On 2003-11-28 21:02:06 +0000 BenEBoy mail@psychoferret.freeserve.co.uk wrote:
ten to one poster to lurker ratio is about average. Assuming thats about right then being able to meet 30ish in the flesh isn't so bad is it?
10 posters to each lurker would be great! ;-) I think 10 lurkers to 1 poster is time to worry. ALUG had ~50 senders last month, which suggests 4 to 1. "Successful" lists have 2 to 1 or better. Some posters are very frequent (yes, I know) so it may not always feel like those numbers. More on lurkers on techwr-l at http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=m16xAK4-000BOwb%40mail.GTS.NET
Personally, I wasn't really talking about lurking on the list. I'm quite happy for people to watch if they don't want to add anything just now, but why not help to shape the meetings more? I suspect some can help to improve meetings, as they're not liking them enough to come yet. We don't see all posters at meetings, so there may be some already posting who can help. Even if it's just noting a gap in their area, suggesting better times, or giving topic ideas, it would be nice to see. We've had a few showing clear desire for a meeting further south. Now it just needs someone to call it. Maybe they can consult those who have written recently to see if they can meet them in particular, as some sort of just reward. Has anyone suggested venues yet? I don't know there much. If someone can host right near them, that's the ultimate in short travel time.
I'd totally forgotten about ELUG, so didn't include them as a struggler in my earlier comments.
Until our generous list hosts at blackcat tell us we're too big, I think unsubscribing just for lurking is a bit harsh. The automatic processes seem to reap the bouncers after a month or so at worst.
In response to things earlier in the day:
If I think something is better, then I may say that. Someone else can say that they think it's not. People can try to convince each other. As long as it's opinions, both are right in saying *they think* it's better. Long arguments about who is more justified probably shouldn't be on the list. Set out your thoughts and then continue in private email or at a meeting. Try to avoid circles.
I would really prefer not to see statements like "hasn't got anywhere near [...] a viable alternative to Windows for the average Joe" stated as if they were facts rather than opinions. That depends on the meaning of so many words like "near", "viable" and "average". Also, we have our own commercial software writers and I'm quite happy if some of the Windows horrors don't come. Finally, it's worth remembering that different flavours of Microsoft Windows support different hardware to each other, so even upgrades within that group of products can leave you with doorstop kit.
No-one's picked up on it, but Tony said he asks manufacturers about driver support. That's worth doing, even if you get no result. Water droplets can change a mountain eventually if there are enough of them.
To Stowmarket by train after Ely meetings is possible but slow, Ely d2300 Cambridge a2317 d2330 Stowmarket a0032. I think Anglia's Plus tickets are now valid on all trains Ely-Cambridge so it shouldn't cost more.