What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I'm curious to folks opinions as to what makes a good forum,is it folks high level of comments,is it design,layout of the forum?
What pulls in the crowds so to speak? A good community spirit,local topics?

What kills a forum? Folks low level comments,over/under moderation?

Personally, forums where like minded people get together tend to get a bit cliquey and when something comes up and one person happens to have a different outlook they get seem to get jumped on so I stay clear of them sort of forums wherever possible.

So,What do you folk think?

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

That this is a loaded question.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I agree. I think Accy X should first tell us what he thinks.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

Its what he usually seeks to do imho.:rolleyes:

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

But you're still on here??

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I think I'll have another Tusker.:D And, I may do some more thinking later. I'm not quite sure. Right now, Bibo ergo sum trumps Cogito ergo sum.:dancedog:

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

Cliquey . . . that rings a bell.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

A forum is a bit like a family.....well, except you cannot choose your family.
In a family there are people you love. There are people you like, there are people you can tolerate, and then there are those you would not cross the street to talk to.
In a family there are many different viewpoints....families frequently do not agree. Families fall out with one another, but usually the rub along and tolerate the other members.
In a family there is respect for one another, even though you views may differ greatly from those in the family.

What I really do not get is.....people must sit on the sidelines and watch what goes on in the forum before they join.
There must be something that attracts them to the forum(sometimes the reasons for joining are self interest based-that is, they want something from the forum).
However, once they join they proceed to tell us how bad a place it is.....how different it would be if they were running things.
They come on here and want to change things....so if the place is not to their taste it begs the question 'Why did you join?'

I have been a member here since 2004......I like to think that I can have a difference of opinion with someone and it doesn't much affect how we get on.
After all life would be pretty boring if we all agreed with one another....the forum would have little point in existing.
I also like to think that I respect the views of others.....even if I really don't agree with what they say on a particular topic.
As for this business of a clique.....it raises its head regularly. I would like to know just who is in this clique, and why I haven't been invited to join.

Oh and for those who don't like the place.....you have the option of leaving.
Make sure the door doesn't hit you on the behind as you leave......Accyweb can well do without claims for injuries.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

"[There] is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so". I've given up on thinking for the nite .... I'll let Hamlet do it for me.;)

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

If folk think that I'm referring to Accyweb with my question,I'm not,I enjoy it here (sometimes) :D

I guess a forum is only as good as those folk who moderate and pay for it.
Optional extras (for me) would be a good community spirit,a decent array of topics,a good level of tolerance by moderators... and of 'all' folks opinions and ideas (freedom to use explicit language niw and again wouldn't go a miss) they're just some of the things that make for a good forum in my eyes.

While the things that make for a bad forum imo are members with God complexes,over moderation,no diversity in topics,personal attacks on members.

I'm not sure how to draw the crowd as the saying goes,a good range of topics and relatively quick responses? I don't know :confused:

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

Are you suggesting any forum without me is a good one G?...


...Dont tell me it's group hug time again already :cuddle:

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

My Latin is terrible but veni,vidi,vi de grass, dormivi :D

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

To my way of thinking a good forum is a medium where a group of people should be able to put forward and discuss their ideas and opinions on various topics – whether controversial or not, exchanging and debating these opinions with others of either like mind or opposing views.

Whether in agreement or disagreement the people taking part in the discussion should be respectful and mindful of the rights of others to have their own opinion, should listen with an open mind without ridicule or insult, promoting a healthy and interesting discussion which all taking part can enjoy.

A bad forum is when none of the above happens.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

In this post you imply that Accyweb is lacking in community spirit....that perhaps the moderators are too rigid......you want to be able to use 'explicit' language.(whatever that phrase means.....I use explicit language. To me this means saying what you mean and not hiding your intent behind facetious questions).
The diversity of topics is generally down to those who come on the forum.....so if you want a post on a particular topic, then post one.
Posting is free.(there are many people who come on here and use the 'free services' without any thought of the cost in both time and money, of keeping the place ticking over - while some enjoy the place enough to make a contribution......however small and seemingly insignificant, it keeps the place going)
When talking of personal attacks on members, there is a protocol for dealing with this, but to be honest, the best way to deal with these is to ignore them( unless of course they contain physical threats).
If you have a gripe about Accyweb Jason, then come out honestly and say what it is.....don't hide your grudges behind a question that you really know the answer too....or don't care what the answer is.

