Participating in IIS

[skwinty]

Hi All
What is expected of a person who is not Australian and wishes for meaningful participation in this forum.
I have been a member of this forum for a few months now and have to date posted 40 messages.
I get the distinct impression that as I am not Australian I am not considered worthy of participation .

For example, I posted 4 attachments on various issues where i felt that certain detail as stated by members was incorrect. I had 35 downloads of the attachments and not one reply or comment in return. I was hoping that the time i spent collating these attachments would elicit something in return, even if it was a rebuttal.

It seems to me that to elicit a response one has to either praise someone or indicate displeasure at sarcasm or facetious attempts at humour.

I find it a real pity as started out enjoying the IIS experience but am now asking myself whether I should participate any further in what appears to be a cul de sac.

I hope this does not come across as puerile but rather a questioning of the validity of my contribution.
Kind Regards
Steve

[erick]

Hi Steve

I'm sorry if you feel there has been a lack of response to your input. I just checked and I believe that you have started one other thread before this one. That thread seemed to give you quick and useful response on the questions you asked.

Perhaps try starting new threads with issues and ideas, rather then adding to an existing thread. I know that I look more closely at new threads then older threads that are still wandering along via all sorts of tangents. New threads may get viewed by more members and therefore responses?

Just my thoughts.
Eric :)

[matt]

Hi Steve.

I can assure you that your location/nationality are not used in any way as a measure of your 'worth' here at IIS. We have members from all over the globe who happily participate on this site.

Sorry you are feeling ignored. I'm sure it's not intentional.

Just keep posting away and joining in threads.

People will get familair with you and then it's a case of regular posting.

As far as the sarcasm or facetious humour goes? That can sometimes just be the Australian way of having a laugh. It's in our nature to be irreverent and our wit can at times border on the robust! As they say in the classics...'we mean no harm'.

:hi:Welcome....

[iceman]

Hi Steve
I'm sorry you feel that way, but in no way does being an Australian count towards any favouritism. In fact we have many members from the US, UK, New Zealand and elsewhere who participate actively.

In fact I'd love to see more participation from our other southern-hemisphere counterparts in South Africa.

There are hundreds of new posts every day on IceInSpace, and sometimes threads get missed and questions don't get replied. Don't take it personally and don't give up.

IceInSpace continues to grow and there'll always be a lot of fresh faces with questions and just as many fresh faces with answers - whether they're from Australia or anywhere else.

I look forward to your continued participation!

How's the 12" on EQ6 going anyway? Have you got the rings sorted yet?

[skwinty]

Hi Eric and Matt

Thanks for your response.
Please understand that I am not looking for apologies or sympathy.
I just want robust debate. Being South African I have had the apology scenario up the Ying Yang for the last fifteen years.
I would just like to know that if i post a technical reply or attachment, that the people who download it at least say something otherwise i dont want to go to any trouble to do it again.

Kind Regards
Steve

[norm]

Welcome to the forum Steve :welcome:

[xelasnave]

Hi Steve sorry if I missed a debate on something:eyepop: pick a subject I will happily share my opinions and I will have one you can bet;).

I feel embarrassed that we could be seen that way cause we are not ...at least we feel that about ourselves:sadeyes:... and so I say we have good hearts and I am happy that you shared your feelings so we may see ourselves as other do.

It hits me hard because we think we are friendly and outgoing as a nation:eyepop:.
It is all good:thumbsup:.


alex:):):)

[matt]

Ah well. What can you do?:lol:

[sheeny]

G'Day Steve,

I'm sorry if you're feeling like you don't fit or don't belong. I'd be even sorrier if you felt it wasn't worth participating in IIS. I guess it really comes down to whether or not you feel it is worthwhile for you.:shrug::)

Being an aussie site of course there's a strong aussie contingent, but I think we'd all lose if it degenerated into a closed shop. There's a quite a lot of traffic on IIS these days, so I know I have backed off on the number of threads I reply to. Basically these days I'll post if I have something to offer (i.e. start a thread) or I can help someone or I disagree with what's been written. If previous posts cover basically what I want to say (i.e. I'm not offering something new) then I refrain from posting unless I feel quite strongly about it. I dunno, but maybe there are others doing the same thing... so I wouldn't assume that since you didn't get any replies that you're being excluded. I'd be pretty appalled if I thought anyone was being excluded because they weren't aussie, and I'm sure Mike would be the same!;)

I know I've offered up threads and posts sometimes that I've thought might get a good response (one way or the other!;)) only to have them die pretty quickly. I think it's largely due to the amount of traffic on the site. It's not practical to respond to every thread, I don't even come close to responding to every thread I read!:)

I guess it comes down to what you're looking for from the forum. :shrug: If the forum doesn't give you want you are after, then I suppose you have to do something about it - either suggest an improvement or, if that doesn't work, move on to look for something to fill your need.

