Has anyone noticed the # of guests we have on the bb?

RNIAM, BSN, RN · May 22, 2003

I do understand what your saying. I have had posts go unanswered as well. Sometimes I prefer to look at the numbers of people reading my posts rather than the replies. People have limited time and might be able to read your post but may not have time to respond.

gwenith, BSN, RN · May 22, 2003

I agree that not having a reply is discouraging especially if it is something you have written yourself i.e. a "humour story". I try to answer posts simply to give the feedback.

There has been occasion where a clinical question has been raised and no-one feels competent to answer it - happened with a neuro question recently and one of the mods kindly "reactivated" the thread so that it would stay "visible" in the active section until someone with the requisite knowledge/exerience could answer.

Don't feel discouraged by no answers - it just might be that no-one feels they CAN answer or you might have phrases the post in such a way that there is no answer. Sometiimes when the board is "jumping" threads will move very quickly down the "active" list and once they are on page 2 or 3 fewer people will see them and respond to "reactivate" the thread. I have found that the threads that get the most reposnses are, understandably, those that anyone can have an opion on - i.e. overweight nurses, bad teachers, funny charting entries - funny things patients have said and of course revolting food.

HannasMom · May 22, 2003

I have been "lurking" for several weeks now. Decided to join tonight and it only took a few minutes. I have really enjoyed the posts and come back daily to read the boards.

adrienurse, LPN · May 22, 2003

You didn't hear this here, but it always helps to "liven up" the discussion a little.

Flynurse · May 22, 2003

PennyLane, RN · May 22, 2003

Originally posted by Disablednurse
It is discouraging when you continue to post and do not get answers or responses to your post. That happens frequently. The ones who have been here for a longer time will talk to each other but don't always respond to the newer posters. I love to talk, but like to have someone to talk to.

I think this was a lot more common before, say, a month and half ago. Then all hell broke lose (apparently) and a ton of people left to more exclusive venues. As they say, out with the old, in with the new (or not so new, as the case may be).

In any event, you're not the only one who felt this way. I think a lot more lurkers have been coming out of the woodwork recently.

Jenny P · May 22, 2003

Originally posted by Mel D
I think this was a lot more common before, say, a month and half ago. Then all hell broke lose (apparently) and a ton of people left to more exclusive venues. As they say, out with the old, in with the new (or not so new, as the case may be).

In any event, you're not the only one who felt this way. I think a lot more lurkers have been coming out of the woodwork recently.

Oh, come on, Mel! There were many times even us oldsters could post and not get a response.

I have been here for 3 years and in that time, there were many posts I made and not get a response to a post. When you meet someone online and share some similar ideas and experiences; you start thinking of them as a friend and you may be more likely to respond to their posts than someone you DON'T know or who hasn't posted in the same threads you are interested in.

The way you have stated what happened here is mean and another snide comment at the group who left here. Many of them were fed up with the hipocrasy they saw here; several were banned for speaking out about it.

They left for "more exclusive venues?" No, they left to be among friends who wouldn't stab them in the back.

You are so right about the "out with the old, in with the new" though, so many of the more senior members here no longer feel welcome.

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · May 22, 2003

The way you have stated what happened here is mean and another snide comment at the group who left here. Many of them were fed up with the hipocrasy they saw here; several were banned for speaking out about it.

mmm hmmm. THat about sums it up. Thanks Jenny

tiger · May 22, 2003

WELL,KISS MY GRITS,SHANDY. good to see you. i thought you were banned. ya know ya can't tell by looking at profiles anymore. the top posters that were banned still show as "senior members" and such. wonder why that is?????? :confused:

Vsummer1 · May 22, 2003

I am not even aware if I show up as a "guest" or not. I think that whenever I come here I am automatically logged in, which is fine with me. It is convenient not having to remember my password and my "handle". There are many times I come here just to do a search on something I am studying in school. I don't have a lot of time to answer posts lately, but I do read those that catch my interest. Does that make me a "lurker"?

I don't even understand why it would be a big deal? I am sure there are many people who do just as I do, come here to look up nursing related posts!!! Anyway, I am sorry to those of you whose posts I did not answer because I am trying to pass my nursing classes...

and welcome new members!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · May 22, 2003

Originally posted by Disablednurse
It is discouraging when you continue to post and do not get answers or responses to your post. That happens frequently. The ones who have been here for a longer time will talk to each other but don't always respond to the newer posters. I love to talk, but like to have someone to talk to.

Mel and Disablednurse:

Sorry to burst a conspiracy theory bubble of ya'lls. But people respond to a question when they feel that they have something of value to offer the poster or comment on.

I generally don't notice who the poster is, unless there is something distinctive about attitude, spelling, or subject matter. Even if I do not particularly "like" the poster, I frequently I comment or offer info. For example, there is a regular poster that asks questions about religious matters, that regularly ridicules those who respond to his questions (interestly he has not been banned). I still generally offer some input.

Snideness gets one nowhere fast.

I have posted a number of threads, that have had limited responses - One of which"Increased incidence of ITP in patients using Metabolife". I don't take it personally, not that many people have a lot of interest or info on that. It has nothing to do with cliques. I also tend to stay away from boyfriend/girlfriend questions (no one ever likes my answers), "better homes and gardens" questions (not my style), and "pity party" threads (do not have the patience and would be rude). So on those, the poster probably don't want "my" input.

I have also noted a lot of "I have a question", "Need info FAST", or "Need info on xxxxx" - And I pickup the thread to note that I have nothing relavant to say. Many times I just don't bother to open a thread that is ambiguous. It would be a boon if posters would title the thread appropriately.

I am not a cool hip chick - I am a geek girl personified. I have never had problems with those who may not be here (to defend themselves). I have had people that are currently here and not banned be incredibly rude to me. For about the last 6 weeks, I have PM'd those that have posted relevant onco questions so that I could avoid the rudeness of others.

And I do not lurk - I am logged in as caroladybelle when I am here.

RNIAM, BSN, RN · May 22, 2003

I don't think it is a sin to lurk. I think it is the best way to get a feel for the bb and find a topic that best suits you. I think it is a personal choice.I do think that the best way to get to know folks on the bb is to start posting. I happen to like to personal questions, the every day type stuff. I really like the help me quick type questions. Alot of times I don't have the answer so I say so. The ones I rarely answer are the very specific types of questions as they don't allow for many different perspectives. To each their own I say. With all the folks that post here I am sure we all can find topics that interest us. The reason I posted this to begin with was as a huh? type of thing, that means I never paid any attention to the #'s of lurkers that allnurses had. I was amazed that at any given time it seems like twice as many lurk than post. Any more ready to delurk and say hi?