Inactive Members

Hi Joe

It's great that ASF continues to set the standard for stock forum sites and is getting the plaudits it deserves - with the membership now closing in on 5000.

However when you look at the members there are a number who have registered and never logged back on since that original registration day. No posts - no contibutions and apparently no more interest in ASF.

I guess it doesn't bother me but I just like the idea of cleaning up the database so that current and regular users are left. What are the legal requirements of ASF for people who register as members? Is there a period of inactivity that drops them off the members list?

Call me "old fashioned" but it seemed more friendly and familiar when the number of members were half what they are today.

Keep up the good work
Duckman

Hi Duckman,

Yes we have a reasonable amount of inactive members. Most forums do. But I am reluctant to do a purge right now as some members do actually come back from the dead and log back in after months or even years of inactivity.

I don't pay too much attention to the overall member count anyway. I am constantly looking at the daily traffic figures though and they show a steady increase in visitors. I agree that ASF is evolving as we get bigger and it seems there is nothing I can do about that as most of our new visitors find their way here via search engines. I couldn't stop the growth now even if I wanted to as it is mostly organic. The best I can do is try and enforce the rules and uphold standards to the best of my ability with the help of the amazing ASF moderating team and the co-operation of all members.

It's not going to be easy but I think we can do it.

Duckman#72 said:

Hi Joe

It's great that ASF continues to set the standard for stock forum sites and is getting the plaudits it deserves - with the membership now closing in on 5000.

However when you look at the members there are a number who have registered and never logged back on since that original registration day. No posts - no contibutions and apparently no more interest in ASF.

I guess it doesn't bother me but I just like the idea of cleaning up the database so that current and regular users are left. What are the legal requirements of ASF for people who register as members? Is there a period of inactivity that drops them off the members list?

Call me "old fashioned" but it seemed more friendly and familiar when the number of members were half what they are today.

Keep up the good work
Duckman

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I'd have to agree, Duckman. I'm sure, though, that such a comment is in no way a reflection on the way the site is moderated which is simply first class.
Thanks, Joe, Wayne, Rich, DoctorJ, and CTP. Your vigilance and care is much appreciated.

It just seems that where once there was a sense of being part of a supportive community, there is now much more a competitive and argumentative element. I'm all for discussion of controversial topics but it's disappointing when almost inevitably disagreement which should be handled objectively descends into vituperative personal attacks.

Some many months ago, if a newcomer posted a question which may have appeared naive and even silly to more experienced members, they would nonetheless have been assured of a constructive and courteous response.
These days, it's just as likely they will receive a smart and condescending reply which is useful to no one and could just knock an aspiring investor right out of a growing interest in the market.

Perhaps we can ask ourselves why we are here? Is it to demonstrate our superiority and greater knowledge, or is it to appreciate that almost everyone has something to offer in some area of experience or interest.

With best wishes to all

Julia

Julia said:

These days, it's just as likely they will receive a smart and condescending reply which is useful to no one and could just knock an aspiring investor right out of a growing interest in the market.

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I guess it's up to everyone to remember what it was like to be a rookie and help those people who ask questions with the level of respect they'd expect if they asked a question.

The key is the realisation is that for everyone that asks a question there might be 50 who don't know the answer and will be silent beneficiaries. So it's in everyone's interest to respond respectfully as it helps maintain and build a positive culture which we all will benefit from. Even the most experienced amongst us will have questions we should feel comfortable in asking.