Why don't people start posting?
 

I realize there are many people who are only reading the forum and not posting in here... Maybe as the reason mention above, they are just unsure as to whether everyone else wants to hear their opinion...

I even remember being such a person a long time ago when I just started reading this place. I was afraid that no one really care about what I had to say, and also that I would be wasting people's time and space by posting some non-sense in the forum. But some how that idea eventually disappeared and I started writing these long posts. And it's not really hard at all... Everyone treats everyone like a friend around here, and it is actually fun to speak out loud in here.

But I still want to know, why are people reluctant to start posting in here? Is it because you feel like an outsider? Is it because you think your opinion doesn’t matter? Is it because the discussions are too self contained that it is hard to add an outside opinion in there? Or are there any other reasons?

Since these questions are directed to the visitors who doesn't leave any messages. I am hoping that normal posters will let those people say something first... But then again, I am probably pushing myself into a dead-end by asking opinions from the visitors who doesn't post...


Then again, someone told me I am a "pain", so I suppose my job is to raise issues like this that no one usually talk about...

Everyone is welcome to reply to this thread, wether you post normally or not...

Re: Why don't people start posting?
 

Was that Jess by any chance?

Matt

One idea...
 

I think that I can atleast offer my opinion here being a former quasi-frequent poster during the season and before the counter got zapped back to zero, yet currently ranked with I believe 4 posts (well, this will make it 5, but you know what I mean). Now that summer is here and I'm working full time again, I work from sun up till supper time. After staring at a computer screen all day, the last thing that I want to do when I get home is sit in front of a computer screen once again, my mountain bike is much more fun and relaxing. So, the only time that I look at the forums is during my lunch break (ie, right now) or before I go to bed. This leaves me with very little time to fully read all of the posts, and once I do, leaves me with very little time or energy (depending upon which of the two times I'm online) to reply. With that in mind, by the time that I do get a chance to post, any ideas that i may have regarding the rather dull summer time FIRST season (I missed Mayhem, I'm still bitter), they have already been posted by somebody else. Seeing as how I'm not emloyed by the department of redundancy department, I'm not going to say something that has already been talked about probably longer than it should have been in the first place. So, that is my personal reason why i have not posted, and I will go out on a limb to say that a couple of people out there probably share the same situation.
Tim

Re: Why don't people start posting?
 

I think that it is all of the reasons Ken mentioned combined that people don't post. I myself was very cautious in posting. I've since changed my frame of mind about posting, mainly after talking with Ken on the subject for an hour one afternoon. I've assured my team members that their opinion matters and have usually gotten the reply of "..ok..but I still don't have anything to say.." I'll keep trying.

~Angela who was called the Wise One by Ken b/c he was called a pain

yeah i used to be hesitant to post...but not cuz i was shy it was mostly cuz anton left little room for me to post (he posted enough for the whole team)...but now i post a lot, even if theyre not all long...

mike

...or relevant (i try to not be random though...i really do)

Ok, OK...
 

OK, I'll post more. I promise.

Andy B.

this thread was from a while ago...
 

Given the number of '0 posters,' who hopefully are readers, I figured this post could use a quick reply to get it noticed again. The diversity on this board is what makes it work. The more people who post, the better.

Pulled this one out of the archive didnt ya? geez its old...lol

In some ways its good that 500 people dont post....and in some ways its bad....who knows....


:D

lol, it actually came from changing the sort from decendng to ascending, and the range to 'from the beginning.' I was just curious to as how things were going a long time ago <I was quite bored>. But yeah, theres over 160 people who have never posted, and it would be cool to at least hear from them. btw, I was going to put 'the more posts, the better,' but yeah...i agree, if the posts got too numerous they may become ignored - and we don't want that ;)

People...
 

Okay, lets take a look at who posted on this thread. I see seven people above me, and I make eight. These eight posts are written by those of us that read this thread of Ken's and cared enough to provide feedback to Ken. In my personal opinion, the page view to post ratio is high on the view side because most people either don't actually have an opinion or they feel that their opinion was clearly stated by another person who already posted. I think it's a good thing, in a way, that not every single person posts on every thread, so as it does not get cluttered with posts that read 'I agree with Bo-Bo.' But, on another level, I'd like to see people get involved and truly state their own opinion on each discussion they feel is relevant to them. But that's me: just another guy trying to make a little sense out of our wacky universe here.

Yep
 

Yep, that's why I do not reply to some messages! Lol, I agree with what Dan said...


- Katie
"Forget about friendship
Hey, let's destroy the enemy
That's one thing I've learned
My enemies are just as close to me...
Don't give up fighting
'Til nothing else stands in your way
Don't give up talking
Until there's nothing left to say
But no matter what you do -
Don't ever compromise what you believe!"
- The Ataris

Re: Yep
 

lol, as do I, but it seems we've both just gone back on what we said! ;)

Many ideas that I have are already spoken for by the time I read a post. If someone has a question about drill motors, or something of that sort, and it has been answered, then I have no reason to post. Granted, sometimes I'll add on that "I agree with ____'s opinion" or something of that sort. Basically, I feel that as long as the boards are active, and all ideas are being brought to the table than its fine. If people have ideas but are sitting on their hands for one reason or another, but for now I'm happy. :)

~Tom Fairchild~, who posts when he sees fit, but tries (and sometimes fails) not to babble

I dont know if anyone else catches themselves writing a long post and then deciding randomly to not send it out...but I do....It's rather cathartic, just the sheer act of writing your opinion out. For this I am thankful for the forums....it's why I still read them when a lot of people I know have stopped.

