Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

It's very interesting. All across the internet, there are thousands of forums for every conceivable interest and millions of people join the fun and conversation. There is no greater special interest group than the Villages residents. Hundreds of people visit this site every day. We have 10s of thousands of page views. Just the "speeding cars" topic has nearly 200 views. Yet, people seem to not join in the conversation by posting replies. Can you think of a reason why that might be? :dontknow:

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

::) maybe because the topics are mostly written by one person..not the people who are visiting?
I expected to get a few people interested in the new RED HAT chapter..Ladies of the Evening and secretly was hoping to because it is brand new and the Queen Mom needs members before she starts the monthly outings..but nope..just one gal showed interest and I dont know if she ended up calling the Queen Mom or not :'(

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

I can't wait to get to TV so I can join the Red Hat Club.

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

One reason I can think of is that people who are not "Villagers" don't feel qualified to make a post. I know there are some topics I don't post on because of that reason. That will change when I do live there next year. :dontknow:

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

And I also think some folks just rather read what's going on!

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

I think Dicky hit the nail on the head. I know that many of the posts that i make i qualify myself as a current outsider. I will offer my opinion on generic things.

I'm actually surprised that more 'insiders' don't use TOTV for setting up outings or the like. Maybe once I'm down there I'll realize that it's not needed because of the friendships that are made in person.

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

As a future Villager, I am learning a lot of what is going on. It was very educational the posting regarding the closing costs. I have heard that some people hire Realtors to handle their dealings with the purchase and/or closing of a property (as a representative of the buyer). Have anyone heard something about this????

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

You may view the same page many times and only post to it once or not at all.

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

We are snowbirds (last five years at TV) and know a bit about TV. From what I see, the same people post over and over on every topic. It can be a bit "off putting" when you considering the "playground" post that has been beaten to death. I check in to see what's new at TV and surrounding areas. A few members have great information for newcomers and even old timers. This is a great site but is pretty much dominated by a few people who have strong opinions on everything. Hope I don't get blasted to bad for this one. :)

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Hi Everyone,

I think one reason some people, like myself don't post is because we find so many answers to the questions we have by reading the responses each day. Every time I prepare to ask a question, someone has already asked it. TOTV has been a tremendous help for those of us who are seriously considering a move to The Villages.

Since my first post about six months ago, my wife and I have had the pleasure of visiting The Villages twice. A third visit is planned for the holiday period. We are trying to do our homework before making a final decision. Each and every person who participates in the TOTV website has provided us with a tremendous insight into what life is really like there.

Jan, you are to be praised for the work you and your staff put into the site. I know it is not an easy job. I feel bad for you and your wife having to endure the train noise problem. Hopefully, it can be resolved in some way so you may both enjoy the good life at The Villages.

To everyone who visits this site every day, thank you for your personal stories. Like so many other folks, we hope to be your neighbors sometime next year. See you in The Villages during our next trip in a month.

Newsman

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

:agree: I have to agree with you. Maybe they don't have a coment to make, but still enjoy the "conversation"

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Its an interesting question. I try to post often but as was said earlier, many times my thoughts have already been voiced by an earlier post. And as a wanna be Villager (soon I hope) I tend to listen rather thjan speak as I don't have a lot of knowledge on many of the topics. But I love TOTV, thoroughly enjoy hearing what people think and giggle at some of the back and forth exchanges, and most of all I really apprreciate all the good advice.

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Let me put my two cents in here about having a hard time recruiting redhats here....Its hard for new people to realize that there are over 450 different clubs and organizations here and everyone is already wrapped up in some group or two or three......and that doesn't even include golf,tennis, botchie,pickle ball, bowling etc, etc. If you are not a joiner then they have the Michigan club,Ohio club, Penn.club etc, etc. .....College clubs , High school clubs,and it never ends...every kind of card playing you can imagine and it you don't want a club,,,,they play at least one night a week in the different rec. buildings and all you have to do is show up.......This truly an amazing place and Buying a home here is only part of it.......After six months here I have more close friends than forty years in northern Michigan, and I thought I would never leave there..........You ask , " YES BUT WHAT IS ALL THIS I HEAR ABOUT THESE TRAINS?????) Well I can honestly tell you that although I'm not crazy about the trains ..and I live close to them, I am used to them and they don't bother me and if your inside , you don't hear them....
I allways said that if I move to Florida it has to be on the coast , I need sand and water......We'll let tell you that I'm having so much fun here that sand and water is the last thing I think about...............
Played golf today with three good friends and lost two dollars, I played lousy,,,,,,,I giggled and laughed all afternoon at these guys giving me the ribbing, They are not very bright but they are pretty good golfers , However they are not as good as me so I can't wait until tomorrow to get my two dollars back.......unless of course my wife makes me go to dance lessons....

