I can't imagine this forum ever getting any better, seems like five or six guys were the only ones communicating here amongst themselves and anyone new they shunned, they may as well exchange numbers with each other already and be done with it
Ok, this is Massageplanet, not CAF. In CAF, for which I am a member of, there is a "clique" or "brotherhood" that does what you describe. However, not all members of CAF are arrogant or dicks towards the new members. All of us when joining a forum must start low and new, that is what fresh is. The new members that just joined in do not know the ropes yet, and just trying to seek information. However, in this forum, especially CAF, some veteran members have no patience for rookies when they ask "newb" questions like:
"Hey, any intel on this provider? Thanks guys."
"Does the place provide receipts for insurance claims?"
"Hey, what was NAME OF RMT menu? Does she BBBJ too?"
"Hey, I just got back from so- and so place. Man! her HJ was out of this world and I also came back for a second visit to fuck her too! Damage only $$50, what a deal! All In."
The above is common, with or without links attached for the ads for the OP. Of course to the veterans or impatient members, here are their responses:
"Hey, where is the link?" "Go TOFTT instead of asking stupid questions", "You just joined, do not start asking for intel with one liners inquiries. Contribute more details first, earn some credibility by TOFTT and report back"
This forum have gotten a lot better by not allowing UnRegistered Users to post messages but posting to the forum as guests have not been removed yet, which is unfortunate. I think it should not allow guests to Post in the forum, that way it weeds out the trolls and bad posters and Revenge SPs by making them go through more effort to join the community. Its not failsafe, but just another step to protect the forum.
In CAF, you also must be a registered user and log in before you can actually view the forum postings, where as otherwise if you do not log in, you see only a message saying there have been no recent activities when you try clicking on the titles. That should be a step we should have here. Now the OP also said
".....seems like five or six guys were the only ones communicating here amongst themselves and anyone new they shunned, they may as well exchange numbers with each other already and be done with it"
Ok, again this is an opinion of the OP. Its not fact, just an opinion. So we as members of the forum can let another member express it, but the OP must also accept the criticisms we dish when we rebuke or correct and must not have a hissy fit about it and start flooding the thread with playground rhetoric. "Take it up the ass!" More on that statement below. It just so happens that the "5 or 6" members are actually contributing constructively, that is why you see them on the boards. Lurkers or the lazy members just want to keep to themselves and leech off others. But the trolls, they get the attention and we fight back to defend our turf. Ignoring them really isn't enough. We need moderators to caution them to keep them in line and escalate it bans if they keep being a stubborn repeat offender. They annoy the forum, so we annoy them by making them keep registering new accounts as an inconvenience. How many more long forms you need to fill out for additional email addresses eh?
Next, as others already mentioned, A strong Moderator/mediator/ for the forum. This will allow deletions and banning power to the appointed to keep the board relevant. I fully support this. The Forum moderator must have integrity and not just whip members as he feels like it like a tyrant. There are certain guidelines to follow before you wield that axe.
You can also take a page out of the gaming world like Team Fortress where you can call out a vote to ban a certain individual from the forum due to their conduct.
For example: Remember Rose from LAB Salon? When she started fighting a contributing member, a vote can be called out by others to BAN her from the forum. And of course a new member called "Guy7809xxxxxx" flooding the threads? Then we apply the Team Fortress call out to vote and ban that member for their conduct.
I also belong to another forum called Sex141. I do not want this forum to go to extremes of that. Here is why:
With each post and contribution, you are awarded a point. When other members read your posts, they can also award you additional points. You rise in your rankings when you are awarded points for your contributions. The more you contribute constructively, the better you are on your way to rise. Senior members and forum moderators can also give you negative points for asking newb questions, one liners, bad contributions and poor conduct. You can be banned by the forum moderator right away or when the negative points just deplete your status to the worst ranking in the forum called "Buggered Beggar"
Ranking names are Nookie Newbie, Musky Member, Lustful Lord, Kinky King, Throbbing Titan, Carnal Conqueror, etc..................
And you earn extra points when you post photos of the SPs or body parts. (With permission of course, or you risk being kicked off)
Now, they also have reports where if it needs to be secretive, especially with photos posted, the OP puts a RA (Reading Access) lock on it. Meaning no one below the level set in the posting can read it as they have not earned their "stripes" to deserve such privileged intel.
Yet even with the above rules and regulations and strict template format you must follow, the forum thrives and flourishes. It does not die.
And add more emoticons while at it.
Why does some members think this board is dying?
"Attitude" is key. Everyone has pride and sometimes when its bruised or stomped on, not everyone is willing to "bend over and take it up the ass." Sometimes, you must swallow your pride and just "take it" for the survival of the common good for the rest of the members. If there are members who are stubborn and just keeps fighting back, then here we are in this situation we now face.
Opinion is like an asshole, everyone's got it. But whether you should show it all the time or keep your tail in between your legs to cover it in embarrassment or humility for the greater good of everyone remains to be seen.
Remember, we were told not to eat one type of food excessively by the nutritionists. Everything can be eaten and variety is key, but eat in "moderation".
So we definitely need a moderator.