nova Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 I see that we have 5764 members and at first I thought that's great; but as I looked further I see that only 1164 members are actually active on the site. Does this mean that there are 4600 lurkers out there sucking up all the work that 1164 of us are doing? www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 Don't say that, you'll scare them off! It is evident from the givers and takers thread, that many people are reluctant to post because of the eperience demonstrated in most of the threads. In my opinion, this is a mistake. I believe ideas, suggestions and even gut feelings should be aired as posts. If an idea is not backed up with practical experience or testing, as long as the author says so, then only good can result, it at the very least provides food for thought. The real lurkers are those that regularly view the forums anonymously and never sign up and contribute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cranker Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 I have noticed that too Nova,but I think its probably just more a case of people getting involved in this stuff over the years but then decide to quit.I myself dont post near as much as I use too,not that I have quit but am actually involved more than ever.In my case I do more looking than posting simply because you eventually run out of things to talk about,if you will look thru most of the forums you will see that history really does repeat itsself,the main topics now are the same hot topics from a year ago and the year before that,just a new crop of people asking the same questions a beginner will ask.Personally I now enjoy reading some of the post that show up such as "what is createx" or "what type of airbrush do I need to get started".I get a kick out of it because almost 100% of the time the questions asked have been answered 100 times before somewhere here,but I dont mind at all helping these guys out when I can because it can get overwhelming for a newby getting started.I guess what I am trying to say is dont feel like there is leeching going on here because I dont think that is the case at all,instead there is only about one third of the members still very active in this wonderful hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted January 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 I sure hope you're right Vodkaman. As I've said before, there are no stupid questions; only stupid answers. I would hope that anyone who has a question would ask it. We all started this addiction with limited knowledge and it's only by trial and error and the sharing of these that we all can learn. If I could say one thing to the members it would be; "don't let your hesitation to ask a question get in the way of your learning". www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 Over the Christmas holidays, I noticed there were times when you'd see 68 members, 65 visitors... Even as I am writing this, there are 29 members and 23 visitors. In the normal off hours in the states, you can tell when the whole of Europe is looking at TU. Then things go quite for a while and the states start up again. If you want to have some fun, set a coming date to see if we can set new record for the most users ever online… It’s only 327, we can beat that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 TU Members and New Members, I like many others here have answered repeatedly the same questions asked by many newbies, and I never felt that I was better than anyone else. I encourage all new members to ask questions to the appropriate forum. If you feel hesitant or embarrassed, PM me, and I will reply. If I don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lure--Prof Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 Hey, after months of lurking, when I finally took the plunge and joined, there were something like 239 members...I remember commemorating with a post when the 500th member joined! And now we only have 1164 active members!! Wow! Cad, you think you've answered the same question repeatedly!! I'm just glad that more people all the time are learning that they can make their own unique lures, and can build more quality into them than the big manufacturers can ever think about, being tied to that high-volume market niche...I guess that pretty much sums up my lure-building philosophy, come to think of it . Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPala Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 We do have ppl just dropping out of this hobby for whatever reasons, I don't think anyone quiting over a period of time thought of "deregistering" from the forum. There are quite a few "old timers" i remember that hail from tacklemaking time that is no more active or even pop in. Another reason is TU has accumilated so much knowledge here someone new or a lurker can just get enough info to start and even exel so less active postings. Good or bad well it's up to you to decide. Care to revisit "Which is better, Devcon or Etex" every month? More..... Seasonal: Well this is winter month for the nortthern hemisphere, lots more of you are cooped inside so more post LOL Temporary: Like myself, I didn't hae internet connection for a few months after moving to a new hse. I have never replied in "the givers and takers thread", nor did a lot of others, are we the takers? Well my point is lets not look at the numbers and just enjoy what we have here, why bother lol. Do we have a vendetta against lurkers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dampeoples Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 It's always the numbers with you man! What's up with that? I think you have made great points though, LaPala. Even though none of the site is open to folks that don't register, I think some might register to keep in touch/read, but never intended to participate. I registered long, long ago, and just read for a long time, using the site as reference for when I got stumped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altimas Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 I sure hope you're right Vodkaman. As I've said before, there are no stupid questions; only stupid answers.I would hope that anyone who has a question would ask it. We all started this addiction with limited knowledge and it's only by trial and error and the sharing of these that we all can learn. If I could say one thing to the members it would be; "don't let your hesitation to ask a question get in the way of your learning". Well... I will say this being a new Member I refrain from asking questions because I see a lot of people get the Third degree if they ask a question and it was previously asked 4 years ago. So instead of asking I search for it and spend about 2 hours going through old posts trying to answer my own questions with previous posts. This site is a plethora of knowledge but so far I don't have anything to add to it. If I come up with something new you guys will be the first to know.