How do we get people back to the forum?

[RoundEye]

I agree. It's very difficult to have adult conversation here.

It can be difficult to get your point across at times. But I found that I have to be more creative to get my point across, have the post understood and not full of asterisk.

[David]

My experience/2cents on this issue and the state of this website

I found this site as my dial-up was slow and saw a forum where i could get help with my internet connection/computer. From there it grew. I used to post/check this site all the on the gen discussion etc. After a while and getting busier i spent more time on other sites.
The main thing i feel this site is lacking is a generic theme that people are interested in. 'Speedguide' is dated. Its revolved around making internet faster and fixing ur computer. Well most people are more then content with their broadband speed and speedguide is a drop in a water bucket when it comes to fixing ur computer. And to be quite honest the homepage on speedguide has no original content, no reason to check.
...

hope this helps you guys!

The eight hundred pound gorilla is in the room. Indeed, SG began as a tech forum for wringing the last bit out of broadband. We have been blessed with skills of some very talented members who offered a bounty of advice. While the site has defocused from its original purpose (which has become a bit antiquated), we still have a good core of participants.

I admit bruxing after mentioning SG as a site to retailers, and having them say they never heard of it.

So what are the suggestions for improvement, gentlemen? Put what this site does front and center on the homepage. Perhaps video lessons, the how and why of broadband/ network tweaking. Include a basics of home and wireless networking. Offer "contributing editor" status to the motivated members who wish to scribe a periodic tech column.

Just a few ideas off the top of my head.

david

[YARDofSTUF]

^ Eventually more of a focus on Spyware/security.

[David]

^ Eventually more of a focus on Spyware/security.

Offering education and solutions, excellent point!

Again, on the front page, linking into the forums.

[Cypher]

Now this is a solid course of action. Perhaps collaborating with a similar site such as this one:
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/

Or offering similar services.

[mountainman]

I would like to know how to uncap my modem, please.

[Cypher]

You simply twist the top off of it. Just be careful not to spill any of the bandwidth on the floor.

[Philip]

IMHO, the best way to attract people to the forums is improving the site with fresh/relevant/technical information, as David and some others already suggested.

I am trying to work on many fronts in maintaining/improving the backend software/server, adding some news, articles, FAQs, routers to the broadband hardware database, etc. but it is not easy to remain competitive without some help from the community.

We have a number of people in the IT field that, if willing, can share their expertise with Howto/Articles on Security, SOHO networking, wireless, etc. and post articles on the main site. I'd welcome any regular member willing to step up and add to the information already on the site, technical networking/security articles, reviews, FAQs, etc.

There is already a way for any registered user to contribute articles to the main site: http://www.speedguide.net/submit.php (choose User Articles, or Broadband stories, etc.). Reviews of networking hardware, howto articles, etc. would help many people, the main focus of the site has always been helping the broadband community.

If you're willing to contribute in any way to the information on the site other than posting in the forums, please feel free to email/PM me anytime and I'd be glad to set it up.

I also plan on improving the router database (info/specs on 265 routers currently) and adding the possibility for users to add to it.
http://www.speedguide.net/broadband-list.php. For now, you can always find your router and add a short review of your experience with it (there are only a handful of people currently posting to the main site at times).

Historically, many users came here for help with their broadband connection, and became regulars after receiving good information and answers. Helping people in the technical forums is another great way to improve the community.

[YeOldeStonecat]

IMO, a major factor that brings people to this site, is coming in from searches on Google...looking for help. They'll seek the solution for a problem..and Google spits out hits to this forum, and posts which have similar key words.

The amount of help has dropped, boosting the help to new visitors which come to this site seeking it can help.

I know tweaking is becoming less and less big of a deal, with Windows starting to do pretty good all by itself now (gone are the Win9X days). But they still come in for software, home networking, sometimes business networking, and hardware issues.

[Indy]

I would like to know how to uncap my modem, please.

Ask Omni...

[CableDude]

(gone are the Win9X days).

Not in my world!