New to Gather?

oh yes, just like starting at any new site... you have to give yourself time to get aquainted with others and get noticed. So much goes on, and many of us are already hard pressed to keep up with a growing list of friends... it's so easy to miss one new person in all this bustle.

I get plenty of views but hardly any comments. I like to read comments and comment back. I miss that old give and take that Gather use to have. If I read something or view I always comment.

Gotta comment to get noticed!

I know that I often don't notice new people on gather unless they stop by and comment or add me as a friend becuase I don't see their content.

I'd say it takes a few months minimum to get noticed. It isn't something that happens all that quickly.

I do both I comment and publish I also check other articles out

It is hard to keep up with everyone. I was away for a while and now I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. It's taking me some time.

I think if you want to be noticed you just got to comment all over the place and then someone will notice your icon and want to check your stuff out.

Once they took away be able to see new people its kind of hard to find them..to welcome them..

Maybe Gather's changed, but when I joined nobody told me squat. The first time someone commented on one of my posts I didn't have any idea what to do about it. I was a member for several months before I figured out that joining groups would help.

It seems to me that Gather should provide a welcome package that explains, in detail, what groups are, how to join them, and the benefits. Same thing for friend requests; both sending and receiving them.

Aubrey suggested commenting all over the place, but if you're a newbie and don't know how to navigate, how do you find things on which to comment. Gather should also address that situation.

I guess I'm just a writer. I write comments, articles, and I can't shut up, so I well here. I try to concentrate on my friends, but I have so many I usely just comment on what and who interests me. I just wish there were a way to encourage newbies.

oh i am sorry. I hope he as commenting on others stuff. To bring the persons attention to his.

I did't kno or i would have posted on his stuff. i tend to post on new peoples stuff that don't have very many comments or posts.

Gather's used to have everyone's COMMENTS right up front for all to see. Now one only sees their own connections comments.
So how is anyone to know what is new or popular? How do you meet anybody new if you can't see what is getting people talking?
I haven't made a new connection in about a year and I don't get comments because most of the people I knew are gone.
There is very little communication going on in here any more...sad

Exactly,Steve. I feel like newbies don't stand much of a chance.

if people try, and quit, that's just the way it is-- writers write, regardless of whether or not someone is reading their stuff.

it's all relative anyway. some of my articles get over 400 views and 100 comments, some get less than 50 views and no comments.

it's more about THEM, than YOU-- let's face it, if you want an "audience" you have to cater to that audience, and it's about more than just making sure you recipirocate with comments on all of your "friends" articles.

I have almost 200 "friends" and it would be impossible for me to comment on the articles they all post-- particularly because there are a great many people that don't publish articles, they just comment on other people's stuff.

The simple truth is, we browse until we see something that catches our eye, our interest, and we check it out.

That's the way these social networking sites operate-- people that like publishing pictures of flowers, naturally seek out other flower lovers.

People that post stories about sports, generally find other sports fans to associate with, and they connect through shared interest.

sometimes when I'm "dissing" people, I realize later they are one of my gather "friends," and there's nothing I can do about it, I've already posted the words.

people do what they do because of the opinions they hold and the interests that excite them and cause them to spend time seeking out other people with the same interests.

some people just aren't equiped to enjoy "social networking."

"writers write, regardless of whether or not someone is reading their stuff."

Writers may still write regardless of having an audience but I find I am less inclined to do so if no one is reading or commenting. I write articles about issues that confront people in their daily lives, mainly centering around family issues that I have encountered. I know my audience is limited in its scope but when people read my stuff they get a true sense of who I am. This makes it personal. I am more inclined to seek out articles published by the people who have taken the time to leave me a comment.

Well I must agree with jJack. I'd write if no one read. It's more fun to have comments, but I write everyday in my journals no one may ever see.

with 200 friends and climbing, you are soon to reach the level where the gather cops get out the bullhorn and declare you an unlawful assembly.

I have just returned to Gather after a very long absense. It's good to be back and I'm trying to catch up with all my old Gather Friends now that I'm back. I know that I don't expect too many people to comment on my stuff since I haven't written or posted anything for over a year! But you're right, you have to really be an active participant to get people to read and comment on your posts.

Funny, I don't see you comment much except on your own articles.

I think the "newbies" have to learn to comment on others then they'll get some feed back., and start building...

I was just the opposite... I would comment when I was new, but it took me forever to get the nerve to write an article...but if I had known about this new gather member, I would of commented to these articles... I feel bad too...

I commented for months before I posted an article. I just love to read and the gather members have so much to say. I believe new members now are not afraid to ask questions....I hope he later returns.

After mtioy comments, I realized many people joined Gather as an invitation from family and friends. Others from other site I hope they came with the intention of doing what the gather community expects before they decide to leave. Thanks, for the different view on being new.

I am ok with what I have look at it this way they could take away Gather,, then you have nothing, I look at it take what you have ans appreciate it

I sometimes bring back old stories as reposts just for the enjoyment, comments or not.