Author Topic: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?  (Read 25138 times)

Cheddar Stacker

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3700
  • Age: 45
  • Location: USA
Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« on: July 31, 2014, 02:58:09 PM »
I've always wondered this. Is it exclusive to this forum? I don't frequent many others so I have no frame of reference.

I just took a look at who's active right now and there are around 125 users and 425 guests currently on the forum, and this is a trend I've noticed many times before.

Any guests care to create a username and let us know why you are a reader but not an active participant?

From my own personal experience, I lurked for a couple weeks, then created a username and posted only a few times over the next few months. Eventually I became more confident in my FI and RE knowledge and started posting more. At first I guess I was scared of saying something stupid and being called out for it.

Is it because this is a place to discuss finances which is taboo IRL? Any other theories?

Eric

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4057
  • Location: On my bike
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2014, 03:05:07 PM »
My theory is that we're entertaining as hell to read, and that posting may not bring any extra entertainment.  YMMV (as a poster)

Mississippi Mudstache

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2170
  • Age: 40
  • Location: Danielsville, GA
    • A Riving Home - Ramblings of a Recusant Woodworker
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2014, 03:08:39 PM »
It's pretty typical of most forums, IME. Maybe a little more so here, but not much out of the ordinary.

Beric01

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1156
  • Age: 33
  • Location: SF Bay Area
  • Law-abiding cyclist
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2014, 03:10:13 PM »
This is true on any forum. I've seen it countless times.

I lurk dozens of forums. They're great ways to find information and advice about topics. You don't need to make an account to obtain information, so why bother?

It's pretty typical of most forums, IME. Maybe a little more so here, but not much out of the ordinary.

Not even more so here. I've seen plenty of forums where the ratio was 1:10 or greater.

soccerluvof4

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7161
  • Location: Artic Midwest
  • Retired at 50
    • My Journal
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2014, 03:13:23 PM »
I agree with most of the comments thus far plus the fact that its on Marketwatch still everyday I am sure brings in alot of lurkers of which be curious what % get involved.

Mississippi Mudstache

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2170
  • Age: 40
  • Location: Danielsville, GA
    • A Riving Home - Ramblings of a Recusant Woodworker
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2014, 03:17:39 PM »
This is true on any forum. I've seen it countless times.

I lurk dozens of forums. They're great ways to find information and advice about topics. You don't need to make an account to obtain information, so why bother?

It's pretty typical of most forums, IME. Maybe a little more so here, but not much out of the ordinary.

Not even more so here. I've seen plenty of forums where the ratio was 1:10 or greater.

That's cool. I am just going off of the other 3 or 4 forums that I've been active in. Usually there are at least as many lurkers as posters, but 4 times as many lurkers as members would be on the high end. I'm not surprised the ratio is greater in other forums.

Albert

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1244
  • Location: Switzerland
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2014, 03:21:10 PM »
Generally speaking more popular forums have a higher ratio of lurkers.

solon

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Age: 1823
  • Location: OH
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2014, 03:25:29 PM »
I agree with most of the comments thus far plus the fact that its on Marketwatch still everyday I am sure brings in alot of lurkers of which be curious what % get involved.

It's on marketwatch? I can't find it there, can you give us a link?

Cheddar Stacker

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3700
  • Age: 45
  • Location: USA
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2014, 03:30:23 PM »
I thought the same thing so I did a search.  Andrea Coombes is a writer who posted a question on the forum recently. She mentions him a bit including in this linked story on page 2:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/rethink-your-emergency-savings-strategy-2014-03-11?pagenumber=2

Quote
Meanwhile, the blogger known as Mr. Money Mustache said he invests his emergency savings without a problem. Here’s what he said during a recent interview with MarketWatch:

“I’ve always questioned the idea of an emergency fund. It’s a great tool for the financial beginner who lives from paycheck to paycheck, and for whom a broken water heater would make the difference between making ends meet and borrowing via a credit card. But once you get off the ground, your credit card is a monthly buffer and your investment accounts are the emergency fund,” he said.

eostache

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 231
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #9 on: July 31, 2014, 03:30:46 PM »
I was a lurker here for a year, maybe longer. Yes, you are all very entertaining to peruse.

