Lurkers will be removed October 1

[Christine Hudnall]

As someone who is new to the forums, I've been waiting to see what others have had to say about this topic. A little apprehensive as I type this, but here goes...

As a previous forum/group owner, I can understand the thought behind Tim's message. I know that before I became a member, I was most assuredly a proud lurker, gobbling up information like a sponge. Do I feel yet that I have a lot to contribute, no. But, I am trying, with a post here and there.

I don't know what the ultimate criteria will be for removing accounts, but I don't think it is too much to ask for at least 1 post a month. That's 12 posts for the year. Or, 1 post every other month, making 6 a year. But I see some accounts that have 2 a year. I have to agree, why have an account if you aren't going to contribute anything at all?

If there are extenuating circumstances, then let Tim know (i.e., bad vehicle accident I read here involving chaser). In certain cases, Tim might make exceptions, we don't know.

Sure, I've seen the posts that I wondered if the only reason it was posted was because the poster had to have last word about something, leading me to believe that they just want high post count (quantity over quality). While I don't agree with that, at least they are saying something, even if it is filled with hot air.

Just my thoughts in the middle of the night...

 

[Darin Brunin]

This topic got me to wondering how many posts I've actually made. So I looked it up; I average around 100 a year. But in checking out my personal tally, I've noted that some highly esteemed names on this forum may not fit the membership criteria. They drop in occasionally, and when they speak, people listen. I assume--I hope--that these veteran chasers will always remain on the active list, regardless of how frequently or infrequently they contribute.

How would these veterans not be weeded out? There are a lot of excellent chasers on this forum that not a lot of people have even heard of because apparently they haven't done their 'part' on Stormtrack. At the same time there are some that haven't done their 'part' and still will be allowed to be a member because of their recognizable name.

Just because someone posts 1000 times on a forum doesn't mean they have contributed more to a forum than someone who has posted 250 times. I would be willing to bet that if you sifted through the person with 1000 posts, most of the time you will find that they have as many quality posts as the person with 250, because the person with 250 only posted when something really captured their attention and had something to contribute and didn't just throw some BS out there at every opportunity.

Maybe these unknowns just don't want to post because of the lack of quality threads that they feel the need to contribute to on the forum as a whole.

 

[Shane Adams]

This topic got me to wondering how many posts I've actually made. So I looked it up; I average around 100 a year. But in checking out my personal tally, I've noted that some highly esteemed names on this forum may not fit the membership criteria. They drop in occasionally, and when they speak, people listen. I assume--I hope--that these veteran chasers will always remain on the active list, regardless of how frequently or infrequently they contribute.

And I imagine they'll be deleted along with every other name that fits the criteria. I'm a member of a few other weather forums that I rarely contribute to....and I'd definitely be eliminated from the members list if they did this same type of maintenance. And I would understand 100%.

 

[Shane Adams]

Seems people feel "having to post at least once a month" is a bad thing.

Maybe Tim should just delete every account that has over 60 posts. This forum is five years old, which is 60 months. That way everyone left will be happy, because none of them will be required to post. Of course I imagine it will get really boring around here once they've exhausted the archives of people who actually posted.

 

[Cort Scholten]

I know that before I became a member, I was most assuredly a proud lurker, gobbling up information like a sponge. Do I feel yet that I have a lot to contribute, no. But, I am trying, with a post here and there.

These are my sentiments, although I post much less frequently than you. Nonetheless, I feel that even though I've only made 4 posts in the past 10 months, it's not like I'm contributing nothing to this board.

I don't know what the ultimate criteria will be for removing accounts, but I don't think it is too much to ask for at least 1 post a month. That's 12 posts for the year. Or, 1 post every other month, making 6 a year. But I see some accounts that have 2 a year. I have to agree, why have an account if you aren't going to contribute anything at all?

Two posts a year is contributing something, is it not? This is the viewpoint of persons like myself. I only contribute when I feel I am knowledgeable enough in a subject to make a good-quality post (review my 4 posts to see). The criteria I set for myself means that this doesn't happen often (I'm only an undergraduate Met student). Why I set these criteria for myself, I don't know, since I am aware of the education forum, etc.

Considering myself on the borderline here, half of me doesn't plan on getting my account deleted (and I feel that many of the people worrying in this thread really shouldn't be doing so if you compare yourselves to me), but if it does, oh well. I'll be disappointed that the few times each year that I have a gem or nugget to share, I won't be able to do so.

 

[Bob Hartig]

I knew, when I made my observation about veteran members, that I was opening up fertile ground for debate, but I felt that the point needed to be made. There are a fair number of names on this forum that I would absolutely hate to lose, not because these people are consistent contributors, but because their overall contributions to storm chasing and the science of convective weather have been huge. Consequently, when they do lean in, their input is of a very different quality than that of the casual lurker. How do you make the distinction? That's up to Tim. My guess is, the drive for quality won't involve a cookie-cutter approach.

 

[Tim Newman]

When I joined the group earlier in the year, I stated clearly that I would be lurking much more than posting. This is due to the fact that I am an assistant director of emergency management for a county in Central Kansas. I am also good friends with Chance Hayes, WCM for ICT (and with that and a dollar, I may can get a cup of coffee). I am not a chaser (although do so when time allows), nor a met, nor a met student. I have wanted to be a met since I was a child, but my path took me another way. I don't have the knowledge base, but I'm learning a lot. Mostly due to my membership here. I read and soak up every written word. I had a few run-ins with wall clouds and funnels back during Memorial Day weekend out at Scott Lake in Western Kansas. We were in Oakley during the Quinter tornadoes. But I was camping, not chasing.

