Could “Threadspotting” views be a major factor in SDMB server demand?
I usually go to the SD Front Page to check new columns, etc. before logging on and I always click the “Threadspotting” link when it’s new.
I will grant the point that I became aware of the message board only because TS exsisted*. I will further grant that I uselessly absorbed server time through lurking for nearly three years before I got around to registering.
I am now an unashamed “I’ve got mine, now you get yours” type of guy.
How much server time is used up by TS hits? Is there any way to distingush members from non-members? Am I just a hypocrite** whistling in the dark?
[sup]*I didn’t even know what a “message board” was.
**Yes[/sup]
Probably not. The server was way slow, and we were joking about giving the hamster some PCP, long before they even started Threadspotting.
The server has been slow ever since I’ve been here, which is over two years now. [shrug]
Okay, I’m an idiot. I retract the question.
I just want to say that lurking is a far cry from ‘uselessly absorbing server time.’ If more people read more and posted less, I think the SDMB would be an even better place than it is, and server strain would be less than it is too.
Lurkers are useful – there have been many situations where people mention the importance of the fact that there are people out there that we the posters don’t necessarily always hear from – it’s inspiration to go on Fighting Ignorance when sometimes it seems too hard. 
But I usually like your posts anyway Exgineer so whatever. Works either way.
You caught me out, White Lightning. I try to adhere to the “measure twice, cut once” rule when I post. It’s amazing to me that I screw up so often.
You like my posts? Wow.
I lurk more than I post[sup]*[/sup]. It just struck me that every time I open a forum or a thread, especially when I’m just browsing, that I’m occupying server time without actually making a material contribution to the boards.
I think it’s wasteful, and I am as guilty as anyone else. I just wondered if unregistered lurkers who don’t do anything more than click on “threadspotting” two or three times a week are loading down the server in a disproportionate fashion. Registered lurkers like me are in the same boat.
On the other hand, I should have considered a few things before I posted my original question.[sup]**[/sup]
[ul]1. How the heck would anyone know there was a message board here without TS? (Aside from the little dinky “message board” link on the front page.)
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Threadspotting is one link to one thread.
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I am still an idiot.[/ul]
Sorry again.
[sup]* Hard to believe, but true.
** See my second post.[/sup]