I enjoy hearing about and seeing what people are doing all around the world - the internet is such a fabulous tool for that. I can't come to terms with someone being excluded cause they aren't an aussie... certainly not by me, and I think a lot of people here would feel the same (I hope so!;)).

Hang in there mate! I hope to see you around the forum fo a while yet!:thumbsup:;)

Al.

PS Man, I type too slow...:lol:... no one had responded when I started this!:rolleyes:

[skwinty]

Hi Mike
With regards to my 12" Gso. Yes i do have the rings now although even with a hargreaves strut still a bit wobbly. Looks like i will have to try and strengthen the dovetail / ring attachment some how.
Have still not cut off 5cm from the ota as I am waiting for the 5cm focus extender and pillar extension from Steve at MyAstroShop. I dont want to cut and not be able to use visually hence the waiting for all bits and pieces.
Thanks to all for you recent encouragement to persevere on this forum.
I shall do that and post on in anticipation.
Any replies are welcome even if they state that i am horribly wrong. Then we can debate the issue.
Kind Regards
Steve

[Kal]

The only way that I can see someone who is not Australian feeling isolated is if they don't understand the 'culture' of this forum. I'm sure I speak on behalf of 99%+ of the forum members when I say that member location, be it Australian or overseas, has no bearing on how you treat them. The internet is a great way to break down borders and distance!

However, these forums most certainly do have an Austalian nature to them in that the members, while brought together here with a common passion for astronomy, quite often are here simply to socialise and will often post in threads with not only useful information, but with humour, sarcasm, and to use an aussie term, 'just mucking around' :) While it is still a valuable resource for the astronomy community, it is also a place where I'm sure alot of people come on every single day to 'spend some quality time' with some chit chat type discussion :P

Perhaps you have a preconception of what to expect from these forums and because your experience doesn't mirror this preconception you feel isolated?

[Outbackmanyep]

I have often thought that you really don't get to know the people on the forum until you get to meet them.....and that's what i hope to achieve at the next IISAC, as for participation it takes a while to get the "feel" of the place and i have had many interesting discussions that have helped bond to the people here......it's great!!

[skwinty]

Hi Outback
This is the reason i posted the way I felt.
Of course i feel isolated as i am far removed from Australia and in South Africa I have yet to find a forum as active as IIS. I enjoy reading all the posts be they chit chat or serious topics. I post these attachments in the thread in which the issues arise. Some of the posted attachments were in response to comments made by members in that thread. I just felt that a lot of thought and effort went into collating those attachments and then having them ignored was frustrating. I would like to hear the thoughts of the members who downloaded the attachments. They may well disagree or think them worthless but it would be nice to get some feedback otherwise what's the point.
Kind Regards
Steve

PS I would love to visit Australia and meet some of you guys but unfortunately that is unlikely to happen given my financial position.
I would rather spend a huge amount of money on a PME and Tak refractor.:)

[Kal]

Now this I can understand! :D I'm torn by wanting to travel while I'm still young enough to enjoy things (like rollercoasters at six flags magic mountain :whistle: ) and wanting to get some nice equipment to observe with before my eyesight start going on me :sadeyes:

I'm sure I'll find a balance inbetween :)

[h0ughy]

Steve i will admidt I don't think i have seen one of your posts, except for this one. I will endeavour to go through all your posts to find out why, but with a heap of stuff going onto the forum every day, it is easy to miss a few, I know I have not read every post on the site - far from it. There are whole areas of the site I just dont go to all that often.

[Zuts]

I love astronomy but, your eyesight will be good enough by the time you are 70, but i reckon travel is the thing, when you are young, if you havn't done much of it before.

