The General Chat forum at ASF

[tech/a]

Growth has been a little stagnant lately and I'm trying to put my finger on what the problem is

I think its a generic issue with regard to market sentiment.
If we are in a bull market people will track to your door looking for the latest hot tip.
Or wanting to manage their own SMSF hence more traffic.

If its flat then you'll be flat.
Bear market you'll have sub average growth.

Ill private mail you some business building ideas.
But just quickly.

Work on the Pareto Principal
from a member at ASF (or any forum for that matter) How would they answer (What's in it for me?)
If you don't know then you cant apply the Pareto Principal.

I recently identified 29 for my own business
I've implemented 2 booked until April was only Feb at Xmas.

Building business would have to be my number 1 passion.
built a few----

 

[Joe Blow]

I have to agree there. Perhaps it's because I don't know how to navigate the most efficient way, but I find it really difficult to get to a forum on a stock I want, if I need to follow Stocks Q-Z (or whatever) and then search down until I see the ticker I am interested in, as they are listed in chronological order of most recent posted to. I find HotCopper easier with it's favourites list, so all new posts on the stocks I am interested in appear usually on the very first screen I encounter. For that reason only I use Hot Copper for stocks, but ASF for the Chat.

To find a thread on a particular stock just enter the ASX code (or a word in the company name) in the search box and click the search icon.

Unfortunately, the problem with a slow down in posting on individual stocks is that it's difficult to keep new members coming back on a regular basis because there's not enough stock chat to keep them interested. This eventually has a flow on effect to the General Chat forum and ASF in general. This is what I think is responsible for the lack of growth overall, even though we get about 200 new members each month.

ASF is due for a website redesign a little later this year when we move to another platform and I will be putting a focus on functionality and ease of navigation. In the meantime, please keep posting on individual stocks, even if it's just a quick update. It all helps to keep ASF active, and will hopefully encourage others to do the same, generating even more stock chat in the process.

 

[tech/a]

To find a thread on a particular stock just enter the ASX code (or a word in the company name) in the search box and click the search icon.

Unfortunately, the problem with a slow down in posting on individual stocks is that it's difficult to keep new members coming back on a regular basis because there's not enough stock chat to keep them interested. This eventually has a flow on effect to the General Chat forum and ASF in general. This is what I think is responsible for the lack of growth overall, even though we get about 200 new members each month.

ASF is due for a website redesign a little later this year when we move to another platform and I will be putting a focus on functionality and ease of navigation. In the meantime, please keep posting on individual stocks, even if it's just a quick update. It all helps to keep ASF active, and will hopefully encourage others to do the same, generating even more stock chat in the process.

Number one thing I would consider is a section that isn't available to those not registered
You have to be a member for access.

Sir O's piece would have to be in that lot.
If you see people being directed to it and your not a member and want it---then you'll have to become a member.

You could do this with say a Weekly/Monthly special guest piece.---as well or as part of definitely the archive---you'd have a few over the years.

 

[Joe Blow]

Number one thing I would consider is a section that isn't available to those not registered
You have to be a member for access.

Sir O's piece would have to be in that lot.
If you see people being directed to it and your not a member and want it---then you'll have to become a member.

You could do this with say a Weekly/Monthly special guest piece.---as well or as part of definitely the archive---you'd have a few over the years.

Tech, yeah restricting access to some content to encourage more registrations is definitely something I have considered. At the moment, many of ASF's features, such as being able to view and download attachments and using the website search and PM system, are only available to those who are registered. However, it does make sense to introduce a "Members Only" area. The only problem with this idea that I can see is what content to restrict. Given that ASF is already fairly well organised into individual forums by subject area, a "Members Only" section would be unfocused and broad if it were a separate forum. If the functionality existed, a better way might be to make specific threads "Members Only" rather than having a dedicated forum just for members.

More content is definitely something that is a high priority, especially high quality custom written stuff. The big challenge is finding people to write it and integrating it effectively into the website. You would also need multiple contributors to keep the fresh content coming in on a regular basis. It would probably be something that would start as a fortnightly guest piece with a view to making it weekly if it became popular over time.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[pixel]

Number one thing I would consider is a section that isn't available to those not registered
You have to be a member for access.

That gets my vote.

I recently sent a ForEx link to a chap I'd met at a friend's place and found to be well-educated and generally a prospective "new friend". Turned out he was raised a Muslim - and definitely "not amused" by the rants he found in "General".

 

[SirRumpole]

That gets my vote.

I recently sent a ForEx link to a chap I'd met at a friend's place and found to be well-educated and generally a prospective "new friend". Turned out he was raised a Muslim - and definitely "not amused" by the rants he found in "General".

I think it's a shame that we don't have well educated Muslims contributing to some of the discussions here.

There needs to be some balance.

 

[Julia]

That's democracy for you Joe

If people are interested in stocks, they will post there, but there are other things going on in the world.

The name of the forum is Aussie Stock Forums, Rumpole. It seems a reasonable expectation that anyone joining such a forum would have some interest in stocks, investment generally, Super etc., something finance related at least.