I finally made a log in about a month ago and say a few words every now and then.

I lurk on several other forums of various interests.
On some forums that I do have a login but I often just read them without logging in unless I have something to post.

ambimammular

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 424
  • Age: 46
  • Location: Indiana
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #10 on: July 31, 2014, 03:33:33 PM »

From my own personal experience, I lurked for a couple weeks, then created a username and posted only a few times over the next few months. Eventually I became more confident in my FI and RE knowledge and started posting more. At first I guess I was scared of saying something stupid and being called out for it.

That was pretty much my start.
I also had a specific question that I wanted a mustachian's perspective on and I felt I should do some research (lurking) before bothering everyone with something that may have already been answered.


Middlesbrough

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 268
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2014, 03:39:51 PM »
I learked until I found a gauntlet challenge I needed to be a part of for my own sake.

brooklynguy

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2204
  • Age: 43
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2014, 03:44:49 PM »
It's because MMM has done a poor job of publicizing the fact that he personally delivers a mustachian care package to your home by bicycle when you become an active forum member.

solon

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Age: 1823
  • Location: OH
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #13 on: July 31, 2014, 03:47:16 PM »
It's because MMM has done a poor job of publicizing the fact that he personally delivers a mustachian care package to your home by bicycle when you become an active forum member.

Yeah, more people ought to know about that.

Spartana

  • Guest
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #14 on: July 31, 2014, 03:54:36 PM »
I lurked for a fairly long time (year maybe). Even after I signed up I didn't post much as I really had nothing to add to the already excellent advise here (I've been FIRE'd for over a decade now so kinda have things in order already). I have been more actively posting lately but still lurk quite a bit. Only signing in if/when I want to respond to a post. I imagine that's the case for most lurkers - probably already members just checking the forum without signing in.

I do have a sidebar question though about avatars. I notice many people use the same avatar of a famous person here. Why is that? Is it indicative of something I missed? I keep seeing the same avatar but for different posters. Very confusing.
« Last Edit: July 31, 2014, 03:57:50 PM by Spartana »

Eric

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4057
  • Location: On my bike
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #15 on: July 31, 2014, 04:11:53 PM »
I do have a sidebar question though about avatars. I notice many people use the same avatar of a famous person here. Why is that? Is it indicative of something I missed? I keep seeing the same avatar but for different posters. Very confusing.

There are stock photos supplied by the website that you can choose from.  Some are very popular.  I agree it's confusing.

solon

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Age: 1823
  • Location: OH
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #16 on: July 31, 2014, 04:14:19 PM »
I do have a sidebar question though about avatars. I notice many people use the same avatar of a famous person here. Why is that? Is it indicative of something I missed? I keep seeing the same avatar but for different posters. Very confusing.

There are stock photos supplied by the website that you can choose from.  Some are very popular.  I agree it's confusing.

Did you know you can turn off avatars and signatures? It's an option in your profile settings. It makes the forum so much easier to read!

TKE Super Dave

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 54
  • Location: United States
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #17 on: July 31, 2014, 04:22:33 PM »
I lurked for a fairly long time (year maybe). Even after I signed up I didn't post much as I really had nothing to add to the already excellent advise here (I've been FIRE'd for over a decade now so kinda have things in order already). I have been more actively posting lately but still lurk quite a bit. Only signing in if/when I want to respond to a post. I imagine that's the case for most lurkers - probably already members just checking the forum without signing in.


I'm like this as well. I don't post much because I'm mainly here to learn and the few things I can post usually others have already said the thing I was going to say or I don't have enough knowledge or anything meaning full to say that would add to the discussion so I just watch.


teen persuasion

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1226
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #18 on: July 31, 2014, 08:35:00 PM »
I'm logged in at home on my tablet or pc, but if I have few minutes at work to pop in and read a few posts, I do it w/o logging in.  So even members appear as "guests" at times.

