Reply to question on HPforGrownups list

[Debbie]

Speaking strictly as a listmember and not as an elf --

Carol:
> Since the policy is chiefly for the benefit of the List Elves, I'm 
not
> quite sure why we ordinary list members are being asked to respond.
> However, since I joined this list specifically to comment on this
> question, I'll add my two cents, anyway.

Debbie:
Because the list is for the members. :-)

Carol:
> So, yes, I think a week would be good. Any longer than that, and
> impatient readers with time on their hands will be chafing at the 
bit;
> any less time and those of us who need a week to read the books 
will
> be deluged with posts by the time we're ready to post ourselves.

Debbie:
Hehehe. I'm one of those impatient readers; I always pick up the 
book at midnight (though I don't live in the U.K.) and despite being 
a slow reader, will be done by the end of the weekend and chomping 
at the bit to post. 

BTW, some statistics from OOP and HBP release --

*For OOP, the 500th post hit the list less than 12 hours after 
reopening, and we were above 1000 posts in 24 hours.  Post rates 
stayed above 400 or so a day for weeks.

*For HBP, we were closed a day and a half longer, and the post rate 
wasn't quite as extreme.  It took nearly a day and a half for 1000 
posts to hit the list.

The point is that we will be deluged whenever the list reopens and 
it won't let up for a long time.  Therefore, it will be impossible 
to read all the posts regardless of when the list opens.  Going to 
work could be fatal. ;-)

I'm hoping that the new and improved search function will encourage 
people to read up on the subject they intend to post on before 
posting, but I don't think a longer list closure will affect 
anyone's ability to read all the posts.

Debbie
who would be happy with a 45 hour list closure but understands the 
need to wait until she has someone to talk to  :-D