What is it, the ol' Spring Fever? Or more like Spring Break? Or in southern hemisphere, a glorious autumn? Or holiday?....Wasn't Easter last weekend? Oh, I'll bet it's college finals time, right?! Or wait -- mid-terms?

Well ok, to be honest, I haven't been around the forums much lately either Not that I've learned all there is about Inkscape, but have been exploring a new passion (fractal art) lately. But I would've made more of an effort had I known there might be a bit of a slow-down. Although there doesn't seem to be slow-down in new member posting, just in long-time members' replies.

I know it's normal for activity in forums to wax and wane over time. But it's so sad when they finally wind down for good. And I just love InkscapeForum.com too much to see it fizzle out

Anyway, just curious what might be behind this, and wondering if there might be a solution to the problem. Also there are 3 or 4 topics with zero (0) replies, that I don't know the answers for -- some going on 3 days old now

Previously I've read every single post on this forum. But lately I just haven't had the time (and lack motivation). So right now there's over 50 topic in the help forum I haven't read.

When I would participate on other help forums, after I posted my question I would make a point of attempting to answer 5 or more topics started by others whilst I waited. Even though I frequently didn't know the answer I would go out and look for the answer. I learnt a great deal using this process. And it's exactly what I've done on this forum. Only a fraction of the answers I provide I actually know off the top of my head.

I guess I'm saying this to inspire those who post a question then shuffle off and only come back when they get an answer. If everyone took a little time help a few people people when asking for help themselves, not only will the forum become more useful, you'll also become a better Inkscape artist.

I was away for a long weekend the weather this week was much nicer than last.

microUgly wrote:I guess I'm saying this to inspire those who post a question then shuffle off and only come back when they get an answer. If everyone took a little time help a few people people when asking for help themselves, not only will the forum become more useful, you'll also become a better Inkscape artist.

What am I chopped liver? The forum seems to be looking after itself for the most part. Except for the spam.

EarlyBlake wrote:What am I chopped liver?

Clearly I wasn't referring to you Or many other members who do already devote a lot of their time to helping others.

What am I chopped liver?

Oh, I meant no ill will. It's purely because I care so much about these forums that I posted my comments. Plus, I feel bad for those whose messages haven't been replied to (that I can't answer).

I too strive to answer other members' questions while waiting for answers to my own. At first I couldn't answer any. But thanks to the help I've received in these forums, I can answer, well, a good portion of the basics, although certainly not all. Even though I'm not currently using Inkscape very much, I still visit, and try to answer as many questions as I can. I do this out of gratitude for all the time, energy and support that was freely given to me, when I needed help learning to use Inkscape; and I will continue to do so, as long as I can keep my Inkscape skills current.

I've been proud to be an active member of InkscapeForum.com, because in my experience, it is a high-quality forum, one of the best I've had the privilege of belonging to; because messages are promptly answered, spam is promptly removed, new members promptly activated -- but mostly because of the integrity of the support offered by the many talented artists who are members, who know Inkscape very well, and are committed to teaching others -- this is 2nd to none!

I don't think a forum can avoid new members asking their questions, getting their answers, and then never returning. I think it's part and parcel of the forum experience. But the really, really great forums always have a tight core group of highly experienced and dedicated members, who are there to answer new members' questions, day after day, month after month.

I've always assumed the core group here must have bonded initially via the mailing list, before the forums opened, although I don't really know how they came to be a group. But I can't say I've ever felt the core group to be very "tight". All forums have their own personality, and I would characterize ours as "strictly business". There is very little joking around, no asking after each others' well-being in passing, no sharing of the human experience, for whatever it's worth.

Indeed, I suggested the creation of this Off-Topic forum as a means of offering more opportunities for bonding. But it has turned out to be a "strictly business" off-topic forum, lol! I don't know, maybe everyone has spread themselves too thin, what with Inkscape in such active development? While my personal view is that some level of personal bonding is necessary to keep a forum vital and alive, in the end, a forum can only become what its members make it. And maybe we're destined to remain a "strictly business" forum? I don't know.

I agree with Early that the forum is "looking after itself". And I certainly am not trying to place blame. Goodness knows microUgly has gone above and beyond the call of duty, as they say, in leading these forums to the greatness that they have become. Maybe this is kind of like an unintended test, to learn whether the forum can be self-sustaining? I certainly would never expect an admin to read every message that's posted, over the entire life of a forum....if ever, really! So maybe this is a necessary growth pain.

Anyway, my purpose in posting this topic was twofold. One, I wanted to try and get a feel for why there's been a slowdown in participation from the core group. And two, I hope to inspire a renewal of participation. And yeah, I've been called idealistic before, it's just who I am. But I also know that in reality, "it is what it is".

And who knows, maybe this will inspire some newer members to step up!

Geeze dude. I was just joshing micro.

brynn wrote:I've always assumed the core group here must have bonded initially via the mailing list, before the forums opened, although I don't really know how they came to be a group. But I can't say I've ever felt the core group to be very "tight". All forums have their own personality, and I would characterize ours as "strictly business". There is very little joking around, no asking after each others' well-being in passing, no sharing of the human experience, for whatever it's worth.

I was a relative noob to Inkscape when I started the forum. I had probably only participated on the mailing list a handful of time. So whilst researching in the archives I got familiar with the names, but there was no bonding on my part. Like you say, it's strictly business. I think for the most part it's the nature of a forum. And perhaps for the better since new people shouldn't feel alienated or like intruders. I don't have an issue if people want to get more personal, but for me, the Internet is a tool for getting information, not forming relationships. I don't use facebook because I don't understand it's purpose if it doesn't propagate knowledge For that same reason I don't read gossip magazines Information is all I'm interested... oh, and Art.

I haven't been posting much lately because I'm super busy. I still keep an eye when I can and wait for more free time...

Couple of reasons on my part,
1) gorgeous weather and a new convertible
2) new girlfriend, who for some reason wants me paying attention to her not a pc

Still been dropping in and deleting spam when I see it from the iPhone, but haven't had time to be replying too much.