I think that we are being watched.

[jingle_jangle]

Welcome to all, I say. It's all about information, and if you want to get clubby, fine, too! There is no down side to increasing our knowledge, especially about stuff like Ricks which are inclined not to be too forgiving or "idiot-proof".

[jps]

Tom, the only problem a lot of us have is, what the heck is your avatar!

[jimk]

Well Joe, I'm sure you're welcome to participate at whatever level you feel like. If it makes you feel any better, you'll no doubt notice that I usually wedge in my comments on topics already in progress, and seldom initiate any new discussion. And I don't even own a Ric, yet. But I'm a real enthusiast, and have one on order. And I doubt that I'll ever own more than one Rickenbacker myself, practically speaking.

JimK

[jimk]

... Ricks which are inclined not to be too forgiving or "idiot-proof".

Not meaning to hijack the thread or anything Paul, but I don't understand the nature of your comment here.

JimK

[lyle_from_minneapolis]

Imagine an Exceptionally Intelligent Person.

Now imagine a Lurker.

I think it's best to imagine that lurking is Highly Desirable for any website.

[beatlefreak]

And I don't even own a Ric, yet. But I'm a real enthusiast, and have one on order. And I doubt that I'll ever own more than one Rickenbacker myself, practically speaking.

Hah! You say that now, but just wait until you get your first Rick - And then the RAS sets in...

[jwr2]

I think that we are being watched.

I was looking at the numerical charts of the member’s list and it appears that we are wildly out numbered (posters verses lurkers). I am sure however that many people on the members list do not check in anymore.

This is based on round numbers.

Of 2200 members.

600 members never posted
700 members have fewer than 10 posts.
350 members have fewer than 50 posts.
150 members have fewer than 100 posts.

On the other side about 90 people have over 1000 posts.

And then there are a few like me who post too much

[johnallg]

And I don't even own a Ric, yet. But I'm a real enthusiast, and have one on order. And I doubt that I'll ever own more than one Rickenbacker myself, practically speaking.

Hah! You say that now, but just wait until you get your first Rick - And then the RAS sets in...

+1 I thought the same thing too, Chris!

[elysrand]

Wow - only 90 of us are over 1000 posts? I am humbled to be numbered even least among the august company of you other Rickaholics. May our support group of confirmed Rick addicts never fade from the annals of the Internet

[gibsonlp]

I've got no problem with lurksters, registered or not...it gets the gospel out; even if they own no Ricks, they go out to the world with some Rick knowledge and everybody is a little less stupider. But I've always felt that the "For Sale" section should be open to members only. There are too many opportunists there, and it would be great if those who cared about their instruments could find a custodian instead of a flipster.

Lurksters, flipsters.

Paul - the "for sale" and "wanted" are for registered users only, however - from the seller's point of view - having the "for sale" open for the public is a good thing,
The same goes for the "wanted" forum, the person looking for something would like as many people to see it.

My point is that this is a bit tricky...

[beacon]

Lurking is good....I started lurking during the process of deciding if I wanted to buy a Ric. I registered five days after getting my first one. I think my first post was a "here is my new Ric" post. I think my second post was "how do you get that darn pickup cover off?"

I tend to post only if I have something to offer...or if I need some information. I have never found the "I agree" post to be very useful and really figure it to be just a waste of digital space.

I like the sale (and for that matter, the wanted) sections private. I purchased my second Ric from someone here on the forum who had read my "I wish I had one of those" posts. After having been burned on the bay I will never go back there, but I felt totally comfortable in dealing privately with a furomite.....

[sowhat]

Frankly, i see nothing bad about lurking. I do not think all members who have never posted or have posted less than 10 comments have bad intentions. Some people say something only when they feel they really have something to say, and i respect them for that. Sometimes people may be too busy and don't have time to read and post. Say, would that make more sense if everybody posted at least one comment per 3 months just because they had to, in order not to be excluded? And the saddest part — at least three members of the forum will never post again... i'm occasionally lurking at some other forum, mostly at the section dedicated to beadwork design, and one of active members of that forum passed away. There was a long thread dedicated to her. Then, later on, the board administrator was "cleaning up" the unused accounts and deleted her account among others. I didn't think it was okay.

[ajish4]

And I don't even own a Ric, yet. But I'm a real enthusiast, and have one on order. And I doubt that I'll ever own more than one Rickenbacker myself, practically speaking.

Hah! You say that now, but just wait until you get your first Rick - And then the RAS sets in...

+1 I thought the same thing too, Chris!

Ummmm, +2 here.

Although, it took about 10 years for the disease to fester into a full blown infection.

I'm NORMALLY, or should I say, I WAS a practical person. I never really collected anything to any major extent. Now, when an un-expected expense pops up (ie transmission repair ) I get so ticked off and say to myself (that money could have been better spent on another RIC)....yes, it is a sickness.

[dswp]

I think we are getting off topic.

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it odd that over 80% of the members here do not participate in posting?

[steambyrd]

Well, I don't comment every time I log on, but I do log on everytime I visit the forum. I have learned a great deal here, probably as much or more as I get from the corporate forum. I was able to make a sale to a forumite here who is of course, a fellow Rick lover (thanks again, Elys!). It has been a bit costly as well, since I have purchased three Ricks since joining the forum. I see nothing wrong with restricting the for sale and wanted areas to registered users, who aren't "flipsters" as Paul said.