The problem is between yourself, luutzu, bintang et al, there are several hundred posts similar in nature, but going off different tangents. As soon as the topic goes on one of these tangents, you guys start up another thread and continue. Tonight's new thread is a perfect example, with several posts having the ability to slot right into the current few threads.

Agree. And largely it's the people who repeatedly argue with one another on religion and politics who never seem to post not only in the stock threads but not even in discussions about general investment, interest rates, Super etc., just General Chat.

I can’t see what the problem is. It’s incredibly easy to avoid the General Chat section by not navigating there.
Once in the General Chat it is also incredibly easy to navigate out.

Agree. I use "Quick Links", then "Today's Posts" and at the top of that drop down box there's an option to omit General Chat threads. Seems an appropriate way of catering to the greatest number of people.

The problem with general chat is that it is flooded with political and religious threads. Do we really need 5 different threads on Islam or Muslims? Do we really need a thread on every politician or every states liberal or labor party? When I go away for 6 hours or so and come back to my PC and click new posts the last thing I want to see 9 out 10 posts being on politics and religion.

+1. Far too many threads about Muslims.

On another forum the forum owner had a good idea. He created a sub forum called "Bedlam". There was a warning that it was a no rules area and anything could be discussed. Don't not enter it if you are easily offended, it said.

That's a great idea, especially if the people who just wanted to swap insults could reside there.

 

[basilio]

It is true that the stock areas on ASF are barely ticking over. My thoughts are that in fact the speculative and general industrial/retail stock index is just falling away to dust overall. In the current market investors seem to be on a hiding to nothing if they invest outside the 4 banks, Telstra and a few others.

There seems to be little point in trying to do analysis on these core shares. They seem to have a life of their own dominated by safety first principles of funds and SMSF investors.

Conversely it seems that no amount of analysis or "good "results creates significant movement in non core shares. In the past some strong analysis, a few good results and at least half a dozen people showing interest and support for shares appeared to "create" rising support in the marketplace. That seems to be almost dead in the water.

The other niche area is clever stock plays based on very short term horizons. Essentially gambling/investing on a technical skills. Good luck to those who can do that and make a buck.

In that sense it seems very challenging to recreate interest in the shares section itself. Nonetheless some thoughts

1) Perhaps identify some of the better researchers and discuss with them an increased input.
2) Open a Stock Forum on the Next Big Share. Essentially try to encourage quality research and discussion on a small number of stocks that maybe do have chance of becoming highly successful companies in the next 3-5 years. The challenge itself could bring out some serious researchers/thinkers.

With regard to the General Chat area. I think there is excellent value in a vibrant, constructive, creative and good natured forum. But Pixels comment regarding his Muslim friends response to the "rants" is instructive.

In my view it is a shame that the most prolific threads are often the most aggressive and sometimes become almost hysterical. I just don't think that type of conversation will hold more than a small section of potential visitors.

I don't use it enough but Whirlpool. net is probably the elite community forum in Australia. It started off as a specialist thread for internet/computer subjects but now seems to have thousands of active, constructive participants across a huge number of topics.

All the best

 

[SirRumpole]

The name of the forum is Aussie Stock Forums, Rumpole

And the name of the section is "General Chat" Julia, for non stock related threads.

If the stock part of the forum is stagnant, then maybe it's only General Chat that keeps it alive.

Perhaps Tisme has the right idea. General Chat can attract people to other areas of the forum as well.

To kill it maybe committing suicide.

 

[Bintang]

If the stock part of the forum is stagnant, then maybe it's only General Chat that keeps it alive.

The stock part of the forum will burst back to life when there is another major financial event in the same way that:
- The political threads burst into life when there are for example, elections
- The religious threads burst into life when for example, cartoonists get shot

etc…..

Just be patient. Many pundits think we are in for a another major financial crisis this year.

 

[burglar]

I think its a generic issue with regard to market sentiment ...

Absolutely agree ...

 

[SirRumpole]

The stock part of the forum will burst back to life when there is another major financial event in the same way that:
- The political threads burst into life when there are for example, elections
- The religious threads burst into life when for example, cartoonists get shot

etc…..

Just be patient. Many pundits think we are in for a another major financial crisis this year.

Something to look forward to for Joe in terms of increased forum activity

 

[orr]

If I was to start a Thread called ' THE QUALITY OF STONE FRUIT THIS SEASON ' which would sit well in G/Chat. When say a well sourced rumour appears in the above thread of 'foreign buyer''s' busy in the early season packing sheds of Young and Orange; all of a sudden it's a subject of broader economic/investment interest . When I read 'Stock' I see it in terms of investment.
Or say in the 'Eddie Obeid' thead, that he's about to purchace another printing business. Obviously you wouldn't want shares in whom evers taken on the fire insurance .
When a butterfly flaps it's wings in the G/Chat... and all that .

 

[drsmith]

Readers can choose to read what's here or not.

Beyond that it's just a question of whether it's a PITA to moderate.

 

[craft]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I'm really just trying to gauge sentiment with this thread and if most people are happy with the way things are then I won't change anything.

Of course, it's always nice to see more posts on individual stocks and trading and investment topics, but in the end the purpose of ASF is to serve those who use it and this is my number one priority.

