I've been goofing around on message boards like this for a long time now. As a result, I've seen many first posts from folks who say that they've been "'lurking' for a couple months and finally decided to post." I guess I don't get the whole lurking thing. I've visited a number of message boards and either like what I've seen or I don't. If I don't, I move on. If I like the place, I bookmark the sucker, register and post something. So help me out. What's with this whole lurking thing?
Information. Lots of people are interested in hearing what the latest rumors are, what other people are saying, but not particularly interested in expressing their opinions about same. barfo
There's another class of people, too, who do register and sign in and post, but rarely. Most of the time, they stay logged out and just read.
And some other bulls posters from other forums that may miss some of us, but will not register to post.
I lurked for a long time at the Tribune, and also at realgm. Yes, it was initially a search for news/speculation and discussion about the Bulls. I had no idea to contribute. The idea was weird to me. I got involved out of some weird Good Samaritan complex to explain to Phil something or other. If you ask DC, I'm still working through that complex. I can't tell you even now why I do this. And I'm a moderator, for goodness' sake! Does this help?
Heh, the responses to this thread all make sense, but only when I start with the idea that I'm kinda strange. I genuinely didn't get the lurker thing and now I think I do. Thanks. In the end, I guess I just don't have what it takes to be a lurker.
Right. I thought I could talk some sense into him. Very naive. He was king of that board on the Trib site. There was some guy Jim, a couple of female posters. Shinky was there, Ace as well. I just feel weird even thinking about how I would just follow their conversations until I got emotionally involved enough to try to intervene. At least on the internet, no one could pull a knife on me. This internet community is just a weird phenomenon.
Heh, I had a guy from there once email me threatening to show up at my house telling me that he was a big strong guy who was very capable of kicking my ass, and ranting about how Shane Matthews was way better than Jim Miller.