I have been lurking regularly and I just want to thank everyone here for the information I have gleaned from the forum. You folks are a wealth of knowledge.
I lurk for much the same reasons above, most of the time I don't have anything new to add. You can now file this post under the most ironic section.
Also, I seem to have an unique ability to kill a thread. It seems that over half my posts end up being the last post in a thread. Go ahead, check out my posts. It seems completely involuntary, so I can't force a thread to end, it just happens. Maybe its just an undeveloped super hero ability.
I love it! I too, have no ability to keep a thread alive. Other threads that I have started that I thought would live awhile died immediately.
On the other hand, a brief question that I thought would garner no interest has lived on for weeks.
Registered: 02/22/06
Posts: 117
Loc: Central Arkansas
Strangely enough, the thread about not posting and sarcastically encouraging people not to post in its name has been the thread of mine that has been most successful. Most others have garnered a few 10 responses and quickly been left for more interesting topics. Strange how that works. :-)
I've pretty much been a lurker for several years. I really like the forum but like others, feel that there are many with much more experience who can make more useful contributions. I chirp in occasionally if I have a question or have actual experience regarding the topic under discussion and don't think I'll just be repeating what has already been said. I've seen many threads on many boards go on forever with people chiming in with the same thing. Makes it tough to get to the content sometimes. Finally I'm not here all the time. I have other interests and at different times they are stronger in one area than another so I sort of come and go. Great site with great people though and I really enjoy my time spent here.
Registered: 05/10/04
Posts: 493
Loc: Lynchburg, VA
According to your definition I am apparently a lurker as well as probably 99% of the people on this site (by your definition anyone who has been here at least one year would have to have 1825 posts...there are only a handful of people over 1000 posts that I know of). Sorry to get analytical...it's just in my nature.
SIDE NOTE ADDED 2/15/08: I screwed the math all up as totempole points out in a post below, it should have been 260 per year. Not only am I analytical, but I also can't stand making errors so I just had to make things right.
Anyway, I probably post on average maybe 10 times a month. Why so few you ask. Well, I actually read posts on here everyday day during my lunch break, but I only like to reply to things in which I have direct experience. I also don't initiate many posts cause most of my questions have already been answered, and a quick search of the archives gets me what I need. A few other reasons I don't post much include: -the same question being asked over and over -I rarely like to retort with a quip on things as it doesn't really add much value -I really don't spend that much time on here (15 minutes a day 5 days a week)
I also like to remain non-confrontational in the forums. As with everyone else I have strong opinions on God, guns, and a bunch of other stuff, but I don't see any value to voicing my opinion on those things in a forum. Those are the types of things I like to discuss in a more personal environment with people face-to-face.
I say all that just to let everyone know my philosophy on posting. Nonetheless, I do love being a part of this community. This is pretty much the only backpacking board I read (other than BPL) because it is a great place to hang out.
According to your definition I am apparently a lurker as well as probably 99% of the people on this site (by your definition anyone who has been here at least one year would have to have 1825 posts...there are only a handful of people over 1000 posts that I know of). Sorry to get analytical...it's just in my nature.
And I too am analytical in nature.....and nit-picking here <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I don't know how to do the fancy things like quote two people in one response, so here is bostonmtnman's post as of his edit of Jan 31 2008 06:02 PM: "IF YOU POST MORE THAN 5 TIMES A WEEK, PLEASE ENJOY READING BUT DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS POST."
Looks like you did your math with 5 posts/day, rather than the definition of 5 posts/week (1825 vs. 260 posts, respectively). Either way, you are right in that you fit bostonmtnman's definition of a lurker, posting no more than 5x/week.
Registered: 02/22/06
Posts: 117
Loc: Central Arkansas
I don't mind those that pick nits one bit. In fact, I have to admit that I did no calculations before putting forth a quantifiable definition for "lurker." Now that the actual numbers have come to light, it seems that a lower ratio of posts per period of time would be appropriate. Regardless, thanks for the insight into the reasons you post. :-)
Registered: 05/10/04
Posts: 493
Loc: Lynchburg, VA
You're right, I did hose the math all up. That's pretty pathetic considering I am an engineer by trade, and did insane amounts of math in college. Ahh, but that was over 10 years ago and my brain has erased much of that unused information. I always find it funny that what one learns in college one does not actually use much of in the real world.
Berserker you can say that again! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I think you'd be good trail company and not lacking in campfire conversation myself.
I did note that this thread has 850+ views <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!
But what you do add is your own perspective on a topic Tom. It's not necessarrily all about the gear, well, ok, some folks think it is <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!
Also, I seem to have an unique ability to kill a thread. It seems that over half my posts end up being the last post in a thread. Go ahead, check out my posts. It seems completely involuntary, so I can't force a thread to end, it just happens. Maybe its just an undeveloped super hero ability.
I know a few threads on other boards I'd love to see killed, so please use your superpowers for the good of mankind! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I've been a member since March, 2005 and I just posted over 100 messages! Yahoo! But interestingly enough, it feels like I post all the time! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I guess everyone has a different sense for what constitutes frequent posting! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Carol
Registered: 12/23/07
Posts: 255
Loc: Expat from New Orleans, now in...
I have to admit, I lurked... for 5 minutes. I read just one of Carol's posts and just couldn't stay away. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> or was it Phat's post? Hmmm...
Uh oh! I just realized I've been reading the posts on this lurker's topic for a month and had not posted. Guess I'm a lurker by default and didn't even realize it! What is this post all about anyway? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> BrumLurker
See now we know all you lurkers have great senses of humor, and are just mocking us posters all the time silently behind your screens <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!
Registered: 02/22/06
Posts: 117
Loc: Central Arkansas
Really, I think that's one thing difficult about being a lurker, Earthling.
People that post with a high frequency often times develop a forum personality of sorts where you can see some idiosyncrasies come through in their body of posts. I sort of feel like I know some of the more prominent forum members on a personal level just having read many of their posts. I sometimes wish I posted more so that people feel that they "know" me through my posts. I think that's pretty cool.
All that was actually to say that, since some of us lurkers may feel like we know you a little, maybe we do mock you behind our screens. I guess you'll never know. *shrug* <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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