They have far more in common than in differences. The original post identified the difference as “not for requesting new integrations”.
“I really want this new integration to be implemented, so I can use my devices. Is this the right place for it?”
No, this event is not for requesting new device or services integrations. Please use the “Feature Requests” forum category instead.
The key question remains, what attracted developers to address so many WTH issues in such a short time when, in comparison, Feature Requests collect dust?
My theory is that its success was due to officially promoting it as a place where one could vent one’s peeves for a limited time. In a way, https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueOffMyChest/ for Home Assistant.
This is in contrast to Feature Requests which gets no promotion (certainly nothing like what WTH did), is not framed as a place to complain, and its availability has no time limit.
Perhaps Feature Requests could benefit from some heightened marketing. Maybe a biannual, or even quarterly, promotion that calls developers to ‘cull the herd’ in Feature Requests. Whatever the ‘bump’ in fulfilled requests, would be worth the small promotional effort.