We are an old-school lot around here

Not saying its bad, just saying it is

[graeme_p]

What we see might be biased by people going to different forums for certain things, but mostly WW is pretty old school. I am not saying everything applies to everyone (but I think most people will find a good chunk applies to them), and I am not saying its a bad thing (I think its a mix of good and bad) but I do think it is true.

1. We have forums for PHP and Perl, but not Python, Ruby or Go.
2. Similarly Apache but not Nginx.
3. Discussion of databases is almost entirely about RDBMSs and mostly about MySQL
4. We tend to discuss SEO and search engines much more than social media
5. We are a lot more focused on content and e-commerce sites than on web apps and mobile apps.
6. We seem not to be keen on cloud services. Yes, lots of us use VPSs and cloud storage but I see little mention of things like Heroku, or AWS Lambda, etc.

I could probably think of more if I spent time on it, but I think I made my point. What is good about the above and what is bad is a matter of opinion, its the overall picture I am thinking about.

[NickMNS]

I fully agree, as a person that programs in Python, typically using NoSQL backend, that doesn't focus too much on SEO, that builds web-apps, that run on a cloud VPS (I don't use Heroku or AWS).

I find it somewhat frustrating that when I post threads related to these topics, they tend to gather very little attention, whereas topics regarding things such as keyword density can go on for pages.

[Marshall]

Have to admit, I am a bit old school and mostly deal with PHP/ASP, MySQL or Access, and straight forward HTML and CSS, but I personally welcome new topics even though they may not really apply to me. Then again, I do not get into most of the G threads either which really seem to dominate WebmasterWorld in the past few years. Seriously, how much you can about G. But think of some of the topics you mentioned like niche websites: may not be the most popular, but they do serve a purpose. Do not stop posting, someone will benefit.

[iamlost]

I sort of resemble that (OP) remark :)
And I sort of go otherwise out of the box.

I think folks tend to go with what they know until unless they have sufficient reason to change. What met requirements on initial system architecture is often a matter of when it was designed.

My original setup way back a long time ago was Linux (Debian) + Apache + PostgreSQL + PHP.

In the almost two decades since then there have been a number of alterations leading to currently: Linux (Debian) + (custom application framework + Apache + Redis) + Postgres-XL + C++.

Of course, without content, especially content others need/want, there is no requirement for the above. Content comes first, all else is 'merely' publication, distribution, and marketing.

My, mostly out of the WebmasterWorld box, interests include UXD, personalisation, contextual content delivery, direct affiliate pre-sell and ad space sales, API ad delivery, natural language programmed site search, internationalisation, unconventional marketing, apps, analytics, machine learning in all the previous...

Sadly most webdev fora are (1) hyping all things Google, (2) chasing the latest framework/programming fad, (3) pushing 5-10 year past best use by date SEO, (4) suggesting bland unimaginative SMM...
That WebmasterWorld suffers from (1) is no surprise, that it is far less prone to the others is a major reason I hang around despite the, imo, regrettable lack of folks with similar interests to mine.

Learning is, if not constant, certainly ongoing because webdev requirements and best practices are ever evolving and those who fail to adapt in a timely manner... this thread made me think of all that I've learned in the past 20 years to get up and going and to keep up and going; quite a list actually. Just not too many matching your examples.

I do take your point and you are correct but then no forum is strong in all areas. Actually no (public?) webdev forum is where cutting, let alone bleeding, edge webdev is discussed, not least because of the subsequent deafening silence. In a WP, shared host, Google-centric, cut-n-paste bubble the interests of the majority are narrow and capabilities limited. Finally, there are far more choices/options than back when; not necessarily better but certainly greater. Too many choices too often cause paralysis. And too little time. That especially.

I made a list of all the fora I'd like to see added but when then I looked at all the under-utilized fora already extant and I deleted. Just find the best fit and publish a post, if there is a sudden (unexpected continuing) level of response/interest I'm sure a more explicit forum would be created. Not that I'm holding my breath - most mobile posts are in the Google fora not the mobile; addiction and fixation are rampant.

But I do read the 'odd' posts that show what others have and are doing. I may not respond as an area outside my knowledge or usage but that doesn't mean that I'm not interested. iamlost not narrow! I hope. I know that I still post stuff that gets none to one replies; it's daunting but, as Marshall said: do not stop posting, someone will benefit. Even if you never know.

[Brett_Tabke]

We start forums based on need or posting. I can't recall a post about Python or Nginx ever...

[phranque]

just 2 months ago in apache:
How are HTTP Headers set in nginx [webmasterworld.com]

[tangor]

Some do what works. Some push the edge. That said, I am a bit surprised that Python has been ignored. Ruby, not so much. Then again, I keep things simple.

[graeme_p]

I am not complaining or asking for new forums (I have suggested that in the community centre forum). I am just reflecting on the nature of the community.

I personally use Python ( always) and Postgres (mostly) for (web related) work. I do use Redis sometimes (e.g. for caching) and have used Solr for search. I use VPSs but not a full cloud stack. I have a personal blog using Wordpress on shared hosting but that is my only use of PHP now. I have moved to spending more time on web apps rather than sites.

Outside of web development I have been doing machine learning, numerical and financial development. Some of the "web" development is really custom apps that happen to have a web UI.

We start forums based on need or posting. I can't recall a post about Python or Nginx ever

People are far more likely to ask a Python question on a Python forum or mailing list than here, because there is no Python forum.

[engine]

People are far more likely to ask a Python question on a Python forum or mailing list than here, because there is no Python forum.

Here's the challenge: We open a forum, and people don't use it: We keep trying, so it's not just a question of opening a forum.
It takes time, and, importantly, a great deal effort, to build a forum.

old school

As you say, nothing wrong with that.

[Brett_Tabke]

Thanks phranque. We need about a dozen posts on a topic to start a new forum on it...

[graeme_p]

@engine, yes I understand about the forum, just pointing out there is a flip side to it. I can think of many reasons why a Python forum may be less viable here even though Python is now a lot more popular than Perl in the outside world.