Why would a member need to post in order to be a member here? Aren't you kind of condemning those that have no typing, spelling, language or syntax skills and only want to read and learn to a terrible fate?

It's interesting that you only have one project showing in

 

Dallas, I am not condemning anyone one for not haveing any posts on the site but you also don't need to be a member to look at the posts that are on the site so why become a member if your not even going to comment on anything and comments do count as posts. And as for me only having 1 project Posted , if you read my home page you will see I don't have a shop at the time and am just starting to buy tools and other things that I can use when I do have a place to work in, so doing any woodworking is really pretty much of a no go for me at this time. But at least I can look at the other things that you and other members post and maybe learn something I can use in the future and also post comments and maybe even some hopefuly useful information for others at the same time since I do have at least some knowlege of woodworking even though I am not currently very active at all with it.

 

I don't post a lot and I don't have a ton of projects on my project page but I enjoy being a member here and comment or post when I want to share a thought or ask a question. On the other hand, many times I don't log in when I just want to read things that I find interesting. I tend to agree with Richard though. Three years is a long time to not have any comments or posts. I'm sure there are some that joined and never came back to the website. I have no problem with those people being removed.

 

Thanks Rob , thats pretty much my view of it is that after 3 years or more they should be pulled and then if they want to come back they can always rejoin again or just look without being a member. I don't know if removing all of them would do anything to aid the performace of the site but it would take less storage space on a server which could save a penney or two maybe.

 

I've had some gaps in my activity, especially early on.

I used to administer a website forum, and the problem with deleting users is that you screw up the thread history. Their posts are often either deleted or attributed to some guy named "Anonymous" which makes any old but still useful threads confusing to read. Even if the forum software allows their name to be left intact on their posts, clicking the name typically shows all the posts from all deleted users, rather than just that person's posts. On the other hand, when people are gone for a long time and remember a site they used to frequent, it's always exciting for them when they find they can still log in and pick up where they left off (though they might need to reset their password first).

Also, I think many people like the idea that their online contributions can live on even after they have passed or moved on.

 

The ones I am talking about have not made any contributions at all in the form of a Project or even a Comment on someone elses project that would be removed so it shouild not make a difference. If they have projects or comments posted then by all means leave them on but 3 or 4 years with nothing at all seems to be a waste of resources.

 

Guilty as charged! I am one of those persons. In my defense all I can say is that with my chicken-picking one finger typing skills I find it intimidating to post a comment and even more so when it comes to thinking of posting something that I have made. There are some very talented folks here on this site (Shipwright and BritishBoxbuilder quickly come to mind) and in comparison to their work I don't think mine is worthy of posting.

That said, I will continue to visit for inspiration, pick up tips and generally keep learning. Who knows, someday when I have something comparable to the quality/skill level I have witness here I'll post.

 

Guilty as charged! I am one of those persons. In my defense all I can say is that with my chicken-picking one finger typing skills I find it intimidating to post a comment and even more so when it comes to thinking of posting something that I have made. There are some very talented folks here on this site (Shipwright and BritishBoxbuilder quickly come to mind) and in comparison to their work I don t think mine is worthy of posting.

That said, I will continue to visit for inspiration, pick up tips and generally keep learning. Who knows, someday when I have something comparable to the quality/skill level I have witness here I ll post.

- PtboJim

Everybody is worthy. Don't put yourself down.
Heck, I don't have ANY projects in my folder, but I just like help out when I can.
I've built two houses, a detached shop, a desk, a variation of a Roubo bench, a few shop cabinets, and have designed and built custom machines. Just never got around to posting them.

Designing and building stuff is what I do for a living. Been the lead engineer for three plant startups over my career. I guess I do designing and building of so many things that what I do in woodworking is more informal and a pleasurable pass time that I just never cared to formalize.

I'll try to do better.

 

Hey PtboJim, (for those who don't know, we live practically 15 minutes apart in Peterborough),keep on posting here,you don't have to build anything to be part of this site,sharing your thoughts and opinion is also important.
plus,I won't feel alone lol.

