View Full Version : why do people join a board and not post?
basschick
03-15-2008, 11:09 PM
i've been wondering for years and at last i'm asking. why bother to join a board and then not post anything? i post at one board that's publicly accessible and a guy who signed up in 2001 just made his first post - which was an apology for lurking lol
Gaystoryman
03-16-2008, 12:46 AM
To learn, to not show their own shyness, or lack of knowledge, fear of ridicule, uh, like to read, bashful, and well, can't think of anything else at the moment..
basschick
03-16-2008, 01:10 AM
but if they just want to read, why join at all? it's a mystery... ;)
abostonboy
03-16-2008, 07:20 AM
I joined Netpond like five years ago. Was going to ask a question and the next day someone asked the same damn question. So I continued my lurking.
HunkMoneyLuke
03-16-2008, 07:27 AM
maybe - but to join and not post for a year just to say "hi. i'm new to the board" or something?
maybe its good time management not to spend an hour a day writing on forums?????
From my own perspective... I tend to join boards to respond to questions as they relate to my particular profession. I like to be a contributor and part of the collective but I sincerely don't have time to post pro-actively on the 50 or so boards I'm a member of. (BassChick, you are one of the few people I know that post on about as many boards, or more, than I do).
I'll start a thread when I feel that what I have to post is news-worthy or if I think of something social that I think a particular board might like to read about.
I've been watching this board since I found it and must say I'm impressed with the industry/business related threads and the willingness of those in-the-know to share their experiences and knowledge. That's what it's all about. Drama hounds have plenty of other places they can go.
BelAmiAlan
03-17-2008, 03:59 PM
Well from an industry newbie perspective, I generally don't wanna sound stupid and I really want to learn from you guys. I am speaking more now that my feet are wet and been to 2 going on 3 gatherings in my first 3 months. I cannot describe how valuable its been for me to listen to ya'll talk about stuff and make me do more research. Thanks guys.
AnthonyDeAngelo
03-17-2008, 05:35 PM
oh now Patti - I guess that 2001 is a long time for that person...
me on the other hand, well, I did join this board a week ago, or was it two weeks?
see, I can't even remember - its nothing personal or anything - its mostly that I haven't been on ANY Boards for so long - haven't wanted to until this one came along and its great!
maybe some people are shy or don't know how to ask the right? questions (if there is such a thing) or are afraid that they won't understand something?
I don't know - look at me - I didn't know diddlysquat about the www end of things until we joined one of those boards out there and we were encouraged to go to the Phoenix Forum where we met a lot of people and did a lot of networking and.... see, now I don't have time to do anything...
maybe its because I ramble on...
SluggerJ
03-17-2008, 10:50 PM
Mainly I do it to piss off the board owners. Kidding.
I think in many cases it's because there are so many veterans on these boards. The sheer advanced knowledge being shared in the discussions is intimidating, and there's often no way to make the discussions "accessible" to the newbies.
For example, I have nothing to add to a discussion about, say, British Literature, because I know squat about it. Same principle. :) If there were ways to invite them in, like a "newbie questions" thread or something where they won't feel out of place or intimidated to participate, maybe that can pull some of them out of the bushes.
Fister
03-26-2008, 11:48 PM
Busy is frequently a reason.
Now, I have joined some social networking forums about gay niches that interest me to get the weekly newsletter. I may never post, but I do want to be educated about the niche.
phil450studio
03-27-2008, 05:51 AM
Others are just signing for spam purposes, he do a lot of boards/forum sign ups then he forgot the other boards and that cause a one and only thread he/she got.
marcjacob
03-27-2008, 05:58 AM
If there were ways to invite them in, like a "newbie questions" thread or something where they won't feel out of place or intimidated to participate, maybe that can pull some of them out of the bushes.
I think that would be a great idea.
Gaystoryman
03-27-2008, 09:49 AM
Mainly I do it to piss off the board owners. Kidding.
I think in many cases it's because there are so many veterans on these boards. The sheer advanced knowledge being shared in the discussions is intimidating, and there's often no way to make the discussions "accessible" to the newbies.
For example, I have nothing to add to a discussion about, say, British Literature, because I know squat about it. Same principle. :) If there were ways to invite them in, like a "newbie questions" thread or something where they won't feel out of place or intimidated to participate, maybe that can pull some of them out of the bushes.
