[jokethrowaway]

some hacking and warez communities around ~2005

They were solving an immediate problem (whether that was finding a movie online or a 0-day behind a paywall) so it didn't feel like wasting time and there was a constant flux of people.

I think enjoying an online community is based on a lot of personal factors: I just don't make serious friendships anymore at my age, I won't bother with an online community.

Do something useful, keep attracting new people, don't be upset when old timers don't give a crap about your efforts.