First, I don't think we can discuss competing boards on TER.  I think that TER admin frowns upon that.  I can PM a list, but those boards are more dead than Lindsay Lohan's career.

Second, the lack of discussion can be due to a number of things:

1) Lurkers are moderated and give up trying to post after a while.
2) The old timers and regulars on the Chicago board have moved on.
3) Lack of new topics to discuss.  TER has been around for some time.  Pretty much every hobby topic has already been discussed on this board.  Rehashing old topics gets to be boring after a while.
4) Removal of the moderators.  The Chicago moderators did a very good job of sparking conversation and controlling the content of the board.  Now all you see are ISO posts and the I can't believe I got ripped off by a BP girl post.

If those other boards have more activity, it is probably due to the same people posting on tired ad theme posts.  I wouldn't call that more active IMO.  

As to how to change the cycle of lack of postings, it is hard to say.  Most of the guys like TER due to the review database.  That is the big draw of the site [although the inflated ratings and obvious score manipulation by some providers is more evident each day].  All I can suggest is to post on a hobby topic and see what happens.

Is this board always this...quiet?

Asking because I accidentally clicked on the 'Carolinas' regional board...

For a moment, until I realized my mistake, I thought, "Ooh!  This place is really picking up!"  Multiple replies to posts, etc.

Now, if I had accidentally clicked on New York, for example, that would be one thing...  But the Carolinas?  Nothing against that neck of the woods, but kind of sad that it seemed more happening than the Chicago board.  :S  

Are there any other boards you prefer to read and post to?  If so, please tell.  

I have no idea why...how do the mods decide what posts, what doesn't...
My replies seem to post, but my new threads fall by the wayside.
What I will say is that I enjoy the Chicago board and when I am plugged in, it does help me connect!
So thanks to all for a great trip.
See you in March, in Vegas!!
xoClair

It is too bad because guys used to be more interested in personality. Or maybe were forced to see personality which then sparked discussions.

BeBe you're correct about many of us looking for personality...and you know me fairly well.

I for one do look for pesonality, and do more than a cursory search to find it. Back before I was on TER that was difficult...  So I do monitor what certian folks have to say and occasionally reach out to them.
I'm sure there are both providers and johhnie boys alike who maraud these posts, laughing and/or fondling themselves while eyeing, those of who dare to post, w/ bad intent.  
And that might scare some folks, but that being said, I've met a few folks who read some of my posts, reached out, and they either agreed or disagreed, but  a good time was had in the end.

As for the discussions, I like some on the Gen discussion Boards, but there seems to be a disconnect from the local to the national gen board.

The other variable to account for the many A******* who seem to think they are the only ones whose opin counts..... and the discussion degenerates into chaos and the topic is lost.....

So i offer this scenario. A new person walks into a popular local watering hole waiting for a friend or whatever....there's an interesting conversation going on and "regular old codger" is getting bent.
the fresh face decides to politely ask to Join the conversation. and the Old F*** acerbically snaps at the newbie, and then the fun begins..... sound familiar.

For myself .....if you snap at me, and I know you.... go ahead rip me, insult me, do your best damn it, and you better be ready for the return volley, cause it ain't gonna be pretty.... lol, ..... but amongst friends thats cool!  just don't get personal...
if you don't know the the fresh face ......chill.  It's not cool to insult a stranger.

I learned at an early age that how you represent yourself in public and here on these "pubic" boards has a profound effect on how folks treat you..... remember there are marauders lurking in the shadows.....

This board started dying when two of the most prolific posters were gone. The queen retired and the moderator was let go, both of whom kept this place humming in their day.

Here's another conundrum. There's a weekly photo op for providers but the only ones taking advantage of it are the Minnesota ladies (and thank you!). Why don't our local providers start or add to photo threads? I've also noticed that many Chicago ladies don't post their weekly allotment of ads so it's not just the discussion board exhibiting a downturn, even the ad board seems to be deader than before.

I have to agree with CTP that we're bored with the same old topics. It's fun when you're a newbie but after a few years it gets old. This board is a revolving door with more going out than coming in...

That is why posting is erratic, and delayed. Too much work and not enough people to do the job. Many posts go up now that probably shouldn't, basically because of open threads on the same subject. The ad board often gets killed by hobbyists ruining providers' weekly ads using various techniques, but basically hijacking the ads. It is mostly newer guys doing it, but there are also some that have been doing it for years and were told to knock it off a long time ago. As much as the older guys try to keep the board relevant and on topic, the newer guys just don't want to listen. It's not a dead board, but it's far less valuable than it used to be. Needs more cowbell