steve40 — Sat, 18 Jun 2005 12:08:36 +0000

Oh, but then they can send you an e-mail a yard long. Asking questions they should have on the forum. This would benefit the forum, as it would show some activity. But no, they would rather spam your e-mail.
I am seriously considering removing my e-mail address from my sites. On top of that! it would possibly relieve me from having to answer every question, and give other members something to do.

demonhale — Fri, 17 Jun 2005 22:14:52 +0000

Megan wrote:
Some people are just really resistant to online communication. When I bring up my online communities with real world people they often look at me like I'm a total freak. I don't know why they have such an aversion to it. They don't see to understand why anyone would want to communicate that way. So perhaps you need to show them why it's a good idea - share ideas and learn new things from others from around the world! Maybe the main page of the site could highlight some interesting discussions to draw people in.

You hit it right in the head it seems too familiar, I guess they cant type that well

Megan — Fri, 17 Jun 2005 14:06:41 +0000

What is the message board about? That's one key point. I've seen a lot of forums in the review section that really aren't condusive to discussion. Do people want to talk about this?? Is there a reason why they would want to join an online community on this topic? Or, alternately, is the market for communities on this topic saturated? Are there too many other (better) places for them to go?

Some people are just really resistant to online communication. When I bring up my online communities with real world people they often look at me like I'm a total freak. I don't know why they have such an aversion to it. They don't see to understand why anyone would want to communicate that way. So perhaps you need to show them why it's a good idea - share ideas and learn new things from others from around the world! Maybe the main page of the site could highlight some interesting discussions to draw people in.

steve40 — Fri, 17 Jun 2005 11:04:42 +0000

Ok: I have made a couple of post according to advice, that should really get some response. They are something like asking "who said you could build a web page" here. Lets see what happens, I will keep you apprised.

Message Board

dataNdesigns — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 14:07:07 +0000

I used to monitor a message board from a site that recieved about 30 000 hits daily, this was just a major pain as the flaming and abuse got out of control every few hours, and it wouldnt be the first time if they turned on the site owners.

That said, I have made a few message boards now and the successfull ones focus on a subject that people just cannot help to reply to, so to kick one off put up some thing semi controversial, and see what type of response you get. this at least will bring in the members or "flamers" depending on the topic, if intranet based, maybe it should be an open forum on an issue with in the business.

Maybe that you wish you never started one,

Yeah

demonhale — Sat, 11 Jun 2005 08:40:38 +0000

It seems so aint it??? I guess this moves again to site promotions...
When I made sites for businesses and make them a forum, I make it a point to make an about Forum page before going to the forums... I think thats where the following phrases Ive heard before apply... "Remember that most web visitors are lazy people tired to go to the library", "When making websites make it KISS (keep it simple stupid)"... Maybe its true aint it??? :martian:

steve40 — Sat, 11 Jun 2005 03:03:51 +0000

This is true. Contrary to the old saw "you can't win em all". I have a new twist on that "you can't win any of em".

AyntRyte — Sat, 11 Jun 2005 02:25:54 +0000

Yeah, that's a major head scratcher there. I've run a state civic orginization site for 4 years now and have never figured out why the chapters won't communicate and share ideas on the forums.

But, OTOH, once you get the members active on the board, then you would probably have to constantly reign in the flame wars