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Why do people have a problem with lurkers?

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League_Girl
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10 Mar 2010, 9:06 am

I have noticed at a few places, people seem to have issues with people lurking than posting. Why is that?

Do you have issues with lurkers?



mitharatowen
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10 Mar 2010, 11:20 am

They consider it like eavesdropping. Listening to a conversation of which you are not part of. The implication is that it's sneaky and you have ulterior motives other than conversing.

I do no thave an issue with lurkers. I have an issue with people who irl insert themselves into my conversation with someone else, though.



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10 Mar 2010, 11:24 am

I don't have a problem with them, personally. I welcome them. That's how some people decide whether to join, or not. :)


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10 Mar 2010, 11:26 am

I think lurking is inherent with fora and we all do it more or less so. I don't mind.



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10 Mar 2010, 11:44 am

Lurkers have always been welcome in most of my circles. They were even included in onesided conversation. :)
Many ninja-jokes were made.


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jc6chan
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10 Mar 2010, 12:07 pm

Just to confirm...what exactly does lurkers mean? Does it mean people who just spies on what is posted but don't post themselves? How would you know who's lurking if they don't post or did I get the definition all wrong??



FredOak3
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10 Mar 2010, 12:12 pm

Well think of who is typically coming to this site...I would think most would start as lurkers just out of our normal reluctance at social interaction.

Just because it's virtual doesn't make it any less daunting of an undertaking to jump into a social setting.



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10 Mar 2010, 12:16 pm

I don't mind lurkers. As a matter of fact I've lurked in WrongPlanet for at least a month before I started posting. Even then I have not introduced myself until after a few posts.



genly
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10 Mar 2010, 2:51 pm

I don't mind lurkers. I like to read more than to post. If it's on a public forum that everyone can read i'ts not spying or eavesdropping.
Someone once said that he thought lurkers leech of the community and doesn't contribute. That could be another reason people say they don't like lurkers.



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10 Mar 2010, 3:23 pm

I don't see what's wrong with lurkers, but however, I think it would be really nice if they posted but also, what I think some forums might have problems with them because of the bandwidth it is taking probably, but I'm seriously unsure about it.

I'd ask the admins on these forums?


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10 Mar 2010, 3:41 pm

I don't mind if people read and don't post. If you have nothing to say, no posting is better than posting. ^^


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Friskeygirl
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10 Mar 2010, 3:46 pm

League_Girl wrote:
I have noticed at a few places, people seem to have issues with people lurking than posting. Why is that?

Do you have issues with lurkers?

I was lurking here since late 06 and only joined last june, I do lurk at other sites, I was wondering if your referring to my lurking at one other site :wink:



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10 Mar 2010, 3:51 pm

Lurkers often become members; I see no issue... though I do find the subject rather ironic itself.


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League_Girl
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10 Mar 2010, 4:57 pm

jc6chan wrote:
Just to confirm...what exactly does lurkers mean? Does it mean people who just spies on what is posted but don't post themselves? How would you know who's lurking if they don't post or did I get the definition all wrong??


Yes.

Forums always say there are guests there browsing the place.



League_Girl
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10 Mar 2010, 4:59 pm

makuranososhi wrote:
Lurkers often become members; I see no issue... though I do find the subject rather ironic itself.


M.



I have no issues with lurkers. I know some people do so that's why I asked.


Are you referring to me that's lurked here?



League_Girl
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10 Mar 2010, 5:00 pm

Friskeygirl wrote:
League_Girl wrote:
I have noticed at a few places, people seem to have issues with people lurking than posting. Why is that?

Do you have issues with lurkers?

I was lurking here since late 06 and only joined last june, I do lurk at other sites, I was wondering if your referring to my lurking at one other site :wink:



I wasn't thinking of you when I made the post. Just people in general.