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[Mortblanc]

I belong to several forums scattered all over the world. Some are survival oriented and some are pure bushcraft, homesteading, self sufficiency and/or outdoor forums. What I see is that the more skills oriented the forum the ore successful it is. The more sensational and pessimistic the forum is the faster is goes down hill.

The most successful of them do not allow discussion or posting of news articles or links to news or blog sites. Some do not allow discussion of fantasy or apocalyptic orientated threads. Others even ban the use of specific words or abbreviations, and they are very successful.

Just before I logged in here this morning I was on another site where more than 300+ people were on line, about 25 were members and the rest "guests".

When I come here I always note that there are 12-15 people on line, 2 or 3 are usually members and the others "guests".

"Guests" usually wind up somewhere because they are in the midst of a google search of some subject. It they find what they seek they read for a while. It they lie the content they might even joint the forum, contribute and learn. If the pickings are slim or not worthy of note they click to another site within moments.

The last thing most of them want are links to other sites they already found with the google search, news articles, sensational questions with no answers or rambling threads with nonsensical advice.

The problem is not the old blood that leaves pissed off due to being moderated for breaking the set rules, that happens on every forum, it is the lack of new blood to ask questions and provide growth.

Better to wonder why hundreds are not joining rather than morn the loss of a half dozen.