Leave the lurkers alone

[Funzo]

It seems some people may be taking a negative attitude toward people known as "lurkers" -- or those who only browse the site and never contribute.

I'm very glad and appreciative this site didn't require registration for the site just to read the postings.  My beastlord turns 1 year old in February, and for the first 8 months of that time I was a "lurker."   Why?  Because I didn't know @#%& from shinola about the beastlord and I had about a zillion back postings to read to become an even semi-informed player.
There was little reason for me at Level 9 to create a new post about how to make my pet work when the answer was already there.

This is a community. And like RL communities, it takes some time to get comfortable to the surroundings and get to know people. As people do become comfortable and actually think the responses they will receive will be helpful, they will contribute when they are ready.

If this site is meant to be a resource, and I'm pretty sure it is (a very good one at that) then it must be available as such without any deterant to just browsing.  The more people who read it the better, the less people who prattle on with no real agenda or anything original to add (i.e. yours truly) the better.

In most arenas of the world, "lurkers" are called clients, or customers, or guests, or prospects or even peers. Discouraging people from "lurking" would have a negative effect on the site. After all, tonight's "lurker" may decide to spout off 8 months from now.

Your rant skill has increased (1)

[Ghoat]

I have never though anything bad about lurkers.  Some people want to wade in, some people would rathter just sit back & enjoyed the show.  I have some guildmates with bst twinks that read these boards a lot - and that suprosed me, becuase they post a lot on guild boards.

Nothing wrong with lurkers - unless they are only wearing raincoats :)

[mac173]

It's a Moot point. Kash has announced that he will not require registration. I think (my opinion) that he still wants to, but he acceded to the opinion of the community, and dropped the idea.

YAY! Kash.

[feralize]

I agree for the simple reason that I'd rather not have multiple posts about the same thing (which eats up bandwidth) that have already been answered a million times.

If people are actually (omg) searching for answers to their questions, how can that be a bad thing?

[BloodCelt]

I musta missed something, I've not seen anyone going after the lurkers.  Unless you mean the thread that the staff asked for input on?   I did not see the question being placed before the community as being hostile myself, but rather as a positive thing, requesting input from all of us on the matter.

BC

[BloodCelt]

I musta missed something, I've not seen anyone going after the lurkers.  Unless you mean the thread that the staff asked for input on?   I did not see the question being placed before the community as being hostile myself, but rather as a positive thing, requesting input from all of us on the matter.

BC

I really need to learn to read an entire thread before posting o0

[DiosT]

we arnt out to 'get' lurkers, kash was just curious what people thought about requiring registration to lurk... (you never had to post)..

But, after input from the community, the community supported lurkers, :-)


thus why we are not going to 'hide' forums from lurkers :-)

[Kashmiir Battlekat]

DOWN WITH THE LURKERS! OFF WITH THERE HEADS! -just kidding :)

I was kicking around the idea and felt that getting a community opinion would help me resolve it in my own mine. I was very tossed up about it, but I most certainly did want to lock them down (and yes, deep down in my blackest demonic area of my loathsome existance I still want to -hehe)......... but prior to doing so I felt a concensus was in order from our Community. They said, rather overwhelmingly, "KASH YOU ARE RETARDED DO NOT DO IT!"

Thus this idea will not come to fruitation and all will be welcome here as long as they abide by the simple rules.... lurkers or registered be welcome!

:)

[Furlyne]

Personally, I love lurkers.  I read a lot more sites than just this one, but have only registered on a few select boards.  I haven't been around EQ since beta or anything like that.  Actually, I got into the game right after Luclin was released.  My beastie isn't even a year old yet (can you say "addict"?  sure, I knew you could).  This site actually got my permanent email address since I feel so much like family, and I enjoy being notified of new post in threads when I know I won't be browsing for a few days but am interested in a few responses here and there.

Other than this and a very few other select boards (can only think of one other game related site, and it isn't EQ) I don't register.  I lurk.  I learn. I move on.  

Back when usenet was the best thing going (talk about spam hell now) it was considered rude not to lurk for a month or so before opening your mouth.

Many times, learning to lurk properly before registering and posting is a benefit to all.

Just one kitty's opinion on the matter

[Ghoat]

Many times, learning to lurk properly before registering and posting is a benefit to all.

Now you tell me :(

[Dakat]

Everyone is a Lurker to some extent.  Have you ever visited another class form only to read tactics, sayings or similar stuff?  I have.  I didn't leave my mark on the site like some others do.  

"Hi, here I sit broken hearted, came to shit and only farted"

[Vecsus]

Both sites have made a call to draw out the lurkers.  We're not picking on them   :P   We're just inviting them to come out into the open.  If there were a genuine disdain for lurkers then the sites would force registration just to read.  We feel that all Lurkers have the potential to add something beneficial.  If they have to go through the "hassle" of registering first they might just skip it and keep reading rather than add a usefull comment.


/target lurker
/hug

[Furlyne]

Not sure what this has to do with the whole perceived site vs site thing, Vecsus.

[Vecsus]

who said it does?  I pointed out that the desire to draw out lurkers is not limited to this site.  Other classes have done this same thing as well.  Stop trying to infer malice into my comments.    :evil:

[mac173]

"I will NOT be requiring registration to read the forums." I wonder how many times I have to say that...

Apparently a few more times.........

'NUF SAID!