There is always down times on forums, and this is no exception. You might even expect that more as we go through the holidays, and online fish selling becomes less during the Winter.
I don't think other social media is taking that much away from the forum style of communication because a lot of people are bored with FB too. When I joined SWF AOL was the world's #1 social media. Now where did AOL go, and guess who is still around....
However, I think the traffic of a forum depends a great deal on the quality and energy of its community. Making that work to the benefit of the forum will take sometimes answering the same old boring questions that we have seen millions of times. It will take being kind and forgiving to newbies who may seem clueless to some, but who still need our help, or at least, their tanks need it. It will take us being a bit tolerant of each other and our difference in personalities and communication styles. If we were all the same, this place would really be a big bore.
I would suggest that all of those with a bit of experience commit to answering at least 3-4 questions posted daily, and, if you can't do that, then at least do it a few times a week. And, if you can't do that, then don't post bitching sessions in here. LOL Increases in activity comes when "the community" is a great place to be, not on how many contests we have, or gimmicks we can come up with. A great forum is a reflection on how much each of us put in to it. We are "the forum" and SWF just provides the template and financial backing for us to be here. The quality of this place falls on all of us.
I think beefing up good information for SWF guests is a good idea. As I've said, many guests are here every day and come just looking for information needed to start the hobby, identify or cure a disease, etc., etc. I still feel pretty cool after all these years here when I get a PM from a new member who tells me that they have been reading my info posts, got a lot out of it, and ask me if I would mind just helping them out a bit more. Heck no, I don't mind, bring on the ich question one more time! 
Now, we have bantered and cut down the chat room question. But, maybe that is something that we can try out, if it is even possible to have that within the forum template. Maybe just a chat 1-2 times a week to start with where specific topics in mind to discuss is announced in advance? Maybe one chat once a week with a topic announced ahead of time, and one chat once week for anything anyone wants to bring up. I would especially go for this if the chat was open to guests as well.
What do you all think of that? I can ask admin if that is even fessible, depending on your feedback. Answer here, or shoot me a PM.
