Why do you lurk?

[Taqroy]

Originally Posted by SaraB

I tend to be a lurker more than a poster. Especially when I first join a forum and I haven't gotten a good feel for the popular opinions for things yet. I absolutely don't want to be one of those people who jumps in saying they are against something when the majority of members are for it. I feel that is just picking a fight and I'd rather know what I'm getting myself into first. Or I would rather be more informed about a topic before I feel comfortable posting about it.

I also want to get a feel for individual members. Does someone fight just to fight? Does someone tend to get personal in debates? I like to know what I'm up against before I post something that I may have to defend.

Even now on Chaz, I'll go through lurking phases when I'm not in a talkative (typative?) mood or if I know I won't have any constructive or nice to say. So generally when I'm pms'ing for example, I won't post for several days because I know whatever I post will come across wrong.

Basically all of this. Chaz was the first forum I ever joined and I was waaaay intimidated by the main people then. So I lurked for quite awhile to figure out what was going on and who was who before I started actually posting. I go through phases where I post all the time and then a couple days or weeks when I hardly post at all.

[misfitz]

Originally Posted by ACooper

I lurk because there's no reason to post. I can't offer any information because I'm learning about these subjects. I haven't needed to ask anything because I know how to use a forum and the search........most subjects a newb would need have been covered in spades.

Pretty much this. I mostly lurk on a lot of obedience Yahoo groups, and some forums. I like to follow the discussions because I usually learn something that I can use in the future, or just soak up information about dog training and behavior. I read a lot of books, too. Reading forums is kind of an extension of that.

I usually only post if I have a question that hasn't been addressed yet or a solution or idea that hasn't already been posted - neither of which happens very often.

Originally Posted by Toller_08

But all in all, I'm just not a real big talker in real life or online unless I know you really well. I like to observe and chime in when I feel I can add something to a conversation.

^ Also this.

[kady05]

I tend to lurk here.. 800ish posts here and almost 8500 on the other forum I'm on, if that says anything LOL.

I think I tend to lurk because there are a set group of really active members and sometimes I feel like I'm.. interrupting their convos.

[MinPinOwner]

I'm mostly a lurker of late. I've been busy. I'm liking Chazhound so far but haven't gotten around to posting much. lol

[Doberluv]

Originally Posted by Taqroy

Basically all of this. Chaz was the first forum I ever joined and I was waaaay intimidated by the main people then. So I lurked for quite awhile to figure out what was going on and who was who before I started actually posting. I go through phases where I post all the time and then a couple days or weeks when I hardly post at all.

Who are the "main" people? That concept never occurred to me.

I can't get to every thread or every sub forum, but am mostly interested in the dog chat, fire hydrant, I do less in the training forum than I use to because I don't think I add anything that someone else can't cover better. And occasionally I'll post in the other sub forums but not so much...I'm usually pretty busy, not every day, but most days. I do get drawn into the drama threads. They're kind of fun in a sick sort of way. So, I read quite a bit, but don't always have anything constructive to write.

I can't remember how much I lurked before joining, it's been so long. Probably not very much....I don't see myself as keeping quiet too long...being kind of a blabber mouth. And I'm not one to be overly concerned about what others think or if I'll fit in or not...not in real life either.

[oakash]

Because lurking is my hobby. I'm really good at it, in real life too. I hardly ever talk, I have to force myself to weigh in on the conversations going on around me. I tend to only make sarcastic or quick comments, that are only able to be heard if you're near me.

[Baxter'smybaby]

Originally Posted by Jenne

I lurk because I don't have much to say, and I tend to ask my questions on a busier forum where I'll get answers. The people here are a really close group and I often feel like an intruder, so I read a lot of posts but don't comment much. I'll de-lurk to comment on a dog, welcome a new member or if I feel I have something valuable to add, but that's about it.

Originally Posted by kady05

I tend to lurk here.. 800ish posts here and almost 8500 on the other forum I'm on, if that says anything LOL.

I think I tend to lurk because there are a set group of really active members and sometimes I feel like I'm.. interrupting their convos.

I think this important to note....chaz definitely has a tighter group of people, I think. But I also think joining in and adding to the threads helps people get to know you--and develop relationships with you. I hope people will join in more and not feel put off by those members who seem "tight" with each other. Chaz has a community feel to it that other forums don't, IMO.

As to lurking--I run hot and cold--it is based purely on how busy I am, how much personal energy I have, and if my contributing is important to me or not. Lots of discussions are great to read--but I don't necessarily feel a need to add to the topic.

[Locke]

I lurk mostly because I don't feel I can add to the conversation, or what I wanted to say has been said a ton of times already.

Sometimes I like to post...like now...but lurking is more my thing.

[HayleyMarie]

I lurk because I am a creeper, well honestly I am pretty active on this forum, but I have days where I just feel like lurking around and other days where I want to comment on everything lol.

I read a lot of the drama filled threads, but tend not to post, honestly when a thread gets heated like that its a waste of my time to join in the mess lol, but it sure does make for a good read.

[NicoleLJ]

Originally Posted by SaraB

I tend to be a lurker more than a poster. Especially when I first join a forum and I haven't gotten a good feel for the popular opinions for things yet. I absolutely don't want to be one of those people who jumps in saying they are against something when the majority of members are for it. I feel that is just picking a fight and I'd rather know what I'm getting myself into first. Or I would rather be more informed about a topic before I feel comfortable posting about it.

I also want to get a feel for individual members. Does someone fight just to fight? Does someone tend to get personal in debates? I like to know what I'm up against before I post something that I may have to defend.

Even now on Chaz, I'll go through lurking phases when I'm not in a talkative (typative?) mood or if I know I won't have any constructive or nice to say. So generally when I'm pms'ing for example, I won't post for several days because I know whatever I post will come across wrong.

.

This and it depends on what is going on in my life as well. Right now there is tons going on that I mainly come here and read as a distraction from it all. I also am not a fan of the rare people who like to follow people and no matter what they post, even if it is simply pictures, that they have to find something to attack that person on because they don't like them. When I am going through a lot of stuff I try to avoid posting because of that type of drama that I just can't handle or deal with.