Silent members...

[Tracklayer]

I was looking through the members list here on the forum, and found that there has got to be at least a couple of thousand members, yet only a couple of hundred (if that) ever actually create topics or comment on topics. Why is that ?...

Come on out and talk to us folks. We'd really like to hear from you. We don't bite - not too hard at least... [:)]

Tracklayer

[Anonymous]

I talk alot, only been amember since june and have 473 posts![:D]

[selector]

I would guess that there are many more who are not even members, but who drop in regularly to see what is going on. I think that is normal. Also, some may have moved on, but are still registered. I wonder if there is an auto-de-register when a member does not post for several weeks...?

In some ways it is probably better for those of us who do post regularly that more aren't so talkative...fewer posts to weed through.

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 06archerd

I talk alot, only been amember since june and have 473 posts![:D]

Uhhh. Then that wouldn't make you silent would it... ([;)])

Tracklayer

[Anonymous]

Nope!!!

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

I would guess that there are many more who are not even members, but who drop in regularly to see what is going on. I think that is normal. Also, some may have moved on, but are still registered. I wonder if there is an auto-de-register when a member does not post for several weeks...?

In some ways it is probably better for those of us who do post regularly that more aren't so talkative...fewer posts to weed through.

Hi selector. You're probably right. A lot of them are just visitors. And yes, I think there is a sort of re-register system in place, though all it asks for is your pass word if you haven't been on the forum for a while (30 days ?). Lastly. I am inclined to agree with you on your final comment...

Tracklayer

[jawnt]

Just maybe there's a bunch like me --- figure I can learn more by listening[:D]--- 'sides, I haven't seen anything where I have any expertise to add -------------

John T. aka jawnt

[selector]

A perfectly reasonably point of view, in my opinion, John. If you are happy reading, then read you should....! When you have something to contribute, I would guess you'd jump in like a good forum citizen.

Of course, that hasn't stopped me. I just post away, and sometimes get my knuckles rapped. [:I]

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jawnt

Just maybe there's a bunch like me --- figure I can learn more by listening[:D]--- 'sides, I haven't seen anything where I have any expertise to add -------------

John T. aka jawnt

So jawnt (John). What do you think of those of us that are chatter mouths ?. Do we do a pretty good job at fulfilling our duties as members, or do some of us need to be more like you ?. (Okay Tracklayer... Be nice. You're trying to get John in trouble now...)

Tracklayer

[jawnt]

Guys!
Keep doing what your doing! You probably don't realize how much can be gleaned from your chatter, some of it down right useful [:D] and who knows, that which isn't useful today might be tomorrow.

Jawnt

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: Selector: I wonder if there is an auto-de-register when a member does not post for several weeks...?

Don't think so. I was registered for a year and a half before I made my first post.

QUOTE: Tracklayer: I think there is a sort of re-register system in place, though all it asks for is your pass word if you haven't been on the forum for a while (30 days ?).

I think that's just a user verification utility. I get that every now and then and I post a lot these days.


I also wonder about the number of 'registered' users.


Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer

I was looking through the members list here on the forum, and found that there has got to be at least a couple of thousand members, yet only a couple of hundred (if that) ever actually create topics or comment on topics. Why is that ?...

Well, the numbers can be a bit deceptive. I believe that if you're registered for one of Kalmbach's (trains.com) forum, you're registered for them all. In other words, some of the participants/members frequent only the MR forum; others the CTT forum; still others the GR forum; and others still the Trains forum. But if you're registered for one, you can participate on all.

Some folks visit more than one forum. For example, I visit this forum, the "Garden Railways" forum, and the "Classic Toy Trains" forum because I have an interest in all three areas. But when I first visited the overall site, I only signed-up for the CTT forum.

[loathar]

I thought somebody posted that there were almost 200,000 members registered at Trains.com. I have noticed that there's only 100 or 200 that make posts. I mainly stay on this forum, but occasionaly I go ask prototype questions on the Trains forum.Lot's of good old and current railroad personal there that know a lot.

