Why are you a member of this forum?

[The Mekon]

I pose this question as recently I noted a wanted ad for a piece of equipment that I had. Now I am not a "churner" of astro gear, but I thought yes, I have one of these I could either give away or sell at nominal price. So I checked the poster of the wanted ads statistics. Found that 95% of posts were in the classifieds section, only a small post count but a huge overall number of posts. So I thought no, buying and selling is not why I am on this forum, my main purpose is to share astro experiences, help others where I can, and hopefully learn more about the hobby in areas where my knowledge is limited (hi-tech computer stuff for example).
So the poster of the wanted ad is not getting my ......................, as I really have little time for those who use this great site mainly to shift equipment.
Sorry if I have upset anyone, but these are my thoughts and I believe that those who are here just to buy & sell really should be elsewhere.
So why are you on this forum?

[LewisM]

To look at pretty pictures.

And to buy and sell :)

[Somnium]

to give me something to do while the sun is out and the sky is cloudy :)

[janoskiss]

There are a few members who are only here to sell stuff. It's easy to spot them if you look at their "threads started by" stats.

I'm here because the site with ~100 or fewer (?) members looked good back in 2004/5 and they gave me excellent advice when I was starting out.

[AEAJR]

I enjoy reading about other people's experience with astronomy.

I am a life long learner and am always looking to learn new things. There are many smart people and long experienced people here who know much more than I do about astronomy. They are my teachers.

I enjoy helping others, especially those who are new who are struggeling with the basics. I may not be a "wise one" but I may be able to help them on their path to the stars.

Finally I get to learn about new equipment or new fields of exploration. I read about events I did not know about and get ideas about what I might enjoy viewing.

I am in NY so the buy/sell here is not likely to be very productive for me.

[Kunama]

I am here for the whole lot, I enjoy the hobby and all aspects of it.
When I started getting back into the hobby, after a long absence, I found that there was a LOT of conflicting information being bandied about especially in relation to equipment and what it was capable of. I felt that either my eyesight was very poor or that many overstated the capabilities of gear.

I am a self-confessed gear freak, so I decided rather than take other people's opinions as gospel, I would buy equipment and see for myself. This has meant that I have bought a lot of equipment, some just for the pleasure of owning it, much just to see if the hype had a basis in fact, and some just because it was cheap. I have also spent countless hours restoring, researching and building scopes, visiting observatories and even managed to take a look through Galileo Galilei's refractor in 2007.

This approach has allowed me to experience many fine telescopes, some have stayed with me since the early days, some have moved on to others.
In the process I have learned a lot about the hobby.

Most of my viewing is done on a rather less sociable scale, I like to view the heavens in silence with very little interruption once at the eyepiece, so I tend to go out solo. Unfortunately often the skies just don't cooperate leaving me with withdrawal symptoms....... that's where the forums come in.

I have met some genuinely friendly and knowledgeable people through this forum and been able to share my scope and its view with visitors from the northern hemisphere, showing them the southern gems for the first time.

I especially like reading posts by newcomers that show their excitement at seeing the moons of old Jove for the first time or the rings of Saturn or simply individual craters on Luna.

There is a lot of banter on the forum that really ought not be here, some threads are started purely to raise the ire of others, some threads seem to be very personal rants but all in all I find the IIS forum to be the best on the web at the moment.

Clear skies (and Taks Rule)
Matt

[casstony]

I think everyone should be welcome on IIS provided they're not a scammer. If someone only ever posts in the classifieds that has no negative impact on me. You know what they say about judging people..... :)

[Tropo-Bob]

I am member, because this Forum helps me with my hobby. To take a recent example, I found Sirius B, after reading the helpful hints given in another post.

Also, when I buy new equipment, I now often seek opinions on expensive items first. In the pre-forum days, buying items was a bit of a lottery. I normally knew nobody who had the equipment and was it really what I wanted?

I notice that some people do churn equipment. I can relate to those who love their equipment, want to buy and see for themselves and then are prepare to cop a bit of a loss when they sell. It is almost like they just rented the equipment for a year or two while they tried it out.

The more professional buyers and sellers: Kinda OK, except I sometimes suspect they give opinions about equipment in Forums, which may be intended to praise the items that they wish to buy & sell. I normally check out the buy & sell stats on people offering interesting commentary on equipment and then disregard those made the few with a high sell records and few other posts.

Yeah, I do sometimes feel that the semi-professional buyers and sellers are disrupting the quality and authenticity of opinions given in equipment posts.

[simmo]

We are a community made up of all sorts being of different interests but at the same time with one common and as a whole entity we all add to the forum.

