Non Members

Hey Borgy

I just went and read that thread, I'm not sure that I saw it as a members vs non-members thing.. I think that most of the 'criticism' was centered towards the sometime offhand way that some here deal with basic questions.

As Mainey said, telling a newbie to 'do a search' rather than offering up even a small pearl of wisdom, or heaven forbid, saying nothing at all. Is really a bit ordinary.

That same newbie, around a campfire, would probably be offered some advice, but many get defensive and want to build a wall around the forum, and prevent it being made 'boring' by people asking the 'same questions'.

I'm not having a go at anyone here, I certainly don't post as much as I once did (I've been around a lot longer than this username has, I'll see your five years and raise you some), can't really say why that is, but that's my problem and decision and I'm happy to live with that.

Dave,

Too many thin skinned muppets methinks :)))

Hi All

I become a Member last year, from what I can see, there is a lot
of knowledge to be gained in reading the different threads, some
are important to the person who asks the questions, and also you
can pick up good ideas,for things you did-nt even think of before you
read the thread, its also like traveling in the outback with out leaving
your house, I take great joy in looking at the members profiles, and
photos they provide, also Willems adventures and Dougs photos,
Kev & Darkies advice and humour, Footies input, ect ect ect,
gees guys I feel some people come across as though they have been
hear the longest, and us new commers have to serve an apprentiship,
to earn the right to contribute.

Cheers
Daza

Dave,

I think it's all a matter of "perception"
I'm sure there are times when it wouldn't matter what is typed or how a post is worded, if the reader has a bleak outlook they will find a sad interpretation.

I guess this is some of what keeps Forums going???

We are only up to thread # 57716 as I type, so that explains why I cant find thread # 57860 as indicated above.

Guess I will have to use the search facility to find the relevant tread.

Cheers,

Cruiser

So far apart from visitor , not one reply from a non member

Cheers......Dave

i really don't give a rats what people comment on. if non members were not welcome here the ozi explore team would not allow access.
i bet more non members buy a lot more stuff from there store than members there is more of us. and that what keeps this site going.
have a nice day
al

I am always amused by the way people can get so emotive over other faceless people behind a keyboard. For heaven's sake - evryone is entitled to an opinion. You might disagree - but why on earth get upset over it. Its a computer!!! I laugh sometimes at the abuse that goes on on the various forums. People need to get out camping a bit more to chill out.

I find the member thing interesting. I would be interested in its origins. Presumably to offset costs initially? Certainly not a problem now with the advertising revenue the site currently would pull in. I have been an active non-member for many many years. I visit the site numerous times per day to keep up with discussions. From the owners perspective, the number of hits per day is extremely important when looking for advertisers. And the non-members visits are probably equally, if not more important than the members due to those numbers.

Its a great site. I have asked for advice on numerous occasions and always got good feedback. Wouldn't know whether that was from members or non-members and I don't care. The site contains a wealth of information. Lots of it put there by non-members.

I have never considered becoming a member - everything I need is there as a non-member. And I must say - I very rarely perceive any member/non-member angst unless a member brings it up. To those who feel membership is a valuable part of the site - good on you. But some seem to carry it like a status symbol. The site is a public site - and for my requirements there is no point in being a member. I expect that is the case most other non-members.

I agree that we shouldn't give people who ask a question without doing a search a hard time. I also don't think it's necessary for people to preamble their question by saying sorry if the question has been asked before. Many new people may not know about the search function, also this forum attracts countless new readers and users each week, each has a new story, experience or view, so why not let people have their questions? You get a different answer every time and often by different people and often non-regulars.

After all you were all once an 'ignorant' newby or heaven forbid a non-member or visitor.

I am a long time boater, 4x4er, camper and traveler. I am also a motor mechanic and have worked in the caravan/CT industry for many years. I found this site while searching for answers to a specific question.

I believe that I may (on occasion) have something to contribute but I tend to just sit on the sidelines because I get the impression that the seats around the campfire are reserved for members only.

This site does have a bit of a 'club' feel about it. Not a criticism, just an observation.

Now that thats all done I'd just like to know why you felt the need to start a war in the first place Dave ..................
bloody good cast though..............
LOL and while your there get a life mate..............
your freindly neighbourhood NON member,
Dave (also)

i myself have been discriminated for not being a paying member, but you know what, i just dont care, because i find everything elsewhere and for FREE :-)

Dave when picking a few lines out of another thread to make a new post one needs to be mindful that what is being said isn't taken out of context or overstated. Posing the question "what really gets up your goat and makes you feel this way???" & "let us members have it" is fairly provocative as the replies in the other post (57680) were simply giving possible reasons for the high turn over of different people posting.
You yourself said above "i have said a few things that may have bleep people off" (many have) which is exactly what I was referring to. Sure they could "build a bridge" but I suppose many 1st timers when challenged are just as likely not to return or at least feel hesitant to post or reply again.
Each time the member issue is raised for what ever reason the old guilt treatment sticks it's head up with "need to support this site financially" or "getting the good info for nothing". Membership is obviously optional so why this handful of people keep dredging it up I don't know.
Possibly if those bagging responses they don't agree with or telling newbies to search simply didn't post maybe a few more may stay here longer than they currently do?
Cheers Craig.............

Post from Borgy:

I was just reading through Jimbo's post about the changing face of this forum....post 57860....Anyway i noticed a few comments about non members being made to feel unwelcome , or 2nd class as one person mentioned................

I'm only a visitor and havent felt unwelcome. I understand there is probably a bit of the old boy network on the forum but thats a fact of life in any group - online or not. Anybody who doesn't know that, doesn't get out enough and needs to get a life, in my view.

Now i know that sometimes i have said a few things that may have bleep people off, But what really gets up your goat and maks you feel this way??? if some of my comments have contributed then feel free to tell me ...i mean i think im pretty tuff skinned and i can handle it...lol.....but seriously im curious as to why people feel that way.................

Probably unknowingly, people take offence to what is written because there is no inflection to the words. Its just words and they are read, depending on the readers state of mind. Saw an absolute S*#^ fight on another forum which ended up with the one going off, admitting he had not been in the best state of mind at the time of posting and apologising. Now, all forgiven and plenty of banter happening again.

I personally have been put in my place by a few on here before and the way i see it is just cop it on the chin and move on, or as my 5 yr old grandaughter tells me" BUILD A BRIDGE POPPA"....lol...........................

Like all of us - you probably deserve it occasionally...LOLOL

so come on all you non members out there that feel this way let us members have it...............................

Why should this start a war ??.......you're just asking for "our " thoughts.

The only difficulty I have on this forum is the lack of emoticons to punctuate the words........guess I need to be a member to do that.......hehehehe

What does irk me ( as it does on other sites ) is the self righteousnous of some individuals - longterm members or new - who place their opinions well above anybody else. Its fine to have a point of view ( and I have plenty I am sure I am dead right about.. lol ) but it doesn't always relate to everybody elses situation. e,g, diesel vs petrol, gas lanterns vs candles etc. Things like this IMO, should be informative rather than instructive, unless the asker desires instruction.

My pet hate on any forum............wading through dozens of the same questions because people are too lazy to search a topic or too lazy to find a similiar thread and ask their question on it. Also, damn computers that don't search the way my mind works.

Perhaps, what might be useful on this forum too, is a monthly thread which can be used for drivel and banter. Have seen it work well elsewhere.

Pheewww............rant over.......I think.

To be honest - I never look to see if its a member or non-member who has posted. Whats posted is what I want to see.