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