Daisy

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2263
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #19 on: July 31, 2014, 08:39:35 PM »
I haven't joined any other internet forums. I'm not even a Facebook user. But for some reason, this forum attracted my attention and has helped me refine my FIRE plans. It's a nice bunch of people. But I was a lurker for a while. I think I noticed the forums about six months after discovering the blog. I also read the forum while at work during down times, but don't want to log in while on the corporate network.

imustachemystash

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 407
  • Age: 43
  • Location: Seattle
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #20 on: July 31, 2014, 08:40:35 PM »
I am logged in on my laptop so I can reply to posts, but not on my phone. 

brizna

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 38
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #21 on: July 31, 2014, 09:59:46 PM »
I just learned about this place, but I agree with the comment about it being extremely entertaining.

It's kind of like reality TV. There's a ton of details about people's personal lives that don't normally get shared since our society is so private about personal finance.

Blany

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 28
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #22 on: July 31, 2014, 10:18:01 PM »
Started lurking in February.  Had a lot to learn and read.  Now I feel like posting some responses.  I am also currently lurking on the ERE forums without a profile.

Wolf_Stache

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 920
  • Age: 43
  • Location: Portland
    • Flower's Fang
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #23 on: July 31, 2014, 10:36:12 PM »
I lurked for over a year before posting. I mostly made my account to start a journal, because I'd been struggling with saving any money during that year lurking (now I know it was ex and not me, because in July I was able to save almost 40% of my income even with paying for an expensive editing service for my soon to be published novel).

I agree with others that this forum is hugely entertaining. for a long time I only read the 'Ask a Mustachian' forum just to be able to see people's budgets. A strange bit of financial voyeurism plays a huge part. A lot of the budget/income stuff is information people wouldn't share anywhere else.

resy

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 347
  • Location: West Coast
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #24 on: August 01, 2014, 12:22:29 AM »
I just became a user in the past week after about a year of being a guest haha its just laziness. Well, also when you are new to this lifestyle the forum is intimidating. Now I'm kinda addicted...

JennC

  • Guest
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #25 on: August 01, 2014, 06:40:56 AM »
Most of us are introverts, I'd say.

pachnik

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1894
  • Age: 59
  • Location: Vancouver, BC
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #26 on: August 01, 2014, 07:26:53 AM »
I lurked maybe for a few weeks before i joined the forum.  This is the first internet group that I joined and became a part of.  I was a bit leery of joining but was also really excited about the topics we discuss.  So i just dove in and posted my budget.

Seeing the article in the WaPo in 2013, looking up the blog and then finding the forum has made a great change in my life.  What a huge piece of good fortune I found this place.

rubybeth

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1390
  • Location: Midwest
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #27 on: August 01, 2014, 08:20:13 AM »
I used to be fairly active on another forum and there were also lots of guest users. I think some people are more watchers than joiners, y'know? And you can get a lot out of reading the forum here to relate to your experience, but some people just aren't comfortable posting personal financial-related info. on the web.

Cheddar Stacker

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3700
  • Age: 45
  • Location: USA
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #28 on: August 01, 2014, 09:07:38 AM »
A lot of great responses. I hadn't thought about the "members not logged in" angle and that is likely a big chunk. I'm always logged in at home, work, and cell which is not only obsessive but slightly dangerous if anyone else decides to visit the site on my devices. Oh, well.

teen persuasion

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1226
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #29 on: August 01, 2014, 09:25:31 AM »
A lot of great responses. I hadn't thought about the "members not logged in" angle and that is likely a big chunk. I'm always logged in at home, work, and cell which is not only obsessive but slightly dangerous if anyone else decides to visit the site on my devices. Oh, well.

This is the biggest reason I don't log in at work - I don't have "my own" computer, it is a general computer that we all use at different times.  I do leave work social media accounts always logged in, though, so any one can post if they want, but they've all left it up to me.  I've become the tech girl by default.

ender

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7402
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #30 on: August 01, 2014, 05:48:27 PM »
I do have a sidebar question though about avatars. I notice many people use the same avatar of a famous person here. Why is that? Is it indicative of something I missed? I keep seeing the same avatar but for different posters. Very confusing.

