More than likely I would have joined eventually. Though, I doubt my opinion on the matter of this thread will likely not change.
I can see your point but also others,yeah it should be a 2 way exchange in a perfect world, but where does that stop.is it got to be two way quality info or can someone continually type helpful stuff while others type non stop drivel.
I can also understand some people might not feel their input would be appreciated or add to the topic,infact may even cloudy the waters for others,is it so wrong for them to just learn/take until they feel confident of putting in helpfull info.
It pisses me off at times if I just want to browse without anyone knowing that I have to sign in to continue.
Do I feel used if I give good info and only people who are non members use it,of course I don't, anything I type I am happy if only one person appreciates it.
The reality is quite simple, in a technical game like this if you expect to learn something for everything you teach then only disappointment looms.
Is it stealing just lurking and taking,I think not,if you type anything on a computer attached to the net then you are very naïve if you think its not publicly available, I guarantee even the best sources of info on here have done a power of lurking,be it on the net,over someones shoulder or from books,its how you learn.
Funnily enough in my short 45 years on this planet I've never ever met a teacher who expected to learn from pupils,if they did it was a bonus.
Just a few points worth considering as I believe the op had a good point, but a debateable good point.
If your not willing to give help freely is that really the spirit of radio this site wants to promote, as most radio forums are of a vast newbie to average membership,with only a handful of genuine knowledgeable people,are we really suggesting only people with equal knowledge and input should be here.
I always thought radio was about helping those less gifted and if your lucky learning from the few genuinely knowledgeable guys who aren't rectally retentive about sharing knowledge.
Maybe I'm just wrong.