Why do people Lurk and not Post?

[DaveW]

This link is an investigation as to why more people Lurk than Contribute to Forums:-

http://www.cis.uoguelph.ca/~nonnecke/re ... ellWhy.pdf

[mauicacti]

Vicarious learning... Interesting.

[BarryRice]

I used to post regularly. But now I find myself using other media more. However, like today, I periodically sign in and scan around.

B

[majcka]

This link is an investigation as to why more people Lurk than Contribute to Forums:-

http://www.cis.uoguelph.ca/~nonnecke/re ... ellWhy.pdf

I don't feel like read 7 pages of small print in English. Too much for me at the moment.

I used to post a lot years ago. Somebody asked me once if I have no other busines to have so many posts in so short time....then I signed in on FB.

[Steve Johnson]

This link is an investigation as to why more people Lurk than Contribute to Forums:-

http://www.cis.uoguelph.ca/~nonnecke/re ... ellWhy.pdf

Basic human nature, Dave, and this applies to volunteer organizations in general -- 5% of the people are actively involved, while the other 95% go along for the ride. And that's 5% if you're lucky.

[hegar]

It does make sense for someone, who just recently found out about group of people posting information about a topic that interests said individual, to be lurking for a while. Perhaps some of her/his questions are already answered on the blog and thus the need to post is not a requirement, perhaps the reader does not yet have anything to contribute.
I myself do regularly check in and find out about various topics covered on CactiGuide, but do limit my participation mostly to the "Member Blogs" and the blog dealing with "Pests and Diseases".

Harald

[Wildhorse1]

I am not sure why this post even exists, however, I suppose I am one of those 'LURKERS' eek!
I joined this forum to learn, because I am not as knowledgeable as most of those that regularly post. So I read what I can when I can. Opening my mouth, or in this case my keyboard, would only entertain those that don't appreciate newcomers to the hobby, and would at this point in my case, not be of benefit.

I keep hoping that at some point I will be one of those that have knowledge and can participate more.

Hopefully I will remember when I know everything that there are others that want to learn, and I won't make them feel unwelcome or belittle them.

[DaveW]

Barry says he now uses other media more, That now seems to be the trend. I know that the British Tephrocactus Study Group was quite small when it had a printed magazine and was a subscription only society. However when it went entirely online, free and on social media it took off like a rocket:-

http://tephro.com/

Joel Lode' says in his editorial of the first free issue of Cactus Adventures regarding the decline of the printed journal:-

“I also take this opportunity to ironically analyse the events that led to the inexorable end of several printed magazines: some, like Cactus-Adventures were able to resist for a time the competition with online magazines, which are also free. However, over time, along with postage and printing costs, they managed to make us disappear; It is curious that some online magazines have been like shooting stars, already disappeared for lack of authors, and the editor of one of these beautiful online cactus magazines even complained that it was practically no longer read, and that publication should soon cease, because readers were turning away from online magazines to social media!”

It is always difficult in specialist journals or Forums to actually get people to contribute rather than just read. Most seem to think they have nothing valuable to contribute, even though what they have to impart is the very things that those like them want to read. However with all these types of media if you still want them it's a case of "use it or loose it".

[Steve-0]

I'm about two pages ahead of wildhorse1 in this chapter of Cactus Care. Certainly not going to ask every post every day...."What cactus is this?" ...or please ID this for me ...because I'm too lazy to do my own research"...nope.

So learning a little along the way....reading what interests me...posting some. Lurking or actually reading a bunch VS posting.

[Maddiesicky]

Maybe some people are scared to look dumb. I know I have had some experience with some super aggressive plant nerds attacking me for a question I asked. People in our hobby can definitely come off as condescending, more so on other medias than here but it does happen. It can be intimidating at times and odds are someone has already asked the question they had in mind. Honestly though this forum is more safe than others and I feel like most people on here are super nice and informative.