Wow!
The Catalyst forum now has over 5,000 posts! And it seems like only last week the email came through saying that Catalyst had been released.
Here's something I've noticed about the forum lately...
The types of questions have greatly changed. The forum is seeing far less simple procedural questions about adding elements and basic settings with questions becoming more and more advanced with people really pushing the limits of what they and Catalyst can do.
This tells us four things:
A) The forum is working! It is a great resource where people can jump on and search for answers to their basic questions. There are heaps of threads now covering all sorts of information that new users want to know about. Justme in particular works tirelessly answering questions night and day. Plenty users are also stepping in to help wherever they can too which is just great.
B) Users are really getting the hang of things. People are progressing through their sites at great pace and are getting onto their second and third builds or more (I think I've got sites 8,9 and 10 on production atm). And as people are getting more experience they're really looking how to do more and more with the advanced features. The subject of posts is really showing this.
C) The other support resources are really working well. With the release and inclusion of the David's amazingly comprehensive Catalyst Cheat Sheet, people are flying through the basics now. What a fantastic resource that is for new and experienced builders and developers alike.
Likewise, the catalog of support videos or 'Screencasts' is growing in number, depth and quality. From Eric's slightly longer, slightly rambling style videos that give plenty of context and extra information to Seth's more concise, specific 'quick steps' style videos, there is now a really great collection of video material to help people get the Catalyst basics under their belt.
D) The Catalyst updates are making the job of building websites easier and easier for new users. Each and every improvement is seeing people building the sites the way they want quicker and without needing help with the basics.
Probably the most obvious thing I've noticed with the forum is that the traffic is greatly increasing. I often see 20 or more users simultaneously on-line. The on-line community for Catalyst is growing. We will hit 10,000 posts in much less time than it took to get to 5,000. From there it'll only grow and the rate of growth will increase further.
There are also LOTS more guests browsing the forum too now. Many people are checking Catalyst out and stopping by the forum to see what it has to offer. They are no doubt also looking carefully at the member showcase to see what people are doing with Catalyst. And the quality is really picking up there. Special mention to Kasey for really raising the bar with her first client site. There will be a lot of great sites added to that thread in the next few months I just know it
On that too, and although not specifically regarding the forum, I have to say the quality of Catalyst sites on the Catalyst Showcase section of the catyalysttheme page is improving all the time. There are really some impressive sites on there now and what a great endorsement that is for Catlayst.
As no more than a user of Catalyst, but someone that is very passionate about Catalyst and someone that is committed that it takes it's rightful place as the worlds most popular Premium Wordpress theme, I just want to thank everyone for all their contributions the the Forum to this point.
Plenty of questions and discussions taking place and a bunch of people stepping in to lend a hand to get people the information and skills they need to build their sites. And it's funny how we all know our own little bits. Members can give some great in-depth help in one thread while asking questions that others can help them with in another. And that makes for a great open and friendly community.
A great supportive on-line community and excellent examples of Catalyst sites are the two things that will see Catalyst really explode. And I think we as a community are really doing our bit on both those fronts.
Keep up the great work everyone!!
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Originally Posted by ben_pyman