[Atmos]

I originally signed up to buy/sell some stuff.... And then hung around :P Now it is all about learning and helping others, looking at pretty pictures that I wish I'd taken myself.

There are so many aspect to this hobby, whether it be on the visual side or on the photographic side, or even both; it'll keep me going and learning for a life time. In the many years to come I would like to build my own telescope, don't know what yet but I've still got a long time to make that decision. Thinking of a long retirement project, so, maybe another 50 years to wait!

[LewisM]

What Matt said :thumbsup:

I too am a purely solo imager and viewer. It's my personal escape into silence and sanctity. I dislike the club/social aspect very much.

[Pradeep]

I'm from northern hemisphere. Joined IIS to enhance my knowledge about southern hemisphere's sky. :)

[grimsay]

As a beginner I used IIS for equipment research before joining to ask more specific questions. Since then I've logged in daily to keep up-to-date on astronomical events and local meet ups whilst continuing to research equipment, objects, techniques etc.

I've just purchased my first item (and first additional eyepiece) form the classifieds. But find the information and collective experience available on IIS far more useful.

[el_draco]

Spot on.. :)

[Neutronstar]

I joined here for the camaraderie within the astro community, but I find unless you are in the "in crowd" your posts will be ignored like this one. :P

[Kunama]

Hello Tim, saw your post and thought I would say hello :hi: :D (PM sent)

[Neutronstar]

Whats this? a reply. :question: We can always reply on you Matt. ;) Hi, the Tak is still working gets quite some use and kept as pristine as possible. :thanx:

[AEAJR]

There's an "in crowd". Where are they? I want to ask them a question.

What are they "in"? :D

[OzStarGazer]

Because I am interested in astronomy and this is a board for amateur astronomers.

[Neutronstar]

Ha, you have me there. I apologize to all for my rash dig.

I guess I used this post to remind that its nice to include everyone here.. We all know it often takes a bit to type a question or other comment and I often see them go unanswered or un-commented.

Please again accept my apology.
On the bright side, it did get a reply.

[Robair]

IIS was recommended to me by the crew at Bintel when I purchased my first scope from them. I have been hooked ever since.
The classifieds have been my friend as I have since added 2 more scopes and an EP kit from that forum. More to come I am sure.
However the biggest IIS plus for me is the great advice and support that IIS members provide each other without attitude or prejudice.
Personally I really enjoy reading comments from Raymo, Astronobob, Somnium, Atmos and Kunama. Their experience and ideas mean a lot to me as they have been so useful.
I will also never tire of the "pretty pictures". Some amazing work being done and shared there.
Thanks to all who support IIS, this is a great forum for sure.

Cheers
Rob B

[raymo]

Tim, I don't think its unusual to find it takes a while to break into any
community. I moved to quite a number of small communities with my work over the years, and often found it difficult. The people in those small towns [or clubs, societies, whatever] have often known each other for many years, and are not actively looking for extra members for their circle[s].Anyway, a belated welcome from me.
raymo

[xelasnave]

It was many years ago but I was impressed by the decency of the members.
I would post photos and receive encouragement.
I posted in the science forum as a crack pot but the members were kind And helped me gain a handy understanding of cosmology.
The moderators have always been excellent and most tolerant.
This is a great place.
It is wonderful seeing folk grow over the years.

[jenchris]

Just to learn.
I wouldn't mind meeting a few of you but I am happy enough to enjoy your pics and perhaps improve my own.
People seldom remark on my pics, so I guess they're pretty useless.
I think some have even set me to ignore. Their choice.
I know a few of you are terribly serious and I find that hilarious. I intend to enjoy my sky.with or without a light banter with like minded folks.

[xelasnave]

I have no one on ignore but I suspect I would be on a few maybe.
I don't comment much on photos these days because there are so many.
I do like them all.
I like seeing folk get better.
its all good

[Rick Parrott]

When I log on to IIS and click on "New Posts" I am overwhelmed with the number of posts, the complexity and detail of questions and answers, the passion, the wonder and joy that the good folk here have for all things Astronomy!

We can receive fantastic advice and assistance; we can be inspired to view the sky, we can be awed by beautiful images.

...and along the way we can have some fun! :thumbsup:

Why wouldn't I be a member? :screwy:

[Mick]

I joined on the first day, we moved over from another small astronomy forum which closed down after IIS opened.
I joined then to talk and share with like minded people but IIS has changed like everything else in life.

[LewisM]

I knew I liked you for a reason :) Life is FAR too short to take everything seriously. When a hobby becomes an overwhelming obsession it's time to step back.

I am just too busy pretty much lately for anything apart from sleep (even that starts at 3am and ends at 7am...). Work, supplementary work, looking after 2 kids while the wife also works and preparing to move to the Kingdom of Far Far Away (been postponed till July....grrrr).

