I joined once a long time ago

[Roadkill]

Hey folks (especially you mods), I joined this forum shortly after it was formed but I guess I was deleted because I almost never posted. Actually, I'm not sure I ever posted.

That's just my way. So, please don't remove me simply because I don't post to meet a quota.

Thanks,
Dan W

[Harry Caul]

Welcome Dan! What sort of posters do you collect?

[eatbrie]

Hi Dan, and welcome back.

You raise a very good point.  Why would you join a forum if not to post?  It's not about quotas.  if it was, we'd let every spammer in and inflate our numbers like other forums do.  Every six months or so, my partner in crime and I go thru the list of members and remove dead branches, meaning people who joined the forum and never posted, or people who posted once and disappeared.  Some people have a question, get their answer and never show up again.  90% of our members post regularly, some show up from time to time, but if you don't show up and participate once in 6 months, I'm sorry but I don't see the point of keeping you on board.

This said, welcome back again and hopefully we'll see you around.

Thierry

[bondposters.com]

90% of our members post regularly, some show up from time to time, but if you don't show up and participate once in 6 months, I'm sorry but I don't see the point of keeping you on board.

Thierry

The point in keeping any member on board is so they are there, and when they do decide to log-in and post a topic, ask a question or answer a question, advertise a poster or collection for sale, or put out a wants list - they can, without the rigmarole of another sign-up.

I know you say it's not about quotas, but you've just stated you delete members after 6 months if they have not posted once in that time.
Doesn't that mean you are operating on a quota system?
- the rule being post at least twice per year and you won't be deleted?

If genuine people are signing up, I don't think they should be deleted.
That sort of creates an elitist system, and I don't think that's what we are here.

If those signing up are real people, then there is a chance they will post and repost in the future like the guy above, Roadkill.
Does it matter if they post less than once every 6 months? Not in my eyes.

If a person is still registered on a forum (or whatever website) after x no. of months/years and decide to join in on the fun after x no. of months/years out of it, then there is more likelihood of that person contributing, whereas if that person has been deleted off the system the likelihood of that person going through the sign-up process once again is very, very low, therefore, a contributor is lost forever in most cases.

Yes, it is your forum (and Holiday's), I know - I'm not trying to put a spanner in the works.
I just find your personal sign-up application and posting rules are veering very much towards the elitist way as mentioned earlier.

I may well be alone in this feeling, but do we really want people to say:
'Hey, don't bother signing up to APF because if you don't post they delete you, so there's no point!'
- that's what will happen in the long run.

MoPo is a classic example of the elitist nature - how many people have signed up and posted only to be ignored?
Quite a few, so it tends to be the same guys posting over and over again.

The beauty about this forum, however, is that no matter who you are, someone replies.
So deleting real people - not a good idea in my book.

[eatbrie]

Point taken, Adam, but I disagree.

Lurk is you want to lurk, join if you want to post.  There is no in-between.  Holiday and I have said it from the beginning, we're not after numbers.  We couldn't care less if it was just the 2 of us, or 10,000.  10,000 would be more fun, of course, but it doesn't change our state of mind.  You want numbers and people who never post, go to MPF.  But if you come on here and join, then post or get the axe.  If you think I'm elitist, then I am, but it's my prerogative.

T

[Ari]

Hey Dan, good to see you here.

[CSM]

Welcome Dan!

[kovacs01]

Point taken, Adam, but I disagree.

Lurk is you want to lurk, join if you want to post.  There is no in-between.  Holiday and I have said it from the beginning, we're not after numbers.  We couldn't care less if it was just the 2 of us, or 10,000.  10,000 would be more fun, of course, but it doesn't change our state of mind.  You want numbers and people who never post, go to MPF.  But if you come on here and join, then post or get the axe.  If you think I'm elitist, then I am, but it's my prerogative.

T

There is another reason to be a "lurker-member" that is somewhat understandable.  Unless you are a member, you do not get the icons showing what you have read.  Not sure, but can you see uploaded pics if you aren't logged in?