Don't be afraid to make a post here folks ....We all love to read them...

THE GREAT FUMAR

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

[color=purple]I don't know about the folks lurking here. But, it's possible some of the folks just aren't 'into' typing. I have one brother who reads things on the internet, and e-mails sent to him, but he never responds to his e-mails because he doesn't type. He gets too frustrated with the hen pecking to type one word. I don't think this applies to most folks, but probably a few.

Another possibility, some of us are shy about initially joining groups (myself somewhat included, although I quickly feel comfortable once I'm involved). Even though an on-line forum is easier to join, shy types still feel like an outsider since they see friendships have already formed on-line.

Note to all lurkers: :welcome:

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Many of the posts are repititious since people add their "two cents worth" as the spirit moves them. There are lots of posts that have been answered many times by different people. Many posts initiate questions from those not living in TV which make the topic go on and on. So, I go to the last post of the topic to see if it is of interest then move on.

Usually the posts that I'm the most interested in are those from "The Host" or someone living full time in TV as their questions/comments are more relevant to me. I have e-mailed requested information to some people that I didn't want posted for the general public.

I have found a wealth of information on this site and check it out daily. I've recommended it to many people and I'm sure as we continue to grow in numbers here in TV, the site will also grow. This site is a great "shot in the arm" for us and I personally would miss it. I think that those of us who live in TV especially "full time" don't have much to say as we have too much to do. That said, I must get ready for my golf game.......

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Do other forums have the same kind of ratios of people who just read messages to those who post on various message boards?

Maybe, the readers are waiting for a topic about which they feel very strongly? Now if the Yankees had won the World Series...?

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

You raise a very good question. I always enjoyed reading what everyone else had to say but I am very opinionated myself. Maybe it is a little bit of laziness on my part but in the future I will try to respond when the spirit moves me. Thanks for the hint. About the World Series....

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Taltarzac: The NYYankees has to give a chance to the other teams once in a while, let the poor Red Sox enjoy it a little, it will only last one year.

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

as a new visitor to the forum---I noticed that only a special few people comment on topics over and over, and we dont want to seem contrary.

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Nobody here is viewed as contrary. That is the beauty of the forum. Say what's on your mind, ask a question, give an answer.

If nobody went in the pool because the same people are always swimming in it . . .

C'mon in!

;D

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

I think some people believe that there is more than just swimming going on in the pool to use your analogy. :joke:

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Please explain.

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

That's a joke, Tony. Putting it another way, if you do not want food on your clothes, do not walk into a food fight. There are sometimes pies and other such stuff flying around on various message boards. You and the other administrators do a very good job of keeping the flying food to a minimum on TOTV.

Some of the readers are probably familiar with just how much food lands on various faces on other message boards.

They are pie-shy. :joke:

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Ahhhh. Now I get it. ;D

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Opinions matter. Can't hurt to have a bit of egg on your face now and then.
Jump in the water is fine and the company even better. :duck:

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Probably a lot like a New England town meeting. For example, 750 voters in attendance, a handful will talk to the articles, the rest "fall into line" or just don't want to stick their neck out.

That's the beauty of the blog..if your anonymous you can stick your head out as far as you want!

