I feel that what people complain about or hate is what they really love the most. So, since I have come from a background of media criticism and theory I figure I will be a pioneer in "Forum Studies".
Also, since I will criticize the medium here, keep in mind that I only do it because I love it so much.

The thing that I have in mind today is that when someone thinks of a good thread idea it is usually a rare occurence so that everyone rushes to comment on that post. Within a half and hour or so there are ten or more long responses. Therefore by the time other people come they have to comment on the last post in order for their post to really make sense and by then the posts have not only degraded in quality but also have digressed quite a bit.

Now if you post in reference to the last post, the quality of your post will not be that great. But if you post according to the first post, people are not going to take the time to figure out just what the hell you are talking about.

This in my eyes is the major problem with a forum. Other then that I really have no complaints.

I understand what you mean... I had the same problem with a thread (http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=377344#post377344) I begun about Nefertiti :(

Fredx,

I believe it. It actually makes perfectly logical sense. Who has time to read two pages of a thread? Well, I do sometimes. Not always though. Sometimes, Tiassa especially, members use the Post subject option and give their post a little title. Making it easier to read and such.

SG-N,

Im a firm believer in ownership. You started that thread, don't let it turn to crap. You have every right to PM the mod of that section and tell them to:

A) Close the thread.
B) Edit the thread.
C) Try to improve the thread with more posts (Never works).

It comes down to this: the thread creator has some say in the direction that his thread is taking. Exercise your right and clean up your thread (By contacting a mod).

thank you for the advise, I can't say whether I would use it because It sounds like more trouble than it is worth, but I definitely appreciate your proposed solution. -regards, fredx

Also, SG-N, I see your complaint there. You know what it is man, people always want to hijack posts when people have something thoughtful, intellectual and important to say.

This is a problem. I can't think of any solution though.
I generally don't post in thread unless I read it from the begining. There are threads that I'd probably have participated in if I'd caught them early on, that I just don't have time to read through.

I feel that what people complain about or hate is what they really love the most.

Wrong.

Okay then what is your formula?

Don't need one. I'm not running this board, nor would I want to. I was merely pointing out that that statement of yours is guano.

Originally posted by fredx
I feel that what people complain about or hate is what they really love the most.

right. (in freds case......still stuck in some defunct freudian pit projecting his woes on to others)

Originally posted by fredx
This in my eyes is the major problem with a forum.

eyeball k5 (http://www.kuro5hin.org/)