Metafilter Stats have been updated through February 2004

March 12, 2004 2:23 PM

Metafilter Stats have been updated through February 2004. The Passion of the Christ and same-sex marriage threads broke the top 10 most commented threads, within a day of each other. Despite that, February's thread/comment activity was the lowest since August 2001, but pretty impressive considering we've only added about 40 new users in the last 12 months.
posted by waxpancake to MetaFilter-Related at 2:23 PM (52 comments total)

thanks, waxy.
posted by crunchland at 2:38 PM on March 12, 2004

Great stats.

The things we don't know about MetaFilter:
Number of members who are active.
Number of non-member regular visitors.

It seems, based on recent MetaTalk threads, that some feel that MetaFilter is going down the tubes, or, at least, it's not what it used to be.

While one person created and still has ultimate control over the future of MF, it would be nice to see (an elected?) MetaFilter board that could make some decisions along with Matt.

This is a fairly large community and would be nice to see some representation, so that when people had a complaint or a user needed to be banned, more of the community was involved in that decision.

I would like to see MF start making the transition to a broader definition of community.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 3:17 PM on March 12, 2004

i'd rather see it remain matt's baby. plastic's downhill slide began when the gang of four ...er, cult of personality ..er, volunteer editors were enlisted.
posted by keswick at 3:21 PM on March 12, 2004

But it seems you are already saying that MetaFilter is sliding downward based on yesterday's post.

I'm not familiar with plastic's history, but what I'm proposing is different than volunteer editors.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 3:27 PM on March 12, 2004

....we've only added about 40 new users in the last 12 months

I genuinely ask.......why is that? Strict rules? Apathy amongst casual browsers?
posted by SpaceCadet at 3:33 PM on March 12, 2004

It seems, based on recent MetaTalk threads, that some feel that MetaFilter is going down the tubes, or, at least, it's not what it used to be.

September 22 [,2001]
MetaFilter is now neither meta nor a filter. Discuss.
posted by jkottke to MetaFilter-related at 11:03 PM PST - 141 comments

Just sayin'.

(I'm sure there's some "MeFi is going down the tubes" threads from even earlier, but I'm not gonna go looking for them.)
posted by arto at 3:50 PM on March 12, 2004

So, strangeleftydoublethink, you want to nationalize MetaFilter?

I genuinely ask.......why is that? Strict rules? Apathy amongst casual browsers?

Might have something to do with the fact that membership is closed.
posted by timeistight at 3:50 PM on March 12, 2004

Might have something to do with the fact that membership is closed.

Except for the chosen 40. This place is more like a private school than an internet messageboard.
posted by SpaceCadet at 4:03 PM on March 12, 2004

SpaceCadet, I take issue with the characterization of MetaFilter as a "message board". It's not that, nor has it ever been that. We came here to play because MeFi was unique. It's a supposition that we can experience the best of the web, right here in our own lazy-making backyard. It's not even remotely a message board, and it damn well shouldn't be.
posted by Wulfgar! at 4:08 PM on March 12, 2004

Wulfgar! What is the difference between a message board (you make it two words) and MetaFilter? Both have threads made up of a bunch of posts. Surely it's the content that counts? Or are you saying....MetaFilter is "more than just a message board" in marketingspeak? If so, I call bullshit. It is what it is. It's the content that fills the structure that counts, and you're alluding to some special mission statement that never existed - we are living in the special zen moment, not because we decided we wanted it to be. The structure is non-judgemental, like all messageboards. We fill it up and we judge it. Like you are doing now. How is that different from another messageboard?
posted by SpaceCadet at 4:21 PM on March 12, 2004

Yay data! Hey, look at all the data! So. Much. Data.

Thanks, waxy.
posted by gleuschk at 4:30 PM on March 12, 2004

But it seems you are already saying that MetaFilter is sliding downward based on yesterday's post.

You're right; since Metafilter has already slipped, we might as well burn it to the ground. And since Bush has fucked up the country, we might as not do anything about that, either.
posted by keswick at 4:31 PM on March 12, 2004

"This is a fairly large community and would be nice to see some representation, so that when people had a complaint or a user needed to be banned, more of the community was involved in that decision."

Cool, who are we voting off the island first?

This comes up all the time, is discussed for twenty or thirty posts, them user #1 mentions (again) that it isn't a route he wants to take -- then we post silly pictures for another day until it dies a natural death.

This isn't a democracy and you don't get a vote. The only thing preventing this from degenerating into utter chaos is the simple fact that we are powerless to inflict our own agendas or personal opinions on the community at large. This is a good thing.
posted by cedar at 4:35 PM on March 12, 2004

You know, the low activity can almost undoubtedly be attributed to the fact that MeFi was down for, what, over a quarter of last month?
posted by katieinshoes at 5:27 PM on March 12, 2004

Except for the chosen 40. This place is more like a private school than an internet messageboard.


