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Why do lurkers lurk?

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  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 8:17 AM

mbinsewi

 

 
BigDaddy
So why not post more?  Have you been met with unkind responses?   Are there just too many guru's here?  Like my other forums, are you just not here very much?  Are most of the threads of no interest to your?

 

THIS is my time of the year to be here, that's why I post as I do.  So, the rest of the year, I check in from time to time, and lurk.

Same way with live RR like Railstream and VRF.  I bet you lurk alot on the VRF. What I like is the local connection with the Waupace cam.  It's at MP 221. and I'm near MP 84.,  Trains take about 8 hrs. from me to cam.

I do this on a desk top computer, in my 2nd floor "office", so it's not a phone thing, like I'm on the streets, and when I am trackside, I have my camera, and scanner, and post later.

So, I do some lurking, as I did here for quite a while, off and on , since 2005?  I think my avatar says I joined in 2010. that's when I got serious about building my layout, and got it done in 3 years, ( well, not 110%, detailing to do) and have stayed since.

So, that's my story, and I'm stickin" to it.

Mike.

 

So I don't know if you meant to refer to the "collective" "you", but I don't even know what VRF is, let alone lurk there?

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    October 2010
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Posted by Billwiz on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 7:44 AM

It might be the same as in any group setting.  As both a pastor and a college professor, I've had people chime in no matter what, some sharing great insights, some sharing whatever they believe (no matter if it is correct or not), some sharing sparingly and some who are more comfortable taking it in and not willing to speak up.  In those cases it might be lack of knowledge, or even lack of percieved knowledge (like "they know far more than me so I'll keep quiet").  And every so often they are the ones who bring in an outstanding point to ponder.

 

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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 5:51 AM

SeeYou190

I am a member of a photography forum where I lurk. The people there are so much more knowledgeable than I am, and I don't even know enough (compared to them) to know what to ask.

They are so much better than I am, and I am actually a bit intimidated by the group's abilities.

My camera rig is a joke compared to the gear they use.

However, I do learn a lot there.

 

-Kevin

 

 

An interesting reply, Kevin.  

Your answer could also apply to the lurker.

They possibly think we know it all  and are in a way frightened to contribute thinking they will show themselves up.  When in actual fact they do have excellent ideas  (and we need to know them because we do not know it all.).

 

The trains they run are 'what children would run'  and not the latest model/kit etc.?   so they think.  

We have all been there  (and some say they are still there).  What we have learned and are still learning has been over a number of years.

 

They may say there layout (if they have one)  isn't good and not worth showing.

Why not show it anyway.  Many a good layout is not seen (and should).

 

So if you are a lurker, lurk no more.

Contribute to discussions.

Show your layout    .   We need your ideas  and suggestions.

Welcome on board.

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: MD
  • 143 posts
Posted by freeway3 on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 5:42 AM

CGW103
I am not gonna jump into that mess.

This ^. Threads on this forum very often devolve into a dumpster fire. I think that's just the nature of online forums in general. I don't think this forum is any better or worse than most.

That said, I have been guilty of being lured off track in at least one thread myself recently (the hockey puck thing, and coincidentally, it was a thread started by Big Daddy). I still feel bad about that.  

I'm a long time lurker. I do learn a lot, but have to weed through to find what I think are valid responses and knowledgable posters. While I don't know anyone here personally, as far as I know, I have been able to identify those who generally give good, reliable info on various subjects.

I do try to give back where I can. I've certainly got more to learn than to teach.

 

Ed

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Clinton, MO, US
  • 4,261 posts
Posted by Medina1128 on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 4:19 AM

tstage

Why do posters post?

 

Why do woodchucks chuck? Oh, c'mon, someone was gonna ask.

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 3:28 AM

With my post count, I'm hardly a lurker.  But I do very much enjoy seeing members post who don't normally.  It amazes me when I look at their tombstone information and find they joined years before I did.

I think the answer really is as simple as that some folks don't seek the limelight, or are secure in their knowledge, or know they'll never have enough to contribute to some detailed discussions, or they are not currently active in the hobby, but they enjoy keeping up to an extent.  This is what happens in real life, too.  Many enjoy being onlookers and are content to let others do the talking.  Sometimes it's good for laugh.  Smile, Wink & Grin

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 8:12 PM

BigDaddy
So why not post more?  Have you been met with unkind responses?   Are there just too many guru's here?  Like my other forums, are you just not here very much?  Are most of the threads of no interest to your?

THIS is my time of the year to be here, that's why I post as I do.  So, the rest of the year, I check in from time to time, and lurk.

Same way with live RR like Railstream and VRF.  I bet you lurk alot on the VRF. What I like is the local connection with the Waupace cam.  It's at MP 221. and I'm near MP 84.,  Trains take about 8 hrs. from me to cam.

I do this on a desk top computer, in my 2nd floor "office", so it's not a phone thing, like I'm on the streets, and when I am trackside, I have my camera, and scanner, and post later.

So, I do some lurking, as I did here for quite a while, off and on , since 2005?  I think my avatar says I joined in 2010. that's when I got serious about building my layout, and got it done in 3 years, ( well, not 110%, detailing to do) and have stayed since.

So, that's my story, and I'm stickin" to it. Mischief

Mike.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 7:55 PM

I am a member of a photography forum where I lurk. The people there are so much more knowledgeable than I am, and I don't even know enough (compared to them) to know what to ask.

They are so much better than I am, and I am actually a bit intimidated by the group's abilities.

My camera rig is a joke compared to the gear they use.

However, I do learn a lot there.

When I owned an RV I joined the Yahoo Fleetwood American Coach Owner's group and lurked there for a couple of years as well, but that was more for professional concerns.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    November 2020
  • 71 posts
Posted by CGW103 on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 7:33 PM

BigDaddy
My theory is if you don't post, you don't find out what you know is wrong.

 

Dont post much.

I see someone ask a question and quite a few times I see contradictory answers. I am not gonna jump into that mess. Besides that I get no enjoyment from typing on line, I would rather listen.

 

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: CO
  • 265 posts
Posted by pt714 on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 7:10 PM

MJ4562

I learn a lot more by reading than by talking or posting.

 

 

Ditto. I update my personal layout thread here and contribute to WPF every now and again, and choose not to get involved in too much else. There are many, many discussions here where there's much to be gained from "listening" to those who have been doing this for longer.

Phil

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Central Texas
  • 365 posts
Posted by MJ4562 on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 6:45 PM

I learn a lot more by reading than by talking or posting.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 6:41 PM

 
We also have a lot of posting done by those that should be lurkers and not posting just to see if they can stir the pot.

 

Mel



 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

Moderator
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    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
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Posted by tstage on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 6:28 PM

Why do posters post?

BigDaddy
Kevins' Yearbook thread brought out 3 lurkers. They have been members for a cumulative 25 years and only 108 total posts. Kevin can do that many in a month.

Or a week...

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Why do lurkers lurk?
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 6:11 PM

I admit I have joined non-MR forum to ask a question, or even to read a thread in one of my peripheral hobbies.  I don't go back to those forums on any kind of a regular basis.

Other forums I have dropped, like my BMW Airhead forum, because I don't have a motorcycle anymore

Kevins' Yearbook thread brought out 3 lurkers.  They have been members for a cumulative 25 years and only 108 total posts.  Kevin can do that many in a month.

So why not post more?  Have you been met with unkind responses?   Are there just too many guru's here?  Like my other forums, are you just not here very much?  Are most of the threads of no interest to your?

My theory is if you don't post, you don't find out what you know is wrong.  But there maybe other viewpoints on that.

 

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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