I've thought about this for some time based on the numbers of regular posters here compared to the total membership. Wounded Hussar's recent survey which drew just 72 responses was what prompted me to finally try this and Greg has seconded it so here we go!
What is the reason we have so many lurkers, sleepers, etc on the site or maybe it's the other way round and that it's some of us that are just too verbose? To help answer this question can you please give your reason for keeping a low profile by replying with one of the following abbreviated responses:-
Discussions really are boring - DRAB
Arguments generally get rough often - AGGRO
Rather actually play tunes - RAPT
Should none of these apply, then please state any other reason. For anyone not wishing to express an opinion, please just reply with "present", "anseo", "tá" or whatever else just so we know that "there is someone out there".
Go raibh míle maith agaibh
(Apologies to our South American friends that I can't translate this to Argentinian)
Bannerman, it isn't unusual for a small portion of the overall membership to contribute to the majority of the discourse. It's normal. Most sites—social networking or otherwise—see an incidence of about 10% of people actively contributing (at most). Sometimes that figure is smaller, occasionally it's bigger. But it would be very, very unusual indeed to see anything over 50%, much less any close to 100% of people actively taking part.
And to be honest, I would much rather that the discussions section is used for discussing Irish music rather than any meta-discussions navel-gazing about the nature of the site. I really don't fancy seeing the newest comments list clogged up with one word responses like "present" or "anseo" so I think this discussion is heading for deletion.
To satisfy your curiosity, I will research the ratio of members to contributors and post that here.
Everyone else, please don't follow Bannerman's instructions to leave a one-word comment here. Thanks.
Point taken Jeremy and I'd imagine that this would apply even more to this type of site where the members have so much more to occupy their valuable time such as practicing their tunes not to mention session playing or even performing (perish the thought)! However, I felt it might be interesting to get the views of some of the members who participate less often on what they think of the rest of us, or if they prefer to continue keeping their heads below the parapet.
"And to be honest, I would much rather that the discussions section is used for discussing Irish music rather than any meta-discussions navel-gazing about the nature of the site." J
Couldn't agree more Jeremy. The site has been invaluable to me since I joined it and started playing again. I check in every day to see if there's anything interesting.
Please DON'T reply with ANSEO, TÁ, PRESENT etc. I'm afraid I hadn't thought through the repercussions of clogging up the site with 30,000 of this type of reply.
I also agree that this is one of the best sites on the Web both from a discussion point of view and also as a source of useful information on tunes, events, sessions, etc.
For myself, this site is first and foremost a wonderful resource for Tunes, Recordings, fact-finding, and searching and sifting through the flotsam of others knowledge for information pertinent to my questions. (The Recordings section has been of particular value and pelasure to me.)
Whether I personally care to participate in some of, all of, or none of the discussions has little to do with all that I gain by visiting this site.
RAPT
maze here...
usually you guys answer questions better than i ever could, so unless it involves piping issues and i have something to offer, i just read... wonderful place this forum... except for that one unfortunate post about an unnamed flute player... otherwise RAPT
I would like to second Rooks comments. I get a lot from this site without actually contributing much to the discussions.
In that way it's a bit like a real session. I go for the music, there may be a bit of banter and a bit of ribbing goes on, a good bit of laughter too. But if someone plonked themselves down next to me and wanted to chew the fat all evening I'd be really a bit peeved.
Just to say it again Jeremy, well done for keeping us all in some kind of order. I think this site really lives up to its name.
wow, Jeremy is an almost deity like figure in thesession.. he really has all the figures and answers at his fingertips..so allow me to save us all a lot of bother and ask one question..
Jeremy, once and for all, why IS "performance" an issue?
;-0
Many thanks Jeremy. Pretty impressive stuff on not just the size but also level of participation by the membership. For what it's worth my reason for commenting can vary from attempting to contribute a bit of requested information to reacting to a particular post (eg I don't think trad players should ever use dots or some such controversial assertion). Like tctelboy I like to visit the site every day (many times more than once) and any apparent absence of participation is purely down to not having anything additional to add to a discussion or problems with the PC!
I should also add that the site's an unbelievable source of information (how many times has one requested a tune name from a Youtube clip or similar to have an answer returned within the hour?) - then I suppose with 38,144 members that's quite a pool of knowledge; thoughts of the infinite number of monkeys on typewriters producing the complete works of Shakespeare!.
