The 10:1 ratio

Kevy Baby · 12-03-2005, 05:58 PM

There is a small trend I have noticed. And it seems to hold true on most boards (and admittedly, the only boards that I have regular experience with are for the most part Disney related: MP, MA, the old Fab, and here).

Most threads tend to have a views to posts ratio of about 10:1. Some examples of the moment (the first four threads listed in the Lounge at the time of this post):

Riding crop costumes go bye bye: 209 posts, 2,002 views
Disney admits liability in wrongful death lawsuit: 8 posts, 75 views
Planning for Disneyland in January: 37 posts, 385 views
Hidden Elvis' @ Disneyland: 13 posts, 145 views

It is obviously far from an absolute truism (a simple look would easily disprove my theory). However, there is a curious propensity in that direction.

Completely useless bit of information, just an observation that I have often been amused by.

lashbear · 12-03-2005, 06:09 PM

I myself made sure to view this thread 9 times before I posted.

wendybeth · 12-03-2005, 06:10 PM

I'm gonna have to run a Snopes on this.

MickeyLumbo · 12-03-2005, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lashbear

I myself made sure to view this thread 9 times before I posted.

damn, it sure is good to have your clever posts here again.

(now i shall read my own post several times before moving on)

Alex · 12-03-2005, 10:14 PM

It makes sense. The 80/20 rules (in general form) pops up in a lot of places. For example, it was a handy ruleof thumb back in my academic research days that 20% of academic papers accounted for 80% of academic cites.

Similarly, in looking at the various useage statistics over the years for message boards, I think it has roughly followed that about 5% of active users account for about 85% of all posts. Similarly is is very close to accuratethat about 20% of the people who post on MousePadin a given day account for more than 80% of all the posts that day. Since all the people not posting are presumably still reading, the 10:1 ratio you generally see isn't surprising to me.

I'd have thought it might be a little lower on LoT since it is a smaller board more socially connected.

tracilicious · 12-03-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

I'd have thought it might be a little lower on LoT since it is a smaller board more socially connected.

I often view threads that I post to more than once. So I post once, then view the thread as others post to it, but I may not post again. So maybe I post once, but view it nine more times.

Cadaverous Pallor · 12-05-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracilicious

I often view threads that I post to more than once. So I post once, then view the thread as others post to it, but I may not post again. So maybe I post once, but view it nine more times.

I think this accounts for more viewings than we'd think. There are some threads that I love checking and barely post in.

Kevy Baby · 12-04-2005, 01:22 PM

I always make a point to view threads to see if anybody is saying anything bad about me. It's my insecurity.

wendybeth · 12-04-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

I always make a point to view threads to see if anybody is saying anything bad about me. It's my insecurity.

More like wishful thinking.

Admit the truth- you're just worried we're dissing Joyce!

CoasterMatt · 12-04-2005, 01:23 PM

I always check to see if anybody's posting anything bad about KevyBaby, saves me the time from posting it myself

12-03-2005, 05:58 PM	#1
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	The 10:1 ratio There is a small trend I have noticed. And it seems to hold true on most boards (and admittedly, the only boards that I have regular experience with are for the most part Disney related: MP, MA, the old Fab, and here). Most threads tend to have a views to posts ratio of about 10:1. Some examples of the moment (the first four threads listed in the Lounge at the time of this post): Riding crop costumes go bye bye: 209 posts, 2,002 views Disney admits liability in wrongful death lawsuit: 8 posts, 75 views Planning for Disneyland in January: 37 posts, 385 views Hidden Elvis' @ Disneyland: 13 posts, 145 views It is obviously far from an absolute truism (a simple look would easily disprove my theory). However, there is a curious propensity in that direction. Completely useless bit of information, just an observation that I have often been amused by. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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12-03-2005, 06:09 PM	#2
lashbear SwishBuckling Bear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In Isolation :) Posts: 6,597	I myself made sure to view this thread 9 times before I posted. __________________ *I Heart* my Husband - I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in isolation with.**
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12-03-2005, 06:10 PM	#3
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I'm gonna have to run a Snopes on this. __________________
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12-03-2005, 10:14 PM	#5
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	It makes sense. The 80/20 rules (in general form) pops up in a lot of places. For example, it was a handy ruleof thumb back in my academic research days that 20% of academic papers accounted for 80% of academic cites. Similarly, in looking at the various useage statistics over the years for message boards, I think it has roughly followed that about 5% of active users account for about 85% of all posts. Similarly is is very close to accuratethat about 20% of the people who post on MousePadin a given day account for more than 80% of all the posts that day. Since all the people not posting are presumably still reading, the 10:1 ratio you generally see isn't surprising to me. I'd have thought it might be a little lower on LoT since it is a smaller board more socially connected.
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12-04-2005, 01:22 PM	#8
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	I always make a point to view threads to see if anybody is saying anything bad about me. It's my insecurity. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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12-04-2005, 01:23 PM	#10
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	I always check to see if anybody's posting anything bad about KevyBaby, saves me the time from posting it myself __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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