[The Mekon]

No need to apologise Tim, there was a time where I felt the same as you. In fact I felt like a "thread killer" - my post invariably seemed to be the last!

Thanks to all who have posted on this thread, there is a good crowd here who are always ready to help and offer constructive comments. As for Matt (Kunama) and Lewis (M) - are you blokes related? Or is it that you both share a passion for Taks and solitary viewing? Whatever the case both of you have made great contributions to this forum - even if it is is bit biased towards the Takahashi cause!

[Kunama]

It is not really the Takahashi cause, I have also owned Vixen, Istar, Synta, Stellavue and Baader offerings but there is something about the green focusers that keeps one coming back to them, I am even thinking of painting the FC100DL focuser green. If you're on a good thing stick to it. ;)

I can't speak for my brother Lewis up in Qld :shrug:

[dreamstation]

Some members on the Whirlpool forums recommended I come over and sign up to IIS when I was looking to buy my first telescope. Initially I didn't take their advice as I was a little intimidated by what I saw and probably a little overwhelmed by what I had read (and didn't understand) when I checked this place out.

Eventually I came back once I'd bought and used my first telescope and I was hooked. I needed to know more. It's great to read of other people's achievements and to get advice from people who have been doing this for years. I haven't been all that active but the wealth of knowledge already stored in these messageboards is incredible and I'm glad I came back and signed up.

[codemonkey]

I'm very much an introvert, so I avoid clubs and this forum is a way that I can learn and interact with others on my own terms, where I can just close the browser window when I've had enough. Lots of great people on here too!

[CJ]

To learn. And to buy stuff to learn with.

[FlashDrive]

cause, I'm a real nice guy .... :lol: ...... ( just ask my Mum )

Flash......:P;)

[Atmos]

A real nice guy that comes from Deception Bay :question: :lol:

[astronobob]

Because my other hobby - riding motorbike - is not much fun during bad weather - Astro is a lot safer in these conditions :question:
;) :D

[LewisM]

Funny this but I prefer the much older pre-1990 Tak machinery grey paint they used on the castings. Green is ok, but...

I love Vixen too. I still firmly believe the Vixen FL102S may be the greatest telescope I have ever and will ever own. Just a superlative instrument. Dang I miss it!

[Paul Haese]

Why am I here?

Well in recent times I am mostly not here, anymore. However, I like to interact a little still and give the benefit of my advice on areas I am well acquainted. After 43 years in the hobby I feel as though I need to help where I can. I have benefitted from the help of others during that time and feel as though I should give back. I occasionally say which images I like. It seems people don't want honest critique on their images so I just comment on the ones I like. I also post threads on equipment and image threads.

There is an in crowd here but I don't think it is overt. It is people who have known or known of each other for years. If you interact a lot people will get to know you. Not to mention time constraints, some people don't have time to interact all the time.

This is why I am here.

[FlashDrive]

Ooooh .... I do don't I :innocent:

Just a little off topic .... Deception Bay was named by Captain Cook.
When he arrived in the ' Bay ' he was deceived by the fact he could come right up to the shore in his vessel .... he then realized it couldn't be done....so he called the place ' Deception Bay '

.... and it remains with the same name today.

Col....

[astroron]

I like all the polls;)
Cheers

[csb]

I joined for advice and stayed.

Membership is also FREE!

A great community.

[bojan]

It's been a long time since I registered...
I was into astronomy since I know of myself.. seriously (?) started when was 14, I always enjoyed the company of like-minded people.
And now.. it is one of the things that keep my mind occupied.

All in all, it is a good place to learn and to help others..

[RickS]

I joined in 2010 when I first developed an interest in imaging (after doing some visual astronomy in the distant past.) The IceTrade Classifieds have been the source of most of my scopes and cameras.

By Internet forum standards, IIS is a pretty friendly place and there are some great imagers here. I have learned a lot and received helpful feedback on many of my images. In return, I try to offer help and advice on topics where I feel knowledgeable. I'm even starting to learn which debates aren't worth having for the 15th time, even if I can prove mathematically that I'm correct :lol:

I'm also a club member (AAQ) and find that complementary. I'm happy to socialize with other astronomers at a dark site but only once my rig is up and running smoothly ;)

Cheers,
Rick.

[Ric]

Joined back in 2006, IIS has to be one of the best forums around.

Lots of friendly people and a great wealth of knowledge to be shared.

I wouldn't be a far advanced as I am without this forum.

[MichaelSW]

To Look and Learn, and contribute when I can.

