Before I joined in on this forum, I have been looking for European (e.g. Dutch) forums on the subject of piano playing. But the few of them that were still alive, attracted only very few people and were actually kinda sleeping as well.

Does anyone know why the PW forum seems to be almost the only popular forum on this topic? Is it typical American to discuss such a thing as playing the piano? Might Europeans mainly practice music instead of talking about it?

I really wonder what the secret of this forum is, and why it is the only "hyperactive" one (I can hardly keep up with all the new posts for one day!). Did anyone else notice this quite exclusive status of the PW forum?

There's no magic formula. Most forum members are lurkers and won't post. But, there are always a few regulars who can't wait to offer up their views and opinions. These are the people you want on your forum because eventually, they'll get the lurkers to join in.

Starting a forum is easy. Getting members to participate can be difficult which is why some suggest creating your own sock puppets (false members) to generate topics and conversation.

I think that part of the reason is that in Europe (at least in Italy) the cost of being on line is higher than it is in the US and Canada. Fewer people have computers in their homes, and Italians, in general, don't participate in forums, the culture for doing so hasn't developed yet.
I know I'm making pretty broad statements, but that's my take based on my experience and knowledge.

I've found some Italian piano forums, but they're pretty flat and not much happens. They are no where near as useful as this place!!

I don't think this is necessarily an "American" piano forum. Yeah it is in English, but there are people from all over the world on here. Even lots of Dutch people. A lot of people know English, so that makes it easier for lots of people to be able to communicate.