Posting..
Yes we do need more people talking. Not that i'm tired of talking to the same girls all the time. Far from it. I feel like i've made some new friends who understand the pressures and the problems that go with being in this trade. It's a great way to vent some of your frustrations and there is some sort of relief in knowing that others have the same problems as you..every day. You just can't sit in a pub and talk to a plumber or a real estate agent the same way. They might nod their heads, but they don't really understand. So as much as the wife says 'oh..you're on your chat line again!', i don't see it as just another chat line as it's so related to the job we do. Yes, we can have a laugh and tell a few jokes, but that's a good way of really getting to know people. You find out that they are real people, with real problems just like yours.

As much as i like to think i know just about everything (don't we all!) i'm well aware that i don't know half of it and never will. I'm always being asked things by customers that i really don't have an answer for. But i know that someone out there will know the answer as they've probably already done it. You could spend half an hour searching the net for the answer, but how reassuring to know that if you posted a question, someone would respond within a few minutes with the answer.

So it must come down to numbers. None of us can afford the time to be reading the posts all day long. We'd all be out of business before long. I'm usually logged in 24/7 but that's the beauty of 'tabbed' browsing. I can be logged into half a dozen forums at the same time, but only look at things now and again when i stop to put the kettle on.

There must be a lot of people reading the forums who have the knowledge and expertise to answer questions, who are willing to help someone who is in a bit of a spot just by suggesting something. Who knows, you may read something that you find useful, that helps you along the way, so it's just a way of giving something back.
I know it can be hard to post 'first time' as you feel that you need to say something very constructive and intelligent, for you will be judged forever by your 'first post'.....Not! some of these girls say some really stupid things..but that's better than not talking at all. (i'm gonna get some flak here!)

All you need to do is say 'Hi, i'm here, i'd like to join in!"