egroups.com

I have subscribed to my first eGroup - I've signed up to the eGroup that I saw advertised for keen Ciao users, and thought it might be a useful way to spread/gain ideas and air some more views.

The principle of the eGroup is quite simple - one or more users acts as a moderator and effectively "owns" the group. You then apply to join the group, and the moderator signs you up (or tells you to get lost). Once you are in the group, you can post messages to a message board, send emails direct to other users, post attachments, such as photos and take part in user-maintained polls.

There seems to be a lot of emphasis on the moderator to maintain, and motivate, the eGroup and a lot of the messages have come from the moderator. In fact, it would appear that only a small proportion of the members actively use the egroup. Whenever I have posted a message I have received a prompt response, but usually from the same two or three people.

I would suggest that the principal of an eGroup is sound, and that the website can very effectively be used to communicate and share ideas. I can't help but think, however, that many members have subscribed on a whim, and aren't really that interested. The Ciao eGroup is really a forum for getting yourself known within the Ciao community, but at the current time I am disappointed with the general level of participation from most of the users.