What makes a good MH forum ? (1 Viewer)

[scotjimland]

As most are aware there are many MH / RV forums, some busy, some very quiet and on many, the same member names can be found.

I puzzled over this and came to the conclusion that the most popular forums had some common elements..

1. An active and friendly meet program
2. Good data bases and download section
3. Catered for all, irrespective of van size or type.
4. A friendly atmosphere without being over modded

So, what attracts you to any particular forum, and this one in particular, no need to mention forum names, this isn't a post to slag off or advertise others.

 

[Scout]

feeling welcome

no being trashed for being a numpty

helpfull advise

 

[Wyaye wires]

I agree a nice relaxed, helpful, non-judgemental atmosphere. The fact that Kath and me have only been Funsters for a short while, haven't met anyone face to face yet, but still regard a number of funsters as friends just from quiz nights and evenings in the chat room says it all for me. Haven't felt the urge or need to visit other sites.:thumb:

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[dellwood33]

I agree with the above - I hate sites where you are talked down to or presumed to be thick for asking a basic question. Don't mind the light hearted banter, but I have seen comments on some sites that made me cringe & coloured my opinion of the whole forum (Never to be visited again)
Too many rules and restrictions are also a turn off as far as I am concerned

 

[Taran_Las]

1. An active and friendly meet program
2. Good data bases and download section
3. Catered for all, irrespective of van size or type.
4. A friendly atmosphere without being over modded

Jim,

All of the above but (in my humble opinion) I would prioritise them in the opposite order to your list.

Phil

 

[hilldweller]

So, what attracts you to any particular forum,.

The people.

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[chesterfield hooligan]

Hi when in the past I subscribed to the 'Darkside', though I personly had no problem's I felt they critersised much to much on the like's of spelling and grammer and were a little snobish!, we all cannot chucky up a £50k + campervan in order to lord it over other's then park it next to me.
I then have a nice view of his £50+van and he has a nice view of my £2k+ van so I think I am winning at the moment

 

[JeanLuc]

Jim,

Leaving aside a forum's qualities, and I agree with your list, I think there may be another issue at play regarding activity levels.

There is an empirically derived law in marketing often referred to as "Double Jeopardy". This explains the relationship between penetration (how many people buy a brand) and loyalty (what share of their purchases in the product category, go to that brand).
Basically, big brands enjoy a double benefit because not only do more people buy them, but they buy that brand more often than other brands. And conversely, small brands suffer double jeopardy. This runs counter to the belief of many managers of small brands, who think that their brand appeals to a small, but loyal following. The evidence contradicts this belief. When I want to be provocative in discussion with a group of marketers, I put the proposition that "there is no such thing as a niche brand, only an unsuccessful one".

I think the same issue may be at play in the case of forums. The bigger forums have more members, and those members tend to allocate a disproportionately large share of their activity to the bigger forums - even though they may be 'consumers' of several forums and indeed, prefer the ambience of a smaller forum.

So the answer to increasing the activity levels in a smaller forum is to get bigger. Achievement of critical mass should bring with it an accelerating level of participation.

Philip

 

[froghopper]

which site

well, all the replies above say it all. we are friends, we are cheeky to each other,(in good fun) dont we brian,, we can ask the most basic questions and have fun with the answers, every body knows something, and if you find that person, its worth a fortune,, to JIm and his helpers, to YOU all out there,, THANK YOU, lets keep it nice, and friendly, and polite,,,,well as close as we need to,, after all we dont want fuddy duddy total P C, ,, ,,,, we are after all funsters,, i realy do believe a couple on here are quite inteligent

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[bigfoot]

I agree with all the above especially about the grammatical critics. But also the smart arses that raise their hands in horror at someone daring to ask a question. I like to ghelp people any way I can and offer suggestions,my life won't end of they choose to ignore what I say,with some forums it is treated as a capital offence.

 

[robnchris]

the best forum

Brian is spot on "The People" they are the forum, some excellent exchanging of ideas and opinions on here, "Adenough" I would buy a drink at the bar anytime.

