What Makes A Good Forum??

byrdo444

byrdo444

Been Around the Block
So I'm doing some consulting for a local magazine's online forum (http://www.videomaker.com/forum). Basically, I'm joining, becoming part of the community then helping them know how to improve the forum (because right now it's kinda lame).

I think that DTT is an excellent example of a quality forum. Quality members, willing to help, active (I can post here and expect hours in 24hrs or less), knowledgable...etc.

What do YOU think makes a great forum? What makes you want to come back daily/weekly and read new posts? I'd love to hear your thoughts as I explore this subject myself, thanks in advance!
-Stephen
 
Try taking a look at Pixtus and HV20 forum very popular forums for video and photography, I am a member of both since photography is my hobby. There can only be a few forum, DTT is one of a kind and there isn't much competition, vs photography/video forum, some people have their own blogs with plenty of followers.
 
DTT is a lot like my other favorite site, www.TeamChevelle.com. You have a lot of really smart people, who have a sense of humor and tons of knowledge that they love to share. The sites are set upwell, have a core membership that seems to care about the quality of info given out, and even though things can get a little surely around here, for the most part, respect is given. Lots of available info, and a community that goes out of their way to help others is always a formula for success....
 
Agreed that this is a shining example of what the internet is capable of.


As a fellow video/photog/media professional, most of the forums in "the biz" are crap.


A big part I think is that these folks are Pros who are being asked to share the expertise that pays their bills.


So it helps if it's smart, passionate, but generally hobby oriented members for the most part. (it helps kill the competitive aspect and reinforce the collaborative one)


Another thing that helps I think is the variety, and the respect of it. A lot of the media forums tend to be too narrowly focussed and everything tends to look the same. (and those who buck the trend are NOT embraced)


But most important I think is the concept of constructive criticism. Motorcycles have 2 main aspects, form and function. The first is highly subjective, the second potentially dangerous if mishandled. Understanding how to both give and receive criticism on both aspects is key. New members learn good habits by the example of the older members.

Media also has 2 aspects, the subjective, expressive side and the technical mastery of the technologies/processes.


Very few media forum are able to maintain a proper balance. You must embrace both sides, and celebrate/critique them together.
 
Good members (we have them in spades) drive everything. That and the passage of time. DTT has been 'up' for over 6 years now. It takes a long time for a culture to take root and it becomes to a degree a self-sustaining entity. You get the odd bit of noise here and there, but as a whole, the community keeps moving forward and growing. Just like any community/town/city/country.

The more knowledge that is posted up, the more people find us when they search for how to do something. They read, they either like the place or they don't, and perhaps they join up. Nearly 23,000 people have taken the time to actually register since I put the site up back in 2007, but over 100,000 unique people every single month come and visit the site. We're adding new registered members at the rate of about 700 per month these days, so I figure people like what they see.
 
It takes a guy like Tim, who cares as much as he does. And with that, others follow that lead. He works his ass off to provide a place for delinquents like myself to come and share what we all love so much. Without him there would be no us. Big Thanks to Tim!!!!
 
I think another part of DTT that really allows it to grow and evolve the way it has, and is not present in most other forums is the "real world" aspect of the forum. I'm a casual member of some other motorbike forums and though I've tried, I've never personally met more than a small number of their members.

That said, I've met, rode with, drank with, wrenched with, helped and been helped by literally dozens of DTT members spanning the US.

The drive by so many of our members to take what is usually just cold and digital (though helpful) and manifest it in real face to face interaction really sets the forum apart. For me at least. I can actually call a number of the members friends. People who I never wouldve met otherwise, but who have over the years opened their homes to us morons.

That's the element missing from most forums for me. They should be a stepping stone to actual relationships. Not just a place to sit and read about all the cool shit OTHER folks are up to. Push the idea of actual meet ups. Host get togethers where more experiencedmembers can show the less experienced ones some tricks. Allow people to put faces to screen names. AAllow people tofeel like they're part of a community and not just scanning some message board and you'll see returns. The web is cool and forums are a GREAT resource, but in the case of us bike folk... The internet won't pick you up if the bike breaks down or come over to lend a hand when you get in a bit deeper than you should have.

You have to keep it about the real people and the real world.
 
VonYinzer said:
I think another part of DTT that really allows it to grow and evolve the way it has, and is not present in most other forums is the "real world" aspect of the forum. I'm a casual member of some other motorbike forums and though I've tried, I've never personally met more than a small number of their members.

That said, I've met, rode with, drank with, wrenched with, helped and been helped by literally dozens of DTT members spanning the US.

The drive by so many of our members to take what is usually just cold and digital (though helpful) and manifest it in real face to face interaction really sets the forum apart. For me at least. I can actually call a number of the members friends. People who I never wouldve met otherwise, but who have over the years opened their homes to us morons.

That's the element missing from most forums for me. They should be a stepping stone to actual relationships. Not just a place to sit and read about all the cool shit OTHER folks are up to. Push the idea of actual meet ups. Host get togethers where more experiencedmembers can show the less experienced ones some tricks. Allow people to put faces to screen names. AAllow people tofeel like they're part of a community and not just scanning some message board and you'll see returns. The web is cool and forums are a GREAT resource, but in the case of us bike folk... The internet won't pick you up if the bike breaks down or come over to lend a hand when you get in a bit deeper than you should have.

You have to keep it about the real people and the real world.
Click to expand...

Agreed all around. I talk on the phone a couple nights a week with people I've 'met' here, and in three days, will be heading down to spend a weekend with thirty or so of them.
 
VonYinzer said:
I think another part of DTT that really allows it to grow and evolve the way it has, and is not present in most other forums is the "real world" aspect of the forum. I'm a casual member of some other motorbike forums and though I've tried, I've never personally met more than a small number of their members.

That said, I've met, rode with, drank with, wrenched with, helped and been helped by literally dozens of DTT members spanning the US.

The drive by so many of our members to take what is usually just cold and digital (though helpful) and manifest it in real face to face interaction really sets the forum apart. For me at least. I can actually call a number of the members friends. People who I never wouldve met otherwise, but who have over the years opened their homes to us morons.

That's the element missing from most forums for me. They should be a stepping stone to actual relationships. Not just a place to sit and read about all the cool shit OTHER folks are up to. Push the idea of actual meet ups. Host get togethers where more experiencedmembers can show the less experienced ones some tricks. Allow people to put faces to screen names. AAllow people tofeel like they're part of a community and not just scanning some message board and you'll see returns. The web is cool and forums are a GREAT resource, but in the case of us bike folk... The internet won't pick you up if the bike breaks down or come over to lend a hand when you get in a bit deeper than you should have.

You have to keep it about the real people and the real world.
Click to expand...
My personal favorite part, can't wait to see a lot of the members at Barber.
 
We're not going to Barber this year. Didn't you hear? ;)

See you in October!
 
That was a joke if it fell flat - hard to convey humor on the web sometimes :)
 
Awesome stuff everyone, Tim and Bozz hit it on the head! You guys rock, seriously. That's what makes this forum a great experience every time I'm on here.
 
Want a prime example of a former great forum now in ruins? http://www.ducati.org . It was in decline for a bit, then the owner sold it. Ads plastered all over the place, and half of the regulars were booted.
 
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