Types of forum members

Muscles

I've always enjoyed people watching and since my first day using the inter web in 1987 (actually it was a BBS) I have enjoyed watching the way People interact online. For a bit of fun I posted a similar thread on one of my own forums a few years ago. I revisited it today prompting me to add to the below list of Forum Member Types....

Workers - These guys are the ones that are always there to answer questions, give advice, research topics, encourage other members and very rarely cause controversy. They believe everyone deserves a fair go and do their best to make sure everyone gets one. They will diffuse controversy, welcome new members, try to improve the forum and simply like to help others.

Lurkers - The lurkers join up and do very little posting. Feeling either new, shy, inadequate or inexperienced they tend to hide in the shadows whilst reading and learning as much as they can. When they finally decide to start posting they tend to amaze everyone with their knowledge. They need a little encouragement to get their post count started and will eventually turn into a Worker.

Sloths - Too lazy to use the search button they tend to ask Q's that have already been answered 100 times before. More often than not they have already made up their minds before asking the question but they ask anyway. They mean no harm but do require reassurance from their peers for most of their actions.

Leeches - These guys sign up just to profit from the rest of the members. They only post in the classifieds and normally only sell and rarely buy and if they do buy, they normally on-sell to someone else to make a tidy profit. Also known to spam and/or advertise their outside business.

The Terrorist - This is a person who rarely starts their own thread but likes to hijack other peoples instead. They will change the topic numerous times and like to think the world evolves around them. If they do start their own thread they do it in the wrong section and when questioned why they will apologize and claim they didn't know any better.

The Alpha - This is a person who generally has the respect of their peers and quite often a low to moderate post count. They are very knowledgeable and meticulous in their posts and can change peoples opinions with their responses and the whole mood of a thread. Despite their knowledge and meticulous posts they don't leave members feeling intimidated but rather relieved that the Alpha decided to get involved.

The Gossip - Every forum has one. This member likes to make unfounded claims and when proved wrong likes to disappear for a while. They will start rumors and make several unfounded claims and very rarely contribute meaningful information to the forum. They are there to fill in spare time and enjoy starting a fight only to run and hide when punches fly - a bit like Billy Slater.

The Endorser - The Endorser likes to tell everyone how good/bad products or suppliers are. If they like a product they will tell everyone that they have to use that product and if they don't like a product they will go out of their way to tell everyone how bad their experience was. They feel like they are doing a service to the peers and genuinely don't mean any harm.

The Professor - Professors rarely post and when they do it takes a while. They need to research the topic, type out a response (normally offline), read it a dozen times, edit it a few times, have it proof read and then they will post a response. They like to think they are helping everyone and are quite proud of their knowledge. They will continually check to see how many people have read and or replied to their post and feel both upset and strangely proud when no one responds to their post/s. If only they toned it a down a little a lot more people would respond.

The Snail - Rarely seen on line which is a shame because these members normally posess a good amount of knowledge and love to help people. The problem is they do it 6 months after the fact ressurecting old threads. Their posts are still worth reading and could help the next person who finds themself in the same situation so no harm done.


The Defender - These guys think they doing the right thing by fighting other people's battles. They rarely contribute anything meaningful and love to challenge the Alphas, Workers and Professors alike. Quick to jump to the defence of others ooutside and to voice their own opinions but unfortunately the majority of their posts are negative by nature revealing them as villains rather than the heroes they think they are.


The Sponsor - These guys help pay the bills and in return get to promote their business/wares. Sponsors are the back-bone of many a forum and don't only contribute monetarily but also by sharing their wealth of knowledge.


The Troll- Do I really need to explain this one? Most common traits of a troll are 1) they only join forums to stir the pot and 2) when the realise they are losing face the commonly fall back on comments like  "you can't spell..." or "your grammar is terrible". Half way through an argument they will verbally announce that they are above everyone else and that refuse to post any more in a thread only to return and continue posting soon after.


The Tronser - Yep you gussed it, if you cross a Sponsor and a Troll you will get a Tronser. These guys peddle a product and give it the highest of recommendations that is until they stop selling it - at which time they start sledging it and must think all other members are too stupid to see through them but the veil is very thin. They are quick to attack both members and sponsors.


The Instigator - The type of member who comes up with a post like this just to get everyone thinking and posting...

Brett H

Nice one Muscles!  You've left off one important subset of workers.  Moderators.  For this one I'll help you out with an Acrostic Poem: Moderators are the Ones who Demonstrate the Ethos of the forum Rather than Act like Trolls who are socially Oblivious and Really Suck There, I just showed my grade three teacher.... take that Mr Rickards, and it was completed in a bit less than a semester!  YEAH  :thumb:

mycuppa

That's a classic Tim. I especially like the Tronsor and I think we know a suitable candidate that could "win that gold medal"

Seeya Latte

on 1341485957:

The Tronser - Yep you gussed it, if you cross a Sponsor and a Troll you will get a Tronser. These guys peddle a product and give it the highest of recommendations that is until they stop selling it - at which time they start sledging it and must think all other members are too stupid to see through them but the veil is very thin. They are quick to attack both members and sponsors.

I reckon I saw a similar article on an Italian forum some time back....they refer to them as Stronzo's :rofl:

beanflying

on 1341489184:

That's a classic Tim. I especially like the Tronsor and I think we know a suitable candidate that could "win that gold medal"

I should mention I claim no credit for any content of the first post other than being from one of those groups :thumb: Worthy posting too to all of the lurkers, not to many of us here have two heads or wear heavy head kicking shoes so jump in and contribute or ask away

C-man

You forgot the newbie! like me, a guy that is just enthusiastic about coffee!