the first Social Networks, before the grand IPOs, were specialty bulletin boards started & run by technicians for hobbyists; often their hobby.

The remaining active boards are self monitored, well segregated groups that are subject to changes in habits. What they do, mainly, is talk among themselves about “dog house” issues. The most frequent posters are most active over social matters; this is the reason that the social network sites have grown so large, so quickly, and will probably take over the conversations conducted by the “old boards.”

Recent update: scans at 7AM, & 7PM for a week produced these average values for 2 boards; the one dedicated to a self described ‘elite’ photographer’s niche; the other is a digital focused board which serves the high density MFDB hobbyists.

FILM BOARD: Members 34,219 Active Members 3,192  16 posters 11 threads

DIGITAL BOARD: Members 5,470  282 users online. 34 members and 248 guests  29 posters 7 threads

The large format forum prides itself on a “large active” membership, while actually few, very few members post. They also post most actively on the “dog house” threads. Topics about themselves, or about non-photography topics — something everyone is prepared to provide an opinion about.

The smaller digital board heats up mainly during product announcements, otherwise its active threads are over shared imagery. Most of the responses to the pictures mimic those of the Film Boarders — “nice” “well done” “great lens” “what type of ” “where is that at”

other posts on this: http://wp.me/p6UdTM-Zf