I check into Stormtrack at least twice a week. More often during severe weather in the area. I just don't post when I feel like my comments will not add value to the thread.

I guess the reason that I never posted before was I felt anything I said would be like a first grader talking to a college student. I really enjoy the weather related forums, but I equally enjoy the non-weather related forums. I guess I'm like several others in the shyness category. I also subscribe to the quality over quantity discipline. I think if there is a posting quota, you will have a lot of meaningless or near-meaningless posts gumming up the works.

Hope you will not remove me. Thank you for allowing me to plead my case.

Tim Newman, KCEM
Assistant Director
Reno County Emergency Management
Hutchinson, KS

 

[AlDanks]

I would understand if my account was deleted. I started in 2004 and, not counting this thread, have 22 posts.

I would like to note, however, that 11 of those have been in the past year.

Part of this is due to discovering the New Posts link and other parts of the forum. My apparently over-focused habit was to check the Forecasts and Reporting forums and was not even really aware of the Bar & Grill, etc. As a result of finding these other areas - areas where I can contribute more - I have been posting more (ramping up).

Another part has been due to early posts that unintentionally ran afoul the forum rules. Got a bit gun-shy after that and figured I should work harder at figuring out what worked before posting. I have to say that this still holds me back. There are still times I can't tell the difference between a post I made that got blasted and other people's posts that did not - other than who posted. I think it may be harder for new members to learn to fit in than old members think.

Others have stated here that if one does not want to post they should not complain if their account is deleted. I agree. If I did not want to post I would not have gotten an account nor would I miss it if it was deleted. It is not a matter of want to, it is more of matter of being able to - especially being able to post the volume necessary. Since I have found areas where I feel like I am able to contribute without being shot my posting is ramping up. I might end up reaching or exceeding the volume level needed if my account is not deleted Oct 1.

My purpose to post to the thread was not to start an argument and not necessarily to even save my own account. I just wanted to contribute some thoughts of things that others might not be considering so the decision is an informed one and so the resulting ST will be what the remaining members really want.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I'm surprised by how many people are upset by being asked to contribute, I am with everyone else.. if you don't want to post, why have a membership? I'm also surprised by some of the excuses people are throwing out for not posting. There are dozens of non-weather related threads members can participate in.

And what's with the "I don't have time" excuse? I've seen that mentioned a time or two, what is meant by this? Nobody is that busy that they couldn't login and make a post at least once a week, there are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.. nobody is that busy that in a period of 7 days they didn't have even 5 minutes free to login and make a post.

 

[Patrick Boomer]

Seems people feel "having to post at least once a month" is a bad thing.

Maybe Tim should just delete every account that has over 60 posts. This forum is five years old, which is 60 months. That way everyone left will be happy, because none of them will be required to post. Of course I imagine it will get really boring around here once they've exhausted the archives of people who actually posted.

And this type of comment helps in what way?

I can't understand the anger and mockery, it's the real reason I don't post in here very much. I have canceled quite a few replies instead of hitting the post button, just to avoid getting into it.

I come here daily to see whats up, love the info, and will continue to read, but am getting too old for the sniping.

 

[Dean Baron]

i think the problem with a lot of new members or new chasers (including myself sometimes) is that they get intimidated when they see people get bashed for what most of the time doesnt seem like such a big deal. i know when i first joined here in 2006 i didnt post much because i was afraid if i said something it was going to get based right away because of the lack of quality or whatever, even if i really had something good to say. i think this is the way it is for a lot of people here on StormTrack, they dont feel that they can post without someone ripping them apart, which I, and many other people have seen happen here and even brough up. Im sure if people felt more comfortable about posting here then more people would post.

 

[rdale]

Don't worry about the bashers. Don't take it personally. Some people just sit on these forums and wait for someone to make fun of.

On the other side - don't read between the lines. Don't put emotions into a post when they aren't intended.

So in the end - post what you want. If someone makes fun of you, add them to the "ignore" list. If someone posts a reply that helps explain why you were wrong, don't imply that they are cutting you down.

As a great man once said - "Just do it."

 

[Rob Herman]

It would help if we knew exactly what the account deletion criteria was going to be. Maybe it hasn't been hammered out yet. I only have 52 post (counting this one) in less than three years, so I don't know where I stand.

Many times I don't post about an event because several people have already reported the same thing I have seen.

 

[rdale]

It would help if we knew exactly what the account deletion criteria was going to be. Maybe it hasn't been hammered out yet. I only have 52 post (counting this one) in less than three years, so I don't know where I stand.

It seems pretty clear to me... At least in my mind - I don't consider 52 close, let alone "very close" to 0.

Accounts will be autodeleted for those who have an extremely low post count total (zero or very close to zero) and have been here at least 1-2 months.

 

[Shane Adams]

And this type of comment helps in what way?

I can't understand the anger and mockery, it's the real reason I don't post in here very much. I have canceled quite a few replies instead of hitting the post button, just to avoid getting into it.

I come here daily to see whats up, love the info, and will continue to read, but am getting too old for the sniping.

I think everyone misses my point. I have no issue whatsoever with someone being a member and just lurking...when that was accepted. My issue is that now, since Tim made the announcement that just lurking is no longer acceptable for membership, everyone is crying.

Access to the general weather forums is there with or without a membership, so what's to lose? If you're a lurker, fine. You can lurk without the tag of 'ST Member'. Seems to me this is more about the fact the lurkers won't be "official" members of this group any longer, not that their draw (to just read) is being taken away.

If Tim came back tomorrow, changed his mind, and said "lurking for members is fine" I'd have no issue. What I do have an issue with is the whining over having a title removed (not a privilege).