How many ACTIVE members do we have?

[EPICURUS]

Is there a way, though, for this board to increase volume a la Robin G and Brad H? The damnable thing is that once a site reaches critical mass it becomes a must check frequently and post occasionally place.

There are two main reasons why sometime lurkers and posters like me don't participate more. First is the volume issue; sites that have more frequent or less frequent postings tend to settle into those modes. If a small group sends messages you don't get the range of opinions. Related to this - you tend to create a club within a club; insiders knowing each other's quirks, interests, etc. and newbies and even occasionals not having much of a clue and don't really know the secret handshake, metaphorically speaking.

Maybe the core regulars won't really increase by much, but nevertheless we lurkers will go on enjoying observing the exchanges. At 20 you probably have enough to make a real virtual community.

To Jackie: Here's another point to consider. On Westcoast and Wine Lovers one doesn't have to register and get a password. You are only encouraged to use your real name in addition to your handle. Is there a way for this scrolling style software, which is far superior to threaded style software like the kind that Harrington uses, to dispense with the registration so people can just weigh in if something catches their fancy...? Most one timers haven't filed away their password

[This message has been edited by EPICURUS (edited 09-20-2001).]