Why are users forced to post?

[Toledo]

Your post about being infected with log-o-rhea is funny, a bit crude but very funny.

Originally Posted by Thomas Parkman

..I just do not understand this business of avatars what on earth is that.

The Avatar is that little 80 by 80 pixels GIF or JPG image next to our user names. There is another section that explains them and members take the time to create them according to their favorite themes. For me is just like the gadgets and toys we all keep around our office desk that have no meaning to anyone but ourselves. But it does bring life to the forum, otherwise this place would be just a sea of letters and numbers. And it also reflects personal taste, a particular royal or royal moment or object we are interested in at the moment or just the fun to have a picture associated with a name. The reasons are endless.
Wikipedia also has a good series of articles to describe the purpose of forums and Forum Avatars but the best quick short definition I've found is this one:

your avatar is the visual "handle" or display appearance you use to represent yourself. From Look Up Tech Terms

Give Avatars a try, you might like them.

[compatissant]

Originally Posted by galuhcandrakirana

This morning when I logged-in to post a royal news I got the same message. Actually the last post I'd made was last July 24, but I still logged-in and visited the forum for couple of time (without sending any post). I think getting the message just only after around two weeks without sending any post but still logged-in is too much!!
I am still in Holiday and have much less time to participate in forum's discussion, but I'll post just like before when the holiday finish .

I am busy working 2 jobs - reading these boards for me is a form of relaxation. Instead, I feel stressed by this message and being forced to post so that I can maintain these privileges. I just want to lurk, look at photos, and read without being under duress! Do the moderators understand this?

Diane

[Elspeth]

Yes, of course we do. Go ahead and lurk! We'd much rather you posted when you wanted to post than because you felt you had to when you didn't have anything you really wanted to say.

I'm managing to ignore this message on other boards; it's annoying, but in the great scheme of things it isn't awful.