Paul

[acropolite]

I'm with h0ughy on this one, I couldn't recall seeing any either, but having gone back through your old posts I recognise quite a few. Keep posting, some images of your country and surrounds would be good....:D

[skwinty]

Hi Phil
Will post some pix of my gear and location in the near future.
Regards
Steve

Hi Houghy and Mike
Thanks for your comments re an old posting.
Have sorted out those issues and waiting for 5cm focus extender and eq6 pillar extension from myastroshop.
Perhaps you can point me in the right direction for stabilising the ring to dovetail fitting as it is quite wobbly.
I have the eq6 pro and as yet have not found a problem with the alt/az bolts.
Regards
Steve
:)

[leon]

Here we go again, :shrug: why do some spit the dummy, because they are not instantly responded too.:sadeyes:

Leon :thumbsup:

[skwinty]

Hi Leon
Here I go again.
It just shows that some cannot read the posts properly.
I made reference to the fact that I posted 4 attachments over a period of 3 months. To date there has been 37 downloads and no comments good or bad. Perhaps to some a millenium is but a twinkle in the eye.
Regards
Steve

PS rather spit the dummy than choke on it:lol:

[Ric]

Hi Steve and welcome to IIS. I had a look at some of the threads and they were a bit too technical for me to offer any response :D

However as Al said there are a lot of threads these day and it's easy for one to become overlooked. I'm sure a lot of members, myself included have had posts missed in the past and i'm sure there is nothing intended by it.

Cheers

[skwinty]

Hi Ric
thanks for your comments.
Must be some truth in the old adage about the squeaky wheel getting the oil.
Regards
Steve;)

[leon]

Steve, if I misread the post, and probably did, than I apoligise, if I have offended you, but it is getting far to common that some crack it because they are not instant flavor of the day.

Leon

[skwinty]

Hi Leon
Absolutely no offence taken.
Regards
Steve:)

[johnno]

Steve,

I AM Australian,and have been a member here, for Almost 3 years.

And,I feel I dont belong here also.

In Fact I rarely post anymore,as I feel "Out of Place"

It's NOT anyone's fault.

For Medical reasons,

I dont get out a lot,and Therefore the general members DONT get to know me Personally,and Vice/Versa

I think Knowing Someone,and being able to put a face,to a name,

Makes a big difference to your Standing,and Acceptance,not only Here,
But on any Forum.

I also think, its a case, of, it's easier to Converse,and Interact, with someone you have actually met,and Feel you Know.

I think the Above, explains,the "Shrug Shoulder Icon",I got from a "MODERATOR",

When I posted a Question/Suggestion in the Website Feedback forum Last year.

As I said.

I have rarely posted Since.

Regards.
John

[RB]

I'm sorry you feel that way John.
Mike and I really did try and help with your question but I still don't understand why you feel we we didn't try.

The "Shrug Shoulder Icon" was not all you got in my reply, I was asking you if that was what you meant.

Since Mike, Dennis and syzygy tried to answer your question further there was nothing more I could add to the thread.

I don't see how I could have helped with your inquiry.
I still have no idea what you were asking and since you said you 'got it' I assumed your question was answered.

This is the thread you are referring to I assume.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=15524

[Ric]

Hi John, this thread is for members pictures, and there are about 20 pages worth.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=901

Even my old mug is up there, hope it's not too rough.:lol:

Cheers

[johnno]

RB,

That IS,Exactly the post I referred to.

Thank you,for your effort in finding it.
I Mean that Sincerely.

The Suggestion,I was trying to make in that post,is clearly defined HERE,in this thread.

EG,

It Looks,Like if I want to reply to YOU,for Example,I HAVE to "QUOTE" YOU.

IT seems I have no way to reply to YOU,or any other Member DIRECTLY,
UNLESS I "Quote" them.

My Point is.

The REPLY Icon,In this instance, is under "RICS",Post (Last Post)

BUT,I want to reply to YOU.


What I was trying to explain, is it Appears,I CANT reply to YOU,Unless I Quote You.

I dont want to have to "Quote",every post I reply to.

The "REPLY" button,ONLY Appears,after the LAST post.

My Last post,was a reference to "Cloudy Nights" forum,which has a provision, in EACH POST for.

1 EDIT,Obviously for the Poster.

2 REPLY,Allows a DIRECT Reply to the NAMED Poster."NO QUOTES NEEDED"

3 QUOTE,I can "Quote" the Named Poster,"If I want to"

4 Quick Reply,,Again,this allows a Quick reply to the poster "I" want to address.

THAT,was what I was trying to get across.

There are many memers here,that are also members of "Cloudy Nights",

I know Mike,is one,

And I thought the suggestion,I was trying to Convey ,would have been recognised.

My, "I GOT IT" response,was due to a feeling,that I was wasting my time Daring,to submit, something I thought,may have been Beneficial,to this site.

Regards.
John

[johnno]

My Apologies to

Skwinty,.....Steve,

For Intruding on your Thread.:)

Was NOT,my Intention.

Warm Regards to you.

