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jttheclockman

jttheclockman

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
20,279
Location
NJ, USA.
Yesterday I was looking for a name from the past and was going through the Member's list. One thing that stood out was the amount of members that sign up and do not post or have just a handful of posts. My question is why bother??? If you took the time to sign up, join in the fun. Make a pen. Show it off. Make another. This is not rocket science folks. I can never figure this stuff out. Maybe I am missing something but if I join a web site I am there to participate. Sure was a lot of 0's next to many names. :smile:

Come play. Its fun.
 
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John, this is my first post. Been a member for about six months, and I have you guys on my RSS feed. I love to see your work (and Mikespenturningz, to name just two). Lots of inspiration there, and I've tried feathering and scalloping because you guys inspired me. I'm active on UK Penturners, but just never made the jump to here before now. Maybe you've inspired me!

David
 
John,

I could be wrong but one reason might be that if you sign in, you don't get the advertisements.....

So, get a login and don't post but don't have to put up with the adverts either.....
 
John, part of me agrees but with a but. I lurked for a bit on the site but without signing-up. For me it was trying to see if this was something that still interested me after watching what everyone was doing and some of the difficulties (as in wow we spend a lot of money on this but it is fun!).

At the very least I would like to see people introduce themselves even if they then just lurk some more.
 
I wonder how many people only have a couple posts because their first couple of posts got something along the lines of one or more of the following [sensationalized for this post] responses:

"Seems like this topic comes up every week...why can't newbies just search the forum / library / whatever?"

or

"That's a really lousy picture. I can't tell anything from that lousy picture. If you can't post a better picture, why bother posting?"

or

"I can't believe you haven't killed yourself doing what you just wrote about..."

or

"Your cheap DIY approach isn't going to work..."

or

"[insert sound of crickets chirping here]"


Ed
 
Perhaps, they felt they didn't have anything to add to the conversation and are trying to absorb the knowledge that is found here. At some point they will feel qualified to contribute in the future.
 
parklandturner said:
I wonder how many people only have a couple posts because their first couple of posts got something along the lines of one or more of the following [sensationalized for this post] responses:

"Seems like this topic comes up every week...why can't newbies just search the forum / library / whatever?"

or

"That's a really lousy picture. I can't tell anything from that lousy picture. If you can't post a better picture, why bother posting?"

or

"I can't believe you haven't killed yourself doing what you just wrote about..."

or

"Your cheap DIY approach isn't going to work..."

or

"[insert sound of crickets chirping here]"


Ed
Click to expand...




I know these attitudes can really take the fun away from the site.I'm left with the impression a lot of times here that it's a pretty "grumpy"place,compared to when I joined a few years ago.

The power of encouragement, instead of negative words are what get people excited about joining in on the fun.

Not having almost no replies on posts makes a member not feel liked,that mught be a part of it too.I think I have the record the least feedback per posts,but I still post anyway.I like to try participating & to be part of something.

I hope more new members start posting more,it is a fun hobby.I know I'm grateful for the info I've learned here.I can't imagine what my pens would look like if I had not switched to TBC,and I wouldn't have learned that if not being in here.

Steve
 
parklandturner said:
I wonder how many people only have a couple posts because their first couple of posts got something along the lines of one or more of the following [sensationalized for this post] responses:

"Seems like this topic comes up every week...why can't newbies just search the forum / library / whatever?"

or

"That's a really lousy picture. I can't tell anything from that lousy picture. If you can't post a better picture, why bother posting?"

or

"I can't believe you haven't killed yourself doing what you just wrote about..."

or

"Your cheap DIY approach isn't going to work..."

or

"[insert sound of crickets chirping here]"


Ed
Click to expand...

When I see replies like this, I usually send the original poster an apology and offer my help. I also send the guy who posted the snippy reply a few words of advice and a request to ease up on the new guys.

MANY times, that has resulted in the second guy telling me how the forum has gone down the tubes and he can't speak his mind and gee, we just must not want him around if he's going to be scolded when he tells someone to go search or how crappy their photo is.

I can list several such memnbers who many of you would probably point to as "those great guys who have left the forum".

It's a Catch-22 sometimes. Keep one guy, lose another. So it goes, I guess.
 
Amen Jeff.

There are some posters here (I maybe one of them) that just leave a bad feeling whereever they go. You need a thick skin and have to be able to read another persons mind in order to survive here.

OR.......you just have to ignore the comments that hurt. Most mean no harm but there there always are a few. Hopefully, I have not been the cause of anyone feelings being hurt.
 
I'll never forget my first newbie post on IAP. I got a response from an individual who is no longer here that was truly demeaning and he wasn't bashful about making me feel stupid about a topic I knew nothing about. My response was, in my mind, "Screw you and IAP, I don't need this garbage and was never going to log on again. But then I got a message I believe from Jeff and a few of the other members telling me they would take care of the situation and 24 hours later, I received an email from the person who tried to make me look stupid. He apologized so many times, I felt almost embarrassed. I accepted his apology and came back to the best forum IMHO on the internet.

