Lurkers will be removed October 1

[David Hoadley]

I assume Tim's decision has mainly to do with conserving "band width" and not the administrative management of this forum. What, exactly, is the impact of sustaining "lurker" accounts? If all of them were removed, would Storm Track users notice any change in function or speed for this site before and after such action? Would Tim's job of management be any easier, and why? It would help those of us who do not manage a web site to know the **reason** behind this decision, so as to better understand and support Tim in this matter.

 

[Jason Foster]

What about a donation

Sorry if this has been asked...I tried to scan the many, many pages really quick.

Would a member, likely to be deleted from membership, donate money, would that be a way to secure their membership. I might think that ST would not likely recieve money then delete an account of contributor. That might be a solution for those "lurkers" to maintain their account status without the need of posting....but that would be upto management/moderators.

BTW...don't forget there is a poll you can voice your opinions:
http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17941

 

[Brandon Brown]

''We have no problem with guests viewing attachments; in fact it escaped us that this wasn't allowed. No problem here as long as it doesn't clog up our bandwidth. We'll make the change tonight.''

Tim

Just to clarify, if an account gets terminated, a guest can still view, say, chase accounts with photo's [attachments] for example? For me, thats probably my favourite part of this forum. Up here in Canada, I like to stay in the 'loop' by reading everyone's chase reports and seeing what they've seen via photos. Also, reading the forecast discussions is priceless learning info! The set ups up here in Alberta are a bit different than the USA plains, but reading those discussions helped me understand what was going on down there when I made the trip to tornado alley this past spring. Bottom line is, I dont understand why people feel threatened by losing a membership here. There's more important things in life to worry about in my opinion.

 

[Shawn Camp]

I will post more when and if I can but I will try to post more and not be a "lurker"
and Tim I would still like you to please E-mail me so we can talk when and if you have the time to do so. And one more thing I do not appreciate the term "lurker" I've been envolved in weather and chasing and spotting for quite some time 97-2008 This is like a extended family for me and I care about it alot. I will try to post more often so I do not have the title "lurker"


Shawn C.

 

[Shawn Camp]

Well I'm sorry but the more I read the more twisted about this I become Ok first of all I do not have a problem posting either I just have not done so for any number of reasons such as 1. family stuff 2. Why post if your question has already been answered ??? 3. sometimes strong opinions do not belong on ST 4. I have not had alot of time to sit down and post my life like alot of people is very very busy and I go back to # 1. and I could go on and on but I will not. Bottem line yes I will try to post more often and it would be Nice not to see my acct get deleted even though there really is no justification in doing so at least not in my mind.


Sincerely



Shawn C.

 

[Chris Nuttall]

I will post more when and if I can but I will try to post more and not be a "lurker"
and Tim I would still like you to please E-mail me so we can talk when and if you have the time to do so. And one more thing I do not appreciate the term "lurker" I've been envolved in weather and chasing and spotting for quite some time 97-2008 This is like a extended family for me and I care about it alot. I will try to post more often so I do not have the title "lurker"


Shawn C.

There is no offense meant in the term "lurker." It's simply Internet terminology for a person that reads a message board but doesn't post very much. That's all it is.

 

[Greg Blumberg]

I just wanted to mention that the number of posts doesn't entirely matter, but rather the frequency of the posts.

I also want to mention that there are a whole lot of people on ST that know a whole lot about weather and usually take control of the conversations on the Target Area sections because they are the experienced chasers and know what they are talking about, and can say it intelligently. The "newbies" for lack of a better word fill their role by asking questions, so they can learn. There are also a lot of topics already out there on the forums that one can search for to get answers.

 

[BKDPhillips]

Trying not to be a lurker....

I am responding to several people who wonder why some of us are lurkers. (Obviously, I haven't even been a good lurker lately because I just found this sticky! )

Yes, I am a lurker at times. Sometimes, I am too busy to do much more than just read - like the past 6 weeks since I am back teaching (at 3 schools). I joined this forum because I had been reading it for over a year and also because I had been interested in weather my entire life (yet not at the advanced level of most of these awesome people on this forum). Thus, I wanted to join for the reasons many have given - to see the attachments, to learn, and to post, sometimes, when I have questions/comments.