Damn, you're right. Matt, please don't open memberships--I want to be the fat, red-haried bully that provides the redemption!
posted by eastlakestandard at 6:00 PM on March 12, 2004

Are there actual, accurate, verifiable user numbers?
posted by hama7 at 6:03 PM on March 12, 2004

hama7: "Are there actual, accurate, verifiable user numbers?"

Of course there are.

More importantly, are they any of our business?

How about you send Matt your bank account information, an inventory of your top dresser drawer and a copy of your credit report -- maybe then he would be willing to provide you with a copy of the logs.

What fucking difference does it make? In terms of an individuals participation, what you see is what is you get. Would your opinions change based on user numbers? Would your posting style change if there were more (or less) of us? Would the 'best of the web' be any different?
posted by cedar at 6:19 PM on March 12, 2004

wow 9622 still leads... not sure what that says about us ;)
posted by gen at 6:33 PM on March 12, 2004

"not sure what that says about us ;)"

it says that because of some users abusing the system and turning certain threads in their private little sandbox, the site's administrator had to remove a very useful tool damaging the site, the whole community, the readers -- the 30 days limit makes it all but impossible to add new links and adjourn older threads.


"than an internet messageboard."

*starts crying, tears own hair out, rams head into brick wall*
posted by matteo at 6:40 PM on March 12, 2004

What fucking difference does it make?

Uh, to have an actual, accurate user number total?

Or not.
posted by hama7 at 7:51 PM on March 12, 2004

You'd have to step down from the question of "how many active users" to "how many users post or comment." While some people log in for the benefit of seeing a customized page with new posts since the last visit, I would guess that the vast majority of lurkers either don't bother to log in or have discovered Mefi after new memberships were closed.

To the question of "Is it any of our business" - well, no, by default it isn't. But I would think that the research benefits of the Mefi database are staggeringly valuable. Think about it - a relatively pristine, closed-ended five-year longitudinal study of a thriving online community. This kind of thing could spawn a PhD thesis. Aggregate statistics would not infringe on individual copyrights over posts and comments, nor would it violate anyone's privacy.
posted by PrinceValium at 8:37 PM on March 12, 2004

3000
posted by timeistight at 8:49 PM on March 12, 2004

It seems, based on recent MetaTalk threads, that some feel that MetaFilter is going down the tubes, or, at least, it's not what it used to be.

These things go in waves, I reckon. Metatalk always makes things seem worse than they are, because that's where we air out the dirty laundry (and where it has come to be generally accepted that we may act like idiots, although I'm still not sure how that happened).

It is what it is, for better or worse. Which is not to say that trying to make it better is a bad thing.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 8:58 PM on March 12, 2004

Thanks for the update, waxy.
posted by anathema at 9:37 PM on March 12, 2004

Wulfgar! What is the difference between a message board (you make it two words) and MetaFilter? Both have threads made up of a bunch of posts. Surely it's the content that counts?


Uhhhhmmm, I hate to play Captain Obvious here, but ... links? Precious juicy happy links? You know, the thing required to make a post ... links? It is the content that that counts. Only the content isn't the latest comment by an angst ridden forlorn fuckup, its the link of the latest FPP (shit, people don't like FPP, so I shouldn't use it, FPP, being FPP and all FPP like.) This isn't a message board, unless U Thnx must B. It's MetaFilter, and that's a little different from AIM.
posted by Wulfgar! at 9:43 PM on March 12, 2004

It's true the Wulfgar! turban is heavy, but wearing it is sobering and, in some perverse sense, right."
posted by MiguelCardoso at 9:51 PM on March 12, 2004

Is that a turban or a turbine?
posted by wendell at 9:59 PM on March 12, 2004

Ya know, Migs, I'm not really smart enough to know if I should be insulted or not, but DEEEAMMMN, that's some kinda impressive headgear.
posted by Wulfgar! at 10:06 PM on March 12, 2004

Wendell: It's actually a small-battery reanimator of MetaTalk threads, based on the latest cosmological advances; powered by the quonsar absence, with a cocktail-time facility for extra Cointreau.

Wulfgar!, dear friend: nothing I will ever say will ever be insulting to you, as I prize you as one of the reasons I love MetaFilter. Though, now that you mention it, I'm quite insulted by your supposition I could insult a valued pardner and always engaging left-wing discussant such as yourself! :)
posted by MiguelCardoso at 10:14 PM on March 12, 2004

Miguel, if humans were cats, you'd be a siamese, and I know that you know exactly what I mean ...