Time for a group hug guys.:beer:

 

[john-A]

I agree with Taran_Las, hilldweller, froghopper and sebthegecko to sum up Link Removed YOU:thumb:

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[sue1959]

I lIke the fact that even though I don't have a MH (hopefully in the future I will have) I'm made to feel welcome. Love the jokes and the sense of comaradery ( sorry, that wouldn't get past on the other site I'm sure!) Also I like the way that all info is free and given without reprimand even though I might sound 'thick' sometimes!
Sue

 

[staging lady]

Agree with all the above.
I've asked some really simple questions here but never been made to feel small.
Lucille

 

[Dawnbreak]

I looked at another forum and just got lost in it......found this one and the way one is made to feel so welcome. As yet hubby and I have not purchased but plan to do so early next year. Questions we ask are kindly answered, not made to feel stupid......no bias that we're here and we are motorhomeless at the moment. Tried out the chat room for the first time last night, tad weird at first but had a chat to some lovely people. So first and foremost for me....

The warm welcome and friendlyness of everyone.
The knowledge that whatever age of people/life experiences/which motorhome or none......that everybody starts from the beginning....knowing nothing about it.
Hopefully that over time and when we purchase our motorhome and are out and about that we might meet some of the lovely funsters and who knows "friendships might ensue".
The wealth of knowledge....reviews and opinions.

Think that about covers it. ttfn x

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[barnybg]

Good M/H forum ?

As others have said but i would like to add,its nice to have some kind of answer to a post in a couple of hours or a day,even better, in a few minutes (lol) unfortunately some you could wait days or weeks,which is not much point really,its also nice if several or many answer the post than just the normal couple,seems like many members are either shy or dont want to be known or ridiculed maybe ? As other forums tend to do this,and the sayingis,once bitten ,twice shy.
An interesting ,helpfull,friendly site which is well used daily. :thumb:

 

[Wildman]

the answer to this one has already been given it is the people. so what attracts the right sort of people.
1)Friendlyness
2)Information
3)Tolerance of everything from bad jokes to bad spelling
4)the willingness of people to help, forming a real family not just a community.
5)most people who originally would have said the price now discount this one and would be happy to pay. You cannot buy the help and care that eminates from this forum. Long may it reign supreem.
:thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

[haganap]

Probably all of the above really but would like to just add,

What attracted me here?
seems so long ago I cant remember but I do remember Going to The first motorhomefun Newark meet, meeting with others they all seemed such a miserable lot that I thought they were just my cup of tea. I therefore realised I was in the right place.

I also like the enphasis on being FUN. not to snobby, just fun, a self moderating forum without the need to be completely pulled to task, especially for spelling etc really is cool.

Lots of family orientated people,

lots of Doggy orientated people.

lots of nice people.:thumb:

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[Braunston]

Hi,

While I agree with nearly all that has been said already,

However, I think the main thing that makes a forum is the software, it seems that ones that use a similar format to this really do stand out and attract people, as the opening page lets you know straight away what is going on and allows you to actually get involved even before you join albeit I know you can't reply,

The software layout on some forums won't even let you view, or only have limited viewing until you join and some the layout is so unfriendly you have to keep searching every section just to find something you may or may not be interested in.

 

[GJH]

I think of forums like pubs. If I try it and like the atmosphere I'll keep going back again.

Graham

 

[Jaws]

All of the above...........
BUT, as Wildman has spotted and stated.. tolerance ..
That is really the biggy.. Everyone on Fun accepts everyone else's foibles .. ( welll, most of the time ! )

It is tolerance that makes people good friends.. and good friends make a great forum !!

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[hilldweller]

we are friends, we are cheeky to each other,(in good fun) dont we brian,, we can ask the most basic questions and have fun with the answers

It's a pub with your mates.

Sometimes we drop the odd clanger ( well not me of course ) but normally it's a good laugh, serious when we need help.

Most of us will be thinking some of the time "if he says that again I'll deck him". But how much better than a PM "I've removed that message it might offend transvestite members with one leg and halitosis, please refrain from such posts in future".

FUN !

 

[DandG5515]

Friendly people, being able to have a laugh, information 24/7 ( if your daft enough to stay up that long ), the banter, never made to feel stupid should you ask a stupid question ( ya keep ya thoughts to ya self ), no matter how big or small your outfit is everyone treats you the same, finally the Funster Meets only been to one and cant wait until we have the time to go to another.

Dale

 

[rainbow chasers]

I think a friendly fun forum is what makes a good one. You often find on others, people are bitching at each other which isn't the idea!

