LURKERS: Why they never join in the postings.

This forum is very fortunate to have a lot of industry insiders and people that know people in the game posting on a regular basis.

When I first found this site, it was a little intimidating to jump into a thread when you knew that you didn't have the background a lot of the other posters did. Eventually, I figured out who was who and even met a few AZBer's at different events. I still don't post a lot, but I feel much more comfortable offering an opinion/observation if I think it will bring something to the thread.

And for MFB, see, you didn't kill this thread.
 
If I do not have anything constructive or funny to add, no sense posting. The threads are great. The posters are frequently knowledgable and well qualified to post the info pertinent to the threads they participate in. This is the reason I read and lurk. I like to contribute, not waste others' time.
 
I just started posting about two weeks ago and have contributing from the start. I have the same problem though. I do not know who everyone is yet and most do not have a profile. I am learning though.


Skess said:
This forum is very fortunate to have a lot of industry insiders and people that know people in the game posting on a regular basis.

When I first found this site, it was a little intimidating to jump into a thread when you knew that you didn't have the background a lot of the other posters did. Eventually, I figured out who was who and even met a few AZBer's at different events. I still don't post a lot, but I feel much more comfortable offering an opinion/observation if I think it will bring something to the thread.

And for MFB, see, you didn't kill this thread.
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There are a ton of lurkers out there....and I've met quite a few of 'em personally while on the road. Seems like almost everybody knows about the boards....but only a comparitive handful add their $.02 in here.

Oddly enough...the most popular reason that the lurkers I've met haven't posted was the fear of getting flamed. They've seen some of the wars that have taken place on the boards, and don't want to get involved with something that could bring it upon themselves. They either don't know enough about the subject to take part, have an opinion that isn't popular with the masses, or "side" with someone whom they agree with...thus ticking off somebody else.

Most just prefer to sit in the shadows, and read all about it.
 
AlexB said:
I enjoy reading and gleaning information from the many knowledgeable posters here. I don't have the knowledge to contribute in that manner, so I can't. However, many of the posters' post counts get inflated by the type of posts such as, "nice cue, good luck on your sale, wish I had the money," etc. To me, while I would expect that for the most part the sentiment expressed is genuine, it, nevertheless, is pointless, much like asking someone, "How are you?" and not waiting for the answer. Window dressing and platitudes which are unnecessary. In addition, if I am interested in purchasing an item, I will do so through the PM process with no need to post that I did so. Such postings again jack up the post counter. I thought one of the purposes of the PM was to eliminate such inane content. However, if a topic of personal interest pisses me off enough I will post my views, which will then place me in the same category of innaneness and baniality that I just derogated.
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"Nice opinion. Good luck with it. Wish I had the money." :D
 
BillPorter said:
I just checked over at CCB and found that "6 registered and 76 anonymous users are browsing this forum." Lots of lurkers over there as well.
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I don't know if anyone else had this problem over at CCB, but I had problems registering and logging on. It may have been some sort of internet security protection thing on my computer, but I got tired of trying and then found AZ, registered and no problems logging on. Maybe this is why the ratio over there is so skewed.

This forum is much better anyway!
 
Posting

ScottR said:
"Nice opinion. Good luck with it. Wish I had the money." :D
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Your response will elicit another post from me. Very clever, well applied use of an original thought that appeals to my mostly off-center sense of humor. Excellent turn of phrase. However, from what I remember of your postings while I lay lurking, you've GOT the money. Back to lurking for now.
 
AlexB said:
Your response will elicit another post from me. Very clever, well applied use of an original thought that appeals to my mostly off-center sense of humor. Excellent turn of phrase. However, from what I remember of your postings while I lay lurking, you've GOT the money. Back to lurking for now.
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Scott actually doesn't have the money... He has to streetwalk in the gay districts of Atlanta just to afford a single cue....
 
I post relatively infrequently, not because I don't have opinions on everything, or because I am fearful of getting invovled in an argument, but because I am a person who is very selective on what and with whom he chooses to speak. I am thirty-five, have been playing relatively seriously for fifteen years, on and off, and have run into just about every kind of know-it-all, idiot, gambling addict, ignorant and generally myopic kind of pool player there is. I have also met some of my closest friends over the years, through this game, some of whom would definitely fall into the above categories. My profession is working with the most dysfunctional and deviant members of society, in a federal correctional facility, so I am well-accquainted with just how unhealthy and toxic people can be. Not to get off topic; just to give a little background about myself.

