Why Won't Some of You Lurkers Come into the Light ?

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by HappySeagull

Nothing wrong with lurking.
I lurk on lots of very good sites.
Some are just dropped off by google and stay awhile.
Some don't want to give the forum their info for fear of spam or just yet another #*!! password.

They look at the ads,so the forum makes $.
In that way,it's HITS that count and the more lurkers the better.

I appreciate quality lurkers!

But we actually like to hear from people here... oddly enough that's what makes it all so engaging!

The good news here is belonging to Cruisers Forum has NEVER garnered me any spam emails. Andy just doesn't sell our list. It's like his 11th commandment.

Right after "Thou SHALL moderate gun and anchor threads."

And as for the ads.
Hello??

Can I just say ADBLOCKER???

I love not seeing any ads at all. and I never have gotten any spam from them either. They were recommended by IT at the Spouse's highly security conscious government contractor company.

The password I can't help you with. yeah I hate em too... ; -P

[Capt Phil]

Guns? Who said guns?... CP

[sarafina]

heh, didn't nobody say nuttin....

[Calindor]

Originally Posted by cabo_sailor

Wow, it's 2 pm in Florida on a work day and there are about 1200 "guests" on line.

ALRIGHT YOU SLACKERS, PARTICULARLY U.S. SLACKERS GET TO WORK I'LL SOON QUALIFY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU NEED TO KEEP MAKING PAYMENTS.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled forum.

Thank you,
Rich

I guess I am a lurker, and I am working so you are welcome, probably for at least 21 more years. Gives me plenty of time to forget my ID and passwords several times.

Now can I get go back lurking before I am umm no longer required to make those SS payments?

[kevingy]

Originally Posted by cabo_sailor

Many of you are just curious but you wouldn't be lurking if you didn't have questions as well. Well bring'em out. It's a very rare day when someone asks a question and gets slammed for it.

Actually, it's all too common. Some of the posters who have been here for years are tired of the same old questions asked by people they assume haven't read past posts. Case in point, posted just today in response to a new poster:

Have you tried to read back through the multihull section of Cruisers Forum? Try doing a custom google search. There are 20 threads here which deal with your question. The answers are here already if you spend the time to look.

There's nothing like introducing yourself to a new poster by telling them their lazy for not reading past posts. While it may be good advice, but it's not very friendly and probably off-putting to a potential new poster. Sometimes, it's easier and faster just to ask the question again. Also, over time as new members join and existing members gain knowledge and experience, when the question is asked a second time, new answers may be available.

Newbies come here looking for information - and there's tons here to consume. The built-in search engine is broken at best. The Google Custom Search works, but can lead to search overload - and might just lead to reading years of posts looking for what you're looking for.

[cabo_sailor]

Kevingy,

You make a very good point. I admit even I don't always go back because either the search doesn't seem to go very well or the answers are outdated. Perhaps a better response would be to give a short answer and direct the person to just where or how to find the prior posts.

I don't think I've been that, errr indelicate?, but if so I apologize. I thank you for pointing that out.

Rich

[SaucySailoress]

Originally Posted by ducky

I am a long time lurker and intend to stay that way. Oh wait..... crap

Hey, see it's not so bad out here is it? Welcome!

Originally Posted by Calindor

I guess I am a lurker, and I am working so you are welcome, probably for at least 21 more years. Gives me plenty of time to forget my ID and passwords several times.

Now can I get go back lurking before I am umm no longer required to make those SS payments?

SS payments? Where? I haven't received them yet.... Welcome you too!

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by cabo_sailor

Remember there are no stupid questions, stupid answers perhaps,


Rich

Can say that again! Some believe that because you asked a question YOU must be stupid and answer given this!

[ScottMeilicke]

OK, fine. I am unlurking myself. I have been content just sponging (my knowledge is low at the moment), the content here is great. Currently my/our first boat purchase will probably happen next year, unless something just plops into my lap. The damn house keeps getting in the way. It is a new fence this time.

But I do have questions about anchoring...

-Scott

[cabo_sailor]

Originally Posted by ScottMeilicke

But I do have questions about anchoring...

-Scott

Go for it, you may hear a collective groan but that's normal. If you prefer, PM me and I'll give it a shot.

Rich

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by ScottMeilicke

OK, fine. I am unlurking myself. I have been content just sponging (my knowledge is low at the moment), the content here is great. Currently my/our first boat purchase will probably happen next year, unless something just plops into my lap. The damn house keeps getting in the way. It is a new fence this time.

But I do have questions about anchoring...

-Scott

For a fence I recommend a Danforth...
unless the soil is red clay in which case I recommend the extra weight of the Bruce...
forget ROCNA's... they're only any good for 'Thunderbirds' with hand brake failure on the flat...
Oh... and Welcome to CF....

[Johnathon123]

I have been leaving crumbs on my screen and keyboard trying to lure out the lurkers - do they look like ants? If so I have successfully got all of them out.

[watergypsy]

Is coming into the light like moving to the enlightened side of the forum and perhaps , 'gasp' getting closer to severing the docklines ? bit scary, i am used to the darkness under this boat endlessly cleaning the hull, or hiding behind a welding mask, or buried in some book . Coming into the light would be akin to actually finishing the boat , getting out of the bay and getting on with the much dreamed about journey. I suppose I almost fit the description of lurker, very few toe dipping posts in the past, I drop in just to get my daily fix, say nothing . smile , nod at the conversations and get on with my day. Thanks to those of you who are regular posters and answerers, you add to the knowledge bank and to the humour bank, much appreciated... now back to scraping and day dreaming. :-)
oh wait... if one of you could tell me how I could fit a comfortable armchair in what is starting to feel like a sardine can with sails, I would be very grateful.
WG ;-)

[Johnathon123]

With full credit to Politicsforum.org

Lurker does not participate in normal forum discourse, but he's out there...watching, reading every message. Generally, he is quite harmless. In fact, his silence usually reflects a natural reticence rather than any sinister motives. He is content to let the other people haul the conversational freight and, if a fight breaks out he will observe quietly. Occasionally, however, some mysterious impulse drives him to de-lurk and attack. Other Warriors regard his unexpected assault as an ambush, and invariably turn on him savagely. But Lurker seldom sticks around to fight it out, rather, after a brief exchange, he slips away, never to be heard from again.
Mike Reed Illustration

[watergypsy]

and sometimes the he is a she ;-)