;-)
posted by Wulfgar! at 10:26 PM on March 12, 2004

Is that a novelty turban, or the real deal?
posted by Hildago at 10:31 PM on March 12, 2004

The real deal, Hildago - but I can get you one for 10 dollars. Email me and you'll have one by return of post. The Metafilter Server is hidden inside, as you well know. :)


Ah, I'm glad, Wulfgar! These things are good to know. We go back quite a lot here and this kind of reciprocity is sweet indeed! :)
posted by MiguelCardoso at 10:37 PM on March 12, 2004

I have nothing to add, but I dearly enjoyed the supersized turban.
posted by troutfishing at 11:30 PM on March 12, 2004

Sweet beard, too.
posted by namespan at 11:59 PM on March 12, 2004

but I can't look at that turban and not think of the giant hat scene in I'm Gonna Get You Sucka.

I won't cop the PC cops on your ass for saying "tuban", but, honestly you made it through more than the first 10 minutes of that movie? Sheeeiiiiiiiit.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:32 AM on March 13, 2004

were August 16, 2002 and April 19, 2001 both 48-hour days? why didn't anyone tell me?
posted by joedan at 5:47 AM on March 13, 2004

This place is more like a private school than an internet messageboard.

Yes, but with even more sodomy and paddling rituals.
posted by jonmc at 8:03 AM on March 13, 2004

Metafilter: Even more sodomy and paddling rituals.
posted by jpoulos at 9:00 AM on March 13, 2004

I think i'll throw my obligatory "let new people in!" thing here, especially now that paddling rituals have been mentioned (and sodomy, of course!)
posted by amberglow at 9:29 AM on March 13, 2004

Yes! Yes! YES!
posted by gleuschk at 9:56 AM on March 13, 2004

:::looks at the new user chart, cries:::
posted by rushmc at 10:13 AM on March 13, 2004

joedan: Good catch. Must be an obscure bug.
posted by waxpancake at 11:03 AM on March 13, 2004

And after the spanking, the oral sex!
posted by namespan at 11:50 AM on March 13, 2004

Bad news, Migs, they're following McDonalds' lead and phasing out the Super Size Turban in favor of McFezes...
Never gonna do it without the fez on... Oh, no...

And in my experience, the spanking was usually after the oral sex, but only if I did it wrong...

The difference between a message board and MetaFilter? MeFi doesn't have all those little holes from the thumbtacks.

But I digress...
posted by wendell at 12:37 PM on March 13, 2004

Ah... thread 27341... I remember it like it was only yesterday...
posted by jpburns at 1:04 PM on March 13, 2004

God, I fear for that guy's neck.

And yes, I seems likely that the reason for decreased activity in February was due to MeFi technical difficulties. I'm sure we could have had three or four good poo-flinging threads in the five days or so the server was down; instead, all we had were junkies forlornly staring at their screens, hitting F5 every 30 seconds or so.

Not me, though. I didn't try to see if the server had come back up more than every two minutes, max.
posted by deadcowdan at 5:18 PM on March 13, 2004

I'm wearing my big turban...and nothing else..right now!

Metafilter: For those who dare to wear Big Turbans.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 10:45 PM on March 13, 2004

Consider carefully which is truly of extraordinary dimension: the turban, or the man? Might not the man be very small, even tiny, and his turban of unremarkable measure? If so, have we not, in a moment of brash presumption, miscast both man and turban into our own ill-fitting preconceptions, and by doing so entirely misapprehended the real anomaly?

Once again, and sadly, the drunken cowboys of Assumption Gap appear to be riding herd on the wild buffalo of cognition(1).

1. freebird, et al - Parodies of the Inexpressible; a Conversation with Phantoms - MetaTalk: Volume 457: Haughey and Schuster: July, 2014
posted by Opus Dark at 11:02 PM on March 13, 2004

"Oh, that bastardo Opus Dark he breaksa me up, he duzza..."
posted by MiguelCardoso at 11:42 PM on March 13, 2004

Shouldn't the pope be speaking with a Polish accent?

...and we're getting a little free with the inline images, aren't we there, Migs? This ain't the monkey house, after all.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:08 AM on March 14, 2004

I just want to know when the photoshop contests are starting.
posted by fvw at 1:24 AM on March 14, 2004

junkies forlornly staring at their screens, hitting F5 every 30 seconds or so.
There is no way any real MeFi junkie could wait that long for a refresh. Actually, if you place your coffee cup just right, you can wedge the F5 key down because, once the withdrawal really kicks in, the shaking hands make it hard to find the right key.

also, what stavrosthewonderchicken said applied to more than just Miguel. Remember, if you abuse it, you will lose it
posted by dg at 3:51 PM on March 14, 2004