[Octane]

I don't check in as often as I used to, or share my landscape- and astro-photography.

All my gear is sitting in the garage waiting for me to get the motivation to build an observatory. I still have hundreds of hours of images to process, but, I just can't be bothered.

I've been bitten by the 4WD bug and am devoting money and time to that instead. :)

Hoping everyone is well.

H

[astroboof]

Pretty much just to buy or sell. IIS has a decade long reputation as a newbies paradise, and a nasty edge.

[alpal]

I can understand you.
I find that holding down a full time job & then trying to stay up all night
taking images is too much for me.
Even on the weekends I enjoy some peace & quiet & a good rest.
The weather is also too cloudy in Melbourne.
I too would like an observatory one day where I would just have to
switch it on & start imaging -
that would make it so much easier.

I think my best images will happen when I retire one day & have the time to put in to them.
Meanwhile - I enjoy Ice in Space to see what others are doing.

cheers
Allan

[casstony]

There's no profit in putting down others when you don't need to Steve - perhaps try looking for the better side of people. One of the goals of the astro-community is to introduce new people to the starry sky (ie. newbies are good).

[xelasnave]

If indeed this decade long reputation, that IIS is a newbies paradise, has foundation in fact I would think that is indeed a good thing.

The nasty edge thing is something you can no doubt add to with your own arrogant input.

Sorry but your post got up my nose.

[Atmos]

Looking back at where I was only 6 months ago, I would still consider myself a newbie. Having only really started getting into astrophotography some 9 months ago during one of Melbouries cloudiest years ever (I think it was/ consider it to be anyway), I still have many years before I lose my "newbie" status :)

[astroron]

:thumbsup:

[astro_nutt]

I started as a novice years ago and have learned/done more than I ever dreamed. Listening to others experiences, trials, troubles and victories is one reason I joined up. The other is the Equipment reviews and Projects and Articles. As new technologies become available and those who acquire them, use them, then write about them benefits us all. This makes it a joy to learn from others.

[Nikolas]

Everything everyone else said

[Hagar]

I sometimes wonder although I still drop in every now and then and still keep an interest. It is the people who make a forum, some good, some not so good and some just selohesra. if you don't understand just ask Wren.

[astronobob]

Plus there is some interesting personality traits, which is quite, , entertaining :-))

[AEAJR]

Your comment about a new interest is something I can relate to. My other hobby is RC gliders. That has been my main focus for years. Once bitten by this hobby I began to split my time between them.

I still enjoy the flying but spend less time on those forums. I am on a much more active learning curve on this hobby now.

Besides, my wife doesn't want to hear about Mars and the Andromeda Galaxy or the new eyepiece I bought. So I chat about these things with you guys and gals. :)

[xelasnave]

We understand just don't tell anyone what we do here.

[Sconesbie]

I log in to read all the Newbie comments and questions and learn from what others are asking.

If it wasn't for this forum, I wouldn't have bought my 10" dob and probably wouldn't be enjoying the sky as much as I am now.

I keep an eye on the bargains on the "for sale" link.

I also like reading all the comments in general and sometimes get a laugh.

[AussieTrooper]

So I don't miss upcoming events.

[OzStarGazer]

I am not coming here so often any more and am relatively new to the hobby myself (I haven't done much in the last 12 months or so). I would never exclude newbies as they are the future of astronomy. And every question is important. We have all been there. One must start somewhere.
Personally I have always avoided in-crowds (for example in school or at the Uni).
PS: When I first joined I did find a lot of help (in particular from a couple of people) with a lot of questions I am now almost ashamed of. For some reason now that I am a bit more advanced I am more afraid of asking questions.

[Somnium]

Same here, when i look back at some of the questions i asked i cringe a little, which makes me think that the questions i ask now have a really simple and obvious answer that i am not aware of. but, if you never ask you never progress. so bring on all the newbie questions. it is for this reason that i try to respond to as many newbie questions as i can, because i remember asking the same thing, and understanding the difficulty in parsing all the information that is available.

[OzStarGazer]

You are right. I have also noticed that many newbies quickly lose interest, that's why it is important to answer as many questions as possible so that they don't give up. It is easy to give up after some initial enthusiasm, particularly of you compare yourself to people who have been into astronomy for 50+ years...

[raymo]

I have been in this hobby for over 60 yrs, and rarely have to ask any
general astro or equipment questions, but with the advent of the computerised and digital age I am asking questions quite frequently;
don't ever be afraid to ask.
raymo

[skysurfer]

Even more than me, I have been for 50 years now. I live almost on the other side of the world, in the EU, but visits to the southern hemisphere in recent years (South Africa) was a reason for me to join a 'southern' astronomy forum.