How long can a forum last?

OrbitingTheSun

How long can a forum last before every topic has been discussed at least once? New people come to the forum with new opinions, changing the forum’s dynamic, but there is a point when everything has been discussed and some members have seen all there is to see. I suspect this happens faster on a forum with a focus like the JW experience (versus a general forum) because there is only so much to discuss about JWs and the WTBTS. Of course there are current events to discuss, but you can discuss those everywhere. I also noticed that there are generations of posters. Some people joined around the same time and perhaps posters who joined together will expire around the same time, too.

So, what is the lifespan of a forum and its posters?

If this is a repeat, I apologize.

logansrun

This forum lasted a long time, but eventually...

Bradley

KGB

Even though we have discussed many things many times there are always new people coming here that have not discussed topics and they need answers just like we did, I am sure that when we came here we asked questions that had been answered many times. Yes sometimes I get replies like thats a dumb question or we have talked about that one way too many times but I had not or I would not of asked, so we politly(atleast some) reanswer what may have been discussed 20 times. Besides I always told my employees "the only dumb question is the one that did'nt get asked"

JH

I got to a point where I asked every possible question I had to ask, so then I proceeded to fluff threads. Then I went to personal experience that I lived in my congregation. I'm running out of ideas to be honest, but I'm here just to have fun and exchange peacefully with others. Lets hope this can continue without any name callings.

cat1759

Until the new light from JWs is extiguished.

I have been on and off this board for a couple years. I leave to learn things then come back when I get what I am looking for. I just come to see what has been going on and see if there is something I have missed in learning threads.

As I have been working my way through the Enochian and Thomas books that were left out of the bible I was hoping to see if anyone had mentioned what they had learned.

Cathy

Simon

By the same token, surely you could say that how long can friendships last? Surely everything has been discussed eventually.

There are always fresh perspectives and over time, our own opinions and viewpoints change slightly so we often still enjoy discussing things we've already done so previously.

I think if a forum had a very small audience and didn't attract new members then it would quickly become very stale.

SYN

One of the most important functions of this board is to keep track of the activities of the BORG, and, as such, this board has fulfilled it's function for years, and I'm sure it will continue doing so for a very long time...plus, there are loads of great people on here...

Simon

I think there are several factors that contribute to the success of this particular forum:

There is a good mix of both JW and non-JW topics which means that people coming to look for JW issues find things and stick around but even when there is not much happening in the JW world, there is still plenty to keep people occupied and interested.
It's always attracted a lot of new members (because of the above) so even when people do eventually move on (which is good) the community as a whole continues.
A few individuals are not allowed to take over and overpower the board. This can put people off feeling confident joining in and can cause stagnation. Too many personal attacks can also do the same which is why I am so keen to clamp down on this sort of thing.
Common sense rules to prevent people ruining the board or at least making it less enjoyable by spamming or repeatedly posting extreme opinions on the same subject.
Some good features ... let's face it, we like the 'new bits' for seeing posts that people have made or topics they've started. Having our picture displayed and so on. I think the personal picture gallery / filestore and posting attachments is going to be quite popular too as it will make it easier for people to share pics etc... which again, helps build the community.
Last, but by no means least, great posters! ... and by this I mean both people who make great posts and who are supportive and helpful to others. I think the community that has been established here is something we should all be proud of all the get-togethers and apostafests are a real measure of this. How many peopel have now met up and have niternational friends etc...? We even have people who have got married !

Now, I know a few people like to foretell our demise and would like "their" forum to be as big and popular but trust me, we ain't going nowhere. They make claims that there is a "mass exodus" when there are as many if not more posters than ever. They say people don't want to post when again, the number of posts being made is higher than it's ever been and the traffic on the site is continually hitting new peaks.

It's a shame they feel the need to do this and try and put people off visiting and using this site and it really is a bit pathetic to watch but I guess there will always be someone somewhere who will be jealous of something that's doing well. I don't think theirs will ever be truly successful while they focus so much on this one - it isn't what is going to interest a lot of people.

Having said that, I hope I'm not still here in 5 years !!

Simon

One other bit I forgot to add ...

If the same people were all here all the time then I don't think the forum would be doing it's job. The fact that people eventually feel that it's time for them to move on and be an ex-ex-JW is a good sign that it's doing some good IMHO.

One day I'll leave too and either another forum will take over or this one will continue "under new management". Until then though, we'll just keep on doing what we do and running the site as best we can to hopefully make it (useful) and enjoyable.

Blueblades

Hi ORBIT! D'mouse just recently brought to our attention the August 15th,03 issue of the WT.about the subject matter printed in the whole magazine on DEATH."How Would You Like to be Remembered," is the title.

There were some good responses to his post.It seems that the Society is spoon feeding the rank and file again!How would you like to be remembered is another way of saying you are going to DIE and not live to see the promised New Order.

So,the forum will last as long as the Society exists,as they continue to write articles that need to be read between the lines,as long as they have District Conventions,Circuit Assamblies,Special Days and the ever present 5 meetings a week!

The forum will last as long as we continue to see new ones posting their very personal experiences,painfully so.Even 5 years from now when Simon hopes to move on, the Forum will be here for those who need a place like this where others share the same experiences

Btw,I hope you stay around ,I have enjoyed reading your posts too.

Blueblades

How long can a forum last?

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