I think because this is a Family forum and a Friendly forum we have this statistic:
1361 of 2600 Members have made 209518 posts in 36 forums.
That's over half of the members, including members who are away, sick, dead, having fun with other things, sleeping, eating, etc, computer down, have to shovel snow, have to shovel other stuff, members who are really not members but who signed up, and Santa, who has other duties at times.
That's a lot better than the 90% of online people are lurkers stat. We're doing pretty good here really.
I just think of it like an online magazine. I buy a magazine or read it to get info, see what others are thinking, look at the ads, see what's hot and what's not, etc but I don't buy one to contribute or write to the editor or write articles (although, when you think of it, really, you could).
This is a great place to hang out and see new and old things (members included.
One way to think of you being an active member and contributing to this forum is to think that asking questions is contributing, which it is. You might not know the answer to something and if you don't, there are probably lots more people out there that don't either.
I know I'm just sitting here all ready to go and answer a question. It's fun. But I know it's sometimes hard to ask a question. You wonder if you should know it and don't want to seem unknowledgeable or bug too much or something like that.
And granted, there are some things that, at times, most stamp collectors take for granted and think that others know also. But all you have to say is well, I don't know that bit yet.
You know why I like this forum so much? It's because I can get to help some people with their questions. That's it. And I don't know a whole lot really. I don;t have a database of stamps or tons of catalogues or books or know everything and everybody.
Sometimes I goof up and say the wrong thing. But that's why we have am edit icon, so you can go back and fix some mistakes (that you notice!) or fix up that statement or something. Add a photo or delete one (horrors!).
You can learn more than just stamps on here. Computers, databases, geography, history, politics, people, graphics, design, economics, business, tact, diplomacy, kindness, how to keep your cat from typing on your keyboard when you have just taken a small break to think up a great phrase to add to your post, oh lots of things.
edit:: There's really no way to stop the cat. I thought I should say that, but there's no way. Give up now. The cat knows it's going to get on there and you know it. Just give in now and save yourself all the worry.
Doug
Puzzler
No cat here, nope, haven't seen one for quite a while now.
The Cat
Posted 01/13/2012 1:22 pm
