My experiences with forums.

[MrDawn]

The topic title says it all. I know that forums are cool and wonderful.I believe there may be many answers to my question as I've tried to answer my own question.

I've been really trying to understand this. I myself have in the past owned my own forum, about 4 months ago before deciding I've had enough. It is irrelevant now. But at the time I was inspired by an administrator that I was friends with and still talk to from time to time.

I've realized that a forum is started by friends, some times. Than the other is started by a person with dreams and hopes for it.

I guess I wanted to feel important as I have some social issues that I was working out at the time. When I delete the forum, I felt relieved. I don't think owning my own forum gave me the answers that I was seeking.

However, it hasn't stopped there.I think I might have a problem. I don't know what it is. But, I am a moderator and yet again an administrator at two other forums.

Just know, that I didn't ask. But the owners asked me for my help. So I figured, sure no big deal. It seemed that my own ex forum opened up door ways that I had not anticipated.

I'll join a forum and post, and after a while a staff member or the Owner will ask if I'm interested. I turned it down once, but both seemed very nice. So I ended up taking up their offer.  These people both knew of my forum when it was in existence.

I guess,its better to follow someone than it is to lead. But isn't that what it is to be a moderator or administrator, or the owner. Aren't these leadership roles of a forum?

So in a way, perhaps I've not yet broken away from all of this?

I'm thinking some day I'll just be a regular member again, or perhaps not. Its hard to say. None of this bothers me. But I feel like being on forums has changed the way I think and view things after having talked and shared ideas with friends and people I've yet to meet.

 

[Icetex's iconIcetex]

my experience
it had good focus start->started losing members after a year->they try revive it(repeat)->Closed/defuct
although I have yet see it with Off Topix but that time will come

 

[wirelessguru1]

I use Internet forums for research and entertainment.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

I prefer to be a regular member everywhere else myself. Its nice to just sit back and let someone else deal with all the problems and not have a care in the world (in regards to that community).

 

[MrDawn]

I prefer to be a regular member everywhere else myself.  Its nice to just sit back and let someone else deal with all the problems and not have a care in the world (in regards to that community).

Pretty much so. Its easier to be a regular Nebulous.

 

[Elvira]

I prefer to be a regular member everywhere else myself.  Its nice to just sit back and let someone else deal with all the problems and not have a care in the world (in regards to that community).

Pretty much so. Its easier to be a regular Nebulous.

People have asked me if I wanted to be staff. NO! lol

 

[wirelessguru1]

I prefer to be a regular member everywhere else myself.  Its nice to just sit back and let someone else deal with all the problems and not have a care in the world (in regards to that community).

Pretty much so. Its easier to be a regular Nebulous.

A regular Nebulous can easily hide among the sheeople...

 

[Ashley]

I've been asked on a couple forums if I was interested in a position... but I turned them down. I'm lucky if I have time to post on my OWN forum somedays, and there's no way I'd be able to commit myself to my own forum and someone else's. Something would have to go, eventually, and I never want it to be my forum unless I absolutely have to for whatever reason.

 

[MrDawn]

I've been asked on a couple forums if I was interested in a position... but I turned them down.

Same here.I honestly can't live up to a special position like that. I never know when my interest in a forum is going to change or if something in my life is going to change and I have to go inactive for a long period of time. I know a forum that I joined back in 2008, I went inactive only to come back in 2013 to become active again...than a few more things happened and I didn't have time for forums or Online gaming. Than in 2015, I was able and had time so I visited again just briefly.

 

[Enter Username Here]

I join many communities.

I stay at a couple. I am on this one and another one.

Plus founding a new one soon.

What i've learned about forums is you can make some loyal online friends, but attractive and friendly communities are hard to find these days.

Off Topix, probably one of the most welcoming forums i've seen in years.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Off Topix, probably one of the most welcoming forums i've seen in years.

Aww.
Thanks

 

[Hulk's iconHulk]

I have given up running forums. Wordpress sites on the other hand - not sure. But forums yes. They cost a lot of money to run even if you use a free software. They are stressful especially when there is an argument brewing between members. Finding staff can be an utter nightmare and getting them to pick up their slack well I would have better luck winning lotto. Plus the amount of suggestions from members that want to make a forum better but in the end they are just causing more time consuming exercises for the admin.... yeah, I had enough of that.

I'm only active on here and Atrium. I don't visit new forums anymore, nor do I care for them. If an established forum shows its feet to me I will join it but no new forums for me.

 

[MrDawn]

I have given up running forums. Wordpress sites on the other hand - not sure. But forums yes. They cost a lot of money to run even if you use a free software. They are stressful especially when there is an argument brewing between members. Finding staff can be an utter nightmare and getting them to pick up their slack well I would have better luck winning lotto. Plus the amount of suggestions from members that want to make a forum better but in the end they are just causing more time consuming exercises for the admin.... yeah, I had enough of that.

I'm only active on here and Atrium. I don't visit new forums anymore, nor do I care for them. If an established forum shows its feet to me I will join it but no new forums for me.

 I agree 100% with you. After I started and quit my first forum. I've never wanted to do it again. It was a waste of time and it went no where. Just like a lot of these new forums. They come and go and I've seen more than enough of them. 

They almost always fail. I've noticed many members from Forum Promotion and other sites just booting up multiple forums and than dropping them. Every time I see a new forum I think, I'll check back in  a year or two and see if they're still around. But like you've said, they need have something to show for before me or other members being introduce join and contribute.

I've joined plenty of those new forums and than I go back and they're locked up and a dear john letter from the admin reading "sorry, I decided this forum was a piece of shit waste of time and I'm done.Thank you all for your time."

That shit gets old, and real quick. Like you. I myself am done with new forums.