I can't really contribute to the actual discussion yet, but a couple of pieces of data:

Lurkers vote. They also contribute. Not either in huge numbers, but I'm always seeing names I don't recognize. So unless there are people who only ever post in the (very few) threads I don't ever read, I'm going to call those people lurkers.

Also, remember this poll from a while back? [link] Just FYI.

I like how "ticky box" won.

I like how "ticky box" won.

Quite frankly, I didn't understand what that meant.

Okay, so we've not only had this conversation many times already, but we've already done the poll too? Seriously, laugh or cry? Somebody please tell me.

ETA: Although the poll was only two months ago. Still, we've already done one poll.

Okay, so we've not only had this conversation many times already, but we've already done the poll too?

And this surprises you why?

Still, we've already done one poll.

That poll doesn't tell me information that I need.

I don't know that it's relevant that we've discussed these issues before.

Previously people decided that it wasn't an issue. But with unchecked expansion now it is an issue. Context changes the discussion.

Seriously, laugh or cry? Somebody please tell me.

Dude, breath. Stepping into Bureaucracy is a marathon commitment, not a sprint. Only the stubborn and cranky survive.

I am neither stubborn nor cranky but I don't seem to be able to form an opinion other than, "clicky box!" This probably has a lot to do with how much I'm still a buffista n00b. To me the site is wonderful. Yes it was a little tricky to get the hang of at first but I think that's a good thing as it discourages the easily discouraged.

Yes it was a little tricky to get the hang of at first but I think that's a good thing as it discourages the easily discouraged.

Fine conversation and no weenies.

What if we call this process a census, say The Great Buffista Census of Aught Seven :Files and Records Wants You! (or something, I’m trying for light hearted)

We can ask the questions msbelle and others have raised, but get the census out there to more people and try and get the most number of people to participate/

We could do questions like: Location – either using geography or maybe timezone

Is b.org your primary online community/ if not, is it your secondary?

How often do you access b.org? (several times a day, daily, several times a week, weekly, several times a month, monthly, only if there’s a threat of Ascension)

How often do you post? (I’m a lurker, once a year, a few times a year, monthly, several times a monthly, weeky, several times a week, daily, are you kidding? I’m always here (aka several times an hour)

What threads do you post/read?

Which thread(s) do you consider to be part of your core experience ?

What originally brought you to this community (whether it was on table talk, worldcrossing, or here): Buffy, Angel, Firefly, my friends seduced me to the Buffista side

I'm not sure if it's possible, I'm not a techy person at all, but I really think this information would be helpful.

What are we going to do with all this information (I mean -- in addition to arguing over what it means)?