Now, if you think I am being harsh, I'm just being honest, clear and truthful.
I try very hard to be moderate in my views.....and in my postings.
There is less wrong with Accyweb than you think.
Need something and I think that you will find there are some very 'giving' members. If that isn't community spirit the. You will have to clarify what it is for me.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I interpret explicit language to mean bad language, but correct me if I'm wrong, Accy X.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I'll say it 'again',I'm not referring to this forum with my questions.
I have no gripe with this site and I think it has good community spirit (most of the time) and in general it is a good all round forum with regards to moderation etc.
One thing that could make 'this forum' better imo is folk could create threads/comment a little more but that's their personal choice and I hope my presence doesn't influence this
In case you haven't noticed,I've tried bitting my tongue and not creating controversy with my comments of late.

Explicit language (swearing,in moderation) wouldn't go a miss but that's just my opinion and I comprehend it's a child friendly site.

So, what sort of things help bring in new members and the possibility of donations which help fund forums?

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

My previous posting on this thread was what my interpretation of what a forum is in answer to AccyX’s question – but to me Accyweb is much more than a run-of-the-mill forum. Although it is called a Community Forum I would put the emphasis on the ‘community’ part of it as it encompasses so many other things besides being a discussion group.

From a personal point-of-view I originally joined because I needed help with some family research and I received this very promptly and generously, but I soon discovered what a great site it is, am still here and feel privileged to be a member. It is a part of my daily ‘read’.

It is very humbling the way members support each other when things are not always that good. We have all felt deeply the loss of ‘friends’ who we didn’t know personally but had met through Accyweb and felt close to. Part of the family, the community spirit.

We are also able to share a laugh and to acknowledge other's achievements, again the community spirit, also offering helpful advice when this is asked for. So much more than just a forum, although I agree it is important to have interesting topics to discuss as well.

I agree with Margaret in that if you have some gripe, AccyX, then come out with it, don’t hide behind insinuations. You tend to make a statement then half go back on it. You mention a good community spirit – well see my comments above re this. The sort of explicit language you have in mind is not necessary for an intelligent person to get a point across, and I personally think the moderators do an excellent job, only stepping in when absolutely necessary.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I apologise, AccyX. I must have posted my comments at the same time you were entering yours but you got in first. You have sort of covered some of my statements.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

Folk DO create threads when something worth commenting on comes to mind...there is not much point in creating mindless threads(and Jason, this is not a dig at you....I am forthright enough to tell you when you post something which is not so hot).....there is not much point in creating threads that will cause ill feeling or be hurtful.
Swearing is totally unnecessary to get your point across...and it is a family forum.It is bad enough having to listen to swearing in general conversation....as if the commonality of it makes it alright...for me, it is only alright when you have bashed your thumb with a hammer or stubbed you toe against the doorframe.

I welcome new members with a fervent hope that they will bring something of themselves to the forum...something interesting.......and even when this hope is dashed I am always willing to give them another chance.......I don't condemn someone because they hold different views to mine.

I have never seen the community spirit of Accyweb fail...and that is over 11 years of being a member. If someone is in a tough spot there are always words of comfort, and in many cases offers of practical help too.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

Don't think I can take a question like this seriously ... It's bs and can't be answered ... or, if everybody on the planet offered an answer, there would be over 7 billion different answers. They will be herding cats before the definitive "good" and "bad" are found. Those who pop in on here regularly must think it's good for whatever reasons. It's good for me in a "Home Thoughts from Abroad" way ... or maybe Rupert Brooke: "yet/Stands the church clock at ten to three?/And are there black puddings still for tea?" I changed it a little bit.;)

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

What many people don't comprehend on this subject is that this(like many others) is a PUBLIC forum, not just a child friendly site and therefore is required to reach a specific moral code/etiquette that forums have in general. Most forums don't allow bad language

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

No apology necessary dotti ;)

After the boom of Fakebook,Twitter and the like good discussion forums seem to have died off,I'm glad this isn't the case here.
I didn't really want to bang on about this particular forum,but since it's on the cards,there is (usually) a good diversity amongst the comments here and like most I check regularly...whatever you post,someone will (usually) know what you mean and with the search facility whatever your interest is there's a good chance there is something about it on here (other forums seem a little subject specific unless I'm just looking in the wrong places).Maybe the diversity of comments is down to the age range of folk on here....I dunno :confused:

However,from what I've been told (only hearsay) but allegedly Accyweb is quieter than a few years back ("the good old days") is there a specific reason for this? Surely, it can't all be my fault :confused:

Thankfully it's still more than busy enough to work well and generates enough traffic to allow advertising which along with its contributors to help fund it.
We're rather lucky to have Accrington web,you'd assume every town would have one but sadly this isn't the case....long live the Accrington web :D

Now,with regard to my swearing comment I only meant It's use for emphasising purposes,not a free for all with every other word being explicit (it would save the abbreviations etc that I've seen on here too).
That being said,moderation is good and unbiased here, if it wasn't the (cough cough) trolls and spammers would be flooding the place and decent,rational,sensible folk like yourself an others would be abandoning ship.

