Traffic on the GradCafe post-4/15?

[CSC]

Do you think there will be a major slum in the traffic on this site with application season winding down? I would love to see a graph of the data over the course of a year.

[bgk]

It's a sad picture, you don't want to see it. I'll make a plot later and attach it.

That said, as the forum gets more and more users, I'm hoping some of you guys will stick around after getting in (as time permits) and eventually there'll be a critical mass of users.

[neuropsych76]

It's a sad picture, you don't want to see it. I'll make a plot later and attach it.

That said, as the forum gets more and more users, I'm hoping some of you guys will stick around after getting in (as time permits) and eventually there'll be a critical mass of users.

I'd be curious to see this graph.

I'll probably stick around when I'm in grad school (but under a super secret new user name ) This forum was SO incredibly helpful for me during the grad school app process, I'd like to reciprocate a bit.

[CSC]

While I see it dropping off sharply around now, I would also imagine that its only a few months till it starts to slowly build back up to the crescendo. Im sure that more users will stick around each year as the site becomes increasingly well known.

[UnlikelyGrad]

While I see it dropping off sharply around now, I would also imagine that its only a few months till it starts to slowly build back up to the crescendo. Im sure that more users will stick around each year as the site becomes increasingly well known.

I've been here through three application seasons and have found that it does drop off sharply over the summer. Most of my blog visitors come from this place, so traffic there seems to parallel that here. I do have a graph over there that you may find instructive.

http://unlikelygrad.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/trends/

[singlecell]

I'll probably stick around when I'm in grad school (but under a super secret new user name )

I like this super secret new nickname idea!!

I plan to stick around, I have been decided for quite a while now and I still like this forum a lot.

[UnlikelyGrad]

I like this super secret new nickname idea!!

I plan to stick around, I have been decided for quite a while now and I still like this forum a lot.

YAY!!

It's amazing how few people stick around here after they start grad school. Thanks for joining the few & proud!

[Strangefox]

YAY!!

It's amazing how few people stick around here after they start grad school. Thanks for joining the few & proud!

I am going to stay too! I think this forum is supergreat!! But I probably won't change my nickname, I really like my current one

[hello! :)]

I am going to stay too! I think this forum is supergreat!! But I probably won't change my nickname, I really like my current one

And please never change your avatar! -__- That fox is so strange.

Edited April 16, 2011 by hello! :)

[newms]

I've been on here for the last 2 application cycles and plan on sticking around (time permitting) when I start grad school.

[Strangefox]

[quote name=hello! ' timestamp='1302977799' post='245898]

And please never change your avatar! -__- That fox is so strange.

[Bumblebee]

I joined TGC last application season and this season I've been around, mostly reading, although I've posted a few times. I'm planning on being here for next application season in case I can share a little bit of my "wisdom".

[rising_star]

This is my fifth application cycle on here. I do hope some of you stick around and even consider volunteering to be a moderator on the forum in the future.

[Strangefox]

This is my fifth application cycle on here. I do hope some of you stick around and even consider volunteering to be a moderator on the forum in the future.

And what are moderators' responsibilities?

[UnlikelyGrad]

And what are moderators' responsibilities?

Lately it seems that most of what we do is get rid of spam posts. Some are in Russian, some are in English; some hawk porn, others are trying to sell pharmaceuticals or handbags. I have been amazed at the ingenuity of some of the spammers.

Every once in a while we actually have to tell people to cool it because they're going over the top. But that only happens once every couple of months or so. (By contrast, we usually get several spam posts per day.)

[Strangefox]

Lately it seems that most of what we do is get rid of spam posts. Some are in Russian, some are in English; some hawk porn, others are trying to sell pharmaceuticals or handbags. I have been amazed at the ingenuity of some of the spammers.

Every once in a while we actually have to tell people to cool it because they're going over the top. But that only happens once every couple of months or so. (By contrast, we usually get several spam posts per day.)

So you probably have to go through a lot of posts every day? I mean, looking for people who are going over the top. Are forums separated in several sections so that each moderator has a section to work with?

[IRdreams]

I'm in my second year in a grad program and have stuck around since my application season. TGC is not just good for getting in. The Bank has been invaluable as well as Officially Grads. However, these are likely somewhat seasonal as well. I wonder if there are any additional ways to make this site the logical place for current grads to turn to? When choosing my committee was a pain, I probably should have come here for example...

[UnlikelyGrad]

So you probably have to go through a lot of posts every day? I mean, looking for people who are going over the top. Are forums separated in several sections so that each moderator has a section to work with?

Actually, we mostly rely on user reports. I do look at all the topic titles at least once a day, scanning for obvious spammers, but other than I mostly act on stuff that gets reported.

[farnsworth]

What would one need to do if they were interested in volunteering as a moderator? Just an open post saying "I want to be a mod" or should a pm be sent?

[rising_star]

I'm in my second year in a grad program and have stuck around since my application season. TGC is not just good for getting in. The Bank has been invaluable as well as Officially Grads. However, these are likely somewhat seasonal as well. I wonder if there are any additional ways to make this site the logical place for current grads to turn to? When choosing my committee was a pain, I probably should have come here for example...

We have had a few conversations in the past about how to beef up "Officially Grads." I'd like to see it have multiple subforums, just likes "Applications" has currently. Perhaps sections relating to quals/comps/prelims, committee/advisor issues, writing issues, adapting to grad life, etc. But, to make subforums, we have to have a substantial volume of posts in each area (and, as mods, be willing to deal with the backlash that has accompanied every reorganization we've done). The key to beefing up the sections for existing students really do lie in having continued participation from many of the people that are around on the site right now and will be starting (or continuing at) programs in the fall.

What would one need to do if they were interested in volunteering as a moderator? Just an open post saying "I want to be a mod" or should a pm be sent?

Send a PM to one of the administrators (either myself or bgk) and we'll take it from there. To be honest, we'll probably post an open call for more moderators once application season dies down a bit more.

[MoJingly]

I'm sticking around! (especially after I close on this house )

[captiv8ed]

This is my second application season. I read the forum almost every day but have been really busy with school and so have avoided even signing in to force myself to keep my participation to a minimum. Now that I am almost done with my first year (yay!) I think I will start hanging out a little more interactively. I have found this board to be great, both as an applicant and as a grad student.

[fuzzylogician]

This is my third application season on TGC. I find that I'm busier all the time and although I try to keep track of what's going on, I don't have as much time to post as I did in the past. Occasionally, however, I do take some breaks and then I'm back to posting as usual. I do hope that the Officially Grads forum could expand and be a real venue for those of us who been here longer to interact. I still always use another username for serious personal questions (otherwise I'm too recognizable) but in general I enjoy having the same username as I did as an applicant and I wish more parts of the forum were relevant to me.

[farnsworth]

I plan to stick around. It is nice to be able to talk to other grad students and get opinions.

[Bukharan]

I think I am sticking around. I am way too addicted.