What is “Lurking?
Lurking is Net-Slang for only reading posts to a list or newsgroup, and never posting to it. Someone that belongs to the list but from whom we never (or rarely) hear is considered to be a Lurker. Lurking is not a bad thing. In fact many people that belong to the April Wine list rarely post. Most people are happy to just sit back and enjoy the stories, and learn from the conversations that occur. When first joining an internet mailing list or newsgroup, it is a good idea to lurk for a while to learn what types of messages are acceptable, and what types are not. Most lists and groups frown on posting for sale messages, though some do allow it. By lurking, you can get a feel for the “atmosphere” of the group with which you wish to converse. • 5.05 What is “SPAM?” The term SPAM comes from a Monty Python skit. If you know Monty Python, then you know to what I refer. In Internet parlance, SPAM is many things. SPAM is posting advertisements to newsgroups or mailing lists. SPAM is cross-postin