The reasons I don't post, even when I am actively logging in several times a day, are - not educated enough and still learning, by the time I get ready to post everyone has already said it several times, busy w/ family, church, and school, and lastly, shy!

If I am removed , I understand rules and reasons , but I would be disappointed and maybe I could re-join in the future when I am better educated and able to ask even more questions, give good insights, or post chasing accounts that won't embarrass me. I was concerned that this would happen. I unfortunately have various times like many of you, where the job and family keep me from my interests and hobbies for extended periods.

Just in case I am removed, thanks for all the great info, links, and wonderful pics/ chase accts that have helped me enjoy the weather much more the past year. (I will continue to lurk and learn.) My students (though only in elementary school) have benefited from many of your (sometimes edited) posts and pics. In fact, I think I may have 2-3 budding weather enthusiasts on my hands this year.

Belinda

 

[Andy Mayhew]

Personally I think it makes sense to remove on a regular basis all members who have never posted and have not even visited the site for, say, the past 6 months. It helps keep the membership list 'genuine'. Whether there should be an expectation to post I'm not so sure. We don't do it on Ukww but were I solely in charge I think we might

I know there have been quite a few people on UKww who have only started posting after being a member for a year or two. People do sometimes like to spend time getting the feel for a site, and waiting for the right thread to come along to which they feel they can make a valid contribution.

Must admit I don't even look in on Stormtrack as often as I should - let alone contribute (though inevitably I'm never going to contribute a great deal because most of my knowledge and indeed much of my interest is in the UK). So the question is: will I suddenly start posting to avoid the Great Delete ...... or will I fade away into the ether never to be heard from again ?????

 

[Beau.Gjerdingen]

I am a lurker most of the time, because I do not feel like every thread needs input from me. It seems that by requiring members to post, you are almost sure to reduce the quality of what is posted because people feel forced to speak. Sure a forum would die if nobody posted, but it seems there are plenty that do post. I guess I just don't see what harm it causes Stormtrack to have folks not post something. It seems the ones that do are most often the cause of any kind of "Trouble".

 

[John Erwin]

I voted that I agree with it. If you don't post... you don't need an account, right? Seems like a no-brainer.

 

[Helen Rossington]

I think I am in the danger zone here too...I agree with Andys comments above about clearing people who haven't logged on/posted for a considerable time and also about waiting for the right thread to come along.

One of the things I liked about this forum was that it was well managed/organised but at the same time I am often put of posting as I am well aware other peoples knowledge is greater than mine in some areas.

My post count is low but I log on regularly and would post if I can add anything of value - but I like the fact that you are not allowed to write "nice pics" or post a smiley to up your post count, it keeps it compact.

 

[Tyler Burg]

I am a lurker most of the time, because I do not feel like every thread needs input from me. It seems that by requiring members to post, you are almost sure to reduce the quality of what is posted because people feel forced to speak. Sure a forum would die if nobody posted, but it seems there are plenty that do post. I guess I just don't see what harm it causes Stormtrack to have folks not post something. It seems the ones that do are most often the cause of any kind of "Trouble".

I like the way you stated that. Same with me, I feel like most people here have more knowledge then I do, so I almost feel intimidated to post. I think that many people will be posting 'reduced quailty posts' as Beau mentioned, to keep their account. I'd like to stay, cause I know when I graduate next spring i'll be out there chasing, I thought I'd learn a bit, and ask some questions in the educational Thread, But if I don't post enough, I don't understand how that causes the trouble, I'd think the ones who post one liners, and post alot would cause the trouble.

Being in the position of possibly being removed, I will not have a say in the polls, as I'm obviously not sure whats better for ST.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Why do some people still think they "will be in the danger zone" when they have 23 posts as the post above states. Please see Tim's very first post in the thread.

FROM TIM: This is official notice that on October 1 we will be pruning out dead accounts, lurkers, and all spam zombie accounts that have slipped through over the years. 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.

So, if you have been here over 1 or 2 months, and you have maybe 3 or less posts, then you have something to worry about. I think everyone is making this a lot harder than it actually is.

 

[Scott Taylor]

I think everyone is making this a lot harder than it actually is.

Agreed. I can't believe this thread hit 12 pages, lol