I've been a member here for approx 4 months now. I've made all of 68 posts.
On the otherhand, I visit the site daily and try to read every thread. Unfortunately I travel alot for work. I don't have as much time in front of my computer as I would like. 99% of the time I access through my phone and as of yet have found no way to post from my phone. Thus my participation could easily be perceived as irregular.
Why do I mention this? It's obvious that a hierarchy exists here and deservedly so. I notice that many have been members for years and have made thousands upon thousands of posts. Such ones rightfully are held in high regard and usually make valuable contributions.
With that being said, I imagine that all members here have different circumstances in their lives. Some clearly are able to spend more time than others researching, writing, and debating all things WTBTS. For that I am thankful. However others, like myself, while being avid readers of the site, simply do not have the time to invest or the circumstances to be able to contribute as much. Does this in any way cheapen or de-value the contributions of such ones' when made?
This certainly isn't to imply that this has happened directly, because, in my case I don't feel that it has necessarily. But clearly as mentioned by many members, your posting history and volume does make a difference in how seriously you are taken and whether you're perceived to be a lurker or an apologist or just a flash in the pan. I am hoping that I am not perceived as such due to a lack of posts. I hope that no one else is either. It seems that it would be better to base such conclusions on content and merit and allow someone as much time as needed to build a reputation.
For many of us, taking the "leap" to joining a forum is a bit unsettling. Some of us are conditioned to being socially-challenged due to a lifetime in the WTBTS. Witty exchanges and open debate doesn't come easily for everyone. It can be difficult to verbalize things you've kept inside for years and were never able to talk about. Even if it were easier for me, I still would be faced with the challenge of not having the time and circumstances to post frequently.
I've thoroughly enjoyed this forum and hope to continue to do so. I just ask that we each consider that circumstances vary and, as the widow who dropped in only two coins of very little value, it was worth more than all that the others dropped in out of their surplus. Point being that volume alone doesn't make one's contributions valuable. Volume of posts don't necessarily define a persons' true participation here.
Please be assured of my deep respect and appreciation for this site and all of the work that you guys contribute to it.