Hi there,

I've noticed something that, while it is prevalent among most discussion boards in general, particularly those designed around the acquisition of specific knowledge, seems to be exaggerated on WPW. So I'm gonna rant and get something off my chest.

What I've noticed is that it appears to be the same 15-20 people (of 55153 registered users) that either answer about 90% of the questions, or at least provide enough direction for the inquirer to figure out the answer. I do realize that there are some people who participate in just about every thread no matter what it is so their names will be somewhat ubiquitous (and I'm probably one of those people).

What I don't get is why it appears that most people are either lurking or just here to ask the questions rather than answer them. It's frustrating for me to a certain extent because, on the rare occasions I have questions, I find it takes me a lot longer to get the answers because I'm quite often one of the people giving them.

In other words, I'm wondering why there's such an imbalance between the number of people who ask questions and the number who actually answer them. I'm also wondering why, in 55,153 registered members, there are so few regular posters.

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I have heard that it is lonely at the top,... Maybe you are at the top!

That is the way it is, this forum is old and highly respected, yes it has a huge membership, but many of those posters have moved on. I lark about in the BR but I also help out in SEO and a few other places. Adam, we active posters are doing it because we have fun in our jobs. I gave one guy a whole written IBP report on his site, took me an hour in between calls, did I get a thanks, No, but that is why we are here. More people benefit from a few simple words of encouragement and simple tips like links etc than anything else. My site went belly up today, so I've been getting all sorts of tips and advice from people who have become my mates, we are as I have said many times before, the best forum team on the planet. Warriors say they are, and yes it's one heck of a forum, but give me WPW any day.

If I have a rant, it is that the new posters should reply to tips so freely given, and I have pm'd quite a few who did'nt and I pointed out that we give our time free and without charge, the least they can do is say thanks.

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Well lets see. Most users are followers. I for one will watch a thread that has info I might be looking for. Others just look and read. For the ones that do give the advice are usually giving it all for the rest. Only does one post if they see that something has not been answered. You also have users that just post reiview this or that, get what they want and go on. Trying to keep up with anything on this site takes a lot of work. Of late I have been posting more than I should, need to do web site stuff now and than. I keep on posting cause right now it is fun. I have met a few such as yourself that have been very big help to me. I am sure others feel the same way but don't feel that they have the time to post a thing. Now all this is done with out a thought of where it should be placed or if the right grammar or spelling is used. Just some thought to think about.

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I would answer questions - but as a rule the answers that I have, do not fit any questions that get asked.
I have reams of information on my own sites user habits - from prefered colours to silly information like; my users will click on a penguin and not a duck . . these silly things I know because I have thousands of users and I take note of what works and what does not (on my own sites)

But questioners rarely ask things that I have answers for, like; What state buys more car parts? what is a good colour and format for a web form ? ( My best performing form out of some 300 in the last 7 years - http://restocar.com/cgi-bin/usfm/form.cgi?form=18)
Please nobody tell me what is wrong with it.

Adam, I suspect a lot of us would be answering questions - But a few of us need more confidence in knowing that we understand what we are talking about before we venture an answer, that is if we actually see a question . . a lot of the time we are simply looking for answers. I know I have more questions than answers.

Try a penguin - I created a new page about five years ago and while I was constructing the page I placed an Image of a Fairy penguin as the link (just to fill the space to give me a better visual perspective) when I uploaded the page I forgot to replace it - It worked marvelously. My users could not resist it - about every 12 months or so I put a peguin on an unrelated link for a few days, just for the fun of knowing people will click it just because its a penguin - I expect it would likely work on a link for "web design" ( people love Penguins! - I guess )

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Unfortunately a lot of people sign up simply for a review of their site or Ad Space Buy and Sell or ..... or .....- you don't end up with diehard forum members from those forums. Know what I mean?

There are sections of this forum I have never even ventured into - simply because I wouldn't have a clue what I was doing there. Heck, I don't have a clue what I'm doing anywhere sometimes.

When I first became a member, I only registered for a site review. I stuck around because I found carju1 and sirensong an entertaining pair. The next thing I knew I was posting, and then ..... I was modding.

The diversity of this forum is fantastic. People of all walks of life join the ranks. From business owners to large, well known corporate personnel visit and post. Can you imagine being Bill Gates and letting everyone in the forum know who you are? Who knows, he may be here and he may be the person answering your next question. And then again, the person answering your next question may be jobless, sitting in a library or training facility. Answering your question because they have the intelligience and knowledge but can't find a job because of the local economy.

There are many who are unsure their answer(s) would be the right one. I was that way when I first signed up. I didn't answer many posts because I was afraid of embarassing myself. Now I laugh about my multiple spelling errors and help out when I can. There is no pat answer but .... I have no doubt people stick around because of the prevailant personalities that bring answers and a bit of laughter to the forum.

While I would love to see more lurkers posting. My hope is they are taking away from the forum the information they seek. And maybe in time we'll see their name more often. Lurkers mean we're doing something right and I welcome every single one to the forum that should be the best known. :)

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I post a lot because I tend to learn something every time I answer a question, or something suddenly clicks that I should do to my own site, or just simply because nothing makes me feel better than helping someone out.

Sort of the same reason I speak at Search Engine Strategies - There are people there who really want to know what we're doing to be successful and what they can learn from my example, but I also learn a ton each time I prepare (I look at all of our data again, and the results always astonish me.) It's not a paying gig, but I wouldn't miss it.

I've attended SES quite a few times, I've seen a lot of success because of the advice given there, and I don't mind sharing some of the wisdom that has been trusted with me. At times, I probably post too much, but I get so many ideas and meet so many interesting people by posting that I can't stop. I've also got a large amount of contract work by people seeing my answers and realizing that some of my advice has really helped people.

I guess the long and short of it is that many people join WPW looking for answers, and there aren't nearly enough people who can GIVE answers that have the time to answer posts without compensation.

Brian.

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As you can see, I fell into that category for a long time - lurker.

For me it's time. I've been more active lately because I've had some, and sales/marketing is a strong suite, so I pop in there and see what is up.

I am historically a lurker in a number of venues, and when I've got time, I divide it among about 5 different places that have been more than a helping hand to me over the years.

Lately, though, I find myself being more active because of how hopeful people are when they visit a forum that they will get good, solid info. Since it quit being rocket science a while back, I guess I owe it to the communities that helped when parts were.

That's what community is all about, and few stay forever anywhere. We grow. Hopefully.

:not_the_usual1
[you decide]

Well...those certainly were some interesting answers, and I don't know if I was expecting them.

ctabuk: good point on the gratitude thing. That's why I try not to give away too much for nothing. That, and I've always felt that if you do everything for someone, they're not really going to learn anything from it.

Tubby and wenwilder (particularly Tubby): that's easy enough to solve. There are times when even I'm not sure of things (really, it's true! There are one or two things in this world that I don't know. :) And when I think something is the answer, I elect not to present it as fact. Usually I say "have you tried XXX?" Or "don't hold me to this, but..." That way, I've covered my butt (somewhat) if I'm wrong.

brian.mark: amen to that last thought. It's basically what I was thinking (and somewhat implying). Too many answer-seekers, not enough answer-givers. I was just hoping to shed a little light to those out there who might be in the former category.

And in doing so, I seem to have struck a chord with nottheusual1. And if (s)he (sorry...not sure of your gender) posts more, then I figure that's worth it because we get one more regular poster, who will attract others in turn. Granted, I'd like to see more than one personally (as would we all)...but you gotta start somewhere.

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