Is this forum dying?

[Former Member]

Would you say this forum is dying? pearlshipping-vault.boards.net

[Kami]

No. They have had a bunch of posts this month alone, not including the chat.

But you also have to remember that “dying” is subjective. Most people would say my forum is “dying” too, but we’ve been around for 12 years with a dedicated core group of participants, and since all of us are working adults we don’t care about constant streams of activity. We’re perfectly content with how we’re running and we’ll be around for twelve more years if we have our way.

It really depends on the needs and situation of each forum community whether or not something is dying.

[TheSupremePatriot]

Looks fine to me!

[Former Member]

  To my honest opinion a forum "dying" is one that hasn't been posted in for months, maybe years even. 
My friends do have a life outside the computer world so they come in and post when they can/when they have the time keeping in mind though that most if not all my members are either retired or still working age group so activity is more of a relaxed atmosphere.

[Retread]

Dec 27, 2017 14:51:38 GMT -8 Kami said:

No. They have had a bunch of posts this month alone, not including the chat.

But you also have to remember that “dying” is subjective. Most people would say my forum is “dying” too, but we’ve been around for 12 years with a dedicated core group of participants, and since all of us are working adults we don’t care about constant streams of activity. We’re perfectly content with how we’re running and we’ll be around for twelve more years if we have our way.

It really depends on the needs and situation of each forum community whether or not something is dying.

Good answer and I'll repeat the most important (imho) part:
It really depends on the needs and situation of each forum community whether or not something is dying.

If the forum serves the needs of few but serves them well, it's not dying regardless of what the numbers say.

There are very different reasons and purposes for a forum. Some of them are highly dependent upon member activity and a growing membership. Others require little dynamic activity.

Games and conversations generally suggest continuing interaction.
Reference and Teaching can be achieved with little ongoing interaction.
A Reference forum might not have a new post or new member for ten years and still be 'alive'.
Do many people visit as guests and learn something while there?
If so, the mission of that forum is being achieved.

The concepts of dying, dormant, functioning, growing, and vibrant all apply differently according to the mission of the forum and the intent of the owner.