THEY ALSO SERVE WHO LURK AND WAIT (via The Other Brother):

People lurk for many reasons. Depending on the nature of the network, they may lurk to study trends, download resources suggested by active contributors, search for informed opinions or varied perspectives on a topic, or to look for like-minded partners in disciplines outside their own.

Lurkers fall into several broad classifications. Long-term lurkers visit the blog, discussion group, wiki, or support network regularly for months or years without joining the conversation. Serial lurkers come and go from time to time on a schedule that fits their needs or curiosity. Transient lurkers drop in once or twice to check out the network, but don't come back. [...]

Lurking is a logical, perhaps even vital, first step in engaging with an online network. Lurkers will come to understand the social mores and norms of a particular network, enabling them to join in the conversation appropriately when they feel ready. Most of us don't enter a crowded room and start talking right away; we listen to the conversations going on around us, gravitate to those we find most interesting, and start talking when we feel we have something to contribute. Online networks are no different.

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