I very much enjoy reading the odd post that catches my eye but, by and large, have my fill of unwanted communication through my daily work and am careful about sharing my opinions with strangers. I have seen, and posted on, the seemingly increasing number of asinine and totally unnecessary arguments on this board. Perhaps there are actually only a few of them going on, but they sure seem to suck up a lot of posters and board space. Childish fights between theoretically intelligent, functioning adults gives me pause when considering whether or not to weigh in on a subject. I can definitely feel for those who have have unsatisfactory business dealings, on both the seller and buyer sides, but simply do not feel the inclination to add unnecessary fuel to the fire. For those interesting threads in which I feel I can offer something constructive without hurting anyone's feelings or offending anyone, I will spend some time trying to put together a coherent thought or two.

A message board is only as good as what its members contribute. Personally, I am more comfortable posting when I feel what I have to say will add to a discussion or perhaps give someone a smile. Given that I have actually spoken to very few members on this board, what I type will be the only representation of myself to everyone else. Unless I have a personal stake in some controversy here, exercising some consideration when expressing myself is always the wisest course of action. I like to think my paltry thirty or so posts have added to the quality of this forum. With any luck, this one will too.

Ryan
 
axlrose said:
I post relatively infrequently, not because I don't have opinions on everything, or because I am fearful of getting invovled in an argument, but because I am a person who is very selective on what and with whom he chooses to speak. I am thirty-five, have been playing relatively seriously for fifteen years, on and off, and have run into just about every kind of know-it-all, idiot, gambling addict, ignorant and generally myopic kind of pool player there is. I have also met some of my closest friends over the years, through this game, some of whom would definitely fall into the above categories. My profession is working with the most dysfunctional and deviant members of society, in a federal correctional facility, so I am well-accquainted with just how unhealthy and toxic people can be. Not to get off topic; just to give a little background about myself.

I very much enjoy reading the odd post that catches my eye but, by and large, have my fill of unwanted communication through my daily work and am careful about sharing my opinions with strangers. I have seen, and posted on, the seemingly increasing number of asinine and totally unnecessary arguments on this board. Perhaps there are actually only a few of them going on, but they sure seem to suck up a lot of posters and board space. Childish fights between theoretically intelligent, functioning adults gives me pause when considering whether or not to weigh in on a subject. I can definitely feel for those who have have unsatisfactory business dealings, on both the seller and buyer sides, but simply do not feel the inclination to add unnecessary fuel to the fire. For those interesting threads in which I feel I can offer something constructive without hurting anyone's feelings or offending anyone, I will spend some time trying to put together a coherent thought or two.

A message board is only as good as what its members contribute. Personally, I am more comfortable posting when I feel what I have to say will add to a discussion or perhaps give someone a smile. Given that I have actually spoken to very few members on this board, what I type will be the only representation of myself to everyone else. Unless I have a personal stake in some controversy here, exercising some consideration when expressing myself is always the wisest course of action. I like to think my paltry thirty or so posts have added to the quality of this forum. With any luck, this one will too.

Ryan
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Very well said, and along the lines of why I usually just chime in now and again. I am a relative "newbie" to this board, but participate when I feel like I may have something to contribute or something that has not already been said. As far as being flamed or what ever anyone wants to call it, I personally could care less as grade school was a long time ago for me and I generally like to find other ways to expend my energy. LOL. There are thousands of posts on this forum and I do sometimes read the posts without signing in.

I'll add another reason for the "lurkers." If I am at work, I can only browse as forums are generally forbidden. As long as I don't sign in, the IT department doesn't flag the site.

I enjoy the game, and I enjoy the knowledge brought forth from many discussions here. I have also found on this site, cue makers and or business contacts that I would not have otherwise heard about.

Craig
 
Any number of reasons:

Time consumption - It's time consuming to read the posts and stay current with the discussions. Even more so to participate.

Content Value - A lot of times the pertinent answers are already supplied so a response would only be an echo.

Criticism - Many people prefer not to open themselves up to criticism and possibly personal attack.

Entertainment - This is an entertainment medium as well that can serve that purpose in a one way format. It can be read at leisure.

