I've put this post here because I reckon it does fall into the 'news' category.
I can remember when the membership of Expats hit the 1000 mark - and for Christina that must have been a great satisfaction. Well that membership has continued to climb at (it seems) about 1k per year - no mean feat with all the competition out there in cyberspace.
But I think that despite all the other similar sites on offer, there are very few with the enormous amount of knowledge and such a wide and reliable information base as Expats in Italy has accumulated since opening it's doors to the likes of us.
The original "Gang of Three" is still at the helm - with the additional help of a couple of others (G & B2), and if nothing else that gives a sense of stability to what is quintessentially one of the friendliest forums around. For that Christina, Alice, Annika and Gil (not forgetting that cuddley old curmudgeon Bill 2) should be complimented.
So....I wonder who will be member #3000? I don't think we'll have to wait too long to find out!
I'm only surprised that everyone seems so totally 'underwhelmed'. Well I thought it was a great milestone to reach! Maybe I just got it wrong and it's not important after all.
I think that it means more to someone like you that is "in the business". Most of us that don't have our own sites don't have an idea on the number of members a site has. I also am happy for Cristina, Alice and Annika for reaching this milestone. On the other side of the coin I wonder where many of the very active members that were on this site when I joined have gone.
Posts: 2605 | Location (City & State): Connecticut, USA | Registered: 07 October 2005
Originally posted by Gil: I think that it means more to someone like you that is "in the business". Most of us that don't have our own sites don't have an idea on the number of members a site has. I also am happy for Cristina, Alice and Annika for reaching this milestone. On the other side of the coin I wonder where many of the very active members that were on this site when I joined have gone.
I was excited but did not want to say anything (had been checking the numbers daily to see when it would happen). When we hit 1000, I sent an email to the person and sent them an Amazon gift cert. Never heard from them and they never posted. 2000, sent a gift cert, asked if they got it they said they had, thanked me and disappeared as well so I decided to not do anything this time since I was scared I would scare the perosn off.
Oh and I threw out my back so have not been posting much since I am having a hard time using my right hand.
Cristina
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3000 is HUGE! I am running my own forum these days (about hair, in Swedish, definitely no competition with this site, don't worry ) and I'm super excited that I have 128 registered members after only two months - but THREE THOUSAND!!!
Originally posted by Gil: On the other side of the coin I wonder where many of the very active members that were on this site when I joined have gone.
Only very active members I can think of who've left are Sara (American Girl in Italy) and Dora. I do wish they'd both come back.
Looking at the member list there are a couple of hundred active folks and a maybe 2500 with a handful of posts. Majority of folks don't terminate their membership after joining, posting a couple of times and leaving.
I'm one of the ignorant ones who knows nothing about the membership or the behind the scenes work that goes into a board such as this. However, I do want to say "Auguri" to Cristina, and a heartfelt thank you for creating such a wonderful place filled with knowledgeable people willing to provide assistance. I also want to say thank you for providing an environment in which fed-up people can vent, lonely expats can find a listening ear and the foolish can just be foolish. Grazie mille per tutto. Cheers to the next thousand members...
Posts: 746 | Location (City & State): latina italy | Registered: 06 November 2006
Perhaps it's just the nature of the thing; I, too, post way less frequently than I used to. At the beginning of my time in Italy, this site was a true lifeline/anchor for me - and helped me SO much to settle into being here. Now - in many ways thanks to Expats - my daily life is much fuller here - and consequently I have less time for the internet! I, too, wonder how Dora and Yael are and hope all is well for them. Sara's blog keeps us up to date on her activities, and now we know where to find Nick. I miss them, too.
3000 is great, but how many are premium members who've paid up? Bet you get more posts from them. Maybe you should save prizes for people who have an investment in sticking around. OMG! I sound like a capitalist!!!
Posts: 1684 | Location (City & State): Val d'Orcia - Monte Amiata | Registered: 12 June 2004
AUGURI to Expats, especially to Cristina and the moderators (past and present) who keep this whole thing running. I only wish I would've had a reliable Internet connection (as if that's what I have now!) when I first moved here four years ago. Anyway meglio tardi che mai to join the fun
Also kudos and thanks to Carole B for keeping an eye on this stuff
The membership size of any site like this is often deceptive as has been pointed out on this thread. Yes Expats may have 3000 members and from where I stand that in itself is indicative of it's success.
BUT - (just let me climb up on my soapbox for a minute ), that success has a sting in the tail. Why? Well simply because any site which strives to provide an up to date database, such as can be found here, will attract members who will often be transient. They will search the database, find what they want and promptly bu@@er clear off!
Then you have the new members who don't bother with ' all that reading ' and just pile in and ask their questions....questions that have no doubt been asked time and time again. So the secret is (IMHO) to encourage these people into joining the group who 'have been there and done that' and who will share their successes and failures with everyone else. Well you can't really tell 'em to "go " can you?
Then there are those who stick around believing that they, with their experience (and a wardrobe full of 'T' shirts), just might have something to contribute long term.
The question of a site with a large information database, yet being low in contributing membership figures, is all too common. One site I am involved with is like this - the membership is building (very) slowly, those who DO join seem to be staying - but in just three months it has recieved almost 140,000 views! So it is clear that visitors are a bit like Julius Caesar - "Veni, vidi, vici" - they come, they see and they're the winners NOT the site 'cos they find what they want and then go!
Yet Expats still seems to gain a steady membership, the secret may be to nurture those who have sound experience to offer to it's newcomers.....
The original "Gang of Three" is still at the helm - with the additional help of a couple of others (G & B2), For that Christina, Alice, Annika and Gil (not forgetting that cuddley old curmudgeon Bill 2) should be complimented.
Hey what about me? I know I'm a new moderator but... I like to think I've contributed too...?
In any event, definite kudos Carole for noticing the 3000 mark and congratulations to Cristina
Carol B, Is it possible to re-post your soapbox in another thread, maybe suggestions? It might be good for people to post ideas, opinions, etc...and also would be helpful to us "newbies" who are now so ashamed of our board behavior that we have been left with our tails between our legs.
Posts: 746 | Location (City & State): latina italy | Registered: 06 November 2006
The original "Gang of Three" is still at the helm - with the additional help of a couple of others (G & B2), For that Christina, Alice, Annika and Gil (not forgetting that cuddley old curmudgeon Bill 2) should be complimented.
Hey what about me? I know I'm a new moderator but... I like to think I've contributed too...?
In any event, definite kudos Carole for noticing the 3000 mark and congratulations to Cristina
Oh my lord! Tina there is no way I wished to offend OR forget you when I posted my comments. But you're quite right I did.
Mea culpa - Mea culpa - Mea massima culpa.
To ignore someone is the height of bad manners and was never my intention, so please forgive me.
Expats in Italy Forum 
Moderator
) and I'm super excited that I have 128 registered members after only two months - but THREE THOUSAND!!! 
), that success has a sting in the tail. Why? Well simply because any site which strives to provide an up to date database, such as can be found here, will attract members who will often be transient. They will search the database, find what they want and promptly 
" can you? 
of 'T' shirts), just might have something to contribute long term. 
I know I'm a new moderator but... 
and congratulations to Cristina 
smiley this time