John

[RB]

That's what I was referring to when I originally replied to you. (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=171756&postcount=2) :)

Each post in a thread has a "Quote button" that quotes that person in your reply.
There's also a "+" button so you can quote multiple people into your single reply, just click each '+' in each post before you press "reply" and finally there's the 'green shield' button for a quick reply.

This is in addition to the "Add reply" buttons at the top and bottom of each thread page.

I hope that's what you're referring to.
I've attached a screen capture with an arrow to indicate where they are.

My apology if it's not what you're referring to and please rest assured my initial response was not in any way suppose to be derogatory or flippant in any way, but a sincere although quick reply.

Best Regards
Andrew

PS I'm sure skwinty won't mind this little side track :)

[janoskiss]

Andrew (RB) and Johnno, I think what Johnno wants is not to quote but a reply button which on CN I believe does two things:

1) Replaces the title of the post with "Re: title of post being replied to" and more importantly
2) Threads the posts so when the user enters "threaded" viewing mode you can see what post follows what.

IIS does not have threaded viewing mode as far as I know, so replying to individual post is no different to replying to the whole thread (with the option of adding your own title to the post). Hence there is only the one Add Reply button at the end of the thread.

[Kal]

I hate threaded forums. Threaded forums, like yahoo groups, want to make me cry.

[skwinty]

No problem folks
Its all about "Participation in IIS"
I think the best advice that I got from this thread was to persevere.
It is frustrating when you add your 2 cents worth to a thread and your contribution is ignored and the thread continues unabated.
I think the object of IIS ,well anyway my expectation is robust debate.
If you have to ruffle feathers to stimulate the debate then ruffle on.
I think Peter Ward is a great ruffler and look at the debate he stimulates.
Kind Regards
Steve

[dugnsuz]

Have to disagree there Steve,
Peter Ward doesn't set out to be controversial I reckon.
Peter seems to state the obvious/common sense with regard to gear (you get what you pay for!) and processing (blue aint red!) and it seems the fragile of ego are the ones that get ruffled!:lol: And, it kicks off from there!!!
But I think I'm being a bit of a ruffler with this one;)
All the best
Doug:thumbsup:

[sheeny]

:lol::poke:You!!???!! A ruffler!!!???!!!;):lol::whistle:

Al.

[RB]

Steve thanks for clarifying that up, once again I apologise to Johnno because I didn't understand.
You see I've been viewing CN in flat mode, didn't realise there's a 'threaded mode'.

Johhno that's why I couldn't understand the example you were referring to when you sited the CN thread.

:)

PS: I hardly visit CN btw so not to savvy with that setup.

[sheeny]

Yeah, I don't go to CN all that often either and also view it in flat mode. It wasn't till Johnno's description above in this thread that I picked up what he was getting at too. I've been on other "threaded" forums (non astro).

Al.

[JethroB76]

Agree; awful, painful.

[dugnsuz]

Ditto, a pain to navigate around. Also "search" mode is very un-intuitive.
I tend to stumble over good info on CN rather than seek it out.
Search modes on IIS and SCP are much more user friendly.
Doug:thumbsup:

[Bassnut]

Bull

IIS and yahoo formats have their respective advantages.

IIS format suits a large forum with many interests, but Yahoo forums are much more friendly and inclusive for small groups, a lot less (well, none) navigating and mouse clicking.

And.......... Peter deliberately posts to creat havoc (what, do you really think hes unaware of what he does :P). Thats why we love him, would be boring with out his posts, Peter posts, thats my 1st click, every time :D.

[JethroB76]

Oh yes:thumbsup:

[skwinty]

I agree.
I initially thought he was be sarcastic and facetious until some one pointed out that
"As far as the sarcasm or facetious humour goes? That can sometimes just be the Australian way of having a laugh. It's in our nature to be irreverent and our wit can at times border on the robust! As they say in the classics...'we mean no harm'."
Regards
Steve;)

[dugnsuz]

Aw c'mon Fred,
It always kicks off around him, but his initial post is never that incendiary!
'Long focal length scopes require better mounts for imaging' - paraphrasing of course!! It's hardly worthy of the vitriol that follows is it!?
But I know what you mean! I see the name and think "...this is gonna be good!!";)
Doug:thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Hey Steve,
I personally think that being facetious isn't a facet(!) of Aussie humour.
And, Aussie sarcasm usually has a good-natured slant to it.
I don't think PW starts his posts with sarcastic or facetious intentions - I have learned from his posts.The responses from others seem to incur his sarcastic/facetious side thanks to their sarcastic/facetious content as far as I can see.
Doug:thumbsup:

[Bassnut]

Doug

From what Ive seen, he speaks the truth of the Tasco dream, no patronising is tolerated. Bonus effect of course is, if he posts a positive comment on an image, its probably a pretty good image, a no bull assesment, sheesh, thats hard to find.

