never see her here. Grampa said it was to confusing and to just write him in email ~ LOL....he just didn't get it.....I also have a link to The Bubbler on my website.
So I hope I'm bringing some folks here as well.
Carol