This is a surprise, no?

[Lakot]

I know how you feel. I took me years to join and send in some of my work. To the Lurkers, take your time and join when you feel ready. We're not that mean.

[Spankofox]

Well, I don't believe that we should force the lurkers to join the site, but I would highly recommend joining to any lurkers that read this message. They'll come around eventually, I hope. Its always nice to have more members to contribute to the forums.

[RobM]

Case in point, I'm currently looking at the "who's on" list.

It shows 30 people! Wooh!
14 members and 16 guests.
Of those guests, 6 of them are in downloads.

Can we please lock them and the galleries, just as we did on Brats, if nothing else, its just so as they need to be registered to use up large amounts of bandwidth.
Also, make it a run in if you persist in the belief they are afraid of joining (I'm sure some are, but most I maintain is likely appathy), announce it on the front page and that it won't be done for a week on saturday (at midnight). These 8 days gives them plenty of time to think of a cool nickname.

[Stoner]

from what l see of permissions its already set to only allow regged ppl to access

[sefirozu]

I'm sure there are a lot of reasons for a person to lurk. Fear of being exposed, I believe, is the biggest. It may be an unfounded fear, but it exists nonetheless. Fear of socializing may be there too. Apathy sure may count, but inspired by these two.

And of course there's the matter of leeching. But no one says that you can't leech and be active in the community. i should know, im leeching right now!!!! (laughs maniacally)

[Mushy]

I admit I was part of AB and lurked - I registered, but I had nothing to contribute, and at the time was pretty closed up about being into spanking. At the time, I couldn't even type the word "spanking" without completely panicking. However, I just found this place today, and it was like, "Here's my chance!" So here I am...

As someone who has lurked, I understand the feelings of being shy, overwhelmed, and even guilty. I don't want to be that way anymore myself, and I hope everyone here will welcome me. However, it took a long time for me to get this way, considering I've been into spanking almost my entire life. XD I had help gradually comng out of my shell, thanks to a friend and an LJ soley dedicated to my spanking stories and RP.

...and I do apologize for such lurking in the past. ^^;

[mushishi]

Hello

bandwith problelms I leave to the owners (yeah I'm evil)

I'd like to add some comments on lurkers and verification.

First verification : Please don't ever do creditcard verification... I'm 24 I have 2 cards and none of them is ok with these verifications. I know that my country is a small one, but why? I thought my mastercard is ok...
I also don't understand the thing with minors (under 18? ,21?) of course I dont want any legal troubles for the owners, but...
I could go on about this for seemingly forever but I'll just give one example about how stupid it is: one of my american friends said, that there when people reach their (legal) drinking age many of them end up in hospitals because they don't know their limits, whereas in my little country we're not so strict on drinking and do not have these problems.

well enough of my complaints, on to lurkers.

Usually I'm a lurker, because I can't be bothered with internet relationships. I need to see the person I'm talking to. (if you know what I mean)

However this place has so many nice people,(at least this is the feeling I get reading the posts) and it also fits my "special needs" unlike any other place on the net, so I felt that I wanted to be a part of it.

Zekeltarfos said before: "Also, what might intimidate the shy ones is the fact that this community is so small that pretty much everybody knows each other already."

I think it's to the contrary (for me at least) I'ts good that it's a small community, but I feel It wouldn't hurt to have a little more active members, maybe 3 or 4 times as many, and the more lurkers, the better chance that some of them become active.

from someone else (sorry, didn't find who): "While the might enjoy the work, they don't want to be just a "me too". and to be fair we do have some high qualty artists and writers, who claiber can make new people intmated to pressent their own pieces. "

This is a more serious problem in my wiev. Of course we wan't quality, but we don't want to scare off people who's works we would like do we? also people who with advice from more experienced writers or artists could become very good later. Maybe we should have a beginners folder for people who are not sure about themselves (or maybe this idea is stupid but I'm starting to like it)
people could post there and get advice, also if you go and look at their works and you don't like it than it's your own problem. Especially if it doesn't even appear on the Latest Images list (can this be done?)

Well this post is getting too long... better stop now.
Bye

[rogue-kun]

Originally Posted by mushishi

This is a more serious problem in my wiev. Of course we wan't quality, but we don't want to scare off people who's works we would like do we? also people who with advice from more experienced writers or artists could become very good later. Maybe we should have a beginners folder for people who are not sure about themselves (or maybe this idea is stupid but I'm starting to like it)
people could post there and get advice, also if you go and look at their works and you don't like it than it's your own problem. Especially if it doesn't even appear on the Latest Images list (can this be done?)

That would have been me 8). Story help and suggestions basicaly does that. any ideas on how you would want it to do more?

[mushishi]

Thanks , it looks interesting.

I've been thinking more along the lines of drawings though, being selfcentered as usual.

[graemek]

To lurk or not to lurk ,I do not mind either way but i think a section should be for members only ,IE over 18 type stuff,I have not posted yet as i can not draw a straight line let alone a pickture,my hat is off to all you artist-types