Lurking

[drinksmithwicks]

Okay, so this is something that has been making me scratch my head. I see people pop in, look around a bit and disappear. Is there something wrong in this forum that makes people afraid to spark a conversation here? One day I saw about 30 guests on, with no comments left at all.

We are all FP fans right? So that is at least one thing we have in common.

I'll talk about anything. Let's get this site revved. I know its a slow time for the band, but that's where it becomes our job as fans to keep the home fires a'burnin'.

Thoughts on this weird phenomenon?

[fictionplaner]

Good question!
The only answer I have is that when I get a bulletin on myspace from this site about a post and I click the link it signs me on as a guest. Maybe other people are doing the same.

[nicrn77]

Ya, there are way too many people lurking in here rather than joining in a conversation. I don't think we put out a bad vibe...so who knows why they don't join in.

[drinksmithwicks]

Feb 8, 2009 1:05:30 GMT -5 nicrn77 said:

Ya, there are way too many people lurking in here rather than joining in a conversation. I don't think we put out a bad vibe...so who knows why they don't join in.

I'm guessing too many people view this more as a "news source" than a "verbal community".

I guess we need to "fun" it up? Dunno.

[nicrn77]

I don't know how much more we can do! I enjoy those who do come in here and chat though!

[jen]

I don't know how we could "fun it up" more. We make up new words, we post photos of who we have met along the way, talk about TV shows and books, oh and we talk about Fiction Plane a bit.

What more could one want? I can hop on one foot and post at the same time while I sing "skip to my lou"!

On the flip side, FP dot info is my main source for FP news.

[harembee]

I'd pay good money to witness that, Jen!! LOL!

I believe that most who check out this site are members of other forums, searching for FP updates, or are individuals, often new fans, simply wanting news about the band's music and gigs. I don't think the site lacks anything at all. It is always difficult to keep up the momentum in between albums and tours and in my opinion this site actually scores highly here. Loyalties aside, I have no doubt that as its name suggests, this site is the best for FP info as most of it comes directly from the guys or their management and is made public totally in accordance with their wishes. No hype, no crap. This is backed up with true commitment from some exceptionally loyal fans.

It pleases me that some frequent the site in patient wait for news of album releases or gigs and I consider it a back-handed compliment that others visit us for updates which they then take elsewhere. I have no objection to this. So long as the FP word is spread then we at .info have done our job. All are welcome here.

I too wish that more would participate in return however. I have many wonderful FP friends but there is room in my heart for more. I would love to enjoy more members' posts and share their FP experiencs. Also, the more we link up, the more we can work together on ideas with which to promote the guys. So if you are a newbie or a lurker, then please do contribute. I, like my fellow postees, would sincerely love to chat to you!

My thanks to those who do post regularly in support of this awesome band and my compliments to the administrators who do such an amazing job. Praise where praise is due.

Oops, this turned into quite a soapboxer didn't it?
Forgive me, it's late and I rant (with passion) when I'm tired!

Hugs to you all.

[yvie]

Own up time. I have lurked a bit of late rather than signing in and posting. Apologies. Happy to have had my wrist slapped. This site rocks so hope others heed the gentle repremand too.

[londonmews]

yoouuuu rannnnnggg?

oh, LURKING...oops, my bad

[londonmews]

Actually, I just come in here to get other people's ideas and then use them for my own evil purposes MWAAAHAAAHAAAHAA!

so...tap tap tap...anyone got any ideas?

[hermione]

Some of my friends have lurked here. They are reluctant to participate on any fansites but I will continue to work on them. They have become more aware of FP from listening and reading about the band here though and have bought their albums, so well done .infoers!

[emhoffman]

Ha, I can say that I'm guilty of lurking, but like 90% of the time its because I'm so EXHAUSTED by my day that when I get on, I just want to read everyone elses responses and not have to think of words...its a tragic thing. Maybe eventually I'll get my life back and I'll have a brain again. Its a bit like living as a zombie really...

I don't know about others though...

[londonmews]

I have an idea about part of the lurking phenomenon. When I first get on the boards it puts me as a guest. After I login it shows me and still shows that guest. So it could look like twice as many people visiting as guests. Know what I mean?