Interesting Forum "stat" reflects Studebaker interest

[BobPalma]

'Anybody notice the information available in the Who's Online option in the tool bar across the top of the forum header? It reports who is currently on the forum and to what topic they are posting, or what topic they are reading.

Well, most of the time, the number of Guests on the forum about equals the number of registered members on the forum. This should bode well for the level of interest in Studebakers, because hardly anybody would seek this forum to look at Stove Huggers, Obituaries, etc.

Not that there is anything wrong with Stove Huggers, Obits., etc., but those forums will be more often chosen by people who are already registered members. Guests are more likely to be here for pure Studebaker information, having found us through a search engine keyed on Studebaker.

I find it encouraging that there is such a level of interest in Studebakers that roughly half the people on the forum are guests. Hopefully, they will find what they are looking for, join SDC, become registered forum members, and buy a Studebaker!...if they don't already have one. BP

[jcluvsu]

Mine must be broke or I need new glasses. I don't see it or must not have it set up yet.

[Cravin]

Alot of those guests are search bots, spammers or unlogged members. If you click on the IP address it will give you a clearer idea of where the guest "originates" China and russia IPs are spammers, Search bots will show up from google MSN ect.

[Cravin]

Mine must be broke or I need new glasses. I don't see it or must not have it set up yet.

Quick links, drop down to who's online.

[jclary]

What I find interesting using this feature is what I call the "forum shuffle." Just as the sun is rising on the east coast, you can use it to see that very often, in the early morning, there may be more guests than members. I have seen as few as 8 or 9 members and 23 guests. Then as the day wears on, you will see the members log in by time zones as some check in and sign off going to work, and checking back in as they get a break. The west coasters are in full song as us easterners are dozing off.

You have folks like me who may be signed on but away from the computer and our international friends pop in as a neat surprise since I am not keen on international time zones. It is a rather nice feature with guests sometimes outnumbering members.

It is another reminder that we need to watch our P's and Q's because you never know who's watching. It is my hope that they like what they see and are inclined to join as a result.

[BobPalma]

Alot of those guests are search bots, spammers or unlogged members. If you click on the IP address it will give you a clearer idea of where the guest "originates" China and russia IPs are spammers, Search bots will show up from google MSN ect.

An interesting point, Cravin. I'll make note of that. Thanks.

[jclary]

What I find interesting using this feature is what I call the "forum shuffle." Just as the sun is rising on the east coast, you can use it to see that very often, in the early morning, there may be more guests than members. I have seen as few as 8 or 9 members and 23 guests. Then as the day wears on, you will see the members log in by time zones as some check in and sign off going to work, and checking back in as they get a break. The west coasters are in full song as us easterners are dozing off.

You have folks like me who may be signed on but away from the computer and our international friends pop in as a neat surprise since I am not keen on international time zones. It is a rather nice feature with guests sometimes outnumbering members.

It is another reminder that we need to watch our P's and Q's because you never know who's watching. It is my hope that they like what they see and are inclined to join as a result.

This morning was a good example of what I posted yesterday. When I signed on around 6:AM there were 7 members and 24 guests.

[fastfritz]

If you do not "log in" as a SDC member, then you will be a "guest" viewing the forums. Sometimes I do that from my work computer. I do not log in to the board, so then I would be a "guest" whilst scanning the board topics- as I don't have time at work to delve into most topics. As with most message boards, there are a lot of lurkers who just read to stay current with the topics. They usually are registered members, but for whatever reason, they do not log in.

It would be GREAT to have these guests sign up with the SDC and become an actvie member, but I think most of the board's visible "guests" are already registered members.

[comatus]

Cravin, I'm depressed by your cynicism. Everybody knows that Studebaker has an excellent reputation in China and Russia. Why should we limit ourselves to bots and spammers "Made in USA"?

[Bob Andrews]

Mike, don't ever be ashamed about your depression. Clinical trials have shown real promise for treatment.

[Bob Bryant]

Bob Palma's thread is interesting. Also, it is noticed that there is some turnover among participants. I don't know if they become lurkers or just move on to other activities. Take a look at a subject that started a couple of years ago and names will be seen with which you are familiar, but some will have been absent from the forum for a long time. There are many possible reasons that it might occur.

[N8N]

I think the number of guests may be artificially inflated; I'm often not logged in when browsing the forums unless I feel the need to reply to a thread. Even if I do log in, it seems that I get logged out fairly quickly.

nate

[Cravin]

Cravin, I'm depressed by your cynicism. Everybody knows that Studebaker has an excellent reputation in China and Russia. Why should we limit ourselves to bots and spammers "Made in USA"?

No need to be depressed Mike, after all, those spammers are peddling some mightyfine anti-depressents along with energy supplements, viagra, and other cheap pharmaceuticals fot the discerning CASO..

[comatus]

Man, I am from the East Side. Depression isn't "clinical" over here. It's a lifestyle choice.

[StudeDave57]

what the....?

Am I the only one who noticed that the "who's online" thingy is is no longer seen on the Forum 'home' page as it once was just a few days ago? Yes- I know there's one that can be seen when you're logged in, but that's not the one I'm talking about.

One other thing I wonder-- how long does someone have to go without posting before they become 'inactive' in the eyes of our Forum? That 'active members' number sure bounces around a bunch.