Hello Ziko,
Am 05.06.2015 um 09:33 schrieb Ziko van Dijk zvandijk@gmail.com:
But I think that this is a good example for a quantitative research that should later lead you to a qualitative look. And maybe it is indeed an indicator for something. In systems theory, one might think that the social system shows an internal differentiation so that people go to more specialized lists.
From the point of view of systems theory what matters is how system Wikimedia draws the line between itself and its environment because that is what constitutes Wikimedia. In other words, how open is Wikimedia still to newbies, different-minded contributors, criticism from within, etc.
What is it that leads to changes in this differentiation between inside and outside the system? Is it due to moderation or to the subscribers leaving, following their interest in certain subjects?
Systems theory deals with an objective description of developments, while the latter would be a matter for those interested in the individual motives for any changes.
Most important: There is no metrics for that, we definitely need a qualitative approach for that.
Isnt't there literature about the traffic on mailing lists?
Of course, there is. ;) Mailing lists have been there since 1972, IIRC. E.g., a search for "mailing list" in First Monday yields 117 articles. Mailing lists are the oldest type of all virtual communities.
Best, Jürgen.