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willie525 Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 i agree with you guys, ive been here for almost a year now and im thinking about getting a starter kit and hope to turn out a third as good as what you guys pour. but theres probably people out there who arent even members taking this stuff and pouring baits and molding and stuff and are too lazy to join, and fill out the question thing; that takes like 5 muinuts and might be selling baits of your desighn(if anyone wants to get mad at me send me a PM). i think they should at least give you credit and thank you willie525 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPala Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 I think this need a bit of fair give and take regarding newbie,olderbie and oldbies? Newbie getting a "third degree"? To be fair, I don't think all newbies gets just a brush off with "use the search". Usually it'll be answered like, "Search TU with the keywords "X' & Y" or with a few pointer to get you along the right way". And a search will dig up more information than you'll get from one person answering you; also search digs up different ways of doing the same thing so you can choose and modify to suit you best. Just take a simple question, "How do I use an airbrush?" 6 words or say "What is the way to paint Firetiger?" May take you less than 1 minute to post. But to answer the questions completely, someone will have to type diligently for half an hour or more. IF that someone has done it more than a few times, what will be the reaction when it's asked again? A lot of ppl are doing this as a hobby and taking off time from their job and fishing to answer questions. A few even have their own lure business and took the time to share knowledge. I feel newbies should be thankful that someone already took the time to answer questions, make tutorials with pictures and posting them. (Try doing a tutorial and see how much time it involves). It is the commitment to sharing knowledge that produce the wealth of knowledge in TU, we should respect those efforts and do a search. If you need clarification, posting it in an old thread would be more desirable and relevant than asking the same old one. There are times also trying for yourself first is the way to go. Mistakes are mother of sucess and great knowledge is learned from it rather than the opposite. As for olderbies, those who have learned and should be passing the baton along. So there is a continuation from the efforts sown b4. As for what's already shared, I'm sure all of us who posted did it willingly, so forget about complaining about ppl who just take. The richness and fulfillment is in the giving, and not asking for any "reimbursement". There I said it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tally Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 maybe we don't like repeating ourself, when the answer is right there for you to find. I always do a search and I always find and or learn something new.....even if it doesn't work. There is no one great step to building a lure, but when you do a search....you will find what works and what doesn't and then you are really ahead of the game. meaning the trial and error has already been done for you. Read and learn....if you can't find it, POST your question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedHed Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Thank you La Pala - well said. Like the old TU better. The member lure swaps were awesome. Less BS and more tech talk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basskat Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Most the time they'll be four or five replies to a topic before some of us ever have a chance to reply. I work a full time job and fish! Don't have the option to sit and watch for new posts. Doesn't make sense to post a reply when the answer has already been posted. I do read the site just about every day but there's very little posted that hasn't been posted hundreds of times over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted January 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Most of the longer-time members will answer any question they can and if they don't know the answer they either don't try to or they point you to a member who can. Now that being said; I'm sure that with all the different members here there are times, as with any group of folks, that some of the answers/comments posted could be written in such a way that makes it easy to misunderstand. After all, we aren't on camera or face to face, so body language and facial exspresions do not come into play. This has happened a number of times to many of us including yours truely. I can only speak for myself when I say that I have not refused to answer any question asked of me that I could answer. If I see a question posted to the general population of TU that I don't want to answer; I don't. But I always watch the post to see if it does get answered and if it doesn't I may then answer it. After all; no one person could take the time to answer all the questions asked. If the same question seems to get asked over and over and it ticks a member off; my suggestion is to not post a negative answer; just leave it alone. The main objective of TU; as I see it; is to share creative ideas with all the members in a free and open setting. If we, as senior members, won't do that than this is all for nothing and it won't last. Just my 2 cents. