> The article linked to below is long but absolutely fascinating and of relevance to the community here. It's interesting because the basic premise is that online social groups are their own worst enemy, and yet it winds up effectively explaining why the community here at RinkWorks works.

You're right, Sam, it's long. I just skimmed a few paragraphs, but with my slow reading rate and this close to suppertime, I don't think I'm ready to read it all.

However, I have noticed how well RinkWorks works.
One reason might be the general nature of the discussions. You rule out a few things like profanity, but it's more or less a forum about anything.

I also post on a motor scooter forum where the main topic is of course motor scooters. We get along very well and there is a lot of information exchanged. Sometimes we joke and pull little tricks on each other. Tall tales are common and there are a few disagreements. We tend to bicker about keeping vintage scooters as near to original as possible, vs souping them up and customizing them. Or. . . should you replace old tires even if you don't plan to ride very fast.
When people disagree about something they are passionate about, they sometime get mad, so we have had members insult each other and leave in a huff.

This kind of behavior is rare on Rinkworks. Most of the posts are light hearted and/or downright funny. Posters on RinkWorks tend to be intellectuals whereas the ones on the scooter forum lean toward mechanical things. Both groups seem to attract mostly smart people. But overall, RinkWorks works much more smoothly.

The fact that RinkWorks is a much younger group doesn't seem to make much difference, unless it's just that young people seem to know when someone is just kidding.

I started posting on RinkWorks in an earlier century. I like it because I like to write, and I get good feedback. Posting on a forum is a good way to hone your writing skills. I like to credit my scooter hobby with making my retirement years such happy ones, but RinkWorks deserves a good portion of the credit. I also find it a useful place to share travel stories. Travel is my other passion.

And this forum is a great source of information. If I can't find an answer, I just ask on RinkWorks and good answers come back to me.

RinkWorks works for me.
Howard