Who are all these guests?

[lynnfrwd]

Do you think it might be something most are not comfortable using? Do we need a tutorial on how to use the forum? Tips and tricks maybe for the "soft" side of the business? Forum, groups, blogs, registration and re-registration, activation,etc?

[lynnfrwd]

PS...any volunteers?!?!

[dbfletcher]

I personally don't see a benefit in forcing people to become members. Everyone is free to contribute as much or as little as they feel comfortable with. Some are sure paranoid with giving out any personal info... and that is fine.. some may just feel overwhelmed with the talent of many of the members. Many feel they probably cant offer anything. But as their confidence grows.. so does the urge to "showcase" what they have done... or when the discover a great tip they haven't seen mentioned before. Those are the things that will drive the guests to become members.

Lets continue to just let them join on their own terms. (one mans opinion)

[jaroot]

My thoughts exactly!

I personally don't see a benefit in forcing people to become members. Everyone is free to contribute as much or as little as they feel comfortable with. Some are sure paranoid with giving out any personal info... and that is fine.. some may just feel overwhelmed with the talent of many of the members. Many feel they probably cant offer anything. But as their confidence grows.. so does the urge to "showcase" what they have done... or when the discover a great tip they haven't seen mentioned before. Those are the things that will drive the guests to become members.

Lets continue to just let them join on their own terms. (one mans opinion)

[eelamb]

Doug well said, I know in the beginning, I became a member but it took me awhile before I posted anything.

[fwharris]

My thoughts exactly!

Same here!

As I posted before, some that I have had contact with just struggle with just doing email and it really is a stretch for them to participate in the WWW.

[LittleRedWoodshop]

Ditto Doug ... I stalked this forum for a lonnnnggggg time before I signed up ... thank you to everyone for your help along the way.

[TerryT]

I personally don't see a benefit in forcing people to become members. Everyone is free to contribute as much or as little as they feel comfortable with. Some are sure paranoid with giving out any personal info... and that is fine.. some may just feel overwhelmed with the talent of many of the members. Many feel they probably cant offer anything. But as their confidence grows.. so does the urge to "showcase" what they have done... or when the discover a great tip they haven't seen mentioned before. Those are the things that will drive the guests to become members.

Lets continue to just let them join on their own terms. (one mans opinion)

I think you hit the nail on the head Doug. After giving a few StartU classes and talking to a bunch of folks that are interested but still haven't taken a class I can say this..... There are a bunch of people out there that purchased a CW machine years ago and have never used it yet. In fact some haven't even unpacked it from the box. Some felt intimidated by the machine or just not ready to tackle it an put the machine on a shelf for the last 2 to 4 years. I'm sure there are a bunch that visit the forum as well but don't feel comfortable joining. They just want to check in and read a bit. Lets let them get more comfortable. They will join when they are ready.

[lawrence]

My thoughts on this are that I lurk on several forums that I do not post on often or at all (believe it or not...) for several reasons. I have no problems with lurkers, I think of them as potential posters! (or potential customers for my work or the Carvewright itself) I'd like to think that I contribute here, as do others, and I think everyone has their own comfort level of participation. If anyone learns or enjoys one of my posts, my ego certainly enjoys the electronic "pat on the back", but I'm fine if they don't too.

Maybe we should have a "post your first post here, welcome new members" sticky. I know some forums do this (the woodwhisperer forum is one for example) and it seems to encourage lurkers to have a place to introduce themselves and get welcomed. Sometimes it can be a bit intimidating to post that first post... I know it was for me as I did not feel like my work was worthy of posting at first, but you guys are great motivators.

Lawrence

[lawrence]

all right, this is embarassing... I just found the "welcome new members" area....