Forum Lurkers - Speak Out!

By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics and access other forums reserved for members. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today by clicking here.

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 7103 Location: Yes

I suppose like any forum, Eater has those members who observe but do not comment. They are referred to as "lurkers", bestowing a slightly creepy moniker on what is a completely innocent behavior. After all, they're not hurting anyone!

But baiting is very much a participatory sport ("Hey, look at what I did!" "How can I get the lad to send me a picture?" "Help me nail this lad!" etc.) and Eater caters to the performance artist in us all. But the "lurkers" just ... watch. We have members who have been here for 3+ years, visit regularly, and never ... say ... a ... word.

Well, I want to hear your stories. Break your vows of silence and tell us why you "lurk". After all, you are human too (You are, right?!?). Why did you join Eater and why do you come back, day after day, only to watch from your slightly darkened corner of the forum? What has been your favorite bait to silently read? Who are some of the characters here that keep you logging on? Who is your favorite hammer wielding mod?? Let your inner dialogue out into the open. Make this your FIRST post! Smile

And by the way, I will not be surprised if this thread has no responses. Wink

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 3:50 pm

^I second this. Often it is that 1st post that is the most difficult. I myself was a lurker for some time before becoming a member, and then for a little longer until I felt comfortable introducing myself. I am so glad I did though. After a crappy day it's great to be able to come here, read a few threads, post a couple of comments, and feel a bit better about things. It's a great little community.

So come on, say hello! We won't bite. Well, some of us might, but only if asked nicely and that's a chargeable service... Wink

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 20 Aug 2012 Posts: 16

ah yeah

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

Think of it as a 12 step group.

For instance, once Cougar's post above would have actually read:

Quote:

I myself was a <strike>lurker</strike>stalker for some time before becoming a member

You've come a long way, ma'am....and we're proud of you! Wink

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 5:06 pm

Ever thought that some people just may shy ????

Some forums I go to (and no they are not x-rated) I dont post anything

Though I agree would be nice to here from the baiters who are a wee bit shy... Laughing

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 7103 Location: Yes

Listen all you postwhores -- you are scaring away these "shy" members with all your posting. Now be quiet! Cool

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 5:56 pm

@Ted - I don't know what you mean! Wink

*whispers* Sorry Razor!

*gives a small wave to lurkers* Sorry! All yours!

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 6:09 pm

Or some people may simply not be comfortable writing in English - I'm a member of a few non-English forums where I only read, never post.

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 7:21 pm

^^^ I second this. Sometimes I just prefer to remain silent than write something short. English is not my native language so when I can't find the right words or phrase I just refrain myself from posting.

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 7:48 pm

I lurk more often than I post (Although I prefer to think of it as skulking). Since I am fairly new around here I didn't think I'd get slapped around for being a bit of a whore so here we go...Actually I don't have anything interesting to add really. Sorry about that. Oh yeah going to a Labor Day Party in a bit at "The Cave". There will be Smoked Laker, Deep Fried Turkey and some Goose Sausages compliments of yours truly. The ensuing Hangover should be spectacular to say the least. Crap that reminds me, I work Sunday and Monday! Oh well I gotta make sure this years crop of Students are taken care of....okay I'm done.

Have a great weekend everyone!

PS - If work is slow tomorrow, I will begin posting a fine Bait for your viewing pleasure.

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 7:49 pm

I must confess that quite often i come to just look to see what has been posted, if i have something of intrest to add to a post then i post.

Quite a few times, i have a thought (it happens, now and again Laughing

) that my post is not going to improve this thread and is just going to make me look foolish.

Like me i sometimes feel foolish posting and it does not help when you have idiot members who make annoying remarks about your post, so everybody can see.

Perhaps an idea based on the mentor system would be that any lurker if they want to post in the forum could send their post to a member who posts often, the member could check the post and then post it in the forum, on behalf of the lurker.

Until the lurker feels that they can post by themselves without any further help.

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 8:06 pm

Hmmm, I wonder....