However, I have learned about so many good tunes from discussions here. I love threads like "What tunes have a spooky sound?" and "What tunes are Axx-kickers?" And I sometimes read about performers I wouldn't have otherwise heard of.
And I do like to egg on beginners. I think the more people playing music, the better. I greatly admire folks who take up an instrument as adults and appreciate the chance to give wannabes a shove in the right direction.
So I don't post all that much. I still enjoy a lot of threads where I have nothing to contribute, though.
To begin with, I am not a musician, but a setdancer and radio host. I visit the Session at least once a day and read a great many of the posts. My main reasons for visiting are to learn about new CDs for my radio show, research names of tunes or performers doing certain tunes to help plan my show, to post the occasional session or event and to hear where and when certain concerts/events/etc. are taking place. I posted and attend an excellent session on a weekly basis in Ambler, Pa. and I know that many visiting musicians found out about the session through this site. To go back to the question of why we may not post as often, I find that many of the threads become a)mean and vindictive - such as the recent Seamus Tansey thread or b) long and ridiculous. Of course, I can only blame myself for sitting and reading them which is what I often do late at night. I want to share a personal story though re: the Session reunion at the Willie Clancy Week. I was in Malone's Pub (I maintain their website from the states) taking photos throughout the week. I met a brilliant young accordion player who it turns out is Martin Tourish. It was not until I got back to the states and was posting photos on the Markethouse website that I realized I had taken pictures of the Session reunion. I would have liked to have put faces to names but other than Martin I didn't realize who you all were. C'est la vie! If you'd like to see the photos I took they are at www.tommalonespub.com. Let me know who you are!
I have met so many wonderful people playing music. But I avoided TheSession for years because I heard the weblogs often had incensed commentary over minor differences of opinion. Fortunately there are some prudent members who are willing to share their love of music. The passion is great. Unfortunately there are the stubborn few who feel each question requires their opinion.
I definitely would rather play 1st, hear from those who rarely post (& do not try to sway others to their way of thinking) 2nd, look for information with the other tabs & links 3rd, & lastly post.
Thanks Jeremy!
Those figures quoted above re participation are intriguing. Have c 32,000 people really signed up here as members and never added a comment to a discussion, tune or recording!!? I find that hard to figure as they must have some reason to sign on as a member. If they were just looking for info., why wouldn't they just browse as a guest . (maybe you view tunes as a guest, I forget).
And in relation to the 6,000 odd who have made a contribution, it would be telling to know how many of those have contributed more than say 5 comments. I would guess that proportion might be quite low but could be completely wrong.
I've heard anecdotally that the only reason some people are members is so that they can download the sheet music of tunes - this facility isn't available to non-members.
There must be many who join to read discussions for information or just fun, perhaps with thoughts of joining in, but somehow never get round to it.
Or just because it seemed a good idea at the time.
And then there are others - mercifully very few - who misuse thesession for non-music purposes (i.e. advertising, phishing and like nefarious pastimes), but they soon get seen off once they're found out.
Huh? I was not a member for several years but I still managed to download tunes. At least I don't think I was a member, and when I rejoined there was no message to say "you are already a member, you wazzock!" God I'm confused.
Steve, I suspect that once you're a member the database here decides you will always be a member, even if you "resign". So you can't really resign - sorry, it's a life sentence!
It seems the only way to leave permanently would be if Jeremy were to delete the member from the database, a procedure that would presumably have to be done according to a strict protocol to avoid unwanted side effects.
Usually I stop by every day or two, but sometimes posts can be DRAB, AGGRO, or RAPT. Some users in particular (wont name names) are extremely negative and or agressive.
But overall, I find this to very informative about ITM.
Rank beginner is all...collecting info, new tunes...but really you folks are way beyond me. I'm just 1.5 years into it with my fiddle.
I'm also learning a bit of old-time American folk fiddle, but my first loves are the Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton tunes. I've picked some tough stuff to try, I guess.
I enjoy reading the posts and have gleaned a lot of useful information from the "founts-o-knowledge" who regularly answer questions. Thank you for being out there...
I mainly use the site as a resource to help me to learn new tunes, the SEssion with Winndows media player, Mat Molloys finest and a bottle of red go nicely as a set.
Re the discussions, they seem to rant on somewhat, although from time to time I do pick up on interesting bits and pieces about players styles, origins of tunes etc.