There are stock photos supplied by the website that you can choose from.  Some are very popular.  I agree it's confusing.

Did you know you can turn off avatars and signatures? It's an option in your profile settings. It makes the forum so much easier to read!

oh boy I probably have had the same avatar the entire time then since I've never changed it and almost always immediately disable avatars/signatures :P

Ethernet

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Age: 27
  • Location: Lawrence, KS
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #31 on: August 01, 2014, 06:11:02 PM »
They could also be like me. As a minor, I can contribute virtually nothing to the majority of conversations that take place here. I lurked for about half a year before I even registered.

Cheddar Stacker

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3700
  • Age: 45
  • Location: USA
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #32 on: August 01, 2014, 06:48:12 PM »
They could also be like me. As a minor, I can contribute virtually nothing to the majority of conversations that take place here. I lurked for about half a year before I even registered.

Wow. Awesome. Stay here and pay attention and you can retire by 30. You are half my age- wow.

Davids

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 977
  • Location: Somewhere in the USA.
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #33 on: August 01, 2014, 08:39:36 PM »
I lurked for awhile and actually on my phone I am a lurker as I have never logged in from my phone so if I am online and posting it means I am on my computer. If I am sitting on the can and using my phone then I am a lurker.

Cheddar Stacker

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3700
  • Age: 45
  • Location: USA
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #34 on: August 02, 2014, 02:41:26 PM »
Well for anyone still lurking I would encourage you to log in and participate. I promise we won't bite (hard).

This board is at it's best when it is highly active. The level of participation is one of the things I love the most about this place.

Dr. Doom

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 466
  • Age: 46
  • Location: East Coaster
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #35 on: August 02, 2014, 03:44:26 PM »
I also lurked for a few months before registering and starting to post about a year and a half ago.

The big reason was time.

It simply takes more effort to read threads with the intention of responding than it does to skim them.  You read the thread differently -- Example: Might want to make sure that you're not saying exactly the same thing that someone else already said. 

On that note, I'd say the majority of value in a thread comes from reading, not posting, for most people who are just looking for perspective or guidance on a certain issue.  In other words, people stop by a thread, learn what they need to learn, and move on.

So if you have, like, 20 minutes to cruise the forums, you might have a choice between reading 10 threads without posting replies, or reading 3 and posting replies.  For the sake of your own financial learning efficiency, most people go with the former and read as much as they can.

All that said, Cheddar, I completely agree that the more people post, the better.  Just do it - we're all the better for it.


nz

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 112
  • Age: 60
  • Location: New Zealand
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #36 on: August 02, 2014, 06:41:42 PM »
I read the forum everyday and often have comments to make..... but I think faster than I can type....hence frustrating.

sol

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8433
  • Age: 47
  • Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #37 on: August 02, 2014, 07:25:40 PM »
I lurked for about a day, just to get a feel for things, then signed right up because I had questions and complaints.

The only other forum I've been a regular member of was much smaller, and hardly ever had guests.  Everyone over there was on a first name basis.  Some of them are here now, purely by coincidence (or the enormous size of this place and the relatively limited pool of forum-addicted internet shut-ins in the world).

Michael792

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 221
  • Age: 31
  • Location: US
    • Rising Ascendant
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #38 on: August 03, 2014, 06:18:33 AM »
I think more people want to read than post. I never got on to the forum until MMM mentioned it a couple of times here and there. Then, sitting on my butt in Missouri waiting for big Army to do something with my paperwork, I joined the forum, created a username and started lurking. Didn't post for a month or two after that, as I was learning and thinking and getting the hang of forums in general. (I'd never been on one before this and had no idea how they worked.)

BobToday

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 5
    • BobToday
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #39 on: August 04, 2014, 09:05:46 AM »
I only lurk and never ever post something. :)

Daisy

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2263
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #40 on: August 06, 2014, 09:09:22 PM »
I lurked for awhile and actually on my phone I am a lurker as I have never logged in from my phone so if I am online and posting it means I am on my computer. If I am sitting on the can and using my phone then I am a lurker.

Uh...thanks for the visual...NOT!