I feel unwelcome here from time to time with some of the habitual belittling comments I receive but I put that down to those folks awareness of what they feel a good site should be like (and my unthinking,half baked comments). I've mentioned numerous times that I'm not here to make friends....however,I have picked up one or two along the way and for that I'm grateful :)

I originally joined to document the abandoned buildings in Accrington but have thankfully succumb to the allure of Accrington web and it's members.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

What people don't comprehend is that this is a PRIVATE forum that the public are allowed to join so long as they state whilst joining they are prepared to obey the rules.
Anyone that wishes to change the rules can't, but they are free to start their own forum and introduce their own rules then suffer the expenses incurred.
[emoji5]

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

imo this is a public forum as you can view the forum without logging in- This is the element of which I was referring to.

Wonder how many read through the rules before accepting them

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

You share your views and you have them picked apart... ah that forum life :)

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I'd agree,it's not exactly private if you can view it without becoming member....


...I read the rules,though to be honest as long as your not a total (deleted) they mean sod all as its basic forum etiquette :D

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I forgot most of them it was a long time ago when I first read them :enough:

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

Read yes, become a member and post no, wouldn't be much of a forum if no-one joined and posted the ghosts would soon be bored.
Probably greater than 95% don't read them, that's why they get upset when they get cocky and break the rules and are told off.
Just as an aside, I and several others didn't agree to the rules, because they didn't exist when we joined, so, it's up to the rest of you to behave not we few....[emoji33]

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

Im not aware of any forums where you can post without signing up.... least none I read

You make the rules, you lead by example... A SHINING EXAMPLE :)

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

Accyweb is like other forums...people come and go. As i have said people join for their own reasons...some of which are not necessarily to make the forum more interesting, but to get information...to sell things(unlike Ebay there are no selling or commission fees).
I joined because I found it interesting...and I didn't read the rules until after I had joined.
Most of them are common sense and good manners anyway.

Sometimes life(real life that is, not this virtual reality) gets in the way of posting......and some of the long time members seem to have defected to the Facebook version/section of Accyweb...the reasons are their own.

If you have felt unwelcome at times that is just your perception and I have to say mainly because you have been contentious for the sake of it(to which you have freely admitted).
Whatever, Accyweb still beats other forums hands down.....long may it continue.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I think a good forum is one where people are treated equally, innocent until proven guilty, I suppose I mean. People are allowed opinions, allowed to be given that right of being a valued and appreciated member, no matter what their background or culture or race or whatever.

I have found accyweb to be 99% that in my own personal experience. I go on a fair few internet forums. Of course people will always differ in opinions and it would be pretty boring if we didn't!

But if they do disagree, being civil, non-judgmental, curious is fine, damning is not. I suppose that's what I mean. And no preferential treatment of one over the other, I have had this on another 'local' forum I frequented. 'He's my best friend so I will let him do that but not you' , or 'He's a mod so he's allowed to do this'. Of course in any community there will be some sort of hierarchy. But not to the point of favoritism. I hope I'm putting this across okay.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

A good forum is one where there is a lot of activity. A bad forum is one that dies from inactivity.

Having an opinion on what makes a good forum is like having an opinion on whether VHS was better than Betamax. It doesn't matter - the decision is made for you.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I'm glad folk on here see Accyweb as a tonic, helping them through difficult and uncertain times....that is truly a sign of a good forum in my eyes :)

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I think this is because the question is being answered by committed members of the forum.....those who come here on a daily basis.
If you asked some of those who have left there would be different(probably critical) answers.
A forum is fluid and ever evolving thing.....but no member is bigger than the forum......so if someone leaves there is going to be someone else who comes in and posts......and new members always bring something of themselves to the forum.
We have to hope that what they bring will be interesting, that they will be committed and that they will promote the forum among their friends, family and colleagues.

Re: What makes a good/bad forum?
 

I have been a member of a number of forums and in recent years, they have all seen their activity levels drop. I am the webmaster and mod of 2 forums but they are aimed at a specialised market and not open to the general public.
I have seen a migration over to Facebook by some of the people involved but many feel that Facebook is too 'here today, gone tomorrow' to be of any long term use.
It seems to be the older members prefer to use the traditional forum whereas the younger members prefer to spend their lives on social media.
I put AccyWeb's success down to the attitude of most members who are prepared to debate an issue rather than just reply with contra argument or personal insults.

I have been on the receiving end of such personal insults, in the past but chose to take them as jest and not rise to the occasion.

The rules of most forums are plain common sense and based on social etiquette and I suspect that those people who cannot stick to forum rules are not too impressive with their social skills either.