Maybe Lurkers could post in their native languages and then post an English version if not just a Google Translate one.

Myself, I'd like to see some non-english posts that are translated as best they can just to maybe learn new ideas.

(That'll be two more cents please)

Just for fun a Google Translate into German:

Hmmm, ich frage mich ....

Vielleicht Lurkers konnte in ihrer Muttersprache zu schreiben und dann posten eine englische Version, wenn nicht nur ein Google Translate ein.

Myself, würde Ich mag einige Nicht-Englisch-Beiträge, die übersetzt, so gut sie nur können vielleicht lernen, neue Ideen zu sehen.

(Das wird zwei weitere Cent bitte)

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 8:20 pm

I find baiting quite interesting. The stuff that comes up here is often amusing, ie the guy who makes lads get tattoos of bison. I would try it myself if it weren't for all the security risks.

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 9:03 pm

^There are risks, but if you follow the guidelines and BaitSafe (TM) they become minimal to non-existant.

Is there a specific risk/security issue that worries you? If so tell us, we may be able to work around it. Smile

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 9:24 pm

I lurked in this forum for a year before I chimed in. It took me that long to figure out all of the intrigue, subplots, backstabbing, and pecking order.

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 9:34 pm

^You have that all worked out? In just a year?? Shocked

Could you drop me the details in a pm?

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 11:20 pm

I only post when I am naked Cool

(only a joke, it's Saturday night and I've been on the piss!)

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 12:51 am

Cougar wrote:

^You have that all worked out? In just a year?? Shocked

Could you drop me the details in a pm?

It all became clear after I reread Shakespeare's Richard III. Wink

It also helps to have a graduate degree in Political Science.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 2:21 am

I was in love at first sight..I jumped in the pool and found the water fine.

My suggestions for someone interested in posting, but finding it hard, would be PM'ing a MOD.

They are very kind to us newbs... Wink

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 6:38 am

I have to admit one long gone Mod put me off posting too often, but I loved lurking just to read his next sarcastic, poison dipped, stream of vitriol directed at somebody who hadn't read the stickie, posted off the thread topic, or was just a wally in general.

Now they're all gone soft and cuddly, (well, not all of them) and it's like the Welcome Waggon rolling up as soon as you get the curtains pulled.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 12:12 pm

Right now I'm more lurking than participating.
Basically has to do with RL and other hobby that took up a lot of time. I really need to get back 'in the mood' for baiting again. Just too funny to stay away.
Very Happy

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 1:27 pm

They told me it was: 'Free beer and pizza for life going to any lurkers that sign up and post today!' when I put my head above the parapet all those years ago.

Shame I didn't notice the *Subject to conditions part of the offer in the small print.

Sent in the photos as requested and never heard back. Confused

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 12

Did someone say lurker?

Ok, I'll break my vow of silence. I first found my way here after reading a post on another forum about people getting scammers to pose for photos with fish on their heads and other strange things. So I found Eater, joined up and had a good laugh, I posted a few times after I joined and I did a bit of baiting for 5 or 6 months until rl caught up with me. I really enjoy reading the safari baits, I have a look at the Hector and Shorty threads most times I'm on here. The Joe safari was the bait that probably got me hooked and kept me coming back. Whatever happened to Rumbero?

I do tell myself that I should post every now and then, and tell people that I enjoy their work, but I'm probably just lazier than most of the lads, and never get around to it.

My fingers are cramping up, I'm going back under my rock now.

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 18313

Walter Mitty!! I've seen you lurking and have been waiting for you to post since I was modded, four years ago! Laughing

Welcome to the forum. Please do post more often. Wink

To all lurkers: Just because some members are very chatty, it doesn't mean their comments are more valuable. The more of us posting and contributing, the stronger scambaiting and Eater are. Please join in!

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 5:54 pm

Very nice sentiment JMR. Hello to all lurkers may your shadows be ever dark. Of course feel free to come out from time to time and say hi.

Forum Lurkers - Speak Out!	View next topic View previous topic