TorN Refugees

I think we may have a few here

We almost certainly have more regular lurkers than active posters.  That's the norm on most online communities.  But the thing about lurkers is that it's hard to keep track of them.

Hm, one would think that was more the rule with bigger forums. The on topic debate here, as on Tolkien and these movies, while often quite deep and interesting, isn't always that active.

Though you would probably know better.

I doubt that our active member-lurker differential is as large as on a high-profile site like TORn, but you'd be surprised. Google Analytics gives a bit of insight into how many people visit the site, and it is far more than post actively. But it's hard to parse out how many repeat visits are from active posters or not.

Ah, I don't doubt you. The difference in numbers might also very well be tied into the size of the forum, of course. And as debate and opinions can drown a bit in the sheer activity on larger forums, people perhaps follow smaller ones to get just that without necessarily feeling the need to contribute.

I dont understand the point of just lurking. I wouldnt be able to resist commenting or joining in with the conversations, but then I do like the sound of my own voice even when most of the time I am boring and waffling on. I even talk to myself.

I don't often make the jump to really trying to become part of an online community, and when I don't, I tend to lurk. Even on sites where I do post semi-regularly, I tend to lurk more than I post (Forumshire and one or two other Tolkien sites notwithstanding). Obviously once I get going I'll talk for ages, but I'm more often content to just listen quietly if I'm among strangers. This is true IRL as well as online, actually.

Did you ever get banned in the end Petty?

From ToRN? No I am still a member, I just dont post much on there.

Pettytyrant101 wrote:From ToRN? No I am still a member, I just dont post  much on there.

You obviously aren't trying hard enough then But yeah, I haven't posted there in two or three months I think, I do check the forum quite a bit, but I just don't see the point in posting anymore.

Eldorion wrote:I doubt that our active member-lurker differential is as large as on a high-profile site like TORn, but you'd be surprised.  Google Analytics gives a bit of insight into how many people visit the site, and it is far more than post actively.  But it's hard to parse out how many repeat visits are from active posters or not.

I estimate my visit/post ratio is between 2 and 3 to 1.