I learned that Jeff and the mods here really care about the members and will do the right thing when it's called for. Thanks Jeff and Mods for being the best and thank you to all the members of IAP for helping me learn how to make beautiful pens!!!!!

Rick (mtgrizzly52)
 
Most of the responses I have seen on this forum..

are pretty positive or informative.

There a few frequent "responders" that seem to be more interested in their ego than helping some that are just learning (like me). and there are few that seem this is their club and some newbies should sit in the corner until they have passed the rites of passage.

I have chosen to ignore most of these. But I can see how they would leave a bad taste in a newbies mouth and they would rather say nothing rather than take the risk of being berated.
 
"I wonder how many people only have a couple posts because their first couple of posts got something along the lines of one or more of the following [sensationalized for this post] responses:

"Seems like this topic comes up every week...why can't newbies just search the forum / library / whatever?"

or

"That's a really lousy picture. I can't tell anything from that lousy picture. If you can't post a better picture, why bother posting?"

or

"I can't believe you haven't killed yourself doing what you just wrote about..."

or

"Your cheap DIY approach isn't going to work..."



I agree with parklandturner. I myself am learning this wonderful hobby, but it never fails. Just about the time i'm about to ask a question or post a pic, I see someone else get a rude response such as a blunt "SEARCH FORUM!!!" and I figure nope....aint happening to me so I rarely post. Also, as one person on this thread posted...I ask him - why should we have to have "thick skin in order to survive on here". if I have to have thick skin and worry about getting slapped in the face why bother posting. I get my fill of rudeness at work. I don't need any to go with my stress relieving hobby. I stick around to learn as much as I can and view some of the beautiful work on here but that's about how its going to stay for me. I will rarely post.
 
I joined a couple of years ago, one of my reasons for joining was to see the pictures that were posted. I learned a great deal about pen turning. but shortly after stopped turning things. I've gotten back in to turning and especially turning pens. I haven't completed anything yet.
I still do a lot of lurking, their is so much to learn from this site. I will be posting some pictures soon.
 
As a "not much of a poster" type member, I can share that I really like to hit the site now and then, but I only have a couple of minutes here and there and not much time to get into the true content of the threads. Most times the threads are pages long with many terrific comments already posted. I simply don't have the time to review all the posts to see if there is something constructive to add. However, that doesn't mean that I don't value highly the site and what is posted for content, both pictures and comments. Call me "silently engaged".
 
I joined quite a while ago and at the time I didn't have a camera but still touted that I was proud I created my first pen and received positive renenforcement. There is a lot of information here and I have learned so much from everyone but I don't post that often unless there is a newbie and I do like and give positive renenforment. I don't post pictures, even though I now have a camera because I forget. Just one person's perspective why I don't post often
 
I'm 81 (in a few days), have lived continuously outside the U.S. more than 50 yrs, have never turned a pen and probably never will, but this forum gives me an opportunity to associate (indirectly) with Americans - and also people from other country's - who have varied backgrounds but a common interest. I'm impressed with the obvious attitude of member friendliness and generally being willing to try to help someone who seems to be floundering. Pettiness exists everywhere, but is muted on this forum. I am very impressed with those who organized and maintain IAP. I dont post (usually) because I have nothing to offer, but that doesnt mean I'm not interested in what others are doing and saying. Not posting does not mean not interested in whats going on in the art and craft of pen making.
 
parklandturner said:
I wonder how many people only have a couple posts because their first couple of posts got something along the lines of one or more of the following [sensationalized for this post] responses:

"Seems like this topic comes up every week...why can't newbies just search the forum / library / whatever?"

or

"That's a really lousy picture. I can't tell anything from that lousy picture. If you can't post a better picture, why bother posting?"

or

"I can't believe you haven't killed yourself doing what you just wrote about..."

or

"Your cheap DIY approach isn't going to work..."

or

"[insert sound of crickets chirping here]"


Ed
Click to expand...


BUMP BUMP BUMP!!!
 
while i do post here, and try to participate, on other forums I will create an account and log in so that the forum will keep track of 'whats new' for me, without me having to remember which posts i have/havenot seen
 
The knowledge and experience available on this site is deep and wide. A person could spend days (and I have) just going through the various library topics and tutorials. For instance, I turn a decent pen, but have yet to post a decent picture. When I can get to it, I will conquer that aspect as well.

Yes, when you get a consistent influx of new members, there will be some repetitive questions that can be answered with the search function or some site browsing, but those new members don't yet know that. Most members will gently help direct or provide a quick answer. I have directed folks to the library for help on topics, but it was not done out of irritation, just to get the new member used to looking in the library for some help.

This is a great site, for instance the revival of Mike's segmented pen tutorial, which was not in the library for a while, is an example of how much depth this site has. I have re-read the entire tutorial thread, which is still growing, several times and am getting more out of it every time.

So cool. And don't forget, the moderators and administrators who are so committed and do such a great job of keeping this site current and relevant. Thank you all.
 
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