And yes, an eye for an eye response?, love it ;-).

[dugnsuz]

"he speaks the truth of the Tasco dream"...bloody brilliant Fred!!!!
Doug

[JethroB76]

How do you figure that?

In a yahoo group, you click on the thread then either click again to see all responses or click however many times to see individual responses - the astromart forum is worst of all IMO.

In IIS you click on the thread and read it, how hard is it to work out whats going on in a thread?

[skwinty]

Excuse my ignorance here Fred, but what is the Tasco dream?
Regards
Steve:help:

[Bassnut]

Look, I appreciate both formats, this is not a dump on multithreads. Yahoo is a simple format, probably past its time, but logging onto a yahoo group shows you all the posts in one hit, and yes OK, you need to click on a post to read it, but I find I often miss whole IIS threads if I dont go to each subject and check. The tools are there in IIS, its me, Im lazy ;-).

[dugnsuz]

Fred might have his own description, but I believe the Tasco dream to be...

expecting Hubble images at the eyepiece of department store telescopes!

Doug:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Bassnut]

Steve, your kidding ;-). Image quality (DSO in particular) relies on good alignment, focus, guiding, optics, cam etc. The better you want it, the more money (mostly) and effort it takes. The Tasco dream is, in short, HOPING to defy physics and match Hubble with a "Tasco" (or similar). Youve seen it a million times here, lets not drag that hory old dragon up again, I respectfully recommend refering to Peters posts on the subject ;-).

[matt]

That's why I said 'we mean no harm' by our sarcasm.:)

[skwinty]

Hello Fred
Actually I wasnt kidding. I had just never heard of the expression.
Now that you have clarified this I can only say that this dream/nightmare extends way beyond Tasco. In short only the Hubble will produce hubble quality and the James Webb will surpass that of the Hubble.
I suppose the more you spend the less of a nightmare it becomes and the more of a dream starting to come true.
I cant imagine anyone who is interested in astronomy going out to buy a department store telescope. They probably receive them as a gift from someone. If that telescope engenders a long lived interest in astronomy then I personally think that it was a good purchase.
My expenditure on astronomy to date has been about R50,000 South African Rand which at the time of purchase was about $7500 USD.
This is in my situation a sizeable amount of money. I would if i could spend lots more but i still wouldnt expect Hubble quality.

As Peter would say "Horses for courses".
I look forward to Peter's posts and the responses they gather and the responses he elicits from me. Perhaps I didnt understand his remarks about the tracking capabilities of garden rocks when i asked his opinion on eq6 pro's.
However i got over that , and i do read his posts whenever he posts and i do respect his opinion. I can almost hear the clucking as feathers get ruffled.
Regards
Steve

[dugnsuz]

Sorry Matt - I should read the disclaimers!;)
Doug:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[matt]

No worries, Doug;):thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Mate!! Sarcasm and facetiousness aside, you're joking aren't you - that's where most of us start!! - With an unrealistic expectation of what the equipment we can afford will actually deliver!!??
I know I did - Im sure lots on IIS did too!;)

Doug:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Bassnut]

[quote=skwinty;299965]Hello Fred
I had just never heard of the expression.

Sorry, I just thought of it, seemed to fit :D

[skwinty]

I was fortunate to have looked through a Department store telescope before purchasing. As bad as the view was it certainly inspired me to take the plunge and get more involved. However this only took place about 3 years ago. They say one shouldnt go through life with regrets but i certainly regret:( not having looked through a crappy telescope 45 years ago.
Regards
Steve:thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Hey Steve,
A lot of us have been unfortunate to have gone the Tasco route as our entry point - but we are here now with the knowledge and experience accumulated along the way! We have learned - and we can pass that "learnin'" on!!!
Let's do it!!
Doug!!!:thumbsup:

[leon]

Here Here, well said, I didnt even have a Tasco, and started off with a curved bolt home made clock drive, for imaging, which i still have by the way, and intend to show it off to my grandson when he gets older, he is 14 months.

Leon

[skwinty]

Hello Doug
I belong to ASSA Astronomical Society of South Africa.
Every second Saturday of the Month we go to the SAAO in a place called Observatory Cape Town. The observatory is open to the public on these evenings. The Maclean refractor is open for the public to observe and the members of ASSA bring their scope and set up outside on the lawn. We end up with loads of kids and adults all lining up for a skwint at varios DSO's.