History/Privacy - To some it is important that their online activities not be trackable through easily accessible means. It is easy enough for anyone to paint a good picture of when each person who posts here was sitting at a computer somewhere based on the timestamps of their posts. As we have seen in the case of Deno Andrews it is possible to stalk someone's movements even if they don't post. The net should be about freedom of expression tempered with mutual respect and unhampered by any sort of worry about being tracked and categorized.
 
my name is brian. i'm a lurker.

i love this forum. what a great source of pool knowledge! i usually just lurk b/c i am new to trying to play seriously and i know my opinions are not worth much at this point. and of course one of the few things more limited than my pool playing skills are my typing skills...

brian
banger wannabe
 
Too lazy

I visit this forum every single day and read a lot of interesting threads (especially about the IPT!)... but when it comes to replying i guess i'm just too plain lazy... :D

I would just like to thank every member of this forum because i get a lot of information (and entertainment!) by reading thru the topics... it's a good break when you're working in a tough corporate world (and rarely get to play pool anymore :( ) it keeps me updated on the current best players, big tourneys, etc. plus it's almost a soap opera here! 'coz there's a lot of action and drama! a lot of antagonists most of the time too! (fast larry, dhakala, etc.) and of course a lot of good people as well! I mean I never personally knew (or think will ever) jam or eydie or theone but all these years that i've reading thru the forum entries i could say i know already a good deal about these people,their lives and pool adventures (and problems even!)...

Anyway, to sum it up i guess. we lurkers rarely post and reply to most of the topics... but we really enjoy reading and reading and reading everything in this forum... =) i guess that is our role in this whole system... to the active posters, i salute you guys and hope you continue your good work!!! :p

just my 2 cents... peace!
 
Well, I only joined a few days ago & have been busy reading just about everything here. All good stuff. The one thing I noticed is missing (unless I'm too blind to see it) is a forum for new folks to introduce themselves. Seems most other sites have this & I think it's a good way for newbies to get their feet wet.

Just a thought. I really do have to praise these forums though, so far I've come across everything from the helpful to the entertaining. Good work folks.
 
axlrose said:
I post relatively infrequently, not because I don't have opinions on everything, or because I am fearful of getting invovled in an argument, but because I am a person who is very selective on what and with whom he chooses to speak. I am thirty-five, have been playing relatively seriously for fifteen years, on and off, and have run into just about every kind of know-it-all, idiot, gambling addict, ignorant and generally myopic kind of pool player there is. I have also met some of my closest friends over the years, through this game, some of whom would definitely fall into the above categories. My profession is working with the most dysfunctional and deviant members of society, in a federal correctional facility, so I am well-accquainted with just how unhealthy and toxic people can be. Not to get off topic; just to give a little background about myself.

I very much enjoy reading the odd post that catches my eye but, by and large, have my fill of unwanted communication through my daily work and am careful about sharing my opinions with strangers. I have seen, and posted on, the seemingly increasing number of asinine and totally unnecessary arguments on this board. Perhaps there are actually only a few of them going on, but they sure seem to suck up a lot of posters and board space. Childish fights between theoretically intelligent, functioning adults gives me pause when considering whether or not to weigh in on a subject. I can definitely feel for those who have have unsatisfactory business dealings, on both the seller and buyer sides, but simply do not feel the inclination to add unnecessary fuel to the fire. For those interesting threads in which I feel I can offer something constructive without hurting anyone's feelings or offending anyone, I will spend some time trying to put together a coherent thought or two.

A message board is only as good as what its members contribute. Personally, I am more comfortable posting when I feel what I have to say will add to a discussion or perhaps give someone a smile. Given that I have actually spoken to very few members on this board, what I type will be the only representation of myself to everyone else. Unless I have a personal stake in some controversy here, exercising some consideration when expressing myself is always the wisest course of action. I like to think my paltry thirty or so posts have added to the quality of this forum. With any luck, this one will too.

Ryan
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Ryan, your reply to this thread and those of many others confirms that lurkers are a valuable resource and I hope that as opportunity presents itself, you and others like you, will continue to step into the spotlight and share your perspective on some of our threads. The responses of some of the lurkers here today have caused me to want to read some of their previous posts and started threads.

With your work background, I can see why you don't mess with many of us on this forum. You just about covered all of our personalities. LOL Thanks for sharing that part of your life. So--- tell us how you play pool and why are there so many unregistered /anonymous lurkers? :-)

Thanks for your response!
JoeyA
 
MFB said:
FWIW I kinda think I am a thread killer. Not too many respond to threads after I give my two cents.:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
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LOL....so I am not the only person that thinks like that...lol. I have thought seriously of changing my screen name to threadkiller...lol.
 
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