colleague request and followers???

[Rich Weese]

I have been on and off bigger pockets for many years. I continue to receive notifications of "colleague request" and I always click on it. It gives me two options: accept or decline. I have always clicked on except and don't believe I have ever clicked on decline. I really don't understand what that does. Did it really provide any useful purpose of any sort? Does it lead to anything?

I received notices that says so-and-so is now following me. What does that mean? Does it mean when I post something or start a thread the followers are notified of that? I guess I could see a benefit in that but do not understand the colleague benefit.

I would appreciate one of the many mods to explain it or tell me where to go to learn about these two wonderful programs........