Tolerance is another, there are people that not quite as good with the written word as others, just as there are those whom do not read the posts properly or mistake or misunderstand what is being said. Others mispell, some have fat fingers - who really cares??? It is about a single hobby that unites all - not about silly foibles.

A good forum is open to everyone, and everyone knows what they mean - if they don't, then they can ask for a simplified explanation without feeling an idiot. Accept people for what they are and respect that - no one has to be perfect, everyone has something to learn! What is common sense to the experienced, may be new ground for the novice - but most importantly, they should be able to ask on the level without fear of ridicule.

Like hildweller so rightly said - in a pub with your mates!:thumb:

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[scotjimland]

Some really good answers, most seem to be in agreement and that there is no secret formula .. it's the members and the site owners ethos that make a great forum

thanks ..

 

[imprint]

For the first and perhaps only time I agree with everyone!

To start with, many, many thanks to Jim Lad. You set the style and do the work. Look how brilliantly you (and a few other techies) sorted out that serious problem a few weeks back. He also listens - for example, I enjoy some people's avatars, I moan at others, but I don't want one, and my voice, with others, was listened to when I wrote I didn't want to be branded about the matter... all that happens now is.. nothing, and quite right too.

Second, thanks to all those who really do know their stuff and churn out help to us lot, especially newcomers. I may pull the legs of some very real experts, too many to single out - but I do so, I hope, as a weird sort of friendship, and I'm quite happy to receive it back twice as hard.

Third, it's good to see how equal we are, no fuss or bother about how we write or spell, or our grammar, or how big our equipment may be, it's the message that matters. ( I typed "massage" which proves something.)

So, let's keep this up, as the bishop once remarked to the actress...

Cheers, gang!

 

[JohnM]

I would agree with what rainbowchaser says.its a good site for everyone to enjoy regardless of how much you own or how good your education.
Thank you Funsters.
JohnM. :thumb:

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[G2EWS]

Hi Jim,

An interesting question.

I am a member of over 30 forums with my various hobbies and interests.

Of course the friendly attitude of members is very important. After all you don't want to start a thread and no one responds to it because you are not seen as being part of the 'in crowd'. Yes I am on a photography forum like this so don't put much up these days!

I visit a few of these forums on a daily basis and others when I need information rather than looking how I might be able to help others. Of course if I am looking and can help I will.

However, I believe the biggest single factor on why I would want to visit a forum is it's size. After all if it is too small nothing much happens and questions or statements just don't get commented on. If it is too large then you are in danger of asking a question that disappears to quickly off the front page.

One forum I am on that is invaluable for information and others on here will most certainly use it is AVForums. There are currently over 347,000 members! Imagine what happens if you ask a question? It disappears almost straight away. The only threads that get anywhere are the ones started by known knowledgable people. But, because it is so big there is likely to be answer somewhere or a thread already started about the same subject.

I am on smaller forums, but take RVOC as an example. There are just over 1,000 members and you can ask a question or make a thread and nothing happens for a while. This is not a complaint but a realisation that if you need an answer then come here or to the other forum we all know.

Like a lot of the old hands around here I have enjoyed watching 'Fun' grow into a useful and well natured forum. Most of the pointless bickering at the other forum has disappeared which is a good thing as we are here to enjoy ourselves not knock others.

Best regards

Chris

 

[TDH]

I don't think I can add to what has already been said really.

What attracted me to this site was, primarily, the ease of its use and its very professional appearance; the rest of you who will always come up with an answer to a problem really quickly; I love the albums; I love the intelligent debate it's possible to have on here.

I'm an active member of one other forum, The Mudcat Cafe, I've been there many years and this site reminds me of it a bit in the commitment of its organisers and easy moderation.

Anyway, I'm glad I found it (and I WILL keep bashing away at the one big thing that crops up on here that I don't like!). :thumb:

 

[superk]

Enthusiasm - the site was started enthusiastically and it's infectious - everyone who stays long enough will catch it.

Everyone likes to be part of a success story.

Friendly, welcoming, helping, non-recriminatory atmosphere leads to everyone wanting to help and post their experience however limited - it may help someone somewhere and won't get rubbished.

No ranking of members.

No members referred to as 'technical experts' who must be deferred to and take umbrage when you stray into their territory.

I'm counted as a 'member' on another site that boasts a large membership - but I can only read some of the posts and am not allowed to post myself - limited observer would be a better title.


Keith

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