Breaking down local posting stats

[TheBigB]

It's interesting (or maybe not) to compare and contrast the number of posts in the local forums for the four counties that are primarily covered by the KPC papers.

Despite having the smallest population of the four, Steuben County has the largest number of posts. Noble is right behind, with Dekalb and Lagrange way behind (and Dekalb's totals are probably highly inflated by the Duane Squire tragedy).

Any theories to explain the stats? For example, maybe Lagrange's totals are low because the Amish don't do the InterWeb. Maybe Dekalb's totals are low because many people there think of themselves as a north suburb of the Fort rather than a separate entity. Maybe Dekalb and Lagrange are low because those two counties are more agricultural than the other two (though I have no way of knowing that for certain - I'm just guessing), and the farmers don't have time to do the InterWeb. Maybe it's directly correlated to employment statistics.

Yes, I have my sociologist cap on today.

[burgundystar77]

Your second paragraph makes it sound like you're broadcasting for some kind of race-hehehe; no, I'm not making fun of you, it's just kinda funny how you did it
I think it has to do with what people like on the net/web; maybe the other counties aren't so much into it...and if you'll look around Angola, there's been alot going on in the past few months. But yeah; that's a good question though...anyone else want to comment on this thread???

[james_t]

Many of our most prolific Fence Posters either come from Steuben County or have ties there, so it's probably natural that its forum would generate more traffic. I can't give you a sociological reason as to why folks from Steuben post more, but that seems to be the case.

Noble has a couple who post fairly regularly - me included, but blue adept can take most of the credit as of late - but it also got a bump from the most recent mayoral elections in Kendallville and Ligonier. Ligonier's traffic has dropped off quite a bit since the election season ended.

I can see DeKalb's traffic spiking when some of the county offices come up for re-election, particularly sheriff.

[TheBigB]

Many of our most prolific Fence Posters either come from Steuben County or have ties there, so it's probably natural that its forum would generate more traffic. I can't give you a sociological reason as to why folks from Steuben post more, but that seems to be the case.

The Steuben-Republican -> Herald-Republican had a long tradition of regular characters in the letters to the editor. I guess we like to yap in Steuben County.

[evilkumquat]

I think it's just because Steuben County is just so gosh darned better than all the rest.

[LuciusBeebe]

The Steuben-Republican -> Herald-Republican had a long tradition of regular characters in the letters to the editor.

I've certainly had my moments... though not as Lucius Beebe.

[hairypumper]

People in DeKalb County are just so much better than anyone else they don't want to waste the time educating the rest of the rabble.

[evilkumquat]

People in DeKalb County are just so much better than anyone else they don't want to waste the time educating the rest of the rabble.

Bah.

You people can't even decide whether the K is capitalized or not!

[hairypumper]

Bah.

You people can't even decide whether the K is capitalized or not!

Careful now, I know it's capitalized because I'm originally from Steuben County. I'm still here because I'm too darned lazy to move, and I don't want to give my neighbors the satisfaction.

[LuciusBeebe]

Bah.

You people can't even decide whether the K is capitalized or not!

And most of us don't know how to spell Steuben.

[armyda]

And most of us don't know how to spell Steuben.

You mean it isn't StewBen???

[james_t]

And most of us don't know how to spell Steuben.

Not as bad as trying to pronounce it. Boy, did I hear it the first time I said STOO-bin instead of Steu-BEN.

[Copycatted]

The Steuben-Republican -> Herald-Republican had a long tradition of regular characters in the letters to the editor. I guess we like to yap in Steuben County.

...here-here (or is that hear-hear) but anyway though an native of the good ole IN County even as an Resident voter of the G.W. Texas Bush years as Governor they KNOW Steuben County down under

[BridgeDoc]

According to the papers I had to file with Homeland Security I live in Stueben - that just on a side note.

Perhaps the answer to your question is simple and could be based on statistics. Consider level of education and unemployment rates:

Steuben had an annual average unemployment rate of 6% in 2007, so far it's 6.5% for 2008. As of 2000 Steuben had 15.5% of adults 25 and older with a BA or higher.
Noble's unemployment rate for 2007 was 5.4% and is 6.4% for 2008 so far. Noble County has 11.1% adults 25 and older with a BA or higher.
DeKalb had an unemployment rate of 5.5% in 2007 and is up to 6% so far for 2008. 12.4% of adults 25 and older have a BA or higher.
LaGrange's unemployment rate for 2007 was 4.9%. So far this rate went up to 5.8% for 2008. 8.9% of adults 25 and older have a BA or higher in LaGrange County.

While Steuben County has the highest rate of individuals with a higher level education, it also has the highest unemployment rate. Noble County isn't far behind that.

So, maybe - just maybe - if you give a bunch of educated people some extra spare time it results in more frequent visits to forums such as this.

[ltzheather]

I try to send the love from Noble County....but I always jump into the discussion to late....I'm more of a frequent reader, not poster...

[Miss Scarlet]

I try to send the love from Noble County....but I always jump into the discussion to late....I'm more of a frequent reader, not poster...

It's because you are too busy kicking everyone's butts in all of the arcade games!!!

[ltzheather]

It's because you are too busy kicking everyone's butts in all of the arcade games!!!

perhaps...

[Peaches]

You've heard of the 20/80 rule....Such as 20% of students create 80% of the problems.....or 20% of the church members donate 80% of the money.....perhaps it's a few posters from Steuben County that chat the most and skew the statistics?

[Miss Scarlet]

You've heard of the 20/80 rule....Such as 20% of students create 80% of the problems.....or 20% of the church members donate 80% of the money.....perhaps it's a few posters from Steuben County that chat the most and skew the statistics?

I think you have a good point

[evilkumquat]

You've heard of the 20/80 rule....Such as 20% of students create 80% of the problems.....or 20% of the church members donate 80% of the money.....perhaps it's a few posters from Steuben County that chat the most and skew the statistics?

Hmm, that sounds like a accusation that some people here blather on and on with no real meat in an artificial attempt to bump up their post counts.

All I have to say is... It's funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen.