Some explanation about the meaning of the 3 axis.
As explained in a previous post, the axis are automatically generated, as a linear combination of all the adressed variables. The attached picture shows a 2D representation of the position, in the new coordinates, of the original variables.
Three directions can be defined :
The first one, pointing to the right, is defined by the number of threads (as % of the overall contributions), and the number of attachments (as % of posts with a document attached);
The second direction is exactly opposite, and defined by the number of replies (as % of the overall contributions), the average rating, the number of URL (as % of posts with an URL attached) and the ratio ratings/replies ;
The third direction is orthogonal to the two others, pointing downward, and defined by the number of replies/day during the last month and since the inscription date, the total number of replies, and the % breaks.
The interpretation is rather straight forward :
The first direction correspond to the forum users that are mainly
consumers, since they have a high % of threads and attachments;
The second direction corresponds to the Enthusiasts whith a high % of replies.
As a matter of fact, this score is well correlated with a high average rating, a high % of URL attached, and a high ratings/replies ratio.
The third direction corresponds to the Enthusiasts activity.
Now, if you have a look at the way the points are distributed in the 3D graph, you will see that they belong essentially to two secant planes, roughtly parallel to the third axis. If you look from above, in the direction of Axis 3, you will find that the points, projected on the Axis 1 & 2 plane, are disposed along the directions that we have just discussed.
It is very easy to spot the most prominent Enthusiasts, and the most prominent consumers. Most of the List members are essentialy located within + or -1 from the graph origin (standard deviation).
Accordingly, Axis 1 gives the type of activity (questions against replies) and Axis 2 measures the intensity of the activity.
The interpretation of the third axis is more difficult, but it seems to differntiate the enthusiasts giving replies with URL attached, from those who answer with vis attached.
Not sure these explanations are cristal clear. The discussion is opened...
CC
Chilly Charly (aka CC)
