Lurkers   In an ethnographic study, ten lurkers were interviewed at length to find out the extent of lurking and why did not post (Nonnecke & Preece, 1999) These are the reasons given by lurking as to why they do not post: They didn't understand the community (e.g., they didn't know the audience, comfort level, topic area ect) Personal factors (e.g., culture of orgin, ect) Posting takes time No personal or practical need  (e.g.,  able to gather without posting, just reading, no reson to respond) No community requirement (e.g., no expectation or requirement) Structure of community (e.,. posting not possible, part of community is non posting. Information seeking Privacy (e.g., fear of spamming, archiving subjects) Safety Involvement (e.g., maintain emotional detachment, makes leaving easier, shy) Community responsiveness Value of posting Interaction mechanisms (e.g., volume of posting, user interface, annoymity) Efficiency. The most interesting findings from the study was that lurkers can become so immersed in the community's discussions that they feel they know the participants and that they belong to the community even though they have never posted a message.   ©Jenny Preece writer of Online Communties