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

I believe that since we are a senior community,many of the viewers are people who have not learned their way around their computer. This makes them shy to try. it also explains why threads are interupted by people injecting comments which have nothing to do with this thread.
If you want a topic on RED HATS LADIES GROUP. go to the bottom of the thread and click new topic and start a red hats conversation. This type of thing is what makes me skip a posting many times.
Larry & Beverly :dontknow:

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

The site is so informative! We newbies probably feel we get more info than we could possibly give. I hope at some point to be a contributor as soon as I get down to TV.
Were coming down in the spring whether the house is sold or not!

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

From watching TOTV over the last couple of months, it appears that there are two primary groups of contributors - a very knowledgeable administrative core and a lot of wannabes (like me) who are looking into the corners of TV before buying. TOTV is like a quilt - lots of individual squares that are of little value until united into one large comforter. I have little to offer but am anxious learn everything I can. As "they" say, knowledge comes from reading the fine print. Experience comes from not reading it.

What is the percentage of TOTV members who do not own homes in TV?

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Short answer is YES, other forums are the same. I don't know all the reasons why, but what's happening here is very consistent. One message board I go to occasionally has been around for years, with many members having thousands and thousands of posts. One thread had 20,140 views and 420 replies, and it goes on and on. There is a very high ratio of views to posts. And I am sure there are many reasons. I will often respond to a post, then check back to see what others have said after me without actually posting anything else. I must have viewed the playground thread 50 times, but posted only twice (neither time with anything negative I might proudly add :) )
Other times I just look at new posts but don't have strong enough feelings (knowledge, opinion?) to post.
But mostly, I just follow the conversations along easily at a 10 to 1 ratio of reads to posts.

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

OK, you asked for a comment.
I don't post a lot, because I have nothing to say. I'm not a resident of The Villages yet, not for 4 more years. but as we live only 60 miles away, we are frequent visitors. I use this forum to try and learn more about The Villages and the people in them. We have close friends who are residents and they give their input, but most times they have different ideas then we do. Watching TV and playing golf is not my thing, but by reading this and other web sites I have learned that there is much much more to The Villages than just golf and television.

Gary
Deltona FL

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Hi,

I read many of the posts and have learned a lot. I will only post on things that I have knowledge of. On subjects, where I think you need to be a resident of TV, I just read and learn.

If there are things I wish were different at TV I feel that I can only bring them up to post, when I purchase a home in TV.

This site is fantastic - Like I said I have learned many things.

Hyacinth Bucket

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

I think that the reason that a lot of people do not post are because they don't want to be on the negative side of the post.

I have posted to several post just to answer the question that was asked and got bombarded with reasons why my answer was wrong. Geez all I did was respond to the question. One was - do you think that the restaraunt prices in the area are high. Yes I do and I got all kind of economic reasons why prices went up. That was not the question and I answered it as I felt.

Any time you answer a post you are opening yourself up to rebuttal. Some people would rather stay out of it.

There are some posts I don't respond to for just for the flavor of the conversation. reason.

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

I work with older Nurses who did not like to type into the computer. They just pick at it and it gets frustrating. Practice makes perfect. My Brother is a Doctor and he sent me an email and mispelled knew by typeing new. et. Also one forgets the proper forms of english. It could be embarrassing . I love typos myself. I just saw an add at a hospital site for a srygery nurse!!!

:agree: that it may be a self consciousness I reckon!!!!

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

:agree:Like boomer be back said "what is with the # of posts being displayed""
GET RID OF THAT.................. and maybe we low or no posters would not feel like intruders.

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Boomer,

Well said. In fact, very well said. :bigthumbsup:

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Bestmicky and Tony..

How did you get those moving Avatars??? :dontknow:

They are so cute..I would love to have one.. ;)

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Why people don't post? :dontknow: I think it's just like any "hobby" - personal preference! Some people like to golf, some like to post, some like to line dance, some like to just watch. I think it's a form of entertainment to read posts and occasionally jump in. It's also putting a little piece of yourself out there, open to criticism, not everyone feels comfortable doing that.

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

Hi,
I agree with Boomer. :agree: :agree:

Re: Can you think of a reason why people don't post?
 

The virtual punches in the noses and other places on occasion do hurt even if it is more to the ego than anything else.

The TOTV administrators also do not seem to allow that many blows below the belt even if some people land one on occasion.