How Many Real Members ?

ron1863 · #1 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 02:38 PM

I was browsing the list of WAB members, and while I know that there are many thousands of members, there only seems to be a few who regularly contribute and off the top of my head I could name Ollie, naturelover, juliejam, big bill, badgerwatcher, gslammy, Pauline (forgot your username - sorry), fungusken, wildwoman,nickcantle and Coasty, to name but a few.

Apologies to any regular contributors who I forgot to mention but I am now in my fifties and the brain cells are dying at an amarling rate

I suspect that there is a hardcore group of only a few hundred regular contributors, it that, but I hope I am wrong as it seems pointless to me to join a brilliant site such as this and then not contribute to discussions, most of which are either serious, funny or tongue in cheek, not to mention educational.

eeyore · #2 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 02:55 PM

if you use the advanced search in members this lets you search by number of posts and shows that members with 25 posts + (the threshold at which you can have signatures etc) number 786.

that said I dont think post count is necessarily a good way to assess whether someone is a "real" member - there maybe people who hardly ever post in the forum but who add to the site by posting pictures , or reviews or adding to the refference section or whatever (none of which increases your post count)

In fact given that wab is supposed to be an educational resource I would say that anyone who joins is a "real" member and no member is worth anymore or any less than any other regardless of their post count. (except for spammers and trolls of course but these are only a tiny proportion of the total membership)

Paul mabbott · #3 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 02:55 PM

There used to be a rule of thumb ("90:10:1", although that doesn't add up

) that only ten per cent of members of fora/groups take any "on-going" interest in the groups they join and that only one per cent actually contribute more than one or two mails/articles/pictures ....

Some people join just to spam (and are intercepted), some join to ask one question, quite a few just sit and read feeling that they have nothing to contribute (usually wrongly, I think). Others possibly have died

while others are simply shy.

So join the elite!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron1863

I was browsing the list of WAB members, and while I know that there are many thousands of members, there only seems to be a few who regularly contribute and off the top of my head I could name Ollie, naturelover, juliejam, big bill, badgerwatcher, gslammy, Pauline (forgot your username - sorry), fungusken, wildwoman,nickcantle and Coasty, to name but a few.

Apologies to any regular contributors who I forgot to mention but I am now in my fifties and the brain cells are dying at an amarling rate

I suspect that there is a hardcore group of only a few hundred regular contributors, it that, but I hope I am wrong as it seems pointless to me to join a brilliant site such as this and then not contribute to discussions, most of which are either serious, funny or tongue in cheek, not to mention educational.

matt_xyz · #4 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 03:38 PM

I agree that it's only ever the minority who contribute in forums.

The group I find most intriguing are those who join, post 20 posts day for a couple of months and are logged on for 12 hours a day, but then seem to burn themselves out and disappear.

I won't mention names but we're had a succession of members who do that over the years.

Matt

glsammy · #5 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I agree that it's only ever the minority who contribute in forums.

The group I find most intriguing are those who join, post 20 posts day for a couple of months and are logged on for 12 hours a day, but then seem to burn themselves out and disappear.

I won't mention names but we're had a succession of members who do that over the years.

Matt

Yes, and it becomes quite easy to identify them over time. I could name one very recent one, but I'd better not, they might log on again tomorrow and I'd look a right twit!

mrs fish · #6 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 03:46 PM

Thank you Ron

I lurk alot on wab

You can tell that alot of people just visit to read

Kayleigh · #7 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 03:50 PM

Some people have been ill as they have posted to let us know why they have been away..Others have life changes or work commitments ect..Others just get bored and disappear and find something else to do..

Seajay · #8 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I agree that it's only ever the minority who contribute in forums.

The group I find most intriguing are those who join, post 20 posts day for a couple of months and are logged on for 12 hours a day, but then seem to burn themselves out and disappear.

I won't mention names but we're had a succession of members who do that over the years.

Matt

I doubt very much if they burn themselves out Matt, more likely they have been upset by someone or something. How many times have you read a post where someone feels no-one responds to posts or it is cliquey? Silly arguments and bickering are one of the main causes I would have thought and reading things into remarks which weren't there in the first place another. It is very difficult to communicate when you can't see someones face I think.
However I am surprised to hear that so few people post!

I'd better get typing!

Colin

badgerwatcher · #9 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 05:56 PM

I'm sure I'm not alone in sometimes spending ages on here simply admiring a section of the gallery, or reading one or two threads from start to finish, or following a particular interest that day, and not posting any comments. I still feel part of everything even when I've got nothing to say.

