04-18-2011, 10:42 AM
I know what lurkers are, and I considered using that word, but it's kind of a negative term.
There is interesting stuff on both forums that is not personal chitchat, and not the same stuff, like different newspapers.
The chat room analogy doesn't hold up. Unless chat room transcripts are published, that conversation is only heard by those in the room.
Posting on a message board is a publication, as I've been reminded numerous times by others. The idea that you're in a small room with a few of your friends is an illusion.
If that's what people want, and don't want to be noticed, then there are group emails, private groups, private forums, etc..
I've belonged to and helped moderate one private board for years (nothing to do with Hawai'i). All you have to do is change the forum permissions so that only members can read them and it's private. There are plenty of forums that are members only participation and cannot be viewed without a password and username. Sometimes the membership is large but the criteria for joining is selective, like the MENSA forums.
If the board allows the forum to be viewed by anyone, then that is saying that people are welcome to look.
ed to fix typos
There is interesting stuff on both forums that is not personal chitchat, and not the same stuff, like different newspapers.
The chat room analogy doesn't hold up. Unless chat room transcripts are published, that conversation is only heard by those in the room.
Posting on a message board is a publication, as I've been reminded numerous times by others. The idea that you're in a small room with a few of your friends is an illusion.
If that's what people want, and don't want to be noticed, then there are group emails, private groups, private forums, etc..
I've belonged to and helped moderate one private board for years (nothing to do with Hawai'i). All you have to do is change the forum permissions so that only members can read them and it's private. There are plenty of forums that are members only participation and cannot be viewed without a password and username. Sometimes the membership is large but the criteria for joining is selective, like the MENSA forums.
If the board allows the forum to be viewed by anyone, then that is saying that people are welcome to look.
ed to fix typos