They say opinions are like you know wot, everybodys got one.
The original question reminds me of something I do the first day of class sometimes (just for fun), which is ask, "How many of you students never raise your hand for any reason?"
I'm not sure who the player is in the lunchtime session photo. The two in the other photo are Mick O'Brien and Padraig MacMahuna. That was an awesome session with Caoimhin O'Raghalaigh, Maeve Donnelly, Dermy Diamond and Seamus Begley along with Mick & Padraig. The session went on for hours on Friday, from mid-afternoon until about 9:30 or 10 that evening. Were you in Miltown for the week?
I haven't been getting involved in the discussions mostly because I don't think I can compete with the Wit or Wisdom found in so many of the contributors. I use the site mostly as a resource center for tunes and info about them, and it serves this function marvelously. Thanks for all your work in making this site work, Jeremy.
It would be interesting to know which threads (top 10) had the most people posting. At least for discussions other than "where ya' from" or "roll call". NTSTINAGTIIE! (not to say this is not a good thread; it is excellent!)
Now that would be posts by different people ~ as opposed to the most number of replies by the least number of people; if you catch my drift.
Yellow Board Roll Call
Yellow Board Roll Call
I've thought about this for some time based on the numbers of regular posters here compared to the total membership. Wounded Hussar's recent survey which drew just 72 responses was what prompted me to finally try this and Greg has seconded it so here we go!
What is the reason we have so many lurkers, sleepers, etc on the site or maybe it's the other way round and that it's some of us that are just too verbose? To help answer this question can you please give your reason for keeping a low profile by replying with one of the following abbreviated responses:-
Discussions really are boring - DRAB
Arguments generally get rough often - AGGRO
Rather actually play tunes - RAPT
Should none of these apply, then please state any other reason. For anyone not wishing to express an opinion, please just reply with "present", "anseo", "tá" or whatever else just so we know that "there is someone out there".
Go raibh míle maith agaibh
(Apologies to our South American friends that I can't translate this to Argentinian)
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Cjhkeoniiwczveoup zii!
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by nicholas
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Thanks Nicholas, that looks a bit Russian to me!
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Bannerman, it isn't unusual for a small portion of the overall membership to contribute to the majority of the discourse. It's normal. Most sites—social networking or otherwise—see an incidence of about 10% of people actively contributing (at most). Sometimes that figure is smaller, occasionally it's bigger. But it would be very, very unusual indeed to see anything over 50%, much less any close to 100% of people actively taking part.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Jeremy
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
And to be honest, I would much rather that the discussions section is used for discussing Irish music rather than any meta-discussions navel-gazing about the nature of the site. I really don't fancy seeing the newest comments list clogged up with one word responses like "present" or "anseo" so I think this discussion is heading for deletion.
To satisfy your curiosity, I will research the ratio of members to contributors and post that here.
Everyone else, please don't follow Bannerman's instructions to leave a one-word comment here. Thanks.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Jeremy
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Point taken Jeremy and I'd imagine that this would apply even more to this type of site where the members have so much more to occupy their valuable time such as practicing their tunes not to mention session playing or even performing (perish the thought)! However, I felt it might be interesting to get the views of some of the members who participate less often on what they think of the rest of us, or if they prefer to continue keeping their heads below the parapet.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
"And to be honest, I would much rather that the discussions section is used for discussing Irish music rather than any meta-discussions navel-gazing about the nature of the site." J
Couldn't agree more Jeremy. The site has been invaluable to me since I joined it and started playing again. I check in every day to see if there's anything interesting.
A great site, thanks..........
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Please DON'T reply with ANSEO, TÁ, PRESENT etc. I'm afraid I hadn't thought through the repercussions of clogging up the site with 30,000 of this type of reply.
I also agree that this is one of the best sites on the Web both from a discussion point of view and also as a source of useful information on tunes, events, sessions, etc.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
For myself, this site is first and foremost a wonderful resource for Tunes, Recordings, fact-finding, and searching and sifting through the flotsam of others knowledge for information pertinent to my questions. (The Recordings section has been of particular value and pelasure to me.)
Whether I personally care to participate in some of, all of, or none of the discussions has little to do with all that I gain by visiting this site.
My redundant two cents.
