I see some of you have been here for years!

[1shotwade]

So for the benefit of those of us that have not been,tell us about the changes you've seen.I've only been here a year and a half and I've already seen a lot of people go. Has it always been like this? How does that affect the way you respond to threads?Do all of us newbe's drive you nuts asking the same questions you answered 10 years ago?Do you look at us and consider that we are just in the same place you were once or do you look at us more of just being a "flash in the pan"?And why are you still here? To help others or to continue to glean info or a little of both?What can we "newbe's do to help you?Anything you would like to add?

Just curious!


Wade

[Goat Servant]

Hi Wade, the going seems to go off & on but with new people all the time.
Some of them are really missed.
As for the questions hey, we were all newbies at one time, whether to HT or our chosen major as it were.
Im still here cause of the friends Ive made, helping others as well as gleaning a little of both.
You seem to have plenty posts.

[rambler]

Fortunately I can't remember what I did a month ago, so new questions are new to me.

I suspect a lot of folk come to a forum for a bit of soothing me time in a hectic life, and we like helping people, but feathers get ruffled kinda fast of something hits a person wrong - because, we all tend to stop by here during a hectic life that might be rubbing us wrong that day, and have a short fuse....

So, tolerance is a great thing, I need to keep telling myself that....

I think I was around when this place was run by the magazine itself?

Believe it went through 2 major transformations since that time.

Paul

[wr]

Originally Posted by 1shotwade

So for the benefit of those of us that have not been,tell us about the changes you've seen.I've only been here a year and a half and I've already seen a lot of people go. Has it always been like this? How does that affect the way you respond to threads?Do all of us newbe's drive you nuts asking the same questions you answered 10 years ago?Do you look at us and consider that we are just in the same place you were once or do you look at us more of just being a "flash in the pan"?And why are you still here? To help others or to continue to glean info or a little of both?What can we "newbe's do to help you?Anything you would like to add?

Just curious!


Wade

I can't speak for others but one of the reasons I do stick around is because I do have a solid background in various sectors of agriculture and I feel it would be selfish of me not to share what others have taught me and I've learned a few things from members here.

There is a good chance that my upbringing was unique enough that I have not been where a lot of newbies are but that doesn't mean that I can't be helpful to those with questions and receptive to new ideas.

I would never look at someone as a 'flash in the pan.' If you ask a question that I feel I can answer, I speak as much to you as the person who's lurking and reluctant to ask questions. I feel that it makes things a lot easier for newbies if they have a bit of support and encouragement along the way and it's important to know that they will make mistakes along the way, just like the rest of us mortals.

[DAVID In Wisconsin]

Seems this place draws a bigger crowd now but there have always been people coming and going. A few administration changes, new looks a time or two but the basic questions and posts remain the same. It's fun to hang around and talk to old timers and the new guys alike.

[CountryMom22]

Just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have hung in there for the long haul. I appreciate your knowledge, and your willingness to share.

[Melissa]

I remember when we started out I thought it would never last five years! But we have been around a lot longer than that. I never think any questions are bad questions. I stick around because I believe the homesteading lifestyle is a good one and I would love to see more people become as independent as they are able.

[Tana Mc]

Well, I have been here more than 12 years and was on the Lusenet (sp?) board before that. As you can see by my post count- less than 1000- I don't chime in often. Mostly because someone else usually beats me to it and I don't have much more to add. Also, I seem to be the ultimate thread killer...... One post from me and all conversation seems to dry up! LOL!

I struggle with trying to be encouraging and kind when I see the same questions.... year after year after year...... makes me feel very old! LOL! I envy all this youth starting out on this journey with all the info available!

[MoonShadows]

Originally Posted by rambler

I think I was around when this place was run by the magazine itself?

Believe it went through 2 major transformations since that time.

Paul

Paul,

Whatever happened to "the magazine"; did it just go out of business?

Jim

[linda in se ny]

The original forum came from Countryside and Small Stock Journal.

[sidepasser]

I have been here since the Lusenet days and I hang around because every once in while I can add to the conversation. No question is a bad question.

Oh and due to Pruning over the years, my post count has changed..lol..

People come, go and get themselves banned or ban themselves. I have left for long periods, just reading and not posting.

Real life is more important than a web site, and sometimes that takes precedence over answering questions. I do try to answer horse related questions to the best of my ability and also any questions related to building because those are things that I have done the most.

The mag is still around, Countryside and Small Stock Journal.

[farmerDale]

No, there are NEVER dumb questions. We are all at various stages of our journey. NONE of us know everything, NONE of us do everything the same.

I am here, because I hope to be able to share in the areas I am somewhat knowledgeable or experienced. I have reasonable confidence with sheep, chickens, hunting, fishing, gardening, and growing crops as a few examples. But even with sheep, I lack confidence in the veterinary side of things, because my wife takes care of that side of the business, I am the nutrition, breeding, grazing, forage specialist. So I often do not answer, or talk much if someone has flock health questions, as my confidence level is minimal in that field.