 

The ones I am talking about have not made any contributions at all in the form of a Project or even a Comment on someone elses project that would be removed so it shouild not make a difference. If they have projects or comments posted then by all means leave them on but 3 or 4 years with nothing at all seems to be a waste of resources.

- Richard

We have a large number of people who enjoy reading but don't post. That is common in most forums. As chatty as I am, there are a few forums where I love reading, but have never posted.

 

I honestly don't see why it bothers anyone that there are members that don't post. Is there so little content on the site or that much free time individuals are actively policing users? I don't see how it causes any issues on the site for someone not to post and imagine some find that some people post way too much.

The numbers will continue to grow as anyone that has tried to view the site (not through their user account) finds out quick that the site pop ups will nearly drive you batty. I know a few guys that have created accounts to avoid the adds that have no intention of actively participating. They just like to browse the forum and look at projects.

 

How about this? We all start over and try to figure out why people are not posting other than they are afraid of "Constructive Criticism" emphasis on criticism vs constructive. I was reading a thread on L J a few days ago and some of the comments suggested we all need to revisit adjusting our egos vs how many posts we make or how long we have been a member.

HELP and information are the reason we are here, not to mention the comradeship in the field of woodworking rather a pro or beginner. We all can learn from each other if we don't get full of ourselves…as some so called untouchables do with the help of their minions.

 

If you are wondering how we know, at one point we locked those accounts that appeared to be unused. The outpouring of emails I received was overwhelming. Not everyone uses forums the same way…

 

Don't think there is anything to figure out. Simply many don't find individuals they meet on the net a form of friendship, they just looking for source of information. Others, it is just the opposite, they aren't looking for information they just are very lonely and found an outlet/place to fit in. Then you have the bulk that just fit in between.

 

Guilty as charged! I am one of those persons.- PtboJim

Your not one of the ones I was talkiing about since you do have posts even if only a few.
And as pointed out before I only have one project posted since I joined , but I do try and comment on the work of others who have much more skill than I do, and I even try to add information that I do have if it can help another member. Also I have no desire to be the Highest Poster on the site and I really don't think anyone else here does either.
So I guess it is not an issue for anyone but I was just wondering about it when I noticed so many empty accounts.

 

I am one of those. I have posted comments maybe 5 times. What I don't get is this; of all the things going on in this world and this site, this seems to be maybe the worse topic I have read yet. (yes I am on this site everyday) Let sleeping dogs alone. TravisH said it best, "nothing to figure out".

So you made me post!
Thanks.

Nothing personal Richard

PS - I have been a member a long time.

 

When I use to welcome everyone there use to be 10-20 new spam members a day ,I really don't know if it is still that way,but if it is spam members they never comment. As to everyone else they should be free to comment as they wish.

 

Another thing to consider is that there are a lot of members from around the world that utilize the site for inspiration. They've never made a post, but have pages of favorited projects, jigs and blogs. The reasons they've never posted a comment could be anything from just don't feel like it to not having the language skills to participate in an English language forum.

There's nothing wrong with that type of lurker. LJ gives them a convenient place to look for woodworking projects, processes, jigs, and save them all in one spot for future reference.

 

Sheez… why care about the members who don't post. The things that raises people's eyebrows sometimes just surprises me. Now, if you were paying for the data storage then maybe I could see it.

 

When I use to welcome everyone there use to be 10-20 new spam members a day ,I really don t know if it is still that way,but if it is spam members they never comment. As to everyone else they should be free to comment as they wish.

- a1Jim

I try to keep an eye out for those and remove them when they are reported to me.

 

It can also be members who sign up so they can keep a list of favorites with out bookmarking every page to their browser too.

I have no issues with anyone who signs up and doesn't post. It's a step further than those who don't sign up, but still read anyway

 

The way I look at is the non posting members are probably working wood to a greater or lesser degree so why get a hair across it because they don't post, they as jey t said they may admire and garner inspiration from those who do post, nothing wrong with that, also they might not have command of the English language.
Chris

 

Hey Cricket

I only have one thing to say to you.

Merry Christmas )

 

People post if they have something to say.

 

This AM and early PM I was unable to pull up the Lumberjock Site and nothing wrong at my end….Whats up with that?