[Half Life]

I was looking at the amount of users registered to these forums and I got curious how many of them actually participate so I looked it up.

As of right now we have 72,801 Total members.

69,776 of those registered members have never posted a single thing to these forums.

Which means that there are only 3,025 "active" users -- and I use quotes for active users because many of those users do not post here anymore.

I have to wonder how different this forum might become if the silent 95% of members suddenly voiced their opinions (particularly to the Wish List forum)...

Rise up and be heard you silent majority!

BTW if you do not know how to unlock posting privileges please read here: http://www.maxwellrender.com/forum/view ... 97&t=32637

Best,
Jason.

[zdeno]

are You kidding Half Life?

this is only one forum (single) I know where actually one have to REGISTER to even READ
so first impression - hostile enviroment. looks like someone here don't want to hear too much critics

so active to passive users ratio is nothing special

second thing is lack of possibility to stick images on NL hosting serwers so after 5 years , many many worthy threads are picutre-blind because of NL avarice.

[dmeyer]

Judging by post counts I'm pretty sure everyone is just using Bubbaloo's account.

[Half Life]

are You kidding Half Life?

this is only one forum (single) I know where actually one have to REGISTER to even READ
so first impression - hostile enviroment. looks like someone here don't want to hear too much critics

so active to passive users ratio is nothing special

second thing is lack of possibility to stick images on NL hosting serwers so after 5 years , many many worthy threads are picutre-blind because of NL avarice.

I know! -- and you STILL haven't got your free upgrade either

But seriously the Wish List there for a reason and right now under 5% of the forum members are speaking for the other 95+%. I sure hope we have requested a good sampling of the types of features they really want because Next Limit cannot read minds.

Best,
Jason.

[Half Life]

Judging by post counts I'm pretty sure everyone is just using Bubbaloo's account.

This answer alot of questions...

Best,
Jason.

[zdeno]

I know! -- and you STILL haven't got your free upgrade either

Yes and Lebron have no one ring STILL

but seriously maybe there is only 3K licence holders and ALL of them are posting here, and about 50 of them can do something nice with maxwell.
rest of passive users (95%) are vray arion and mental users just curious what are we doing here and how proper GI should looks like?

[Half Life]

I guess it's possible, but if so I say we delete their accounts to torture their curiosity

I can't tell you how often I hear somebody say something like "I've owned Maxwell since the alpha days but no time to learn to use it." -- in addition I think there are alot of licensed users not even registered at all here and many of whom likely have massive skills we never even know about.

Forums aren't for everybody... but still that Wish List section looks so pitiful to me with so few posts -- Maybe everybody just loves Maxwell the way it is?

Best,
Jason.

[Hrvoje]

Only registered customers can post and everyone else can just browse - this answers a lot

Cheers

Hrvoje

[Bubbaloo]

Judging by post counts I'm pretty sure everyone is just using Bubbaloo's account.

And I have really tapered off with the posts lately... So much work to do. And training the rest of the team to use Maxwell (from mental ray).

Now a days I just skim the new posts and try to help out when I can. I wish I had more time to be as active as I used to be. I too wish this forum was more active overall, but I do agree with the "customer only" restriction. The last thing I want to do is answer questions for software pirates that don't think the hard working geniuses of Next Limit deserve any compensation.

Jason, you keep it up and you will overtake me in no time. You seem to always have plenty to say.

[David Solito]

I think it's also a question of language.
I learned much here, but english is a barrier for me because i take to much time to translate and i loose this way my spontaneity

[Half Life]

And I have really tapered off with the posts lately... So much work to do. And training the rest of the team to use Maxwell (from mental ray).

Well at least we should get some new forum regulars from the deal.

Now a days I just skim the new posts and try to help out when I can. I wish I had more time to be as active as I used to be.

Believe it or not I am just a skimmer these days too -- I try to help out but I've got a pretty full plate as well.

I too wish this forum was more active overall, but I do agree with the "customer only" restriction. The last thing I want to do is answer questions for software pirates that don't think the hard working geniuses of Next Limit deserve any compensation.

Especially considering how cheap it is to get legal these days -- the Maxwell for SketchUp plugin is only $95 and comes with the same forum posting privileges as a regular license.

Jason, you keep it up and you will overtake me in no time. You seem to always have plenty to say.

My secret is I work alone, so I don't usually talk to anybody all day -- which means that what I'm saying on here is pretty much all the human interaction I get most days.

Best,
Jason.

[Half Life]

I think it's also a question of language.
I learned much here, but english is a barrier for me because i take to much time to translate and i loose this way my spontaneity

That is a real shame David because I really feel that you have a tremendous amount to contribute as well -- but I do understand, sometimes I peruse the alternate language forums (for Maxwell) but I feel a bit out of place so I never post.

Best,
Jason.

[zdeno]

My secret is I work alone, so I don't usually talk to anybody all day -- which means that what I'm saying on here is pretty much all the human interaction I get most days.

now I fully understand where is Your nick coming from

I think it's also a question of language.
I learned much here, but english is a barrier for me because i take to much time to translate and i loose this way my spontaneity

same here ... welcome in this club

Only registered customers can post and everyone else can just browse - this answers a lot

REALLY ?? when I am not logged in anything I can browse is ANNOUNCEMENT thread with plenty of uselless Magie posts.

but maybe it is only in Poland ban ?
so Hrvoje if somebody is not registered then can still READ all threads ? in your location ?

I too wish this forum was more active overall, but I do agree with the "customer only" restriction. The last thing I want to do is answer questions for software pirates that don't think the hard working geniuses of Next Limit deserve any compensation.

keeping people out of knowledge it is NEVER good idea.
It is NL work to mind their own bussiness and fight piracy with legal instruments.
I don,t even consider if Bubbaloo have legal license. I just give him help because I like maxwell and all it's devoted users.

ergo: closed forum this days ? it is niche, enclave and turbid water
new stunning work is almost one or two A MONTH ! somebody remember beta days ? there was new pictures every minutes so there is something changed

in addition I think there are alot of licensed users not even registered at all here and many of whom likely have massive skills we never even know about.

yes, and they never publish their work anywhere

[Hrvoje]

I do remember registering here few years ago while I was checking the demo, and as far as I can remember, I could browse all forums but couldn't post.
Maybe this changed in the meanwhile. Personally, I am happy to see that forum is customers only, and Nigel and me (from C4Dcafe) thought about doing the same thing, meaning allowing only legit Cinema users on forum.
It is a shame to see when you take the effort to help someone on the forum with a model, rig, or something else to find they are running illegal copies. Not to even mention you see people thanking you for the tutorials they haven't bought - leaves a bitter taste...

Cheers

Hrvoje

[Half Life]

I agree, I like the fact that this board is only for people who like and want to use Maxwell.

I've been on plenty of forums where it's a free-for-all, and I do know how to handle myself in a fight -- but I prefer things as they are here where people are civil and generally helpful. If I want to waste my time listening to negativity there are places I can go that would trump this place even in the biggest meltdown of the distant past.

But I know there are plenty of people out there like my buddy Rob -- he lives in the same town as me and we used to have a art studio together. He owns Maxwell as well and uses it all the time, however like me he doesn't publish the renders as such. I've tried to get him to use the forum here but it's just not his thing... which is a shame because he's missing out on a great resource.

Best,
Jason.