Workinghard

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 636
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #41 on: August 07, 2014, 05:31:46 AM »
Okay, I confess. I lurk more than I post and I take more than I give for the following reasons.

1. Lack of energy to post.i have to think about everything before I say it, and even then it may not come out clearly or succinctly. Working extra/OT and keeping up on household and yard stuff drains me.

2. The sense that I don't have much to contribute other than anecdotal experience.

3. Not wanting to ask the same stupid questions you've probably heard and answered hundreds of times.

4. Being somewhat annoyed that we can't get our expenses down lower. No ones fault but our own. My dh has been so good about driving a 14 year old car, and we don't eat out much, but I think media adjustments would push him over the edge. And since we could probably retire now, but he's working another 17 months to Medicare age, and I'll work after that, it probably doesn't make a huge difference in the overall scheme.

Having said that, I love reading the forum although I miss the links at the top for unread posts and unread replies. I really appreciate being able to glean information and I find so many of the posts informative with concrete ideas and suggestions. I appreciate being able to learn from others who have BTDT. Kudos to the mods and posters who have changed my life!

marty998

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7372
  • Location: Sydney, Oz
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #42 on: August 07, 2014, 05:32:17 AM »
Since you asked, I registered. I've been lurking for a few months and I've never felt the need to post since I'm poor. So I just look for good advice I might be able to use later in life.

Thats a perfect reason to post. There are many many rags to riches stories, journals and threads posted here all the time.

The wisdom of many outweighs the ego of one. Only way we can help you is if we know your story.

Cheddar Stacker

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3700
  • Age: 45
  • Location: USA
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #43 on: August 07, 2014, 05:55:18 AM »
Since you asked, I registered. I've been lurking for a few months and I've never felt the need to post since I'm poor. So I just look for good advice I might be able to use later in life.

Thats a perfect reason to post. There are many many rags to riches stories, journals and threads posted here all the time.

The wisdom of many outweighs the ego of one. Only way we can help you is if we know your story.

+1. Welcome boxcat. Thanks for posting.

esperto

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 28
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #44 on: August 07, 2014, 10:54:04 AM »
Well for anyone still lurking I would encourage you to log in and participate. I promise we won't bite (hard).

We hardly ever bite.  We just face punch each other!

I lurk on any one of several devices, most of which I never post from so I'm guilty of being one of the guests most of the time.

Taranis

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • Location: Seattle, WA
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #45 on: August 07, 2014, 11:08:31 AM »
I lurked for a long time, then finally registered only so that I could use the "new posts since last visit" functionality to speed up my visits. I tend to be the type that listens and learns for a long time before speaking, otherwise I just end up with my foot firmly planted in my mouth. =)

solon

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Age: 1823
  • Location: OH
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #46 on: August 07, 2014, 01:54:06 PM »
Having said that, I love reading the forum although I miss the links at the top for unread posts and unread replies.

This this arrow? Click it.

Workinghard

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 636
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #47 on: August 07, 2014, 02:05:03 PM »
Having said that, I love reading the forum although I miss the links at the top for unread posts and unread replies.

This this arrow? Click it.

You're kidding me! That's all I needed to do? Thanks for sharing. I had saved the links in a notepad and had to go there each time to click on the links and check!

solon

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Age: 1823
  • Location: OH
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #48 on: August 07, 2014, 02:28:07 PM »
Having said that, I love reading the forum although I miss the links at the top for unread posts and unread replies.

This this arrow? Click it.

You're kidding me! That's all I needed to do? Thanks for sharing. I had saved the links in a notepad and had to go there each time to click on the links and check!

You're welcome!

gimp

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2344
Re: Why does this forum have so many lurkers (guests)?
« Reply #49 on: August 07, 2014, 02:39:23 PM »
Nearly 50 posts and nobody said the obvious?

Web crawlers. Google indexes the content, one page at a time. So does every other search engine, including the ones you've never heard of. They use multiple processes to do it. And that includes crawlers for other reasons (eg, scraping emails, and phone numbers, and other targeted methods, and then random people doing other random things with crawlers, and blah blah blah...)