Decline in Web4Lib message volume

[Walter Giesbrecht]

Scritchfield, Larry wrote:
> Of course, volume of messages does not equate to quality of signal...
> Here are some theories
> 
> Moderator enforcment on-topic posts?
> 
> An abatement of "me too" posts?
> 
> Proliferation of specialized lists (thus *increasing* the total amount
> of email to be plowed through)?

Or

- proliferation of Web-based forums?

- active retreat from online discussion (in a fruitless attempt 
to reduce the amount of email one receives)?

- more knowledgeable participants, not asking as many questions?

- over-active spam filters?

I'd be interested to know how the number of subscribers has 
changed over the years; in parallel with the number of messages, 
perhaps? How has the # posts/subscriber changed?

-- 

Walter Giesbrecht                               walterg at yorku.ca
Data Librarian                                203E Scott Library
York University, Toronto, CANADA          416.736-2100 ext.77551
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