At a privately owned observatory in the Cedarberg ( a really dark sky site) there is a public presentation and viewing session with all sorts of scopes every saturday night.

I went to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens a few weeks ago with 10 other ASSA members to give a view of the night sky to a convention of 600 visiting international gynaecologists.

Having said all that , I agree lets pass it on

Regards
Steve:)

[dugnsuz]

That's bizarre man, I'm in the gynaecological health profession myself!!:P
Doug:thumbsup:


...no, honestly I am!!!!:lol:

[skwinty]

Well I certainly met quite a few interesting people that night.
They were extremely interested in a macroscopic viewpoint for a change.
Had a very good chat with two Egyptians who kept asking me if I believed there was intelligent life out there. I replied that there must be as they taken great pains to avoid us.

I also asked them if they believed that the Egyptians built the pyramids to which they replied that the Egyptians designed them but got Jewish and other slaves to build them.

All in all an interesting time was had by all.
Regards
Steve:lol::whistle:

[dugnsuz]

:lol::lol::lol:Good story Steve - nice one!! Aren't the Pyramids a paradox for modern man!? Either they were built by an alien technology or by an ancient civilization not reliant on computers and technology but obviously able to engineer stonework to millimetre accuracy!!!! Go figure!!!!:shrug:
Doug!!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[johnno]

Hi Andrew.

Many thanks to Steve,who explained my intention, far,better than I could.

Thats,Exactly what I was reffering to.

While I realise,there is a "Quick Reply" button I can use,Here,

I allways believed it was Just That.A quick Reply.

What I was trying to get across,is with the "REPLY Button".(Such,as found On CN)

The person "I",am replying to
Has Their "User Name",

FEATURED,at the top of my reply,so "THEY KNOW",MY reply was directed to THEM Specifically.

My Apologies Also,
Andrew,

YOUR Confusion,was Mainly due, to "MY" Inability to explain Exactly what I meant.

As I left School at 14 in 1963,I claim "Lack of Education" for my Blunder.:doh:

I DID,go back to tech,at 31,and became top of class, Electronics Trades,5 years Later.

Geez,I dont wont to do THAT again.

Anyway,my Sincere thanks,and Regards.
John.

[Alchemy]

built by humans, design not by humans.

the design incorporates very complex mathmatics- mathmatical representations of the length of the year, the dimensions of the solar system, the dimensions of the earth....... did you know that if you extend the n/s axis through the length of the world it sits on exactly the largest land length available (add up land miles skip water).... and if you extend the e/w axis around the world it sits on exactly the largest land length in that direction, if you extend the diagonals it divides the land masses into 4 equal sections (bit hard for a bunch of people who didnt know even australia existed or america for that matter........i could go on and on and on.

[dugnsuz]

Bloomin' mind boggling!!!
Doug:thumbsup:

[Sonia]

I feel exactly the same. I made my own forum so i can discuss astronomy with more friendly new faced people. I asked about photography software and i didnt get many answers. It's too cliche. Always the same faces.

[RB]

LOL this will be my third year on IIS.
I've had threads that have had few replies, I've had threads with no responses at all.
So what?

Does that mean I need to go out and start my own forum?

When was the last time you replied to one of my threads Sonia?

You joined in Feb 2006 and are member #793, now we are approaching 4000 members, surely you've noticed some new faces since then?

I find it very sad that people take this sort of attitude especially considering the work and effort we put in behind the scenes, keeping this forum running efficiently, for everyone to participate.

[xstream]

Sonia, You only asked that question (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=28941) 3 days ago give it ago. Not everyone reads these forums everyday of the week.

[Kal]

I read that post but didn't answer it because the question was way too vague. It's like saying I sold my car, suggestions for a replacement? :shrug: If you stated what you wanted/expected then people might be able to answer the question.

[Ric]

And I for one greatly appreciate what you all do behind the scenes to keep it running.

I have been a member for nearly 2 years and have learnt more about this great hobby than I ever did in the previous 28 years and have met some great people who have helped me along with all facets of astronomy and astrophotography.

To me it would seem that the very fact that we are seeing the same old faces is simple testament to the success of IIS, members keep coming back because of it's popularity, openess and the way many members have been helped along in what times can be a tricky learning curve.

Cheers :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

I like old faces
I own one!!!:lol:

Doug:thumbsup: