Forums not used as much anymore

[ace94x]

I noticed in 2008/2009 the website community was high then once 2010/2011/2012 came the website forums are lower than ever, no one is posting during the summer and very few during the season. What can we do to change this?

And I know this is in the general forums and I am posting it here because it is a general problem, even some other forums are going down, is there no one interested in anything else besided "Robot Showcase"?

[Taylor]

I would agree with this, except the record for most online users was set 4-17-2013.
Chief Delphi, as with everything else, is cyclical.

[EricLeifermann]

Perhaps if people could tweet into a certain thread we would get CD to be more popular in the down seasons.

[Nate Laverdure]

Originally Posted by ace94x

I noticed in 2008/2009 the website community was high then once 2010/2011/2012 came the website forums are lower than ever, no one is posting during the summer and very few during the season. What can we do to change this?

http://chiefdelphi.com/stats/ tells a different story...

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by ace94x

I noticed in 2008/2009 the website community was high then once 2010/2011/2012 came the website forums are lower than ever, no one is posting during the summer and very few during the season. What can we do to change this?

And I know this is in the general forums and I am posting it here because it is a general problem, even some other forums are going down, is there no one interested in anything else besided "Robot Showcase"?

The actual numbers don't quite back this up.

http://stats.chiefdelphi.com/cgi-bin...hiefdelphi.com

There was faster growth up to 2009, slower growth 2009-2012, and 2012 and 2013 are relatively close to each other so far.

[PVCpirate]

Wouldn't you say that there is less to post about right now than there is in March? It'll pick back up for IRI and other offseasons and when teams start forming up again in the fall.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Taylor

I would agree with this, except the record for most online users was set 4-17-2013.
Chief Delphi, as with everything else, is cyclical.

This was the release of divisions.

Before that the record was Kickoff 2011. Agreeing with the other posts, the data doesn't back it up.

[Joe Ross]

In 2009, there were approximately 70 threads active in the website forum between January and May. This year, there are approximately 30.

[PVCpirate]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

In 2009, there were approximately 70 threads active in the website forum between January and May. This year, there are approximately 30.

Couldn't that have something to do with the fact that there's no website award anymore, and many teams don't have a "team website", but use social media in its place.

[lynca]

Originally Posted by ace94x

I noticed in 2008/2009 the website community was high then once 2010/2011/2012 came the website forums are lower than ever, no one is posting during the summer and very few during the season. What can we do to change this?

Since you didn't state your units (high... low... ?).
I'm going to insert a unit into your question.

Why is the the signal-to-noise ratio pre-2009 higher than in the post-2009 years ?

For example, many high quality posts and questions were presented that are still referenced to this day from pre-2009. Very few high quality threads are created post-2009.

I've discussed at length this problem with other mentors in the community about the lack of sharing of ideas and questions.

My Estimations for low signal-To-noise:

1. The Top mentors & teams just talk to each other
2. The good teams are afraid of others copying their ideas.
3. Less time to post on chief delphi during build season.

Feel free to insert your own guess for low signals-to-noise on CD ....
but regardless of the cause, the quality has definitely taken a step down over the years.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by lynca

Since you didn't state your units (high... low... ?).
I'm going to insert a unit into your question.



For example, many high quality posts and questions were presented that are still referenced to this day from pre-2009. Very few high quality threads are created post-2009.

I've discussed at length this problem with other mentors in the community about the lack of sharing of ideas and questions.

My Estimations for low signal-To-noise:

1. The Top mentors & teams just talk to each other
2. The good teams are afraid of others copying their ideas.
3. Less time to post on chief delphi during build season.

What are other people's guess for low signals-to-noise on CD ?

People are scared to death of posting on CD because they'll get torn apart for making unpopular opinions. I've heard this quite alot in the past few years.

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by lynca

Very few high quality threads are created post-2009.

As a regular on these forums, I somewhat agree. Some of the well known members of years past have departed. I don't have any data to show fewer high-quality posts, but I certainly read fewer threads than I used to. Also, technical threads have really been on the decline it feels like.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by PVCpirate

Couldn't that have something to do with the fact that there's no website award anymore, and many teams don't have a "team website", but use social media in its place.

It was much less in 2012 also, approximately 35 threads.

[ehfeinberg]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

People are scared to death of posting on CD because they'll get torn apart for making unpopular opinions. I've heard this quite alot in the past few years.

Quoted for truth... Just look at the 2013 lessons learned negative. It was painful just to read. One group goes against CD opinion and BAM all the regular members start backing each other up creating this wall of exclusion.

I have also found that CD has turned into this college student hang out spot. If you look at the members who actively post who are students, its like 5%. Doesn't make a very inclusive atmosphere. Tis a shame.

If you really want to make CD a thriving community, then you have to actively work to make it feel inclusive to new and younger members.

[Anupam Goli]

Originally Posted by ehfeinberg

I have also found that CD has turned into this college student hang out spot. If you look at the members who actively post who are students, its like 5%. Doesn't make a very inclusive atmosphere. Tis a shame.

I actually think there's a higher professional mentor:student ratio than a college mentor:student ratio. Also, I'm willing to say there are a large number of students who come here to ask a single question or two, and then don't bother signing on, because for many CD is a tool for students to ask questions to professional engineers and seasoned FIRST veterans.