[MUD-Dev] Re: META: list "peerage"

[Darrin Hyrup]

Greetings,

I'm sure we've all seen enough posts in this thread that I don't need to
quote the several pages of multi-level quotes.  The jist of which seems to
be that there is some concern that the 'less known' members of the list
feel discouraged to contribute due to the multitude of posts by 'well
known' members.

Now, there seems to be some evidence suggesting that this is the case, at
least among some of the list members.  Assuming this is true, what can we,
as the list membership (and JCL as the list admin) do to reduce the posting
anxiety in these list members?  Can we do anything?

Personally, I don't post very often because I'm just too busy with work and
everything else I do, that I rarely find time to contribute to every list,
newsgroup, and message forum I monitor.  Even then, especially in this
list, 90% of the time, someone will usually say pretty much what I wanted
to say anyway, and its pointless (to me anyway) to post with a "me too".
I'll chime in if I see a good opening, and I think I may have something
unique to say.

All in all though, I think that once those lurkers who feel hesitant to
post start getting involved in the topics, and starting some of their own,
in areas they feel comfortable expressing their knowledge, this peerage
thing will fall a bit by the wayside.  Its always hard to make the first
post, but they get easier as you make more of them.

Of course, this doesn't help me and the others who are too busy to sleep,
not to mention regularily post in message lists. :)  Maybe once they start
making those cybernetic implants that interface our brains into the net
directly, I'll be able post more often with all the newly found free time. :)

Best,

Darrin