My reasons for participating here has changed over the years to many of your options here bases on my different stages in domaining.
When i joined over 10 years ago, my reason for joining was to learn how to make money with domain names.
Then shortly after that, my main reason for participating was to buy and sell domain names. I remember having threads w/100+ domains being auctioned at the same time and sometimes id have prob 20 names getting bid on. It was hell to update but quite fun too considering the money i was making from those auction threads. I often think i want to try that again here. Too busy now though. Maybe sometime when work slows down a bit for me.
I think around that time, i used this place as a bit of my social network. I hate Facebook and only recently have done twitter a bit. So i did use this as my social network for a time.
Now that I've had some success at selling my domains in many different ways and have a portfolio that i'm pretty comfortable with even though i tweak it a little bit probably every 6 months i participate here a little less. Still view often just don't write as much as i used to.
So now i participate mainly to keep up on Industry News. I also like helping people whenever i see someone struggling and they seem like they genuinely need a hand and i know i can help. Although weird story, recently helped someone and didnt even get a response, thanks, like whatever. Kindof makes me not want to participate since of course it doesnt translate into money for me at all which is not a big deal but w not an ounce of gratitude it puts me off from helping more and more.
Also, too much drama lately. Too many liars, Lot of new people shouting about their latest and greatest dot wtf sales with no sales data and its really surprising to me how cocky some are. I do believe that most members here see thru their BS though.
We all love good sales stories whatever youre selling. I love dot com of course but really love dot tv and enjoy a couple crazy niches. When i post about any i always provide sales data which i believe is critical to whatever you are investing in.
I look at some threads lately and see lots of talk about bullying, but i dont see the bullying. If someone says you're full of $hit, and it should be said alot more imho, just show your proof, back it up and that will shut everyone up. No BS.
Simple.
I still always donate to NP because it has helped me tremendously and i seriously doubt i would be doing as well as i am now if not for all my time here, so i see this Forum as the most important place available for anyone that has any interest in domaining.
I voted for "Keep up with Industry News"