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheesehead Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Posting idea's are great but they should be posted in another thread. All to often when one posts an answer as an idea the next person mistakes it as gospel. This only leads to more confusion and frustration by many other members. We could have every single person in the world registered big deal if they chose to post or not. that's now sweat off of my back. If I know I have a correct answer I will reply to the post I will also reply if I feel someone reply's in a confusing or missleading manner. We should make sure that our answers to posts ar tried and do-able methods otherwise all we are doing is getting a weasel to make the errors for us. One more reason to reply is to inject some humor into what otherwise may be a dull and boring message board. OK ladies let's bring on the E-tex/Devcon wars again I've got my own weapon now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 I gave up making and selling lures 10-15 years ago, it was all so secretive, and there were no tackle forums then, (and I did not have a computer anyway). Because I could not find a top coat that was clear and durable, I spent a lot of time replacing lures that had leaked, lost a lip etc. This was very frustrating and in the finish, I decided if I could not get reasonable durability I was only ripping people off, so ceased lure making altogether. By accident I discovered TU about 9 months ago and was amazed by the amount of information on coatings mainly, but also the degree that some had gone, into lip design, weighting, hydrodynamics etc and I am still trying to absorb it all. If we have something to give back even if it is only a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Limiting thread replies to tried and tested methods and suppressing untested ideas, in my un-humble opinion, would be a huge mistake. This would severely hinder progress of the art of lure design and manufacture. I accept your point, that it could happen that an inexperienced member could misinterpret the idea as gospel and waste time, money and other precious resources. This is only likely to occur if the idea is not qualified with a statement of untested. It is pointless posting new ideas separately if they are only relevant to a particular discussion and therefore should be included as part of that discussion. Any new ideas should be discussed, brainstormed, argued, even ridiculed but never suppressed. Wherever possible, new ideas should be tested before submission. I personally have invested hundreds of hours and considerable expense pursuing many of my own ideas before publishing to the TU forums. But, quite often, this is not practical, maybe due to lack of equipment or resources, which another member may have to hand and may feel enthused enough to take the idea to the next stage. I will continue to publish my ideas, labeled tested or untested accordingly, in the knowledge that there are at least a few members out there who will be interested and be prepared to push the boundaries and drag lure design, kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 I know a guy; he has been a good friend for about 25 years, so secure in his own little cocoon. He can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dampeoples Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 He's not saying to not throw the ideas out there, he's saying to start a different thread with your idea, keep it out of the current discussion. Even though the idea may work, or is related, it clouds up the intent of the thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 I see that we have 5764 members and at first I thought that's great; but as I looked further I see that only 1164 members are actually active on the site. Does this mean that there are 4600 lurkers out there sucking up all the work that 1164 of us are doing?www.novalures.com The numbers are every time someone registers. wether it be spam registration or even people who re register. even if they are deleted that number is still used in VB if I remember correctly unless they fixed that in one of the newest versions. lets say one day I have 100 new members and 75 are spam members, I delete the 75 and it will still show the next member number as 101 not 26. you dont see the spam cause the spam catchers will usually pick them off but they can still register. hope that makes sence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swede Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 Limiting thread replies to tried and tested methods and suppressing untested ideas, in my un-humble opinion, would be a huge mistake. This would severely hinder progress of the art of lure design and manufacture.I accept your point, that it could happen that an inexperienced member could misinterpret the idea as gospel and waste time, money and other precious resources. This is only likely to occur if the idea is not qualified with a statement of untested. It is pointless posting new ideas separately if they are only relevant to a particular discussion and therefore should be included as part of that discussion. Any new ideas should be discussed, brainstormed, argued, even ridiculed but never suppressed. Wherever possible, new ideas should be tested before submission. I personally have invested hundreds of hours and considerable expense pursuing many of my own ideas before publishing to the TU forums. But, quite often, this is not practical, maybe due to lack of equipment or resources, which another member may have to hand and may feel enthused enough to take the idea to the next stage. I will continue to publish my ideas, labeled tested or untested accordingly, in the knowledge that there are at least a few members out there who will be interested and be prepared to push the boundaries and drag lure design, kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Hijacking threads to promote new ideas & theories is nothing but rude & should Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted January 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 This isn't quite what I had in mind when I started this thread; but I do like the idea that it gives us a chance to quitely vent. It is almost a given that some threads do take on a life of their own and that can be good or bad. It just depends on the input. I do agree that an outright highjack is in bad taste. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheesehead Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 The numbers are every time someone registers. wether it be spam registration or even people who re register.even if they are deleted that number is still used in VB if I remember correctly unless they fixed that in one of the newest versions. lets say one day I have 100 new members and 75 are spam members, I delete the 75 and it will still show the next member number as 101 not 26. you dont see the spam cause the spam catchers will usually pick them off but they can still register. Thank's for the clarafication Del. So it may look like we have over 5,000 registered members in reality the 1500 or so is accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
