Lots of people are interested in Gransnet and yet lack the confidence, or are hesitant, to join in. Thus, they read the threads (lurk), but don’t post. The deliberate ‘Lurker’ threads started by GNHQ are a simple way of encouraging them to join in. The threads have all been non-contentious and so have provided a gentle introduction for the ‘newbies’.
Although I joined Gransnet right at the beginning I hadn’t been on a forum before and I remember clearly how nervous I was, especially as some of the others had migrated from ‘the other place’ and already seemed to ‘know’ each other.