Growth has been a little stagnant lately and I'm trying to put my finger on what the problem is. We get around ten new members every day but traffic levels have flatlined and I'm not sure why. It occurred to me that perhaps newcomers aren't seeing enough stock market related discussion and are either moving on or seeing ASF as a place to pop into occasionally rather than every day.

I was hoping that 2015 would be a year of real growth for ASF but so far it's more of the same.

Your name and major advertisement to the world is Aussie “Stock” Forum.
There is plenty of activity in other stock forums discussing stocks/ investments.
You obviously attract good numbers of new people looking for a “stock” forum.

But the majority of content here is not stock related but more general banter (and some of it is not real pleasant - well at least it wasn't when I last looked).

Your content and your advertising are mis-matched!!!!

I guess the choice is yours, Serve the current community who by the looks of the poll (and posting volume) like the dominance of the general chat. Or get your content and advertising in line (change the name or change the content) if you want to grow and attract those that will never respond to your poll but do vote with their mouse and move to where the relevant content is.

 

[McLovin]

That gets my vote.

I recently sent a ForEx link to a chap I'd met at a friend's place and found to be well-educated and generally a prospective "new friend". Turned out he was raised a Muslim - and definitely "not amused" by the rants he found in "General".

You can't really blame him. Some of the rubbish that is posted about Muslims belongs on some neo-Nazi forum. I steer clear of General Chat these days largely because reading the bile that often passes for discourse get utterly boring. Yes, there are people who have interesting perspectives who post there but it's basically four or five posters -- who rarely, if ever post anywhere on the stock/investing forums -- going at eachother. I've noticed the rest of the forum has really dried up, which could be because of the time of year but could also be because, like your almost "new friend", new members arrive and the first thing they encounter on a stock forum is a thread about whether Islam is evil or not.

The last time Joe brought this issue up I said on another forum I use you can only see the "General Chat" section once you've been a member for six months or have 180 posts. They also divide the general chat into one forum for "politics and religion" and another for everything else. If you don't have the requisite posts/time period you can't even see that the general chat forum exists. It works pretty well and at least keeps the soft white underbelly of the forum away from potential new members.

The forum is becoming a place for a very small number of people who want to discuss politics and religion, and honestly I find myself visiting less and less.

 

[tech/a]

I have to agree with Mc lovin and Craft.

Both are serious Stock enthusiasts.

Aussi stock forum should be just that.
I wont post on general chat. Hot air is of no value. Opinions are like armpits we all have one.
Ill keep mine to myself---except on this occasion!


But generation of volume dictates a general section.
It also dictates some of the moderation often let go far to long
not wanting to squash free speech.

But is this really a stock/trading forum.

I post up a heap of stuff which can take a heap of time and the
interaction is ---well frankly not worth the time and effort.

THATS WHY I STOP MID WAY WITH A LOT OF CONTENT.

Who's serious about what they do and are capable of interacting
infact can they???

People who have a lot to offer are either leaving or choosing to post less
I understand they cant be bothered.

Business or content?
I think that if you don't take care of content eventually you wont have a business---of any standing.
Harsh but true.
I even offered to take sometime and give you some suggestions privately---no comment---so why bother.

There are some capable people on this site and many who have left---on a regular basis.
Complete re think I think!

 

[Joe Blow]

Well I appreciate all the feedback. It's certainly interesting hearing all the different perspectives.

I agree that the General Chat forum is supposed to be a place for ASF members who are interested in the stock market to discuss topics that are more general in nature and not specifically trading or investment related. It is not intended to be a place that is hijacked by those who only post in General Chat threads and who use ASF as a vehicle to push political agendas.

I think the General Chat forum serves an important purpose, and hosts some good discussions, but the focus of ASF really needs to be on the stock market. There is a very small group of people who only post in General Chat threads and who never participate in threads in the other forums. There are probably other online communities that are not stock market focused that would serve the interests of these people better.

ASF is a stock market forum and it's probably not the right forum for those who do not have an active interest in financial markets. Obviously I do not wish to see long standing members leave due to the actions of a tiny minority, so henceforth I will be paying very close attention to the posting patterns of those who seem to only post in General Chat threads.

Again, I would urge people to continue to post in threads on individual stocks and in other trading and investment related threads. Please do what you can to keep ASF's focus on the stock market. Many thanks!

 

[moXJO]

Business or content?
I think that if you don't take care of content eventually you wont have a business---of any standing.
Harsh but true.
I even offered to take sometime and give you some suggestions privately---no comment---so why bother.

There are some capable people on this site and many who have left---on a regular basis.
Complete re think I think!

Since you craft, Mcloving and others are some of the main contributors how do you find the format and layout of the site?
Spread to thin across multiple threads?
Navigation?
Look?

 

[SirRumpole]

I think the General Chat forum serves an important purpose, and hosts some good discussions, but the focus of ASF really needs to be on the stock market. There is a very small group of people who only post in General Chat threads and who never participate in threads in the other forums. There are probably other online communities that are not stock market focused that would serve the interests of these people better.

Looks like I'm off to Whirlpool in that case, but thank you for your indulgence to this point in time.