Oscar2006 · #10 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:04 PM

Some of us only post when there is something interesting or worthwhile to post about

nightshade · #11 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgerwatcher

I'm sure I'm not alone in sometimes spending ages on here simply admiring a section of the gallery, or reading one or two threads from start to finish, or following a particular interest that day, and not posting any comments. I still feel part of everything even when I've got nothing to say.

Hi Badgerwatcher,lovely to hear from you,I have not seen anything of you for a while and thought we had lost you
regards nightshade

LoveT · #12 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgerwatcher

I'm sure I'm not alone in sometimes spending ages on here simply admiring a section of the gallery, or reading one or two threads from start to finish, or following a particular interest that day, and not posting any comments. I still feel part of everything even when I've got nothing to say.

Hear Hear! I'm afraid I'm one of those who have to juggle home/work/life balance etc. so I get on here and post/join in as often as possible, but the facts of life for me are that it's not always possible. That said, I do look at the site every day to see what's going on, but don't always automatically log in until I feel able to contribute.

As a newcomer, I don't get the feeling that the site is 'cliquey' - I appreciate the knowledge, wisdom and humour of those more 'in the know' about the wildlife of Britain than me (e.g. the regular contributors mentioned here), and I'm learning quite a lot as time goes on, for which I thank you all. I certainly don't take offence if nobody comments on my gallery photos or contributions to the forums - my contribution or view is as valuable as anybody else's, and I am happy to be corrected if I am wrong.

Besides, I like some of the forums where a 'bit of a ding-dong' takes place - they can make for a very amusing read

!

Thea

nightshade · #13 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:19 PM

There are so many people that would like to contribute but think "someone else will say that" or "I wish I had said that" Just gird up your loins and post it
,everyone has a different slant on a subject, we may be missing something if
you do not post

Just try it,go to the treehouse and say "hi nightshade I am interested in......"
go on just try it

LoveT · #14 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:20 PM

Anyway, I didn't realise it was a competition - I'd better get posting

!

Thea

jennyb · #15 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:26 PM

I tend to lurk more than post and I am sure that there are a lot more like me.

I also feel quite intimidated by the knowledge that some people have and feel quite concerned that I can very rarely answer any questions. When I see a question that I can respond to, someone usually beats me to it!

By the way, Nightshade, I've got a bat video that you may be interested in.....

Jenny

Jez · #16 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveT

Anyway, I didn't realise it was a competition - I'd better get posting

!

Thea

Competition come and get some. I'm almost at 2000 posts most of which are incorrect posts to the guess who thread

nightshade · #17 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:34 PM

Yes please,Jennyb
Avon Bat Group are organising several open to all events this year
starting with a bat care event on the the 8th of March 2008,
Google Maps

jennyb · #18 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:35 PM

Graham,

We joined in the same month and you have 7 times more posts than me! I thought females were supposed to be more gabby than males?

Jenny

Beryl · #19 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:35 PM

I view every day but I don't always log in as I don't have a whole lot to say. I just upload poetry mostly

Cazzie · #20 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:43 PM

Well I know I've not been on for a couple of months due a few upheavels here at home... but I have been lurking too lol!

Hoping that with the weather changing (and my attitude!) I will resume Wabbing asap... I've missed ya crazy bunch rofl!

Paul mabbott · #21 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 06:46 PM

Quite right, Thea - it is not a competition.
Think what would happen if I (or anyone else) replied to most of the enquiries on this site saying, 'No, don't know.'! Very tedious and unconstructive threads ....

It sometimes seems as if some people feel a need to respond to every thread without actually making a constructive comment. That's a bore .... but it would be an equally bad thing if people were deterred from commenting or asking questions just because "someone out there will know better than me.". T'ain't necessarily so!

And even the "experts" can be wrong ....

Also there's plenty of scope for practice in the treehouse with a bit of fun ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveT

Anyway, I didn't realise it was a competition - I'd better get posting

!

Thea

nutmeg · #22 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 07:10 PM

I love this site and was a regular lurker for about 18 months before making my first post (definitely not one to go all out and suffer burn out

)

Even now I read far more than I contribute - probably because I feel others know so much more than me, or I don't have anything extra to add. I learn a lot here so am grateful to those who do keep the forums active

clicka15 · #23 (**permalink**) 28-02-2008, 07:37 PM

I wouldn't use number of posts as a guage for deciding whether someone is a 'real' member or not, and there is no requirement on members providing a minimum contribution, thank goodness, when they join.

Also, if you're interested in insects, there's not much to write about during the winter months, so it would be expected that some contributors will be quieter.

Steve.