Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:28:57 -0500
From: Ted White <twhite8 at cox.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: This list is five years old today
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

Eva Whitley wrote:

>  Keith F. Lynch wrote:
>
> > "Keith F. Lynch" <kfl at KeithLynch.net> wrote:
> >
> >> Michael Walsh       2576   walshmichaelj at gmail.com
> >>
> > Michael Walsh wrote:
> >
> >> Oh my ...
> >>
> > That's only about ten messages a week.  Less than two a day.
> >
> > I've posted over 13,000 messages to the rec.arts.sf.fandom
> > newsgroup, and a fair number to dozens of other newsgroups.
> >
> > Eva Whitley wrote:
> >
> >> And now you know why some of us blog.  Saves no end of time, it
> >> does. --Eva
> >>
> > But people may not read your blog entries.  An email list or a
> > newsgroup is like a con:  Everyone gets together in one place.
> > Blogs and Livejournals are like inviting people to your house. Even
> > if you invite everyone who was at a con, a lot fewer people are
> > likely to show up.
> >
>  I think you have it backwards: having a blog on my Website means
>  anyone can read what I write, and it more like people getting
>  together in one place. Visiting my site is like coming over to talk
>  to me at a con. A mailing list is more like showing up at a meeting,
>  and making an announcement. Cons are usually bigger than meetings.

Once subscribed to an elist, one gets all posts without effort.  They
come to one.  But blogs/LJs require each reader to *go to that site* of
which there are many.  If you're popular as a blogger you may attract a
regular "audience"/readership.  But you may not.  I doubt most fan blogs
are read by very many fans on a daily basis.

So it comes down to active vs. passive participation, I guess.  Passive
usually trumps.

--Ted White