Statisticians can usually make the numbers they gather fit their theory. As such numbers are just that....numbers. I would suggest that the top 10 posters are the most experienced and reply the most often to share that experience. For example, I recently posted (I've got a low posting rate) and had two major posters reply quite quickly. In some of the longer posts, those with the knowledge converse back and forth giving those of us with out the knowledge a chance to listen at the feet of the "masters". So for every question from us newbies (term used relatively) there will be 5 experts with an answer or opinion. Also, how many unknowns are effecting results? (Ours and theirs) Some have mentioned greater business support for the club, another suggested the populace. SLC is not San Antonio, and therefore cannot be expected to have the same results (either good or bad). There are so many differences that it becomes difficult (if not impossible) to determine which are factors in those results.

Ok, so numbers can mean something, or nothing depending on point of view. So it comes down opinion. Does the forum meet my needs? Does it meet the needs of the club? Is there improvements that will benefit the current and future members? What are other sites doing well and would it be advantageous us to emulate it? IMHO I have never been involved with a better forum. They may have 284 members (how many of us have joined just to look around?), but I have a great local support system of fish nuts and store owners mixed with opinion, science and a lot of experience. Could the forum be improved....of course...there is nothing that can't be improved (except an ice cold glass of clean water). Are we changing to get better numbers, or more informed members. Me, I love it here (you probably can't tell). I'm making new friends, both with those on the forum and those in my tank. So...in short..."the WMAS has really helped me out and this forum has been a great place for me to get help"

Adam,

I'm brand new today thanx to pistonfister recommendations and help.  On the topic of member sand postings by them, maybe they have more out of towner's using the Forum than we do?  Looking over the postings, I am eager to come to the next meetings and filters knowledge from the lot of you for getting started, but these forums are a great place, I have seen, to get down the lingo, get familiar with everything.  Thanx for having them.

David

Okay I'll jump back in for a few moments....

Seastar---- the great thing about the seastar is that for years we sent it out monthly!!!  But then, we got the email list and there went the seastar.  No need to send out a monthly mailing to remind members, we have email.  And as for the articles, why write articles when we can post topics here by the dozens daily.  Well, there is still great purpose in the seastars and that is why the club now has (I guess this is as good of a time as any to announce) our new seastar editor.  It is Cortney, aka Gonzo.  He will be incharge of gathering articles, editing, and producing the final newsletter.  More info on this is to come....

Regarding website participation---  to compare us to Southern Texas again, we have far more club members, and far more people attending our meetings.  They simply have more people who use their online forum.  That is the difference I'm trying to understand.  I hope that clarifies a few things. 

Local stores--- I think most clubs do not get along with local stores.  Just today I had an online meeting with some MASNA members who are trying to determine ways to build better relationships.  Those clubs who do have good relationships do for one reason (that I know of).  That is that the stores realize how big of a market the clubs are.  I don't think many of our stores realize how big we are, and that my emails go out to over 300 people.  If stores knew how many people were out there, how many were checking in on mail order items, and how much fish nerds talk to each other, they would cater to us in an effort to get that business.  And, lucky for us, some do

Adam

How come local stores can't sell things at internet pricing?  Do the internet stores not have real "brick and morter" and a lower overhead?  Is it the shear volume that an internet store has that allows them to have lower profit margins?  Is it that internet stores have cut out the middle man distributor?  Or something completely different?  I always try to spend my money locally, but if the price difference is big...

I think Marcus is right about the club's preception among LFS owners.  I don't know about the members wanting discounts, but I've talked to many owners about WMAS and many scoff at the club (and this message board in particular... actually the whole internet - esspecially reefcentral).  One wasn't even aware that the club existed and didn't seem to care.  I think that most of the lfs owners are very knowlegable people and this place would be much better off with their participation.

just my $0.02

Well, Slaveboy (me), likes this site very much.  Jake has warned me that he will shut it off from 11-8 everyday if I don't start doing some work.

I know that the Boston aquarium club has big sponsors.  I would recommend going to their site and checking it out.  Althought I do not know what the link is anymore. 

I am getting the impression that in other cities, the aquarium clubs are liked more by the LFS than here.  I know that from speaking to LFS owners, not many stores like our club.  Most LFS owners feel that the club members want better discounts and they beat up the stores by comparing things to the internet.  I admit that I have been frustrated about being compared to internet pricing, but I am not going to sell things without making money on them.  When I am at work, I get frustrated when someone has purchased a pump from the internet and wants me to give advise on how to install it.  Our knowledge is worth something and I need to help those who are going to help me put food on my table.  I will say that I love this club.  WMAS has helped TPF get off the ground more than I can say.  We have not had any advertising besides the club and word of mouth.  Sorry for getting a little off the topic.

This board has been very useful to me.  I have seen others do things that I would not ever have thought of.  I have been able to meet people and make many friends.  Many of my friends are not into aquariums and this forum helps me find more NERDS like me.  I have learned many DYI things also on this forum as well.

This is what I think Adam wanted to hear, Thank you for posting.  How did you find out this site and the fourm.

And a real big WELCOME to you Chris Martin!