Curious

[jb]

Have any of you guys ever noticed how many "Guest" lurkers we have reading our board at any given time?  I always wonder who these "guest" friends of the RWD might be.

Sometimes I get paranoid and think they might be RW/UW's who have a b/f posting around here, but mostly I'm guessing they are simply men who are somewhat interested in the process but haven't formed an opinion about if it's all real or not.

I'd like to encourage our guests to go ahead and resister an account with the board and join in the discussions.  I think you'll like the experience.  That's just from me, but I think the other regular members would support the notion that you are better off on the inside, rather than the outside.

[Durk]

              Jb a lot of members here do not log in unless they are
posting. I read here often but do not always have time to post my
thoughts and therefore do not log in.
               
                                                                    D

[jb]

Geeesh, silly me,,, I never log off.  Whenever I click on my "favorites", select RWD, I'm automatically there and already logged on.  Should I be logging off each time?  I didn't know that.

[Jack]

jb I think you would be surprised as to the great number of guys who read this board daily and never post. Some guys just don't like to post, period.  In fact jb it is my own opinion their are a LOT more guys who read RWD daily who do not post than those who do post.

Sometimes guys will write me, ask me some questions and mention they read the RWD. I often ask under what name do they post and many of these guys say they never post, only read.

[jb]

Sometimes guys will write me, ask me some questions and mention they read the RWD. I often ask under what name do they post and many of these guys say they never post, only read.

Then I would say they are missing out on a good,,no, make that a great community to participate in.  We are only as good and as strong as the membership.  I still encourage the non-members to join in.  Maybe some of Dan's desire to be more inclusive has rubbed off on me.

[ConnerVT]

I read from many different computers, most that I'd never leave myself logged on to.  Yet, I always log in.

I would be lost without my favorite link on the whole site:
<A HREF="http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?action=unread">Show unread posts since last visit.</A>

[Admin]

Then I would say they are missing out on a good,,no, make that a great community to participate in.  We are only as good and as strong as the membership.  I still encourage the non-members to join in.  Maybe some of Dan's desire to be more inclusive has rubbed off on me.

It's contagious.   

- Dan

[jb]

Just trying to help out a bit Dan.

[BillyB]

The guys who aren't sign up miss out on some of the best features here such as the photo gallery where Jack posted lots of photos of pretty gals from his tours and off the street and they wouldn't be able to see photos in trip reports either. I logged off for a moment and the gallery function disappeared and when I looked in trip reports that have photos, there wasn't any hint of a photo except for people who comment on the photo afterward.

[jb]

Agreed, Billy, there are many benefits to membership.  Seeing Jack's pictures are only one of many.  I'd just encourage it for the sake of like minded company.

[Patrick]

I am one of those guys that stay logged in and don't post much. When I go to my favorites and click this site is always there. I am happy with that, so nothing else to say. Well yea, one thing. We don't use the chat enough and some people think that I am that other Patrick and will not speak to me or comment on what little I do post. I was going to post some photos and forgot how to do it.

[jb]

Patrick,

I'm sure someone will help you out with that question, we love photographs.

[Admin]

I am one of those guys that stay logged in and don't post much. When I go to my favorites and click this site is always there. I am happy with that, so nothing else to say. Well yea, one thing. We don't use the chat enough and some people think that I am that other Patrick and will not speak to me or comment on what little I do post. I was going to post some photos and forgot how to do it.

Sorry, I am growing long of tooth and do not recognize the "other Patrick" you reference. Is it by chance Patrick of Planet-Love and Goodwife fame ??

Anyway, check the 'Help' button up toward the top of the page (below the header image) and it should step you through posting attachments (photos) - but if not, just let me know.

- Dan

[Patrick]

Thanks jb and Dan. That is the Patrick I was talking about. Thanks for the info on posting photos. I will give it a try. I like the photos also.

[Admin]

Thanks jb and Dan. That is the Patrick I was talking about. Thanks for the info on posting photos. I will give it a try. I like the photos also.

Hmmm.... Patrick is one of the most-respected people on any of these boards. It would surprise me if anyone would not reply to you thinking you would be him - but maybe.

He continues to be a treasure-trove of information for those seeking a wife from Latin America over at Planet-Love. I am VERY fortunate he agreed to continue on and help with moderation and such.

Anyway - now we know you are not Patrick_PL (I *think* that's the handle he uses here) - so hopefully people will relax a bit with you on the board.

Take care,

- Dan

[Kuna]

jb,

I think many people visit RWD out of curiosity and to start research before making a decision to visit FSU.

I know I read the boards here many times before signing up, and when I did it was because I was ready to ask some questions.

I'm sure some of the RW's must visit the site for a look... if only out of curiousity.  I'd welcome them to earsdrop on the conversations in here, as long as they don't start hanging around the BBQ and listening to "secret mens business" when we're flipping steaks and burning onions!


Dan, 

I don't know if this is possible, feasible or reasonable, but you might encourage more people to become members by giving more "value" for members.  "MORE VALUE", you say???

Maybe in a way similar to restricting photos to members only you could limit the amount of a post that can be read or maybe only give the the first page of responses for non-members?

I don't know,  I wouldn't like to discourage the lurkers but having more members with more diverse questions might be a good thing.

Just a thought!

Kuna

[catzenmouse]

I wouldn't like to discourage the lurkers but having more members with more diverse questions might be a good thing.

It would be more than just a good thing. More members = more ideas and experiences = a more vibrant and complete community!

I heartily support those of you out there who are just watching to join us and participate in the conversation. No one here will bite you. We'll okay, a couple of virtual nibbles from time to time, but isn't that really just part of being in a family? The membership here is the cream of the crop in the FSUW international relationship scene and are right up there in just about everything else to do with the FSU.

Ken