The Metal Observer Forums

Hello??? Where are you all???

I am both a writer for, and a rabid fan of, TMO, so I know that many, many people visit this site everyday. Yet, despite this, the forums are amongst the most lifeless I've found on the interwebs. Come on all of you metalheads (much less all of the fellow members of the brotherhood), let's make the TMO forums worth visiting!!!

Thank you for your cooperation!

Yeah, these forums have felt quite dead for a while now. But I'm still here.

I'm just crawling around in the woodwork.

I haven't been the most social of web poster in years. I have enough inanity in my own life ;-). Though it would be nice to see some better conversations. I think that the "What did the 00's mean to metal" thread is really a great thread, but we need more thoughts in it. Overall though, I don't really have much of a suggestion except maybe making the link to the board more prominent on the main page.

Did you know that when Apollo 15 went out and about on the Lunar Rover they found a discarded TMO T-shirt on the Moon? If NASA admitted it, I think the forum would be awash with members, most of them badly dressed.

So the quietness of the forums is all NASA's fault? I knew those bastards were hiding something. Regardless, I would love to have TMO Moon shirt. Maybe I could get me a blank shirt and some markers, and make my own. Besides, who would question the authenticity of something so awesome?

This forum is dead, I suppose, for a lack of interest/interesting topics? Perhaps those who visit the site just want to read reviews/articles, and not much more?

I remember several years ago when I first joined, this forum was moderately active with not just staff, but many regulars too.

It could be a case of the forum just getting old.

Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’
We are not now that strength which in old days
Mov’d earth and heaven, that which we are, we are:
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
--Alfred Tennyson

I'm somehow "included out" here, as I wasn't part of the brotherhood in the semi-active days of yore. However, the main reason why I'm not around is probably my tendency not to say much -- hence the quote, which (on second thought) seems out of place.................................................................... I'll keep it anyway.

No one talks anymore because there is no more debate.

WE ARE AWESOME.

End story.

There's some merit to that part of your post. I think the main reason this forum is so quiet, is because TMO writers and fans tend to stay away from internet flame wars and general "troll" behavior. All one needs to do is visit the forums at Metal Crypt or M-A for a quick example of the average metal forum.

I have to admit, I am also very disappointed by the lack of activity here. The quality of the reviews here still sets the standard for webzines, in my opinion, and even rivals most of the print 'zines. But the forum is just too quiet. I'll do my part to pick things up a bit by creating a topic.

Perhaps everyone else could do the same, and we can kick things up.

I was beginning to wonder if anyone was here anymore. Of course I've been spending a lot of time on Facebook lately. Here's my page- http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/Andr ... ef=profile

Perhaps if we were all to pose naked with farmyard animals it might bring in a few more *ahem* members.

I don't think the Bear chaser is going to be the type we generally need to attract...

It's interesting that all but one of the posts so far are from staff members. We need to do something to attract the readers. We get heavy trafic, so we know the readers are there, we just need to reel 'em in.

I agree with Bear that part of the solution should be to make the link more prominent on the home page. However, we need to also ensure that there is something worthwhile for them once they get here. We should make a concerted effort to start more topics.

I disagree though, that the forums only attract trolls and flamethrowers. The forum at Metal Storm is very active, and for the most part, civil and thoughtful. I think we can do it as long as those of us who feel strongly about it set a precedent by starting good topics and keeping them going with thoughful discussion. If we are persistent, and we make the forum more visible, I think the posters will come back.