stapfam

The lurkers are ones that have not registered or who are registered members who have not logged on. If you are a member- there does not seem to be much point in not logging on as you can't see the attachments with the postings- So I would suggest that the Lurkers are "Shy" people that have not taken the plunge and joined our community.

Either that or they have taken one look at the 50+ and have decided that they have not denegrated to our level enough yet.

BSLeVan

It doesn't surprise me that there are folks who lurk here. IMHO, the conversation is often better than anything on TV or in the newspapers. Folks here have a sense of civility, an interest in life, span a wide range of other interests, hold a multitude of beliefs and values, and for the most part are well spoken.

Last night I visited my youngest son in his dorm room at college. I was there for about two hours, and got to observe he and his roommate interact with their on-line communities. I use the plural of community, because each was participating in more than one discussion group, had several instant message sessions taking place at once, and were slipping in and out of three or four other sites all at the same time. For me this reinforces the notion, that will not face-to-face, the INTERNET is a powerful tool for keeping people connected to one another. I think lurking is not much different than going to a party and just quietly standing around and listening to the conversations available.

Billy Bones

You obviously didn't read the last bullet on the Forum Guidelines document. "#25. Anyone caught using or implying puns shall be unceremoniously chucked into the BMX Forum, NO exceptions."

alicestrong

If you take this line of thought a little further, what kind of community is formed if the people involved don't have face-to-face interaction with each other?

Retro Grouch 

I suspect that, in the long run, it works out about the same. It's easier to hide your lies on the internet but I think that those eventually come out anyway. On the other hand, it's easier to have more frequent via the internet so that speeds up the discovery process.

twobikes

I lurked for a while before joining BF. I wanted to get a sense of how open the forum was to new people and what I could expect in terms of useful posts.

Once in a while I happen to remember the screen name of a member who made an impression and I use my browser's search function to see if that person is logged on. Otherwise, I do not read the list of screen names.

It is good to see a couple of conservative Christians posting. I posted about my ride on this past Sunday in another thread. Only two of us had included a church service in our Sunday out of probably 20 or so who posted.

BSLeVan

Within my son's generation (at least my observations of his experience), a community that surprises me. Over the last three years he brought home five or six people with whom he has become friends and they make face-to-face contact at some point. I suspect this is not unlike some of the face-to-face meetings and rides that have taken place between forum members here that would not otherwise have happened.

I think that if one posts enough in the same forum, the personality of the individual starts to become pretty clear. I would venture to guess, for example, that my "on-line" personality is pretty close to my face-to-face personality. Some folks will respond favorably to me and others won't... both in on-line and face-to-face interactions.

Beverly

I'm guilty of that - especially at work.

WalterMitty

More than one person has suggested I'm just full of wit. At least that's what I think they said.

NotReady4Purple

Yeah. Lot's of times I'm not really all there...

ang1sgt

I lurk from time to time. Some threads interest me while other bore me. I don't come here for Politics, or Civil Rights, or what price gasoline is in my area. Those things I can find elsewhere.

I am a Bicycle Mechanic and an avid Mountain and Recumbent rider. I help out where I can, post when I want, and try to enjoy this area like I do my bike rides.

roadrider63

I'm a lurker so that I can learn. I just started riding last year and am missing it now that the weather is so cold. Don't have alot of winter gear...alot of any gear for that matter. I've learned much though from "loorking" around . I'm not 50+ yet either but I sure enjoy this forum.

Retro Grouch 

Uh does that screen name mean that you were born in 1963 - sonny?

Red Rider

I read a lot more than I post. Sometimes I have nothing relevant or humorous to add to what's already been posted. If that's lurking, then yes, I'm guilty.

guybierhaus

Well I'm setup to single click right into 50+ forum. Check a number of times a day, post very little. Pretty much what I did thru school, listened, seldom raise my hand. Think I learned more that way. Now I do go to other forums and lurk on occasions, when things get too slow here. When weather finally agrees I'll ride more and check less. Till that happens this is my bicycle fix.

Retro Grouch 

50+ has a life of it's own. Personally, I like it all.

Tex_Arcana

It is said that the wise man may remain silent and be thought a fool while the foolish man may speak and remove all doubt.

As for me I lurk the 50+ forum because I'm not going to be 50 until August this year. I think I'd like to ride a century on my birthday.

Retro Grouch 

An August century in Houston. Better plan lots of water stops.

Terrierman

Remove all doubt about what?

Tom Bombadil

So you can come in blazing in your youth and vigor???

Artkansas 

What and up the ante for all of us**********?

maddmaxx 

I know your lurking out there DG behind you cloak of invisability. When are you going to buy pie?

The Smokester

Yes. I must say that is my instinct as well. A downside is, you never really get the test of your ideas until you express or act on them.

p8rider

I used to post with some frequency. Then life got busy again and so I fell out of the habit. Have been reading only now for a while. For those who remember me, I'm still out there, still riding, still enjoying it!!

Retro Grouch 

That's me too. I'm generally pretty quiet face-to-face. I like the internet because it gives me a chance to think about how I'm going to phrase something. I think that clarifies my thought process.