[jwar]

I post or reply about one out of ten times I get on here, but then my replys get a tad long winded at times. Take Care...John

[Anonymous]

I read the posts, but not regularly. I post, but infrequently. For several reasons. 1st of all, I often get too busy to read the forum, unless its on the weekend. Sometimes I can read 3-8 pages of postings, but have no time to answer them.
Secondly, when I do have an answer to a posted question usually the regulars (or are they irregulars??[:D]) will beat me too it. When that is the case there is no sense beating a dead horse at times.
Unless [}:)] there is something that I passionately disagree with. Then amazingly, I find time!!

[UP Deano]

kbfcsme, DITTO! most of what you said held true for me also. only in this past year real life has slowed down enough for me to spend more time here. [:D]

[robengland]

It has intrigued me that there are about a million people play with trains worldwide, give or take, yet a couple of hundred make up this forum. It's actually a very small group in the wider community.

And it is an amazingly disparate mix, with some real heavy hitters - among the most experienced modellers around - and rank beginners like me. There's old fogies and young kids. And ...er... quite a range of technical abilities. Almost a random sample I say "almost" because we self-select based on time and ability to get to this website)

[Anonymous]

I'm not quiet...I'm just a mime[:o)][:D]


Just clownin' around.[:o)]

uspscsx...A human being, not a mime.

[Anonymous]

No offense to the mimes out there.

uspscsx

[nsfantodd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by uspscsx

No offense to the mimes out there.

uspscsx

Thats pretty funny!
It was over a year after I joined that I first posted. I used to visit every once in a while, just checking things out.

Todd Templeton

[edo1039]

I have been modeling in HO since 1972. During this time I have made small and large layouts. I now am limited to space so most of what I do is make dioramas and lean more towards kit building mostly 1/87 trucks and trailers,although most of my HO trains and equipment are still in storage boxes I go back from time to time and upgrade them as I have learned alot more just by reading the POSTS here. It is not that we are silent just still on a learning curve. I have seen many changes over the past 30 yrs that I feel most have been good for hobby. My nickels worth. Enjoy what you do and let others enjoy your comments.

[Anonymous]

I too must be one of the silent majority, however I do have reams of copied subjects. I normally read for an hour or 2 everyday and even have contributed a couple of times. Thanks to all of you who allow me to be silent but still belong.

Bob

[Mikeygaw]

a number of other features such as the Newswire and the Rochelle webcam require registration. So they may have joined for them and have not gotten around to looking at the forums or decided not to post as of yet

[TrainFreak409]

I don't know...With only a 1408 posts, I think I'm pretty quiet.[;)]

[Sunset Limited]

I would love throwing in a few topics daily, but with other parts of life and work and other things in between it's a little difficult. I noticed I'm losing that extra time I had with my hobby, but I'm trying to make up for it. So balancing all this can be a challenge. I really enjoy viewing topics that fall right in on what I'm interested or what I have a question about. I even wrote to a few members here that were great in helping me out through their experience and advise. I THANK YOU! [^]

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TA462
On the other hand though there is a lot of members that have a lot of posts but don't really say anything. They just like watching their post count go up.[%-)]

I'm one of these TA462. What of it ?... ([}:)])

Tracklayer

[doctorwayne]

I thought that it was Oscar Wilde who said "It is better to remain silent and appear a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt", but it has been pointed out that it was actually Mark Twain who said it. Which means I've amply illustrated the quotation. Even so, it's hard to resist pontificating on a subject if you feel that you have something to add, even if to someone more knowledgible that something is rubbish. Sometimes, that's all it takes to prod the more experienced among us to speak.

[Tracklayer]

See guys, that wasn't so hard. It's good to hear from you. Stop by and speak your mind when ever you get time and have something to say. (That makes 124 for me TA462...)

Tracklayer

[novicerr]

I have posted a couple of times, but feel I dont have enough expertise yet to add much. Will contribute when/if I think what I have to say will help. Only been modeling for a little over a year or so, but have moved to a new house, so havent had much time to work on layout. Besides, I have to redo it anyway LOL. But keep posting the info. I am learning many things. Thanks to all. And prayers to the hurricane victims/families

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer

See guys, that wasn't so hard. It's good to hear from you. Stop by and speak your mind when ever you get time and have something to say. (That makes 124 for me TA462...)

Tracklayer

Tracklayer,

OH NO! You're STAR CHASING! 15 yard penalty, repeat 3rd down.


Just kidding, I had to make fun of the old "OH MY, YOU'RE STAR-CHASING! posts.