Should fluther have a "lurkers" meter?

Why am I spineless because I’m a lurker? ;)

No it wouldn’t bother me at all…I’ve been on threads where I agreed that we should be able to see how many question followers we have, too.

I lurk quite a bit. I wouldn’t say I lurk because I’m spineless though. Just about every question that can be asked has been asked, and I’m just not in the mood to repeat what I’ve said from past questions when the question is asked again. Once you’ve been here for some time it gets repetitive, but you still want to see what the new people have to say.

Aren’t “observing members” and “lurkers” the same thing?

Yes. I think they are.

I think observing members are only those who are signed in. Lurkers would show how many are watching but not signed in.

Ah, so you’re talking about people who aren’t members, as well as members who aren’t signed in, yes? I don’t think having a lurker count would bother me, but I wouldn’t expect anything like this to happen anytime soon. There are other, more pressing things to tackle, first. :)

Yeah, @augustlan , like a preview box for PMs!!!

@JilltheTooth I would love that. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve messed up text formatting in a PM. Grr.

I don’t think it’s really necessary. Personally, I don’t really give a damn what other people are doing, or not doing, on here. Also, spying on lurkers is totally next dimension, man.

I like quietly reading most of the posts without feeling the obligation to answer. Would a lurker count make a difference… not sure.