Keep up the good work.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Piece
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
RAPT
maze here...
usually you guys answer questions better than i ever could, so unless it involves piping issues and i have something to offer, i just read... wonderful place this forum... except for that one unfortunate post about an unnamed flute player... otherwise RAPT
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by maze
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
I would like to second Rooks comments. I get a lot from this site without actually contributing much to the discussions.
In that way it's a bit like a real session. I go for the music, there may be a bit of banter and a bit of ribbing goes on, a good bit of laughter too. But if someone plonked themselves down next to me and wanted to chew the fat all evening I'd be really a bit peeved.
Just to say it again Jeremy, well done for keeping us all in some kind of order. I think this site really lives up to its name.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by flossie
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
I often visit the site, but I try to refrain from commenting unless I can add something actually constructive.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Murph
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Here's what I've been able to ascertain:
The total number of members is: 38144
The number of members who have posted a comment is: 31734
So the number of members actively contributing (if you count any kind of comment as a contribution) is: 6410
If my calculations are correct, that puts the percentage of active contributors at 16.8%
That sounds about right and is par for the course for most membership-based sites.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Jeremy
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Oops, important typo above: the number of members who have *not* posted a comment is 31734.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Jeremy
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
wow, Jeremy is an almost deity like figure in thesession.. he really has all the figures and answers at his fingertips..so allow me to save us all a lot of bother and ask one question..
Jeremy, once and for all, why IS "performance" an issue?
;-0
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by hakanozel
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Many thanks Jeremy. Pretty impressive stuff on not just the size but also level of participation by the membership. For what it's worth my reason for commenting can vary from attempting to contribute a bit of requested information to reacting to a particular post (eg I don't think trad players should ever use dots or some such controversial assertion). Like tctelboy I like to visit the site every day (many times more than once) and any apparent absence of participation is purely down to not having anything additional to add to a discussion or problems with the PC!
I should also add that the site's an unbelievable source of information (how many times has one requested a tune name from a Youtube clip or similar to have an answer returned within the hour?) - then I suppose with 38,144 members that's quite a pool of knowledge; thoughts of the infinite number of monkeys on typewriters producing the complete works of Shakespeare!.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
you guys have a lot more time than I
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Most of the time, I would rather play than post.
However, I have learned about so many good tunes from discussions here. I love threads like "What tunes have a spooky sound?" and "What tunes are Axx-kickers?" And I sometimes read about performers I wouldn't have otherwise heard of.
And I do like to egg on beginners. I think the more people playing music, the better. I greatly admire folks who take up an instrument as adults and appreciate the chance to give wannabes a shove in the right direction.
So I don't post all that much. I still enjoy a lot of threads where I have nothing to contribute, though.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by cathrynb
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
To begin with, I am not a musician, but a setdancer and radio host. I visit the Session at least once a day and read a great many of the posts. My main reasons for visiting are to learn about new CDs for my radio show, research names of tunes or performers doing certain tunes to help plan my show, to post the occasional session or event and to hear where and when certain concerts/events/etc. are taking place. I posted and attend an excellent session on a weekly basis in Ambler, Pa. and I know that many visiting musicians found out about the session through this site. To go back to the question of why we may not post as often, I find that many of the threads become a)mean and vindictive - such as the recent Seamus Tansey thread or b) long and ridiculous. Of course, I can only blame myself for sitting and reading them which is what I often do late at night. I want to share a personal story though re: the Session reunion at the Willie Clancy Week. I was in Malone's Pub (I maintain their website from the states) taking photos throughout the week. I met a brilliant young accordion player who it turns out is Martin Tourish. It was not until I got back to the states and was posting photos on the Markethouse website that I realized I had taken pictures of the Session reunion. I would have liked to have put faces to names but other than Martin I didn't realize who you all were. C'est la vie! If you'd like to see the photos I took they are at www.tommalonespub.com. Let me know who you are!
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by moria enya
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Well, the "mighty Concentration Mandoliner is Spoon (David), though I reckon he's actually asleep....
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Ottery
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
I have met so many wonderful people playing music. But I avoided TheSession for years because I heard the weblogs often had incensed commentary over minor differences of opinion. Fortunately there are some prudent members who are willing to share their love of music. The passion is great. Unfortunately there are the stubborn few who feel each question requires their opinion.
I definitely would rather play 1st, hear from those who rarely post (& do not try to sway others to their way of thinking) 2nd, look for information with the other tabs & links 3rd, & lastly post.
