It seems we get a newcomer requesting help here almost daily, so

SOG53 · Nov 19, 2024

We should all look at our early posts to remind us of our noob selves. I think I started with a "grandmas watch" with nice gold bracelet and a few diamonds (maybe). Thinking this was the motherlode, only to be schooled about "melt value" by one of you cruel souls... It was the wifes grandma, she was not happy with the verdict.

Edit: here it is and a poor noob photo too!!

JwRosenthal · Nov 19, 2024

^ I used the laughing emoji.

Yes we were all noobs to the hobby at one time. I was accused of post farming- I was just so excited to be here, had tons of questions and wanted to jump into every conversation. I was also dealing with a very difficult medical issue that made me horribly depressed so finding a social outlet where I could totally get lost in something that was not the pain of my daily life was liberating. We don’t know what people’s personal stories are- be kind until someone gives you legitimate reason to be a dick.

And I am still post farming- gonna hit that 100k post private chat room any day now…so excited.

rendo · Nov 20, 2024

It's easier for me to sympathize with noobs because I still feel like one quite frequently. I'm still learning a lot from all of you every day. OF is a nice distraction for me at work. I like reading new posts whenever I find a few minutes.

When I joined a couple years ago, I thought OF would be similar to a reddit subgroup and didn't even bother with an introduction. I didn't think people would care, as there are so many of us, but I was wrong. We have around 85K members, but I feel like less than 100 are active on a daily basis. My first post was on an open discussion thread related to "Hamilton" branded non-watch items. So I understand how newcomers start with a question on their first post without an intro, although some are here just for that one answer they need.

I can't compete with Mr. @JwRosenthal on post/message count, but if there was a count on who updates the "Latest" page the most, I would have a high rank.

wcusteve120 · Nov 20, 2024

Hey I'm a noob.
My name is Steve. Recently got more into watches. I have a mark 40, a Hamilton Khaki, & a Seiko Padi. Looking to grab a vintage omega sometime soon. Been lurking for a few weeks. Appreciate all the knowledge in this forum and I will probably add no value, but I am happy to be here.

SOG53 · Nov 20, 2024

Welcome Steve
You add value by just being here. Stick around take your time find a reference you like and research the crap out of it then start looking and keep asking lots of questions.

JwRosenthal · Nov 20, 2024

W wcusteve120
Hey I'm a noob.
My name is Steve. Recently got more into watches. I have a mark 40, a Hamilton Khaki, & a Seiko Padi. Looking to grab a vintage omega sometime soon. Been lurking for a few weeks. Appreciate all the knowledge in this forum and I will probably add no value, but I am happy to be here.

As you just joined today you didn’t know that we can’t read- this is all talk to text. We need pictures.

OneTwo · Nov 20, 2024

Part of what attracted me here to OF was the willingness of many members to share their knowledge with new or veteran members. Heck, I still ask for a good amount of help on those references that I’m aspiring to purchase and my impulse buy proclivity takes over going “do it, do it, buy buy”, but don’t know enough to trust my gut. That’s one of my favorite things about this place, an unabashed honesty to help those who haven’t yet learned any better.

But also this

SOG53
Stick around take your time find a reference you like and research the crap out of it then start looking and keep asking lots of questions.

If you can learn an immense amount about a certain reference that you can give back and share what you’ve learned to help others out, it’s even sweeter here.

The frequent b-s-ing, sharing a story or two about these wonderfully beautiful, almost obsolete, dare I say even mechanical wonders, that adorn our wrists is also a big plus and wonderful part of this community.

hansaboy · Nov 21, 2024

rendo
100 are active on a daily basis

I was actually thinking about this, there are few that post here everyday, and answers lots and lots of questions,
and it feels that they are the "backbone" of this Forum.
The contribution they do is amazing, truly helpful and also entertaining.

But some of these also have a habit to "shoot down" first time posters.
Most of the first timers do have basic and often easy, simple questions regarding value etc.
But some of them could get stuck here (and maybe contribute) on the Forum if they where sometimes treated with a bit more respect?

There are of course those who start to disagree when they get an answer that they do not like,
but these post often turn out to be fun and often interesting reading!

Just my 5 öre...
🙂

dsio · Nov 21, 2024

hansaboy
I was actually thinking about this, there are few that post here everyday, and answers lots and lots of questions,
and it feels that they are the "backbone" of this Forum.
The contribution they do is amazing, truly helpful and also entertaining.

But some of these also have a habit to "shoot down" first time posters.
Most of the first timers do have basic and often easy, simple questions regarding value etc.
But some of them could get stuck here (and maybe contribute) on the Forum if they where sometimes treated with a bit more respect?

There are of course those who start to disagree when they get an answer that they do not like,
but these post often turn out to be fun and often interesting reading!

Just my 5 öre...
🙂

I would prefer they didn’t just get shot down so quickly which is why when I see new or unanswered posts I try to jump in before any snark happens as it makes it a bit harder to snark at them after someone has already tried to help.

Total active users hovers around 950-1100 per day typically and stays in that narrow range as it is a very international site. I’m quite keen to make sure we keep young people and beginners interested and a lot of the future development is heading in a learning and beginner enrichment direction as we think that will help stir that passion for watches in people.

hansaboy · Nov 21, 2024

dsio
I would prefer they didn’t just get shot down so quickly which is why when I see new or unanswered posts I try to jump in before any snark happens as it makes it a bit harder to snark at them after someone has already tried to help.

Total active users hovers around 950-1100 per day typically and stays in that narrow range as it is a very international site. I’m quite keen to make sure we keep young people and beginners interested and a lot of the future development is heading in a learning and beginner enrichment direction as we think that will help stir that passion for watches in people.

Thats really nice, but you cannot do it on your own?
Maybe something to think about for everybody?

Younger people might be used to social media, everything there moves so fast,
and if they do not get what they want in 5 seconds, they move on....