Yeah, Branded folk, when you really think about it this is THEE place to be if you want to congregate with like-minded folk. By no means am I saying that you shouldn't go and check out other forums; I occasionally look at 'em to see what interesting things folks may be saying. Most have a handful of members that suffer from a lower participation rate than was cited about The Hideout, and harbor a great deal of animosity toward one individual regarding the perceived demise of the beloved old forum. Of course we all know that the old forum was actually supercharged into the real community that we find ourselves in at this very moment! Old style forums don't work anymore. Oh, I know there are a handful of folk reading this that will say "forums were good enough for my dad, and they're good enough for me!" But, they aren't; especially if you have administered a self-hosted forum. SPAM up the arse!! Spambots from countries you've never heard of bombarding your forum everyday... even if you have it set to "must be approved by administrator", they still sign-up, and you have to delete them. But, I digress.
The Internet model is now Social Networks like this; and they are where it's at! Just ask Facebook - the largest growing internet site in the world; over 150 Million users. Why do Social Networks work? Not only can I come to The Hideout and see practically everything I need: discussions, videos, new music, show dates (well... don't need those; I'm a curmudgeon), release dates, podcasts, etc., but I don't even have to come here to get it; it comes to me by way of RSS Feeds!! I see every general forum topic and blog post right from the comfort of my Google Reader. It comes to me to read at my leisure, just as the podcasts that I subscribe to come to me only to be consumed when I want to! BRILLIANT!!
Anyway, I've gone too long. I hate to type; thus my lack in participation. I'll finish without completing my thought. Maybe that'll give me something else to post about. So I'll finish with a suggestion:
Go to all the forums you can find and tell them to get hip and go to where the real action is...
The Hideout, baby!