Conversely, I hope to learn about those things I have little clue, which are many.

I do very much more L & L, ( Looking and Learning), than I do saying stuff. I spend a lot of time in the pig and goat forum, but rarely say much, because I have never raised either, but plan to get both next spring.

I think we hang around for a while, because speaking for myself at least, we do not know everything, and never, ever will.

I have learned a lot on these forums. I will never run out of questions, or lose interest in learning more. If I felt like I contributed half as much to you folks on here, as I have learned from you, I might leave. But alas, there is plenty to learn. Always. And I was born and raised on this farm, and have made my living from this farm my whole life. In theory, I should know it all.

Au Contraire! Not even close.

[sisterpine]

Through the years I have seen similar newbie questions pop up time after time and it makes me feel really good. It reminds me that more and more people are discovering the wonderful life of homesteading!

Folks come and go, some pass away, some get mad and leave. Many of us have been here a long time just because we get some good feelings from being here and being able to associate with others of like mind.

[Michael W. Smith]

Welcome!

If I think back over time - when I first came on - the majority of people got along. But maybe being a newbie myself at the time - I just overlooked the ruffled feathers and fist fights?

I don't mind the newbie questions but you may want to do a search on the site before you post a question. Lots of good advice on the old threads - and you can always bring an old thread back to life.

Lots of people have come and gone. Some get to fighting and get banned, some get fired up and quit, some people just lose interest in the homesteading life and move on to other things, some just get too busy in real life and don't have time to look around anymore, and sadly some people have died off.

There are several good ones that have died off - and I miss them. Probably the one I miss most is Old Hoot. Boy he had a way of telling the stories and tales!! (Of course, he also preached a bunch too, and some people were put off by it.)

Welcome aboard!

[BlackFeather]

I'm new here, but having sold electronics for 25 years, you end up giving the same spiel every day, but you don't mind because it is helping people, I suspect that many of the older people here feel the same way. It is a Biblical principle that it is better to give than receive, and that is what those who have experience do for us younger members. Thank you all.

[Pony]

Man, I do miss Old Hoot...

I lurked for a while, but Carla Emery encouraged me to get involved. (I miss her, too.)

My memory is probably fuzzy, but I remember it being a "homier" place a decade ago. Back then, I was in the 'burbs, but determined to get out beyond the sidewalks.

Now, I come back from time to time, usually on Goats because I love goats and that forum helped me to get (and keep) going.

Like others, I feel it's important to encourage those coming up.

I've met quite a few HT people IRL, and it's been a blessing.

[farmerDale]

Man, I am sorry. I missed the part that asked the long timer members what keeps them around. I feel like I infringed a bit there. I am not a long time member. Sorry...

[Shrek]

This site is like a high school. There is always a new freshman class coming in and a senior class turning into alumni.

Yes the archive of threads may be of help but just as school curriculum changes over time and new concepts taught, so many old questions get asked again year to year and new answers are more appropriate in place of or in addition to the discussions of the topics offered in the past.

As textbooks are printed and reprinted with revisions so are many of the topics of discussion threaded here.

[Truckinguy]

I haven't been here as long as some people but I have noticed some changes in the atmosphere here. It's sad when some long time members leave because of whatever differences they seem to have with other members, admin. or whatever. However, I stay here because: 1) there is just such a vast amount of information here that I can learn from and a large number of very knowledgeable and mostly personable people and 2) There's just something about this forum that I like that I can't really put a finger on. Most members are friendly and can be quite funny. I can't count the number of times I burst out laughing at something someone has said, those "let me clean the coffee off my computer screen" moments.

I admit to getting into it with people on some threads and, except for a couple of really distasteful comments, most people can get into a really spirited discussion without going overboard. I really applaud the moderators for exercising restraint on some threads that get a little hot and heavy. The only way we grow and progress as a society is if we discuss every subject from both sides with knowledge and passion.

I"m single and the only one of my family, friends and neighbors, except the guy across the road, who has a passion for the self-sufficiency and homesteading way of life so I suppose there is some aspect of belonging to a community of like-minded people. There might be other similar forums out there but I like this one so you're stuck with me now...!

[Marilyn]

Hi Wade,
In comparison, I'm probably an "intermediate" since I've been hanging around since '06. I love to hear from new people for a lot of different reasons - and no, seeing a question duplicated doesn't bother me at all. (I have tried to research previous threads, and that task can be daunting!)

One of the very best parts of belonging to this forum is the opportunity to make new friends. I have been blessed with those that I have met through our little informal gatherings that we have here in Indiana. I consider myself blessed by those friends as they are very special to me.

Speaking of which, it's getting to be that time of year again. Watch for "gathering notices" after the holidays and before everyone gets busy planting, etc. They are normally posted in Homesteading Families and the Hoosier specialty forum. Our winter gatherings are normally held in a restaurant with enough room for all of us to sit and visit after our meal.

P.S. Feel free to host one in your area!