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I've build a succesfull site for a small community of non-tech people, although it's not a XOOPS one but E-xoops (fork of XOOPS 1).
What I did was rebuild guestbook to coffeecorner where everyone could post nonsens. They were enthousiastic about that, resulting in 3500 posts in one year by only 30 members!
Also I have a picture gallery allowing to send e-cards. That's how I attracted people to the newly made site, sending them e-cards. The old site they were using was a static html site and seeing what features the new site has made them come back.
Also it's wise to use blocks on your site with information about what's on the rest of your site, new links, new pictures, latest post in the coffeecorner. That way when people browse their e-card they might get encouraged to browse the rest of the site and when they get triggered they might even post a message. If they do, you should reply on that, that way they will come back again and talk to others about it...
Once you posted new news, pictures or made new features you could send your members an email every week with links to new stuff on the site.
Hope these tips will help you.... sccs!
Be smart, stay smart. Stay one step ahead...