Theos-Talk Archives (November 1997 Message tt00248)

At 09:56 AM 11/13/97 -0500, you wrote:
>In a message dated 97-11-02 13:11:53 EST, you write:
>
><< While I'm guessing there are at least 50 subscribers to this list, half
> the messages are from less than 5 people.- "Lurkers" don't send in
> submissions partially because they know they'll likely be pounced on by the
> few "regulars" who seems to think it is his/their responsibility to
> personally respond to nearly each entry. (Dallas, for one) This is a type
> of intimidation. ISN'T THIS A WAY TO 'TAKE OVER' A SITE - possibly for
> one's own personal reasons, or from just being out of control/compusive?
> - I believe a site is ruined by this mass of trivial response. >>
>
>Excellent observation, Mark. This is the reason I participate so little on
>this site for the reasons you stated.
>
>Lmhem111

I am on several maillists and in every one of them, it is a minority who
post responses. So what we find here is not out of the ordinary. I don't
think it is going to change unless, as part of moderation, everyone is going
to be assigned a quota of msgs they can post. This has its own drawback.

Posting msgs do take a lot of time and priorities of different posters are
different. I think we should be appreciative of anyone who is taking time to
read the msgs and post responses. Whether it is to be viewed as taking over
a site or not is a perception each one has to make.

Due to the nature of the medium, when any one posts any msg, one should be
prepared for a wide range of responses. And from my experience, over a
period of time many newbees become quite comfortable in daringly posting
msgs and be prepared to respond to any responses.

If some want to lurk, it is their prerogative and if anyone wants to leave,
again in this day of freedom of choice, it is their choice.

The bottom line is that there does not appear to be a simple answer to the
various questions relating to the traffic and all lists tend to evolve over
a period of time.

My 0.01.

...M...