A fair point actually.
Im on Red Alliance (purely for kit reference as DM says), Whermact awards (for the same purpose), ARRSE (on which i tend to read for a chuckle and rarely post) Arnies )on which i moderate a section and pretty much post mainly in the kit sections with the occasional post in GD) and many other forums.
As DM says a lot of them i'm subscribed to so I could view archive/original pictures for research, eqaully I occasionally post on Gumans Forum but only really in the weeks preceding an event and the post event feedback.
I'd also imagine that a good couple of hundred 'registered users' are dormant and have probably not been on the site for years which skews the numbers a bit. A good example would be the fair few that sign up each time an event comes to their home site and then lose interest after that.
I'm sure Dave coudl do the numbers but it woudl be interesting to know how many registered users:
have never posted
have posted less than 5 time
Havent posted for over a year
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
I have said before, but I'll elaborate. The CiA forum user base isn't like most forums where they seem to think all that matters is a huge member count.
I have set up an automatic system that sends an email to all registered members who haven't logged on to the site for a year asking them to log on or have their membership deleted. After seven days, if they haven't logged on then they are deleted off the list. For forum members who have just registered but haven't logged on the process is similar.
So, we currently have 686 members who have logged on in the last 365 days. Of those members who have logged in in the last 365 days and are therefore still registered members 98 haven't posted. I'm guessing these are largely 'lurkers' who didn't realise they see the same thing when registered as unregistered.
Unlike many forums there is nothing hidden to guests - this means there is no requirement to register unless you want to post. Again, we aren't in the business of appearing to have massive numbers like some forums but we are in the business of disseminating information. This is why we have twice as many guests as registered members visiting the forum.
Now, there is no problem with this, it isn't a criticism of forum users - we have set ourselves up as a hub of UK WW2 Airsoft (its in our mission statement!)and we are delighted so many find the service useful. However it does support my contention that there is only an active player base of 100 people. A tiny number given the activity of the forum and events being organised. WW2 will always be a niche interest but the fact remains that NONE of this would be here if people didn't PLAY.
huge member
Yeah, those forums where they seem to think 'all that matters is a huge member' are populated by big dicks. Unlike this forum which is populated by small dicks. Err, no, that's not right. Perfectly proportioned and fully functioning knobs. Damn, no, that's not right either. I think I am digging a hole here... 
*chucks dave a 'big enough to fill 2 prams ladder*
.............unravles enormous member to throw down as a rope ..... 
* grasps member and pulls self out of the 2" hole I had dug *
steady tiger
So, we currently have 686 members who have logged on in the last 365 days. Of those members who have logged in in the last 365 days and are therefore still registered members 98 haven't posted. I'm guessing these are largely 'lurkers' who didn't realise they see the same thing when registered as unregistered.
Now, there is no problem with this, it isn't a criticism of forum users - we have set ourselves up as a hub of UK WW2 Airsoft (its in our mission statement!)and we are delighted so many find the service useful. However it does support my contention that there is only an active player base of 100 people. A tiny number given the activity of the forum and events being organised. WW2 will always be a niche interest but the fact remains that NONE of this would be here if people didn't PLAY.
Apologies for the snippage.
Now I'm quite comfortable with forums (being an old Cixen/Bulletin Boards user, yep, still playing with BBs!) but the first post is always the most nervous one! No matter how hard a community tries, it will look like a clique to an "outsider". However a year of no posting seems fair.
Apologies for the digression and lets get back on track 
To the tune of "Mademoiselle from Armentières"
Napoleons army ran away, As you do
The guard stood firm for Frances Pride, As you do
They said the guard will stand and die
But we heard what their Colonel cried
It wasn't pretty I tell you.
Resistance is fertile
Just to be clear - registered members are ONLY removed if they haven't logged on for a year (i.e. a complete inactivity) - those who are registered and have logged on but have simply not posted are never deleted as they are deemed to be active. Nowt wrong with lurking, for all the reasons Hurrah outlines and more.
I have been considering WW2 airsoft for quite some time. Unfortunately, none of my mates in the UK are interested, which makes it all a bit more difficult.
On the other hand...considering that 10 years ago I endured a busride to Rotterdam, 16 hours on a ferry to Hull, a train to Scarborough, then a taxi to the site to camp there on my own for 2 days, just to attend my first airsoft game...I will probably find a way 
Unless I can drag some of my mates into this, I probably won't see more than 2 games a year though.
Well Nilz, many of us who only met at CiA events in the first place now regularly car share to events. Unless you live in the outer Hebrides, I'm sure there is someone on the forum who would be able to give you a lift.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Andy, nilz is based in the Netherlands !!
However, nilz - you could jump on a plane and someone over here can lend you a weapon/stuff you cant bring on aircraft.
Depending on the Airport you fly into/event location there are folks who could/would be passing.
D'oh! However, Del is right - if you can get over here, folks will be happy to help. 
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Good for you Nilz 
I have a mate who's coming from New York just to play at Op Jedburgh.
Unfortunately there seem to be too many who don't want to venture beyond their local site.
Unfortunately there seem to be too many who don't want to venture beyond their local site.
I don't have a local site, so everything's a venture!
I guess people are spoiled easily. I would rather travel 2 hours to a good game, than get caught in a mindless hi-cap-athon down the road, but I suppose I'm preaching to the choir on that one.
Yeah, I noticed the general helpful nature of the regulars on here and figured I would be able to catch a ride and/or borrow something to shoot with (gun will probably be the last thing on my list, since I would have to leave it in the UK). If not, I probably wouldn't have spent most of my bike repair fund on kit already 
Aiming for the Devil's Hill event to be my first. If I can catch one sooner, all the better
I
Aiming for the Devil's Hill event to be my first. If I can catch one sooner, all the better
manchester or bradford or leeds airport are all close to the devils hill game. im planning on going , and will loan you a gun
"Take that you rotton helping of strawberry flan!"
Joseph Porta to "strawberrys and cream", in the sven hassel book ,ogpu prison
Excellent! Thank you, sir 
knife kill, if you're in the UK there are a number of organisers who allow under 18s to event. Gunman and AGS spring to mind.
Also, you'll find that many people are willing to lend you kit so you should still be able to get along to quite a few events.
