Lurkers will be removed October 1

[Lou Ruh]

Well ... I am admittedly a very taciturn person by nature, and rarely post (but, I have posted, and more often responded privately because I did not think my response really should go to the entire group), and have also been mentioned in numerous posts by others (as a response to my streaming video back in May). I'm not sure why that makes me of less value to the community than other members. I'm also not sure what purpose is to remove lurkers. If folks truly intend to only lurk, other than taking a slot in the membership table, what harm is there? If we really get to the point where we don't have the capacity to carry a few accounts of people who rarely post (granted, I don't know how many accounts will be removed nor what percentage of total accounts that is), then the state of the activity has reached some pretty loft heights.

On the other hand, I probably never would have joined except that, a few years back, access to the "Target Area" section of the forum was restricted to members only. I very much appreciate the folks who post information in those areas and wish I was confident enough in my abilities to post there as well. Assuming I will still have access to those areas without an account, and the group does not think there is that much value in my rare posts, then, yes, deleting my account won't bother me too much (except the elitist attitude that such an action seems to portray).

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I think what many fail to realize is that Tim is the Admin of this forum and if he wishes to do away with unused or inactive accounts then that's his choice, as much as you may not understand why.. until you are paying for your membership, he doesn't need to tell any of us why.

I don't think it's that big of a deal, if it is that big of a deal to you than be more active. It's simple as that. You want to be a part of this forum, but yet you don't want to post.

 

[Jason Foster]

Just not for everyone

There are many that are here that don't post, and are active chasers. However, the aim here (I believe) is to eliminate those that sign up, and then don't return. I'm sure a quick PM to management, with a good reason as to continue your membership will be considered.

Storm Chasing is not something for the masses. We've all read, and many posted about the large amounts of people getting into chasing. Because the chasing community has always embraced new comers, we've possibly added to the problem ourselves. Many veterans and serious chasers are re-evaluating the way we publish and make ourselves know. Originally it was about science. Later it became about education, then safety. These days it's more about making money and being famous.

I said I approve this measure 100%. To further my reason why (whether intended or not by StormTrack), it will help to distinguish those who are serious chasers and contributors to the chase community, and those who are not. I know that sounds a little elites, but it takes an elite group of people to be serious storm chasers.

 

[rdale]

Probably shouldn't bring up StormTrack X2 (was that the name?)

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Later it became about education, then safety. These days it's more about making money and being famous.

I agree with some of what you said, except there appears to be more after fame and not worrying about the money or others. But, I think that is another thread.

 

[Shane Adams]

it will help to distinguish those who are serious chasers and contributors to the chase community, and those who are not. I know that sounds a little elites, but it takes an elite group of people to be serious storm chasers.

There's nothing elitist about wanting to keep an activity's interest lying with persons who actually participate in that activity. Personally, I can't stand it when someone brings up the subject of storm chasing in the presence of muggles. I understand there's varying degrees of interest in anything, but for my time, I prefer to associate with those who are seriously, perennially dedicated to chasing. It's nothing elitist, just a personal choice.

 

[Chip Redmond]

I understand the problem with lurkers and hope that the moderators can eliminate people that have made their job harder. I do ask that they give a pm or email to the people that will be eliminated therefore they can get a chance to plead their case. I have only been here a few months and have a valid reason for my lack of posts in the last month. However, I now have the ability to post again and hope to contribute quite often.
Another benefit of warning these people is that it could encourage more posts and therefore more talk making the forum better as long as it isn't dumb talk.


Chip

 

[Lou Ruh]

"I understand the problem with lurkers and hope that the moderators can eliminate people that have made their job harder."

Hmm ... OK. Please explain the problem with lurkers, because, that's what I'm struggling with. I have been chasing for eleven years, and have contributed to the community in many ways, just not with a lot of posts here. What problems have I caused (until maybe now with my last two posts )?

One of the reasons I don't post that much is because I really strive to ensure that my posts have value, as opposed to just posting for the sake of posting (which the policy cited here can promote).

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

I'm far from a lurker, but I have a funny feeling this is going to be one great one to lurk in!

 

[MatthewCarman]

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."

What happens when you have someone like Forrest Lambert and it is just not a few people making fun of him but alot of people and they do it so much that he snapped. Not everyone can handel people making fun of them and some people can only take so much of it. I know people probibly get intimidated when they see new comers getting bashed or think thy will get bashed. I think instead of making fun of Forrest we should have tried to help him out. Clearly some people just do not care. This may be a reason why new comers are afraid to post. That and they probibly feel quality over quantity is better.

