More Lurkers Than Posters?

<p>Anyone else surprised by the lurkers vs posters stats? Was it always this way or is the post counter inhibiting the usuals....?</p>

<p>It's possible that it was always like that, I wouldn't be surprised. But it seems pretty dead around here since the change, I bet people are having a hard time getting back on, like I did. (No, it was just me, right?)</p>

<p>I'm not - college stuff is pretty stressful as it is, and posting could easily add to the stress level for some people. Of course - some of the page views simply represent having nothing to say in response - either due to lack of knowledge, or because the topic was adequetely addressed. The counters remind one that careful replies are important - the audience is a lot broader than the OP.</p>

<p>CLDad -
had incentive to get on quickly myself - my son would have laughed at me if I had needed help! Sorry you lost your name, though. And it looks like Aparent4 has adopted someone, now being Aparent5...</p>

<p>Although I suspect some regulars just haven't started posting yet, I think a lot of it is people like me that just check the newest post on a thread I've been following, which can quickly raise the count. But I do believe there are a lot more lurkers than I realized, and it makes me want to be extra diligent about posting personal information.</p>

<p>Most message boards have 10x or so readers than posters, but the numbers here are really high. I know I click and read many more than I post on, and I often click multiple times, forgetting. But still... </p>

<p>Lurkers, tell us what's going on!</p>

<p>I have read a lot of these threads on the old board and learned so much, not lurking as much as learning about topics. I have read all the musical theater and drama posts (when child # 2 was applying in those areas) and now read posts related to child # 3's interests. I usually only post when someone's comment resonates with me for some reason or when I feel I have some valuable input (rarely!!) on a topic that has not already been stated.</p>

<p>Like DCmom3, I read these boards to learn. I was such a novice when S applied, and rarely have anything useful to add to the many wonderful, informative posts. Sometimes I try to make suggestions about essays, but don't know how useful that is.</p>

<p>CLDad, it took me several hours yesterda, of trying my name and password and then getting locked out for 15 minutes at a time before I finally was able to get logged in. So I'm in your club. It'll take me a while to get used to this and besides I don't have much time any more. It's funny how sending one off to college didn't make a dent in the number of things to do in the day!</p>

<p>I was one who lurked for over 10 months, so I am sure there are others like me. Since I am new to all this, I still read much more than post. I don't feel I can answer many of these questions as I am a virgin in all of this. The info that can be gained here on the "college admittance game" is fantastic.</p>

<p>I have to say that I, too, was struck by how many people read these posts, WAY more than actually post. I knew that happens but not to the extent that the counts on this new forum are indicating! I wish some of the "lurkers' (hi lurkers!) would join in as the more the merrier and more perspectives and such. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>I've been lurking on this board for about a year now....Im a current freshman @ UM GO BLUE! You guys definately gave me a great perspective on the 13 colleges that I applied to last year....I think over the past year I posted maybe 4 times. Anyway, I have always enjoyed reading the boards and hearing other people's college stories/ nightmares and joys...</p>

<p>I, a regular at CC, am not usually a lurker... just on the parent's forum! Maybe I feel intimidated as a student to intrude on your conversations? Some of your conversations have been really helpful in understanding my own parents, though.</p>

<p>It makes sense that CC would have a very high number of lurkers. On most forums, it takes some time to get to know the group, become informed enough about the topic to feel comfortable answering and discussing and to become a "regular". Problem with that on Cc is that by the time most of us reach that point, our kids are in college and we're no longer interested in daily chat about the topic...unless there's another kid coming up through high school, as is the case with many here. </p>

<p>In addition, most of the questions are common...being asked and answered quite well by others. Most people can lurk and get just as much out of the site.</p>

<p>And there's always the intimidation factor.....some people just choose to avoid any chance of flames....not that there's much flaming here.....but every now and then someone takes offense <em>cough</em> (smile)</p>

<p>Where do you see lurkers vs. posters stats? This new format is still pretty confusing for me but I don't see anything about lurkers! What am I missing?</p>

<p>I suspect that some people lurk instead of post because at times the responses can be rather brutal. We've seen here that some seemingly innocuous topics become surprisingly heated, or threads where some unsuspecting poster who in good faith asks a question and gets whapped by those assuming the worst of him. We've seen posters who after this sort of thing, said "adios" and never reappeared. They probably now lurk. For some, the process of having your kids apply to college is trying enough without opening yourself up to the caprices of strangers...</p>

<p>Duh - never mind, I just figured out the lurkers vs posters stats thing -- you're looking at the number of times a post is viewed. Sorry!! (I'll catch on soon...)</p>

<p>patsmom, the lurker vs. poster is also known as "Posts" and "Page views" you'll see that count next to the thread name, etc. </p>

<p>I don't think I've ever been a lurker, but that might just be because I like to talk...a lot. Anyway, I really like the new forum, it seems friendlier to me.</p>

<p>True Momstheword. I still remember the day of my first or second post, where I was told to seek professional psychological help and told that I had no life....All because I was trying to help my son come up with a prelim list. Had I not been such a tough cookie, I probably would have signed off, never to return for more than lurking. </p>

<p>Like others have said, the information is so valuable.......you just take the rest with a grian of salt:) </p>

<p>I hope the lurkers will come out and add a new dimension....or some new questions.</p>

<p>I don't care for the lurker stats. I feel bad for people who post an essay, for example, and then see that 524 people read their essay and didn't feel like hazarding a reply.</p>