I dont know, but what I do know is that it catches up with you...I used to post constantly...but now, I dont see the need for me to post. Someone usually has a similar opinion to mine and has already posted it. Even this point has already been pointed out, I shouldn't even be posting (but it is cleansing for me to do so).

I realise now that a lot of my posts were emotion-driven fluff. But it's in the past, I can't change it. Thats why I only sporadically post, to maybe add in a comment that hadn't been said. My posts were totally unlike the ones of the caliber of Ken & Matt L, or the standards, such as Andy Baker or Mike Martus or Joe J, who always post something intelligent, always are bringing new information to the table. They are the ones that keep this forum going, and we should all strive to post like that, at least occasionally.

Ok, I'm done.

Very nice
 

Jessica,

You are too nice. Thanks for your kind words.

Although you don't post too often anymore, please keep it up. You are a good role model for young females on all FIRST teams (sometimes known as "robot chicks").

By the way, I saw a personnel notice about some bigwig executive in Delphi the other day, and he was from Babson. I forget who it was... if I run across the notice, I'll send you the info.

Andy B.

do what you want...
 

Believe it or not, a lot of my messages are also emotional-driven... But I usually find myself feeling the need to reply something, then takes a long time thinking through what I really want to say, and during all those time calmed myself down quite a bit and start changing around the message I am going to post. And, from time to time I argue myself out of posting any reply at all.

To me, I value how this place gives me a chance to spend time thinking about different issue related to FIRST, whether they directly affect me or not, more so than the discussion itself. That and my writing skills seem to improve as well.

But anyways, after being in this forum a long time, I start to see the same topics coming up again and again. When I come up with a long message about one of those topics, it felt like I am ahead of everyone else (because I've read conclusions of previous discussion about the same topic). So, I stop saying as much to let the newer posters have a discussion of their own. I think it will be better for people like me to keep quite from time to time and give a chance for new people to show how much they know, and let them go through the learning experience the way we did when we started.

So, that is why I stop saying as much as I used to. But I don't think people really need to keep saying things to have a good experience in here. A lot of visitors just look at important posts for some valuable information, and keep it to themselves or bring it to their team, and that is completely all right. Some of the visitors decided to register and start discussion with other people in here, and that is fine too. There will always be people in here posting messages. And, when there are unanswered questions, the standards will always be around to answer them.

I feel all right just reading messages these days. It lets me set out some time to think about this kind of issues. I am just glad I have something to say once a while, and lucky enough that I didn't mess up too much of those post. The best thing about this place is still the chance it gives me to know all these cool people from all over the country. I suggest you take advantage of that too.

And, hearing "I really enjoy what you said" kept me going all the time, so be sure to thank the posters if you learn something from them. Send them a private message or e-mail, IM's...

Do what you feel like. Take however much you can out of this place. Have fun reading all the posts, especially once competition starts. The real world is pretty big out there too... So consider this a bonus part of FIRST. ;)

Why would some not post?
 

First of all, CheifDelphi forums are great. Why anyone would not post at this particular one is beyond me.

However, a couple reasons why people don't post at a general bulletin board would be:

1. They don't want to find a topic that they're interested in.

Maybe some just want to see one thing and then stop.

2. They feel as they are not contributing.

Their opinions have been sent and resent to the topic. Anymore would just be annoyingly repetitive.

3. They want to just be informed

People that want to read, but not write.

Oh well, just some random musings. Regard or disregard them at your discretion.

Cheers

In any case...
 

You'll notice how many people view the posts.

I remember the first few weeks after becoming more active with the boards, there is so much information to absorb.

*basks in the aura of many bright engineers*

I suppose it all boils down to how people learn. It takes a while before you are comfortable enough to express your opinion, especially when you are a midget standing among giants.

I'll admit, that I do dive into the boards somewhat haphazardly, sometimes to obvious error or without a direction.

But that's just me.

Hope that sheds a little light on the why people don't post.

It took me a long time to make my first (no pun intended) post. Throughout the 2001 season, I would browse the CD forums often, but for whatever reason, I could not bring myself to post. Then, finally, along came the off-season, and with it an affliction I like to call "Robotics Withdrawal Syndrome." To combat RWS, I took up posting on CD. I felt it necessary at first to comment on everything, even if it was only "I agree" or "Wow." Now, I can't seem to go 12 hours without checking CD. I even browse the forums in my 4th hour Computer Programming class.

-Jeff

PS: I finally noticed I am now a "senior member." Yay!

Eh,

Normally I post, but I keep it short and sweet. I dislike to write longs things. Mabye that is why i am only getting a C in English, but any who-there are my simple words!

Couldn't agree with you more, Jeff. I definitly know how you feel about reading all throughout 2001 and only starting to post during the off season. Gotta get something to ease you down - cold turkey inhales audibly!

~Tom Fairchild~, who doesn't like to write very long posts, but does like sticking a short phrase on the end of his signature each time.

In the beginning for me, I felt like there wasn't anything I could say that would contribute to the discussion. Hmm...even now I'm not sure if I really "contribute" to the discussion, but that's besides the point. So, it took me a little while to actually start to post on the forum. I read a lot of posts on the old forum, but I didn't post all that much. When this new forum came, that's when I really started to post. And quite honestly, most of my posts came from the chit chat forum. :) Now, I post to more relevent discussions when I feel like I have something that might help someone or to just give my opinion on something. For me, posting was something I had to slowly get into. And, hey, out of the bunch of posts I make, I figure, at least a few of them have to have some kind of valid point or some sort of useful information. :)

~Christina