Totally agree, I think there is a definite 'intimidation' factor and I know on another adult board, they had such a thread, only trouble was that when the 'newbie' posted, they got a new asshole if the answer had already been given earlier, which naturally turned them off.
It is a tough balancing act, but I think the tone set by the members, the moderators, goes a long way in making people comfortable, and this board seems to do that. :cool:
Now it is just a matter of time I think, and they'll be pouring out of the woodwork soon enough. whistle
RDude
03-27-2008, 10:22 AM
Interesting question that would go up there with "What came first....the chicken or the egg?" IMO. So many answers and every one of them is right.
I'm a member of a few forums. 12 at the moment. 13 if you count the one that I run and operate. Only 2 are adult related. Most are musically oriented. I am a musician. A few are web related and offer coding knowledge etc.
I post at every forum almost every day. I have my favourites. Gaydemon.biz being one of them of course. For the simple reason that people are laid back here and one can actually learn from the experienced folks.
I am also a member at Netpond, but I must say that I had some bad experiences there as a complete newbie. I joined a particular forum that was promoted from there. They promised to teach me everything about the adult biz. I finished the first phase of this so-called "school" and never received a response with instructions for the next phase. I emailed the person running this program and still, never got a response. Complete waste of my time. Thank God it was free. lol
Ok....back to the question at hand.
I think there are many answers. And many have been covered thus far. So I can't add much more outside opinion.
However, I usually join a board thinking it may be able to offer me something - knowledge, socialization, promotion etc. If after reading a few posts and interacting a bit and I see a lot of negativity, that usually turns me off. I will try a few more times and if it continues, I won't go back.
For me, it's mostly about attitude. I like positivity. Honesty as well. But tactful. For newbies this is important and probably why some get intimidated and run away. Or get overwhelmed by all the information and hard work that actually goes into this business.
My 2 cents worth:D
basschick
03-27-2008, 01:06 PM
i'm only talking about posters who have never posted - not one single post. non-board-members can read and search the board without joining. do people who do this expect to maybe post?
dzinerbear
03-27-2008, 01:24 PM
When I first joined GWW about five years ago, I was scared to death to make my first post. I knew little about the business and didn't want to say something stupid. I knew from experience that boards and e-mail lists can be cruel places (God, those ABBA fans would tear one another apart).
So I think that's probably what going through a lot of people's minds.
Boards are also a huge time waster. I've cut way back on my board time, so I imagine there are people out there who just want to check the news, but don't want to be bothered with the chit chat.
Michael
terrytowel
03-27-2008, 01:41 PM
I usually come here when I want to post a question or seeking feedback on something.
I agree with what dzinerbear has said, as I'm in the position he was in five years ago. There is still stuff I have no clue about.
RDude
03-27-2008, 01:41 PM
i'm only talking about posters who have never posted - not one single post. non-board-members can read and search the board without joining. do people who do this expect to maybe post?
Sorry basschick. I got carried away in my answer I guess.
Ummm....I also don't understand why people would bother signing up and not posting at all. Perhaps they're expecting something else once they get in? I don't know.
It also happens at my free raunch personals site. Guys sign up and never come back. I don't know why. There's so much to do and so much trouble to get into!666
MaxPower
03-27-2008, 01:47 PM
Why do people join a board and not post?
http://www.amoswong.com/images/spy-vs-spy.gif
basschick
03-27-2008, 01:48 PM
*LOL* @ MaxPower
RDude, i'm only talking about webmaster boards.
RDude
03-27-2008, 01:56 PM
Oh. Well ignore me then. lol
basschick
03-27-2008, 02:23 PM
webmaster boards include posters that are program reps and webmaster service providers, like writers. and you definitely fit in there :)
Oh. Well ignore me then. lol
RDude
03-27-2008, 04:58 PM
:DThank you
Fister
04-03-2008, 07:43 PM
When I first joined GWW about five years ago, I was scared to death to make my first post. I knew little about the business and didn't want to say something stupid. I knew from experience that boards and e-mail lists can be cruel places (God, those ABBA fans would tear one another apart).
So I think that's probably what going through a lot of people's minds.
Boards are also a huge time waster. I've cut way back on my board time, so I imagine there are people out there who just want to check the news, but don't want to be bothered with the chit chat.
Michael
I'm having a hard time even imagining Michael being afraid to post at GWW.
I do remember my first post at GWW in 2003...the board was so small back then that my welcome from one of the moderators thoughtful and long.