That is just my oppiniun.

 

[Chris Nuttall]

First of all, I ask that everyone do a couple of things for us mods. Take two very large steps away from your keyboard. Take a couple of deep breaths and calm down. Nobody here as any clue whether or not they are on a "cut list." You haven't found a red tag hanging in your locker yet, have you?

There is a lot of time between now and October 1. There's been one thing that's been running rampant in this thread. It's exposing (once again) a huge problem with any internet forum. People read between the lines too much and think they are being targeted, and that's when the flame wars start. I'm just asking everyone to please calm down.

[horrible hick accent]DON'T MAKE ME GET THE HOSE![/horrible hick accent]

 

[AlDanks]

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.

Ummm. I appear to have misread this to be 1-2 posts / month.

If someone hasn't posted at all for - I might give more than 1-2 months for beginners to get the hang of things - then I do think it is reasonable to delete the account. It would be nice if there was warning for those accounts that were obviously not zombie spam accounts, but as a system admin I appreciate the time and difficulty doing that so...

Deeply sorry if my misreading Tim's post has caused problems for others here.

 

[Shane Adams]

Hmm ... OK. Please explain the problem with lurkers, because, that's what I'm struggling with. I have been chasing for eleven years, and have contributed to the community in many ways, just not with a lot of posts here. What problems have I caused (until maybe now with my last two posts )?

The only problem you (and others like you) are causing is you're butting heads with the Administrator of StormTrack. Tim runs this joint, he pays for it. What he says goes, period. Until you're paying a monthly fee for your privilege to use ST, you have no say. A lot of you either forget this, don't know, or don't care.

One of the reasons I don't post that much is because I really strive to ensure that my posts have value, as opposed to just posting for the sake of posting (which the policy cited here can promote).

Ah, the age-old "quality VS quantity" angle. I like to borrow an opinion from J (of 'J and Silent Bob' fame) on this matter, which basically states that just because you hardly ever speak, doesn't make the things you do say some incredibly meaningful gospel.

I'm in the top 6 of all-time posts, and I feel my 'quality' is as high as anyone's. You might not agree with what I say, but I'll damn sure make you think (or just piss you off, which means you thought about it anyway whether you want to admit it or not).

Let's not do the whole "he/she posts a lot but it's all crap" thing to justify little/no participation on here.

 

[Danny Neal]

To the people who feel intimidated for getting "flamed on" or "bashed," let me say that when I first joined I took a backseat to a lot of the discussion on ST. I was around reading it back in 2004 when it was out of its' development stage. I never joined until 2006, because I never knew how I would fit in. Wasn't sure if I wanted to get into the meteorology field or wanted to pursue other routes in life. One thing was for sure, I had the love for weather. I chased a lot from 1998 to 2004 and less from 2005-2007, but have ramped up again. Met some great people along the way. Then when I joined, I could talk to them on a daily basis. I met and talked to many more chasers and people that share the same interest as I do.

I felt sort of intimidated when I first started posting since I had admired most of these chasers back in the beginning of the decade and late 90's. After a while though I opened up and didn't care if I was accepted or bashed. I have made a lot of great friends on this site, just by talking weather, or football, or equipment, anything really. Don't be afraid to make a reply that someone else may deem "stupid" or roll their eyes and say "pssh newbies....right?" Those of you who lurk just to soak up knowledge, share some of your own knowledge! You all have your own reasons for being here. If you want to learn, ask questions and hop in previous discussions. Don't be afraid to learn, and don't be afraid of critizism. There are over 1000 people here with a lot of knowledge on this hobby, take advantage of it.

I know someone said they were the head/a part of an EM in Kansas? Tell us about your operations! How many spotters go out, what is your protocol, etc. It doesn't have to be JUST storm reports.

Take advantage of your free time you spend on ST, I know I do!

 

[Shane Adams]

As far as the intimidation factor...this is the internet. You gotta grow a pair and have some thick skin if you're worried over what someone might type to you, about you, or in disagreement with you.

If you're the type person who sits in the corner of the room at a party and never speaks until someone prods you into the crowd, you might be better off just watching....which requires no membership...see the full-circle thing that's happening here???