Thanks Jeremy!
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Ben Steen
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Those figures quoted above re participation are intriguing. Have c 32,000 people really signed up here as members and never added a comment to a discussion, tune or recording!!? I find that hard to figure as they must have some reason to sign on as a member. If they were just looking for info., why wouldn't they just browse as a guest . (maybe you view tunes as a guest, I forget).
And in relation to the 6,000 odd who have made a contribution, it would be telling to know how many of those have contributed more than say 5 comments. I would guess that proportion might be quite low but could be completely wrong.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by the wounded hussar
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
I've heard anecdotally that the only reason some people are members is so that they can download the sheet music of tunes - this facility isn't available to non-members.
There must be many who join to read discussions for information or just fun, perhaps with thoughts of joining in, but somehow never get round to it.
Or just because it seemed a good idea at the time.
And then there are others - mercifully very few - who misuse thesession for non-music purposes (i.e. advertising, phishing and like nefarious pastimes), but they soon get seen off once they're found out.
# Posted on August 12th 2007 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Huh? I was not a member for several years but I still managed to download tunes. At least I don't think I was a member, and when I rejoined there was no message to say "you are already a member, you wazzock!" God I'm confused.
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Steve, I suspect that once you're a member the database here decides you will always be a member, even if you "resign". So you can't really resign - sorry, it's a life sentence!
It seems the only way to leave permanently would be if Jeremy were to delete the member from the database, a procedure that would presumably have to be done according to a strict protocol to avoid unwanted side effects.
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Usually I stop by every day or two, but sometimes posts can be DRAB, AGGRO, or RAPT. Some users in particular (wont name names) are extremely negative and or agressive.
But overall, I find this to very informative about ITM.
Sara
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by Celtic Lass
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Rank beginner is all...collecting info, new tunes...but really you folks are way beyond me. I'm just 1.5 years into it with my fiddle.
I'm also learning a bit of old-time American folk fiddle, but my first loves are the Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton tunes. I've picked some tough stuff to try, I guess.
I enjoy reading the posts and have gleaned a lot of useful information from the "founts-o-knowledge" who regularly answer questions. Thank you for being out there...
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by futless1
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Nice way of bringing lurkers out.
I mainly use the site as a resource to help me to learn new tunes, the SEssion with Winndows media player, Mat Molloys finest and a bottle of red go nicely as a set.
Re the discussions, they seem to rant on somewhat, although from time to time I do pick up on interesting bits and pieces about players styles, origins of tunes etc.
They say opinions are like you know wot, everybodys got one.
Keep it up
Ras
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by Andyras
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Usually somebody has posted something more succinct or more relevant. Which leaves... drivel... also often found in abundance at some sessions.
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by drone
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
The original question reminds me of something I do the first day of class sometimes (just for fun), which is ask, "How many of you students never raise your hand for any reason?"
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by ayedbl
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
Moira Enya- just looked at the pictures on the site; who is playing pipes in the group photo?? Just curious?
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by I_Fel
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
I'm not sure who the player is in the lunchtime session photo. The two in the other photo are Mick O'Brien and Padraig MacMahuna. That was an awesome session with Caoimhin O'Raghalaigh, Maeve Donnelly, Dermy Diamond and Seamus Begley along with Mick & Padraig. The session went on for hours on Friday, from mid-afternoon until about 9:30 or 10 that evening. Were you in Miltown for the week?
# Posted on August 13th 2007 by moria enya
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
I haven't been getting involved in the discussions mostly because I don't think I can compete with the Wit or Wisdom found in so many of the contributors. I use the site mostly as a resource center for tunes and info about them, and it serves this function marvelously. Thanks for all your work in making this site work, Jeremy.
# Posted on August 14th 2007 by ismisepol
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
I do contribute when I feel I have somehting to offer a discussion but also regularly just check in to see if there is any craic.
I have also used the site - like many others - to get the odd tune.
Keep up the good work jeremy!
# Posted on August 14th 2007 by breandan
Re: Yellow Board Roll Call
It would be interesting to know which threads (top 10) had the most people posting. At least for discussions other than "where ya' from" or "roll call". NTSTINAGTIIE! (not to say this is not a good thread; it is excellent!)
Now that would be posts by different people ~ as opposed to the most number of replies by the least number of people; if you catch my drift.
# Posted on August 14th 2007 by Ben Steen