Max
Enlightened
Even though I haven't been the most active member, I've been a member of CPF for a long time. One of the things I've noticed is how well it works.
What I mean by that is that when I want to know what's going on in the world of flashlights, this is the place to go. Most of the time, I can get caught up just by reading up on recent discussions. If you have a question that hasn't already been answered, you can ask and get a in-depth informed answer. The forum is welcoming to newcomers.
Also, what I mean by that, is that for a long time, CPF has managed to go on without falling into the various dysfunctions that lots of other groups do. Discussions don't devolve into flame wars. The forum doesn't become dominated by only the expert experts who will make fun of you if you aren't at least machinist or an electrical engineer. And the forum stays active, so people always have a reason to come back.
I am planning to write an article and post it on LinkedIn about factors that make some online discussion groups work while others don't. I plan to use CPF as an example of a group that works and try to learn some general lessons from that.
While I've been around CPF for a while, and I could write something just based on my own observations, I would really like to hear what you all think. What makes CPF function?
Is it the topic? Is there something special about the topic of flashlights that just elicits the right kind of participation?
Is it the rules? Is there something special about the rules that keep the forum functioning?
Is it the culture? Is there something special about the people that got CPF going that just manages to keep things functioning? Is there something special about the tone or community norms that have been set that keeps the forum going?
Is it the people in charge? Does CPF work because it is run especially well?
I assume that it's some combination of all of the above, and more, but I would really like to hear from anybody who thinks there is some key point that is and has been critical to CPF developing and continuing to be a healthy community.
I'd love to quote your insightful answers. If you specifically don't want to be quoted, feel free to let me know that. If you are interested in seeing a draft of the article before I publish it, I'll be happy to share a link to the draft via PM and welcome your comments and suggestion.
Thanks!
What I mean by that is that when I want to know what's going on in the world of flashlights, this is the place to go. Most of the time, I can get caught up just by reading up on recent discussions. If you have a question that hasn't already been answered, you can ask and get a in-depth informed answer. The forum is welcoming to newcomers.
Also, what I mean by that, is that for a long time, CPF has managed to go on without falling into the various dysfunctions that lots of other groups do. Discussions don't devolve into flame wars. The forum doesn't become dominated by only the expert experts who will make fun of you if you aren't at least machinist or an electrical engineer. And the forum stays active, so people always have a reason to come back.
I am planning to write an article and post it on LinkedIn about factors that make some online discussion groups work while others don't. I plan to use CPF as an example of a group that works and try to learn some general lessons from that.
While I've been around CPF for a while, and I could write something just based on my own observations, I would really like to hear what you all think. What makes CPF function?
Is it the topic? Is there something special about the topic of flashlights that just elicits the right kind of participation?
Is it the rules? Is there something special about the rules that keep the forum functioning?
Is it the culture? Is there something special about the people that got CPF going that just manages to keep things functioning? Is there something special about the tone or community norms that have been set that keeps the forum going?
Is it the people in charge? Does CPF work because it is run especially well?
I assume that it's some combination of all of the above, and more, but I would really like to hear from anybody who thinks there is some key point that is and has been critical to CPF developing and continuing to be a healthy community.
I'd love to quote your insightful answers. If you specifically don't want to be quoted, feel free to let me know that. If you are interested in seeing a draft of the article before I publish it, I'll be happy to share a link to the draft via PM and welcome your comments and suggestion.
Thanks!