Why do hundreds of people view postings here for new threads but only few respond?

[bcol01]

Would be nice if more of our Buddhist brothers and sisters contributed more here to the discussions.

[Kim O'Hara]

Would be nice if more of our Buddhist brothers and sisters contributed more here to the discussions.

The ratio of 'views' to 'replies' is normally about ten to one.
Don't be too negative about it. A lot of views are exploratory, and people realise they are not very interested in the topic or are interested but have nothing useful to contribute.
The ratio is higher if the thread title isn't very informative.
Think about it: if the title is "This is great!" then everyone has to look in case it's something they might like. If the title is "Eleventh century source of Kuan Yin prayers" then most of them won't need to bother. Hint: use informative titles to save wasting people's time.


Kim

[bcol01]

Not negative, just an observation and question really. Anyone is free to provide input or not. I don't control time nor the affairs of others. No time wasted here. Even w the one comment (yours), has much to teach.

Would be nice if more of our Buddhist brothers and sisters contributed more here to the discussions.

The ratio of 'views' to 'replies' is normally about ten to one.
Don't be too negative about it. A lot of views are exploratory, and people realise they are not very interested in the topic or are interested but have nothing useful to contribute.
The ratio is higher if the thread title isn't very informative.
Think about it: if the title is "This is great!" then everyone has to look in case it's something they might like. If the title is "Eleventh century source of Kuan Yin prayers" then most of them won't need to bother. Hint: use informative titles to save wasting people's time.


Kim

[Coëmgenu]

A lot of people are intimidated to join, because they fear reprisal from a perceived "DharmaWheel elite" who will cruelly reprise them if they post something unfavorable. It is an issue with all fora.

[bcol01]

I don't mind reprise. I also couldn't care less how superior someone may think they are on here. Their responses will undoubtedly say more about them.

A lot of people are intimidated to join, because they fear reprisal from a perceived "DharmaWheel elite" who will cruelly reprise them if they post something unfavorable. It is an issue with all fora.

[dharmafootsteps]

The ratio of views to replies seems pretty reasonable to me. I certainly read a lot more threads than I post in here.

I read these forums for information, and contribute when I have a question/something to add. If I contributed to everything I read I'd not only waste a lot of my time, but also add a lot of idle chatter.

[Ayu]

Buddha gave a recommendation not to talk too much. If you check your posting on: Is it right? Useful? Compassionate? Etc..., then you can't leave a comment on everthing you read. So, the rate 10:1 is high enough.

[Aryjna]

Every time the same person visits a thread it is counted as a new view, so the majority of views could be from the people posting.

[Bois de Santal]

Every time the same person visits a thread it is counted as a new view, so the majority of views could be from the people posting.

Indeed, the algorithm itself is probably not too clever.

And how can it be? It probably detects that the same person has already clicked on a page within the same session, but I doubt it can do more than that. It isn't even an indication that anything was actually read, let alone understood. So as a statistic it doesn't tell us much and I can't see how to use it meaningfully.

The number of replies is slightly more useful but it is also ambiguous. Two people (or even one, occasionally) can generate a lot of heat, but little light.

To return to the original question - I too try to keep my replies on topic and pertinent, while avoiding idle chatter. I often start to write a reply and then realise I just don't have anything of value to contribute, so I delete the draft. Hence a lot of apparent radio silence. And I usually avoid 'me too' replies, although I'm indulging myself in this instance, as I think it is relevant to the conversation.

[Mantrik]

I think these stats (on the Index page) are always a good guide to activity:

In total there are 481 users online :: 27 registered, 7 hidden and 447 guests (based on users active over the past 999 minutes)
Most users ever online was 1061 on Sun Oct 23, 2016 12:59 am

[Queequeg]

Rubbernecking?

[florin]

A lot of people are intimidated to join, because they fear reprisal from a perceived " DharmaWheel elite" who will cruelly reprise them if they post something unfavorable. It is an issue with all fora.

Maybe there should be a closely moderated facility in each subforum where only beginners are allowed and where known members of this "perceived DharmaWheel elite "are not allowed.

[Minobu]

because there are like 12 people who actually read and respond on Dharmawheel..and yeah the rest is just them re re rechecking the thread ...

it's a small group of losers like myself who have nothing better to do...
don't shoot the messenger.

[Minobu]

A lot of people are intimidated to join, because they fear reprisal from a perceived " DharmaWheel elite" who will cruelly reprise them if they post something unfavorable. It is an issue with all fora.

Maybe there should be a closely moderated facility in each subforum where only beginners are allowed and where known members of this "perceived DharmaWheel elite "are not allowed.

there is nothing elite about them...they just have more time on their hands

[dzogchungpa]

I think "Dharmawheel Mafia" is more apt.

[Minobu]

ok i just made a few jokes...
but two things...this thread should be moved to somewhere...maybe suggestion box...

and secound there is no mafia or elite...

we have some really fine people who are far better than google for they are able to infer their opinion with the teachings which has proven itself very valuable for debate and pondering...especially when they are wrong about stuff like the Pure Lands...

[florin]

ok i just made a few jokes...
but two things...this thread should be moved to somewhere...maybe suggestion box...

and secound there is no mafia or elite...

we have some really fine people who are far better than google for they are able to infer their opinion with the teachings which has proven itself very valuable for debate and pondering...especially when they are wrong about stuff like the Pure Lands...

I think it is a question of delivery more than anything else.
About how that knowledge is delivered.

[PuerAzaelis]

I think "Dharmawheel Mafia" is more apt.

Bodhichitta is an offer we can’t refuse ...

[dzogchungpa]

I think "Dharmawheel Mafia" is more apt.

Bodhichitta is an offer we can’t refuse ...

I fear that I have said too much and will soon be sleeping with the nagas ...

[Minobu]

bodhicitta is a dish best served warm